This video is from the Chicago Fire Department and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. It provides insight to some of what Chicago’s firefighters have been through dealing with Line of Duty Deaths (LODD’s), close calls, continuing to learn, and adjusting to change.

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I challenge you to watch this entire video. Then share the video with your Brother and Sister Firefighters.

• YOU HAVE TO LEARN.
• You have to train.
• You have to be ready.
• Wear your seatbelts.
• Understand what you are doing and why you are doing it.

Some of the topics include seatbelt usage, situational awareness, health and wellness, calling a MAYDAY, PPE, and much more.

If you think you got some good reason for not wearing this or for not doing things the right way write it down. Because I need to read that to your widow. Cause I’m not going to know what to say. You say it for me. – Chicago Chief of Training Peter VanDorpe

If this video doesn’t make you sit and think about your job and how you do it, you just don’t get it.

Sincere thanks to CFD Commissioner Bob Hoff, the Chicago Fire Department, Chicago IAFF Local 2, and the entire crew at the NFFF especially Rob Maloney, director of this video, for a spectacular job.

This article serves two purposes:

1. To help the readers understand what information is shared and where it is shared.
2. To help other bloggers learn how to engage, share, and grow their social media networks.

FireCritic.com is a hybrid blog and social experience. The blog doesn’t quite fit in to a specific category like many other blogs. Other blogs might be lumped into training, news, or personal categories yet the Fire Critic fits all of these. In addition, I pay close attention to my Fire Critic Facebook fan page and Twitter. A lot of the information from the blog is shared on Facebook and Twitter, but there is even more updates on the two than on the blog.

Some people don’t like the moniker “blog” and would rather use the name “web site”. It doesn’t matter to me. To fully understand what the Fire Critic is, you should follow along on Twitter and the Fire Critic Facebook fan page as well. Various readers engage the Fire Critic in different ways. Some twitter followers might not visit FireCritic.com, likewise some Facebook fans might not follow along on Twitter.

Work-flow of FireCritic.com:

• Blog posts are automatically shared on Twitter (I use twitterfeed.com)
• Blog posts are manually added to the Fire Critic Facebook fan page. This is not automatic so I can customize the update and control the time of publish on Facebook.
• Fire Critic Facebook fan page updates are automatically shared on Twitter (through connecting Facebook to Twitter under page settings)

I also have a facebook fan page box on my sidebar of FireCritic.com

Since the Fire Critic Facebook fan page automatically updates to twitter, anytime I add photos, updates, or most anything else it posts to twitter without me having to do a thing. I used to use Networked Blogs App on Facebook, but I would rather do it manually to customize the text and thumbnail. I have found this to be more beneficial than the automatic update via Networked Blogs.

FireCritic.com the Blog

FireCritic.com is a fire service blog. Probably ranked within the top 10 fire service blogs in the U.S., the blog offers news, product reviews, humor, videos, training, and links to other great information on the web. Consider it controlled chaos, I write about whatever comes to mind, whatever stories are going on, and anything else I think up. Many other bloggers have shared information through FireCritic.com and I do not mind sharing information I find useful to my readers. Readers can comment on blog posts and I try to answer any and all questions as well as engage others on the site.

The Fire Critic Facebook Fan Page

The home of  FireCritic.com on Facebook. I share the links to posts on FireCritic.com, engage readers about other news, stories, and information. If I have a story that has a lot of pictures, I will typically add a photo album on Facebook where they can view the complete set of pictures. Others are welcome to post on The Fire Critic Facebook fan page as well. I welcome the conversation and I am always looking for good stuff to read. Currently I have 1505 fans and I hope to increase that number every day!

Fire Critic on Twitter

This is where it can get fun, interesting, and weird. My Twitter @FireCritic account is fairly popular for being in such a small niche. As I said before, my posts on FireCritic.com and my status updates on my Facebook fan page are automatically fed to my Twitter account. Yeah, I know some people just don’t get twitter. I say it is a great tool in connecting with readers. Think of it as texting without having to give out your phone number. I add dozens of stories each day to my Twitter account 24/7 that you won’t see on FireCritic.com or the Fire Critic Facebook fan page. The sharing of information is ideal. Plus, you might be lucky and be following me during one of the few times I drink and tweet (happens a handful of times a year)…things get real interesting then! I monitor twitter off and on throughout the day. Currently I have 2044 followers on twitter. That number fluctuates through the day. Typically in a given week I will gain about 30 new followers and lose up to 10. Losing followers is normal because there are so many people who follow and unfollow just to try to get people to follow them without following back. The easiest way to get me to follow you is by retweeting on of my tweets, mentioning me, or asking me a question. I try to follow anyone who does any of the three of these. The reason is simple. I use Tweetdeck on my computer and they make it easy to follow others so I don’t have to actually log into Twitter to see who is following me.

