Read all of the “Owning the Job” articles here

Maybe you have seen these…

• Life Safety Initiatives
• Courage to be Safe
• Seat Belt Pledge
• Rules of Engagement (pdf)

Before I get started…here is my disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of these personally and I am not speaking on their behalf. I am offering my opinion of what they mean to me and sharing that with you in this collection of thoughts. Before you read on, please understand that I appreciate smart aggressive firefighting, it is what I live. I think there are some small things that some firefighters view as others trying to change the way we fight fire…I view them as tools for making us better and understand they must be understood properly and implemented into our game plan. They don’t really make us “safe”, they make us “smarter”. 

Let no man’s ghost return to say, “My training let me down.” — Aaron Heller, Captain, Hamilton Township Fire District 9, New Jersey

I have seen plenty written on these topics, initiatives if you will. I have read, dissected, and think I have a decent understanding of what they are and where they came from.

At the very basic level, most of these came from the loss of a firefighter(s). They have been formulated by best practices, lessons learned, and blood spilled. In fact, they are mostly committee based and I can only imagine the conversations when some of these were nailed down.

I remember the first time I read the “Rules of Engagement”. My thought was something like “You mean to tell me I am expected to go through these 1 at a time when I roll up on a fire…before any action?”. I imagine others might have thought the same thing.

My second thought was…hell, I already do most of that. Then I began reflecting on each rule of engagement. These things are a piece of cake if you are willing to understand them and add them as a tool in the toolbox.

Rules of Engagement for Firefighters (there is a longer section for incident commanders)

1. Size up your tactical area of operation.
2. Determine the occupant survival profile.
3. DO NOT risk your life for lives or property that cannot be saved.
4. Extend LIMITED risk to protect SAVABLE property.
5. Extend VIGILANT and MEASURED risk to protect and rescue SAVABLE lives.
6. Go in together, stay together, come out together.
7. Maintain continuous awareness of your air supply, situation, location and fire conditions.
8. Constantly monitor fireground communications for critical radio reports.
9. You are required to report unsafe practices or conditions that can harm you. Stop, evaluate and decide.
10. You are required to abandon your position and retreat before deteriorating conditions can harm you.
11. Declare a Mayday as soon as you THINK you are in danger.

Hell, it doesn’t get much more basic and clearer than that. As a matter of fact, it is like firefighters wrote it. Why in the World would a firefighter scoff at these? This isn’t asking too much. This guidance could streamline some of the thought processes for firefighters in the heat of the battle.

I fight what you fear

Really? You have a shirt that says “you fight what I fear”? Take it off. Chances are you don’t. Chances are that when confronted with a fire, you fear it too. You should. Fire is dangerous. We do a dangerous job. We aren’t dangerous. We shouldn’t be. The shirt should read “When confronted with what you fear (fire), I take calculated risks to ensure that I save lives and property”.

16 Initiatives

There are some great teachers out there who teach on the basis of content. Then there are others who teach on basis of some $50 words put together to make people think What the F#$% is that? Firefighters are just that…Firefighters. The majority have a high school education. Talk to them in a way they will understand. Make sure it makes sense. The 16 Life Safety Initiatives do just that. Read them here. No, really…read them. Take the time to read them and share them with your guys. Trust me, the minds who put that together weren’t wasting their time. The abbreviated ”cliffs notes” are here. Fire Department members should be using them to guide their focus in planning for the future. We can’t change the past, we can have an effect on the future. They are guidelines.

Did someone say SAFETY again?

Deal with it. Until the end of time, we are going to be pressed to be safe. It is only right. We have a dangerous job. I know that, you know that, THEY know that. Have you ever wondered if pencil pushers are asked to be safe? No, because their mundane jobs aren’t dangerous. We need to get over getting hurt feelings when asked to be safe. We need to understand that being safe is not asking too much.

Whoa…is The Fire Critic bowing down to the Safety Nazi’s? Not a chance.

Don’t get me wrong, some of us can go too far. They are the ones who need to be educated as well. We need to be safe and they need to have an understanding that our jobs are dangerous. Being safe and having a dangerous job are different…and can be accomplished at the same time. That is where we become S.A.F.E. firefighters (to borrow a term from here). Smart Aggressive Fundamental Efficient. It may not encompass everything, but I think it hits the nail on the head pretty well.

Trust me, to ask firefighters to be safe is not the same as asking for a company of yard-breathers. The goal is to go home in the morning…of course without a silhouette of the skyline burning behind us.

What about laying it all on the line?

