Mutual Aid Fire

It’s been a while since some kind of post. I have realized that there are a hundred million really good blogs out there on the fire service and they have gained my attention. Not to mention there is only so much to report on and post to “training” from my pee-brain.

Anyhow, there have been a rash of deadly fires in our area(F-dub proper)…3 to count in the last 6 months. 2 in OCW’s first due and one in ours(FWBFD). What is going on?! some have asked. It is unusual for our small town area to have such a rash in a short time span. Death via fire does happen in our area( as well as rescue from that fire), just not often. Unfortunately in all 3 cases there was no possible way the fire service could have helped those people. Crews acted and arrived on scene fast (on scene within 3 minutes of alarm). It wasn’t lack of ability, training, equipment, manning? maybe but in these cases there was enough people to attempt a rescue if possible. I hear the term “risk vs benefit” all the time and even in these cases there was no risk…because we didn’t have the time… I believe after talking to those involved and being there for one of them that time was not on the fire services’ side in these circumstances. In all of these cases the lack of timely call (a significant delay) to 911 was common. I believe if we would have been called sooner, a minute or two, would have made the difference…The call is that important. Seconds do count when they add up to minutes which are what makes or brakes a “grab”. So let us be vigilant on our training, preparedness to respond to the call, & fortitude to “make the push”. It is our part as professionals (vol or career) to give the public of whom we serve that benefit, it is what they expect and rightfully so! Fire prevention month is upon us…let’s not forget to tell our community how important it is to call us and call us fast!

9-1-1 save lives

Stay safe and live ready!
DJ Stone

With all the talk of swine flu lately 1st responders tend to forget the other infectious foe…

Yes what about MRSA? After reading a story in the latest International Firefighter magazine, I come across a interesting passage in an article about “The hidden dangers of infectious disease”.

The qoute said…” In Tuscon Az., tests by Reynolds(One of the researchers at the University of Arizona doing the MRSA study) in 2008 proved that firefighters were surrounded by MRSA. Researchers took 200 samples from nine Firehouses and the one item most covered in MRSA bacteria turned out to be a bit surprising…couches!

Thats because fabric traps bacteria, says Reynolds. Vinyl couches are more practical because bacteria can’t settle into vinyl like it settles into a porous, fabric surface, and vinyl is easier to clean.

Desks and classroom equipment were also covered in bacteria. Reynolds detected MRSA on 7% of ALL surfaces within the Fire Stations—more than double the amount she discovered after similar tests in hospitals, where 3% of surfaces had MRSA(WOW!). 7% is higher than we see in other environments Reynolds notes.”

(Reynolds is an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona and co-auther of a study to be released later this year on the prevalence of MRSA in Tuscon Fire Stations)

With that being said let us not grow weary of keeping our houses clean, lest we forget our silent enemy lurking in the couch…MRSA!!!

Now go take a bath dirtball!

It is with deepest sorrow to announce the passing of two local Okaloosa County Deputy Sheriffs. 45-year old Deputy Burt Lopez and 45-year old Deputy Warren “Skip” York were shot at the Shoal River Clay Sporting Gun Range east of Crestview shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday.

RIP Warren “Skip” York

RIP Burt Lopez

OCSO

Local 341

Easter Sunday proved to be a tragic one for Houston Fire this 2009. Two bros from HFD did not make it home last shift. Tragically both men perished in a house fire that day. It is a sad day indeed…

“This is not a hobby.” — Jay Lowry, editor, FirefighterHourly.com, VentingtheRoof.com, ThinkingFire.com

Short but to the point. Although I periodically think we do have the funnest job on the planet…

No tools necessary….

What makes a good Engineer?

I read a article recently on “what makes a good firefighter”. It made me stop to think about those of us that are Chauffers, Drivers, & Engineers. Over the last few months it’s been hard to find good street smart stuff on effective “Engineering”.
The following are some tips from a few local old (& young) flames on “What makes a good Engineer”. So whether you are operating in an official capacity or want to be better at it when it is your turn to steer the rig, please read the following…and add your 2 cents!

