As you may have already read, the Lt. And I took a road trip down the road to a little place called Roanoke VA. to visit the King of Blogs: Willie Wines Jr. and …. uh,…. wait a minute, I’ll remember in a second…. anyways, must not have been important…. oh well…. where was I? Oh yes, Willie. Anyways, we were greeted with open arms and treated like family. We were given an awesome tour of the city, Highlighted with a visit to the Fallen Firefighters memorial, and Historic Roanoke fire Station 1. I’ve gotta tell ya, if you are ever presented with an opportunity to see either of these spots, you will be a FOOL not to jump on it. This place is a wealth of tradition, history, and a vision of past fire life long gone. There is a huge difference between a fire station, and a fire HOUSE and places like old #1 take the differences even further than the imagination can go. After the tour, we took a walk down to a local watering hole, and talked some shop. I have to admit, Willie and… jeez its gonna come to me I promise….. well THEY know what they are talking about when it comes to Blogs and the fire service, and they have given Lemon and I some things to think about. There is obviously no substitute for real world experience, and that statement goes for blogging AND being a firefighter.

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Day two brought us to 13 house to do a ride along with Captain Wines and his crew. I personally know how important Sundays are at the house. Unless the call volume is just unusually high, Sundays are reserved as “easy” days. This is a fire house tradition dating back to when chaos was just a twinkle in great great great Gammy chaos’ eye. They are typically days when we can sit back and, even though we stay vigilant as our job requires, enjoy a day with our crews. Having a deaf-mute hanging around with his all too wordy compadre might could be an un-welcome addition to the day, But these guys never once showed it if it was. We were already running late due to Lemons hour and a half, epic saga of a shower, yet we were greeted with a fire house feast fit for a king. We were taken to some more places in the city, met some more Brothers, and learned a few more things about RFD. Everyone we met never once made us feel as though we were a bother at all. Brotherhood isnt somethings these guys talk about, its something they live. You walk into the room with these guys, and can feel it. RHETT FLEITZ!!!! JEEZ THAT’S THE GUYS NAME! Talks about critics, deals, and Statter911.com All the time! I KNEW I would remember eventually. So we get back to the house and hang out all day with the King and his crew. Rhett dropped by some BBQ for supper, Bless his heart were gonna have to teach that man something about smoke, meat and sauce! J/k Buddy! The Q was excellent! I don’t know how good of a time these guys had with us, what with not being able to get a word in with Lemon running his mouth the whole time, But we had an outstanding time. True Brothers All of them, and it was an absolute HONOR to get to do what we did this weekend.

Among the many conversations we had, one statement Willie said stuck with me. It stuck, because I’ve heard it before, something I hadn’t heard in several years. My dad said it, My former Captain said it. Two men that I look up to as someone I want to emulate. Someone that if I could be half the firefighter they are, im gonna be alright. And now, here’s Willie Wines Jr. saying it too : “Ya can’t teach heart”. Four words that really don’t look right in a sentence, but have more meaning behind them than an english dictionary. I’ve wondered many times, is “heart” something I have? Because obviously, according to many people in my life that I look up to, If I don’t, It’s not something that can be learned. I like to think I do, Because to me having “heart” is the difference between being a firefighter, and a fire service employee. Having “Heart” means your going to go the extra mile, and not even think it was the extra mile. You went the extra mile because its your natural instinct to do more than what is required, not because you were asked, or told to go the extra mile, or did it to get a pat on the back at the end. It’s just something someone with “heart” does. Do the people around me say, “he has heart?” or “you can tell his heart is in it”. I learned a lesson on heart this weekend with Captain Wines and Lt. Fleitz taking us on a tour of a fire house when there could have been other places for them to be. I learned a lesson in “heart” tonight in training doing bail-out drills, when I see who went out the window once to satisfy the requirement and those that did it again, and again, and again just to reinforce that they were getting this drill right.

Do you have “heart”? It’s a question I really think every firefighter needs ask the person in the mirror. I think “heart” is something that, although not taught, is something that a particular thing gives you. Everyone has it, but what pulls it out of you? I know a firefighter personally that has made the statement “firefighting is my job, photography is my passion”. Did that sit well with you when you read it? It didn’t sit well with me when I heard it. Yes, this is a Job, and yes you can be passionate about more than one thing in your life. But if you wake up in the morning, and head to the house dreading another day at work, should firefighting be something you do anymore? I shutter to think I hated my job. If I did, I can tell you this: I wouldn’t do it. Id find another, one that I WAS passionate about. A job that when I did it, I put my “heart” into. Is there a job out there that has your heart, and passion? If there is, please, for your own sake and the sake of others that are working their butts off to get their foot into the door of a good firehouse, go do it. Dont waste a position on the truck to someone who dreads coming in to it. I’m not saying this in an angry or spiteful way. I’m saying it because the fire service can ill afford a group of guys whose heart isn’t in it. Your not going to go the extra mile. The reason that’s so important, is because the extra mile is where the golden stuff happens. The extra mile is where a fire apparatus goes from being a work truck to a show piece, no matter if it saw fire that day or not. The extra mile is where a fire station becomes a fire house. The extra mile is where the un-savable has a chance. It’s where the danger lies, and where safety dears not tread. It’s the difference between training untill you can’t get it wrong, not training untill you get it right. The extra mile: where those with “heart” go, and where those without it stop just short.

