Social Media

Blogging is an excellent way of sharing ideas, training, education, and opinion to people interested in the topics you are passionate about. This article offers basic fundamental ideas for getting started and what blogging is all about.

The other day, I cam across the video above. It is helmet camera video of a brush fire in Australia. I bookmarked it, but I didn't watch it until this article popped up about the helmet camera video. It got me thinking. Read on for more of the article and more thoughts on usage of video.

This years Christmas gifts list is coming out just in time. This year, I tried to focus on more affordable gift ideas than helmets and boots I have always had on the list in the past. There are still some higher dollar gifts, but most are within reason I think. . Take your time and look through them. If you are a firefighter, share this with your friends, family, and significant other!

His view is that he can get more bang for his buck using Twitter than Facebook. He goes on to say (in my words) that he would rather the quick rich exchange of information as forced by Twitter than the random, sometimes useless, and less content rich updates on Facebook.

Here you will find the names of most of the top Fire/EMS smart phone applications (Apps) as shared by the readers on the Fire Critic Facebook page. Most are found on either your iphone or Android marketplaces. All you have to do is use the terms below to search for them on your phone.

My point is to bring attention to perception vs. reality when we are in the public view. Sharing a picture like this is potentially harmful to the firefighter, the fire department, and fire service in general.

As a firefighter, do you waste your time getting bystanders to turn off their cameras? Do you think it is illegal for bystanders to record events? If you do think it is illegal, do you think Firefighters have the authority to stop it?

One of two things are failing here. If it isn't one, it is the other. However, it could be both. There is no other reason for the poor turnout.

In May, you will get the first chance to see Dave Statter and I speak under the same roof. Imagine the roof on that building that it can fit our egos in one building. Dave and I have teamed up to present on communications in the digital age. Dave will offer a boring talk on the fun stuff, I will offer a fun talk on the boring stuff. Dave thinks Willie and I are going to pick him up on the way...we are actually going to see if he is able to thumb his way to Ohio!

The report does not state whether or not the "impromptu video" took away from a task the firefighter was completing. When I teach/present on social media, I always remind the guys/gals that they are firefighters, not reporters. They should leave the reporting up to others. I am also a huge proponent of taking pictures of your crew when the job is done.