As a student of firefighting strategy and tactics, Fire Engineering is a professional forum for firefighters that I frequent to learn what professional firefighters are discussing. Every day there are new posts and videos dealing with professional issues on leadership, incident management, protective equipment, tactics, new equipment, and many others. Many of the posts are blog style, or vlog style, personal postings of ideas and information that are shared in the hopes of helping other firefighters better. In general, the posts are well written, researched as needed, and very timely to situations in the firefighting world.
There are two sides to the site. Some posts and information are available to non-subscribers, while other is fully accessed only with subscription; they provide the title and first paragraph but the rest is hidden from those that have not subscribed.
Looking at the site from the WEB 2.0 view can to mind because of a post I read called Being Aggressive Does Not Mean Being Reckless. This post was written by Captain Duane Daggers of the Chesapeake (VA) Fire Department and takes a look at how that initial fire attack is performed. After reviewing figures on the increase in line-of-duty deaths despite a reduction in structural fires, Captain Daggers makes the case for a transitional attack, where water is put on the fire before making entry, then transitioning to the more conventional interior attack through. He also carefully addresses all the historical arguments of why not to do this with up-to-date information from Underwriters Laboratories and the Fire Department of New York. It is an extremely compelling post that pushes against tactics that have been used for years.
This is one of the exciting possibilities of exchanging information through social and professional networks. It makes it possible for one person with a very good idea to get that idea out where it can get some buy-in from others. In the case of this post, it could save lives. I'm sure there are other sites that cater to professional groups to create such a network; let me know if you have explored one.
This's a very interesting example, Bayraider! Forums can be really fascinating spaces, particularly the ones where users can act anonymously. How long have you been following this forum? Have you met some of the people from the forum? Have you ever used some of the information that you've learned from the forum? Look forward to learning from your experiences.
ReplyDeleteNot being an actual firefighter, I have not actually engaged with anyone on the forum itself, although I have reached out to Captain Daggers. I have spent some time discussing content with two professional firefighter friends and a retired damage-controlman (Navy shipboard firefighter). I did use some of the content is developing a learning module I created for previous class; it was how to perform and communicate the initial scene assessment for the first arrived company officer complete with video and knowledge checks. It was also my first attempt at Captivate so I did not work the way I wanted it to, but the professionals from Virginia Beach stations 12 and 8 liked it.
DeleteThis makes sense Bayraider Thanks for sharing and it's clear that learning is happening through that forum!
DeleteAS a wife of a firefighter, I was drawn to your post. I will be sure to checkout this forum and send my husband over to it as well. I'm not sure if you are on Facebook at all, but if you are, I suggest following the Fire Families Against Cancer Group. I think you may find some of the discussions and posts interesting. There is a lot being done in means of safety and equipment. Sadly there are silent killers that are more deadly for our first responders. If you scroll through some of the post on there, you will notice that back when the bill stalled in the House, the was a social media push. Those who live in Tally may remember all the fire boots on the step to represent the firefighters lost to cancer.
ReplyDeleteJess,
DeleteAs a retired sailor who deployed while I was married, I have a special appreciation for the families of first responders and their importance to serving our community. If you need a copy of that specific article, I can send. Just tag my waw17 school email.