David DeStefano looks at the necessary requirements the modern fire officer needs to create a more successful and relevant fire service as we head into this new era.
The ability of first-arriving officers to rapidly assess the scene and set an initial action plan into motion will have a tremendous effect on incident outcome.
Dive into the topics you can't ignore - everything from the role of emerging technology to leadership and management insights for today's fire service.
Just being good has never been our goal. Every firefighter, officer, and chief must strive for perfection each day, writes David DeStefano, and in so doing we may obtain excellence.
Firefighters need to keep a "Plan B" in their minds if their initial course of action on the fireground fails. David DeStefano runs through several examples for truck and engine operations.
"When used routinely and adopted as department policy, benchmarks and sit-reps are important tools that enhance safety and efficiency on the fireground," writes David DeStefano.
David DeStefano writes that firefighters must not overlook one of the most important aspects of maintaining safe and efficient firefighting operations: the institutional knowledge of your first-due area.
"Just as fireground operations only succeed as a team effort, our training programs should reflect the best knowledge, skills, and experience of the department," writes David DeStefano
Is it better to be lucky or good? David DeStefano urges firefighters to hone the fireground skills necessary to reduce one's dependence on the whims of fortune.