Matt VanGiesen

Vertical Vent

I’ve been sharing many posts I have saved from my first blog site back in 2011. I’ve been posting them as I originally wrote them, something somewhat difficult for me. I’ve grown much since those early days. I so want to update, edit, and correct those early expressions, but I think it’s best to leaveContinue reading “Vertical Vent”

Life goes On….(2011)

The Gold Star Button’s unique design incorporates the symbolsthat indicate the family’s loss: the Laurel Wreath Border signifiesvalor; the Purple field signifies the family’s grief or mourning;the Gold Star has been used since WWI to signify“Died in a Combat Theater.” It has been a few weeks, long weeks, since my brother, Ken, was killed inContinue reading “Life goes On….(2011)”

Balancing Act (2011)

One of life’s greatest needs is balance. Without it, we stumble, we fall, we fail in many endeavors. We cannot function, we will let others down, and in the end, we will hurt ourselves. Physically speaking, balance is what allows us to stand up-right; to walk, run, climb ladders, search buildings and find our wayContinue reading “Balancing Act (2011)”

Run, Forrest! run! (2011)

It just sits there. I know what it’s for. I know I should be using it more. I bought it from a friend for cheap. He didn’t use it any more than I did. Probably less. We both need it. When I first saw it sitting in his garage, a layer of dust accumulating onContinue reading “Run, Forrest! run! (2011)”

Time? (2011)

OK, so it’s been a bit busy around here… Between a wife, two kids, two dogs, a cat, an ever varying number of fish, a 40+ an hour per week job (plus on-call), kids’ sports, chores at home, fire command duty, teaching recruit academy, fire/EMS responses… WOW! Just typing all this makes me tire… butContinue reading “Time? (2011)”

Cup Check (2011)

Sometimes, what everyone needs is a swift kick in the nuts; a reality check so to speak; a humbling of sorts to re-ground themselves and re-calibrate the moral compass. Often these are harmless, jovial kicks and others are friends kindly (or not) reminding you that you “aren’t all that”.Ball busting is as much a fireContinue reading “Cup Check (2011)”

Emergency! The TV Show (2011)

Do you remember the TV show Emergency!? Of course any true fire buff does. I was a bit too young to catch the first run, but I did catch the last season or so and then again in syndicate. What a great show; a timeless piece of fire service Americana. No show to date hasContinue reading “Emergency! The TV Show (2011)”

What’s Your Mutual Aid Agreement…? (2011}

Mutual aid is a wonderful tool when it works. Does yours? Take a minute and really think about the last call you ran that you either gave or received mutual aid. How did it go? Hopefully, you answer something along the line of, “just like we train it.” The department I cut my teeth onContinue reading “What’s Your Mutual Aid Agreement…? (2011}”

Volunteer, 16 LSI, EGH, Victim Survivability Profile (2011)

I was intent on steering clear of the ongoing debate over search vs. no search. Of course, the true debate is much deeper than that, encompassing many other facets of FF safety and operational priorities. I cannot in good faith ignore these issues and I do owe it to my two readers to sound off.Continue reading “Volunteer, 16 LSI, EGH, Victim Survivability Profile (2011)”

Happy New Year (2011)

Another year is upon us, and for many, the passing into a new year creates a time of reflection and an impetus for a promise of change. What is your “New Year’s Resolution”? Did you accomplish last year’s? Or are you like others that know they will not achieve the goal, so therefore, do notContinue reading “Happy New Year (2011)”