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Posted: Dec 17, 2015

Can firefighting gear be decontaminated on scene?

With no standards to guide us, the best way to do gross decontamination on scene is anyone's guess.

It is a reoccurring theme that firefighters are exposed to harmful particulates and chemicals during structural fires, that many of these contaminants are persistent and that rates of certain cancers among firefighters are increasing.

While there are a number of specific actions fire departments can take to minimize fireground exposure or reduce the effects of exposure, one of the more potentially effective practices is on-scene gross contamination.

Yet, the key questions remain: Exactly what is gross contamination and is it practical for many fire departments...


 

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Posted: Dec 17, 2015

Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Trust Your Gut

It’s not always about finding the right answer. 

For me, this holds true for all tough business decisions: My work immensely suffers when I don’t listen to my gut and instead let fear of making the wrong decision take over.

I had to learn this the hard way after leaving a promising career in the hedge fund world to work on several startups of my own. Suddenly, the limitations that came from being in a corporate environment—like having a boss—were lifted and the onus was on me to make every decision. When you’re on your own, it’s you who directly benefitsor suffersfrom the outcome of your decisions, which can mean life or death for your company in some cases...

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Posted: Dec 17, 2015

Remember The Basics To Be The Best Instructor

As instructors we have an incredible responsibility to our students, our industry and ourselves.  When preparing to deliver a program or course there are a few things that we must always do to ensure we are successful and provide a positive impact.  

  • Dress for success.
  • Always arrive early and stay late.
  • Always come prepared.
  • Be present.
  • Ask questions during your presentation and allow time for questions to be asked. 
  • Always say "thank you" at the conclusion of your presentation.

Dress for success. Nothing says professional like a suit and tie.  You only have one chance at a first impression and unfortunately this is typically done before you are even introduced.  Your appearance projects the perception you have about yourself, your material, as well as your feelings about the audience.  Sometimes a suit and tie is not appropriate, an example is in house training or training at the academy.  If you are wearing your uniform make sure it is pressed, your shoes are shined and you are well groomed.  Your appearance gives you confidence that translates into confidence in your delivery that further translates into a successful delivery. You cannot overdress for success...
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Posted: Dec 17, 2015

Spouse & Orphan's Fund - Are you a Member?

The Spouse and Orphan’s Fund is a private death benefit fund for firefighters and those directly associated with your fire department (secretaries, commissioners, mechanics).  The purpose of the fund is “firefighters helping firefighters”.  Both career and volunteer firefighters are invited to be members of the fund.  The fund pays a benefit to the member’s designated beneficiary which includes spouse, child, parent, estate, trust or registered Washington State domestic partner of the member upon their death.  The benefit is $1.00 for each member of the fund at the time of notification of the member’s death with a maximum benefit of $1,750.00 and a minimum benefit of $1000.00.  The fund was started in the 1930’s as the Widows and Orphans fund and changed in 2000 to the current name to better reflect the diversity of membership...
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Posted: Dec 1, 2015

Flag Lowering - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7, 2015)

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation released on November 15, 2015, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor of the victims of the attack in Paris, France.

Please notify all of your field offices and facilities around the state...

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