Mr. Perfect?

Anyone who watched wrestling growing up is bound to have heard of Mr. Perfect Curt Henning. He did several promo’s about just how perfect he was and how easily he could accomplish the most difficult task. He even when coming out tot the ring would spit his gum out and swat it away (something I spent hours trying to emulate). This guy was absolutely PERFECT. However behind the curtain Curt Henning was far from perfect. He was a steroid user, battled several demons, and eventually died far to young from an over dose from a combination of cocaine and pain killers.

The point? His on air persona was far from reality. His was the picture of perfection to some, but was a normal human subject to desires, bad decisions, etc.

I think this persona, or idea of perfection s sometimes placed on those of us who choose to put ourselves out there in social media, blogs, etc. I have almost three years of posts on this site, written articles for several other website, magazines, tweets, and other outlets and I can not find one time where I mentioned anything about me being perfect. I strive for that as I think all of us should do but I myself am FAR FROM IT! I make mistakes, I made one just last night while acting in charge of the engine company. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in my fire service career was when I attended an 8 hour forcible entry class from FDNY Captain Robert Morris. During this we saw several videos of forcible entry techniques, some times succesful, others not. When asked why he kept the mistakes in the video he said he wanted to show the class that even he and his crew with all their experience in the fire service that they may still make mistakes, and that they learned more from mistakes than from success.

I make mistakes in all aspects of my life, I am a horrible critic on myself some might even say too hard, but as one of my twitter followers said if you’re not hard on yourself then who will be? The name Average Jake was created out of the fact that I consider myself just average. I am the average firefighter, or what I think the average firefighter should be (passionate, dedicated, love for the job) and I try to put those traits out there.

So the overall point is no matter if it is me, The Fire Critic, Jumpseatviews, Fire Service Warrior, or some other blogger, writer, oe tweeter NONE OF US are perfect. We strive for it, and attempt it but it is unreachable and we will fail, but trying to get there will make you pretty good. I know it can be difficult to embrace your mistakes, especially in a business where a mistake can mean life or death, but as I tell my oldest son when he doesn’t want to practice with people better than him at sports. You learn nothing from beating the same people over and over, you learn a lot from going against someone better than you. So do not shy away from mistakes. Train to make them reduced during the real thing. I know I learned a valuable lesson last night and plan on following up on that so the mistake is not repeated. Hard work is the only way to accomplish it, we are never done learning and just when we think we might be fate usually has a way to jump up and let us know we need to keep plugging.

Thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

What Would You Do?

In this instalment of what would you do we are presented with a house fire. We get a rare look at most of the development of the fire, and a scene without fire department intervention until later. This gives us a chance to fully absorb the scene and practice our critical decision making skills, and then see what the responding department actually did.

I will just provide a few insights. I preface these insights with the fact of I know nothing about this department, their staffing, or there operations. I do not know if they have a ladder truck, squad, rescue, ambulances or anything else. These are just observations made based on my own experience level and the departments I have been apart of.

1. First In Lay In: Time and time again in real life and in video I constantly see companies forgoing laying into fires. It could be SOG, it could be preference, it could be down right laziness. I am just a fan of laying in. I find it the most efficient way to ensure that you get a continuous water supply. In the departments I have been a part of we always laid into fires, and had the second engine finish the hydrant hook up. This way if for some reason the 2nd engine never shows the hose is already on the ground, and the driver of the first rig can hook his own hydrant up. If the hose stays on the rig, and the second engine never shows, now that driver may have to hand jack that LDH to the hydrant, further delaying the water supply component. If the stretch is too difficult for one person, the entire company may have to be redeployed to the LDH stretch which delaying the fire attack.

