Dad joke: “Did you hear the rumor about butter? Well, I’m not going to spread it!” LODD: Check out Firefighterclosecalls.com for more LODD reports dating back to 1880. A firefighter is killed while operating on a wildfire in California – 2015 Major Incidents: In 1979, an arson fire at a Holiday Inn in Cambridge, OH […]

“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter LODD: Career lieutenant and fire fighter die in a flashover during a live-fire training evolution – Florida 2002 Major Incidents: In 2016, a hot air balloon strikes a power line, […]

Five NIOSH reports today!  Are you doing everything you can to keep your and your crew as safe as possible? While Rommel was on the side of the Nazis, I think the following quote is good leadership advice! “Be an example to your men, in your duty and in private life. Never spare yourself and […]

“The school of hard knocks is a difficult teacher, because the tests come before the lesson. So be prepared to be tested in this job.” – Lt. Don Kaderabek LODD: Career captain dies and 9 fire fighters injured in a multistory medical building fire – North Carolina 2011 One volunteer lieutenant dies and a volunteer […]

Question(s) of the week: Do you hold regular “one on one” meetings with your crew?  Or, with your supervisor?  These are a good time to praise and thank them and to address any issues.  Also, a good time to “take their temperature” as far as their mental health and well being are concerned. LODD: Volunteer […]

In today’s “Do more with less” fire service, the book Hal Moore on Leadership: Winning When Outgunned and Outmanned has leadership lessons we can all put to use! LODD: Volunteer chief and fire fighter die after being ejected during a rollover crash – Virginia 2010 Junior volunteer fire fighter dies and three volunteer fire fighters […]

Quick mustard mashed potatoes goes well with grilled brats for a take on “Bangers and Mash”.  Add some grilled or roasted zucchini and you have a quick and easy dinner. LODD: A firefighter is killed by a falling tree on a wildfire in California – 2008 Three Washington, DC firefighters were killed battling a fire […]

Dad Joke: “Dad, did you get a haircut?” “No, I got them all cut!” LODD: 56-Year-old fire fighter suffers cardiac arrest at brush fire – New Hampshire 2016 A career lieutenant and a career fire fighter found unresponsive at a residential structure fire – Connecticut 2010 Major Incidents: In 1980, an explosion and fire at […]

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson LODD: Volunteer fire fighter struck and killed by tanker backing into the bay of the fire station – Pennsylvania 2016 Lieutenant suffers heart attack during physical fitness training and dies seven days later – Vermont 2010 Volunteer fire […]

“There’s always one more thing you can do to influence any situation in your favor—and after that one more thing, and after that…. The more you do the more opportunities arise.” ― Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore, US Army (ret.)  LODD: A volunteer mutual aid fire fighter dies in a floor collapse in a residential […]