Time for a local history lesson. It often seems that there must be a tragedy to be a catalyst for change. This was one of those tragedies. On December 14, 1989 a fire in the Shenandoah Homes “Retirement Facility” on Hawthorn Rd. in Roanoke County, VA killed 4 residents. There were many “Key Issues” that […]

Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account. – Anne Wilson Schaef All four of today’s NIOSH reports are from cardiac related issues. Take care of yourselves and each other! Dec 13, 2009 Captain dies after extremely heavy physical exertion at building fire from complications of […]

Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom. – George S. Patton LODD’s: Dec 12, 1998 Assistant chief dies as a result of a cardiorespiratory arrest at the scene of a search and rescue operation – New Jersey.

Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there. – Bo Jackson LODD’s: Another date without a NIOSH reported LODD. But again, Firefighterclosecalls.com reports several from the early to middle 1900’s.

Stay true to yourself, yet always be open to learn. Work hard, and never give up on your dreams, even when nobody else believes they can come true but you. These are not clichés but real tools you need no matter what you do in life to stay focused on your path. – Phillip Sweet […]

NIOSH has reports for 3 similar LODD’s today since 2014. If similar LODD’s can occur in three different states, I think we should take note and review the incidents and try to prevent it from happing again! LODD’s: F2018-18 Dec 09, 2018 Career firefighter dies after becoming disoriented in a three-story apartment building – Massachusetts. […]

Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It’s about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying the groundwork for others’ success, and then standing back and letting them shine. – […]

In addition to the 2,403 service men killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, 3 Honolulu Firefighters were killed and 6 others injured during the attack. Dec 07, 2006 Fire fighter dies during the night after responding to a structure fire – Pennsylvania. Dec 07, 1997 Volunteer fire fighter dies of a heart attack after […]

Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. – Jack Welch LODD’s: Again, NIOSH doesn’t list any LODD’s on December 6, but Firefighterclosecalls.com lists several dating back to 1899, including 9 firefighters killed in 1917 when a French munitions ship exploded […]

A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit. – Arnold H. Glasow LODD’s: Dec 05, 2002 Fire fighter suffers fatal heart attack at two-alarm structure fire – Texas.