Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other […]

“There aren’t any great men. There are just great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet.” – Admiral William ‘Bull’ Halsey LODD: Fire fighter suffers intracranial cyst bleed during residential fire operations and dies three days later – Virginia. 2009 Engineer suffers sudden cardiac death after responding to […]

“The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow.” – General Colin Powell LODD: Career fire fighter falls from aerial ladder while carrying roof kit during training – California 2017 A Philadelphia, […]

“If you want to make changes in the workers’ behavior, change the behavior of the boss.” – Alan Brunacini LODD: A career lieutenant and fire fighter/paramedic die in a hillside residential house fire – California. 2011 On-duty driver/operator dies in sleep – Indiana. 1998 A South St. Paul firefighter is killed when an aerial ladder […]

Question(s) of the Week: What would be expected of you and your crew if a major disaster struck your community?  What is the safest place to shelter in your station? How would your department handle the possible loss of radio/phone communications?  How would you handle your crew members need to check on their families? LODD: In 1977, […]

Being a WWII/History junkie, there are a couple of books that, after reading them, caused me to read a few novels to take a break.  One is Killing the Bismarck: Destroying the Pride of Hitler’s Fleet by Iain Ballantyne.  The description of the Bismark’s final hours are graphic and drive home the horrors endured. LODD: […]

You can ask my wife…I will try just about any food wrapped in a tortilla! Anytime we are near the coast, I’m looking for fish tacos on the menu! But living 5 hours from the coast and on a public servant’s salary makes enjoying fish tacos at home a bit difficult. I adapted various recipes […]

The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege. – Charles Kuralt LODD: 2002 Fire fighter dies during night at fire station – Mississippi. 1971 Four Atlanta Firefighters are killed when the floor collapses after an explosion at a restaurant fire.  24 other firefighters were injured. Major […]

“Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant LODD: 2007 Career fire fighter dies and captain is injured during a civilian rescue […]

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill LODD: 2005 Lieutenant suffers sudden cardiac death after SCBA training – Florida. 2000 Pumper truck rollover claims the life of a volunteer fire fighter – Missouri. 1921 A Lynchburg, VA FF […]