Google +

I admit that I am a newbie to Google +. I have created a personal account, but I don’t think you can create business accounts yet. I am learning as I go. I think there will be value in Google +, there just isn’t enough for me to spend a lot of time on it yet.

Engaging others is what it is all about. I use other forms of social media too. The ones listed above are the ones I spend the most time on.

What works for you? How can I improve? Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions on how I set up any of the automatic feeds between twitter, facebook, or the blog let me know!

Now hurry up and connect with me on the Fire Critic Facebook fan page and Twitter if you haven’t already!

Yesterday in Baltimore at Firehouse Expo, I participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

Honor, Respect, Tradition, and Never Forgetting. Finishing the climb for the 343 was difficult but bearable.

I did it knowing there was water on the 1st, 16th, and 20th floor of the Hilton in Baltimore. I climbed 22 floors 5 times in full turnout gear. I did it with Willie Wines Jr., Kevin Totten, Jody McIntosh, Cory Patton, and Chris King. We did it together.

The difference between us and them was that we did it in honor of them. We did it without an airpack, without fear, without trepidation.

We did it to help others never forget.

They are the 343. 343 members of FDNY who climbed in full turnout gear to fight the fires and rescue the people of the World Trade Centers on September 11th.

They climbed with tools. They climbed knowing that they were in their coffin…a cinder block stairwell. Every floor harder and harder on their knees. Sweating, second thoughts about their calling. Sporting events, school meetings, barbecues, and normal lives left behind because they were there doing it… Never to return to their lives.

On that day, September 11th, they became a statistic.

But not to me. Not to the American Fire Service. Not to the Brotherhood.

And I never forgot. I will never forget. I remember where I was. I was on the job that day…but I was in a safer place, far from Ground Zero.

It is my duty and my conviction as a FIREFIGHTER to never forget.

Yesterday, at the 9/11 Memorial stair climb at Firehouse Expo I climbed for Martin McWilliams of Engine 22…and on that last lap, the last 22 floors I climbed for another fallen brother. Upon the reach of the top of our second to last lap I grabbed for a cup of water. I saw the photo of Raymond York of Engine 285. His picture had fallen off of the member climbing for him. I instantly picked it up and tossed it in my helmet band.

I climbed for those guys…Martin and Raymond…and for their 341 brothers who died on September 11th.

They had it harder than me. My climb pales in comparison to their climb. I will never have a climb as difficult as theirs.

But I climbed. We climbed. 323 people climbed for the fallen. Some of them being friends or relatives of the fallen. We climbed together, in remembrance, in honor, for respect of what they did, part of the tradition, and to NEVER FORGET.

Team 19 before the climb. Cory Patton, Kevin Totten, Jody McIntosh, Willie Wines Jr., Me, and Chris King.

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My feelings

During the climb I stayed mostly silent. I focused on what they did and what I was doing for them. I tried to understand what they were going through.

When my calves burned I wondered if they ever felt that.

When I felt like I didn’t have anymore to sweat I wondered if it crossed their mind.

I never felt as though I couldn’t make it and I doubt they ever had a doubt themselves.

If you ever have a chance to participate in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb I suggest you do it.

If you don’t think you can complete it call me and I will walk with you.

Do it for the honor of completing the climb for the 343. Do it for the respect you have for the fallen. Do it for the tradition of truly NEVER FORGETTING.

Thanks to ALL of the individuals who made the 9/11 stair climb possible… The Baltimore Inner Harbor Hilton, Baltimore City Fire Department, NFFF, and all who volunteered.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to pay my respects.

Team 19 after the climb. Kevin Totten, Me, Cory Patton, Chris King, Willie Wines Jr., and Jody McIntosh.

Me and Tommy Warshaw with Willie Wines Jr. before the climb. Tommy was in team 3 and we have known each other for some time through twitter and facebook but met at the climb for the first time.

Recently, Backstep Firefighter offered a post by a similar title. The blog posting offered two articles well written about going to funerals to pay respects. One was based on the fire service, the other was not. They both offer great insight as to why you should go to the funeral.

I had been thinking about writing a post similar and then I attended another funeral last week. I thought it was poorly attended and I just can’t wrap my head around it.

In addition, this is timely due to the recent LODD’s in Indiana and Illinois.

