tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71329232575930003482024-03-13T12:44:26.724-07:00The Irrelevant IntelligencePassion Above Allmarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-29462042073409326022013-12-23T21:21:00.001-08:002013-12-23T21:21:07.485-08:00Probationary Firefighter Survival ListI want to start this by giving you the best advise you can carry with you into the fire service; set your standards high and be disciplined enough to keep them there. Follow that and everything that follows will fall into place. So with that said, after my probationary year here is a list of things that I made sure always happened and took the initiative to do. I hope my trial and error will help make you a better firefighter.<br />
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- Always show up early!!!
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- Always have coffee ready for your crew and the outbound crew in the morning.
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- Always show up in clean and pressed uniform ready for duty and/or uniform inspection.
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- Make sure your boots are polished well above standard. This will need to be addressed on your off days.
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loHwsYWfk-M" target="_blank">How to polish your duty boot</a>
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- Prior to the pass-on report tackle simple tasks such as restocking and icing your Engine/ Truck water cooler(s).
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- When you check your Engine/ Truck (s) after the pass-on report go over it with a fine toothed comb. You can never be too meticulous.
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- Be proactive with your duties, do not be the rookie that has to be told to do everything. If you see a mess clean it, if you see a tool that needs to be serviced...service it. There are always things to be done that can help your crew out and trust me these things do not go unnoticed.
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- A clean Engine/ Truck is a happy one. Keep your apparatus spotless.
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- Know your apparatus like the back of your hand. Every single detail you can lock into your mind, do it. Things such as front and rear axle weight, pump capacity, pump type, gallons carried, tire size and pressures, where tools are located. Even things such as scratches and dents should be known. Take pictures and study them. Your truck is yours for the 24 hours you are on duty...take pride in it! When the public sees that you are knowledgeable about your equipment heads will turn.
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- Ask for a copy of your departments SOP's. Read them, then re-read them and repeat. Taking ownership in your department starts with knowing what is expected of you. <br />
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- The quest for knowledge and training never ends. TV does not exist in your 24 hour shift, kicking back does not exist in your 24 hour shift, texting and personal phone calls do not exist on your 24 hour shift (unless you want to tell you wife goodnight) and personal time does not exist in your 24 hour shift. Seeing a pattern here?<br />
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- Talk with you crew and find out which bed is yours. Do not make the mistake of taking a bed without asking.
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- A properly detailed rack is something that will let your crew know that you mean business and understand the meaning of discipline. Every single duty day detail your rack no matter how early or late.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbJFNrg2G_4" target="_blank">How to detail your rack</a>
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- Be the last to bed and the first to rise.<br />
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- Always remember that you have the privilege of carrying the title of Firefighter. With it come a level of responsibility and expectation in the public’s eye and you have to live up to that on duty and off duty. <br />
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- You, as the rookie, have a great opportunity to set a new standard. Take advantage of that and no matter how tired or exhausted you may get keep your nose to the grindstone. Your probationary year is one that will set the tone of the rest of your career; if you're lazy...guess what, everyone is going to see you as a lazy turd. Do not get that title!
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All of these tid bits of advice are just the tip of the iceberg. Every Fire Department is different in how they operate but the above are a great starting point for any new probationary firefighter. Remember, you're a Firefighter! Many great and honorable men have carried the title, respect it and carry it with pride every day. Cheers and have a great probationary year!
markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-50220498435870623072012-05-04T12:43:00.000-07:002012-05-04T12:43:01.930-07:00The Return?BOOM! ROASTED! Paramedic class is over and now I am going to be starting my ridetime hours....I will now have a bit more time to get back into updating this bad boy.markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-65031111178072153172009-08-17T14:24:00.001-07:002009-08-17T14:28:06.700-07:00My childhood heros at it again!Here is a comic strip that I made for your viewing pleasure!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SonK3dPYVxI/AAAAAAAAALk/G0UT-ExNAnQ/s1600-h/Ghostbusted.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SonK3dPYVxI/AAAAAAAAALk/G0UT-ExNAnQ/s400/Ghostbusted.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371047084706780946" /></a>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-53803796355419617152008-12-12T16:12:00.000-08:002008-12-12T16:17:41.448-08:00It's been way to long. Much has happened. Here is a video I made a while ago, nothing fancy or mind blowing. I wrote the background music so sit back, relax, and chill out.<br /><br />It's good to be back.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xyIhsGF9eBs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xyIhsGF9eBs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-34361660641164997042008-09-19T09:57:00.001-07:002008-09-19T09:59:02.608-07:00Have you met my wife?<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SNPaKJwbaRI/AAAAAAAAACk/-2CpXw2bqzE/s1600-h/Bday+Parties+100.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247777858769348882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SNPaKJwbaRI/AAAAAAAAACk/-2CpXw2bqzE/s400/Bday+Parties+100.jpg" border="0" /></a> She's one of a kind!<br /><br /></div>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-19889653698877339472008-09-18T11:51:00.001-07:002008-09-18T16:46:53.476-07:00Down get down on yourself...at least you didnt invent these things:Well, neither did anyone else...but they are funny to think about.<br /><br />20. Non stick Cellotape<br />19. Solar Powered Flash Light (torch)<br />18. A black highlighter pen<br />17. Glow in the dark sunglasses<br />16. Inflatable Anchor<br />15. Smooth Sandpaper<br />14. Waterproof sponge<br />13. Waterproof Teabags<br />12. AC adapter for Solar powered calculators<br />11. Fireproof Matches<br />10. Fireproof Cigarettes<br />9. Battery powered Battery Charger<br />8. Seatbelts for Motorbikes<br />7. Hand powered Chainsaw<br />6. Inflatable Dartboard<br />5. Silent Alarm Clock<br />4. A Pedal powered wheelchair<br />3. Braille Drivers Manual<br />2. Double sided playing cards<br />1. Ejector seats for Helicoptersmarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-52559887892558699172008-09-18T11:51:00.000-07:002008-09-18T12:01:23.303-07:00I Love my dog Guinness.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SNKjlSg-1BI/AAAAAAAAACc/xkH1FtFb1jI/s1600-h/marks+camera+019+guin+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247436376860709906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SNKjlSg-1BI/AAAAAAAAACc/xkH1FtFb1jI/s400/marks+camera+019+guin+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is my boy! He can be a handfull sometimes. He breaks things that I love, poops on the floor, obsesivly licks everything he sees, farts non-stop, pees on the clean carpet, eats more food than the Persian Army, walks inbetween my legs, trips everyone, shreds stuffed animals, and snores when he sleeps. But none of that will keep me from loving him. In fact, thats what makes Guinness, Guinness.</div>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-1949328463620460032008-09-17T13:19:00.000-07:002008-09-17T13:25:19.505-07:00You want to travel the world?Well, a friend of mine (Sam Powers) has decided to do it for a year, and plans on documenting it all. When I heard about it I was super exited, and honestly expected nothing less of him. Check out the site and follow along...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twoguysaroundtheworld.com/">http://www.twoguysaroundtheworld.com</a>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-85462690383477949722008-09-17T10:23:00.000-07:002008-09-17T10:38:07.349-07:00It has been brought to my Attention that...<div>It seems that there has been <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">alot</span> of buzz about by previous post concerning the Large <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hedron</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Collider</span>, and the aftermath that will ensue. With that said, I have since activated my recon team to do some research and infiltrate the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">LHC</span> Facility and give us the scoop. But before I reveal the image, you may want to have a seat, because what you are about to see is very disturbing!<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc7/_D3MO_/1220699909412.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />You owe it to your family, and friends to protect their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">well being</span>....the life forms that will invade this planet do not attack their own. Follow this link to save the ones you love!<a href="http://store.valvesoftware.com/productshowcase/productshowcase_HL2HeadCrabHat!.