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The Secret List is an email list that began in 1998, but has roots even deeper than that. This article is a look into how The Secret List began and what it is all about.

The information below was gathered from a phone interview with Chief Billy Goldfeder and maybe a little bit of research online.

The Secret List or TSL technically began in 1998 as an email back and forth from Chief Billy Goldfeder and many of his friends and other fire service leaders.

However, prior to the email version of TSL, Chief Jack McElfish (currently in Sandy Springs, Georgia), used to mail out information in a manila envelope. The news was stuff he found or that others found and mailed to him. Whether it was written correspondence or copies of articles, the information was sent to several others and the list began growing. Word spread and peoples addresses were added to the list and McElfish made more copies and spent more money on stamps. For you young bucks, google what we used to do prior to email!

Fast forward to 1998, Billy Goldfeder bought his first computer and found the internet. Al Gore’s invention had grown and Goldfeder put it to work. The email version of TSL was born. TSL was the same as before, but now with typed information and links to stories on news sites around the World.

They original email list went to notable fire service leaders and others. The list grew as more found out about the list and asked to be on it.

The name “The Secret List” was originally just a gag among some veteran firefighters

That’s right, the name “The Secret List” originated from a little humor. Not the purpose, the name. People started asking who was on the list and Goldfeder would simply tell them it was a secret…A Secret List…THE Secret List. In order to keep everyone from asking who was on the list, Goldfeder soon began adding “The Secret List” in the subject line along with the subject of each email.

I asked Goldfeder how many people were on the list now and for each of their names and email addresses. Would you believe that he told me it was still a secret! Actually, he told me that it is several hundred thousand direct subscribers in addition to the over 160,000 who read it on Facebook.. This includes members from all over the World including the UK, Canada, Australia, France, the Middle East, and countries ending in “vakia” and “thania”. Many US Soldiers are also members.

You can “like” TSL on Facebook.com as well!

So what is The Secret List exactly?

TSL is based on firefighter survival. It is mission focused. It isn’t the latest news and politics, however some are included because some politics ARE about firefighter survival.

Ever since it’s inception, TSL has remained on point and focused on firefighter survival. Nothing more and nothing less.

Enter FirefighterCloseCalls.com

Maybe you have heard the name Gordon Graham (GordonGraham.Com). Maybe you haven’t. If you haven’t, you should immediately crawl out from under that rock in which you live.

Gordon Graham asked Goldfeder about creating a web site to share the information on TSL. The idea was simple, Goldfeder would produce the information and Graham would fund it.

FirefighterCloseCalls.com - The Home of The Secret List was born. The site is advertisement free and not for sale, although it is probably one of the most valuable fire service web sites in existence today. It is ad free because it is mission focused. Goldfeder and Graham do not want any business politics entering into the equation and want to retain the ability to say whatever they want whenever they want to say it. They make no money directly from the web site.

Read their mission statement here

FirefighterCloseCalls.com has grown since its inception.

The site is led by:

Retired Highway Patrol Commander Gordon Graham J.D.
Chief Billy Goldfeder, EFO
Chief Forest Reeder
Chief Brian P. Kazmierzak, EFO
Chief Rudy Horist
Retired Fire Marshal Ignatius Kapalczynski
Retired Chief Chris Shimer
Chief Patrick Kenny
Director Barry Furey

Read more about these men here

The site now includes various sections like:

The Secret List
Close Calls
EMS Close Calls
Personal Survival
Training and Safety
Weekly Fire Drills
Videos
Communications
Fire Reports
Firefighters Killed at War
Non-Traumatic Firefighter Deaths
Firefighter Staffing

They even have a “sites we like” section…Maybe I will make the list some day! (cough, cough). Although, Statter isn’t on their either. Just don’t tell Dave that. It would crush him!

The Secret List is sent out when there is important information to share. There is no frequency to their emails. The guys behind the list/site monitor the news 24/7 for information they think should be shared.

One final note is that Goldfeder said that TSL is about giving back to the fire service. You might think of it as paying it forward, Goldfeder says he is blessed with what the fire service has given him and he wants to be able to give back for others to learn. Additionally, he has been in the unique position of being directly involved with numerous LODD’s over the last nearly 40 years as a fireman, company officer, and Chief. From investigations, to working with Chiefs and Locals in preventing recurrences’s as well as losing firefighters he was personally very close to over the years, The site is not about “SAFETY-ING” out the fires service.

Goldfeder further stated:

“Some visitors to the site or readers of TSL think that we are trying to eliminate risk. That’s ridiculous. This is a risky job and some risks must absolutely be taken. Additionally, some LODD”s are not avoidable and those who perform those are as heroic as anyone can get. That’s not the ones we are talking about. We are talking about the unnecessary risks, the ones where firefighters and officers did things that resulted in nothing other than to get themselves hurt or killed…Actions that were predictable from the start and initial and on-going size up. In those cases, the lack of training, leadership, experience, etc. lead to the tragic but unnecessary deaths. Who determines what is an unnecessary LODD? Rad the reports and speak to those who were on scene. The LODD families can often provide some “shut up and listen” insight on how their loved one died and didn’t have to. Our focus is to simply help firefighters learn from some bad stuff, close calls as well as LODD’s – so they just don’t get repeated.”

Oh, and if you ever wondered what “WTF” stood for, I am assured that it means “Well Trained Firefighter”. When I asked him if he was ABSOLUTELY sure it didn’t mean “What The Fuck” his reply was “WTF are you trying to say Rhett?”

Keep up the great work Billy, Gordon, Forest, Brian, Rudy, Ignatius, Chris, and Pat!

