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...

 

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 benefits—or suffers—from the outcome of your decisions, which can mean life or death for your company in some cases...

• 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.

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...

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...

• You don’t belong here.
• You’re not good enough.
• You got lucky.
• They’re going to realize you aren’t that smart.

Ever heard this voice in your head? You’re far from alone. It’s called “impostor syndrome.”

More than 70% of successful people have felt it at one point...

In a study of successful people by psychologist Gail Matthews, a whopping 70 percent reported experiencing impostor feelings at some point in their life.

Are you one them? Ask yourself these questions...

Thank you and congratulations to Chief Lee Soptich for his years of service on the WSRB committee.