13 Rules to live by....

1. We must recruit, hire and promote the best possible people with strict and tough hiring standards and very tough but certifiable training... 2. We will operate and train to proven standards and modern firefighting practices... 3. We will wear all our PPE without excuse...head to toe with no exposed skin and no longer breathe in crap... 4. We will send the correct amount of Firefighters on the 1st alarm (based on pre-plans and what's reported)… 5. We must promote Fire Officers that are highly motivated, educated and trained, and who understand that they must enforce the SOP's as supervisors... 6. We must train on and understand building construction and fire behavior... 7. We will use IMS with strict and respected; command, control, and accountability on the Fire Ground... 8. We will drive smart, always wear seat belts and never blow red traffic lights or stop signs w/o stopping first... 9. We will pull the right size hose lines with the needed water to control the fire as quick as possible... 10. We understand when it is worth risking our Firefighters lives and when it is not......... (Risk vs. benefit)... 11. We will help to develop and adopt strict fire/building codes and mandatory fire sprinkler systems... 12. We must understand the issues related to firefighter health, diet, wellness and fitness........ 13. We must, want to, as well as be ready and willing to change our culture and related behaviors. Although all the national programs are excellent tools- …until the Chiefs of the Department, the Officer in the front seat and the Firefighters riding backwards want this to change at their FD, on their apparatus and on their Fire Ground ...not much else will matter-nor change. Adapted by Dana Drexler from Billy Goldfetter