DJ-MAF

Be intimate with your equipment

Be detail oriented (anal)

Do the job of a firefighter for years, gain experience, then drive

Think ahead & anticipate your company’s needs before they ask
Be one step ahead of your officer

You must be mechanically inclined

Know the position above you and below you

Don’t hit anything

Preplan your routes & back up routes

Know your district & know where you’re going BEFORE you leave the station

Know your hydrant pressures & locations in different parts of your district

Know what calls deserve an aggressive driving response

Be aggressive, but not too aggressive
Be cautious, but not too cautious

Set up your gear & accessories for your tour: pump panel, hose lays, nozzles, tools, saws, fans, all for quick deployment

Anything you can do to make your crew’s job easier
Pull extra tools for the job and stage them (back up lines, fans, pike poles etc.)

Be smooth on the brakes easy on the turns

Drive cautiously, slow to 5mph at ALL intersections, and when driving the crew feels safe. You know we have all ridden with that driver where you have to stay tense the entire time feeling that you have to look out and be a 3rd and 4th set of eyes

Utilizes the maps to not only find the address, but counts the houses and has a good idea of where the house is located taking note of hydrants

Gets dressed quickly when not pumping so not to hinder the crews function.

Does a REAL truck check out

Reminds the Captains and others “hey Capt, how about that seat belt?”

Serious about the position, knows the apparatus, and is the “go to guy”

Always place the front or rear bumper even with the hydrant so your pony section reaches the Engine from the hydrant

Know what your officer doesn’t know

Know what your Firefighters can & can’t do, so you can support them better

Time your tank

Fire truck crash! (This video was from BC Pat Grace ECFR circulating via email)
Unbelievable crash caught on video, 2 St. Louis Companies, 8 guys with minor injuries.
SEATBELTS! SEATBELTS! SEATBELTS! secondly we need to slow down and approach every intersection with due caution. remember it’s not OUR emergency!

My grandma used to remind me of the timeless adage that ” A drop of honey attracts more flies than a gallon of vinegar ” and that a leader cannot demand respect, he has to earn it.

Leaders should be fair,equal, consistent,inspiring, honest, competent, enthusiastic and decisive when dealing with employees. When I was a teenager I had a history teacher at Mississinewa High School named Joe Smalley, who left a indelible impression on me as a man that I would like to emulate. He was a combat veteran that believed in developing your mind and body to its fullest potential, as he was a long time track and cross country coach. In the classroom he would strive to teach you everything that he knew about his chosen topic and valuable life lessons as well. He was a good man who always had your best interests at heart.

When I joined the Fire Service I was fortunate enough to have Cliff Mowery for my Battalion Chief then eventually Assistant Chief. Cliff was a great leader who would never berate you in front of others for rookie mistakes but would instead, speak to you about his concerns privately in order to help you be proficient in your job skills. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care…Cliff cared. He had everyone’s admiration, love, and respect and you knew that he genuinely wanted you to be successful in your career and go home safely to your family at the end of the shift.

People almost always rise to meet your level of expectations if they know that you believe in them. Constructive criticism should be used also as some people would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. It just helps you to adjust your sails and stay on course so that you reach your goal. Most people can discern if you are well intentioned or not when you enter into this type of dialogue. People are repulsed by and exhibit contempt for a leader they cannot trust to tell the truth so honesty and integrity are paramount.

Another point I would like to make is that there is a difference between managers and leaders. You manage THINGS but you lead PEOPLE. Managers do things right, leaders do the right things. Managers have an eye on the bottom line while leaders have an eye on the horizon. Great leaders place a premium on collaboration, create an environment where failure is not fatal, recognize and reward achievement and develop other leaders. The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to pass on the knowledge, respect, traditions and love of the job to those that follow.

Captain Brian Swanner
No.#4 Station-Marion Fire Dept. in Marion, Indiana

See Captain Swanner’s profile here