I just got back from a the week long Virginia Fire Officer Academy (VFOA). The VFOA ran from Sunday-Friday hosted by the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and the Virginia Fire Chiefs Foundation at the campus of the University of Richmond.
Read More »LODD: Mountain View Fire Department (NC) Firefighter Tony Barker Electrocuted at Fire
Tony Barker, 36, died of electrocution at a fire at Dale's Tire & Auto on Traphill Road this evening. Barker was a volunteer firefighter with the Mountain View Fire Department.
Read More »Out of Town This Week at Virginia Fire Officer Academy
I am currently out of town in Richmond (VA) at the Virginia Fire Officer Academy. The week long class is a very structured academy that teaches moving from the backseat to the right hand seat. I look forward to learning a great bit this week.
Read More »Improving Fire Department Morale at the Administration Level
The previous post about correcting morale issues at the Company Level, I do believe that we have some work we can do to make things better. Yet there are plenty of ways in which Administrations everywhere could improve morale.
Read More »Sons of the Flag Burn Foundation $100k for 100 Miles
Please keep reading below...this ranks as one of the coolest things related to "The Fire Critic" to date. I apologize I am a little late on this, but I am certain that you can still donate for this great cause! Things have been busy here at the Fire Critic Headquarters.
Read More »Who is Who? Rhett Fleitz of FireCritic.com & Willie Wines Jr. of IronFiremen.com
There seems to be some confusion as to who Captain Willie Wines Jr. is vs. who Lt. Rhett Fleitz (me) is. Just for clarifications sake, I would like to ensure everyone understands who we are and what we do.
Read More »Improving Fire Department Morale at the Company Level
Probably the biggest thing you can do is have a positive attitude...which is also one of the hardest when morale is low.
Read More »“Miracle Dog” Rescued from Wreck that Killed his Owner. Dog Transported by Ambulance to Vet Hospital.
Crews extricated Jakey from the wreck and transported him to the emergency veterinarian for care. The medics were also able to treat Jakey with IV and oxygen therapy due to blood loss from a bad laceration.
Read More »Dallas & Phoenix LODD info, Vote For Hack, Brotherhood in Harrisburg, Update on Moore, OK
LODD info from Dallas and Phoenix, Moore (OK) Tornado devastation update, Vote for Hack, and more
Read More »LODD – Dallas Firefighter Stanley Wilson Dies in 6 Alarm Apartment Fire
Dallas Firefighter Stanley Wilson, 51, was found after radioing an emergency transmission that he was trapped in an apartment fire. Over 150 Dallas firefighters battled the 6 alarm blaze. Wilson, a 28 year veteran of the department, was stationed at firehouse 53. Wilson was married with two teenage sons.
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