2. Apparatus placement: Again I do not know if this department has a ladder company, but if you do we have to understand as engine company firefighters that the ladder and cord reels are the same length every time. The fire ground real estate is critical for the special service companies in order to deploy them effectively. Engine companies literally have thousands of feet of hose. It is better to have to stretch some additional hose lengths and leave room for the special service than to park in front of the residence now making the special service useless. Our ladder companies and squads/rescues show up on different apparatus because they provide a different service than the engine. Their mission, their deployment model are different and for good reason. Do not deny the special service company the chance to provide you with air superiority (ladder), high-caliber streams (ladder pipe), or any of the other things they provide that we may not have (fans,forcible entry,special tools,etc.). The only thing this apparatus position would give you advantage is if you utilized your own pre piped deck gun, which leads to the next point.

3. Line selection: Big fire big water, is a phrase that sounds good in an assessment center, and people constantly speak it at every turn, yet I rarely see people put it into play. This fire was the prime example of a large advanced fire that needed a large-caliber hand line, and or a deck gun/portable master stream. To the naked eye it may look like the initial medium caliber line (1 3/4) was effective, but if you take a look at the thermal column there is still a massive fire inside this structure. Some of the hesitation to deploy these lines is staffing. I argue that companies that are heavy staffed can make miscalculations in line selection and correct them by using the people they have to deploy another line. Minimally staffed companies can not afford to make those mistakes as the personnel to add additional lines are not readily available, and to take those from in coming companies could impact other critical functions. the 2 1/2 can be deployed exterior with 1 firefighter, and interior with 2. it is hard, dirty, and labor intensive but it can be done.

So now it is your turn, take a look and apply your departments deployment model, and practice your critical decision-making skills. Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

A couple of things before I sign off…..

I said a few posts ago that myself and Ryan Pennington (http://www.viewsfromthejumpseat.blogspot.com/) had teamed up on a new venture. I did not want to say too much about it until I was 100% it was going to happen, but now since it is a go I am very excited and proud to announce that we are providing a new Podcast for Firehouse.com. It is called “Average Jake Views From The Jumpseat” . we have already recorded the first episode and it is with the editor and will be available for listening online very soon. Additionally I may also be contributing some blog type content for Firehouse.com. Again I am excited to see where this new venture can go. If you have any topic you want to see covered on the Podcast send it via email (averagejakeff@gmail.com) twitter @averagejakeff or in the comments section of a post.

Lastly it is NASCAR race weekend here in Richmond Va…and the start of NFL football season. So I will be at the race track starting tomorrow until the race is run. I will however also on Sunday be taking part in the 2nd Annual Richmond Virginia 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. It will be an honor to once again share the stairs with firefighter that truly embody “Never Forgetting”.

Well that’s all for this time!

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

Thoughts on Leadership

Within the next few months, my department is going to be undertaking a huge shift. Several of our senior command staff officers including our fire chief will be retiring. These are exciting and scary times for everyone involved. Exciting because the moves made in the next few months will/could determine the organization we are and the direction we go for the next 10 years! Scary because good, bad, or indifferent we know what we have with our current leadership complement and the thought of the unknown with new leadership in critical roles can be something that keeps people awake at night.

This has made me think a lot about if it was up to me, where would I send the organization, or more importantly how would I lead a organizaiton or even on a smaller scale a shift or company through times like this? What values would I want to instill in my company officers, firefighters, and the like?

A few years ago an officer who I have a lot of respect for, and now have the privilege of working for introduced me to a term, and leadership philosophy called “Servant Leadership”. Simply put the only reason an organization exists is to serve its customers. So in turn the only reason the leadership exists is to serve the subordinates.

An example would be the company officer. His sole job in its base form is to make sure that his/her firefighters have everything they need to serve the customer. These “needs” run the gauntlet from more training on hose deployment, to a hot meal at the end of the tour but the point is to make sure that the firefighters have everything they need in order to provide the best service delivery to the customer. Now much like your parents making you eat your vegetables sometimes the things your subordinates “need” are not going to coincide with everything they “want” or “like”.

This should go from the top down. The Fire Chief should make sure that his Assistants or Deputies have everything they need in order to do their job, and so on and so on. Applying this leadership model takes the leaders ego, and needs out of it and focuses on the needs of those you swore to protect and serve.

