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Morning Lineup – February 7

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Thursday Morning – Open Your Books

It was just a little over a week ago on January 29 that I introduced you to Ian Haight of Waterloo, Ontario.  He's the blogger from there who has just begun the 16-month Pre-Service Firefighter Training Program at Conestoga College.  If you missed the Lineup that day, take a few moments to read up on the background to this adventure HERE,  and then the follow up with the diary's initial entry, Phew…I Made It!, that Ian posted HERE.

While it is Ian's preference to post a weekly update on the activities and his progress through the program, you can understand that it isn't practical to try and stick to a strict schedule of posting his entries.  So we'll just keep you notified when they come along.  If you read his initial entry, then you know that he is a capable and interesting writer, so you will find the series both enlightening and entertaining.

Ian's second entry is now online, Reflections on Month One is posted HERE and he tells us about how the physical fitness aspect is playing out.  Going into the program, you might recall, being the oldest in the class he was a little worried about keeping up with the others.  And… he was chosen by the rest of his group to be the Class President.  A good test of leadership capabilities already!  Congratulations, Ian.  We will be watching for the next update and I will post the link when it's available.

p.s.:  Ian is inviting you to leave any comments or questions about his experiences, so go ahead and let him know what you are curious about on the page.

Now let's satisfy our curiosity on whether these trucks and tools are ready for today's action, and get started on the check sheet.  I'll get the Bunn-O-Matic back into action and run a couple more pots to be ready for our meeting in the day room in a little while.  See you there.

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Posted by on February 7, 2013 • Filed under: education, morning lineup • Tagged: ,

Chattanooga Choo-Choo’s to Zero Fire Deaths

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An Achievement to Be Proud Of

THE CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, FIRE Department has proudly announced to their citizens that there were no fire-related deaths in 2012.  In a statement to the press, Fire Chief Randy Parker said, "We always strive to prevent all fire fatalities in Chattanooga, but we’re usually disappointed. This is obviously good news for us and the city we serve."

Chattanooga Fire Station 1  (Google Street View)

This was the first time in more than a decade that the city has reached this goal.  After a string of five years where the annual fire fatalities ranged from one to four, the count jumped to 8 in 2011.  It appears that was when this new initiative was put together and into practice.

The Chattanoogan reported on this story:

Chief Parker attributes the success in part to the department’s fire prevention efforts — headed up by Fire Marshal James Whitmire — and a little luck. "Our Fire Prevention Bureau coordinates a lot of excellent public education events throughout the year," said Chief Parker, "and I know that makes a big difference. But I also know there’s a certain amount of luck involved."

Following the topic, Chief Parker stated that while the FD usually arrives on the scene of a fire in just a few minutes, most fire deaths occur before the first fire engine gets there because of the heat and/or toxic gasses.  The Chattanoogan story goes on to tell how the fire marshal's office has been aggressively bringing the message of self work at fire prevention.  It looks like they're getting a payoff from that.  Chattanooga FD is an ISO Class 2 fire department.

Read the full STORY HERE.
Chattanooga Fire Department WEBSITE.

Hat tip:  David S.

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Posted by on January 19, 2013 • Filed under: current events, education, Fire Prevention & Education, News

Tonight’s Netcast

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Featuring the Firefighter Cancer Support Network

The December 13 Kitchen Table Chat is about cancer.

As you may or may not know, Dr. Burt Clark underwent prostate cancer surgery earlier this month. He and his wife, Carolyn will be discussing cancer and the fire service with the founder and president of the Firefighter Cancer Support Networks, Mr. Mike Dubron tonight at 9pm ET.

Burt, with the help and support of Carolyn, is recovering from a Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy surgery for prostate cancer that he had on Dec 1.

Mike Dubron, President / Founder of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network explains the organization. If cancer has visited your family, stop by Kitchen Table Chat and share your knowledge, experience, or support.

The Netcast live show is open to all listeners to call in and chat with the commentators and you can participate in the live forum feed that is part of every netcast.  Can't make it during the live presentation?  All shows are archived and can be heard at a time of your convenience.

CLICK HERE to log onto tonight's Kitchen Table Chat and join in.

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Posted by on December 13, 2011 • Filed under: education, entertainment • Tagged:

Nevada Fire Science Academy Due to Close

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The Problem is Strictly Financial

THE FIRE SCIENCE ACADEMY AT THE University of Nevada, Reno will probably be shut down by the end of the year and sold to the Nevada National Guard.  The modern facility is widely used by firefighters from all over the world and also contributes to the Elko County economy.  But the school has an unsustainable debt that continues to increase with no foreseeable turnaround.  There is a $24 million bond indebtedness and a $12 million operating deficit.  The closure will cause the layoff of 28 people, as well.

Fire Science Academy photo

The Elko Daily Free Press reports:

"It is my decision to go to the Board of Regents to propose the closure. The actual decision will be with the Board of Regents,"UNR President Marc Johnson said Monday. "The reason is completely financial," he said.

The university plans to recommend the closure to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents at their meeting Dec. 1-2 in Las Vegas, according to UNR’s announcement Monday.

Elko County, the City of Elko and the Elko Convention and Visitors Authority all contributed $25,000 a year under a sustainability effort to keep the doors open, and Carlin provided a break on water rates. Academy clients also contributed.

Johnson said the contributions from the cities and county were supposed to be a stopgap measure for three years while the academy sought funds elsewhere for long-term financial support, but that didn’t happen.

