tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61406210631509665422011-07-08T05:24:57.547-07:00Kriss Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944690021171267405noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140621063150966542.post-7292239218544349182010-04-23T05:59:00.000-07:002010-04-23T06:15:19.329-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W8QsBSbyN-c/S9GdQMlXfhI/AAAAAAAAABI/f0sEN58FVQQ/s1600/funeral+%2843%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W8QsBSbyN-c/S9GdQMlXfhI/AAAAAAAAABI/f0sEN58FVQQ/s320/funeral+%2843%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463320724558544402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W8QsBSbyN-c/S9GcY8pw7aI/AAAAAAAAAA4/qKs7FIzwVBc/s1600/IMGP1407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W8QsBSbyN-c/S9GcY8pw7aI/AAAAAAAAAA4/qKs7FIzwVBc/s320/IMGP1407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463319775389216162" border="0" /></a><br />In a recent blog in Fire Chief Magazine Janet Wilmoth talks about a conversation we had at dinner where we discussed how we could tap the retiring experience of those who retire from the service. We coined the term the Elders as a way of showing respect and belonging. The “Elders” are what built the fire service. If we don’t learn from them we have to relearn their mistakes in everything from leadership to supporting tactical positions. The Elders are the foundations that allow us to keep building better and safer services. To simply give them a shadow box of their past lives is not enough,,as a matter of fact I have always looked at shadow boxes with sadness. What we really have is a treasure box of knowledge and experience that trinkets and brass can never express. A lot of retirement dinners/ceremonies feel like a funeral. As for me give me a wake where friends are invited to come and share stories and laughter as we step into a position where finally our careers cannot be harmed because we are gone. Think of the none psychophant influenced advice you can finally offer if you were appreciated and felt that someone had a legitimate interest in you and what you had to say. With this we may actually be able to learn from those who built the service and be able to grow without having to start our own foundation. Forming a group called the Elders is a great idea,,We will see what we can come up with.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6140621063150966542-729223921854434918?l=krissgarcia.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Kriss Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944690021171267405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140621063150966542.post-43329069774251146692010-04-22T06:54:00.000-07:002010-04-22T07:07:13.144-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W8QsBSbyN-c/S9BXhVe39GI/AAAAAAAAAAM/YlLVMJEsqM0/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W8QsBSbyN-c/S9BXhVe39GI/AAAAAAAAAAM/YlLVMJEsqM0/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462962578214351970" border="0" /></a><br />We have started to rebuild building that we have structure fires in so that we can burn them and review tactical options. These models are build on a one foot to one inch scale. Wired glass is used to get a view of the interior during your operation. The fan that provides the best results is a 2" computer fan. These are a great way to get the most experience out of our fires, plus it is fun.<br />We have also created small backdraft simulators where you can create backdrafts and look at the smoke texture to help indicate aggressive fire development.<br />Enjoy and let me see your models.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6140621063150966542-4332906977425114669?l=krissgarcia.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Kriss Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944690021171267405noreply@blogger.com0