I finally got around to uploading a couple of videos to youtube. Don’t worry guys, I am not after your jobs if you do video!
Below you will find a short clip of the bartenders dancing at the Wild Beaver. We stopped in only briefly this trip because I wanted to broaden Willie’s horizons. We were there early and they got up on the bar and danced a little. Later, when there are more bartenders, they get up and do a choreographed dance…I have to admit, it is pretty cool.
If you are in Indy, be sure to check this bar out!
The other video is only a portion of the pipes and drums playing at the FOOLS Brotherhood Bash. They sounded awesome!
FDNY Captain Michael Dugan was blessed with the opportunity to give the keynote address this year at FDIC. This keynote speech has the potential of being the most powerful fire service talk each year. Captain Dugan addressed the FDIC 2011 attendees about “Why we are here”.
This year, I think the target was missed. I think it should have been more about “Why aren’t THEY here?”.
“Why aren’t your Fire Chiefs here?”
“Why aren’t your coworkers here?”
Don’t get me wrong. Dugan was right in everything he said and it does need to be said. I just think he was speaking to the wrong people. A caged lion as Art Goodrich wrote? Not quite, but I can only imagine the pressure and stress there is in addressing the fire service of today at an event like FDIC.
Now before you think I am off my rocker, this isn’t so much of a critique of Dugan or his speech…it is more about what I think the fire service needs to hear.
No doubt that the “one-percenters” are the true leaders who GET the fire service. They NEED to be reminded to fight the good fight. They need encouragement, guidance, and a pat on the back. They need validation of what they are doing and why they are doing it. They already know “why we are here”, but they need their Fire Chiefs to know “Why they are there”. Why the “one-percenters” travel to conferences, take classes, learn, and teach… to make the fire service better. They need the Fire Chiefs to know that without the “one-percenters” their jobs would be even more difficult…
That is right, the ones who really need to be reminded that there are “one-percenters” are the Chiefs. The Chiefs need to be guided more than ever…but the keynote address was not about them.
The “one-percenters” need to know that Chiefs are in need of encouragement, guidance, and lessons to help the “one-percenters” make the fire service better.
Fire Chiefs need to know what we do and why we do it.
Dugan mentions how the fire service is moving towards a business plan because “the people who make the decisions about the fire service” are “not the ones fighting fires”, “they have never crawled down a hallway”, and “they don’t know what hot is”. Ironically, we have Fire Chiefs who fit this description. I believe Dugan’s finger was pointed more towards legislators, but we have these people in our own ranks. These people in our own ranks are a real problem in the fire service…and they are ruining the fire service and those “one-percenters” we have left.
Too many Fire Chiefs honor boot-licking and flattery over hard work and dedication. The “look at me” generation is here, they are the future of the fire department. It seems as though many Fire Chiefs have adopted that same mindset. Look at what I did, look at what I can do, look at how I am better than them…who cares.
We get the job done…we care but it seems like no one else does.
The “one-percenters” continue fighting, teaching, learning, and spreading their values and beliefs at a “one step forward, two steps back” pace because their leaders aren’t capable of understanding the true issues facing firefighters at the company level.
Firefighters are doing more with less, more often each day. If Fire Chiefs understood the values and beliefs of the ”one-percenters”, they might soon find a way to spread that mindset and encourage positive change in the fire service.
Captain Dugan even makes mention of Wooden Ladders & Iron Men…you think he reads ole Willie’s blog?
I consider FDIC 2010 the beginning for me. The realization of the bigger picture. I had worked too long and too hard locally only to find out that wasn’t the focus I should have been spending my time on. In short, I got a rude awakening…a very rude one. However, I am gracious for it. I am actually a better person because of it in too many ways not to realize that it was for the greater good.
And so here I am now…heading to FDIC 2011 a year after the beginning. Wow…this past year has been a blast! Be sure to connect with me at FDIC 2011 if you plan on attending!
Below are just some of the events going on this year at FDIC. I have them listed on the specific days and at the end are events which are open during exhibit hall hours. For a list of the official FDIC events look here.
During exhibit hall hours be sure to check out Firefighter Netcast in the Fire Rescue Magazine booth interviewing some of the best that the Fire Service has to offer! Check out Firefighter Netcast at booth 4244. John Mitchell (FireDaily.com) and Willie Wines Jr. (IronFiremen.com) will be there getting it done!
