efdcapt115

Date: 8/5/2012
Time: 1430 hrs
Location: Oak Creek, WI.
Frequency:
Units Operating:
Weather Conditions:
Description Of Incident: MCI Shooting at a Sikh Temple. Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt reporting an officer shot and a chaotic scene with possibly many victims. Fluid situation and the chief has asked media to refrain from showing images which may endanger officers on the scene.
Reporters:
http://www.huffingto...emple-shooting/
http://content.usato.../1#.UB7QQPaPWTP

Your post is interesting, however I think you are being a bit judgmental when you lump all "older" firemen into one group and say they are more susceptible to tradition than progression.
First off, while older firemen love tradition, most younger people (if they truly have the heart of firefighting within) quickly fall in love with tradition as well.
Yet while older guys love their traditions, many have always been focused on progression as well. How do you think the fire service has gotten to the point it has today? It has been lead by the more experienced, who have done the work, done the legislative lobbying, developed new SOP/G's for fireground operation and training as well.
I know the old-timers Sage referring too. If they can't cut the interior qualifications, they're out. Simple as that. There is plenty more for them to do outside, just make sure they don't get their hands on an unauthorized hoseline and start shooting it in the windows while the interior peeps are doing their thing.
In closing, I guess the distinction must be made with regard to training and senior members as to whether or not they are going to be interior. And making sure that those who are not going in, don't do anything dangerous on the fireground to endanger those within, or any other part of the operation.

Good morning.
I think that empty hose bed shot is eerily artfully done. Nice shot.

Hate to see an empty bed! (Scroll up to see more)

Thanks. I watch the video almost daily just to hear my son say "car" while looking at Engine 118. Call me biased, but that's my favorite part.

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Your post is interesting, however I think you are being a bit judgmental when you lump all "older" firemen into one group and say they are more susceptible to tradition than progression.
First off, while older firemen love tradition, most younger people (if they truly have the heart of firefighting within) quickly fall in love with tradition as well.
Yet while older guys love their traditions, many have always been focused on progression as well. How do you think the fire service has gotten to the point it has today? It has been lead by the more experienced, who have done the work, done the legislative lobbying, developed new SOP/G's for fireground operation and training as well.
I know the old-timers Sage referring too. If they can't cut the interior qualifications, they're out. Simple as that. There is plenty more for them to do outside, just make sure they don't get their hands on an unauthorized hoseline and start shooting it in the windows while the interior peeps are doing their thing.
In closing, I guess the distinction must be made with regard to training and senior members as to whether or not they are going to be interior. And making sure that those who are not going in, don't do anything dangerous on the fireground to endanger those within, or any other part of the operation.

First thing, classrooms are not the place to motivate firefighters. Unless you can offer something compelling. Take NIOSH LODD reports and recreate them on a white board. Explain to them the events leading up to what went wrong. This will stick in their heads.
Classroom time; limit it to 30 minutes before you break. Open the windows, doors, let fresh oxygen in as it depletes while everyone is sitting there and makes them sleepy.
Second thing, get them outside with the rigs and equipment. This is what they want to be doing in the first place. Be creative, but not dangerous.
The more imaginative you can be with your training the better it's going to go.
Get that gear and equipment out of those compartments. Let them get hands on with everything.
Lastly, have a simple goal in mind for the training session. One thing that you really want to stress, impress and make them remember.

