#AtoZChallenge: #Firefighter #Safety: S is for Safety

S is for Safety.......  Your Safety. I'm not trying to lessen the desire of a firefighter, paramedic, or police officer to get in there and take action...  That's what you guys are trained for.  That's what you do - run towards those dangerous situations when others are either not moving or running away.  But in the process don't forget your own Safety.  Remember, you can't help others if you yourself become a victim.
Make sure you and your gear are "game ready" every call, every time.

Make sure you you keep current with your skills - Practice Practice Drill Drill.

Make sure you are taking care of your health - eating right, staying in shape, and taking any offered medical & physical fitness tests.

Make sure you are doing everything feasible to ensure your safety and that you make it home at the end of your shift.

There really isn't a lot more for me to write on this one....  The theme I've used throughout this little challenge has been all about Safety and your need as a firefighter/paramedic/police officer to stay safe and the job and to ensure that you do all possible to make it home to your loved ones.  

Remember STAYSAFE!!!!  That's all

Un-Official #AtoZChallenge: M is for MAY DAY

Yes, that's right even as a firefighter you might find yourself in a situation where you are the one in need of help. [caption id="attachment_1953" align="alignleft" width="120"] source credit: maytraining.com[/caption]

As a firefighter, you are constantly ask to put your life at risk  to save property, to save lives.  But what happens when you are the one in a dangerous situation what happens when you need rescuing?


 It is important to know when to call that "May Day" and to not wait too long to call it.  "If a firefighter thinks they are in trouble, they are in trouble" (quote from the "Everyone Goes Home" video (Chicago Fire Department and the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation). Don't rely on or assume that someone else has made the May Day call "If you think your going to need a May Day, call a May Day."

A May Day should be called because you find yourself in a situation where, for whatever reason, you are in trouble.  It may be that you don't have the resources you need, you've run out of air, your disoriented and lost.  Whatever the reason is, if you think you need help call the may day.  Don't worry about being embarrassed and Don't wait till it's too late - your "brothers" may end up bringing you out in a body bag.

Remember: Don't hesitate to call a MAYDAY if you think you need it and Stay SAFE!!