mentoring – Nozzle Reaction Blog

Lost (2012)

It’s been quite awhile since I last posted… no real excuse. I’ve said it before, BUSY! I’ll not apologize for putting my family first. A lot has happened over the past year. Personnaly, it’s been a long year. The loss of my brother has affected me in ways I never imagined possible. Depression certainly rearedContinue reading “Lost (2012)”

FFII (2012)

This post is in reply to a post on Backstepfirefighter wanting input how soon after FFI should one pursue FFII. I assumed the situation was referring to new(er) firefighters, and not members that are “catching-up” on certs. Enjoy, and by all means, what do you think? I am currently finishing a FFII class and spentContinue reading “FFII (2012)”

The worst is yet to come…(2012)

This has to be insanity. Chaos. But I am so very happy… he got what he deserved. Got what he earned. I told a member of our governing body that if this happened the implications on our organization would be catastrophic. I hope I’m wrong. He joined us nearly a year ago. We knew himContinue reading “The worst is yet to come…(2012)”

I Suck!

(This post is slightly out of order…I have a really good reason to do so. Someone very important to me is struggling a bit… Her confidence is down. She’s under a lot of pressure. So hopefully this helps her see. Humility is a superpower.) I have no excuses. I suck. I’m a loser. I failContinue reading “I Suck!”

Values Based Decision Making (2012)

Values Based Decision Making is not about money, or saving money, or clipping coupons. It’s not about getting what you pay for, either. Values based decision making is a cultural attitude that relies upon teaching how to make good decisions rather than attempting to teach specific choices for specific instances. It is a way ofContinue reading “Values Based Decision Making (2012)”

For Those About to Climb, We Salute You…

It’s always a little cooler inside. And it has its own smell. Dankish and a little foreboding, perhaps. It is commonly underestimated by the uninitiated but respected by its frequent visitors. Your presence is announced to all by the metallic clangs and gongs. Boots on steel. Steel on steel. Canvas dragging; couplers banging. Slaps ofContinue reading “For Those About to Climb, We Salute You…”

Phd. in Purpose

I started a thing a few months back. I was looking for something. Purpose was part of it. At some level, don’t we all ponder our purpose? I ended up enrolling in college. Again. A BS program for Emergency Management. All online. Pretty easy stuff. Pay the man, do the time and work, get aContinue reading “Phd. in Purpose”

Just a…….(2012)

Two years ago I attended a fire training conference. I had a great time, albeit a case of food poisoning, and for nearly a week I was judged by my fellow firefighters not by my pay status, but rather by my actions. For a vollie, this is the ultimate. I exercise, hone, and test myContinue reading “Just a…….(2012)”

What Are You? (2011)

35 ft. working length; 15 ft. 3 in. closed length; a little over 9 in. thick in banked position; 129 pounds. A real nut buster. I can take it from the engine, carry it, throw it, set it, etc. Solo. Alone. In full PPE, including SCBA. Why? I had to know. I cannot, will not,Continue reading “What Are You? (2011)”

Pain (July 2011)

I have a boo boo and it hurts. I hurts real bad. This is the kind of hurt that is going to sting for a very long time. Honestly, I’m not sure how I’m even able to handle it. I try to stay occupied, so I don’t have to think about it. You know, ignoreContinue reading “Pain (July 2011)”