Ah…here is something that people DO NOT like talking about. What about giving our lives for others. I mean, entering a situation where the outcome might be death. Hell, I don’t know how to explain it (remember, nobody talks about it). This is the stuff of heros. I mean the events that make firefighters call other firefighters heros. Whether the outcome is everyone going home or nobody going home, these are the events who define “Firefighters”.

Like doing a search for a victim in less than plausible conditions, yet where someone might still be viable. Yeah…what the hell does that mean? Hell, I don’t know. Have you ever been to a scripted fire? Yet…have you ever heard of victims being found in a room that could still sustain life, yet all around it looked like the face of hell?

These are the moments when we have to base our decisions on everything we know…and we find out we know more than we thought.

No one was ever called a hero for saving a couch against all odds.

Arm Chair Quarterbacking

We are all guilty of picking apart incidents we weren’t at. I do it. We would have done it better. We would have done it differently. Some organizations were built to dissect actions of others to find issues that might be prevented in the future. Tactical firefighting culture has been improved by dissecting incidents which have effected the fire service. We learn, we adjust, we train, we implement. Think of the Denver drill or other drills similar. The creation of the Rapid Intervention Team is another.

Seat Belt Pledge

Apparatus design will continue to change until we get firefighters using their seat belts. I know…it is difficult putting on your seat belt when gearing up in the back of the rig because every second counts and we have to be in the combat ready position when the driver pulls the air brake. What if you wreck on the way there?

The seat belt pledge means a lot to me. I drive, I am always buckled up. I am a decent driver…but not everyone is. By “not everyone is” I mean the other drivers you pass on your way to a call. I had the scare of my career this last cycle. I thought that a woman and possibly children were about to die because they pulled out in front of us. Luckily, I was able to keep it from happening. Were my guys belted in? I am not sure. I doubt it though. I am working on the seat belt pledge…I am working on our culture in my firehouse.

Are you working on yours?

Read all of the “Owning the Job” articles here

After writing the first part “PRIDE AND OWNERSHIP. PART I – SELF EVALUATION” I have had a lot of time to think. The eyes are looking this way (this is a good thing). Hopefully, I can pull off what I am hoping to do. I need feedback! I need to know that you are thinking the same things, or different things. I need to know what is working for you, or isn’t working.

One note, While I use “Pride and Ownership” in the title, these articles are about what I took from the class and how I am using what I have learned. There is no official affiliation with Chief Rick Lasky or Pride and Ownership.

Pride and Ownership – Past, Present, and Future…

In order to understand what is missing, we must understand what was here before us. None of this is about placing blame. Do you know your departments history?

As I said in the “self evaluation”, I know our history. I wrote a book about it. Our department was formed from 4 volunteer fire departments (actually there were a couple more, but 4 major players). Volunteers is part of our heritage, but it is more than 100 years removed. Basically, we are a fully paid fire department and have been since 1903 (March 1, 1903 to be exact).

These men were here way before me. Roanoke Firefighters pose in front of their engine...very proud. When was the last time you took a photo of your company in front of your apparatus?

I have pictures of our Firefighters doing everything from building props at our Zoo to collecting money for MDA, from fighting 100 year fires downtown to fighting for our citizens needs.

Our firefighters gave up their vacation to implement the 3rd platoon back in 1972. I cherish the work schedule I have now, and it didn’t cost me a thing.

Our firefighters fought for many of the benefits ALL of our City employees take for granted. I may have had some battles since I have been here, but the ones before me are the ones who fought so hard!

To what do we owe the men who founded our department? The honor, respect, dignity, integrity, pride, tradition, loyalty, and brotherhood that created it? Why am I sitting here almost 125 years after the first fire department in Roanoke was created seeking ways to bring back the best of what it has been? What has been lost? Where can we find it?

This is going to be a long uphill battle…yeah, I am used to that. I don’t like failure, but realize that this thing is bigger than what I am capable of. I need help. Will others get it?

Walk into one of our firehouses and ask them how things are…

You will hear all types of stuff, not much of it will be good. However, I know that each of them loves what they do. They just want it to be better. They want it to be the way it should be. Are they willing to make changes?

Our firefighters don’t believe in our management, our IAFF Local is broke, and our leaders accept mediocrity. Our firefighters are our best asset. You put our guys in front of anything burning and they will put it out. They can figure out and fix anything…except their fading department. What we lack is a blueprint. We have leaders, we have some great leaders. They just aren’t focused on saving our department.

We have had numerous bumps in the road…and championed them with being excellent stewards in our community…in the past. We still have battles, but we don’t champion them with being stewards anymore. We are paycheck collectors through and through.

We have excuses. That is all…excuses why we don’t do this or that, why this is that way, why we aren’t who we should be.

