Using Your Minds Eye

Ever had trouble looking for the right word?You are in the middle of trying to describe the perfect moment. The word you are looking for, however, is evading your memory. Here is a thought; maybe you shouldn't be looking for words. If not words, what else would you be looking for?

Take a min and think about a great moment in your life. It can be anything. The birth of a child. A wedding. A promotion. Whatever great moment that is tattooed in your mind. Think about the sights and sounds of the moment. Can you remember any of the smells?Can you remember the texture of the things you touched? I'm willing to bet that in the process ofremembering that moment, it did not appear as the text you are reading now. Your memory didn't appear as words being typed on a word document. That memory instead appeared as an experience of the senses.

People can remember words, but nothing compares to anexperience. No wonder we can't find the right word; we are trying to describe an experience. What are the implications of understanding this? Have you ever had an ideal or thought you wanted to convey to someone?

A seed of information, that you are looking to plant into the mind of another individual. A teaching moment. A vision of what could be. Over time, you water the soil and allow the bright, warm rays of enlightenment to beam down. The hope is that thoughts and deeds will sprout up from the soil. It would be as if a tree of wisdom has taken root. If this happens to be what you are trying to do, perhaps you should consider the PPE that you use. Not Personal Protective Equipment. Instead:

P - Paint a Picture

• When explaining something new, from a leadership vision to a new learning point, help your audience see what it is. Describe with detail what it is you are thinking. Use analogies that are relatable for the person. In a class once, I was struggling to wrap my mind around how the heart sends blood through veins and arteries. Then the instructor explained to me that understandinghow the heart pumps blood is similar to how the pump on engine pumps attack lines. I now have a picture in my head of a driver operator on a major fire with fire hose sending and receiving water. Learning has occurred.

P - Produce a Movie

• “Imagine this…” Beginning an explanation like this gets your audience into the mind set of being in the front row of a 3D action movie. It’s like being at Disney World and riding one of the movie rides. The person is there at the event, watching things unfold first hand. How easy is it to remember new ideals when an instructor or leader has helped you feel like you were there when things were being formed?

E - Experience the Moment

• This step takes producing a movie one step further. Instead of being at the event; you have a starring role in the event. Years agoI wrestled for the Air force and practiced at the Olympic Training center. We had a trainer that had us do this thought exercise. Wehad to imagine being in a future wrestling match. In our mind, we had to think of everything we could expect. How exhausted we would be. Being ahead in points. Being behind in points. Feeling the strength of the other competitor and fighting them off. What I understand now is that doing this exercise prepared me for possibilities I had not thought of. If you can imagine the hard times, you can push through to the good times.

When I teach students about hazardous material response, I explain that to be effective, one must have the proper level of skill and proper equipment. Everyone has some ideal worth sharing. Now you have the proper PPE to help ordinary people do extraordinary things.

About the Author  

 NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

The Importance of Checking the Trucks

As I drive to work every morning a little after 6am, I pass a Fire Station just off the main road. Every morning almost without fail I notice, what I can assume to be, the morning crew just getting started for the day. No matter if you call it a Rig check, truck check, equipment check or something else it is all the same thing; making sure you have the items you need to answer emergency calls for service.

I know everyone, myself included, has done countless of these rig checks and could probably recite the sheet forward and backward just from memory alone. However this poses a question, just how much are we actually checking the truck vs just going through the motions?

These checks are so absolutely important, almost more so than anything else. How many of you have just done half checks, just glanced over the truck and called it good, or skipped rig checks altogether? I'm not proud to say it, but I know I have in the past. You get to the station late, theres a game on, theres a show you want to watch, a store you have to run to, your just tired and want a nap, or the "trucks all good" from the outgoing crew, or any number of other excueses that could come to you. This mindset is downright dangerous!

Say you did all that, now you have an emergency call, maybe the truck wont start, you don't have enough fuel, or the bay door will not even open. If you do get out the door when you get to the scene and now you are missing a vital piece of equipment, or something is broken now what do you do? Not only are you potentially putting the patient in undo distress or delaying a responce that could save life or property, but you are also opening up yourself and your department to unnecessary liability, and you could also be tarnishing the name of first reaponders everywhere.

Think of it from a personal standpoint. You go camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, or even just on a vacation, do you just grab your bags and go? Probably not. If your like me, you make a list of stuff you need and as you pack it you cross it off. This way you know you have all the supplies you need for whatever it is you are doing. Rig checks are the same exact thing.

While they can be tedious, somewhat time consuming, and inconvenient to you at the time, take that time to make sure that you, your truck, and your equipment is ready to go. Being proactive is better than reactive. Once the tones go out theres no time to be second guessing if you have the equipment you need. Take the few extra minutes to do a proper rig check and have the peace of mind knowing you are starting the day as prepared as you can be. 

 About the Author 

 SEAN WALSH is an EMT with North Stelton Fire Company EMS Division in Piscataway NJ for the last 9 years. He is also a Public Safety Telecommunicator with a county based agency in NJ for the last 4 years. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at Thomas Edison State College (NJ) in 2013.