KRNV-TV posted this video report:

 

The sale of the academy to the National Guard is progressing and is expected to be completed within the next few months.  National Guard officials say that their usage of the facility will replace the room sales and related economic activities, plus a planned expansion construction program will benefit the area as well.

The Gardnerville Record-Courier has more DETAILS HERE.
The Elko Daily Times report is HERE.
University of Nevada press release HERE (click on letter for full size).
University of Nevada, Reno Fire Science Academy WEBSITE.

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Posted by on November 16, 2011 • Filed under: education, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, Training, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Early Roman First-aid Kit Discovered.

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What the 2,000-Yr.-Old EMT Used

THE AID BOX OF THE SHIP'S MEDIC was recently found in the shipwreck of a Mediterranean trading vessel that sank around 130 B.C.  The inspection of the medicine box suggests that the ship carried a medically-trained crew member to administer to the injured and ill sailors.

The shipwreck was first located in 1974 and has been explored by archaeologists since then.  In 1989 the wooden chest containing the medicines was found, but it was only recently that the scientists were able to successfully open it safely and inspect the contents using DNA sequencing technology.

The UK Telegraph reports:

A wooden chest discovered on board the vessel contained pills made of ground-up vegetables, herbs and plants such as celery, onions, carrots, cabbage, alfalfa and chestnuts – all ingredients referred to in classical medical texts.

The tablets, which were so well sealed that they miraculously survived being under water for more than two millennia, also contain extracts of parsley, nasturtium, radish, yarrow and hibiscus.

They were found in 136 tin-lined wooden vials on a 50ft-long trading ship which was wrecked around 130 BC off the coast of Tuscany. Scientists believe they would have been used to treat gastrointestinal complaints suffered by sailors such as dysentery and diarrhoea.

"We still don't know whether it was Roman, Greek or Phoenician, nor do we know whether it was a long distance trading ship operating throughout the Mediterranean or a coastal vessel," said Dr Touwaide.

He said the discovery showed that medical knowledge contained in ancient Greek texts, and later in the writings of Roman scholars such as Pliny, was being put into practise in the Roman Empire.

The New American has a detailed report on this investigation HERE.

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Posted by on July 12, 2011 • Filed under: education, EMS Topics

About Educators and Instructors

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The following is an edited version of a speech that I presented before the Fire Service Higher Education Conference attendees at the National Fire Academy this Saturday:

About Educators and Instructors

Educators are leaders, visionaries and motivators. As educators you strive to take students to a different place. Educators inspire them to accomplish what they have not yet dreamed they may accomplish. But it is hard. We have a great challenge before us. Many students and potential students are contemplating the uncertain future of the American fire and EMS services. They witness their chief officers vilified before city council and in the press. The next generations of leaders see unprecedented political pressure to retain current levels of service while reducing revenue streams. These conditions exist at a time when structural fires are burning hotter and fire growth patterns are occurring unprecedented speeds. We are experiencing flashover in residential structures in 31/2 minutes. The older adult population who is most at risk due to this condition is growing in numbers.

New alternative fuels used in vehicles and structures are emerging. These fuels include biodiesel, hydrogen, ethanol, all electric vehicles and photovoltaic, solar farms and power plants. We are seeing infectious diseases spreading across continents at break neck speed. The recent out break of E coli now affecting over 1,800 people in Germany has reached now the U. S.

We know that training, information, developing and honing new skill sets are the answer. These challenges face us at a time when training dollar investment is at an all time low. So our students, the future leaders of the American fire and EMS services see what is ahead of them. They ponder how they might motivate people in this current environment. They see friends losing their jobs, losing their homes and losing ground against inflation due to pay freezes. They begin to rethink their desire to climb the corporate chain into chief executive officer status.

Man, I am not a cynic but it sure sounds like it. What we can assume is that those who are stepping forward today are the true leaders of tomorrow. They do not have a personal agenda. They truly are inspired to lead. We cannot afford to fail them.

We know the difficult decisions and choices they must make are founded on sound reasoning and based on reliable data, and only after careful analysis of their impact, there cost and there benefit. These difficult decisions and choices demand inclusion of all impacted parties and have direct relationship to organizational values. They must know that critical thinking must include consideration of the political landscape. It is going to take a special brand of courage to undertake this unique challenge.

Not all their decisions will be embraced or popular; however, they must be made regardless.

There is a story about a grandfather, grandson and their mule. As the trio proceeded on a long journey, they were continually stopped by observers. The grandfather was scolded that he should let the boy ride on the mule, not walk, because the boy is young and appeared tired. A little farther on the journey, the boy was scolded and told the grandfather should ride because the grandfather is old. Eventually, they were told that they should both ride. Then they were told that they should carry the mule, because the mule has always worked so hard for them. Each time, they obliged the requests, but as they tried to carry the mule, they became over burdened, as they crossed a bridge, slipped and dropped the mule over a side rail and the mule drowned. "The moral of this story is: When you try to please everybody, you're going to lose your ass".

There is no magic pill, no simple solution for these complicated and far reaching challenges. In America we love simplicity. Our approach in many cases has been to apply a simple solution to a complicated problem.

There is a long list; a long list of failures I might add:

· A national problem with alcohol consumption? – Prohibition.

· A national crime problem? Three strikes you are out.

