“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”  –  John Quincy Adams LODD: 2004 Fire chief suffers sudden death during training – Alabama. 2004 Volunteer fire fighter suffers cardiac arrest while battling a structure fire – New York. 1985 Firefighter electrocuted while rappelling down […]

The person who comes up to you and makes the most noise and is the most intrusive is invariably the person in the room who has no respect for you at all, and it’s really all about them. – Robbie Coltrane LODD: 1979 A California firefighter is killed at an arson fire Major Incidents: 2015 […]

“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.” – John Maxwell LODD: 1915 A Firefighter from Westwood Fire Department in New Jersey dies in the Line of Duty 1934 A firefighter from Pennsylvania died after falling under the apparatus and having his legs crushed on May […]

Written by a gentleman that I sometimes play golf with, NORVEL: An American Hero by Kenneth Conklin, is about a Olympic Gold Medalist from rural southwest Virginia.  I enjoyed the read and couldn’t resist plugging a friend’s book!  UPDATE:  There will soon be a historical marker along US 220 thanks to the awareness raised by […]

It seems that everyone has a favorite meat loaf recipe.  I adapted my wife’s Mini Meat Loaf recipe for the fire house.  You can leave off the bacon if you wish, but why would you? LODD: 2001 Career fire fighter dies after becoming trapped by fire in apartment building – New Jersey. 1791 – 12 […]

The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him. –  William Lyon Phelps LODD: 1899 One Ohio Firefighter is killed and one injured when a wall collapses at a warehouse fire 1997 3 Firefighters are killed in an explosion at a chemical plant in […]

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy  Promotional processes often motivate firefighters to train and study harder.  But, as J.F.K.’s quote indicates, this learning, training and doing need to be a constant.  Most departments can see further back than the last few months when deciding who to promote. LODD:   […]

Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions. – Harold S. Geneen LODD: 2015 Captain suffers sudden cardiac death while performing physical fitness training – Mississippi. 2015 Lieutenant suffers sudden cardiac death at apartment fire – District of Columbia. 2013 An Alabama Asst. Chief dies from a medical emergency […]

Well, it has been two years and it is still hanging around, but things are returning to some degree of normalcy, whatever that is these days! A wise captain I worked with often said “This too shall pass”.  I think we need to remember it now with the COVID-19 situation. While difficult, dangerous and emotional […]

“Fewer things will impact a team’s morale than a leader who does not recognize their accomplishments and hard work.” ― Lt. General Harold “Hal” G. Moore LODD: 2015 A Lieutenant dies after suffering a medical emergency at a dwelling fire on April 24 2015 Firefighter suffers cardiac event following residential fire – New York. 2002 […]