How To Complete a New Years Resolution

Ladies and gentlemen, I have successfully figured out how to accomplish a New Year's resolution. Every year people make resolutions. So often people fail. We all are aware of this. When I repeat the following statement from the internet, most people would agree: "My 2017 goals are to accomplish the goals of 2016, which I should have done in 2015, because I promised to do them in 2014, after planning them in 2013." No worries. I have you answer to completing your New Year's resolutionssuccessfully: Stop making New Year's resolutions.

Some may be thinking, "Without this time to commit to making a change, how will I improve?" Simple; stop waiting until January first to make a change. The changes you need to make, you knew long before the beginning of the new year. On any given day, you realize that there is some area of your life that you want improvement. Take a minute right now, and you can name a few. My question to you is, why wait for another year?

After reading some books, listening to different speakers, and examining my own successes and failures, I now understand some things about real change. This insight left me SMH. No, not the texting abbreviation for "Shaking My Head", but my own abbreviation for "Spark, Motivation, and Habit."

• Spark - That thing that sets change in motion. It's the initial ideal that things need be different. Who you want to be, and who you are, do not match. When you walk a few flights of stairs, get winded, and said that's the last straw. When you have miss a meal and your stomach doesn't growl, but ‘talks’loud enough for others to hear. What is that thing that makes you stop and say "Change must happen."

• Motivation - Spark may give you the initial ideal, but motivation is where the action starts. Gears start turning. Progress in a direction begins to happen. While planning can be a part of motivation, motivation is about taking action. Starting the diet. Starting the college classes. Starting the new relationship.

• Habit - What you use when motivation is not enough. Trust me, making change happen over long periods of time will not happen without habit. Most people are familiar with the power of bad habits. Bad habits are why we needed to make a change to begin with! Think how hard are they to stop? Why not harness that power for good? People who do well in saving money are not always motivated to save money. They just got used to doing it. After years of wrestling on the All-Air Force wrestling team, I found that my body would automatically lose and gain weight depending on the time of year. My body had gotten into a habit that took years to stop.

One of my favorite sayings is "Test everything. Keep the good; avoid every kind of evil." I encourage you that the next time you feel the spark of change inside you, use motivation and habit to make the change happen. You don't have to wait until January first. Take any ordinary day, and make it extraordinary.

 About the Author 

 NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

What Homework?

 "But daddy, we haven't done my homework!" Some words you don't expect to hear from a kid. Yet, those are the exact words that exploded from my 5-year-old "Baby Girl" a few months ago. Here I thought that there was a natural repulsion between kids and homework. Guess it's a learned skill.

Unfortunately, the day had used up most of my caffeine energy, and I barely had enough to get her ready for bed. Still, I know the hopes I have for her. I know the importance of learning good habits early in life. And you know that there was no way daddy would say no to his Baby Girl. So, we did it. We wrote letters and added up numbers. Afterwards, I thought, " How did I accomplish something, that I had no energy to do?" How do you do the extraordinary, when you lack the energy to do the ordinary?

For me personally, it is about being the example. Preferably, the right example. I want Baby Girl to see the right example in my actions. The example of getting things done when it's not easy to do. Getting things done when people are depending on you. It's then that I truly understood integrity. Making sure that my thoughts, words, and actions all matched up like the perfectly aligned gig line on a military uniform.

It's officially 2017. The best and worst of 2016 will be recounted for the next few weeks. New Year's resolutions are being started by many. While I did my typical year in review of my life, I won't be making any resolutions. Instead, I will continue to live up to the lesson that Baby Girl has reminded of: Be a person of integrity. And do homework. Can't forget homework.

About the Author  

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance. 

Oh Christmas Tree

The oversized tree was up and decorated. Bright lights. Colorful Christmas ornaments. The family heirloom from my grandmother place in the middle. Anintricate angle doll sits on the tippy top of the tree. Everything was done with the tree that day around noon. Dec 26th. You read that correctly. The day after the great present explosion, we finally finished getting the tree put up. Why bother completing a task the day after the due date? If we couldn't get the tree ready in 364 days, why still do it? That is where the wisdom of children comes in.

My daughter, baby girl, is a whole 5 yrs. old. Old enough to write a Christmas wish list, make cookies for Santa, and help decorate a tree. Doing the tradition of putting a tree up was on my to-do list, but not really near the top. Two days before Christmas, I finally stayed home long enough to clear out the space and put the tree up. Being that I am a husband and color blind, I opt not to get involved in the details of what goes where on the tree. But despite starting, we never finished. And since baby girl had actually slept over at her aunt's Christmas eve, it seemed like we were facing a year where we missed the Christmas tree standard.

"So, daddy, can I help decorate the Christmas tree tomorrow?" Of all the things I expected to hear her say on Christmas, that wasn't one of them. Has anyone ever asked you to keep going when you already stopped? You set a goal, you missed the mark, and now someone is looking at you saying "Keep going!" As we make our way through life, we stumble and fall at times. It only becomes failure when we don't get back up.

