John R Kowalski

Protecting Volunteers’ Day Jobs

8THIRTYFOUR on April 5, 2019

One of the lieutenants at fire school sent this article onto me.

What are your thoughts on this? I know myself holding a day job when tones go out can be a bit tricky. My particular situation has flexibility but at times I’ve been finishing conference calls on the way to a scene and even shuffling things around due to personal reasons. I can only imagine those with jobs that you’re unable to leave and are simply stuck. With the US fire service made up of 73% volunteer departments this is truly an important issue.

Job activities can always be made up later with the priority above all being public safety. It’s good to see bills like this in Texas seeing the light of day. Take a look here.

What are your thoughts and/or experiences with juggling fire service and jobs?

Your Actions Represent the Brotherhood

8THIRTYFOUR on April 1, 2019

Just this morning my wife had an unfortunate incident on a road near our home. The W Road down the mountain is a winding road with a good incline. She was following a truck loaded with stuff going slower than the speed limit. She remained about 3 car-lengths behind through the narrow curves. On one of the few straight-aways the truck put on his blinker and pulled to the shoulder as much as he could and slowed down even more as if he were wanting her to pass. She hesitated to make sure, he slowed even more so that’s what she believed he wanted her to do, so then she passed safely.

Upon reaching the truck and ready to wave a “thank you,” she was greeted with an angry man rolled down his window and started yelling obscenities. As much as he didn’t understand what she was doing or his actions miscommunicated to her to pass is there any real reason for this anger at a total stranger? What if she had been going to the hospital with a sick or injured child? My wife is the kindest, most loving and caring person you would ever meet. My response, upon first hearing this and to know that she was shaken from this event was to first lash out. “What an asshole! What’s his fuckin’ problem?” How hard must it be to go through life at that…. such anger at 10am. To live in that anger must be hell. But that’s not the end of the story, not the end of this incident.

She then said to me, “You know your firefighter license plate? The one on your car?” I replied, “yes.” She then continued, “He had that same plate. The same firefighter plate as you.” Then my heart sunk. This was one of my brothers acting like this. Representing all of us brothers and sisters bound together in the fire service. This action is a stain on all of us. We are better than this. We represent our departments, our brotherhood and the Maltese cross we bear.

When we wear a shirt, jacket, hat or vehicle decal, we represent something larger than us. A higher set of standards that meets our calling to help. Our actions speak to the public and our communities whether on or off duty. Be the high standard the public expects. Be the high standard that honors the brotherhood.

BabaFire platform launches to improve fire service marketing

8THIRTYFOUR on March 12, 2019

Chattanooga, Tennessee – March 12, 2019 – Babacita, a fire and emergency service marketing agency, announced BabaFire, an online learning platform to assist volunteer fire and emergency service organizations with their marketing components.

BabaFire brings value and experience to any organization. Learning modules include videos, written instructions and commentary along with tips, tricks and downloadable templates. The goal of BabaFire is to bring a positive learning experience to arm departments with the knowledge and tools necessary to elevate them to the next level and to empower them for marketing success.

“My experience includes my rural volunteer fire department to help raise the level of public perception, interaction and overall department marketing. Foundational marketing aspects can be incorporated into a planned program to not only improve the image, but also the fundraising and recruitment activities to help a department on a variety of levels,” states John Kowalski of Babacita.

Learning modules of BabaFire include

Department Image & Priorities
Developing an Effective Marketing Program
Recruitment – Now and the Future
Developing a Public Education Program
Raising Funds & Grant Writing
Event Planning with Purpose
Chain of Command, Teamwork & Conflict Resolution

A firefighter wearing a hat and coat smiles at the camera.

The BabaFire program is backed by a guarantee of success through personal consultation to ensure department satisfaction. “I believe in this program and through the feedback I have received with senior-level fire and emergency service personnel,” Kowalski continues. “This is the beginning of BabaFire and as additional modules are added, those purchasing the Complete program will get those with no extra expense.”

“Having served in two combination fire departments back in the ‘70’s & 80’s, we never even thought of marketing/branding the department. Today, there are sound opportunities to cultivate a strong, positive image for your department; both for the public and members. With John’s experience in both marketing and the fire service, he is able to provide you with the guidance necessary, to help market your department,” states Steve Greene, founder of Dalmatian Productions and the host of 5-Alarm Task Force podcast.

Individual modules cost $15.99 with the complete offering at $99.99.

About Babacita:

A consultancy incorporating empowerment and improvement for fire and emergency service organizations. As a volunteer firefighter and professional marketers, we understand the challenges that face volunteer organizations and work with departments to guide solutions to all marketing programs and community engagement. Visit http://babacita.com for more information.

Be the Rhino

8THIRTYFOUR on March 5, 2019

In 2017, 50 out of 87 US firefighters (that’s 58%) died from heart attacks. Though there’s no way to tell from the reports my guess is that the majority of these fatalities could have been prevented. As firefighters we need to rely on our mind, body and spirt to optimally perform and stay healthy. We all see terrible things and are under tremendous amounts of stress and all manage things in our own ways. Unfortunately, a lot of those ways include harmful things – fast food, alcohol and smoking just to name a few. And while it may seem to help with the stress it’s really only short-term and the longer-term effects are far worse on overall health.

