While looking for today’s leadership quote, I found an article based on UVA’s Men’s Basketball Coach Tony Bennett’s “Five Pillars”. How can you apply them to your team/crew/shift/department? LODD: 1982 A North Carolina firefighter dies in a collapse at a church fire 1930 A Washington, DC firefighter dies at a factory fire when he falls […]

“Don’t take control and attract followers.  Give control and create leaders” – L. David Marquet, Captain USN, ret. LODD: 1978 Two New York firefighters die in a flashover at a pool supply store 1979 Four North Carolina firefighters are killed in a explosion and collapse at a burning clothing store 1979 A Florida Lieutenant died […]

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’! – Audrey Hepburn Today’s  history link is about the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883.  I found David McCullough’s book,  The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge an interesting read about one of the most ambitious construction projects of the […]

Today’s recipe is very simple and quick but tastes great!  Giada de Laurentiis’ Linguine with Shrimp and Lemon Oil is a favorite.  We substitute spinach for the arugula as it is easier to find and less expensive.  I suggest you do all the “prep work” first as the dish comes together very quickly and you […]

I realized that the past failures had strengthened me, taught me that no one is immune from mistakes.  True leaders must learn from their failures, use the lessons to motivate themselves, and not be afraid to try again or to make the next tough decision. – Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy Retired) LODD: 2018 […]

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” – Amelia Earhart LODD: 2009 Career fire fighter seriously injured […]

“In order to be a winner, you have to look for ways of getting things done and not for reasons why things can’t be done. People who live with excuses have things that can’t be done hovering around them all the time.” – Mike Krzyzewski LODD: 2013 Career Fire Fighter Killed by Structure Collapse While […]

“The chief condition on which, life, health and vigor depend on, is action. It is by action that an organism develops its faculties, increases its energy, and attains the fulfillment of its destiny.” – Colin Powell LODD: 2007 A career captain dies and a fire fighter/driver is seriously injured when two fire trucks collide at […]

“Leadership is understanding people and involving them to help you do a job. That takes all of the good characteristics, like integrity, dedication of purpose, selflessness, knowledge, skill, implacability, as well as determination not to accept failure.” – Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN LODD: 1896 Five Washington, DC firefighters are killed in two collapses at a […]

Without courage, the bullies of the world rise up. With it, you can accomplish any goal. With it, you can defy and defeat evil. – Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy Retired) Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations is Admiral William H. McRaven’s memoir of his 37 years as a Navy SEAL.  If you […]