And so, we made time. Amid the hustle and bustle of opening more presents, learning to ride a new bike, and drinking hot coco, the tree was finished. My daughter never stops amazing me. An ordinary day with my kid, reminds me of the extraordinary life lesson of how to keep on, keeping on.

About the Author  

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

The SOGs of Success

And finally, I'm done. Months of studying late into the night, way past my bed time.
Months reading acronyms that seemed to be a language all their own. Months of practicing skills now rooted in my mind ready to activate at a moment’s notice. After all that, I have completed the promotional process. All that I wait for now is the phone call that decides where I go from here. 
 
One part my departments process is an interview. In preparing for interview, I put together a curriculum vitae. "What's that?" is what I asked the person who recommended it. He went on to explain that it is what a person has done throughout his or her career. It's more complete than a resume. Think of it as doing a patient assessment that allows you to get an ideal of how the person is doing. It was in that process of pouring into Microsoft Word the experiences that I had, that the full impact of what other people poured into me sunk in. I have had the chance to be a part of things in my department, in the state, and nationally. No matter how well I did at any of those, I realize how much support I have gotten from others. The mentors and supporters in my life had given me S.O.G.'s to have an impactful life. 
 
Strength

What trying times have you had in your life? Are you there right now? Whether the trouble happened to you, or because of you, we all have trying times. To this day supporters and mentors still help me to persevere through difficult times. In those dark times, not only could I not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I felt myself walking through knee deep quicksand that I was sinking in. It was the strength that others poured into me that allowed me to see things to completion. 
 
Opportunity

Have you ever been in an awesome situation and say to yourself "How on earth did I get here?!" You weren't the typical number one choice to be in that project or on that team. Yet, you did great work while there. That's what happens when others see your potential, and give you a seat at the table. That is what happens when your supporters and mentors give you an opportunity. 
 
Guidance

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" (Will Rodgers). I looked at this training announcement that said "Safety through Leadership". I am constantly looking for leadership training, but I had doubts about this one. Yet, at the encouragement of one of my many supporters, I applied for it all the same. Since then, the 2007 Virginia Fire Officer's Academy has been one of the best choices I have done in my career. Supporters and mentors provide direction for you to move on down the track. 
 
I have no idea how much success I will have in my life. I'm sure it will be due, in large part, to the mentors and supporters that help me along the way. People who have given me S.O.G.'s. My success comes from people seeing in me what I was unaware of in myself. For as ordinary as I feel most days, my supporters and mentors have a way of finding the extraordinary. 

About the Author

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

Driver Training

Driver training is more than getting comfortable behind the wheel of the apparatus you're training on. This is the perfect time to go over apparatus placement in your frequent flyer locations and also your problem buildings (strip malls, apartment complexes, houses pushed back off the road, etc.). Getting practice at apparatus placement during training is helpful for when the call comes in - big or small. Remember placement is key for efficient fire attack and primary search. 

This also helps the chuefer become more accustomed of the streets in your primary response area, more identifiable of hydrant locations for easier access to them, along with your crew putting together initial preplans for the structures. This can prove good kitchen table discussions on strategies and tactics. 

Next time your company officer wants to take you out driver training, pay attention to the buildings you come across, size them up and begin some good kitchen table discussions later at the firehouse. 

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired. 

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 15 years in the service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

You're in the Wrong Spot

"Man, that truck sure looks familiar." On a bright, sunny day I had just walked out of an Arlington, VA building. The warm feeling of accomplishment was over me as I had just registering for a charity walk. My daughter, who was about 3 at the time, was bouncing along with me. But that truck. The same grey color. The same kind of wheels. Wait. Is that the same license plate? And why is it on the back of a tow truck?  I had disobeyed a fundamental rule for living in the Washington DC area: There is no such thing as a 'free' parking space. After frantic negations with the driver, I was able to broker a deal to get my truck back on the spot.  
 
I arrived at my second stop of the day, feeling pretty good about not having to walk there. This time we are at a cookout in a park in DC. I park on the side of the road, and cross the street to the cookout. About an hour into my time there, I now see the red and blue lights of the police parked behind the cars near where I had parked. He's out, asking questions, and looking at license plates. Seriously? Twice in one day I'm parked in the wrong spot?  Lucky, this time it was just a request to move somewhere else. Easy fix. 
 
Finally, I made it home to a parking spot that was reserved for me. I knew where I was supposed to be. No tow trucks coming for me. No police officers telling me to move. Nice and safe. I had made it to the right spot. Have you spent some time in your life looking for your right spot? Many times we have periods in life that we feel like we are going place to place and not belonging there. Whether it be a major conflict of priorities, or just the wrong place at the wrong time, we will always find there are places we don’t quite fit. What do you do? Much like my parking lot adventure, put yourself in gear and drive to the next place. Not fitting in at one spot, doesn't mean you can't fit in somewhere else. Everyone has a spot reserved just for them. 