At the end of the day the fire service itself is a service industry. We exist to serve the citizen/customer who require our services. This is not down playing the extraordinary feats that happen every day in fire departments all over the world, however it is an attempt to really realize our true mission. Sure rescuing a fire victim is a feat of bravery, and should be regarded as such, but taking care of someone who broke their arm is just an important. The only difference is the level of service needed to mitigate the need of the customer, but the preparation for both must be spot on at all times.

These are values I feel that are desperately needed in a lot of organizations. The whats in it for me attitude and the attitude of self entitlement have no place in the fire service as this job is not about us, or you. Sure we deserve to make a living, and have a pension but that is the reward for providing a term of service that should meet the needs of those in which you swore to serve. Simply showing up and putting in time is not enough.

Please feel free to share some of your thoughts on leadership in the comments section, or on twitter @averagejakeff.

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

FDIC Review Part 3

Welcome to part 3 of the FDIC 2012 Review! When we last left you it was friday of FDIC and the conference for me was just about wrapped up. We (my group) had all intentions of heading out that evening to the Indy Local 416 Party and Pumper Pull, but we wanted to eat at the Tilted Kilt first. Well before we were even done with our meal the rain came and it got cold and it never stopped.

I hope this is not a deterrent for Local 416 to not have the party again, or to move it back to the Union Hall. In the past they have had this party at their Union hall which is ( in my opinion) a considerable distance from the Down Town area and convention center which is the epi center of everything going on with an about the conference. Having been before when I was in college, I have always tried to convince my “group” to go but they never wanted to make the trek. This year they decided to move it to Georgia Street just outside the convention center. So of course the year I convince them to go IT RAINS!!!!! Oh well I hope it is back on Georgia Street year and the weather is better.

Basically after that the conference was over for me, I made one last trip over to do a final sweep of the exhibits. At one of the booths they were offering up a knife if you could win three hands of black jack well…..

 THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER PLAYED AGAINST THIS KID!!!!

But that is not all I won. It is obvious that not a lot of people have bought into the whole “social media” phenomenon, @FDIC was tweeting things all week-long and giving away free stuff to people who knew the answers to trivia questions. Well as we were waiting for our ride back to the airport to head home @FDIC tweeted that they would give away an IPAD 2 to the first person to answer a trivia question. Well the only people who responded where me, my wife, and my brother

BUT I GOT MINE IN FIRST!!!! Thats right folks I walked away with a free 16g IPAD 2 from FDIC all by following them on twitter! FDIC is not the only thing given away via twitter, celebrities host contests all the time. Just the other night NASCAR driver Joey Logano gave away race tickets to the upcoming race in Richmond. In addition you can get expanded content from all your favorite fire service bloggers, websites, personalities, etc. So bottom line is get on twitter and while you’re at it follow @averagejakeff

Even with all the great stuff the best part of it all was getting to take my dad out to his first FDIC! I wrote a little about my dad in the post here:  http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/nostalgia/ My dad is a simple guy with simple pleasures, a cold beer and a recliner and you put him anywhere and he will be happy. He would have never though of spending his own money to go to FDIC because it would take money away from his family, so when my wife was given a free full conference package after entering a Facebook contest (see social media) and we had the free hotel room for being instructors I knew if his department would put up some money we could get him out there. They did, and so he came and I think it is safe to say he had a blast! I hope this is not his last time wanting to make the trip, but if it is I am glad he got to see me teach, and see Karen push her book.

Here are just some other pictures from FDIC:

 

 

 

Well that’s the end of the FDIC 2012 Review Part 3. I hope you had as good a time reading it as I did living it! If I didn’t get t meet you or if we met and I missed talking about you please no hard feelings, it happens. Hopefully there will be an FDIC 2013 for me, but as the kids get older and more obligations come to the forefront you have to sacrifice. One thing I can guarantee is that this will in no way be my last FDIC, I plan on attending these things even after I am retired, hopefully to see one if not both of my sons follow in my foot steps.

Hope you enjoyed the review, keep following along on twitter @averagejakeff, please give the guys I mention in these reviews some business they are all doing GREAT WORK! Also I won (my wife won) one other thing at FDIC that I am keeping a secret that I will be giving away VERY SOON so stay tuned for that.