We are not involved. We should be. We should be seen here there and everywhere doing great things.

Hell, even the ones who take the time to lead or try to create change are beat down. I have never understood it.

So where do we go from here?

Unfortunately I do not know. I am going to start with my company. I know of another Brother who did the same in my department. I understand it was well received. That is a great start.

I know it needs to start with me…Whatever I do, I have to start it with me. It isn’t about me, I just have to begin the change within myself to effect change in others.

Wish me luck

What about you? Does any of this hit home with you in your department?

What will you do?

The video below is of Retired Captain Pete Price. He passed away a couple of weeks after I filmed this at one of our retirees breakfasts. He had great stories and shares some of them in the video below. This is some of our history…

Read all of the “Owning the Job” articles here

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend “Pride and Ownership” presented by Chief Rick Lasky.

My head hasn’t stopped spinning since. I don’t know what to think. I have been reflecting on what I heard and my feelings are all over the place. Where do I go from here?

At the very least, I believe that I am on the right track. My fire department…not so much, but hopefully I am wrong. How do I get it back on track? Am I even capable of being part of the solution to some of our problems? Is the solution right in front of me? I only wish my entire department had gone to the class.

Low morale, bad attitudes, lacking leadership, loss of traditions, lack of pride, no honor, too little integrity, loss of camaraderie, too little respect, no discipline…I could go on. Hopefully the building blocks are still there and I can help salvage the hull of what is a great fire department.

The Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz with Chief Rick Lasky

Let me be clear, Chief Rick Lasky’s class isn’t a one stop shop for how to save America’s fire service. It is a blue print on some of the things he has done and seen done that has worked. My fire department will never be Lewisville, but it can be better than what it is now.

To me, the class is more about what isn’t working, what can work, and creating an attitude that will make change. A cultural shift in attitude about what we know is right and making us do the right thing.

I plan on writing several articles on this subject. I am not sure the exact direction I will go. It will be more of a layout of issues I see in my department and the fire service as a whole to help provide critical thinking in making things better through attitude change.

You simply cannot quantify what I got out of the class. The hard part will be me putting my thoughts into positive ideas that will effect change.

I am not perfect, but I think I “get it”. I think I have a positive impact on my department and elsewhere.

Here are my initial thoughts (some of which I have been reflecting on for a long time). Consider it a self evaluation…do it for yourself. This is more of me thinking aloud.

• Pride: Yeah, I am proud to be a firefighter. Do I exude my pride to others?
• Honor: I have honored those firefighters we have lost. I have attended the NFFF Memorial Weekend. I was a past member of our Honor Guard and have stood at the casket of many. I have remembered, and I never forget. I have shared others sacrifices with firefighters who don’t pay attention. I have tried to instill honor in members I have worked with.
• Ownership: I need to work on this. I need a better understanding of what I need to do to take more ownership in MY Department. Some of that work will be educating others that we all need to take ownership!
• Integrity: I need a lot of work in this area. Not that I don’t get it, but I have some work to do. Part of what makes it difficult (not an excuse) is the area in which I serve and how WE are treated by others. I understand that by treating others better (the way they should be treated), we will be treated better!
• Brotherhood: I get this…in my mind. I have worked on this my whole career. However, there is still so much more work to be done. Fences need to be mended, egos need to be hung up, and we need to be united.
• Respect: I am an asshole (in a kinda good way I think)…I give respect, and I am respected. However, I need some polishing up to be more effective. I respect everything about the fire service. I just need to act like it more!
• Tradition: ah, tradition…I think I have a handle on this, but like everything else I need to work on it!
• History: Ok, finally somewhere I exceed in. After all, I did take almost a year to research, collect, and write a book on the history of my fire department[Firefighting in Roanoke by Arcadia Publishing]. I think I can check this one off my list…but not so fast, I have to continue to share the history of the department. No resting on my ass!

If you have not seen the presentation or read the book, you MUST!

PrideAndOwnership.com

The video below is from a previous class as shared by Fire Engineering.

Check out this video about a brand new technology being developed by Tanagram Inc. They are developing Headmounted display (HMD) Augmented Reality (AR) technology. Yeah, I know…what the hell does that mean? Watch the video!

In my words: Think of it as fighting fire with the same types of heads up displays you have when you play Modern Warfare. That description probably sucks, watch the video and you will see what I mean. I just wonder how many fires you have to fight before you get to PRESTIGE!

Apparently this has been under development for a little while. Check out Tanagram’s site for more news and videos created last year about the technology. It seems as though we might be a little closer to seeing this stuff be available though.

