On this edition of "The Leader's Toolbox," host Dr. Richard B. Gasaway chats with FDNY Battalion Chief John Salka on the topic of company officer leadership.
John shares his wisdom based on his 30 years of experience in some of the busiest companies in New York City. John talks about essential qualities of leadership, how to develop future leaders and some of the mistakes that leaders make.
He also shares how his own career was impacted by good and bad role models and tips for our listeners on becoming a trusted leader.
Gina Duwe
The Janesville Gazette, Wis.
Aug. 22--BRODHEAD -- Brodhead's embattled fire chief said he hopes to get all members of the city's divided fire department "on the same page."
The volunteers need to work together and accept the way he runs the department, Chief Jay Bohan said.
"I think after we get all this put to bed, I think it will be a much stronger organization, and we'll see who wants to be a part of it," he said.
Feedname: TRIBUNEGRESHAM, Ore.
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A 6-year-old boy was hospitalized Friday night after an explosion at a backyard fire pit in Gresham.
Firefighters were called to the home on Couch Court after a report of the explosion at 8:50 p.m. A Gresham fire spokesman said someone caused the explosion by throwing an object into the fire pit.
The boy suffered burns to his arms and face, fire officials said.
Doug Nelson, who lives nearby, said he heard the explosion.
Web exclusive: 0Web exlusive Memberzone only: 0 Feedname: IBSRSSDr. Burton A. Clark talks with Professor Katsuhiko Sugimoto, MD, PhD, of the Kokushikan University, Tokyo, Japan; Assistant Fire Chief Rafael Sa'adah D.C. Fire and EMS; and Mansfield Fellow Mr. Leo Bosner, MSW, emergency management specialist as they share their experiences on the recent visit to Washington D.C. to learn about emergency medicine. The group visited with crews from D.C Fire and EMS and Howard University's level one trauma center .
Japanese Medics Visit D.C. CounterpartsDr. Burton A. Clark talks with Professor Katsuhiko Sugimoto, MD, PhD, of the Kokushikan University, Tokyo, Japan; Assistant Fire Chief Rafael Sa'adah D.C. Fire and EMS; and Mansfield Fellow Mr. Leo Bosner, MSW, emergency management specialist as they share their experiences on the recent visit to Washington D.C. to learn about emergency medicine. The group visited with crews from D.C Fire and EMS and Howard University's level one trauma center .
Japanese Medics Visit D.C. CounterpartsDonna Hales
Muskogee Phoenix, Okla.
Aug. 16--Muskogee firefighter Jeff Carlton Weldon has been terminated from his job after being charged with the theft of another firefighter's wallet.
"He doesn't work for the Muskogee Fire Department any longer -- that's all I can say about it," Muskogee Fire Chief Derek Tatum said Monday.
Weldon, 35, pleaded not guilty to taking firefighter Jeff Gullet's wallet. Bond was set at $2,500.
A court document states:
--The theft occurred July 31.
Feedname: TRIBUNEChristian Hill
The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.
Aug. 14--With a crucial election looming, Key Peninsula's fire department fired one firefighter and disciplined three other employees Friday in response to an incident at a conference in which an underage volunteer allegedly got drunk and flooded a hotel bathroom.
Tom Lique, chief of Fire District No. 16, had the support of most fire commissioners Friday as he terminated 20-year-old volunteer firefighter Tim Nelson for his part in the episode at a Wenatchee hotel in June.
Web exclusive: 0Web exlusive Memberzone only: 0 Feedname: TRIBUNEStory by wxii12.com
WILKES COUNTY, N.C. --
For McGrady Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Lane, fighting fires was a family affair.
Lane's stepson, 19-year-old Allen Matheson, followed in his father's footsteps, working his way to corporal in the department.
But it wasn't a fire that ended Matheson's life. He and three friends, who were also volunteer firefighters with MVFD, were driving on Mountain Valley Church Road Monday evening when the driver, Adam Burke, lost control of the vehicle and plowed into another vehicle.
