In most parts of the country we are fighting less fires.This is dangerous and makes it even more important to drill regularly. The officers of the past had years of actual firefighting experience to lean on and pass on. We are losing that experience and that requires us to train as a crew in order to know what is expected, what our company capabilities are based on available resources and to create those experiences that are hard to come by. It all falls on the company officer.

Here a few pictures from a recent trip to Nashivelle, TN.  We were walking back from LP Field after the half-marathon and this building was right next to the pedestrian bridge we were on.  I stopped and started taking pictures and thinking. Of course I got behind and my wife had to explain to everyone else in the group that I was a just a wierd firefighter who does this all of the time.

The dangers of firefighting are not always readily apparent. Obviously, the most visible hazard is the fire itself and the severe damage it causes to the structure the firefighter must enter. However, even without serious injury, firefighters have a high risk of long-term health problems as a result of their occupation.