Date: 07-31-12
Time: 16:32hrs.
Box: 1556
Area: Manhattanville
Location: 508 W. 134th St.(Bing Maps)
Frequency: FDNY Manhattan
Weather Conditions: Hot and Clear
Description Of Incident: Engine 80 10-84(o/s) transmitting a 10-75(working Fire) for Box 1556. Engine 80 reporting smoke showing from the top floor of a vacant building. Battalion 16 10-84(o/s). Battalion 16 reporting using All Hands on arrival for Box 1556. Battalion 16 reporting fire on the top floor of a 5-story vacant building. Battalion 16 requesting 1 & 1 S/C. 2-2(2nd Alarm) transmitted for Box 1556 by orders of Battalion 16. Staging at Broadway x W. 135th St. Division 6 10-84(o/s) reporting companies using defensive exterior ops. Division 6 reporting fire on the top floor w/extension to the cockloft of a 5-story non-fireproof 100'x75' M/D. Tower Ladders are set up. 2 L/S/O's. Fire remains D/W/H. Exposure # 1 is the street; Exposure # 2 is a similar-type attached; Exposure # 3 is unknown; Exposure # 4 is a similar-type attached 5-story M/D. Division 6 reporting companies have been removed from the interior due to structural issues. Field Comm. 1 reporting fire on the 4th and 5th floors and in the cockloft of a 5-story brick vacant 100'x75' building. 4 L/S/O's w/2 Tower Ladder master streams in operation. Ladder Companies opening up. All hands Working. Manhattan Dispatch advising duration of incident is 1 hour and 42 minutes. All searches negative. Division 6 reporting 1 10-45: Code 4(Minor Fire-Related Injury).
Reporter: sfrd18, SoHoTruckin20(nycfire.net), ExChief84(nycfire.net)
Units Operating: FDNY Manhattan; FDNY Manhattan EMS; NYPD Manhattan North
Telephone Alarm Box 1556 Assignment:
Engine 80, Engine 37, Engine 69
Ladder 23, Ladder 40
Battalion 16
10-75-1556(Working Fire) Assignment:
Engine 84, Engine 59(S/C)
Ladder 28(F.A.S.T.), Ladder 14(S/C)
Battalion 12
Division 6
Squad 41
Rescue 3
R.A.C. 1
2-2-1556(2nd Alarm) Assignment:
Engine 91, Engine 67, Engine 60, Engine 72(Satellite Unit)
Ladder 30
Battalion 13(Safety), Battalion 14(Resource Unit Leader)
Rescue Battalion
Safety Battalion
Satellite 2
T.S.U. 2(S/C)
Field Comm. 1
Comm. Tac Unit
Car 17(Chief of Personnel), Car 36B(Chaplain)
16:32hrs. - Manhattan Dispatch transmitting the Telephone Alarm for Box 1556 for 508 W. 164th St. between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. for a report of a fire in a vacant building. Address corrected as 508 W. 134th St.
16:36hrs. - Engine 80 10-84(o/s) transmitting a 10-75(working Fire) for Box 1556. Engine 80 reporting smoke showing from the top floor of a vacant building.
16:37hrs. - Battalion 16 10-84(o/s). Battalion 16 reporting using All Hands on arrival for Box 1556. Battalion 16 reporting fire on the top floor of a 5-story vacant building. Battalion 16 requesting 1 & 1 S/C. Manhattan Dispatch advising Battalion 16 and Division 6 they do not have CIDS for the building.
16:42hrs. - 2-2(2nd Alarm) transmitted for Box 1556 by orders of Battalion 16. Staging at Broadway x W. 135th St.
16:50hrs. - Division 6 10-84(o/s) reporting companies using defensive exterior ops. Division 6 reporting 1 10-45: Code 4.
16:53hrs. - Manhattan Dispatch advising Division 6 duration of incident is 21 minutes.
16:57hrs. - Division 6 reporting fire on the top floor w/extension to the cockloft of a 5-story non-fireproof 100'x75' M/D. Tower Ladders are set up. 2 L/S/O's. Fire remains D/W/H. Exposure # 1 is the street; Exposure # 2 is a similar-type attached; Exposure # 3 is unknown; Exposure # 4 is a similar-type attached 5-story M/D. Manhattan Dispatch advising duration of incident is 27 minutes.
17:06hrs. - Car 17 responding to the 2-2(2nd Alarm) for Box 1556.
17:07hrs. - Car 36B responding to the 2-2(2nd Alarm) for Box 1556.
17:08hrs. - Division 6 reporting Ladder 14 is in operation w/Truck Companies opening up. Division 6 reporting the bulk of fire has been k/d. Manhattan Dispatch advising duration of incident is 37 minutes.
17:12hrs. - Division 6 reporting companies have been removed from the interior due to structural issues. 1 Tower Ladder in operation. 2 L/S/O's. Fire remains D/W/H. Manhattan Dispatch advising duration of incident is 42 minutes.
17:17hrs. - Manhattan Dispatch advising Field Comm. 1 that the call to the Citywide Tour Commander has been made.
17:30hrs. - Field Comm. 1 reporting 4 L/S/O's. Field Comm. 1 reporting fire on the 4th and 5th floors and in the cockloft. Fire remains D/W/H.
17:41hrs. - Field Comm. 1/Division 6 reporting all primary searches are negative. Fire is P/W/H. Manhattan Dispatch advising duration of incident is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
18:14hrs. - Field Comm. 1/Division 6 reporting all searches are negative. Requesting Buildings Dept. respond for a collapse condition on the top floor. Field Comm. 1/Division 6 reporting fire is u/c. Manhattan Dispatch advising duration of incident is 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Company Relocations:
Engine 9-Engine 69
Engine 22-Engine 69
Engine 50-Engine 67
Engine 88-Engine 80
Engine 94-Engine 59
Engine 316-Engine 91
Engine 325-Engine 84
Ladder 21-Ladder 23
Ladder 55-Ladder 30
Ladder 117-Ladder 14
Battalion 3-Battalion 16
Battalion 45-Battalion 12