Web exclusive: 0Web exlusive Memberzone only: 0 Feedname: IBSRSSPosition: Firehouse.Com Contributor
How often have you ever had a chaplain come to you for support and advice? I don't know about you, but this is not an everyday event in my world. However, that is just what happened at a recent event of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association (CVVFA) in Hancock, MD. Let me preface my remarks by stating that our association has lost a lot of members in the past 12 months. As matter of fact we have lost five of our past presidents. Sadly, two of our losses were not really that old. They were truly called home before their time.
Related external resources: Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association Web exclusive: Web exclusive Memberzone only: 0Susan Schrock
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
Aug. 09--ARLINGTON -- In anticipation of what he calls a "retirement bubble," Fire Chief Don Crowson has removed the requirement that prospective firefighters already be trained in emergency medical procedures.
Feedname: TRIBUNEPosition: Firehouse.Com Contributor
One of the great joys of my life revolves around the act and art of communications. Each day, I look forward to reading the newspaper, watching the television news channels, and interacting with my friends and fellow firefighters. Like many among you, interacting with others forms a great part of my life. Whether it is sharing conversations, driving the fire company pumper here in Adelphia, or playing my tuba with a musical group, each day provides a new chance to interact with the people and things which provide love, excitement, joy, and pleasure in my life.
Web exclusive: Web exclusive Memberzone only: 0Bob von Sternberg
Star Tribune, Minneapolis
July 24--Five St. Paul firefighters suffered heat exhaustion Friday morning while trying to control a blaze at a vacant two-story building in the Summit-University neighborhood.
Four were hospitalized at Regions Hospital and the fifth was treated at the scene, the Fire Department reported.
Web exclusive: 0Web exlusive Memberzone only: 0 Feedname: TRIBUNE The personality profile of the emergency service worker is one that is action oriented
tainted with the concept of control. It is not hard to figure out what drives the average
emergency service worker. It is the adrenaline rush that is produced from responding to a
working structure fire that has been upgraded by the first arriving unit to a second alarm
assignment to a gunshot wound to the chest that requires the medical responder to
The future and identification of the gaps in fire department training are critical as organizations move forward.
Southeastern Association of Fire ChiefsRichard Gould
Hickory Daily Record, N.C.
July 18--The next generation of Mountain View firefighters is spending two weeks this summer learning what it takes to live their dreams and become a full-fledged firefighter.
From running incident command competitions and firefighter fitness drills to learning the basics of emergency scene efficiency, there's a lot to learn during the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department's first Explorer Training Camp.
Web exclusive: 0Web exlusive Memberzone only: 0 Feedname: TRIBUNEReid J. Epstein
Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
July 08--A North Babylon firefighter suffered second and third-degree burns Wednesday when a fire engine valve spewed hot steam onto his chest and arms while fighting a landfill fire in East Northport.
North Babylon Fire Chief John Schneidawin said the firefighter's injuries are not life-threatening and that he was in good spirits at Stony Brook University Medical Center.
Feedname: TRIBUNEAndy Alcock/WLKY
Story by wlky.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --
Some Louisville firefighters are hot under the collar after the air conditioning at a 15-month-old fire house has been out throughout the hottest days of June.
When the Portland firehouse opened, officials touted its state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system designed to be energy efficient and save money. Instead, it hasn't worked.
Now, there's an effort under way to find out why and fix the problem.
Web exclusive: 0Web exlusive Memberzone only: 0 Feedname: IBSRSSAs we slowly wind down our Safety, Health and Survival week there always seems to be the scramble as to what safety challenges to tackle. I sometimes struggle, as I do with fire prevention week, as to how we somehow become more sensitive to the issue by proclaiming a week in its honor when we are actually dealing with a 365 day challenge.
Web exclusive: Web exclusive Memberzone only: 0Jerome Burdi
Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
June 25--It didn't take the paramedics long to figure out there was something insidious and invisible filling the home west of Boca Raton, causing everyone inside to collapse.
It didn't take long, either, for it to get to them.
Web exclusive: 0Web exlusive Memberzone only: 0 Feedname: TRIBUNEFirehouse.com Contributor Ryan Pennington reviews several methods to reduce a first responder's exposure to a variety of infectious diseases. Pennington discusses proper PPE on emergency scenes, vehicle and station decontamination and the best means to prevent carrying potential hazards home to your family.
