Comments on: Open Mic Wednesday

By: Has the Reduction in Funding Lead to an Increase in Firefighter Injury — Michigan Fire Service

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:39:31 +0000

[...] week discussed the many things that our first officers taught us about this great job, and there was continued discussion through the [...]

By: Leslie L. Wedge

Leslie L. Wedge — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:59:38 +0000

My first firefighting skills were learned in the Coast Guard. Donning and doffing was the most practiced exercise, because the OBA’s were less reliable, so the first lesson was Wear your gear. Second and best lesson was stay near the bulkhead and when you can’t, put something solid & sturdy between you and the overhead. Upon responding to my first fire as RTFD firefighter, my captain also had served in the USCG and reminded me that “we have to go out, but we dont have to come back. Listen to your officer and pay attention.”

By: Greg Mowbray

Greg Mowbray — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:18:52 +0000

Train, Train, Train…there should never be a day when you sit back and say “there is nothing new I can learn on_______” (fill in blank with fire attack, rescue, patient care, extrication).
As the world around us changes on a daily basis, we should be looking at new ways to combat that change.
One of the best officer statments I have heard is “On scene is not time for OJT”. Know your equipment, your department tactics and your own level of training before the tones drop.

Remember, train like your life depends on it…because some day it will

By: Greg Walterhouse

Greg Walterhouse — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:47:37 +0000

When I was a new fire fighter (yes I know that was long ago) on my first interior fire attack the officer said you NEVER leave your hose line. Very basic but still good advice today.

By: mobrian

mobrian — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:27:36 +0000

Some great comments by all

John I think that is easily summed up as IC overload some times and a great lesson learned for bosses

Craig, how true

Don, gotta love the vent, enter, search, concept

Phil, always need to learn thats why this site is partially here to help keep us on our toes. It sure is crazy how fast the fireservice is changing

Mike, I think I have heard those before, but I just can’t place where

I guess the question to is have you passed these truths on as your own now?

By: Mike Eckert

Mike Eckert — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:05:19 +0000

From a series of collective mentors, including Craig Miller (above):

GETTING THERE: “If you don’t know how to get to the call, you can’t help anyone. If you are in the officer’s seat, keep the mapbook open on your lap. You need to know your current location and be ready to find an alternate. Look up streets/addresses on every call, even if you are stuck at the station. They may call you for something addtional and its just a good idea to be familiar with the location.” From the Pre CAD days.

EXTINGUISHMENT: “Pressure doesn’t put out fire, water does.” I’m old and was trained by a lot of booster lines/Bean gun guys, so when my first fire science instructor said this, it really stuck. I still like to deliver water rapidly, but GPM’s beat up BTU’s pretty effectively. Just think, if this wasn’t true, we could use pressure washers. Today we call it “go big or go home.”

By: Phil Baxter

Phil Baxter — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:48:59 +0000

The Best thing I Ever learned from my First Chief was

Dont Let anyone ever tell you that you have enough education in
the fire service you can always be learning something no matter how
small it might be you never know when you might use something NEVER
pass up the opportunity for Training

And coincidentaly one week before he was slated to retire he went to a
extrication class with us

By: Don Hall

Don Hall — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:51:38 +0000

While treating patients in the EMS world; the psychological condition of the patient is huge! Always treat this by reassuring, confident and professional.

In firefighting, rescue is the primary benchmark. Sometimes, gaining control of the fire quickly may save more lives. Use personnel wisely!

By: Craig Miller

Craig Miller — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:37:48 +0000

Here’s one for the medic in all of us….

One of the first doctors who taught me as a basic EMT said, ” when you go into a stressful situation and you aren’t sure what to do, go up to the patient….introduce yourself….and take their radial pulse. If there is no pulse then you know what to do! If there is a pulse, then act like you are intently asessing their vital sign while in your mind you are figuring out your next move!”

It works very well on medical calls, not so well during council meetings.

By: John VanOosterum

John VanOosterum — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:16:21 +0000

When taking orders from IC remember “nothing is impossiable for the guy that doesn’t have to do it”.