· Dependence on foreign oil? Add 10% ethanol to our gasoline.

· New Orleans sinking? Build levees and install huge pumps to keep the water levels down.

We know that problem solving begins with sound strategic planning and demands skills that take advantage of among other things:

· GIS

· Smart development

· Contemporary prevention, and mitigation technologies and programs

· A good dose of political and community involvement

All have their place in our classrooms today.

We want our future leaders to see beyond how things are. Seek solutions through innovation, partnerships and solutions that are realized vicariously through others including the private sector. We cannot continue to conduct ourselves as we have in the past and continue to exist as a profession. Not in the new normal. Normal is new each day. Our future leaders have to know that failed attempts at creating solutions must be set aside or retooled and new approaches found. They have to bounce back.

We do not have a choice in this matter. We cannot afford to fail. It is the people in this room and those like us that must show the next generation of fire and EMS leadership they way through this challenging time.

Mohammed Ali had a great line at the peak of his career when he was asked, "How many sit-ups do you do?" He said, "I don't count all my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. When I feel pain, that's when I start counting, because that's when it really counts."

It will not be easy. It will be hard. There will be some pain, however we are counting on the next generation of fire and EMS leaders to carry on the great tradition of service to our country and our citizens.

(Chief Gaines is currently the acting U. S. Fire Administrator.)

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Posted by on June 6, 2011 • Filed under: Chief's Point of View, education

Wednesday Night Netcast

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"The mission will not stop for hurt feelings. The most common injury in the fire service is hurt feelings. Too often it isn’t even the act of hurting feelings but the fear that something could hurt feelings that delays a program, decision or action. You must temper yourself and your reactions to critique and criticism if you expect others to respond objectively in the name of progress."  – - Brian Brush

Join John and Rhett for a live Firefighter Netcast Show on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 9 pm Eastern. This week’s featured guest, Brian Brush, is a Lieutenant and instructor in the Denver metropolitan area for a department that serves 110 square miles, and nearly 300,000 residents.

Lt. Brush will be discussing his take on training, his involvement with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events, and his recent blogging gig at FireServiceWarrior.com.

CLICK HERE for the direct link to the netcast and to participate by either call-in or messaging.

 

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Posted by on June 1, 2011 • Filed under: education, entertainment, training-fire-rescue-topics

One in A Million – Revisited

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ARE YOU ONE IN A MILLION?

There are about 50 emergency service instructors who can be a keynote speaker at a national conference. They have a unique or compelling story that is effectively presented with emotion and drama.

There are another 500 who are considered outstanding national instructors or subject matter experts. They have mastered a technical, conceptual, legal or political aspect of the job and they freely share their information with others.

You read their blogs and trade journal articles. Some write books. They are at hands-on training sessions and regional conferences. Some, like The Seattle "Air Management" Guys or Dave "Reading Smoke" Dodson, move into a national conference big room.

There are 5,000 firefighters and medics who are righteous regional instructors. They are the informal leader in the fire company, work as a state fire/ems instructor, and are the go-to person within their department.

Some teach at the community college or university. These folks have a laptop with a dozen projects somewhere between concept and completion.

ONE WHO WAS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

I was thinking about this while standing in a long viewing line, an out-of-place fossil in a dark suit on a summer day three years ago.

Surrounded by hundreds of uniformed Eastern Shore paramedics, EMTs, firefighters and police officers.

I was neither family nor co-worker, but the line-of-duty-death of Stephanie Callaway staggered me.

Sussex County Paramedic Callaway graduated from my EMS Management program. I met her family at commencement. She was one of the 5,000 who could have become part of the top 500.

At the 2011 Congressional Fire Service Institute dinner, the Odessa Fire Company received the first MedicAlert sponsored "Excellence in Fire Service Based EMS" award for an all-volunteer organization.

The two-station New Castle County based fire/heavy rescue/ems company referenced the awful Delaware experience with three significant ambulance crashes in 2008 as a motivating factor in their efforts to deliver safety-focused EMS.  It is a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.

ONE WHO IMPACTED THOUSANDS

When Bill Carey set up Backstep Firefighter his goal was "To provide a point of critical thought about certain acts and events in the fire service while incorporating behavioral education and commentary in a referenced format."

Carey said that he was influenced by discussions he had with Andrew Fredericks, FDNY Engine 48 and Squad 18.

Fredericks was one of the top 50, working to improve fire attack procedures. This article explains the Fredericks statue at the Rockland County Fire Training Center.

The following description is part of the Lt. Andrew A. Fredericks Memorial Resident Scholars Chair webpage at the New York State Academy of Fire Service:

Andy would regularly be found in the Fire Academy Library with books, articles and other research material spread out before him. Andy frequently encouraged other instructors to "research, research, research."

LINK to Andrew Fredericks Training Days

ONE THAT RAISED THE BAR FOR ANOTHER

Louis CK describes how George Carlin changed his approach to the work of comedy:

Prolific, hard working… This is the way I would say George has had the most direct influence on me personally as a comedian. The guy did about seventeen full hour standup specials. Very generously, he explained how he pulled this off in a terrific interview that is available on a cd called Carlin on Carlin.

He talks about spending every year on the road, working specifically on the next special. Every show has a goal, to hone the specific set he is expecting to shoot at the end of the year. Like writing a book. When he shoots the special, it's over. That material goes away and he starts again.

