In some of my previous blog posts, I’ve mentioned that tradition is a big part of life in the Seattle Fire Department. Many departments across our fine land find that tradition plays an important role in their identity. We all have our various ways of doing things, whether it is on the fire ground or around [...]

Many professional fire departments across the country today have gone to 24-hour shift schedules. That means that, for part of one’s shift, you have the opportunity to get some shut eye. In Seattle, bed time is at 2200 hours and not a moment before. Up until that time we are supposed to be ready [...]

The variety of climates that we have in this great land called America presents different challenges to how we do business in the fire service. Winter weather is an incredible challenge for departments located in the Mid-West and East Coast. Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on hose operations at a fire. High winds [...]

This is the time of year for New Year’s Resolutions. I was watching the Rose Parade on T.V. with my kids and they gave startling results to a survey that asked if people expected their resolutions were going to last “a week,” “a month,” “6 months” or were “already broken.” Out of all the choices, the [...]

Anticipation for me is one of the best aspects of Christmas. I remember when I was a small child I would lie in bed trying to stay awake, waiting and wondering if I would hear Santa Claus as he brought the presents for my little brother and me. Then I remember the anticipation as [...]

Opportunities for helping people in the fire service abound both on- and off-shift. Obviously most of what we do on shift revolves around helping the citizens in crisis. If a firefighter dislikes helping people then maybe they should consider a new career!

Often we have opportunities to help people off shift as well. Getting involved in fundraisers [...]

It’s the little things that can sometimes make the biggest difference in someone’s life. Last week we had a residential structure fire that we ended up being the second truck in for. As the first engines arrived they found heavy smoke coming from the second-story windows of a two-story residential single family home. Flames were visible [...]

Fire truck or fire engine… that, my friend, is the question! (Don’t worry; I’m not going to quit my day job to become a poet!) If you are familiar with the fire service you know that there is a difference between a truck and an engine. But if you are with the majority, [...]

I like to think of the beanery as the most important room in the firehouse, that place where firehouse life happens. Everyone could be off doing stuff around the station but when we call “all hands” for a meeting or to pass on some information everyone needs to know about, the beanery is where we gather! [...]

“Ladder 6, move up to Station 31. Ladder 6, move up to Station 31.” The bell has just hit and we are told by dispatch to “move up” to Station 31 located in the north end of Seattle. “Move ups” are a common part of life here in the big city. A “move up” happens when [...]