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

 

April Drill Of The Month: Hydra Ram

Welcome to APRIL, and you know what that means? ONLY 13 MORE DAYS UNTIL FDIC! But before you go out and get some of the greatest fire service training on the planet, take some time this month to go over the Hydra Ram.

The hydra ram is a self-contained hydraulic forcible entry tool used to open inward swinging commercial doors. I can be used on residential doors but you run the risk of displacing the jamb so much that the tool is no longer affective.

In addition the tool is actually powered by mineral oil and not hydraulic fluid.

When checking the hydra ram during your morning apparatus check it needs to be placed under a load. This allows the mineral oil to actually reach the gaskets keeping them moist. 90% of the hydra failures you see have to do with the gaskets drying out, and failing under load. When the gaskets fail you will either not be able to generate enough pressure to extend the ram enough in order to displace, or defeat the locking mechanism. Or you will just have complete failure of the tool and a big mess to clean up.

Lastly always remember to bring the iron with you whenever you deploy the hydra ram. If it fails the irons will the only way you are getting in the door. The hydra ram is a valuable tool but unless you have a mastery of the irons then you should not use the hydra ram, as when it fails the irons will be what you have to use to defeat the door, and if you’re not good with them then the entire operation is in jeopardy.

So get out there this month and get familure with your hydra ram. If possible get to a building, or forcible entry simulator and actually use it, but at minimum exercise it under load, do some PM (preventative maintenance), and read the following articles

http://blog.brotherhoodinstructors.com/2011/01/hydraulic-forcible-entry-tool-maintenance/

http://traditionstraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/HYDRA-RAM-FINAL.pdf

http://traditionstraining.com/test-your-hydra-ram/

Remember if you’re coming out to FDIC be sure to come say hi, I will be teaching “Engine Company Emergencies” on Wed. 1030-1215, I’ll be Running the Courage and Valor 5K, attending the FOOLS Brotherhood Bash and MUCH MORE. If you want to know where I am the best thing to do is follow along on twitter @averagejakeff

Also I just found out yesterday that my wife the author of ICS For EMS will be doing 2 separate book signings at the Penwell/Fireengineering Bookstore. Come out and get your copy of ICS For EMS and meet the author and get it signed. Be sure to follow her on twitter @stickysidedwn as well.

Hopefully we will see you at FDIC but if not be sure to follow along for all the FDIC updates.

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

 

 

 

 

April Drill Of The Month: Hydra Ram, posted with vodpod

Taking a Break and BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well in a few days I will be headed down to Daytona for the Daytona 500. I turned 30 in January and as a present my wife is sending me to the Gatorade Duels, Truck, Nationwide, and DAYTONA 500!!!

Isn’t my wife a great lady? Well it gets even better! If you read the blog you know I have mentioned several times that my wife recently wrote a book that was published by Fireengineering and the Penwell Corporation.

Well she is GIVING ONE AWAY!!!! Thats right you can win your very own copy of Incident Command for EMS! Here is how

How To Enter

In order to enter you will either need to tweet (@stickysidedwn) or email (sticky-side-down@comcast.net) a picture of what you use for incident command.  It could be a picture of your assignment board, a picture of an Incident Command Vehicle, a picture of a command vest.  Really, anything that shows how you use ICS at your station.

Remember in your e-mail to include your name and station location. We will share pictures that are entered into the contest, as they might give others ideas on what they can do with their station.

Deadline

Pictures will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. March 9th, 2012.

Choosing a Winner

A winner will be chosen at random and their name will be posted Saturday March 10th, 2012

It is just that SIMPLE!!!! So make sure you head over to twitter and follow @stickysidedwn also make sure you tell your friends. Obviously there can only be one winner but if you do not win you can still get your own copy at the Fireengineering Book Store or Amazon.com

Also be sure to head over to www.stickysidedown.wordpress.com for some great content. In addition if you’re heading out to FDIC make sure you look us up and you may even get an autograph in your copy of Incident Command for EMS.

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!