About the Author

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

Swimming Lesson

You would think that I would know what to expect by now. Four summers in a row, I have taken my kid to swim lessons. The last two summers, I've avoided being the parent who is too involved in his child’s class. Actually, the instructors don't let any parents in during practice, so I had to find something to do while I wait. I have an ordinary routine: 

o    Drop off the kid to her lessons
o    Swim some laps
o    Sit in the whirlpool
o    Shower
o    Pick up the kid

Last week something different happened before swimming. I got an email from the personnel section in my fire department about the next promotional announcement. Just like that, my ordinary swim routine turned into an answer for this question:  How do you to take on your next challenge in life?

•    Get in the water 

o    After checking the water temp with my big toe before swimming, the cold water did not excite me
o    Committing to doing the preparation for a promotional exam made me shiver at the thought of the work that needed to be done
o    Getting motivated to start a challenge can be trying

•    It will warm up…eventually 

o    After forcing my body not to jump out the water, it acclimated
o    It took me some time to get used to the ideal of beginning my prep for a new challenge
o    Once I did, I got comfortable with the taking new action

•    One stoke at a time

o    I didn't start out swimming a lot of laps; I started out being consistent with small movements
o    I am studying little by little. Day by day. Week by week. Until I reach my goal.  One stroke at a time. One lap at a time.
o    Big success comes from small steps. 

Every day, ordinary people, like you and I, do ordinary things. If we pay attention, we may find extraordinary inspiration to take on new challenges. 

About the Author

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

What Are You Learning?

A few months ago a few members of my fire department along with the engine company engineer and the assistant chief approached me about setting up live fire training for the department being I’m an instructor at the local fire school.  I asked them a few questions about what areas they’d like to focus on in the live fire training. They’re response was, “it’s in your hands”. Perfect. Now I have more wiggle room to develop scenarios based on research, our response area and the manpower attending and not have it too generalized.

Shortly thereafter, I went through the proper and legal channels at the school to have the live fire training set up and scheduled at the school and notified my superior officer to let the crews know we have a date set. Once this was set, I started to in a sense “interview” the members that would be attending the training based on the sign-up sheet hanging in firehouse. Little did they know, each week I was analyzing their skills, how they handled the equipment during truck checks, behavior/awareness on calls and little quizzes myself and another firefighter from an urban department near Manhattan, NY would give them. Once I felt this was complete and had enough info, I wrote my lesson plan that would be used for the training and submitted to the school prior to the training date for recordkeeping and legal reasons.

My reason for these “interviews” was this; I wanted to see what they knew so I can strengthen their strengths and expose their weaknesses. I did not want these training evolutions to be basic and routine where the firefighters would be bored and not challenged all the while keeping them and the other instructors’ safe at all times. I want to challenge them not only physically but also mentally because most of what we do is a mental game. It doesn’t matter how physically in shape you are; this job can beat you mentally and break you down quicker than any physical beating can. 

So the lesson plan was set, 3 live burn scenarios based on response areas in our primary response area, the “interviews” with each member attending (8 total firefighters), along with our manpower we usually have on calls (which is usually on the light side) 
For the 8 firefighters who took place in the training, 5 of the 8 were relatively greener firefighters with 5 years or less. Prior to each evolution, the firefighter’s vitals were evaluated by EMS and then the scenario in detail was given to them so there were no tricks or surprises coming their way. Reason being, I wanted them to visualize the scenarios in their heads beforehand and develop their own plan of attack based on their assignments from the incident commander.  

Here’s what I discovered:

1.    In the first evolution, the firefighters used this exercise to loosen up a bit and get the kinks out. Both crews worked well separately but when communicating information to each other they were lacking.

2.    After their “breaking in” evolution, the firefighters were open and honest with us and each other when critiquing their performance. This is key when training. Admitting mistakes and improving on them as you go. No one is perfect 100% all of the time. Mistakes happen and if you can identify them and improve on it, it shows you’re learning.

3.    They challenged themselves to learn and try new techniques they weren’t taught in the fire academy. Although a little hesitant at first and after dry runs and drawings explaining “vent-enter-isolate-search (VEIS), the firefighters each efficiently demonstrated this and admitted it is different yet effective if done properly. In this job, the way things are done are always changing and evolving. Continually education and training is needed to keep yourself safe, your crew safe and also the community you’re protecting safe.

4.    As an instructor, we are too learning while we are evaluating the firefighters in training evolutions. It’s not just about us standing there watching and critiquing them. We too learn from each scenario. What we would do if we were in this situation and how we can improve on this and that. It’s training for instructors as well.

5.    We learn more about each firefighter and what makes this one in a sense special is, it is the guys I ride with. I learn more about them and how they react to things, their strengths and weaknesses in given situations. Also, they learn about me. As an instructor and as a leader. Will they continue to go to me as a way to set up department training or will they look elsewhere? Can they work with me as a firefighter? These are questions that ran through my head as soon as I left the training grounds. 

