Firefighter Advise

“Dear Me” … A letter to myself as a 21 year old Firefighter

You've always given 100% to everything you do but I want to ask you to hold back on this one. Save a little for your family, the ones who love you and for yourself. You are still naive, yet full of life, humility and compassion. The job will demand these qualities from you but it will also strip you of them over time.... be careful of that.

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“The Right Thing”

Doing "The Right Thing" isn't about me. It's not about making myself look better in the eyes of someone who may or may not even have a clue about "The Right Thing". It's not about impressing someone. It shouldn't be for you either. If it is ... then maybe you're missing the mark. Maybe you're NOT "Doing The Right Thing" after all. Maybe you're in the wrong place.

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Former Board of Director calls for unfriending of “supposed” Firefighter non-profit.

If you need proof for yourself that the NFE is not what it appears- this should do it: I have seen several new t-shirt campaigns launched by the National Firefighters Endowment via Teespring. On December 12th- I saw a new t-shirt campaign: “San Francisco Fire 49 Engine”. This was one of three I have seen Shane Parkins launch since we dissolved the Officers Club.

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Finding the strength to do something that you don’t want to but know you must.

What I did yesterday was a lot like "searching". Searching on or above the fire floor. Crawling on your belly in pitch black ... complete darkness... "Zero Visibility" (another link worth your click). Not knowing what lies ahead, where you're going or what you may encounter along the way. Reaching out trying to find something ... someone but also hoping you wont. What will we find? Life, death or something in between?

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That “Evil” Social Media strikes the Fire Service again!

Seemingly simple and harmless things could be banned / prohibited in such a policy. Listing yourself as a member (or employee) of a Department, Company photos, personal photos in Department shirts / hat, apparatus / equipment photos, etc, etc, etc. Also, keep in mind that Social Media is more than Helmet Cams, and Face Book. You have to consider web sites, blogs, Twitter, Instagram etc.

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Searching….

I can't describe the feeling in your gut as you're crawling down that dark, hot hallway. So dark that you can't see the lens of your face piece and so hot that your bottle is hot enough to heat the air you try to breath. I can't tell you why it is that we keep pushing / going but we do.

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RIT “tips” for the over weight / out of shape firefighter…. Avoid the funeral!

I think the member who asked the question already realizes this ... otherwise, he wouldn't be seeking the advice he is (he's planning / preparing for these "bigger" firefighters to go down). Why are these members inside anyway? Why are they even on the Department? Is their potential heart attack, stroke or death worth the benefit of having them as members? THINK ABOUT THAT.

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