"Salty Jake Syndrome"

Today I want to talk about the disorder that I'll call the "Salty Jake Syndrome".

Signs and symptoms of SJS are the following :

• Crusty, dented, scorched helmet (suddenly appears after 1 year on the job)
• Dirty, stinking Bunker Gear with rips and tears all over
• Sudden appearance of station uniforms resembling a domicile challenged individual (being PC here)
• White officer devices that suddenly, over night, become charred and covered in soot
• Waxing poetically about rubber coats and hip boots, (In spite of the fact of not being on when they were worn)
• Entitlement attitude (this job owes me)
• All stories begin with; "We had a Job", "Remember how it used to be", "This is how we do it here", "That company sucks", etc......
• And the ultimate sign - a bushy mustache.

Here at the CBSC (Center for Bullshit Control) we are working on a vaccine designed to eradicate or at least isolate against the spread of SJS. Until we find a pill, we have come up with some easy actions to help protect you from the SJS virus.

Some ways to prevent infection and combat the spread are:

• If your gear is dirty- WASH IT !
• If it has rips in it- GET IT FIXED!
• Wear the uniform you were given- KEEP IT CLEAN AT ALL TIMES!
• Realize the rubber coats SUCKED!
• The hip-boots were even WORSE!
• The job owes you NOTHING! You took an OATH to do it
• DO NOT tell any fire stories to anyone with more time than you
• Realize there are good and bad firefighters all over, the number on your device MEANS NOTHING!
• Buy a razor and SHAVE!

Following these steps can help mitigate and stop the spread of SJS. All member are urged to avoid all contact with those exhibiting the signs and symptoms of the malady until further notice.

Buffalo Line of Duty

Two Buffalo Firemen died in the line of duty earlier today. Condolences to The BFD & the families of the men.

LT. Charles "Chip" McCarthy, 45 year old father of 3 and 22 year veteran (Rescue 1).

FF. Jonathan Croom, 35 year old father of 1 and 10 year veteran (Ladder 7)

Slow Down

This is why you have to have control of the apparatus. SLOW DOWN.

If you don't make the scene what good is it.

Random Thoughts III

Just thinking about some of the things I have read recently on-line. I've got to admit there are some really good writers out there. Pretty impressive in style and skill level. The topics are all over the board, a lot of local stuff and national issues. Safety, tactics, plus recent court decisions concerning the fire service. Facts and figures galore. Truly impressive.

It reminds me why I started to blog about MY fire experience and my thoughts.

Similar to others I have always tried to learn more and more about the job. Reading, taking some classes and the like. Although, I tend to think some overdo it at times. I don't know about you but when an "expert" starts to go on and on with numbers I tend to phase out. Beam me up Scotty ! Not saying they're bad ideas but the average fireman tends to have the attention span of a child. Maybe less. With me leading the club.

One thing that has come up recently is Night training. On the surface I can see where it is beneficial, using more hours of the day. An efficient use of time. the ability to get more done. Six Sigma et al.

Though I'm curious about how much is retained by the members. I know after 1800/6 P.M. my ability to retain things is seriously compromised. Give me the remote and mindless banter. While I was attending a local community college all the "Fire Science" classes were at night. As soon as those were completed I made sure I took the "regular" classes during the day. Without a caffeine drink I'm an idiot at night.

Anyways, that's why here I try to use the Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) method. You will not see excessive numbers here. Just what I would show to someone in the fire house.

This is no way a condemnation of those who do like numbers.