I listened to that interview one night, in my car, while coming from a show where I had just done my regular, stump speech hour that took me fifteen years to perfect … The show had gone well … It was solid material … I'd been doing comedy for almost twenty. So what? Then I heard George explaining his process and I was terrified and inspired. What balls, to just chuck out perfectly good material and start again.

My first hour of material took fifteen years to write and I did it for another five. My second hour took one year. I shot it as a special called "Shameless" and never performed that material again. After a hard year of touring I shot "Chewed Up" and now that material is gone and I'm working on another hour now, from scratch.

This is something I never dreamed I'd be able to do, let alone learn to do this late in my life and career. It has given me a new lease on life as a comedian and as a person. It's made me better, more honest and has made every single show of the last three years mean more than any shows in the previous 20.

All of that is due to George. His example, and his words in that interview, were an absolute revolution in my life. I owe him EVERYTHING.

Are you one of the 2 million ready to be one of the 5000, 500 or one of the 50?

Originally published July 1, 2008.  Updated April 11, 2011

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on April 11, 2011 • Filed under: education, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, Line of Duty, News, Training & Development, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Remember Highway Safety Films?

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While waiting for a student … to sign a paper … to late enroll

Best snow story from Too Old To Work, Too Young to Retire: I Love A Story With A Happy Ending

For all you you struggling in today’s blizzard, be safe!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Unexpected follow up from: Sorrow versus Shock: The Last Text

Two of the teens killed in the AT&T video were probably not wearing their seatbelts.

Too Old To Work says that neither video message will work, like the gory driver safety films of my youth.

(link to “Ohio Highway Patrol Mechanized Death Driving Safety Films“)

Holy cow, a 2003 documentary film and website:

Hell’s Highway

THE HIGHWAY SAFETY FOUNDATION: A CHRONOLOGY

David Edelstein’s July 11, 2003 review of the film for Slate.com.

Unsafe at Any Speed: The pornography of highway safety films.

There is a primitive horror in watching the hand-held camera move in on flashing police lights in the night, then get right up to smashed cars, then fasten on shattered faces covered in glass and blood and bodies twisted in unnatural positions. Sometimes you can hear the real moans and shrieks of the injured and dying. Once the camera catches a man at the instant of death.

Whatever the filmmakers’ intentions, this was pornography then, and its liberal use in the documentary—which features stomach-turning shots of a dead baby under a car—makes it feel like pornography now. Hell’s Highway isn’t nearly as revelatory or as penetrating as it would need to be to overcome the exploitation factor.


NOW FOR SOMETHING DOWN UNDER

While I will tend to agree with Too Old To Work, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is a Victorian Government-owned organization set up in 1986 that has had a different experience with their safety videos.

TAC’s role is to pay for treatment and benefits for people injured in transport accidents. It is also involved in promoting road safety in Victoria and in improving Victoria’s trauma system.

This 5:22 minute video:
TAC Campaign – 20 year Anniversary retrospective montage
is powerful.

12.1 million views.

from the video:

On December 10th 1989 the first TAC commercial went to air. In that year the road toll was 776; by last year 2008 it had fallen to 303. (287 deaths for 2010)

A five minute retrospective of the road safety campaigns produced by the TAC over the last 20 years has been compiled. The montage features iconic scenes and images from commercials that have helped change they way we drive, all edited to the moving song Everybody Hurts by REM.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on February 2, 2011 • Filed under: cars, current events, education, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, history, Job Security, Major Incidents, Rescues, Technology & Communications, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Fire College Director Nabbed for Embezzling

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Accused of Stealing $500,000 From Students

 MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE IN WALNUT, CALIFORNIA, has a Fire Technology program that offers a variety of courses including fire academy preparation for people who want to become firefighters.  The Fire Tech section typically has about 1,000 students enrolled each semester and has been headed by a retired fire officer, Jerry Dewayne Austin who is listed in the school website as Professor / Department Chair.

Last week Austin was arrested and then arraigned on Monday on charges that he stole as much as a half-million dollars from the Fire Tech students.  At a time not disclosed, Austin opened a bank account under another school administrator’s name, using the college’s employer identification number, and managed to deposit every check that was written to the Fire Tech section including all the tuition payments.  The sheriff believes that Austin charged the students an inflated price for their tuition and kept the overages for himself.

A tip to the college back in September about the bank account led to an investigation that turned up the scheme.  Austin is being held in jail under a $3 million dollar bond because he is considered a flight risk.  He has converted much of his ill-gotten gains to properties outside the United States.

The Daily Bulletin has the story along with some background information on Austin HERE.
Mt. San Antonio College WEBSITE.
Fire Technology Section’s WEBPAGE .

Posted by on January 14, 2011 • Filed under: crime, education, Fire Rescue Topics • Tagged: , ,

Help Wanted

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HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO SEE FIRE/RESCUE/EMS agencies do a better job in selecting the best candidates for hiring?  Well, now you have the opportunity to take some action to help make it happen.

A doctoral student at the University of Maryland is conducting a serious research study to assess how interview candidates for an entry-level firefighting position are rated and The Backstep Firefighter is recruiting helpers to participate in the study.  According to Bill Carey, you will be asked to act as an interview assessor for six candidates for an entry-level firefighting position. The study is fully online, and should take 40 minutes to an hour to complete.

It sounds both enlightening and entertaining.  So CLICK HERE to read about the project and sign up to do your part.