A Florence Township firefighter, Brian Richardson, was severely injured this past May while responding to a truck fire. A tractor-trailer carrying oranges had caught fire on I-295. Richardson's company was first due and as the firefighter pulled open the trailer's rear door there was an explosion.
Suffering multiple skull fractures, the initial prognosis was not good. But now, three months later, Richardson is well on his way to a full recovery.
http://www.nbcphilad...overy/164981636

Date: 08-04-12
Time: 11:51hrs.
Area: East Side
Location: Barnum Ave. x Helen St.(Remington Arms Complex)(Bing Maps)
Frequency: Bridgeport Fireground - Channel # 1(154.995) and 2(153.700)
Weather Conditions: Hot and Clear
Description Of Incident: Engine 6 o/s reporting heavy fire showing from a large vacant 4-story brick building. Battalion 2 o/s transmitting a Working Fire. Battalion 2 reporting heavy fire on all floors of the middle building. Command reporting main fire building heavily involved w/extension to exposure on the "C" side. Numerous L/S/O's w/master streams in operation. Ladder Companies opening up. All hands working. Originally reported as a structure fire. All searches negative.
Reporter: sfrd18
Units Operating: BFD, Fairfield FD Engine 1 and Ladder 2(M/A Station Coverage), Stratford FD Engine 2(M/A Station Coverage); BPD; AMR, Shelton Echo Hose EMS(Rehab.); UI(United Illuminating)
Box Assignment:
Engine 6, Engine 10, Engine 1, Engine 15(R.I.T.), Engine 12(S/C), Engine 3(S/C), Engine 4(S/C)
Ladder 6, Ladder 10, Ladder 5(S/C)
Rescue 5
Battalion 2, Battalion 1
Deputy 2, Deputy 3
Car 1(Chief of Department)
Safety Officer 1
Training 2, Training 3(S/C Safety)
Command Vehicle
FM 2(FM)
12:05hrs. - Engine 10 shutting down stinger gun.
12:06hrs. - Command requesting Ladder 5 S/C. Engine 12 o/s staging at Hallet St. x Barnum Ave.
Command requesting a rundown of Engine Companies o/s. Bridgeport Dispatch advising Command that Engine 6, Engine 10, Engine 1, Engine 15(R.I.T.), and Engine 12(S/C) are on the Box.
12:08hrs. - Command requesting 1 additional Engine S/C to stage at Seaview Ave. x Barnum Ave.
12:11hrs. - Training 2 o/s w/the Command Vehicle. Training 2 staging at Hallet St. x Barnum Ave. Engine 3 responding as the S/C Engine.
12:12hrs. - Engine 10 requesting the stinger gun charged again.
12:14hrs. - Deputy 2 responding. Ladder 11 relocating to Ladder 5's quarters.
12:16hrs. - Command reporting main fire building is still heavily involved. Fire extended to exposure on the "C" side. All hands working.
12:18hrs. - Engine 3 o/s staging at Seaview Ave. x Barnum Ave.
12:21hrs. - Command requesting if Gas Company is available to respond.
12:22hrs. - Deputy 3 o/s.
12:23hrs. - Bridgeport Dispatch confirming Gas Company is available.
