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The Situp This exercise has been around for a long time. You’ve likely done them a gazillion times throughout your adolescence in your physical education classes and in sports practices. So it’s hard for people to accept that they’re not really a very good exercise. Change...

In the first article we discussed the problem of bitterness. Let’s dive right into how as an individual you can be affected by it, grow, and change for the better. Not too long ago, I had fallen victim to the poison of bitterness and even considered leaving the fire department. I...

As firefighters operate in the outside environment it is crucial they be able to understand the current weather conditions in their region, what is predicted in their area and how to read and understand the messages and data provided to them by the National Weather Service. This...

El Reporte de Arribo no sólo informa a tus compañeros de lo que está sucediendo a lo que llegaste. También le permite a la central de alarma o al despachador saber cual es la situación, quien está o estará a cargo y los recursos adicionales que pueden ser necesarios. Aunque tu...

Years ago I had the good fortune to visit the Philippines while serving as a Midshipman aboard USS TARAWA (LHA-1). I recall a colorful, vibrant place and friendly people. Several months ago a massive typhoon – more powerful than any on record – drew the Philippines and the...

In the last article we discussed Incident Command priorities and skills to effectively manage a MAYDAY event. Now I would like to focus on the tasks that the officer leading the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) should perform. As always please refer to your departments SOG’s...

Extensions Whenever I see people doing this exercise at the gym I cringe. While using the back extension machine it may feel (and sound) like you’re working your back muscles but you’re straining the joints in your spine so much that you may be doing more damage than good. See,...

As a firefighter we witness some of the most horrific tragedies that can often become permanently etched into our mind. We see the sadness of poverty in homelessness, drug addiction, and abuse in our daily calls for service. We started our career off with vigor and passion inside...

Training prepares us for situations that we run in to everyday, and even the calls that we would never have expected. In part 1 we learned that knowing what your dispatcher needs to know for rail incidents and the resources they have available ahead of time are tools to make the...

Becoming a Leader Before you can lead, you must follow. This is, perhaps, one of the most important aspects of becoming a leader. Leadership is a learning process, meaning increased proficiency in leadership can be developed. As a young firefighter with aspirations of becoming a...