Uniform Etiquitte

Firefighting is rich in history and tradition, and it extends all the way through a firefighters life to the firefighter's funeral. Today I'd like to take a moment and address those traditions

For both a formal and a semi-formal funeral, the fire company should be outfitted in Class A uniforms. Class A uniforms are composed of department-issue navy blue coats, dress shirts, slacks, belt, and tie. All companies have slight variances in uniforms and policies, regardless of that, firefighters should be sure to coordinate outfits. In the event of a non-formal or a private service, the entire department as a unit should wear either uniforms of some type or civilian clothes. Traditionally, in a formal or semi-formal service, the company will stay together as one for the duration of the event. They will enter the church or funeral home together, sit or stand together, and leave together. When sitting together, the seating should be as follows: Fire Chief, President of the company or union, the deceased's company, department Chief Officers, members of department, and then members of other fire departments. 

Firefighters in Class A uniform often wonder when to remove their cover (hat) during a funeral service. The firefighter's uniform hat, called the firefighter's "cover", should not be removed at any point during the funeral service. It would also be considered appropriate to salute the casket when it is moved. This includes lowering into the earth, and carrying down an isle. Since it is considered improper to salute uncovered, this is the reason a cover should be worn. Typically, in a non-funeral setting, the cover should be removed when indoors. There are few exceptions to this rule. The cover should always be worn when outdoors in uniform. Also, in general, the right hand should be kept free to offer a salute or handshake when in a dress uniform. 

Deaths of department members are often commemorated by placing flags at half-staff. At fire stations, the flag should run at half-staff from the date of the death until 30 days have elapsed. In addition, funeral bunting, if used, should remain on the station and the union hall for this same time period. Badge covers should also be placed on each member’s badge for 30 days from the time of notification of the death.

Some firefighter funerals close with a bell ceremony and a reading of a prayer. In the ceremony, a bell is rung three times, as was traditionally done to signal the end of an alarm. In this case, the ringing signals the end of the deceased's duties. It is also traditional to have a member of the fire service read "The Fireman's Prayer".

It is possible that a fire company may have different traditions regarding funerals, these may not apply to all and should not be regarded as "uniform laws". However, this is a general outline of the basic standards in the fire service.

We are Americans

We are Americans. 

There are a few things that allow us to define ourselves as Americans. 

There are thousands of brave men and women who have, and continue to put their lives on the line every day. Both right here in our country, and around the world. It is because of this hard work, their blood, their sweat and their sacrifice that we have the freedom, safety and technology that we enjoy today. 

We are one nation under God. In time of tragedy we unite, as a country, as a brotherhood or as a body of believers. It is how we are wired and it is what makes us strong. 

Let us never forget the sacrifices made by our brother and sisters.

Leadership.

I've been thinking a lately about leadership. Thinking about what makes a leader, and more importantly what makes a GOOD leader. 

Leading isn't easy, if often comes with various successes and frequent mistakes. Esspecially leadership in the Fire Service! It's a group of guys (and sometimes girls too), in a high stress environment filled with testosterone, adrenaline and ego. It's safe to say that your not going to make the best desision 100% of the time and that someone is going to begrudge you for it.

So let's take the officer of the truck for example. They are in the front seat of the truck, and by default they are the leader of the crew. There is rules about who is able to sit in this seat we know, and we also know that sometimes it's fought over. Most likely because we all want to lead, it's fun to be in charge. That's where the rule part comes in, it should diminish the fighting right? WRONG. Put two people who are equally qualified there and you'll hear all kinds of reasons about who is really more qualified to do the job. "I'm more experienced!" "I have more certifications!" "I'm older" "I've been a member longer!" I can't tell you what's more important, having knowledge of something an why things are the way they are or having been there and seen it happen. Ultimently that's up to your Cheif officers to decide, they are both good, important and really should just be mixed together! We can stand there all day and agruge that the training is valuable or that you've been there and done that, your both gonna be right. So I say this, Anyone can lead from the front, that's easy. Challenge yourself, lead from the back!  

The part we all miss in leadership is the subtle things that make all the difference. What makes a good leader isn't certifications or your porfolio, it's your ability to handle people. The ability to enable a body of people to do what they do in an organized fasion. Letting people make mistakes or giving them a chance to shine! 

See, you can have the most qualified or most experienced officer of the truck. However that officer is only going to be as good as his crew.  When you sit in the back, you can put your knowledge or experience to work and you can lead by example. When the day is done, a humble leader is typically a better leader.

We all lead, in one way or another. You don't have to be in an offical position to lead, the only thing that really gets you is more gray hair and extra paperwork!

Lessons Learned

If you have a few minutes this is a good video to watch, or even listen to as you go about your day.

It raises some good points about personal saftey and awareness through some hard lessons Denver Fire Department learned.

Denver Fire Department: Leadership So Everyone Goes Home

Different Light

I was talking with a friend of mine the other night, and I made a comment about having had been nervous to walk at graduation commencement that night.  It was something we where all feeling, 13 years of education, hard work, blood, sweat, and tears all came down to that one final moment.  So to be nervous was rather understandable!  However she says to me "you run into burning building and its totally chill but that made you nervous?" and in my half asleep state of mind I thought to myself "when you put it that way..." It was a good point.

As we go through life there are so many things we focus on, dwell on, and worry about.  There is even a few things we decide not to do simply because we are afraid of what might happen if we do.  Often we miss opportunity, and miss the chance to enjoy a moment in life because we are so caught up in the "what if" of something else.  Some things that we do like running into burning buildings or working an accident scene on the side of the highway one would think we'd be more afraid of, after-all the stakes are higher. If your like me you don't think about it; rather you just do it because it needs to be done.  When we put things in our lives into different prospective or different light we may begin to see that there isn't so much to worry about. So rather than missing your chance to do something great or to make a memory; take a chance. Live a little and see what happens.

A Commonly Asked Question

Whenever people outside of the emergency services hear that I am a firefighter they often have the same reaction, almost every time they are shocked by the fat that we are all volunteers.  In fact a vast majority of the fire departments in the United States of America are all or at least partially volunteer.  Which yes, that means we don't make any money.  Its always interesting to explain that we do in fact run into burning buildings for fun with practically no personal gain. It sounds crazy when I think about it however its true.

I have a question for people though, "What if we didn't volunteer?" Someone has to do it.  When someone calls 9-1-1 they expect help to come, they expect an ambulance with a medical professional to help them, a squad car with an honest police officer to come make things right or a fire truck full of firefighters to rescue them or put the fire out. When the fire department is called upon we all set down our dinners, leave our families or maybe even get out of bed.  We set aside our lives, rush over to the fire house put on our gear and get on the truck.  After we have done what we are called to do we return to our homes, to our lives again; perhaps not for long but until we are called again.

The fire service is full of history, tradition and heritage.  Over the years the service has developed into what it is today through the hard work and the lives of many brave men and women before us.   It is an honor to carry on these traditions and take my part in writing history through serving the community.  Next time you see a firefighter, pass a fire house or are passed by one of our trucks remember, we aren't seeing a dime for our work.  We are out to help those in need.

Cold Water Challenge 2014

As the Cold Water Challenge makes it's rounds I'm sure many of you have been nominated or maybe you will be latter on.

The managers of this blog however, where nominated. 

So, in respect to that we choose to use a fire hydrant and a 3 inch smooth bore nozzle and to do it just as a giant rain storm was coming. 

Kurt Lesh Cold Water Challenge 2014

Evan Lesh Cold Water Challenge 2014

Rick Lesh Cold Water Challenge 2014