Worcester firefighters Safety and Survival Seminar Highlights - Paul Binkoski

Editor's note: This appeared in this month's union newsletter - WORKER, this month. We thought it would be good to share with others what Paul heard at the conference.


Worcester firefighters Safety and Survival Seminar Highlights - Paul Binkoski


BC John Salka, FDNY, Leadership

As a leader you should:

Step back, remember where you came from, where you started at, do the right thing

Innovate - think outside the office, do not hold future leaders back, encourage, inspire

Be interested in what is going on, be interested in others and their ideas. Your way is not always the only way

Do your job when at the station. Leave your day off work at home. Do you spend as much time at home doing fire department stuff as you spend at the station doing day off work?

Passion and positive attitude outshines skill levels. Encourage training and leadership opportunities

Chief officers keep in touch with the troops, go to the stations to let them know who you are. Do not jump calls and take command from your subordinates. They need to learn and develop skills

If upper management lacks leadership qualities, look to other officers or firefighters for guidance. Rank is not an automatic that brings leadership skills or qualities, although some chiefs think it does.

When giving orders, do not give systematic instructions, remember you are working trained and knowledgeable firefighters


Captain Mike Dugan, Ladder 123, FDNY

Black Fire, means smoke is too hot to burn, damage to structure and contents taking place, high risk

Roof Ventilation - try using 7-9-8 cut the 7 first check for pressure turn the 7 into a 9 if you need a bigger hole make the hole a 8, quick smaller hole is better than large hole that takes a lot of time and effort

Watch for hurricane windows - almost impossible to break with hand tools

Coordinate venting with Engine Company. Ladder officer in charge of venting

Use horizontal venting when applicable


Lt. Mickey Conboy, Sq.41, FDNY

Size Up-Needs to be done by everyone on the scene

Look the structure over before going inside, escape routes, windows, doors

Information from the occupants may or may not be reliable

VES needs to be a coordinated effort - Risk vs. Reward - requires training before doing

Radio traffic between crews should be of more importance

Chief on the radio less, do not micro manage, have confidence in your crews, they should know their jobs

Timely reports to the chief from the crews PB