Impartial- not prejudiced towards or against any particular side or party; fair; unbiased.

Bigot- A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, irrationality,and animosity toward those of differing beliefs. The predominant usage in…

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A notice to the leaders of every emergency service, world wide!

Lead the way or step aside.

As leaders, we must set the example in everything we do.

The photos below (taken from a profile here on FFN) are of a training burn. Last time I checked, a training burn can get just as hot as any other fire we respond to.

Complacency in training leads to poor decisions and actions…

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Dynamic Risk Assessments (DRA's) are a vital component of any operation if we are to really embrace the "Everyone Goes Home" philosphy.

Do we undertake a dangerous task? Yes!

Are there risks in everything we do? Yes!…

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FireRescue1 is reporting that four former Charleston firefighters are suing Sofa Super Store, its owners and several furniture companies, alleging that they suffered physical and emotional injuries as a result of the 2007 blaze that killed nine of their fellow firemen.



Read the full article at:…

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Firefighter arrested for speeding to fire call in NC screams the headline on FireRescue1 at http://www.firerescue1.com/volunteer/articles/602445-Firefighter-arrested-for-speeding-to-fire-call-in-NC/



GIBSONVILLE, N.C. — A Gibsonville firefighter arrested last month on his way to an apartment fire no longer faces felony charges, but the district attorney's… Continue

FireRescue1 is reporting an interesting lawsuit taking place in Carlsbad.



CARLSBAD, N.M. — Firefighters and rescue workers who responded to a "scene from hell" after a gas pipeline explosion near Carlsbad in August 2000 won the right from the New Mexico Supreme Court to sue for emotional distress two years ago.



Read the full article at…

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If you've had your head buried in the sand and haven't heard of Susan Boyle (Pictured above), then I suggest you watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBTVdnWj1hM (It can't be embedded as it's been disabled on Youtube).



What Susan lacks in looks, fashion and everything else we expect many to be, she more than makes up for with her amazing singing talent and attitude… Continue

Gordon Dupont wrote an interesting artcile on Human Factors and how to avoid the dirty dozen, in relation to the aviation industry.



Check it out at:

http://www.ihst.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ciDdCM%2FClnw%3D&tabid=1784&language=en-US



These are the 12 contributing factors that can set you up to make an error no matter what your occupation and can easily be adpated to the fire scene. Consider the… Continue

On new years eve, I took delivery of a brand new Mercedes-Benz Vito Crew Cab van (long wheel base).



Here's a link to the MB website with a bit of background info to the model: http://tinyurl.com/ay55n4



Over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed a few things that could potentially be a "trap" for rescuers and thought I'd give a heads up to everyone.





Ignition: check out the key. It's not broken!…

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We put the Christmas tree up last night.

While getting everything in place and sorting through the decorations and stuff, we found a present we forgot to give the kids last year.

You should have seen their faces as they unwrapped the present and looked inside.....

....poor puppy.

In a recent discussion in the Rope Rescue Group on FFN, I referred to many departments as "plate spinners". You can read the full discussion at:

http://www.firefighternation.com/group/roperescue/forum/topic/show?id=889755%3ATopic%3A882697



I'd like to say that this term used to describe many departments is mine, as I feel that it sums up many the world over, however it's not- it was suggested to me by someone who heard it from… Continue

For some time now on this website and many other forums the world over, there has been some pretty hot debates about the attitudes and skill levels of recruits and the "younger" generation entering the emergency services.



Well, I've got a newsflash for ya'!



Check out who's teaching 'em.



Even more importnantly, check out what they're being taught by these people.



By way of background, I run my own… Continue

In a recent blog I wrote, titled "Know What You're Dealing With, Or Don't Do It!!!!", I challenged emergency services members and industrial ERT's to know their core business. To understand what they do. To understand what they're dealing with and likely to face when called.



If you want to get a bit of background to this blog, you can read it at http://www.firefighternation.com/profiles/blog/show?id=889755%3ABlogPost%3A622050



I was recently contracted to deliver Confined… Continue

There's been a lot of stuff written and said about the Station Nighclub fire and tragedy in which saw the loss of 100 lives and a further 200 injured.



I'm not here to call into question the response of the emergency services to this event.



But we MUST use events like this and 9/11 and Worcester and others to learn from.



What can we do better?



What worked?



What didn't?



What needs… Continue

I've been running my own OHS/HSE, Emergency Management and Business Continuity training company for some time now and spend most of my days travelling around the country teaching Emergency Response Teams (ERT's), Plant Operators and Managers about health and safety and emergency management matters. (Everything from building evacuations, confined space entry/rescue, safe work at heights, breathing apparatus and many other topics) This includes airlines, refineries, chemical process,… Continue

Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear- period.



I tire of hearing of newbies and probies being ridiculed, questioned, demoralised and many other forms of "harassment" and "punishment" by the older generation in the emergency services.



There's simply no need for it. Resepct should be given from day one that the newbie walks into the firehouse.



I'd suggest that if the older generation firefighters (and other emergency service personnel) want… Continue

I'll begin by stating quite clearly that here in Oz, it has been a national law since the early 70's for every person (Including emergency responders) to wear a seat belt, so I'm at a loss to understand the mentality of some.....



Having said that, here's my random rant for the day!





What are we coming to?



Today a little switch in the back of mind flicked into the on position, or was that the p**sed off position?



What have we come to? We need to… Continue