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://store.valvesoftware.com/productshowcase/productshowcase_HL2HeadCrabHat!.html</a>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-45800969788611108252008-09-17T09:52:00.000-07:002008-09-17T10:41:01.510-07:00Bungie Studios had to cancel the video game they were making for me!!!!!<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bungie</span> Studios sent me an email today reading:<br /><br />Mark,<br /><br />We are sorry to inform you on such notice, but the production on "Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Magooter</span>, Hide and Seek," has been cancelled due to the fact that you just got your glasses. It's a shame that the project has been halted, but this captain '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">aint</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">goin</span>' down with the ship. Once again we are sorry that you can see again, and thanks for waisting our time.<br /><br /><br /><br />Have a nice life <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">blindy</span>,<br /><br />Alex <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Seropian</span><br />Pres. and CEO of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bungie</span> Studios<br /><br /><br /><br />P.S: <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Attached</span> are the cover art, and a screenshot of the game.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SNE354JylqI/AAAAAAAAACM/LuZEERSMYxA/s1600-h/magooter.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247036508328859298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 385px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px" height="212" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SNE354JylqI/AAAAAAAAACM/LuZEERSMYxA/s400/magooter.gif" width="540" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247036631211532482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SNE4BB7TYMI/AAAAAAAAACU/hdKpc_jiBKU/s400/firt+person+shooter.jpg" border="0" />markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-38144530832069817852008-09-15T19:54:00.000-07:002008-09-15T20:55:14.864-07:00Was anyone else let down?<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Maybe this is the dork side of me showing, but I have been following updates about the Large Hadron Collider (<a href="http://lhc.web.cern.ch/lhc/">http://lhc.web.cern.ch/lhc/</a>) for some time now, and love the fact that people are freaking out about it! Some say it is going to open some black hole or destroy the earth. Honestly people!?!?!? Lets take a step back in time to see what is really going to happen when this bad mamma jamma starts collidin' stuff. Because as we all know history tends to repeat itself.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The year is 1998 and Dr. Gordon Freeman, a recent graduate of Theoretical Physics, has just accepted a position testing teleportation technology with the Black Mesa Research Facility. When tests went awry he inadvertently caused a time-space catastrophe called a "resonance cascade," opening a portal between Earth and a bizarre world called Xen. With the two worlds linked the life forms are free to move about...</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I could go on and on about what is "truly" going to happen, but you will never believe me if you do not take a look for yourself. Here are some pictures that may change your mind:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246462299381408274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SM8tqhIbohI/AAAAAAAAAB8/t0gBkT6CjnU/s400/untitled3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246462438468133618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SM8tynRSovI/AAAAAAAAACE/qj05b13MDOg/s400/ba_tram_n2.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7uQEvCdL8XY/SM8sttRnSvI/AAAAAAAAABs/9ChnZGI476Y/s1600-h/untitled3.jpg"></a></div></div></div>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-71848507254699189792008-09-15T19:25:00.000-07:002008-09-15T19:36:24.762-07:00<a href="http://www.swiftgrip.com/db1/00068/swiftgrip.com/_uimages/SwiftgripDummy009.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.swiftgrip.com/db1/00068/swiftgrip.com/_uimages/SwiftgripDummy009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Everyone, meet Fred the Head. Fred the Head, everyone. </div><div>(You'll have to excuse him, he is a bit shy.) </div><div>...but seriously, he's a great guy, listens very well, and surprisingly not much of a talker. Who'da thunk it? But his only downfall is that he is kinda of a hypochondriac...thus all the indotracheal tubes and all...seem like he is always having me do some sort of exam on him. You know, now that I think of it, he is totally taking advantage of me. What a Jerk!</div><div> </div>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-25394086069896186702008-09-15T08:29:00.000-07:002008-09-15T08:30:23.478-07:00<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xyIhsGF9eBs&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xyIhsGF9eBs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7132923257593000348.post-2057863530239896642008-09-15T07:42:00.000-07:002008-09-15T07:46:53.852-07:00HI....I don't know why I felt the need to start a blog...just wanted to I guess. No pictures or anything as of now, mainly because I don't know where my camera is. But rest assured there will be many to come.markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414226725504556183noreply@blogger.com0