“The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor” the author, Jake Tapper, paints a vivid picture of the attack on Combat Outpost Keating, a mere 14 miles from the Pakistani border in Afghanistan.  The outpost, in a valley surrounded by steep mountains, was manned by just 53 Americans when it was attacked from the high […]

Question(s) of the Week: Have you reviewed your department’s SOP/SOG’s regarding roadway incidents?  It seems emergency responders and vehicles are being struck almost daily on our roadways.  Have you reviewed the videos and training at Respondersafety.com?  If you aren’t doing all you can, your not doing enough! LODD: 54-Year-Old Interim Fire Captain Suffers Sudden Cardiac […]

My wife and I create “Burrito Bowls” based on fish, chicken, beef or pork.  They are easy…prepare some rice and squeeze in some lime.  Bake or grill the well seasoned protein, add some prepared fresh or frozen veggies and well seasoned black beans.  Top with salsa, avocados and sour cream/yogurt/cheese.  (Watch the salt and those […]

I am a very positive thinker, and I think that is what helps me the most in difficult moments. – Roger Federer LODD: Fire fighter suffers sudden cardiac death at a structural fire – New York 2001 Major Incidents: In 1983, a propane vapor cloud ignited at a school in Santee, NE, seriously burning 8 […]

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” – Arnold Palmer LODD: Floor collapse at commercial structure fire claims the lives of one career lieutenant and one career fire fighter – New York 2006 Volunteer fire fighter / rescue diver dies in training incident at a quarry – Pennsylvania 2005 Volunteer […]

“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 more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.” – General Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Army LODD: History:

The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II by Mari K. Eder is an amazing book detailing the contribution of several women who changed, not only the course of the war, but the course of history in many, many ways. The author, Mari […]

“The truly great leader overcomes all difficulties, and campaigns and battles are nothing but a long series of difficulties to be overcome. The lack of equipment, the lack of food, the lack of this or that are only excuses; the real leader displays his quality in his triumphs over adversity, however great it may be.” […]

“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 […]