I was poking around for some research and ended up spending the better part of the evening surfing the FirefighterCloseCall.com website. Thank goodness I was alone at home because I spent a good deal of time yelling at the computer while watching some of the videos on the website. To be honest, I wasn't completely alone and I am still apologizing to the four cats who were trying to sleep during this endeavor.

At any rate, I know that I am capable of doing some damn stupid things. Certainly, I have been guilty of missing a safety step or getting lazy (how many times have I caught myself telling the probie 'don't do that'). All in all, through websites like CloseCalls and The Secret List, I think that I am at least becoming more educated and hopefully safer.

So, when I read a list of fifty ways to keep the brothers and sisters safer, I thought it worthwhile to post up for anyone who wanted to read it.

50 Ways to Save your Brother (or Sister)
In 2005, there was 106 line-of-duty firefighter deaths ?

What can you do to stop the trend ???

KNOW YOUR JOB !!
Drive responsibly
Risk nothing to save nothing
Know your apparatus
Act safely
Eat right
Wear your PPE
Stop at red lights / stop signs
Look like a professional
Know your nozzles
Train like your life depends on it
Wear your seat belt
Don't freelance
Be aware of your surroundings
Study tactics
Use ventilation wisely
Don't breath smoke
Risk little to save little (property)
Watch out for your partner
Be aware of your air
Take your tools
Know how to read couplings
Perform a size-up on every call
Weigh risk versus benefit
Understand fire behavior
Know our SOGs
Practice safe EMS
Know your tools
Be professional
Prepare mentally
Stay fit
Understand strategies
Don't speed
Maintain accountability
Protect the roadway
Don't take unnecessary risks
Know your knots
Make sure GPMs outdo BTUs
Train like you mean it
Know two ways out
Take care of your body
Recognize flashover - backdraft
Drive to survive
Train often
Be nice
Pay attention to details
Think SAFETY
Be decisive
Risk a lot to save a lot (life)
Follow local / state / federal laws