Posts Categorized: Must Read
Chicago Fire Department – Everyone Goes Home – Watch and Share
If you think you got some good reason for not wearing this or for not doing things the right way write it down. Because I need to read that to your widow. Cause I'm not going to know what to say. You say it for me. - Chicago Chief of Training Peter VanDorpe
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Social Media and FireCritic.com…The Big Picture
This article serves two purposes:
To help the readers understand what information is shared and where it is shared.
To help other bloggers learn how to engage, share, and grow their social media networks.
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110 Floors for 343…Never Forget. Honor, Respect, Tradition
The difference between us and them was that we did it in honor of them. We did it without an airpack, without fear, without trepidation.
We did it to help others never forget.
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Go to the Funeral…You OWE it to Them
To me BROTHERHOOD is not something that can be taught, learned, or explained. It is too simple to understand and too complicated to explain. BROTHERHOOD must be experienced.
If you want to start to experience BROTHERHOOD...Go To the Funeral
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A Dose of Motivation for New and Veteran Firefighters
Getting it on video...That is the difference between making a great speech to 10 people and making it to thousands. Brian Brush recently talked to a recruit class about what the fire service should mean to them, what it means to him, and why we should take pride in serving.
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Firefighter Suicides…Prevention and Counseling
Firefighter Netcast recently had Jeff Dill on a show about a Battalion Chief from suburban Chicago, who holds a Masters Degree in Counseling. Chief Dill has established CSSF, Counseling Services for Firefighters, which offers behavioral health support to firefighters; trains senior fire officers, and educates clinicians on the benefits of understanding the life and emotions- of firefighters. Visit the CSSF here - CSFF Web Page and on Facebook.
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And the Winners are Iron Firemen and Ambo Driver
Here is the moment you all have been waiting for...
The winners for the Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year for 2010-2011 are:
Iron Firemen.com - Fire Category
A Day in the Life of an Ambulance Driver - EMS Category
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The Best of Motivational…or Demotivational Firefighting Posters
There are some good ones out there, but by and large you can tell that most of them were not created by firefighters. I say this because I think it is our duty to come up with better motivational and/or demotivational posters. Don't ask, I don't know what the difference is between the two. They are simply funny posters that mimic the original styling of posters someone came up with. The object is to be funny.
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The Fire Service Warrior – Monday Morning Shoutout
The Fire Service Warrior offers this unique "mission statement" that has been dubbed the Ethos of a Fire Service Warrior. Ethos? Yeah, I had to look it up although I kinda figured what he meant by it. Ethos: English word based on a Greek word and denotes the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, a nation or an ideology.
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Video Review: Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer with Host Randolph Mantooth
What if there was something on the fireground killing firefighters that you cannot see, you cannot feel, you cannot smell, and you cannot hear. What if I told that that it could increase your chances of a heart attack and/or stroke even up to 72 hours AFTER you leave the fireground AND your exposure to it happens after MOST of the danger on the fireground is over.
What if I told you that it can kill you immediately.
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Statter and Wines in Cahoots! The Fire Critic has Cracked the Case
I have to admit, it has been an enjoyable ride. To think that these guys have so much fun just because I am 5'7" tall. Hell, I have never had a problem with my height. They also enjoy the fact that I look young for my age. Again, something that has never really bothered me. So what If I get a reminder of how young I look every time I purchase alcohol.
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Thanksgiving Day Contest Winner – Kingsport, TN Station 6
The winner of the Thanksgiving Day Giveaway is Kingsport, TN Station 6. Their submission is below.
I will be honest, I had the guys at the station pick a number without knowing what the number was for. Kingsport is the winner.
They have won a complete set of Emergency Services Monopoly including the Firefighter, EMS, and Law Enforcement versions.
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Top Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Firefighters List For 2010
Last year, I offered my top ten Christmas Gifts for Firefighters (last years list is here). The article has remained very popular even this year.
Just in Time for Black Friday!
This year, I am redoing the list for 2010. There are many new gifts out there and I want to make sure that the firefighters are getting what they deserve...The Best Christmas Gifts for Firefighters!
This top ten list could be easily used year round. Be it birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever these gifts are bound to make you popular with the firefighter you gift them to.
I challenge you to come up with a better list!
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Close Call: Chenoa Fire Engine Flips Over on Way to Call. One Firefighter Injured
...Chenoa firefighter Don Nagel, 47, was taken to OSF Saint James Hospital in Pontiac, after a Chenoa fire engine crashed on the way to the scene around 4:55 a.m., Illinois State Police said.