12:24hrs. - Ladder 11 reporting at Ladder 5's quarters for relocation. Shelton Echo Hose EMS responding w/Rehab. Unit.
12:30hrs. - Deputy 3 assuming Barnum Ave. Command.
12:31hrs. - Command requesting ETA on UI. Bridgeport Dispatch advising ETA of 30 minutes for UI.
12:34hrs. - Car 1(Chief of Department) o/s.
12:35hrs. - Battalion 1A advising all companies operating that a Rehab. section has been set up at Hallet St. x Barnum Ave.
12:37hrs. - Command reporting exterior ops. only. Fairfield FD Ladder 2 en route to Ladder 5's quarters for Station Coverage.
12:38hrs. - Stratford FD Engine 2 en route to Engine 6's quarters for Station Coverage.
12:42hrs. - Stratford FD Engine 2 reporting at Engine 6's quarters for Station Coverage.
12:43hrs. - FM 2(FM) o/s. Fairfield FD Ladder 2 reporting at Ladder 5's quarters for Station Coverage.
12:45hrs. - Command reporting exterior ops. w/handlines, stinger guns, and master streams in operation.
12:46hrs. - Command requesting UI forthwith. Command advising Bridgeport Dispatch that UI is now o/s.
12:47hrs. - Battalion 2 requesting Canteen Unit S/C.
12:50hrs. - Fairfield FD Engine 1 reporting from Engine 1's quarters for Station Coverage.
12:54hrs. - Ladder 11 en route to Engine 3/Engine 4's quarters for relocation.
12:55hrs. - Command advising all companies operating air conditioning can be obtained through AMR. Rehab. is located at Hallet St. x Barnum Ave.
13:01hrs. - Ladder 11 reporting at Engine 3/Engine 4's quarters for relocation.
13:23hrs. - Deputy 2 en route to Communications Center.
13:27hrs. - Command requesting 1 additional Engine S/C to stage at the hydrant at Maple St. x Helen St.
13:30hrs. - Deputy 2 at Communications Center.
13:31hrs. - Engine 4 responding as the S/C Engine.
13:35hrs. - Engine 4 o/s. Engine 4 laying in from the hydrant at Maple St. x Helen St.
13:40hrs. - Command requesting 4 additional members to mann spare Tower Ladder.
13:46hrs. - Fairfield FD Engine 1, Fairfield FD Ladder 2 responding to 437 Park St. for a CO Alarm.
13:47hrs. - Command advising all companies operating that all power/electrical primaries have been shut down by UI.
14:05hrs. - Training 2 requesting another Safety Officer S/C.
14:06hrs. - Training 3 responding as the S/C Safety Officer.
14:29hrs. - Command reporting all exterior lines shut down temporarily.
*Incident in Progress*
Company Relocations -
Engine 2(Callback Staffed), Ladder 11-Engine 3, Engine 4
Fairfield FD Engine 1, Fairfield FD Ladder 2-Engine 1, Ladder 5
Stratford FD Engine 2-Engine 6
CT Post Article
WTNH News Channel 8 Article
Hartford Courant Article

Yes, but the Chief did provide the good looks ;-)!
John, kidding aside, with all the technology today, a YouTube video was a great idea.
Best of luck with your recruitment (more importantly your retention) efforts.

