“I do not mind the day of battle, the excitement carries one through; but the day after is fearful, it is so dreadful to see my men wounded and suffering.” – Captain Isaac Hull, USS Constitution. LODD: In 2015, 3 firefighters were killed when their vehicle was overun by fire and crashed west of Twisp, […]

“Turn the new guy into something he doesn’t know he can become.” – Lieutenant Bryan Caro LODD: Two career fire fighters die following a seven-alarm fire in a high-rise building undergoing simultaneous deconstruction and asbestos abatement – New York 2007 In 1959, 5 Kansas City Firefighters were killed as well as one civilian and over […]

Question(s) of the Week: Does your crew greet every visitor to your station?  Greet  visitors with something like, “Good morning Chief Whiteshirt, I’m Firefighter Salty, welcome to Station 3.”, it works to instill more pride in themselves, the station and leave a positive impression with the visitor.  For more on this concept, check out the […]

Forty Autumns: A Family’s Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall by Nina Willner details life on both sides of the Iron Curtain.  An eye opening read for those of us who have enjoyed freedom all of our lives! LODD: Airport fire fighter suffers sudden cardiac death while on duty […]

From time to time the “Food Fund” seems to get a bit light.  My grocer often has chicken drumsticks marked down to less than $2 for a pack of 5!  Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks from the Food Network are easy and flavorful! LODD: No NIOSH reports for today’s date, but FireFighterCloseCalls.com reports several dating back to […]

Dad Joke: Why do melons have weddings? Because they cantaloupe. LODD: Career lieutenant dies after being trapped in the attic after falling through a roof while conducting ventilation – Texas 2011 Fire fighter trainee suffers heart attack during simulated fire suppression exercise – North Carolina 2007 Career fire fighter dies after falling from tailboard and […]

“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” – Vince Lombardi LODD: After conducting fire suppression duties at a structure fire, captain collapses in incident scene rehabilitation – Kansas 2007 Career engineer dies and […]

“Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves.”― L. David Marquet, Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders LODD: Volunteer fire fighter dies after being run over by brush truck during grass fire attack – Texas 2002 Fire […]

“Good Firefighters will know their job. GREAT Firefighters will also know the job of the person above them as well as teach their job to the person below them.” – Bob Muszynski LODD: Volunteer fire fighter responding to an automatic alarm dies when engine collides with an embankment and tree then overturns – North Carolina […]

Question(s) of the Week: How is your mental health?  What about your crew’s?  How about your supervisors?  Few like to discuss the issue, but the IAFF and the NVFC have programs to help.  Do those in your “circle of influence” know about them? LODD: Volunteer captain dies while participating in advanced dive training at quarry […]