So my question to all of you in the fire service who are instructors at any level, academy, outside agency or your departments training officer. What do you learn from the training evolutions you set up for outside fire departments as well as your own?
Being a fire service instructor isn’t just about instructing others in fire service training; it’s also about leadership and getting the most out of your students and yourself. Leave your mark on fire service.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired.  

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

The Taciboard

When you're a fire service instructor doing a practical exam, you see all kinds of peculiar things. For instance, two students walk to my hazmat skill station. They have all their gear on. They are carrying their tools. But wait. What is that? I've been in the fire service 16 years and have never seen a tool like this. Picture this: A red, wooden, board. It's flat and is about as long as a typical ax or pro bar. One side had a handle carved into. The other side, metal reinforcement attached with screws. Have you ever seen someone coming towards you and said to yourself, "Here comes the funny story!" I waited patiently to hear the "what had happened" start for this odd invention.
 
"It's the Taciboard!"  "The what!?" I say. The student (we'll call him Fred D. Firefighter) goes on to explain that early on in recruit class, he left his tool behind during training. To assist Fred in remembering the importance of carrying his tool, the instructors gave him a board to carry everywhere. It was simply a plank of a dingy, wooden pallet. Fred took it upon himself to do more with it. That's when he came up with this unique, versatile tool. He listed more uses for this thing than I can recite. 
 
When's the last time you owned a mistake you've made? When is the last time you've seen the opportunity in your challenge?  Most people would have seen carrying this board as just an ordinary recruit school punishment. Instead, Fred made an extraordinary new tool based on a new challenge. You don't have to be a teacher to provide a worthwhile lesson. In this case, here's Fred’s lesson for us: Life's challenges give you a chance to find opportunity. Ordinary people do extraordinary things. 

About the Author

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

Where Are The Instructions?

Everything was gathered in front of us: Eggs. Water. Oil. Cooking spray. A pan. And of course, cake mix. My youngest daughter and I had items ready, as per the standard operation procedures of cupcake making in our home. We are set to begin operation 'ultimate cupcake'. What makes our cupcakes ‘ultimate’? People may not be willing to put 10 lbs of stuff into a 5 lbs bag, but I'm willing to put 24 servings of cupcake batter into a 12 serving pan.  
 
Aside for the last part, I'm pretty good at following instructions. After years in the military, followed by years in the fire service, I have had plenty of practice. Give me instructions to a task I have never done, and I'll probably figure it out. But what do you when there are no instructions? For things like, how to be a dad? Sure there are self-help books jumping off the shelves for parenting. Where is the one for your specific model of kid? 
 
Despite all of the specific instruction I 've had in my two careers, those careers have also helped me figure out how to work without instructions. I use the acronym RPM. (because, after 14 years in the military, and 16 years in the fire service, how could I resist making my own acronym).  I use this regularly for being a dad, but it can be applied to other aspects of life, such as leadership
 
1.    Read
o    No, you can't find all the answers you need in a book. Yes, you can find useful info that can help you. It is a starting point. Reading will not always give you answers, but it can give you ideals. Things change, parenting changes, leadership situations change. You better be changing to keep up. Keeping your reading list current will help with this.
 
2.    Playbook
o    Slide tray. Template. Script. Whatever you want to call it. People who have been in the military and/or fire service know how to take prior experience, and come up with a general-use guide for getting through situations. I say general, because sometimes the play is broken; it doesn't go as planned. But it can still be made to work. And now the play is improved.   
 
3.    Mentor
o    Get a counsel of wise people. In a TED talk video, Bruce Feiler, a dad dying of cancer, found a group of dads to mentor his kids after he passed on from his illness. We all need a group of people wiser than us to prepare us for what is ahead. Having one mentor is not enough. This group needs to be as diverse as you want your life to be. Take their wisdom. See the possibilities.  
 
There are a number of life areas that you will have to make things happen without directions on the box. Whenever you’re operating out of the box, try using RPM for ultimate leadership, or ultimate cupcakes. Life needs more of both.  

About the Author

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

Ordinary People

"You know; this is a bigger deal than you think." That's what I tell my wife as she gets ready for her second interview. For the second time in one day, I've been asked "Are you Veronica Baskerville's husband?" I’ve heard this question many times in our 12 years of marriage, but not from reporters.  

The evening before, my wife went from hearing the piercing sounds of laughter and joy at a baby shower, to the ringing in her ears of gun shots piercing the air. One of those shots landed in the shoulder of a 7-year-old kid. My wife rendered aid to the kid until public safety arrived on the scene to take over. So automatic was her response to give aide, it didn't register for her to even talk about it later that evening. Honestly, with each of us being in the public safety for 16 yrs. each, we each have forgotten most of these stories before getting home. It’s “Just another day at the office.”