The big question….will our fire departments be able to afford it?

Maybe they will pick The Fire Critic to do a product review and testing! I can hope, can’t I?

This technology is being developed for the military and public safety in mind.

From their site:

Tanagram, under a grant provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), developed a phase-zero self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) enhancement that leverages HMD / AR technology to display critical factors all-the-while not obscuring the firefighter’s field of view. Dubbed Helmet with Embedded Active Display for Emergency Responders or HEADER, our concept vision was researched with participation from the Champaign, IL Fire Department. (We even sent a few people to firefighter training!) In our literature review, we found little research has been done with regards to embedded, mixed media (augmented reality) display technology that focuses on unobtrusiveness and consumer acceptance (our fancy word for user friendly). Because of this we are sharing our work with you in hopes that it sparks a conversation that will be very relevant, very soon.

Also as seen on Firefighter Nation

Here is a short clip. Simply a reminder to pay attention to your surroundings. This could happen to any of us. Luckily it was just a mailbox!

Welcome to a new column here on FireCritic.com. I am shooting for having this column run on Tuesdays each week. If you have something you want to share whether you are a reader or blogger, have a video or photo, or anything else just let me know.

The Best of the Rest is a column featuring other bloggers, videos, news, and information you might have missed over the past week or so. Enjoy!

You can also follow along and connect with The Fire Critic via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Youtube.

As seen on FailBlog.com

Addison Fire Protection District – Can this be real? FailBlog.com has this photo of the message board at Addison Fire Protection District Station #3. The message “Better to arrive late than never”..WTF? Who approved this? Maybe the Chief’s message was directed to firefighters and should have read “Better to arrive safe than never”…or maybe it is meant as a message to the citizens and should have been “Call 911 and we will get there whenever we can”.

Daily911Deals.com - 40% OFF MN8 Foxfire Illuminating and Reflective Helmet Tetrahedrons. EXCLUSIVE NEW PRODUCT! I think they are pretty decent tetrahedrons. Read my review here.

Firehouse Zen- Chief Mick Mayers continues to lay it down in his writings that occasionally have me seeking dictionary.com for a definition. Don’t let that dissuade you from reading though. He offers some great insight to the fire service. Check out: OKAY, IT’S 2012: NOW WHAT? and 2012: “WHAT IF?”.

Statter911.com – Dave offers a video of a house fire in Maryland. This is video posted yesterday of a December 23 fire in Upper Marlboro, Maryland (Prince George’s County) Raw Video: PGFD House Fire in Upper Marlboro. Switch to Defensive Operations

911 Memorial Stairclimbs – The majority of the stair climb events are now affiliated with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. One of the original climbs is a bit smaller scale and has a local feel. The Albequrque Stair Climb started in 2003. Read more about it here. If you are looking for a stair climb event check out http://www.9-11stairclimb.com/

Here is a lost photo I just found. This is a picture of Willie and I immediately after climbing 110 floors in Atlanta at FRI for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

FireGeezer.com - A FIRE LATE SUNDAY NIGHT in a downtown brothel in Mitchell, Australia, is still deemed suspicious by the fire investigators.  The Canberra area business was closed for New Year’s Day, as all the city’s brothels were when smoke was discovered coming from The Gentlemen’s Club on Grimwade Street around 11 pm. http://firegeezer.com/2012/01/02/brothel-fire-suspicious/

The Colorado Firefighter Facebook Page - This page continues to impress me on the sharing of links and information. Check them out here and click “like”!

ELAFFHQ.com – Their latest post “Raise money for a good cause, and get a chance to win a leather helmet” is just that…a chance to win a Phenix Leather Helmet. The chances are $1 a piece and the helmet will be given away once they reach $1000 for the National Firefighters Endowment. Click here to go directly to the donation page. They are currently 1/4 of the way to their goal! The Fire Critic gave $50…If I win the helmet I will give it away to pay it forward!

Fire Service Warrior – This site continues to impress me. The latest post “Brotherhood Insurance: A Pay for What You Get Policy” by Brother Brian Brush is a great post on the Brotherhood of the Fire Service and a must read!

IronFiremen.com – America’s Fire Captain Willie Wines Jr. outdoes everyone on his End of Year Review for 2011. Even though this post probably took three weeks for his little fingers to type, it is well worth a read. See what he has accomplished this past year!

Firefighter Nation – They have the story and the video of a huge fire at a former Illinois factory here.

Happy Medic – The Happy Medic is handing out his “Best of 2011″ awards. Check them out here!

IronsandLadders.com – This blog is great on content. Their latest post “Thru-The-Lock Time Trial (storefront doors)” is just one of many great training videos available.

