5-Alarm Task Force!

If you have been or still are a firefighter and you have a few years (or more) under your belt, you have probably had a couple of “workers” that gave you a bit more than an east knockdown.

Initially then, the title of Brad’s book is somewhat incomplete. For the full title of his new book is, “The Flames of Fire – Firefighting Amidst the Explosions!” A bit more intriguing than the first look. Brad has done it all, from being a 17-year-old “probie” to an officer, an instructor and a Fire Inspector. Some of the stories he s...

There is no doubt that Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson has had a well-experienced path in the fire service, starting as a 15-year-old “water boy” and “hanger-on” to learn as much about firefighting as possible. It wasn’t long before Jacob was climbing the department’s “ladder,” through the Katy Fire Department for approximately seven years. 

Then, the Pearland Fire Dept. started its “Growth Spurt” and Jacob decided that it was a place where one can learn, practice and drill to become a better firefighter and eventually, an officer. And after nearly 18 years, he was recently appointed as the Assi...

David Wiklanski is an Engine Company Captain for an urban fire department in New Jersey. He has over twenty years in Emergency Services. Wiklanski is a speaker and writer, with most of his presentations on behavioral health, in addition to Suicide Terrorism. His mission is to end the stigma associated with mental health and to connect responders with the available resources to not only survive but thrive in their careers.
 
 He has contributed articles to Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, Firehouse Tribune, and Firefighting in Canada. His first book: Suicide Bombers, Understanding Suicide Terrorism from a Cultural and Me...

If you’re a firefighter and you have been on social media oh, let’s say some time around 2011, you could not help but notice the frequent posts from The Firehouse Tribune. Then, it was a couple of firefighters posting some key ideas, facts, tactics, health, etc. Recently, Nic, the founder and editor of The Firehouse Tribune has raised the level the “Tribune.” 

It began with Nic writing his first book, “The 5-Tool Firefighter.” Then, he authored a workbook to accompany the “5-Tool Firefighter, and both have been big sellers. Firefighters from all around the U.S. and a fore...

We all know that many fire departments across the country, both career and volunteer are struggling with retention and recruitment. And most are looking for new ways and/or tools to assist them in this endeavor. Sure, there’s advertising in the trades, posting on social media, etc., but there doesn’t appear to be any “heart” in these efforts. It may be time to try a new method, using what almost everyone has – your cell phone!

A marketing communications professional with well over four decades of experience, Chuck Moran owns his own digital marketing firm in Ch...

Mutual aid – fairly common in the fire service, right? Sure, there can be “stumbling blocks” in setting these arrangements up, such as personnel, different equipment, availability and even what might be seen as “silly” issues, like egos and a competition mindset. Lest we forget that our oath is succinct…”To protect the lives and property of our community. “ There is no mention of egos or equipment matches, etc., in the Oath, just “to protect!” No departments exemplify this truth as do the Orange County Fire Authority, Los Angeles County Fire & Rescue and Ventura County Fire Department. 

For years and years...

Almost every industry in the U.S. has its “Trades,” that is, magazines devoted to and about that industry. The U.S./Canadian fire services are no different. There are numerous periodicals for us to choose from, one of which is the one that somewhat taught me how to be a better firefighter, even though it was a brand-new periodical back in 1977, when it was first published by FDNY firefighter, Dennis Smith – FIREHOUSE® Magazine. And I’ve rarely missed an issue in those more than 45 years. 

My guest today is Peter Matthews, who joined the FIREHOUSE...

The American career Fire Service has often used basic testing and an interview of two when seeking new hires. And that may have served the need, “back in the day.” However, now into the third decade of the 21st Century, we should and need to create a new construct. Moreover, if we wish to remember that retention of current members should come before recruitment, we need a new paradigm to succeed for tomorrow!

Our returning guest, Dr. Gamaliel Baer, who holds an Ed.D. from the University of Southern California in Organizational Change and Leadership, prov...

We have all seen videos on the news or on social media of big-city fire departments doing their “thing.” Lots of apparatus and a large contingent of firefighters and support staff. It is often an amazing site and sometimes, we might get a little jealous. However, the majority of American firefighters are not in the big urban areas. Most of us serve suburban areas with mixed usage, residential, commercial, manufacturing, etc. 

My two guests on this episode are Nick Peppard and Sean Duffy. Both served a number of years in Florida, but have since moved north...

Every profession has standouts. These are the men and women who always strive to do their best for their profession, often going beyond the average levels and striving to always be prepared and ready to bring their “A-Game!”

My guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force!” Capt. Mike Daley is, in my eyes, a consummate firefighter. If I included his bio in these show notes, you would see multiple pages! I will share that he is a nearly 30-year veteran of the fire service and an excellent instructor with the aim to see his students...