LIFE. DEATH. FAILURE. SUCCESS.

Notes from the Street Part 1 Americans often avoid thinking about death and failure. However, first responders must.  It goes with the territory. In my nearly four decades of serving communities, I’ve often viewed the world in “glass half-empty” terms. During the highs and lows of leading and following those on the streets, I made […]

Se7ven Simple Cancer-Free Habits

  Please allow me to paraphrase an affirmation I read recently: “There are men of a rough persuasion who are willing to take care of the kinds of situations that ordinary people can’t. They’re called soldiers.” This, in my mind describes the men and women of the emergency services who have dedicated their lives for […]

Another Pathway to First Responder Cancer Prevention

Much has been written about the current scourge of firefighting that is cancer.  Support networks and research institutions are evolving from coast to coast while several states although slow to get their act together are beginning to develop and pass firefighter cancer presumptive legislation. In June of this year, a short article, “Seven Simple Cancer-Free […]

Should a Mentoring Program be in Your Department’s Future?

Many of us remember the first time we walked into our fire station as a newbie. The excitement (and anxiety) was palpable. In addition to the dozens of questions running through our heads regarding the rewards and dangers of being a first responder, we also wondered: Would we be liked? Accepted? Fit in? Able to […]

Se7ven Leadership Growth Habits

IN today’s supercharged, “if you snooze you lose” atmosphere, many believe if you’re not moving forward, you’re going backward. I don’t subscribe to that theory wholescale, but believe you have to take each issue, each problem, each challenge on its own merits. I am no longer a participant of that particular rat race, which allows […]

PARTY ANIMALS AND FALL FANATICS

Planning for Crowd Surge Summer is the start of the party and celebration seasons. The warm weather lends itself to beachgoing, volleyball and music concerts.  It seems like every local yokel with a guitar and a few musically-inclined wannabes can get a crowd together with a few taps on their favorite social medial platform and […]

Human Trafficking Awareness for First Responders

Seldom do I turn down an opportunity to train. When I do, it’s usually because the topic entails funny-smelling substances that burn the skin on contact or ones that may be politically controversial. However, this one, in my humble opinion must be discussed in every community across America.  That is Human Trafficking.   The practice […]

Five Traits of Good Leadership

Recently, a short article in Inc. magazine popped up in my daily news feed, which delved into the traits of bad leadership.  Lately, there has been an abundance of articles dealing with bad leadership.  Perhaps a reflection of the times?   In 2022, I’m making a concerted effort to look at things from the positive […]

Managing Nursing Home Incidents

The need to care for a growing elder population shouldn’t become a soccer ball kicked around due to a difference of definitions.  Typically, the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility is: a) the assisted or medical services provided; b) physical facility layout; and/or c) the living arrangements.1 Residents of ALFs (Assisted […]

Human Trafficking: What First Responders Should Know

What is Human Trafficking? Human trafficking is generally understood within the United States to mean: The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act (sex trafficking), in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person […]