After months of work, one of our members recently put together this video "trailer" to help us attract some newer members, and to show people what we do and who we are.
We are in the midst of a recruitment campaign that will be unveiling soon. It will feature a new website (I hope), a recently created Facebook page (facebook.com/crotonfire) and signs/posters put up around our community.
Please check out the video and let the creator, Meraash, know how nicely done it is.
Thanks.
-2081

KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. Sounds like you are trying to reinvent the wheel by yourself. One word of advice keep everyone in your department involved in making changes. Pissing off the old guard will not win you any support when you need it from them. How often do you have officers' meetings? Maybe you need to have more. But next officers' meeting walk in with a poster size piece of paper and tack it to the wall and split down the middle with a line. On one side put up things the guys like about the current setup and the other side about where'd they'd like to see the dept go. Do this with general company too and compare. Then develop a plan to present to the organization and go from there!

Thank you to PFD for having us and having some of Lenny's favorite beer available to everyone (Captain Lawrence's Freshchester). The turnout was nothing short of amazing for both ceremonies, and it made me incredibly proud to have known him, and to be a part of FDNY.
I didn't really get to take in just how big the lineup was until the procession was leaving, but even then everything went so quickly it was hard to appreciate it from my vantage point. Still, I think it was a great send off and a true showing of brotherhood.
All that said, writing a eulogy for a friend has to be the most stressful thing I've ever done. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Date: 8/4/12
Time: 15:12 hrs
Location: Park Avenue apartment building, 42 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703
Frequency: YFD
Units Operating:
Yonkers Fire Department-
Box Assignment:
Engines 309, 308, 306, 303;
Tower Ladder 71, Ladder 72;
Rescue 1;
Battalion 1.
10-29/10-30 Assignment:
Engine 312 (S/C F.A.S.T.);
Engine 310 (S/C Safety);
Ladder 74;
Battalion 2.
2nd Alarm Assignment:
Engines 310, 304;
Tower Ladder 75.
3rd Alarm Assignment:
Engine (?);
Ladder 73;
Mask Service Unit (MSU);
recall of off-duty personnel for coverage and mutual aid to cover.
Yonkers Police Department [4th Precinct Patrol units];
Empress EMS;
Yonkers Office of Emergency Management (Y-OEM);
American Red Cross [three volunteers];
ConEd.
Weather Conditions: Hot.
Description of Incident: 3-Alarm working structure fire. Upon arrival, L-71, E-312, and others reporting heavy flames from 2nd and 3rd floors of a 6 (or 5, there are conflicting reports)-story OMD. Fire quickly knocked down within an hour, notably due to L-71's quick response. Fire began in 2nd floor kitchen outlet/area and spread through the wall to upstairs apartment, but cause is still under investigation and does not appear to be suspicious. No injuries reported. Red Cross, with Y-OEM's help, provided emergency aid to the two out of three heavily-damaged/uninhabitable apartments (seven people total displaced).
The day before, Yonkers had a two-alarm working structure fire on 20 Orchard Place (4-story apartment building) which displaced 22 people, and whose cause is still under investigation, but is not suspicious.
Reporters: Larchmont_Boy; news articles (additional details); Yonkers OEM Twitter (for some details); helicopper, srfd18, Ruck303 (all for rundown info).
Writer: Larchmont_Boy.
News Articles: Journal News, Journal News; Newsday, Newsday (w/ video); News 12 (same video).
15:12 hrs: Call came in. Signals 10/29 and 10/30 given.
15:24 hrs: B-2 transmits 2nd Alarm. Units include full alarm, 1 rescue, and 1 extra engine.
15:44 hrs: B-2 transmits 3rd Alarm.
16:18 hrs: B-2 reporting fire is out, and checking for extensions as well as dousing hotspots.
17:34 hrs: Red Cross on scene. All apparatus, except for one waiting police car, has since cleared the scene.
19:15 hrs (appx.): Red Cross clears the scene.
Please PM me if you have any more information or corrections.

