Lt. Nick Hilton

Is it possible to be a professional if it isnt your profession?

The word “professional” comes from the word “profession”, which basically stands for a career, but can we still be professional when its not our career or we aren’t being paid? Often times the term “professional firefighter” in the fire service is used to define a Career Firefighter as opposed to a Volunteer Firefighter, so how can we uphold the same standards of “professionalism” as volunteer or paid on call firefighters? (more…)

When a new member joins your department, what do you give him or her to familiarize them with your Fire Department and how it operates? How do you select your new members and how do you prepare them for what they are signing up for? Many departments have a formal interview, background check and even a testing process. Others simply require just an application and a vote of the membership. (more…)

Have you come up with a cool idea for training? How about a project idea that will improve the firehouse? The volunteer fire service needs more self starters. Too often we rely on our Chiefs or Company Officers to get the ball rolling on projects and ideas. Other times we have motivated Firefighters who want to initiate a new project, but the Chief won’t allow them to shine. (more…)

Believe it or not, there are Fire Chiefs out there who intentionally do not praise their members for doing a good job, and in fact, look down on their Company Officers for praising their members. The excuse: “It should be implied”. (more…)

The Firehouse, The Station, The House, The Barn…whatever you call it, it is most likely a second home to all of us. We stop in after work each evening. We spend a Saturday there working on the equipment. We take one night a week there conducting training exercises and checking trucks. We hold suppers there, fundraisers and the all mighty pancake breakfast! This is what makes it home, and that home feeling is what keeps us coming back. (more…)