Posts
October 13, 2023 The titles of my last two blogs were, “Are You Personally and Professionally Developing?” You may have a plan for development, but is it diluted and weak? The fuel spill Throughout my career as a firefighter, I responded to a wide variety of incidents, including fuel spills ranging from small puddles to…
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October 9, 2023 In Part 1, I opened with a quote and a question from the Denver business coach Gary Barnes when he said, “99% of your current results are on purpose, either subconsciously or consciously.” Gary also asked, “Are you a participant or a spectator?” Incident action planning tools As a battalion chief, I…
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October 2, 2023 Part 1 In September, I attended a three-day Breakthrough Business Mastery bootcamp hosted by the Denver business coach Gary Barnes. On the first day he said, “99% of your current results are on purpose, either subconsciously or consciously.” Gary also asked, “Are you a participant or a spectator?” Fourth quarter of 2023…
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September 25, 2023 Nasty Chemicals In February of this year, a Norfolk Southern train transporting hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, creating a large haz mat event. Responding to and mitigating an incident like this requires constant decision making. Imagine you are responding to a train derailment involving two nasty chemicals: sulfur dioxide (toxic/corrosive…
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September 18, 2023 Is there a mystery to team building? No. Team building is no more mysterious than a construction project. However, all too often if there is a mystery, it lies in the fact that there is no plan for building the team or if one exists, the plan is not effective. The building…
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September 11, 2023 Patriot Day As I write this blog, I am wearing a t-shirt from the Los Angeles County Fire Museum. On the back side of the shirt at the top are the words “Patriot Day.” In the center is an image of Squad 51 from the NBC television show Emergency! Below the image…
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September 5, 2023 Did You Know That Weasels Can Climb Ladders? My blog post for August 23rd was titled, Know Your Team & Look Out for Them1 and my blog for August 30th was titled, Are You Reinforcing Bad Behavior and Poor Performance?2 Both articles are related to taking care of the people who work…
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August 28, 2023 Are You Reinforcing Bad Behavior and Poor Performance? My blog post for August 23, 2023, was Know Your Team and Look Out for Them.1 I addressed the fact that familiarity of your team members increases the: I also wrote about the advantages of knowing your team, which are: Supervisory fear As a…
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August 21, 2023 Know Your Team & Look Out for Them In 1942, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance assumed command of Task Force 16 prior to the World War II Battle of Midway. Spruance’s assignment resulted from Vice Admiral William F. Halsey’s admittance to the hospital for a skin condition. “One great advantage…
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August 14, 2023 Are You Technically & Tactically Competent? Do you desire to be a successful company or chief officer? I hope your answer is yes and you are not taking up space in the station and rig waiting until retirement. Several factors come together to make a successful fire department officer. Among them are…
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