This is a really great way to start. Morph you equipment checks into small training sessions. When ever we had the portable ladders out for washing and they get pretty dirty on the side of the rig or in the well we would throw them against the side of the building. First it builds compentency and second it is a great way to find defects. The only way they will be proficient in tying a halyard is if they do it. Take all your ladders out and extend them against the building and mark with tape how far you can get. Take a picture. This way members know the limitations visually of the various lengths.
Same goes for the saws. It's easy to get pallets for members to train with. Same goes for some rebar to practice vertical and horizontal cuts with the forcible entry saw.
Air Bags. Lift someones (Chief) car or the rig.
Use the responses to do training too. When investigating gas leaks I give the meters to young guys and walk them through the meters. Realize before you know it you may be one of the old guys and the young guy wil be a Lieutenant. Set him up to suceed better than you. If you see something interesting gather the rest of the crew so they see it. Whenever I encounters an elevator door out of the ordinary I encouraged everyone to get the door open (after we removed the occupants)
The other thing is maybe some operational changes are possible that make people run through the motions on routine responses that will increase member compentency. This is especially important if you are a less active department. Here are some examples of what I mean.
Lay in for every reported fire.
Consider stretching a dry line to the door to the occupancy.
Have someone do a 360 on automatic alarms, gas leaks, and CO calls. Teach them what they are looking for. Make sure the basement always gets a look.
It's never easy being a new company officer just as much on the career side. Your number one job is to keep them safe. Making them as well trained and proficient as possible is a huge way to acheive this.

I read this story for the first time last night. It was perfect because my in-laws, who are from Vermont, had just gotten to my house.
I read them the story and immediately started with the "only in Vermont" jokes lol.
Thank god there were no injuries. I'm sure this knucklehead didnt look to see if anyone was in the cars first.
This guy is probably having some regrets once they tallied up the damage.

Another great loss to the fire service. Arod was a friend, classmate and a brother. He was always there to lend a hand and donate his time. On top of that he was a great firefighter. Like you said Mike, the worst part about this job is that you will bury friends before their time. One thing is for sure though, he is definitely in great company where he is now. Rest in peace Ant, you will never be forgotten.

I find that all of the training I offer to my department garners certain people to certain training. And I attribute this all to what I learned in FSI 1 - Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Every single one of us wants to feel comfortable, accepted and safe. We all have boundaries, we all have self-doubts and we all know the s*** that scares us. At the same time, each of us has a niche or a special talent that works to the advantage of our department. For the longest time, I would get so very annoyed with the lackluster turnout for training and drills I scheduled, thinking we would never get better. A lot of my mentors and good friends kept telling me to just keep doing what I am doing, because even if 5 guys come to a drill, that's 5 guys that learned something. So now, I still feel a little discouraged when I don't get a larger turnout, but the average number of attendants has increased quite a bit.
And, here's my favorite thing about it - the mixed level of experience of those coming out. My youngest members love it when the more senior (cough, old, cough) guys come out to play. It's an inspiration to us to see that 30 year member come out for an all day Saturday drill. We see them at meeting nights, picnics and calls - so it's nice to see them at training too. It helps us all become a more cohesive unit, with the careful balance of experience, training and new ambition that every organization needs to survive. I have been around for 20 years, starting out when I was 14, and look forward to doing it for a long time. I honestly cherish the times I get to spend with my guys at training - it's the best bonding experience (besides actual incidents) for all of us to get to do what we like to do.
So in a nutshell - just keep running your drills, and don't be disappointed if the turnout is small. If you keep doing it, people will start talking about what you did at that last drill, whether it's something new that was learned or just something hysterical that happened, and eventually curiosity will bring more people in.
If that doesn't work - offer up massages with happy endings at the end of every drill... (I'm kidding of course, but if you do, call me, )

