Introducing BabaFire, the premier firehall marketing podcast, run by yours truly. Here we’re going to talk about all aspects of marketing for your firehall. How to develop a plan, how to prioritize and how to get things done without being a marketing expert or having the time yourself.
Sit back and grab your favorite beverage and hear where we’re starting from and where we’re going. All in the effort to help get your firehall to the next level with things like membership and recruitment, fundraising and grant writing, community education and interaction and more!
Great article here on the health effects smoke has on wildland firefighters. It has been known the chemical and off-gassing dangers of structural firefighters but wildland firefighters have similar issues.
“People are now aware that they probably shouldn’t stand in the smoke if they don’t have to,” said Mike DeGrosky, Fire Protection Bureau chief with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. “People know to minimize smoke exposure out on the line when people are working. But the reality is they work in a very, very smoky environment that smoke has lingering health effects.”
Watch this… important to us, our brothers and sisters…
Former late night host and 9/11 first responders advocate Jon Stewart chokes up and slams Congress over health care for the 9/11 first responders during the hearing for reauthorizing the 9/11 victim compensation fund.
This past weekend I attended the Smokey Mountain Weekend Fire/Rescue Expo in Gatlinburg, TN. You may know the name Gatlinburg due to the deadly 2016 wildfires that devastated the area. Though you can still see remnants of the fires on the mountainous landscape surrounding the town, this small tourist designation is thriving. Specifically, this past weekend when it was invaded by fireman from Tennessee and the region.
With nearly 400 in attendance the classroom and tactical classes were filled with enthusiasm from both experienced and rookie firefighters. As I sat through my first class I have already assembled several pages of notes to not only fuel (pun intended) my Babacita consulting work, but to also help improve my department, the Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department.
Below are the classes I took and some key notes I accumulated:
Recognizing Elder Abuse
Excellent to understand the laws and resources available to protect elders. Documentation is the key thing. Keep accurate records, photos, etc. with your incident files. If elder abuse is a pattern these records will help tell the story and are invaluable. There is a great checklist to keep handy on your trucks that will help with the documentation. Check it out here: https://eagle.trea.usc.edu/first-responder-checklist/. As first responders we are also required to document and report anything we see so this documentation will also protect yourself, your station and your community.
Residential Concerns
Old House, Small House, Large House – Another class with some great information. The importance of the 360°was hammered pretty hard and I completely agree. We talked about identifying the layout also during this phase as the IC begins to develop the strategy.
We talked about potential hazards
Attics
Size of the structure
Layout
Utilities
Floors, specifically with mobile and manufactured homes
Search and rescue
Overhaul
Structural collapse indications
Insulation
SLICERS was also discussed in-dept as a new outline
Size up
Locate fire
Identify flow path
Cool fire from safe location
Extinguish fire
Rescue if needed
Salvage when we can
Reading Smoke
This was the highlight of the weekend and the main reason I attended. I believe reading smoke is an art form and a complex challenge that is always changing.
Things discussed included
Smoke is fuel
Fuels have changed over the years and are more explosive
Smoke has trigger points
Soot is black, ash is white and contains about 70% particulates
Hydrocarbons (black oil droplets) will self-ignite at about 450°F.
Polyethylene’s self-ignite around 660°F.
The importance of using TIC’s (thermal imaging cameras) to determine smoke temperature before approaching
Color
Grey/brown smoke – wood
Black – polyethylene’s
Backdraft signals
Breathing or angry smoke
Smoke stained windows
Mushroom smoke
Whitening
Rollover/flameover
Fire is still growing, light-dark streaks of read over top
Flashover 700°-800°F – cool this down or get out… the hotter the greater potential
Tactics
Cool the fire gases and container
Vent the heat and fire gases
Get out
Smoke explosion – white, cool smoke
Contained layer of smoke that just needs an ignition source
Has enough oxygen to support combustion
No heat involved
The blackest smoke moving at the greatest speed…. Hit it with water
Modern Single Family Dwelling Fire Attack
Bigger hoses, smooth bore nozzles
Cool the box prior to entry – hit it hard and direct (smooth bore nozzles) with all you’ve got – fast
Ventilation but be sure it’s coordinated with the attack
Suppression
Lots and lots of information, great people and a sampling of JEDS. This was my first Smoky Mountain Weekend but will definitely not be my last. Always learning and always training is what will keep me and those around me safe.