Brotherhood Instructors – One of the leading privately owned and operated by firefighters instructing team offers “Forcing Doors in Zero Visibility – By Andrew Brassard” Check it out and continue your learning!

FireRescue1.com – They offer this story: Authorities probe fire attacks on 4 NYC sites “Blog post that may be linked to attacks: ‘Throw 10 Molotov cocktails into these mosques and burn them down’” Read it here

I love sushi and I love wasabi. I understand the use of wasabi and how it enhances the flavor with a little spice. I would never eat a spoonful of wasabi. I don’t think this next firefighter ever will…again! He might say this is a near death experience! Maybe this is the new cinnamon dragon challenge!

Crews battle flames and smoke at Westport Presbyterian Church

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -

As dozens of onlookers packed Westport Road Thursday evening, all they could do is watch as Westport Presbyterian Church burned.

“We were out in Westport and my wife got a message on Facebook saying ‘Westport’s burning,’” Luke Rocha said.

Rocha, like many others, went down to see the flames shooting from the roof of the historic church that stood at Westport and 40th street for more than 100 years.

Video of the fire is here

First off, get these for 40% off through January 5, 2012 at Daily911Deals.com. The retail price is $24.95, but right now you can get a set of 8 for $14.97.

40% OFF MN8 Foxfire Illuminating and Reflective Helmet Tetrahedrons. EXCLUSIVE NEW PRODUCT!

Secondly, these things are pretty neat. MN8 Products came through again with an excellent product. Let me be clear, MN8 didn’t invent the tetrahedron, they simply made it better.

I just got a new Phenix leather helmet and the tetrahedrons that came on it are terrible. I pulled them off and installed these new MN8 Illuminating and reflective tetrahedrons and it looks great.

Check out my pictures for how well they work. Much like the illuminating helmet band (also seen in the picture), it is a new and improved design to the old (albiet cheaper) cut piece of intertube.

Most tetrahedrons are reflective. This one is no different. It is reflective and illuminates when charged with light. This tetrahedron certainly improves visibility…it reflects if light is shined on it and it illuminates when light is not available.

The bonus is that these tetrahedrons look pretty impressive just as they sit on your helmet. I have seen many that just don’t look that good. Don’t let the firefighting fashion police catch you with ugly tetrahedrons!

MN8 Products – Shop - Facebook – Twitter – Youtube

About the Tetrahedrons:

• Set of eight (8) replaces your existing reflective tetrahedrons
• High reflectivity (Reflexite’s newest prismatic film)
• High heat durability (they are built on a Nomex type fire retardant cloth)
• Advanced photoluminescence afterglow
• Strong surface bonding (3M’s adhesive)
• Patented design

These tetrahedrons are a good buy. Especially at the rate offered on Daily911Deals.com right now. However, if you are reading this and the deal is no longer valid, they are still a decent purchase.

I think my pictures do it justice.

About MN8 Products:

MN8® Products — A leading developer of illuminating products

MN8® Products develops, markets and sells revolutionary photoluminescent coatings and products that provide illumination for several hours and stay visible in complete darkness for up to 17 hours. Our products will charge in just a few minutes from any light source and can be recharged indefinitely. As a result, there is no need for any external battery, electrical, or energy source other than light.

Every one of our products is designed with safety in mind, as we thoughtfully and deliberately develop products that will keep people safe. Our products have been especially effective for firefighter gear, arming firefighters with necessary visibility tools in the most difficult situations.

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.

Check out FireCritic.com on Facebook

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.

You might remember that Willie and I traveled to the Cincinnati area for an Officer Seminar recently. I presented a class on social media in Covington, Kentucky and then we met up with and hung out with Zach Green in Wyoming, Ohio the next day.

Zach is a member of the Wyoming Fire & EMS Department, a proud member at that. Willie and I got to go to a flashover simulator at Cincinnati Fire Departments training grounds, we enjoyed it and learned a lot. It was our first time at a flashover simulator.

The Wyoming Fire & EMS has recently produced a recruitment video that was very well done. I have no clue of the budget for the video, but it seems professionally done.

The beautiful thing about this project is that any department can use it as a recruitment tool. It won’t matter that the video has Wyoming Fire & EMS in it, the message is the same. As a matter of fact, Wyoming firefighters encourage other departments to use it.

Check out the Wyoming Fire & EMS online and “like” them on Facebook as well.

Here is the video below:

Wyoming FD from ChiliDog Pictures on Vimeo.

Promoting recruitment for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel of all ages and backgrounds to support their local community.

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

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!