Posts by Rick Davis
Personal Growth = Water In, Water Out
The photo shows a fire department ladder truck at the scene of a small fire. Notice the size of the two hoses. The larger yellow hose is 5” diameter and supplies the pump with water from the fire hydrant. The small green attack hose is 1¾” diameter and the water flowing through this hose extinguishes…
Read MoreFire Officers: Are You Competent with Your Job Skills?
Today is Labor Day and this is a fitting question: as a fire officer are you competent with your job skills? Unfortunately, many are not, including those in both the paid and volunteer fire service. On the paid side of the house are those individuals (including officers) who proclaim the mantra of payday and four…
Read MoreUp in Flames!
I read an online article from Fast Company, Inc. titled Why no one on your team wants to be a manager anymore – and how to change that1. The article cites a survey from CareerBuilder “of over 3,600 workers” claiming that “most people don’t want to be managers.” I agree with the author’s assessment that…
Read MoreWeak or Strong, It’s Your Choice
Two cups of coffee. The one on the left is light colored, watered down, and weak. The one on the right is darker colored, robust, and full flavored. The cup on the left is disgusting, you spit it out, and say “No more!” The cup on the right has a pleasant aroma, tastes good, and…
Read MoreAvoiding a Career Tsunami
On Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, there was an assassination attempt on the life of President Donald Trump. Fortunately, the assassin failed, Trump lived, and the assassin was neutralized. Almost immediately, the head of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle came under criticism and scrutiny for not providing an adequate level of protection…
Read MoreDo You Appreciate Your Employees?
In my July 3rd blog post, I mentioned bosses who fail to recognize demanding work and employee achievements. In this post, I am addressing that topic in more detail. On June 3rd of this year, I had the opportunity to attend a Common Pursuit event hosted by Kingdom Way Ministries in Loveland, Colorado. The speaker…
Read MoreDanger! Hazardous and Toxic!
Last week’s blog asked if you would enter a toxic atmosphere unprotected. I compared a choking cloud of chlorine gas to a noxious work environment and the impact on mental and physical health. Required signs The photo shows a restricted area at an industrial waste site warning people of the dangers behind the fence. Laws…
Read MoreWould You Enter a Toxic Atmosphere Unprotected?
The two firefighters in the picture above are participating in a drill simulating a leak in a one-ton chlorine container. We used white theatrical smoke for the exercise, but a real chlorine leak produces a yellowish green, pungent, choking cloud. Choking cloud of chlorine Chlorine is immediately dangerous to life and health at 10 parts…
Read MoreWho Are YOU Mentoring?
Last week’s blog was the conclusion of a seven-part series titled Dual Footprints, Becoming a World Class Mentor. In that series, I covered six areas of commitment: If you missed any of the blogs, I encourage you to go back and read them. Look at the following questions and take the time to answer them:…
Read MoreDual Footprints, Part 7 – Commitment to Accountability
Accountability The final commitment to becoming a world class mentor is accountability, which is defined as, “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.”1 This stems from the inner character of the individual and their integrity. People with integrity demonstrate responsibility, they are accountable for their actions, and they are…
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