UL and the FDNY

I was looking to do a piece on the recent study on the UL and NIST test with the FDNY and how it will effect our fire service out here in the burbs and rural America.  I was also looking to call them up and ask any questions you may have. All you need to do is post email me or leave a reply I would be glad to ask any questions you have about this test. So please feel free to drop me a line......until next time stay low and go and take care...just got word Saturday night I will be talking with Aaron Fields of The Nozzle Forward on tuesday as well, let me know if you have any questions...  and come join us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284915104947007/ stay low and go.... Chris

Is this the FDNY

You know I always hear how "this is not New York, or Chicago, and if you want to do things like that move there." Have you ever heard this in your department? And while I agree with them (to some extent) yes we are not the FDNY, NO IT IS NOT A SIN TO LOOK TO OUTSIDE AGENICES TO BETTER YOURSELVES AND YOUR DEPARTMENT!!!! It burns me up how we as firefighters often get in the groove of "this is how we have always done it and it puts out fire so we don’t need to change." Do builders say this? Shoot no they don’t, they go and come up with these things called a truss, and wooden I beams, no big deal right (hint of sarcasm) do it the same way we always have right. And while this is occurring all over the country I have often noticed that it is mostly in rural America among volunteer departments. I have heard of we do this our way not that way and yes having company pride is great having too much pride can get someone hurt, what if your too proud to call for mutual aid, who suffers? The homeowners, and your firefighters. Why let someone’s house burn down because your department has never used an automatic aid and therefore when all your volunteers are away and your 15 minutes or more from the location of the call, when you get there its gone. And then some people wonder why we get called foundation savers out here in rural America. If you want people to respect the fact we are fireman as well then act the part don’t put the citizens in the middle of a conflict between your department and another’s, get off the truck ready to go the list goes on. And at this point you may say what does this have to do with the FDNY well let’s look at them for a minute ok. When they get off the truck or engine do they look like a bunch of buffoons running around like chickens with their heads cut off? NO! Do they get off and have to wait for orders from there officer to go to work, or do they know their jobs ahead of times? NO, they don’t have to wait. YES they know their jobs from square one. Or what about Chicago Fire do you see them sitting around playing with their thumbs, are they always on the offensive ready to go and test out new theories?? They test out with UL and NIST don’t they. So you see you don’t have to live in a big city to be just as professional as them. And there is nothing written saying you can’t take and use them as examples of how you should be fighting fire you owe it to the ones you swore to protect. I picked the video below as an example of a good little visual to wrap up my thoughts pay attention to what the end says you will see it.

Untill next time Stay low and stay safe

 

welcome

This being my first blog wanted to introduce myself.

My name is Chris Willis I am a firefighter/emt up in northern Kentucky just outside of Cincinnati Ohio (in between Cinci and Lexington). I got my start thru the explorer program which for those of you who do not know what that is I will explain. The Explorer program is a branch of the Boy Scouts of America essentially it is a co-op program. I started in 2002 as an explorer and in that amount of time (2002 to present) I have obtained the rank of Station Captain, and Explorer advisor. I obtained my NREMT just a few years ago, along with all my NIMS, BSAR, and Hazmat Ops Certification.
I have had a few mentors that have really made me what I am today. The first of which is my dad (my station chief at that) without him I would not even me in the fire service I really want to thank him for introducing me to the greatest job in the world, he was always there to give advice to me when I was a young company officer and was always there for me thru the EMT program, and some of the mistakes I made as a company officer, and as a firefighter in general, thanks dad. Another one is my good friend Eddie Crews from Lexington Fire Department here in Ky. Eddie has been a huge mentor for a young guy wanting to be the best at this job. Always willing to share his knowledge and swap stories. The main thing with Eddie is Eddie always has his ears open Eddie is the very definition of a mentor in the fire service thank you Capt.
The next guy I want to mention is VERY WELL KNOWN Chief John Salka, he is the reason I am writing. And the reason I am likely so hung on engine work.
The Good Lord and the ability he has given me to be able to run and help people and for everything I have accomplished in life are due to him.
There are so many more like Bill Gustin, Aaron Fields and many more.
So now you may be asking what kind of stuff am I going to be typing about? Well being I am in small rural volunteer department I am going to be writing about rural issues like tender specs and such, you can expect to see a lot about training and drilling with the guys and girls, expect a lot about modern studies like the one the FDNY just did and how that effects the rest of us rural and suburb fire fighters. One thing before I sign off here is PLEASE feel free to contact me with any issues, concerns, questions, comments, or topics you would like discussed. In short just give me a shout out : ) 
Until next time
Stay Low and Stay safe

 Chris