Sure, there will be a lot going on at FDIC…here are some of the things I don’t think you will want to miss!
Tuesday, March 22
ISFSI Membership Social: Tuesday, March 22nd at Howl at the Moon. ISFSI is at booth #7043! Stop by and see what the ISFSI is doing and has to offer to their members! Feel free to join as well!
Wednesday, March 23
Long-Stretch Solutions Wednesday, March 23, 2011 3:30 PM-5:15 PM. Master Firefighter Robert C. Owens Sr., Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire. Several solutions to enable engine companies to efficiently stretch beyond their preconnected hoselines to reach the seat of the fire, regardless of the number of personnel available, are presented. Proper apparatus positioning, occupancy application, training, and communication are also discussed. INTERMEDIATE. Room 134-135 (more information here)
The Ready Position – Wednesday, March 23, 2011 1:30 – 3:15pm. Engineer Christopher Brennan, Harvey (IL) Fire Department
The Ready Position is the point at which the capacity and capabilities of the Fire Service Warrior are in an ideal state of potential energy. Whether sitting in the firehouse at the kitchen table or in the recliner at home with the pager sitting next to you on the table, ideally, you will be ready to spring into action when an alarm sounds. Learn how to master the physical and mental skills of the Fire Service Warrior: Be 100 percent present when you enter into battle; have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to thrive on the fireground; and be prepared for the unfortunate should the worst-case scenario occur at an incident. ALL LEVELS
Room 234-235
FOOLS Brotherhood Bash: Announcing the 2011 Indy Metro FOOLS BROTHERHOOD BASH @FDIC In Association with RAE Systems & Hooters Restaurants. Wednesday, March 23rd Corner of Jackson St. & Meridian St. Gates open at 1700 hours
Thursday, March 24
“Social Media: The Fire Service’s Next Big Innovation” – Presented by yours truly (Rhett Fleitz) in classroom 134-135 on Thursday March 24 from 1:30-3:15. Be sure to be there if you want a crash course on Social Media! More information on that class here.
Dave Statter will also be teaching at FDIC at the same time I am. His class is titled “The PIO Reporter: Telling Your Story in a World Where “Spin” Doesn’t Work”. Dave’s class is also from 1:30-3:15pm. Being the friend I am, I will give Dave the utmost respect in posting the full information on his class. Unfortunately, the information is in Polish…I guess you patriots will have to come to my class! Really….Who promotes their class in another language?
PIO Reporter: Opowiem swoją historię w świecie, w którym “Spin” nie działa Dave Statter, Statter911 Communications, LLC Co zrobić przed obraz pojawia się problem może być bardziej istotne niż to, co zrobić później. akcji budowanie reputacji w społeczności może być kluczem do przetrwania, gdy coś pójdzie źle. W tym “świecie post-media”, gdzie mogą uzyskać dostęp do publicznej wiadomości bezpośrednio w Internecie, straży pożarnej może łatwo stracić kontrolę wiadomości. Dowiedz się, jak komunikować się tak, że społeczeństwo nie wie, co wiesz, kiedy wiesz, że zamiast czekać, aż wszystkie szczegóły są w Dowiedz się, jak przejąć kontrolę, zgasić złe wieści, budowanie zaufania do społeczności i naprawy działu reputacji . Cena 125-126 POŚREDNIE
Thursday, March 24, 2011 3:30 PM-5:15 PM – Room 105-106APPROPRIATE FOR ALL LEVELSUnderstanding and Motivating Today’s Firefighters Deputy Fire Coordinator Tiger Schmittendorf, Erie County (NY) Department of Emergency Services. “From the X-Box to the Box Alarm” addresses the challenges of today’s fire service leaders in attracting and retaining the appropriate quantity and quality of firefighters they need to support the delivery of emergency services in their communities. So, how do we motivate today’s recruits away from the X-Box long enough to answer the box alarm? This facilitated conversation builds consensus that the majority of the challenges we face are in the firehouse, not on the fire scene. Together we’ll learn to combat these challenges with solutions that are right in front of us.