On this first day of National EMS week (15-21 May), I'm reminded that of the many ways to group people in the world. I have found yet another paring. There are those people in public safety that have these ordinary days. On duty or not. Career or volunteer.  Full time, part-time, or per call. And will always answer the call to action.

And then there are the people not in public safety. People who see our ordinary day as extraordinary. And appreciate that someone is doing these ordinary things that have an extraordinary impact. I’ve had the privilege of seeing the embodiment of public service for 16 years in my wife. Despite her claims of being an ordinary person, I have always known her extraordinary impact.

About the Author

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

Get Me Down From Here

There is no way I am doing that! That was my initial thought. I was in high school living in the European country of Belgium when we went to a dimly lit roller skating rink. I was there with a group of friends and parents. Skating rinks were nothing new, but this one had something different. This mountain of a ramp. At least one story high. You could slingshot down it and out onto the main floor. Why on earth would I do that? Apparently, my brain did not convey that thought down to the rest of my body in time to stop me from getting up there. I found myself at the top of ‘skate mountain’, looking down. There was no way to go back if I wanted to. My mom looked on, probably with hopes that she spoke enough French to get me to a hospital in case this didn't work out as planned. 
 
Years later, I'm at it again. I shouldn't be surprised. This time it was a hot, summer day at a busy pool in Germany. I'm standing on the diving board a few stories high. The smell of chlorine in the water makes it all the way up to me. I was excited about jumping off...until I got to the top. Have you ever been really excited about jumping into something new, only to find yourself not sure if excitement or fear is what you're feeling? Suddenly, out of nowhere, a kid half my age bumps me out of the way as he makes his jump. Ready or not, I'm about to go over. 
 
Yet again, I managed to find myself in an elevated place. This time, it's walking onto an empty stage. It's the Howard Theater in Washington DC. The stage maybe empty, but the audience is not. Sold out. There were over 100 sets of eyeballs and ears looking and listening. It was the second time I was able to speak at The Moth Storytelling event. An event where people tell stories based on a theme. Personal, true stories. And I began to tell a story that I had never thought I would share with anyone. Five minutes is a long time when you are opening the vault of your thoughts. All the while, hoping your story can inspire at least one person. 
 
At each one of these points in my life, I took on an exciting, new challenge. A challenge that that, once I got there, I was no longer sure I wanted. Have you ever had doubts about the very event you had been longing to do? How did you move yourself forward? Or did you? If you didn't, here is what helped me:
 
o    Get a Supporter
•    Sometimes, you need just one person that has more faith in you to have faith in yourself
•    It doesn't hurt if they also have a plan for fixing you up just in case
o    Get a Kickstarter
•    Sometimes, you need one person who, just when you need it, will nudge (or push unexpectedly) you to get going
o    Get a Big idea
•    Doing things just for you is fine
•    In those moments of paralyzing fear, however, having someone or something more important than yourself may be what you need to get momentum
 
In each case, I went to a high place in my life that set up my potential. I just needed a spark to move from potential to reality. How are you going to release your potential?  

About the Author

NICK BASKERVILLE has had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force for 10 years, followed by 4 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Nick also has 16 years of fire service time, with 13 years of that being in a career department in Northern Virginia. Nick has had the opportunity to hold positions in the Company Officer's section of the Virginia Fire Chief's Association (VFCA), The Virginia Fire Officer's Academy (VFOA) staff, and in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) as a chapter president, a Health and Wellness committee member, and one of the IABPFF representatives to the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance.

Choices, On Duty and Off Duty, Their Consequences, and the Era of the Social Media Jury

In light of recent incidents in which I have read in local and regional news, I felt this article to be very necessary. The news stories hit home, extremely close to home. We live in a society that relies on social media and the headlines from major news outlets. We even seem to rely on the tabloids for our “news”. When a member of the emergency services including police, fire and ems make it into the news, it seems to be more common that its bad news rather than good news. The days of reporting about lives being saved appear to be taking a back seat to articles about who has been arrested and who is being sued. This is not a good sign for all of us as emergency services providers.

We must take a look into the mirror each morning and ask ourselves “are we truly able to handle the trust that the public has for us?” When we are engaging in activities both on and off duty, are we thinking about the consequences of what we are doing? If not, I urge you to ask yourself, can you responsibly handle the public’s trust and respect? When emergency services providers end up in trouble, the headline is not just “Joe Somebody arrested for theft” its “Joe Somebody, chief of XYZ department arrested for theft”. When you sign up to join the emergency services field, you take an oath of office or a commitment to serving others. In doing so, you also take on the weight that what you do will reflect not only on yourself,  but also on your family, your department, your community and your respective service as a whole. If you think going through the United States legal system is stressful, the fallout on the social media which seems to follow situations as such, is just as stressful and never truly goes away, even when proven innocent in a court of law.  The court of law is not the same as the “court of social media.”