The engine was negotiating a "left sharp curve in a wet two-laned roadway" when its 1,000 gallons of water shifted abruptly, police said in a statement. The engine overturned on its left side and ended up in a ditch.
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Top Ten Hot & Sexy Firefighter Calendars for 2011
For several reasons, this years is simply titled top ten firefighter calendars for 2011. Basically, it wasn't fair to single out just the female calendars. I have plenty of readers who are female and many might enjoy the men's/coed calendars.
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Call For Submissions: Create a Social Media Policy this month on the First Due Blog Carnival
So here’s your chance. Write out a draft policy on social media/networking for members of your department. Chances are good that most of you don’t already have one in place. Be serious about it as your work might be a catalyst for change, and could help prevent your department from experiencing some of the problems we’ve read about – and will continue to read about. Check our you current disciplinary process to be sure your draft policy is fair and legal.
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Should Sex Offenders Be Firefighters? What about Pardoned ones?
I am currently working on a story and one of the intriguing details is that a current firefighter WAS a convicted sex offender. The person was pardoned and is not a registered sex offender. The offense was bad (they all are). The offense happened 30 years ago prior to the current laws that protect us from these criminals. Should he be allowed to be a firefighter?
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LEO: The Fire Within Product Review and Their Model Search is ON!
I must say that I am very pleased with my LEO: The Fire Within shirt! Other than being made in Honduras, I couldn't really find anything to pick apart. The sizing, fit, and feel of the shirt was very nice and I plan on wearing the shirt more in the future.
However, if I were one of the LARGER firefighters I might find issue with the fact that LEO does not offer XXL or XXXL. I know some guys who would never fit into a XL!
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Another Custom Firehouse Kitchen Table. Share Yours With The Fire Critic
Attached are a couple of photos of our new dining table. It was designed and constructed by one of our firefighters here at our station, FF Charles Osvold. This table is located at Marion County Fire Rescue Station #21 “The Sleepless Knights”, the busiest house in Marion County, Florida. We are listed in Firehouse magazine as one of the nation’s top 100 busiest stations. The table measures twelve feet long by four feet wide.
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Firefighter Netcast Live Thursday Night with Chief Kelly Edmison of the Union City Fire Department to Discuss the Newest Developments in the Obion County/South Fulton Dilemma
Chief Kelly Edmison will be joining John Mitchell, Art Goodrich, and myself Thursday night live at 9pm on Firefighter Netcast.
Chief Kelly Edmison has been in contact with Dave Statter discussing the latest developments in Obion County that effect all of the Municipal FD's in the County.
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Firefighting Book Review: One Foot in the Black by Kurt Kamm
Greg's father is a Saginaw, Michigan firefighter. His father's Captain ends up being his saving grace when he suggests Greg to head to California to become a seasonal firefighter. Greg leaves everything behind to begin a journey that ends up being the beginning of his new life.
This story really hit home with me. While I am not a wildland firefighter, nor do I live on the west coast, I left home at the same time I was getting all my life together to become a paid firefighter.
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Firehouse Dolls 2011 Calendar Sneak Preview
The new look is that of a classier more professional feel. The days of almost completely naked women are behind us. Now you can enjoy real women firefighters who enjoy still showing off their bodies and might not have as big an issue with job security.We can all respect that!
To be honest with you, I am not sure exactly why they have changed the format. I can guess that it has something to do with being more professional, less controversial, and more representative of the class of our American Women Firefighters.
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Social Media Use on the Job
Firefighters should not be using social media while in the operations of an emergency incident!
Also, Firefighters should be concerned about what they are saying via social media and how it will be inferred by the readers! I have heard it said that if your mom or Chief would not want to hear you say it then don't say it!
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In Retrospect…The FireEMSBlogs.com Meetup
My time at FDIC was a blast. We managed to pack the week full of friends, fun, and work (Firefighter Netcast). The people I have met through this blog, twitter, facebook, etc. will stay with me for a long time. Our occasional chance to meet is always fun!
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Firefighter Netcast… Have you heard this? Great Training for the firehouse!
If you have not seen it yet, Firefighter Netcast is the home of live radio and podcasts on the internet. We were at FDIC and recorded many great topics with great guests.
The guests include Chris Naum, Billy Goldfeder, Ray Gayk, Tim Sendelbach, Mike Kirby, Scott Shaw, Fred Simon, Tiger Schmittendorf, and Tom Merrill.
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