A Firefighter’s Own Worst Enemy. Taught by Jason Hoevelmann from 3:30-5:15pm. A look at how your actions, behaviors, and attitudes can contribute to your problems and those within your organization if you don’t recognize them and control them, and how supervisors’ human dynamics and interactions in the firehouse can transfer to the fireground. Students will be guided in how to ensure that they and their departments can be a fluid, clear, dynamic moving stream as opposed to a stagnant pond sitting in a farm field. INTERMEDIATE Room 123-124 (more information)
Stop, Drop, Rock and Roll is being put on by the NFFF from 7-11pm at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Get Tickets at Booth# 342, Booth #9900 in Lucas Oil Stadium, and at the door on the night of the event. Featuring: Singer-Songwriter Candy Coburn. (more information here)
Friday, March 25
ISFSI Annual Meeting: Friday, March 25th at 1pm, Room 140 is at booth #7043! Stop by and see what the ISFSI is doing and has to offer to their members! Feel free to join as well!
Battle of the Bands is at Lucas Oil Stadium from 4-6pm
The Firefighter Nation & FireEMSBlogs.com Meetup will be on Friday, March 25th at O’Reilly’s Irish Bar & Restaurant. Tell them you are attending on facebook here. Meet your favorite Fire & EMS bloggers from the FireEMSBlogs.com community and beyond, contributors from FireRescue Magazine, members of FirefighterNation.com, our Facebook Fans and more! To get an event invitation, you just need to stop by one of THESE booths on Friday at FDIC: FireRescue Magazine, FirefighterNation.com and FireEMSBlogs.com: Booth #4244; Black Helmet Apparel: Booth #1903; International Safety Instruments (ISI): Booth #715. Find out more here: http://www.firefighternation.com/events/the-meetup-in-indy-2011
Saturday
I am sure we will be able to find something going on Saturday!
All Week Long
Bullex Search & Rescue Challenge…Rescue the SmartDummy – win an ipad at FDIC. Take the challenge in front of Lucas Oil Stadium. More info
Fire-Dex Challenge…Stop by theFire-Dexbooth 311 and take the Fire-Dex Challenge for your chance to win big! They are giving away thousands in cash, turnout gear, and leather boots. Be sure to check them out onfacebookas well!
Much of a Carmel strip mall was reduced to ash and cinders after fire ripped through the building early Thursday, ravaging two eateries and a wine shop.
Carmel firefighters received the initial call about smoke and haze in the Dunkin’ Donuts, 1300 block of South Rangeline Road, about 2:20 a.m. but were unable to find the cause after about an hour of searching the roof and ceiling with a thermal imaging camera, said department spokesman Bruce Knott.
Chalking it up to issues with the store’s heating and cooling system, firefighters left, only to return about an hour later as the roof erupted into flames. The three employees inside at the time of the fire managed to escape without injury.
This story kinda reminds me of Dan Dawson who was the league MVP and star forward of the Boston Blazers of the National Lacrosse League last year. The Boston Globe ran a story on him. Dan is also a Brampton Firefighter. Read more here.
Chris Lytle is a firefighter for the Indianapolis Fire Department. He currently works at Station 1. I am guessing that not many people know the Firefighter Chris Lytle. You are more likely to recognize his name from his UFC career.
On Sept. 25th of this year, Lytle beat Matt Serra in a rematch. Serra had won the first fight.
Lytle went from wrestling in high school, to boxing, to his UFC career.
Joe Frolick will skydive 100 times in one day for charity
You might remember I posted about two Brits who are skydiving for charity, well apparently there is another firefighter State-side who will be doing the same thing…100 times in one day. To be exact, the first jump is at 0730 hours and the last one is at 1900 hours.
Joe Frolick, a Wayne Township Firefighter in Indianapolis, will be making the jumps for charity. You can read more about it here. Joe’s first jump will begin the 1st Annual Midwestern Smoke Symposium for Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition. His last jump will culminate the one day event.
Let me do the math for you.
Joe will have 11.5 hours to complete the 100 jumps. 11.5 hours is 690 minutes. Joe will have 6.9 minutes to complete each jump. I couldn’t find any other details on how he will complete each jump, how high he will jump, or what his transportation will be for each jump. I must say that one jump every 7 minutes for 11.5 hours seems like a logistical nightmare.
Good luck Joe and be safe. Great job for a great cause.
I finally got around to uploading a couple of videos to youtube. Don’t worry guys, I am not after your jobs if you do video!
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