Posted by on November 2, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, education, Fire Rescue Topics, Training & Development • Tagged: , , ,

Haunted Lecture

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Matt Weathers, teaching “Nature of Math” at Biola University last week documented an unusual presentation problem:

This happened last Halloween as well.

Brian Barrett at Gizmodo has some details (HERE)

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on November 1, 2010 • Filed under: culture, education, entertainment, News, Training & Development, Videos • Tagged: , , , , ,

Time To Go Shopping

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WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS ON THAT TRUCK?

Big Brown has just brought in the first shipment of the MONOPOLY – EMS VERSION games.  If you have placed a pre-order, then it will be getting into the mail to you soon.  If you’ve been waiting until they arrive before you order yours, then NOW is the time to CLICK HERE and place it.

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WHO HASN’T SPENT HOURS LOOKING THROUGH the National Geographic magazine?  All those terrific articles on places and people along with the best photographers in the world illustrating them.  You just can’t put one down after you pick it up.  Maybe you have wished that your children could be exposed to those marvelous, educational materials.

Well, now they can!  National G. has put every single edition from 1888 through 2008 onto DVD-ROMs …..

 

Every printed page–every article, photograph, advertisement.  Plus a nifty feature called Geobrowse, where you just point to a place on the globe to be linked to all the articles about that area.  And the good news is, you can order a set for your family now while the price is knocked down 14% to $59.95.  Just CLICK HERE  to read more and order yours.

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And while you’re letting your fingers do the shopping, take a moment to order your own Firegeezer Travel Mug.  These practical, 16-oz. insulated mugs have become a popular item, and understandably so.  The hefty, fire engine-red mugs have the best “sip lid” we’ve seen yet.

And along with the familiar Firegeezer logo, they have the narrow base that fits into most cup holders.  Perfect for that morning commute to work while keeping your coffee hot for more than an hour.  You can order yours using your credit card safely from the Firegeezer Shop HERE.

Posted by on October 28, 2010 • Filed under: education, EMS Topics, shopping • Tagged: , ,

Good Public Education

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A MASSACHUSETTS FIRE CHIEF HAS DONE A good job of getting a vital message across to the citizens.  Chief Kevin Gallagher has teamed up with Boston’s Channel 25 WFXT-TV to illustrate a severe fire potential that is built into some modular homes.  The culprit here is a foam-epoxy glue that is used to assemble rafters, joists, and sections.  The excessive quantities used beyond what is necessary are leading to extremely rapid fire spread.

Watch this video report that was produced as  result:

This is  good example of effective use of the media to not only educate the public, but this kind of publicity is sometimes the only way to jolt lawmakers and bureaucrats into paying attention.

gallagher a southcoasttoday

Chief Gallagher
(South Coast Today photo)

As a side note, it was just last month that the Acushnet Fire Dept. was fully merged with the local EMS to become the Acushnet Fire and EMS Department.  It is a combination career/paid-on-call department with three stations and they have a good WEBSITE HERE.

Posted by on March 3, 2010 • Filed under: Building construction, education, Fire Prevention & Education, public relations, Videos • Tagged: , , , ,

Building an Urban Culture

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band_webA couple of the responses to December’s confrontation at Task Force 1 included a reference to the HBO series “Band of Brothers.”

The ten episode series covered Easy Company during World War II, an adoption the book written by history professor and biographer Stephen Ambrose.

MENTORING EAGER EDDIE

Eddie has five years with your department. One of the most enthusiastic firefighters you have met, “Double E” has a reputation of outworking almost anyone on the job.

He seems tone-deaf when it comes to supervision and leadership. Expects everyone else to work as hard as he does. Could use some tactfulness when dealing with the public.

He comes to you for advise. How can be prepare to be the best fire officer he can be? The promotional exam is two years away.

DEVELOPING AN APPROPRIATE FOUNDATION

What movies should Eddie see? What fictional or real characters should be study? Any good books? We have two years to build an urban fire officer culture that Eddie can stand on to excel as a fire officer and, probably, as a senior command officer.

What would YOU recommend?

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

URBAN COMMANDER is an irregular feature aimed at career staff working in metro-sized fire departments. It will cover topics that were too esoteric, short-term or “sharp” for the Fire Officer: Principles and Practice textbook. Click “Urban Commander” under Categories to get all of the articles.

Posted by on February 8, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, culture, education, Fire Rescue Topics, Training & Development, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , ,

Fire Prevention? What’s That?

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THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) IS BASED IN QUINCY, Massachusetts, just down the road from Boston.  But unfortunately the NFPA’s messages on fire safety and fire prevention aren’t making it into the offices of the Boston Globe newspaper.  Just a scant few days after the conclusion of Fire Prevention Week, the Globe ran some Hallowe’en tips for the kiddies showing them how to make a pumpkin display that has a 3-ft.-high flame burning out of it.

flaming pumpkin b boston globe

Their advice on how to make a “Flaming Head” brags that “toilet paper rolls soaked in kerosene will create 3-ft.-high flames for about 45 minutes.”  They also remind you to “only do this outside, away from flammable materials.”  Seemingly, the clueless writers at the Globe don’t realize that the Flaming Head IS a flammable material.  But they are helpful in that they suggest that you “ignite it through the mouth (of the jack-o-lantern) or your hand will roast.”

flaming pumpkin c

It looks like the kids on weekend duty at the Globe were skimming the internet for some Hallowe’en ideas and came across this future ambulance call on a website called Extreme Pumpkins.com.  It has detailed instructions (HERE) on how to make one, including the tip that you should soak the TP in kerosene overnight for the best results.  It also reminds us:

If you want the best flame I have seen yet, this is it. Be warned that the smoke can be a little dark and stinky at first. Otherwise, it was awesome. Remember to be safe and all that.