Here are my thoughts…

I have attended funerals for firefighters ever since I joined my department. There I was, a snotty nosed, young punk, know-it-all firefighter in a brand new department…going to funerals for guys who had retired before I joined the department. Some of them had retired before I was even born. I was there, without any prodding. It isn’t about me, it is about paying respects.

photo by Drew Abel

I am not sure now what made me go, but I went. I often assisted with the Honor Guard at the funerals. Some were attended by a couple of other firefighters, others well attended. Some had hundreds at their funeral, others had a couple dozen. I didn’t know the men and it didn’t matter. I was there to pay my respects… and to support the family at the very least.

We have lost some great men in my 12 years in  my department… GREAT MEN! We have lost all kinds of men. Great firefighters, great husbands, great fathers, great sons, great brothers, great friends…some of them were taken too early.

I have never based my desicion on going to a funeral on who they were or who they weren’t. It isn’t about that.

Most recently, I attended the funeral of a Paramedic/Firefighter whom I knew and had the pleasure of working around. As always, our Honor Guard was there. They do a great job…I mean top notch. These guys know the meaning of precise. I would tell you who wasn’t there, but the list is too long….and I understand that not everyone can attend every funeral. Coverage of that funeral here , here and here.

I don’t keep score, I never have. It’s just too easy to realize that too many of my brother and sister firefighters were not there. The article on Backstep Firefighter points to BROTHERHOOD…I couldn’t agree more that this is what is lacking. Another great read is a recent article on Raising Ladders about The Lost Art of Firemanship.

But I hate throwing around the word BROTHERHOOD. If I throw it around too much I think it takes away from the meaning of  BROTHERHOOD.

To me BROTHERHOOD is not something that can be taught, learned, or explained. It is too simple to understand and too complicated to explain. BROTHERHOOD must be experienced.

If you want to start to experience BROTHERHOOD…Go To the Funeral

They deserve it, their families deserve it, and you OWE it to them. That is right, I said you OWE it to them. Whether you liked them or not, they were your BROTHER or SISTER firefighter and you OWE it to them and their family.

Getting it on video…That is the difference between making a great speech to 10 people and making it to thousands. Brian Brush recently talked to a recruit class about what the fire service should mean to them, what it means to him, and why we should take pride in serving.

Brian Brush has just recently delved into more social media usage and is posting articles over on the Fire Engineering Community.

Brian Brush as he participates in the 9/11 Stair Climb during FDIC...in full turnout gear and SCBA.

His post “On Firefighter Training: Being Your Best Is Their Best Chance” was followed up with “A message to the recruits, myself or maybe even you?”.

The mission will not stop for hurt feelings. The most common injury in the fire service is hurt feelings. Too often it isn’t even the act of hurting feelings but the fear that something could hurt feelings that delays a program, decision or action. You must temper yourself and your reactions to critique and criticism if you expect others to respond objectively in the name of progress. (Brian Brush)

Solid performance and writing!

Some of our best is not practiced, planned, or given a second chance…Brian delivered a great speech!

Brian has also been instrumental in the creation and spread of the 9/11 stair climb events for the NFFF.

More on the 9/11 stair climb event and how you can participate and get involved here.

Updated: Here is a great article from BackwardsandStupid.com on Depression in his own words and experiences. Check out how he has learned and copes with depression.

Recently, 4 firefighter suicides in the Phoenix Fire Department have raised eyebrows. The need for counseling and prevention are real and have been identified.

Firefighter Netcast recently had Jeff Dill on a show about a Battalion Chief from suburban Chicago, who holds a Masters Degree in Counseling.  Chief Dill has established CSSF, Counseling Services for Firefighters, which offers behavioral health support to firefighters; trains senior fire officers, and educates clinicians on the benefits of understanding the life and emotions- of firefighters. Visit the CSSF here - CSFF Web Page and on Facebook.

This is a topic that needs to be discussed. Listen to the podcast and watch the video. You never know, someone you know might be exhibiting signs and be in need of help right now.

You can listen to the podcast from Firefighter Netcast right here.

If you are in need of immediate assistance, the contact information for the CSSF is here.

Below is a video about the steps that the Phoenix FD has taken to assist firefighters in preventing suicide.

Here is the moment you all have been waiting for…

The winners for the Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year for 2010-2011 are:

Iron Firemen.com – Fire Category

A Day in the Life of an Ambulance Driver – EMS Category

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It was a hard fought battle on both sides. This year there were around 90 nominations for 42 blogs and during the votes there were almost 5000 votes. All of the numbers were an increase from last year. Congratulations to both of you!