Your post is interesting, however I think you are being a bit judgmental when you lump all "older" firemen into one group and say they are more susceptible to tradition than progression.
First off, while older firemen love tradition, most younger people (if they truly have the heart of firefighting within) quickly fall in love with tradition as well.
Yet while older guys love their traditions, many have always been focused on progression as well. How do you think the fire service has gotten to the point it has today? It has been lead by the more experienced, who have done the work, done the legislative lobbying, developed new SOP/G's for fireground operation and training as well.
I know the old-timers Sage referring too. If they can't cut the interior qualifications, they're out. Simple as that. There is plenty more for them to do outside, just make sure they don't get their hands on an unauthorized hoseline and start shooting it in the windows while the interior peeps are doing their thing.
In closing, I guess the distinction must be made with regard to training and senior members as to whether or not they are going to be interior. And making sure that those who are not going in, don't do anything dangerous on the fireground to endanger those within, or any other part of the operation.

First thing, classrooms are not the place to motivate firefighters. Unless you can offer something compelling. Take NIOSH LODD reports and recreate them on a white board. Explain to them the events leading up to what went wrong. This will stick in their heads.
Classroom time; limit it to 30 minutes before you break. Open the windows, doors, let fresh oxygen in as it depletes while everyone is sitting there and makes them sleepy.
Second thing, get them outside with the rigs and equipment. This is what they want to be doing in the first place. Be creative, but not dangerous.
The more imaginative you can be with your training the better it's going to go.
Get that gear and equipment out of those compartments. Let them get hands on with everything.
Lastly, have a simple goal in mind for the training session. One thing that you really want to stress, impress and make them remember.

Your post is interesting, however I think you are being a bit judgmental when you lump all "older" firemen into one group and say they are more susceptible to tradition than progression.
First off, while older firemen love tradition, most younger people (if they truly have the heart of firefighting within) quickly fall in love with tradition as well.
Yet while older guys love their traditions, many have always been focused on progression as well. How do you think the fire service has gotten to the point it has today? It has been lead by the more experienced, who have done the work, done the legislative lobbying, developed new SOP/G's for fireground operation and training as well.
I know the old-timers Sage referring too. If they can't cut the interior qualifications, they're out. Simple as that. There is plenty more for them to do outside, just make sure they don't get their hands on an unauthorized hoseline and start shooting it in the windows while the interior peeps are doing their thing.
In closing, I guess the distinction must be made with regard to training and senior members as to whether or not they are going to be interior. And making sure that those who are not going in, don't do anything dangerous on the fireground to endanger those within, or any other part of the operation.

Your post is interesting, however I think you are being a bit judgmental when you lump all "older" firemen into one group and say they are more susceptible to tradition than progression.
First off, while older firemen love tradition, most younger people (if they truly have the heart of firefighting within) quickly fall in love with tradition as well.
Yet while older guys love their traditions, many have always been focused on progression as well. How do you think the fire service has gotten to the point it has today? It has been lead by the more experienced, who have done the work, done the legislative lobbying, developed new SOP/G's for fireground operation and training as well.
I know the old-timers Sage referring too. If they can't cut the interior qualifications, they're out. Simple as that. There is plenty more for them to do outside, just make sure they don't get their hands on an unauthorized hoseline and start shooting it in the windows while the interior peeps are doing their thing.
In closing, I guess the distinction must be made with regard to training and senior members as to whether or not they are going to be interior. And making sure that those who are not going in, don't do anything dangerous on the fireground to endanger those within, or any other part of the operation.

First thing, classrooms are not the place to motivate firefighters. Unless you can offer something compelling. Take NIOSH LODD reports and recreate them on a white board. Explain to them the events leading up to what went wrong. This will stick in their heads.
Classroom time; limit it to 30 minutes before you break. Open the windows, doors, let fresh oxygen in as it depletes while everyone is sitting there and makes them sleepy.
Second thing, get them outside with the rigs and equipment. This is what they want to be doing in the first place. Be creative, but not dangerous.
The more imaginative you can be with your training the better it's going to go.
Get that gear and equipment out of those compartments. Let them get hands on with everything.
Lastly, have a simple goal in mind for the training session. One thing that you really want to stress, impress and make them remember.