Maybe chaos has it wrong. Maybe I don’t have a clue what it is, and I just don’t recognize it? I don’t know, I wont pretend to have all the answers. I just think its something everyone should think about. Untill I CAN figure it all out, and have all the answers, I’ll just have to leave it at that. It’s almost bed time, and I’ll be at work tomorrow…. I can’t wait. I’ll be there an hour early before shift change, the coffee will be ready, and so will I.

To Rhett, Willie and all the guys we met: Thanks so much guys for the awesome time! I hope I didn’t talk your ears off too bad. Everyone was more welcoming that I ever imagined, and the hospitality you guys showed was second to none! The river of Brotherhood truly runs deep in Roanoke! We hope to see you guys again sometime, but until then, Ride hard and stay safe Brothers!

                                                 -Captain Chaos

If you are reading this article, then you probably already have a really good idea as to why initial on-scene size ups are important. But humor me, for a small fraction of your time, and let’s have a discussion on Initial scene size up, and why its an important tool in the ol tool box. How many times, By JEEBUS HOW MANY TIMES, have you listened to the radio and heard an initial size up go something like this: ” Engine two ninety-six dash eight point three on scene, working fire.” And as you sit there, on the edge of your seat as though watching the kick off to the biggest super bowl in known history, that’s it. That’s it? What on earth just happened?  We saw it! He just kicked the ball, and it never dropped out of the sky into the waiting arms the receiver! Rewind! REWIND! Where did the ball go? It’s just floating out there somewhere in limbo! If you have ever done this, given a two-word size up of a working fire, this is exactly what has happened. But there is no receiver waiting to catch a sun baked pork loin to run it down a field. There are other trucks, full of men and women dashing to your location to put their safety on the line. Those brothers and sisters are coming and have no clue whats going on, other than there is a fire. Now, granted, ten seconds ago so were you. But now, there is already a plan of action on the way, and all others en-route have no clue what it is. When I am riding the rig, or driving it, my mind is already working toward what needs to be done. I like to think about priorities, water supply, and the conditions I am currently presented with. I like to fill in as many blanks as I can, before I get there. Obviously, the size up cannot go on for five minuets, but the more relevant information I can get, the better prepared I am going to be to perform during that first 5 mins.There are tons of extremely smart guys out there who can hear an address and no matter if its their first due area, or 25th due area, know ” oh that’s a residential area, full of single story 800- 1200 square foot homes”. Unfortunately, I am not one of them, and im sure there are many like me. I like to know what im rolling up on, especially if there is already a unit on scene getting the game plan together. Dont be selfish with the radio waves, but don’t sound silly either. I don’t want to know the color of the house, or size of the tree in the front yard. Just give me an idea of whats going on. Id like some readers tell me what your department does as far as initial radio transmitted size ups? Please don’t read this and leave it chicken turd! Dont use your real name if you don’t want to! Just help continue the discussion! Put yourself in that 2nd or 3rd due engine, with that first “working fire” size up. What are you thinking? What would you LIKE to know? Now, lets say you’re in that same engine, and instead hear a size up that goes more like this ” Engine two ninety-six dash eight point three on scene, Two story light frame residential, Heave smoke pushing from the D side, heavy fire on the A D Corner. Going into a offensive mode.” Does this size up give you any better of an idea of whats going on? Should there be more said, or maybe less? Do you think it even matters? The Chaos what you think!

Stay safe out there leather heads!