As a judge would say, “The Court of Social Media is in session”. It appears from many comments online for some of these situations that people are quick to rush judgment on situations before the legal process has made its official determination. We seem to lose sight of “Innocent until proven guilty” or “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”  Did we not learn as children, the saying of “those who live in glass houses don’t throw stones?” It’s easy to denounce someone else on social media for their mistake or situation. How would you respond to being in a similar situation if it was yourself, your best friend, your family member or your own department? Many of these situations can be prevented with just a little bit of thinking before doing. When a member gets caught up in a situation where they didn’t think and caused trouble for themselves and everyone around them, the court of social media will be in full swing and the prosecution never seems to relent. The legal system may actually be more forgiving than that of the social media court and its jury.

The era of instant gratification and instant blame has pushed its way into emergency services. This push of instant public comment has exacerbated situations as quickly as turning on a light bulb.   We as the emergency services community have not seemed to learn from these situations and mistakes that members have made. If we don’t learn from the mistakes and situations, we will never get ahead of that public relations nightmare light bulb turning on and we will continue to see the court of social media in full session.

When you’re on duty or off duty and making a decision, ask yourself, “will this decision end up on an internet search? Will this follow you for the rest of your life? Will it cause distrust of you, your family, your department and your community?” When you are reading the news online and see that a fellow emergency services member has been caught up in some trouble, are you going take part in the “court of social media” acting as a prosecutor, judge and juror? Or are you going to pass over doing that and spare someone the added grief and stress in the situation that they are dealing with?

The choices are yours, the consequences that follow an action are more than just yours to face. The way to begin to regain the public’s trust and restore integrity to our emergency services is to wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, wash your face and ask yourself “are we truly able to handle the public’s trust today?” “Are we going to do the right thing, not just today, but every day?” That oath, that commitment you made, are you going to uphold it? That comment box below an online article about a fellow provider, ask yourself, “Are we going to comment, or are we going to move along and keep our thoughts to ourselves?” These life choices are yours, choose wisely, for your future, your family’s future and the future of the emergency services community depends on it.      

About the Author

NICHOLAS WITCZAK is the lieutenant of Brookside Engine Co. 1 and volunteer EMT for the Mendham Township First Aid Squad. Additionally he serves as the Mendham Borough OEM Coordinator. Nick has served in a multitude of departments and positions over the last 8 years including Past Captain of Morristown Ambulance Squad, volunteer firefighter/EMT in combination fire departments including the Wallingford and Allingtown Connecticut fire departments. He has wealth of experience working and volunteering in emergency medical services including municipal, commercial, fire based EMS and 911 fire dispatching. He currently holds a B.S. in Fire Administration from the University of New Haven. Nick works full time in the fire protection industry specializing in safety, sales and project management. He works part time as the NJ Client Development Coordinator for Emergency Resource Management.

How Are You Training?

We have all heard the saying “I’ve seen one fire; I’ve seen them all”. Well the saying really goes “I’ve seen one fire…I’ve seen one fire”. No two fires are the same but in this article we aren’t here to talk about fire behavior and fire science, we are here to talk about training. 

Each one of us knows a firefighter or two on their department that speaks like they know a whole lot about everything but in actuality the individual knows a whole lot about nothing. They seem to think after they get their minimum requirements by their respective state and meet departmental requirements they don’t need to do much more to better themselves on the job. Believe me, this isn’t all firefighters but there’s always an outlier in the group.

I know what you’re thinking. Why am I saying this?

I’m saying this because continual education is one of the most important aspects to the longevity of job.

In New Jersey, the state requires firefighters who enter the fire academy to fulfill 192 of initial training in the “Firefighter 1” Program before they can sit for the State Firefighter Exam along with an additional 120 hours of training in the “Firefighter 2” Program. Most departments in the state also require personnel to be EMT certified which requires a minimum of 210 hours of training. This consists of classroom, hands on training and ER (emergency room) time. 
In addition to this, most departments do require their personnel to have other types of training that is required by their respective department. Some of these courses include but are not limited to pump operations, incident management, officer training, technical rescue and any other specialized training that is specific to the work of their department.

EMTs in NJ who need to renew their certification are required to complete 24 hours of an EMT Refresher consisting of 3 modules over a 3-year period. Each module is a total of 8 hours of training; where each module contains a specific area that has to be covered. Module A contains airways, module B covers medical emergencies and module C covers trauma. 
Most departments require firefighters to have an annual refresher each year covering bloodborne pathogens, hazmat, ICS, SCBA refresher and your Right to Know annual refresher. 
Is this enough training for firefighters to keep fresh and up to date with changes and updates in the fire service? Why isn’t there a mandated requirement like EMTs have by covering certain areas in the same way the EMT Refresher does? 

As we know, departments are consistently doing refresher training on a variety of skills to keep their firefighters fresh and up to date on new standards and skills. Which, in my opinion is a very resourceful way to keep skills sharp while adding new ones. But here’s the next question, outside of required department training, what else are firefighters doing to better themselves on the job?  

