I've been truly fortunate to have a really fulfilling second career as a freelance writer after retiring as a fire department battalion chief. And the journey to get there has been kind of unique but I'm sure most freelance writers would say something similar if asked.
Read More »Author Archives: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer
Creating an Atmosphere that Supports Motivation in Your Organization
We can provide a sound organizational structure with policies and procedures that are congruent with an organization’s vision, mission, and values. And we can attempt to modify undesirable individual behavior, when necessary, using progressive discipline. But I don’t think that we can make anyone do something that they don’t want to do.
Read More »More on fire service careers that don’t require entering burning buildings
By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer “The fire service is a dynamic and diverse profession. It offers a wide array of opportunities throughout one’s career, not only through promotions but also the variety of services offered.” So begins a very thoughtful and informative piece from my colleague, Billy D. Hayes, that’s just posted recently on FireRescue1.com, 8 fire service careers that ...
Read More »Taking a systematic approach to cancer risk reduction for firefighters
So, when it comes to your fire departments, cancer risk reduction efforts, do you have a system? Or is your current state that of several “moving parts” that may or may not be congruent with one another?
Read More »How “Tech-savvy” are you?
But a question that stays stuck in my brain is “What impact is all this technology having on actual fire service delivery?” And it's that question that motivated me to write this piece today.
Read More »Sample SOG for Training Activities During Hot Weather
One of our legacy programs that my staff and I developed was a SOG for the conduct of outdoor training activities during periods of high temperature and high humidity.
Read More »Is it bravery or is it courage?
Bravery and courage are frequently used interchangeably in our daily discussions. But in truth, they convey two different reactions that we humans can have to a stressful situation. Read on to see what those two reactions look like.
Read More »Why 3 is Better than 2 on an EMS Call
By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer It was a hot and humid August evening in 1979, and I was a new EMT working my first job in public safety. My employer was a private sector ambulance service that had the contract to provide EMS to the city of Richmond, Virginia. On this night, my partner—a “street savvy” dude if there ...
Read More »Where are you getting your information about firefighters and cancer?
Sponsored content from RESCUE Intellitech By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer When historians look back on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it was mismanaged in the U.S., one of the key failures at the federal level will be the lack of a communication strategy that’s familiar to anyone who’s has education, training, and experience as an emergency manager. The coronavirus ...
Read More »How long with this s*it go on?
By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer NJ fire chief sexually harassed teen volunteer: lawsuit I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. About sexual harassment in the fire service. And if you are male firefighter—of any rank—why aren’t you as well? As I’ve written in this space many times, male firefighters could stop sexual harassment, sexual assaults, and all ...
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