Yes, there will always be a need for the fire department and the EMS squads.

We are unable to give you the link to the Boston Globe story because shortly after it was posted online, the State Fire Marshal called them and spoke to one of the grown-ups.  The Globe pulled the page immediately, but we saved a screen cap of the page before they did it.

Thanks to Firefighter Dave and Da Gonz for sending us this head-shaker.

Posted by on October 19, 2009 • Filed under: education, Fire Prevention & Education • Tagged: , , , , ,

Professional Development gets an FRI Push

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ED KAPLAN IS OBSESSED WITH FIREFIGHTER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

He is the architect of the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative started 12 years ago at the National Fire Academy (click HERE for related article). He has encouraged, cajoled and conceptualized the concept of linking training with academic achievement and professional development.

In a series of 3 am posts on the FESHE FaceBook page, Ed excitedly shares developments from meetings he had at the IAFC Fire-Rescue International Conference in Dallas this week.

KAPLAN’S REPORT (edited for clarity, see the FESHE facebook  (HERE) for original posts)

Reporting from Dallas at FRI. FEMA Director Fugate said he’s “going to put the ‘fire’ back in the U. S. Fire Administration.” He and new Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran were a great one-two combination of speakers. Major progress on standardizing professional development happened today.

I met with Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE website) which announced a new fire officer designation program based on the National Professional Development Model (see NPDM webpage/presentation HERE) Fire Officer I & II competencies. Complete them with requisite experience & you’re a designated CPSE Fire Officer.

Also in the meeting was IAFC Professional Development committee and NFPA Pro-Board managers, the latter who announced testing for certification is no longer the only means to achieve it. You can now use portfolio development combining education, training & experience.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL as it enables education to apply towards your certification, particularly NFPA 1021 while crosswalking with the competencies in the NPDM. Next step is follow up video conference to add new columns in matrix for Chief Fire Officer Designation at Fire Officer III and IV.

FESHE Schools: In addition to adopting the model fire science curriculum, the time has come to require the general education courses prescribed in NPDM and provide your students a competency-based education that prepares them for CPSE Fire Officer I & II designation AND NFPA 1021 certification.

I invited CPSE, PDC & NFPA to present this united front at FESHE conf next year. A standardized professional development system is nearly at hand!

FESHE students: Your Fire and Emergency Service career development path is now clearly laid out for you.

Take as many of those general education courses in the NPDM as you can & you’ll be eligible for Chief Fire Officer & Fire Officer designations AND NFPA 1021 certification with minimum to no duplications of effort.

Welcome to the new day of inter-operability for professional development where training, education & certification are integrated like radios & hoses on a major multi-alarm, mutual aid fire.

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FIRE OFFICERS AS PROFESSIONALS

I share Kaplan’s excitement at these developments.  These are huge steps forward in establishing fire officers as a national profession and not a local vocation.  Expanding the Center for Public Safety Excellence portfolio process for company officers and tying formal education and experience to the credentialling process is brilliant!

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on August 30, 2009 • Filed under: current events, education

Sunday FDIC Sermonette

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CONFERENCE TIDBITS

27,500 registered attendees.  Like EMS Today, the Saturday afternoon traffic in the exhibit halls was sparse.  Some challenge getting folks to the Lucas Oil Stadium, a gorgeous retro-style facility.

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FDIC represents $35 to $40 million revenue to Indianapolis/Marion County community.

I have attended 21 FDICs, starting with the 1984 conference in Cincinnati. 

FDIC history (at the request of a Facebook friend)

  • 1928: Harry K. Rodgers, Western Actuarial Bureu, organizes a meeting of Mid-Western Insurance Rating personnel in Chicago. This meeting of eight is the start of the FDIC.
  • 1968: Losses from King riots results in fire insurance companies de-funding fire patrols and running their last Fire Department Instructor’s Conference
  • 1969: International Association of Fire Instructors (ISFSI) run conference in Memphis
  • 1984: ISFSI move conference to Cincinnati
  • 1995: ISFSI moves conference to Indianapolis
  • 1996:  Pennwell/Fire Engineering acquire FDIC from bankrupt ISFSI

WHAT WE WILL BE TALKING/BLOGGING ABOUT

The polarization of the “Safety Culture” and the Wednesday morning welcome message from Bobby Halton http://www.fdic.com/index/news/bobbywelcome_news.html and FDNY Lieutenant Ray McCormack’s Thursday keynote http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1842760318?bclid=1294526599&bctid=20858993001  

The force-feeding of Fire-Based EMS from above.

The fight that is coming from the IAFF (and others) in response to the National League of Cities cancer study completed by Tri-Data  http://americancityandcounty.com/pubsafe/firefighting-cancer-presumption-no-link-20090417/

The increased effort of Underwriters Labs and NIST to move the science of firefighting further along.

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Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on April 26, 2009 • Filed under: education

Saturday FDIC Scenes

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The busiest booth all week was the FDIC Marketplace area with three embroidery machines … customized fire clothing:

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Watched an Interspiro exhibitor molest this model of the IAFF scba:

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Go HERE for earlier posts about this lightweight and high performance breathing apparatus.