A couple more observations and thoughts:
I worry about the health of us firefighters. With cardiac arrest being the leading cause of firefighter deaths is no surprise as there is a large percentage of us overweight and not so healthy. And I’m not just pointing my finger at others, I could stand to lose about 10-15 lbs myself. But seeing this trend happening with all the knowledge we have about exercise, eating and living a healthy lifestyle I’m not sure what to do. It really falls on the departments and to personal responsibility. Those who would be in danger of hauling 200’ of hose through the woods or a building need to really stay behind and run pump or other non-physical operations. It really is sad to see, and I know we can do better. I’m just not sure what it will take for people to really wake up. This is a physically, mentally and emotionally demanding job. Those parts need to be looked after if we’re to operate optimally. How can we serve our communities if we were liabilities right for the first step onto a scene. We can do better.
Another thing that I am in amazement of is the lack of caring or dedication to furthering education. Not so much the people here this weekend but those who aren’t here and that rarely send people. I’m fortunate that I have a chief that is progressive and actively caring about our safety, equipment and ongoing growth. But saying that, a chief, like mine, can only guide the members. It’s up to them and depends on what their motivations. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. Same thought applies here. Why wouldn’t you want to learn? This is a job that can kill you so why not learn everything you can to stay safe?
Ongoing learning. Ongoing training. It will serve you, your department and your community well.
As I prep for my first time at Smoky Mountain Weekend in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I am comforted that I will be joined by some instructors and classmates from my firefighter I class as well as my chief from Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department. Based on the class offering I felt that at this stage in my career I’d be better suited to take more classes to be on the generalist side of things similar to my marketing expertise. Here’s a look at my class schedule:
Recognizing elder abuse – in my district we have an aging population so figured this could help
Residential concerns: Old house, small house, large house
Reading smoke
Modern single family dwelling fire attack
So based on these I’ll have a good sampling to expand my knowledge, training and skills.
Another objective is to connect with other departments to learn best practices in terms of public information, recruitment and retention, grant writing, fundraising and to share my knowledge of marketing. It’s making these contacts that are necessary to expand my learnings and to help others. I’ll pass out cards and perhaps gain some contacts that could be potentially bring me in to help them with their marketing efforts. It’s going to be a great opportunity on several fronts and I look forward to it!
Stay tuned as I’ll post an update to this post next week which will cover the event and post-event.
Good morning. As I reflect on this past week of a training coming to an end and a celebration of Firefighter I certification I keep coming back to the terms volunteerism and service. That is what it’s all about for volunteer firefighters. Serving and protecting your community. Helping people in need on their worst days.
Here is the text of my speech (part of it a repeat from my departments 2018 award dinner):
What a long road this has been. We started in August and I feel we could’ve spent a month on every topic. But this is the beginning. This was about foundations that we can build upon moving forward through ongoing learning and training.
As far as this speech… I keep coming back to one I made at my departments awards dinner as I think it fits this event as well.
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This is our fire hall. This is our fire family.
We are members of a unique and special brother and sister-hood that goes back centuries to ancient Rome and even before that in ancient Egypt.
In 1666 the Great Fire of London helped standardize firefighting. In America, George Washington, the future President was a volunteer firefighter in Alexandria, Virginia as a member of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Company. Benjamin Franklin was also a volunteer firefighter helping to create the first fire department in Philadelphia in 1736.
The first known female firefighter Molly Williams took her place with the men on the drag ropes during the blizzard of 1818 and pulled the fire water pump to the fire through deep snow.
The first organized municipal fire brigade in the world was established in Edinburgh, Scotland, when the Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment was formed in 1824. London was formed 9 years later in 1833.
The fire service is rich with history.
Firefighters have been helping communities and engaging in charitable causes through generations. An early example is firefighter Royal Tunbridge Wells. He helped raise money for widows and orphans. He used his dog ‘Jack’ and cat ‘Arthur’ to help encourage donations.
Signal Mountain, TN 2016
Signal Mountain, TN 2016
Speaking personally, I joined after the Gatlinburg fires… after our mountain, Signal Mountain was on fire. I still remember driving with my family on Highway 153 towards the mountain and seeing the plumes of smoke. Our mountain was on fire. At that moment I had to help. Not just something to do but a deeper calling from within. To help my family, to help my community. To protect us all. I am a protector. Maybe 6 or 8 months after that… I remember Lt. Clift say to me, “You’ve got the fire bug. I see it.” He was right. And that bug burns hotter now than ever. I’ve taken many classes, received certifications and completed the Firefighter I program. I plan to attend training, conferences and seminars. I’m also working on transitioning my career to help fire service organizations (but that’s another story for another time). I am a protector and part of the fire service and part of the Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department.