And believe me, I’m no saint. Growing up in the Midwest it was meat and cheese. And since living in the south fried chicken is definitely one of my favorites (visit Champy’s if you get to Chattanooga). And at my age (pushing 50) my body is a bit squishy in the middle, recovery time takes a bit more and those daily aches and pains are gradually increasing.

I recently watched a documentary on Netflix called “What the Health.” See the trailer here. And it completely blew me away. What the hell have I been putting into my body and is now the time to do something different? At least try something new for better health and improved performance on the training or fire ground. Sooo… Mr. barbecue-loving, fried chicken-eating, cheese-dripping me decided to give it a try… a plant-based diet – going vegan.

That means and for over a week now I’ve been successful… eating nothing that comes from an animal. Not even my beloved cheese/spinach/artichoke dip.

But think about it. What are some of the biggest and strongest animals on the planet? Rhino, elephant, hippo, gorilla. They eat over 95% plants (the rest is bugs).

And I kid you not, just after a week of this my daily aches and pains have lessened, and I have more energy. Even doing some hardcore training drills I felt great and my recovery time was a fraction of what it used to be eating meat, cheese, eggs, etc. I feel lighter and more flexible.

I feel better. Physically and mentally.

And because of that I’m going to keep riding the vegan train. Not promising I won’t fall off here and there but at least for the next month I’m into it hardcore. I challenge you to give it a try too. For a week or two. What do you have to lose besides a few pounds and a sluggish feeling?

TED-Ed: Is fire a solid, liquid, or gas?

8THIRTYFOUR on February 21, 2019

Taken from TED-Ed, a bit of education on fire science that you may know, may not know or just need a quick refresher.

From Elizabeth Cox, Educator:

Sitting around a campfire, you can feel its heat, smell the woody smoke, and hear it crackle. If you get too close, it burns your eyes and stings your nostrils. You could stare at the bright flames forever as they twist and flicker in endless incarnations… But what exactly are you looking at? Elizabeth Cox illuminates the science behind fire.

Watch the TED Talk here.

TED: A Life Lesson From a Volunteer Firefighter

8THIRTYFOUR on February 21, 2019

Another brilliant TED talk. Volunteer firefighter and activist, Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn’t go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Don’t wait to be a hero.

Check it out.

This is our fire hall. This is our fire family.

8THIRTYFOUR on February 21, 2019

NOTE: This is a speech I gave at my fire hall’s annual awards banquet and felt it was worth sharing.

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 deep in rich history.

Firefighters have been helping in the community and engaging in charitable causes through generations. An early example is firefighter Royal Tunbridge Wells helping to raise money for widows and orphans. He used his dog ‘Jack’ and cat ‘Arthur’ to help encourage donations.

Speaking personally, I joined after the Gatlinburg fires… after our mountain, Signal Mountain was on fire. I still remember driving with my family on 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 Captain Jody Clift out at one of our trainings and he said 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, gotten certifications and am in rookie school. I’m planning on attending many conferences and seminars to continue to learn. 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 the community in which we live. 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 and kids, and all of our families from the bottom of my heart.

This is our fire hall. This is our fire family.

SAFER Grant application period announced

8THIRTYFOUR on February 11, 2019

The FY 2018 SAFER application period will open on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. ET and will close on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Start planning your FY 2018 SAFER Grant application now by reviewing the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and Economic Hardship Waivers Information Bulletin (IB), and technical assistance tools below. These tools were produced specifically to help potential applicants begin to plan their 2018 applications ahead of the application period. The tools can be viewed on the AFG website or downloaded to your computer.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Economic Hardship Waivers
SAFER Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Application Checklist – This checklist will help you prepare your SAFER grant application
Self-Evaluation –Hiring of Firefighters – Career, combination, and volunteer fire departments
Self-Evaluation – Recruitment and Retention – Fire Departments – Combination and volunteer fire departments
Self-Evaluation – Recruitment and Retention – Interest Organizations – National, State, Local, or Tribal Volunteer Firefighters Interest Organizations
Recruitment and Retention – Request Details Description Instructions – This document will provide Recruitment and Retention applicants with a list of the categories and sub-category available in the application as well as information on the level of details needed for each budget line item.

SAFER Grants Help Desk:If you have questions about the technical assistance tools listed below, call or e-mail the SAFER Grants help Desk. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address for questions is firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.

Cancer Awareness & Prevention

8THIRTYFOUR on December 19, 2018

This is some great information from Firehouse Magazine to help keep yourself, your department and your families safe.

A new supplement in Firehouse magazine looks at cancer in the fire service and provides tips and information to help firefighters protect themselves and their crew. The NVFC served as a cornerstone sponsor for the project. View supplement. You can also learn the 11 best practices for preventing firefighter cancer in the Lavender Ribbon Report; download here.