Had lunch with The College Network, Professor James Schaefer, PhD., and the Lake Superior State University Fire Science Program students:

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Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on April 25, 2009 • Filed under: education

FDIC Friday recap

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One of the things I noticed this year is how many presenters are involved in the NFPA standards process. Their presentations made an effort to either provide the back story why a standard was changed or identify areas that need work on the next revision.

Greg Fisher: 1403 (Acquired Structures portion of live fire trainig)
Craig Haigh: 1584 (Rehab)
Greg Noll: 472/473 (HazMat – Noll is chair of the NFPA 472 committee)
Walter Morris: 1403 (Live fire training)
Mike Gagliano and Casey Phillips: 1404 (Respiratory Protection)
earlier FG article about “The Seattle Air Guys” (HERE)

I attended Mike McEvoy’s presentation The Elephant on the Fireground: Secrets of NFPA 1584-Compliant Rehab. He influenced the current version of the standard by assembling a group of physicians to review the old standard and make medicine-based recommendations that are in the current standard. A great presentation that he will post next week at www.mikemcevoy.com.

More information on the NFPA standard development process HERE and why YOU need to get involved HERE.

CHANGE IN THE WAKE OF TRAGEDY

Gordon Routley provided a different presentation. Since their report was issued, he has given more than 50 presentations on the 2007 Charleston tragedy. This presentation looked at the impact of the tragedy, the investigations and the aftermath on the emergency service community. The post-fire process to honor the nine that were lost is to:

Discover why it happened.
Determine what should be done to avoid it happening again.
Share the information.

Simple to say and very difficult to accomplish in a community stunned by a devastating loss. The investigation starts while the community is going through the grief process, as described in the Kübler-Ross model. 

A take-away for me was a Routely observation that “Blame is a huge distraction.”  Much energy and time spent trying to find that one person (or persons) responsible for the deaths.  Like other tragedies, it is an accumulations of omissions, actions and conditions that lead to nine line-of-duty funerals.

The recovery process will probably take a decade.  The last part of the presentation was a discussion about the value of peer-counselors and applying the lessons learned from the World Trade Center to assist the Charleston community.

Met a former high school fire cadet I worked with in 1989 who is a Charleston firefighter. 

SHOES!

As promised, Professor James Schaefer, PhD., Lake Superior State University Fire Science Program, and his Friday shoes:

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His wife made the matching purple socks.  That was the most excitement in The College Network booth at the secluded Wabash Ballroom.  There was afternoon excitement in the hallway that Firegeezer reported on yesterday (HERE)

Had a great time meeting fellow fire bloggers at the Firefighter Nation get together last night (earlier post HERE)

Today wraps up FDIC with a final day of exhibits and vendor demonstrations.

Posted by on April 25, 2009 • Filed under: education

Thirsty Thursday in Indianapolis

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Firegeezer is correct, I am trying (and failing) to be like Dave Statter, stay up all week and sleep through the weekend. Unlike earlier “vacations” at FDIC I am spending a couple of hours every day doing administrative and educational tasks so I can keep my job at a major east coast university.

WHERE IS THE WABASH BALLROOM?

When I was talking with The College Network guys last year, they planned to bring their big booth to FDIC. They could not get space in the big hall and are hanging out with the federal and professional association groups in the Wabash Ballroom, on the Maryland Street side and across from Exhibit Hall D.

A colleague and Firegeezer supporter, John Sachen, stopped by to say hello.

The exhibit floor is jammed, the weather is excellent for the outside demonstrations and there is a bus shuttle for the weary to go past the Phase V construction to get to the huge Lucas Oil stadium. It is a challenge to get to all of the booths in one day, especially when you run into friends and associates on the floor.

CANNOT GET AWAY FROM COLLEGE STUDENTS!

Lake Superior State University Fire Science program made it’s second trip to FDIC this year, bringing seven students to work both the LSSU and the TCN booths. Dr. James Schaefer, who has an extensive collection of unique footwear, says that I will be be impressed at what he will be wearing today. I was shocked last night to see him in sneakers, I think this the first time I have seen him wear ordinary footwear.

The Eastern Kentucky University Fire & Safety technology students were in force as room monitors, facilitators and big room ushers. They have been a fixture at FDIC and it is always great to talk with them. They are part of the incident management system, as this picture shows the accountability board from a first floor sector chief.

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FIRE OFFICER, 2ND EDITION PIMPING

Spent the evening with Jones and Bartlett staff, other authors and customers at the Ram Restaurant and Brewery. The second edition of the NFPA-complaint Fire Officer I/II textbook has started production and will be out this fall.

WILL THE ALCATRAZ BREWING COMPANY BE READY FOR FFN?

Shocking news while walking by the Circle Centre Mall last night, the Alcatraz Brewing Company was CLOSED! A note on the door said that they suffered a water main break, but will be cleaned up and ready to go tonight. Hopefully, you are wearing your unique FFN t-shirt today and will stop by Booth 3731 and get a drink ticket. Gathering starts after the exhibits close at 5:30.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on April 24, 2009 • Filed under: education

Drill added to Morning Line-up

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A two-part in-station drill:

1: READ BOBBY HALTON’S OPENING REMARKS TO FDIC 2009

http://www.fdic.com/index/news/bobbywelcome_news.html

Discussion question: How much will YOU risk to save PROPERTY after savable occupants are out of the structure?

