“Do what is right, not what you think the high headquarters wants or what you think will make you look good.” – General Norman Schwarzkofp LODD: Wildland fire superintendent dies from heart attack after performing physical fitness training – Idaho. 2015 Two firefighters from Sheppard Air Force Base died assisting with a fire at a […]

“Officers: Your primary job (when riding the front seat) is proper size up, quick report and appropriate initial leadership/tactics….it is NOT just to blow the sirens, horns and scream on the radio…. the safety of your crew is #1…take “the front seat” seriously”. –  Billy Goldfeder LODD: A firefighter in Butte, MT died of smoke […]

Question(s) of the Week:  What is the least utilized piece of equipment on your apparatus?  Does every member of your crew know its use and function?  Have every member write down what they think are the three least used and review them all! LODD: Fire fighter suffers fatal heart attack at commercial fire – New Jersey […]

As today’s history note says, today in 1942 the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands. The book The Capture of Attu: A World War II Battle as Told by the Men Who Fought There tells the first hand stories of the men who took back the Aleutians in May 1943. LODD: Two Chicago firefighters were killed […]

It is often said that every rookie needs to learn to cook 3 good meals.  Crock Pot Curry Chicken is so easy, even a rookie can pull it off!  Serve with a salad and you have an easy meal that doesn’t need a lot of attention or make a big mess! LODD: Wildland fire fighter dies […]

Dad Joke Friday:  Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere! LODD: Sudden floor collapse claims the lives of two fire fighters and four are hospitalized with serious burns in a five-alarm fire – New York. 1998 Major Incidents: In 2014, a fire swept through 3 townhouses on Staten Island, […]

“There aren’t any great men. There are just great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet.” – Admiral William ‘Bull’ Halsey LODD: Fire fighter suffers intracranial cyst bleed during residential fire operations and dies three days later – Virginia. 2009 Engineer suffers sudden cardiac death after responding to […]

“The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow.” – General Colin Powell LODD: Career fire fighter falls from aerial ladder while carrying roof kit during training – California 2017 A Philadelphia, […]

“If you want to make changes in the workers’ behavior, change the behavior of the boss.” – Alan Brunacini LODD: A career lieutenant and fire fighter/paramedic die in a hillside residential house fire – California. 2011 On-duty driver/operator dies in sleep – Indiana. 1998 A South St. Paul firefighter is killed when an aerial ladder […]

Question(s) of the Week: What would be expected of you and your crew if a major tornado (or riot) struck your community?  What is the safest place to shelter in your station? How would your department handle the possible loss of radio/phone communications?  How would you handle your crew members need to check on their families? […]