Why are you here? Why are you part of the fire service?
Regardless of the fire service history and changes through the years and the reasons on why we are here. There is one constant thing that will never change. Courage, Compassion and Community.
This is our fire hall. This is our fire family. We are here to help our community. We are here to be an integral part of our community. And when I talk of this, I don’t mean just the members. I’m talking about everyone in this room – our families. They give to and help our community. They share us. When the call comes in the middle of the night or when we’re just sitting down to dinner, they share us and give to our community too. Thank you to my wife Brynne and daughter Sofia, and all of our families from the bottom of my heart.
This is our fire hall. This is our fire family.
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So here I am with my new brothers and sisters. Our fire family. We made it to this point. We are here. Together. We have learned from the skills, knowledge and mistakes of our instructors. We learned that Fire is Hot. We studied, laughed, argued. All the things that brothers and sisters do. But we came together… eventually… as a team. We made it together and are now standing here in the proud tradition of the fire service.
I want to thank Rip, Jody and Nick. For their instruction, direction… patience… head-shaking… eye-rolling… all of it… Thank you sincerely from all of us.
A big thank you to Director Adams for his leadership, expertise and assistance. And to all the adjunct instructors who came down and gave their time to help us learn.
And the biggest thank you goes to our families. They have shared us. For the time away training and studying. For coming home exhausted with no energy for anything. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know it hasn’t been easy, so thank you.
In addition to the certifications I was awarded the prestigious Shane Daughette Award. Since firefighter Shane Daughettee’s death, this award is given to a fire graduate who demonstrates great leadership, attitude and dedication throughout the duration of Firefighter I class. This is truly an honor.
Here is a video presentation that the training team PIO put together showing some of our training moments. Enjoy!
The bipartisan measure—the Protecting America’s First Responders Act—would eliminate delays and help secure financial support for first responders hurt in the line of duty.
This is a big win for all of us. Take note of the article as published by Firehouse:
The Protecting America’s First Responders Act—a measure introduced last week by Reps. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ), Peter King (R-NY), Joe Courtney (D-CT), John Rutherford (R-FL), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ) and Brian Fitzpatrick—updates regulations in the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program to reduce delays in receiving for those who suffering disabling injuries and also closes a loop in that program to allow fire police to receive support. A companion Senate bill introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) was passed last week.
“The brave men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and their families must have the utmost support from the federal government—especially those who have made drastic sacrifices in the line of duty,” said Pascrell, who co-chairs the Congressional Law Enforcement and Fire Services Caucuses. “First responders constitute both our first and last lines of defense. This much we know. What many don’t know, however, are the struggles many first responders and their families deal with after sustaining serious injuries or loss of life on the job. This legislation will directly assist those brave individuals struggling with lasting impacts of service. I am committed to seeing it fully passed into law.”
Well… tomorrow’s the day I have my state practicals and exam for FF1 certification. It’s been a long road for me (and my family) that began in August. It seems long but the sheer volume of information and training was concentrated. We could’ve spent a month easily on any of the areas we covered. That’s why ongoing learning is always going to be a part of me and should be for every firefighter out there. To keep not only themselves safe but also their team and communities.
We had some ups and downs as a team but came together. We learned, sweated, laughed and crammed our heads with as much knowledge as humanly possible. So on this day just before testing I’m feeling confident. Casually reviewing my study notes, tying my knots and flipping through my workbook.
From Firehouse the 2018 Cancer Awareness & Prevention supplement reviews various efforts to decrease firefighter exposure to carcinogens.
The 2018 Cancer Awareness & Prevention supplement reviews gear-cleaning to remove toxins, ways to reduce exposure to carcinogens in and around apparatus, international efforts to mitigate cancer risks, and some product-based methods for skin-cleansing. Firehouse thanks our Keystone Sponsor, MSA, as well as our Cornerstone Sponsors, for their support of this critical project.
You can download the supplement here. Be sure to read through it and share it with all your brothers and sisters. We all need to stay safe!
