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Orientation for Officership

Just as firefighters must orient themselves on the fireground, an officer must maintain orientation of their priorities to succeed and grow. David DeStefano considers a method for conceptualizing four factors that are crucial in staying focused.

6 min read

Features Firefighting

Two firefighters dragged a down firefighter during training

Initial RIT Response

Are all your companies capable of serving as a rapid intervention team? David DeStefano shares an account and lessons learned from the fireground.

11 min read

Features Firefighting

Firefighters confront a large volume of fire in a home

First-Arriving Decisions

The ability of first-arriving officers to rapidly assess the scene and set an initial action plan into motion will have a tremendous effect on incident…

10 min read

Features Firefighting

Plan B

Firefighters need to keep a "Plan B" in their minds if their initial course of action on the fireground fails. David DeStefano runs through several…

7 min read

Firefighting Structural Firefighting

More On the Line

On the Line: Pursuing Perfection and Catching Excellence

Just being good has never been our goal. Every firefighter, officer, and chief must strive for perfection each day, writes David DeStefano, and in so…

8 min read

Fire Department Leadership Firefighting

On the Line: Fast and Effective Water

To achieve the best possible outcome at a fire, firefighters must have fast and effective water, writes David DeStefano.

9 min read

Firefighting

Benchmarks and Sit-Reps

"When used routinely and adopted as department policy, benchmarks and sit-reps are important tools that enhance safety and efficiency on the fireground," writes David DeStefano.

5 min read

Firefighter Training

Setting the Course for Training

"Just as fireground operations only succeed as a team effort, our training programs should reflect the best knowledge, skills, and experience of the department," writes…

4 min read

Firefighter Training

On the Line: Relying on Luck

Is it better to be lucky or good? David DeStefano urges firefighters to hone the fireground skills necessary to reduce one's dependence on the whims…

5 min read

Firefighting Structural Firefighting

“Fools Rush in Where Angels Fear to Tread”

Although our work environment sometimes seems to be a place where angels would fear to tread, we should heed the first part of the quote…

8 min read

Firefighting

Personal Rope: Lifeline to Safety

Firefighters assigned to both engine and truck companies will benefit from the many advantages of having a length of personal rope that they can quickly…

8 min read

Firefighter Training