Iron Firemen won with 36% of the votes for fire blogs. Ambo Driver won with 37% of the votes for EMS blogs. It should also be noted that while Iron Firemen won with a sizable lead, Rescuing Providence gave the Ambo Driver a run for his money!

Thanks so much for the diligent voters and all who nominated their favorite blogs! Feel free to give me any feedback on what I can do to make it better! Next year I am looking at a few changes…but it will definitely be back!

This year, our winners will walking away with a brand new pair of Black Diamond X2 fire boots as well as bragging rights for the next year!

You can see the Black Diamond X2 Boot below as well as check them out via links below!

Black Diamond Boots - Web Site – Twitter – Facebook

Here is a bonus photo for you of the Black Diamond Babes!

UPDATE: Part II of the Best of Motivational and Demotivational Fire & EMS Posters is here!

The crew (me) here at Fire Critic Headquarters (my desk) are always seeking ways to motivate you (yes both of you readers!). I thought what better way to motivate you than to show you some motivational demotivational posters!

There are some good ones out there, but by and large you can tell that most of them were not created by firefighters. I say this because I think it is our duty to come up with better motivational and/or demotivational posters. Don’t ask, I don’t know what the difference is between the two. They are simply funny posters that mimic the original styling of posters someone came up with. The object is to be funny.

If you happen to come up with any of your own, just send them to me and I will feature them here on FireCritic.com!

And yes, there are some EMS posters in there as well…deal with it!

Also check out demotivational posters on Happy Medic and Raising Ladders.

Here are some of the best I was able to find on the internet!

Be sure to “like” Fire Critic on Facebook!

This weeks Monday Morning Shoutout goes to The Fire Service Warrior.

Christopher Brennan offers up his thoughts on the blog and a refreshing take on aggressive, smart, and yet safe firefighting. WHAT? Certainly the Fire Critic doesn’t think that you can be aggressive AND smart AND safe! NO WAY…way!

The Fire Service Warrior offers this unique “mission statement” that has been dubbed the Ethos of a Fire Service Warrior. Ethos? Yeah, I had to look it up although I kinda figured what he meant by it. Ethos: English word based on a Greek word and denotes the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, a nation or an ideology.

What I love about it is that in the same text we have “wear…all PPE, if we aren’t 100% sure…WE SEARCH, and …train everyday”

Yup, that about sums it up. I have a feeling that this blog will continue an increase in traffic and conversation.

Interesting fact: this blog has been online since 2008!

The Silent Killer – visit the web site for more information and to request a free DVD.

Firefighters have enough to worry about on the fireground. Things like fire behavior, reading smoke, wearing PPE, building construction, and many more. Over the years, firefighters have developed training, education, protocols, safety ideology, and risk management in a job that is as dangerous as it gets. So many things in our job on the fireground we can recognize using our senses like smells, sights, feeling, and hearing…

We rely on these senses to recognize and understand our environment, and keep us as safe as possible while operating in deadly conditions.

What if there was something on the fireground killing firefighters that you cannot see, you cannot feel, you cannot smell, and you cannot hear. What if I told that that it could increase your chances of a heart attack and/or stroke even up to 72 hours AFTER you leave the fireground AND your exposure to it happens after MOST of the danger on the fireground is over.

What if I told you that it can kill you immediately.

Carbon Monoxide – The Silent Killer

I am talking about Carbon Monoxide…The Silent Killer.

Carbon Monoxide is the Number 1 cause of poisoning deaths in the world. Firefighters have an increased risk operating around Carbon Monoxide and Cyanide on the fireground.

Consistent exposure to Carbon Monoxide (CO) can cause serious disabilities, heart attacks, strokes, Neurological disorders, and premature death.

The leading cause of death for firefighters is heart attacks and strokes. Carbon Monoxide exposure increases those risks.

Randolph Mantooth hosts a short video teaching the effects of exposure to Carbon Monoxide. The video is also available as a DVD free of charge.

The video is not over the top and they don’t try to shove the lesson down your throat. The message is simple. Know your environment and wear your SCBA through the overhaul stages of fire. What you can’t see and can’t smell can kill you… Carbon Monoxide…The Silent Killer.

I also love seeing my IAFF logo in the video showing that they are doing their part to educate us on The Silent Killer.

Watch the video below, watch it with your entire crew. Email it and share it.

Chiefs…send it out to your entire department. Because what firefighters don’t know could kill them. As the soundtrack says in the video…Move Us Further Down The Line….Move Us Further Down The Line….

Visit TheSilentKiller.net for more information on Carbon Monoxide, to request a free DVD, and learn more about The Silent Killer.

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