The hallway is tight, hot, and getting tighter. The line is moving. Not fast, but steady. The nozzleman is focused—eyes forward, body low, pushing toward what he believes is the seat of the fire. The ...

The acronym SLICE-RS represented a revolutionary advancement in firefighting tactics, not only in its effectiveness but also in the process of leveraging a data-driven, scientific approach. The ...

Probationary firefighters for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) graduate in Queens. Photo: FDNY PIO At the core of any probationary firefighter training program are the Xs and Os: the technical ...

When it comes to selecting our firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE), too often, we make decisions based on subjective factors, such as appearance or color. Fit and cost are important ...

Congratulations, lieutenant, you are on the road to the most fulfilling job in the fire service—front-line supervision. You will be riding “right front,” out with the crew, day and night. It will be ...

At some point, you’ve asked a firefighter how things were going and heard one of the usual one-word responses: “Fine,” “Good,” or “Okay.” Whether it was about a recent call, a new station assignment, ...

Emergency service leaders generally lack an education in the science of management. Although the topic of leadership is commonly taught in the emergency service training regiment, true management ...

Fire service leadership has existed since the introduction of the first organized fire brigades of ancient Rome. Over the centuries, leadership has morphed into the traditional styles we recognize ...

Through the years, the need to control and coordinate groups requiring teamwork has had many different approaches. From the autocratic manner of the military to the brutish forcefulness of a coal mine ...

When it comes to the selection and hiring of our next generation of firefighters, physical fitness should never be left to chance. The fireground doesn’t care how you look in uniform or what you bench ...

Leadership for some individuals is a daunting task that often can fill a person with anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. Many individuals have failed to be good leaders because of this fact, which ...

One commonly used phrase in firefighter terminology, “smells and bells,” refers to the large percentage of fire alarm and odor calls we respond to. In a way, these are positive situations because more ...