2: REVIEW UNDERWRITER’S LAB ONLINE COURSE: FIRE BEHAVIOR IN A SINGLE FAMILY OCCUPANCY

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/industries/buildingmaterials/fire/courses/behavior/

Results of DHS funded work performed by the Chicago Fire Department, UL, University of Michigan and IAFC.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward
rushing off to this morning’s opening session

Posted by on April 23, 2009 • Filed under: education

30,000 firefighters come into a city …

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The Fire Department Instructor's Conference is my grown-up version of Christmas.  I have missed few conferences since I attended my first one when I was assigned to the Academy.  Significant others, friends and family believe that THIS is my vacation trip every year.

Hands On Training sessions (HOT) run on Monday and Tuesday.  Bobby Halton, Fire Engineering Editor-in-Chief and FDIC Education Director posted the following note on Twitter Tuesday night (HERE):

20,000 plus of the best completed over 38 workshops and participated in over 150 hands on training evolutions at the worlds best show FDIC

 Classroom presentations start Wednesday and run through Saturday. Exhibit Hall runs Thursday through Saturday. 

TUESDAY CHECK-IN

Driving into Indianapolis, I miss the RCA dome landmark (see destruction HERE) and see another hotel under construction near the Indiana Convention Center.  FDIC is one of the four largest annual events at Indianapolis, with 30,000 attendees and probably 10,000 vendors, staff and family members.

First step is to get the "Badge Holder" from registration. That includes the Show Guide and other items. The registration staffer mentions that they had about 25,000 attendees pre-register, about 5,000 more than last year.  They have had some cancellations from fire departments that were cutting their budget.  Do not know how the financial situation will impact the on-site, walk-in, registrations.

PAYING IN FULL FOR ADVANCED REGISTRATION IN 2010

The second step is to complete the advanced registration for the 2010 conference.  One reason the 2009 preregistration was much higher was due to an opportunity presented at last year's conference.  By registering and paying for the 2009 conference at the 2008 conference, you get an opportunity to apply for housing in September, months before other attendees or vendors can submit their requests.

For the first time in a decade, I am in an affordable hotel adjacent to the convention center.

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A STEAK 'N SHAKE LUNCH

On the first floor of the parking garage on the left side of the picture above is a 24 hour Steak 'n Shake diner. Mmmm, chocolate shake … steakburger …

BRISK BUSINESS IN FDIC CLOTHING AND FIRE ENGINEERING BOOKS/VIDEOS

While the hallway vendors were setting up for Wednesday, the Pennwell booths are open and crowded.  Chief John Salka, taking a break from his HOT presentation, signed his new book, The Engine Company.  I also got John Norman's Fire Department Special Operations text. 

I had other business in the city, but did make time to duck into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum.

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Yeah, it feels like a vacation, hanging out with a few of my like-minded colleagues.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on April 22, 2009 • Filed under: education • Tagged: , ,

Off to Indianapolis!

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Wow, after reading Firegeezer’s morning lineup, this item is trivial …

Sitting in Terminal A at Reagan National Airport, getting ready to join 10,000 30,000 like minded folks at the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference.

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Will be in The College Network, Booth 106, pimping for my program:

Thursday, April 23 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Friday, April 24 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Saturday, April 25 09:30 am to 11:00am

Stop by and say hello!

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on April 21, 2009 • Filed under: education

New Scholarship Fund For First Responders

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THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS (IAFC) has just issued the following release directed towards all fire and EMS personnel.

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The IAFC Foundation announced on Friday the launch of a new scholarship fund for first responders: the Motorola Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship Fund. “We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the Motorola Foundation for their generous gift of $50,000 to establish this endowed fund,” said IAFC Foundation President Anthony P. Campisi, president/CEO, Glatfelter Insurance Group.

The IAFC Foundation supports first responders with their educational advancement to face the ever-increasing and complex challenges of today’s fire service. “Through this award, Motorola demonstrates their commitment to a well-educated, trained, versatile fire and emergency service,” said Campisi.

“As a trusted provider of public safety networks and solutions for 80 years, Motorola is committed to helping our communities and those that serve them,” said Eileen Sweeney, director, Motorola Foundation. “It is an honor to support organizations such as the IAFC that foster a safe environment for our communities through education and engagement programs.”

The Motorola Future Leaders Scholarship Fund will target future fire and emergency service leaders. The scholarship program will benefit company officers pursuing college level or above course work in fire service related fields who are currently enrolled in or recently participated in IAFC’s Company Officer Leadership Development Program, offered primarily at Fire-Rescue International.

The deadline to apply for a 2009 scholarship is June 1, 2009.

Together the Motorola Foundation, the IAFC Foundation and the IAFC are seeking to address the critical need for first-responder education.

This is the IAFC Foundation’s 35th year of providing educational scholarships to first responders and thus improving the fire service and better serving the general public. The Foundation has helped over 900 deserving first responders, providing over $500,000 in awards; with your help, we can help many more. We encourage you to give back to the fire service and support first-responder education by donating to the IAFC Foundation Scholarship Program.

To learn more about the IAFC Foundation, visit www.iafcf.org or contact Judy G. Kirk at jkirk@iafc.org or 703-537-4830.

Posted by on April 6, 2009 • Filed under: education