Lt. Frank Ricci [New Haven (CT) Fire Department] describes himself as “a lifelong student of the fire service.” To him, instructing at FDIC is an honor and “a testament to all those who took the time to teach me and provide guidance.” This day,” he explains, “belongs to those who put me on their shoulders and to my wife and kids who have sacrificed for the cause of firefighter safety.” Ricci, who sees the FDIC as “the greatest stage the fire service can offer,” acknowledges that he feels great excitement when he has the opportunity to address his peers and that he is honored to be “a very small part of FDIC.”
Ricci, who has been teaching in the fire service for 17 years and at FDIC for three years, became aware of the value of a fire service instructor at an early age. At 14, he joined an explorer and then a junior firefighter program. During ages 14 through 18, he would “tag along” with the instructor and attend classes held at the state level, “taking the same classes over and over” on those weekends. He had two brothers who were then advisors for the program, who also exerted a strong teaching influence on him. Those years taught him a key lesson: All [firefighter] skills are perishable and that you can become more efficient, effective, and safe by teaching. His appreciation of instructors was enforced when he moved into a firehouse in Rockville, Maryland, at the age of 18, and met John Kay, who is now a Detroit firefighter. Kay encouraged the members “to teach as a way to maintain their skills and give back to their communities.”
Ricci will be keynote speaker at the Thursday, April 22, morning General Session (8:30 am -10 am). He will discuss Political Courage: Are You the Predator or the Prey?
“I grew up with a sign on the refrigerator that read, ‘The greatest evil is indifference,’ “ Ricci responded when he was asked how he chose the topic for his keynote address. He continued:
If you are going to complain about something, then do something about it! Our service has suffered from complacency and the acceptance of the status quo. The only way to change the prey mentality is through leadership and accountability…. Political courage is essential if we are to take back our service! …. It is time for our members to stand up and take action through accountability and leadership. It is up to you to change the prey mentality and do what is right by participating in the process and leading by example.
Ricci will also instruct in “Tactical Considerations for Fireground Operations,” on Wednesday, April 21, at 10:30 a.m., in Room 106, and moderate the Big Room Session “Fire Service Diversity,” on Wednesday, April 21, at 1:30 p.m., in Sagamore 3-5
Keynote Speaker
Lieutenant Frank Ricci, New Haven (CT) Fire Department
“Political Courage: Are You the Predator or the Prey?”
Political courage is needed if we are going to endeavor to maintain who we are while reducing injury and death. Although initiating change may come at a cost, we can no longer be complacent. No more can our service embrace the status quo and expect positive results. We will explore four ills (Lack of Accountability; Indifference; Loss of Faith; and one of the most destructive, Politics over Merit) that are laying claim to our profession. It is time for our members to stand up and take action through accountability and leadership. It is up to you to change the prey mentality and do what is right by participating in the process and leading by example.
Frank Ricci is a lieutenant with the New Haven (CT) Fire Department and co-founder of FirefighterSafety.net. He is a project manager for Emergency Training Solutions, and an FDIC H.O.T. instructor and lecturer. He has won a landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court and has testified before Congress. Ricci has been a lead consultant for Yale on several studies. He is a contributing author of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (CRC Press 2008) and the Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II (Fire Engineering, 2009). Ricci has worked on a heavy rescue unit covering Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Maryland, and was a “student live in” at Station 31 in Rockville. He developed the Fire Engineering film Smoke Showing and the DVD Firefighter Survival Techniques. He is a co-creator of Fire Engineering’s Tactical Building Blocks Poster Series and hosts Training Minutes segments on www.fireengineering.com.
Fireground Operations: Tactical Building Blocks
Firefighter Frank Ricci, Adjunct instructor, New Haven (CT) Fire Department; Co-Founder, FirefighterSafety.net.
Tactical considerations for engine, truck, and rescue operations are the focus. Situations presented will challenge the students to consider options based on experience, case studies, and staffing realities.
The Fire Service Diversity Panel
Moderator: Deputy Fire Chief (Ret.) John K. Murphy, Eastside (WA) Fire & Rescue and Attorney-at- Law. Panelists: Division Chief of Training Cheryl Horvath, Northwest Fire District, Tucson, AZ; Lieutenant Joseph B. Muhammad, White Plains (NY) Fire Department and President, International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters; Firefighter Frank Ricci, Adjunct Instructor, New Haven (CT) Fire Department; Co-Founder, FirefighterSafety.net
The issues surrounding diversity in the fire service are often ignored except for those times a lawsuit arises regarding hiring, promoting, sexual harassment, or gender bias. Historically, the discussions related to race and gender topics such as adverse impact, protected classes, and discrimination were left to the chief and legal department. Decisions have disenfranchised, alienated, confused, and contributed to the racial and gender divisions, and have done little to effect real emotional growth or foster a great sense of community and unity. This panel of recognized, influential voices regarding these issues will present their views and engage your questions.
