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. History: December 5, 1933 – The 18th Amendment (Prohibition Amendment) to the U.S. Constitution was repealed. […]

I will take every constructive criticism, make it my own, learn from my mistake, and go forward. – Julie Payette LODD’s: F2016-11 Dec 04, 2015 Firefighter suffers fatal cardiac event while assisting with a medical call – Illinois. In addition, Firefighterclosecalls.com has reports of 13 firefighters dying in the line of duty on December 4 […]

The Worchester Cold Storage fire that killed 6 Worchester Firefighters occurred on this date in 1999. Having been a Captain for about 10 years, I was able to more fully appreciate the spectrum of loss and tragedy. There is a wealth of information regarding this fire available. But, in trying to remain brief, I’ve included […]

Remember, the choices we make today shape the people we become tomorrow. – Victoria Osteen LODD’s: Dec 02, 2012 Volunteer fire fighter struck and killed by backing fire apparatus at rural brush and structure fire – Illinois. Dec 02, 2005 Career captain dies and the driver/operator and a fire fighter are severely injured in apparatus […]

On or off the field, practice and teamwork are the key to success. – Malcolm Jenkins LODD’s: Dec 01, 2006 Fire fighter suffers sudden cardiac death during physical fitness training – North Carolina. Dec 01, 1997 Fire chief dies as a result of a heart attack while fighting a fire in a two-story dwelling – […]

There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction. – John F. Kennedy LODD’s: Another day without a NIOSH LODD report! But again, there are several reported by Firefighterclosecalls.com for this date. History: November 30, 1782 – A provisional peace treaty was signed between Great […]

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing. – Theodore Roosevelt LODD’s: Nov 29, 1988 – 6 Kansas City Firefighters are killed in a early morning explosion at a construction site. […]