I noted 3 areas of training that I live by in order to achieve my goals, with the 3 in my opinion being the most important, to do what I can to advance my firefighter career.
1.    Classroom training
2.    Hands on training
3.    Self-education

Education is a key to success but hard work and dedication opens the door to the advancement of your career. This is why I say self-education is the most important of the 3 areas of training. We all can go to our required training but can we all pick ourselves up and read a few books, watch a webinar, listen to a podcast or read articles in magazines or on websites that pertain to our job all during our valued and much needed time off? 
Let’s challenge ourselves to add at least one of these self-education areas into our personal toolbox and go above and beyond what is asked of us.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired.  

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

Respect

As many of you have probably heard the line, “the fire service was here before you and will be here after you.” It doesn’t get much simpler than that now does it? So while we are here, one of the most important things we can do is RESPECT it. When in the firehouse or out, always conduct yourself with respect for your fellow firefighters, the station and the job. Respect and be thankful to those who have been in the service before you because as we all know they are the ones teaching you what you are learning and play a role in your growth and success. Show them you want to follow in their footsteps when it’s time for them to step aside. Make them be confident that you can lead, teach, inspire and make sound fire ground decisions. Show up ready to work and be expected to work hard and get dirty. Be willing to learn as much as you can and become proficient at what you have learned. 

Always carry a level of professionalism as well because we are always a direct representation and reflection of not only our department and the fire service as a whole but to our families. Most importantly remember one thing; the name on your helmet represents your department. The name on your coat represents who raised you. Do them both justice. 

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired.  

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

I’m a Firefighter, So Now What?

I would first off like to start by welcoming and congratulating you all into a very special family and thank you for making a commitment to protecting and serving others.  We all start out as “rookie” firefighters not knowing what to expect when making the decision to enter into such a commitment as the fire service but we all know there’s a reason deep down in each of us that is calling us to this service.  Just like anything else we start off as a blank slate ready to learn with a ton of ambition and drive to succeed.  

In the beginning we feel scared, our nerves are eating at us and we don’t want to make anyone think we can’t do this while the pressure is mounting but we are determined not to be defeated.  Being in this situation is a scary task and feeling as if you are alone is a real experience.  Because of this, here is a list of 10 ways to grow as a firefighter, stay motivated and have a great fire service career:

1. Respect and honor the fire service.  Guys who were here before you paved the way for you to be in this today.  Respect their sacrifices and honor their legacies.  Not everyone can follow in the firefighting tradition.  Consider it an honor. 

2. Stay humble.  Egos are only as big as front door and should be left outside the house.  Cockiness is a firefighter killer and there is no room for it in the firehouse or on the fire ground.  

3. Show respect.  The words “please”, “thank you” and addressing chief and company officers as such goes a long way to a long respective career (volunteer or paid).  Showing signs of professionalism at all times is a key to success that will leave a lasting impression on the guys you are working with and will ultimately earn you a level of respect. Remember, treat others how you yourself would want to be treated. 

4. Strive for excellence.  Have a “can do” attitude.  Come in each and every day with the attitude of a winner, show initiative, work hard and dedication and you may impress even the most experienced member of your department.  Excellence is a habit. Not a goal.

5.  Know your crew members.  Getting to know the men and women you serve with is a great way to build a working relationship and develop teamwork.  Do this through simple conversation, training and on scene teamwork. But remember, what you do on the fire ground will positively or negatively impact your crew and you won’t be judged individually but as a whole.  We are a TEAM in and out the firehouse.       

6. Know your PPE.  You were given the PPE for a reason and shown in the academy how to wear it properly, again for a reason.  This isn’t a fashion show and no one cares how silly you look as long as you come home safe and in one piece.  We aren’t indestructible.

7. Know your apparatus.  The better you know your apparatus, the better you know your skills and know what’s expected of you when assignments are given. 

8.  Educate yourself.  Training and education doesn’t end the day you’re certified through the state as a firefighter.  Firefighting, like anything else takes years of dedication to be proficient at.  Training doesn’t come just inside the firehouse with your crew.  Self-studying, training and continuous education is the key to staying mentally sharp and promotes growth. 

9.  Complacency Kills.  No two fires or alarms are the same and SHOULD NOT be treated as such.  Always strive for more and never stop wanting to be better than you were yesterday.

10. Look to the future.  Sooner than later the term will go from “rookie” or “probie” or even “FNG” (we can all fill in the blanks on that one) and will become experienced firefighters and for some of us, even have a company officers rank but don’t ever forget how you got there.  Always remember you were once the “new guy on the block” and how hard work, discipline and dedication got you to where you are today.  Share the experiences and knowledge with the new generations as they come on because one day those boots you grew into will be passed on to the next.  The best way to leave your mark is quoted by the Dalai Lama “Share your knowledge.  It’s the best way to achieve immorality”. 

Speaking from experience, this is a very long and daunting task that takes years of dedication to accomplish and I challenge all firefighters to take these words, step up and complete the lifelong challenge.  

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired. 

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.