“There’s likely a place in paradise for people who tried hard, but what really matters is succeeding. If that requires you to change, that’s your mission.” – General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Army Retired LODD: Fire marshal suffers cardiac arrest and a probable heart attack during a fire department physical ability test – Utah 2011 In […]

“The fire service is a lot like a lighting store…. You have your ‘spotlights’ that shine brightly in one area, your ‘floodlights’ that shine over a wide area, the ‘rough service bulbs’ that get the job done; and then you have the ‘4-watt night lights’ that can barely find their way.” – Deputy Chief Ron […]

Question(s) of the Week:  Do you ever give your crew individual assignments to bring back for future training?  Here is a suggestion…assign each member to bring back a favorite quote from a non-fire service source and explain what it means to them.  Sound like a promotional assignment/question?  It will develop their public speaking, research skills […]

Destroyer Squadron 23: Combat Exploits of Arleigh Burke’s Gallant Force by Ken Jones provides insights into Arleigh Burke, a man who did not graduate high school due to the 1918 pandemic, but went on to the Naval Academy and ultimately to become the Chief of Naval Operations.  There are several leadership concepts in the book […]

Everyone loves a BBQ! I often add apple butter to house brand sweet and tangy BBQ sauce when I smoke pork.  Alabama White BBQ Sauce and Easy Eastern North Carolina BBQ Sauce are my other “go to” BBQ sauces. LODD: Firefighter suffers heart attack after participating in a parade – New York. 2015 Major Incidents: […]

A couple of days ago, I attended Post Traumatic Purpose by Travis Howze .  I assisted in the hosting of the event by the Roanoke Valley Firefighters Foundation.  I had the opportunity to share a couple of meals with Travis and he is the real deal!  The event was attended by over 200 first responders […]

“The will to succeed is important, but what’s more important is the will to prepare.” —Bobby Knight LODD: Captain suffers sudden cardiac death while on-duty – Tennessee 2012 Two Philadelphia firefighters are killed at an fire in residential fire – 2004 Fire fighter dies on duty – Tennessee 1998 Major Incidents: In 2019, people are […]

“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 […]