If you would like to subscribe to The Secret List via email click here, otherwise click on over to FirefighterCloseCalls.com and check it out!

Posted by The Fire Critic on November 3, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Funding & Staffing, In the Line of Duty, In-Depth Report, News, Technology & Communications, technology-communications-ems-topics, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: Barry Furey, Billy Goldfeder, Brian P. Kazmierzak, Chris Shimer, EMS, Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighter Close Calls, Firefighting, FirefigtherCloseCalls.com, Forest Reeder, Gordon Graham, Ignatius Kapalczynski, IronFiremen.com, Patrick Kenny, Rhett Fleitz, Rudy Horist, Social Media, The Secret List, TSL, Willie Wines Jr., WTF

Engine Operator – Department Policies and Local Laws

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This is the second post in our series “Engine Operator”. View part one here, which was an overview of the entire series.

What I want to talk about today is department policies and local laws.

In order to drive, the operator must know what is legal and correct. This can be a double edged sword. If your department operates on out-dated policies they could potentially have policies which are not legal. For instance, your department might have a policy that going through red lights without stopping is ok, however local, State, or Federal law might prohibit such actions.

It is very important that the operator reads, understands, and keeps up to date with department policy. If and when you have an incident you will have to back up your actions and you had better have followed department policy!

You may not be able to prevent all incidents with defensive driving. However, even when it isn’t your fault your actions may be scrutinized.

Knowledge and proper actions are paramount. Know policies and follow them. You will leave them nothing to point their finger at.

Local laws, State laws, and Federal laws will supersede any policy written by any department. While I may not read all 1000 pages of how to drive and emergency vehicle I do know what is and what is not expected of me. Knowing and following these laws can save you from a lot of trouble.

So many firefighters and EMT’s are found guilty of breaking the law in the wake of incidents with their apparatus.

Some of the policies and laws that every operator should know are:

Speed – How fast you are allowed to drive over the posted speed limit.
Speed – How fast are you allowed to drive in different conditions like rain, snow, ice.
Red Lights – What are you supposed to do when coming to a red light in emergency conditions.
Backing – What is expected of you when backing like spotters, mirrors, etc.
Railroad Crossing – What is expected of you to navigate across a railroad crossing.
School zones – How you can and cannot drive in a school zone.
Bridges and Tunnels – Are there any bridges or tunnels you are not allowed to drive through or on due to weight, height, etc.
Around other Emergency Vehicles – Are you allowed to pass other Emergency apparatus? If so, how and when.

For Ambulances primarily:

Transporting – When and how are you to drive in emergency transport situations (transporting pt’s to hospital in ambulances)
Transporting – What is the proper procedure for transporting infants?

Can you think of other instances that you MUST know how, what, and when to do it?

Posted by The Fire Critic on August 3, 2009 • Filed under: Engine Operator, News • Tagged: Driving, Engine Operator, Law, Policy

Engine Operator – what you need to know

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What fun would this be if you couldn't get water to the nozzle? Not much at all! The image is from FirefighterSam.com, check out the site. I have enjoyed the site for some time now. Firefighter Sam is a blog about Sam who has a great Dad who takes him to firehouses around the NC area. Click the photo for a link.

It seems to me that all the decent fire service writers focus too much on “talking on the radio”. It is important, but so are some other things. Today, The Fire Critic will start an ongoing in-depth look at the Engine Operator. This will be the first topic of many, so buckle your seat belts and take a look.

In this first post on the Engine Operator, we will look at what you need to know. This will basically serve as an outline for more in-depth posts on the Engine Operator.

I know in my department we have a lot of guys who think that if they can drive the engine to the grocery store then they are good to go. This is so very far from the truth. We need to make sure that drivers are taught and learn what they need to know.

Here is a rundown of the basics that every engine operator should know and should review periodically to stay in top form for when the bells hit:

Policies – every engine operator should know and understand their individual departments policies on response for emergencies and what is expected of you once you arrive on scene.
Laws - you should have a thorough knowledge of Local, State, and Federal laws governing emergency response as well as just driving in general.
Safety – Usually the safety I am referring to is covered in the Policies and Law, however you must know how to operate apparatus safely including stopping at all red lights and wearing your seat belts!
Territory – You may be all set up to fight the big one, but that isn’t going to matter if you are stuck in the bay looking through a map book or driving around guessing how to get to that column of smoke on the horizon. Be sure you have a great map book and focus on memorizing your territory as soon as possible.
Knowing your Engine – You have to know your engine inside and out. Check fluid levels, tire pressure, ensure there is water in the tank, and make sure it has enough fuel.
Equipment - You need to know what equipment is on your engine, where it belongs, and how to use it. This includes hose, nozzles, saws, tools, appliances, EMS supplies, radios, and everything else which can be used on your engine.
Apparatus Response – We will go in depth at how to get from point A to point B quickly, efficiently, and safely.
Apparatus Placement - Once you get to the address where do you park and when do you set your parking brake. This only takes a second but if you get it wrong can really mess up an emergency scene.
Pump Operations – Intake - 500 gallons is probably the most common amount of water carried on fire engines. Whether you have less or more you will have to ensure that you can get more water. This means hooking up to a hydrant!
Pump Operations – Discharge – Once you get good you will know how to generalize your pump pressures and then follow up by making sure you are right. Until then you will have to rely on quickly doing the math in your head to get water flowing. I am talking about friction loss, nozzle pressures, and discharge pressures among other things.
Taking up after the call – Everything you need to think about once you are ready to get back in service for the next “big one”.
Troubleshooting - Now that you have everything set perfectly you must know how to troubleshoot in the event of pressure loss, water loss, pressure spike, equipment failure, etc.