-Captain Chaos

Bob Dylan wrote a song, and an album, under the name of the title that I have named this blog. I always interpreted the song as a parallel to how the world, and the politics of nations, change at the drop of a dime. How the words of a single man, the bullet of a single gun, or the floods of a single storm can make the world view its own self in a different light. A few months ago I listened to the song, and began to instead parallel the words to the fire service. When I did so, I was pretty amazed at how well it really fit. Policies, funding, politics, and tactics… oh how they have all changed over the last 10 years! Equally, change in the mindset of the old vollies compared to newer, younger ones who get boat loads of information and ideas from the internet and magazines as opposed to getting it all from fire ground experience. As the song played through my mind, and imagining how things have changed, I began to recall the days not so long ago of my childhood. I thought about the era that my father lived in the fire service. My dad used to take me to meetings, training, and even the occasional fire call. What the old timers did back in those times, with the equipment they had, always fills me with a pride. Where does that pride come from? Am I proud of the deeds I bore witness to, knowing that I am now part of that tradition? Is it a pride that simply comes from donning the helmet, knowing that its my crew and I that people will call upon when they need help the most? Pride can be a funny thing when you think about it. Where it comes from, and what it takes to instill it in different people. You can see it on a new firefighters face when they pull their first helmet out of the box and try it on. Where does that look go after a few years? Where is that look when they are out in the middle of a freshly paved road in the middle of the summer and its 98 degrees out, directing traffic around a tree that’s fallen? Where is that look at 3 AM, and their tending to a ninety year old woman who’s concerned she hasn’t had a bowl movement in two days? I’ve noticed how that pride comes back when the color of their helmet changes. A whole new world of possibilities have come open. But where does that look go when their doing reports? When they lose their senior firefighter to another shift, and get a probie who is so damn smug looking when he pulls that brand new black helmet out of its box? Where exactly is all this going Captain Chaos? What is your point? I mentioned my father, and the old times for a reason. My dad was in a very unique position back in the 80’s, and you can see the pride in his face when he recalls those times. He was the only firefighter that worked in the town that he volunteered. More appropriately, he was the only one that was allowed off work when the pager went off. For many years, during certain times of the day he was the towns only line of defence in times of emergency. But this isn’t where his pride lies, when he thinks back on those times. His real pride shows when he tells stories about how well other departments worked with him in those times. They often trained together, and fought a great deal of fire together. Those other departments knew also, that when their neighboring department had a call, there was only one man going. If there was someone out there listening, and knew the time of day, and heard the call, they never hesitated to assist. They didn’t need to hear a call for help, or for assistance, they went to their own station, and responded along with him just because. They knew that they had a brother out there responding alone, and they knew that where ever he was going, there was a good possibility they knew who was having the emergency. Whether it be a friend, a neighbor, family, or the neighbor of a family friend. My dad recalls those days fondly, because they got the job done together. The times have changed since then, around home, and all over the country.

Now days, you can’t just go help, at least not without a good bitchin’ from someone. And I’m not talking about jumping up and responding all over the county that you live in. I’m talking about hearing a call dispatched a few streets over from your location, and you know that you’re the closest help by a long shot. It’s not your territory, but you want to go help. Believe me, I’ve done it, and got that good bitchin’. But I ask you this, if you’re the one needing help, are you going to refuse it based on what department is coming to help you? Where is the sense in the way we act toward each other now? Some would say its the fear that has become instilled in us as we read about firefighters and chiefs being sued, many times for simply doing their duty and the outcome is not what was intended. Granted that may be a part of it, but I think some of it has to do with departmental pride.  Its a problem happening all over. Fire Departments are losing sight of what were here for. Here is where pride becomes a funny thing. Departmental pride can be a double-edged sword. This kind of pride does reside in all ranks, but as the bugle count gets bigger, so does the pride. On a Chief level, It is a pride one takes on when they know that they are whom everyone looks to, to set the standard and be the example. It can become a force all on its own, causing decisions to be made based on pride and emotions, rather than whats best for the people whom they are sworn to protect. Dont get me wrong, there are many a good leaders out there who never let service to their community take a back seat to things such as pride. On a Company officer level, it can produce a very healthy competition between companies and stations. It can also be a breeding ground for resentment, anger, and jealousy. I blame Departmental pride on many problems in todays fire service.

Without getting too many people jumping up and down on their keyboards, remember that im saying that department pride is to blame for SOME of the problems today. I’m not talking about the pride you have in saying, “I ride the busiest Engine in the county”. I’m talking about the pride that causes you to cancel the first in engine, or send them to a water point, because they are about to beat you in your own territory. I’m talking about, not calling for mutual aid from the closest station because you don’t like Billy Joe Bob who is the chief there. Believe it or not, this type of thing happens every day, all over. Companies sit idle with a fire a quarter-mile from the station, because it’s not their territory. Departmental pride can be trouble when you start holding the word “Fire Department” on the side of the rig less important than the name or number that comes before it. I’ve never come to understand it, I can’t even BS a good justification for it. All I know, is someone is in need of assistance, and the wheels aren’t turning. What is wrong with this picture? Has anyone else noticed this trend in our beloved service? Some would try to argue that the people in need are THEIR tax payers/public and they expect to see the big red trucks that they are paying for. But we all know that they don’t read the side of the truck as its pulling up, maybe afterwards, but certainly not as the emergency is happening. And THATS when they are in need! What has happened since the era that my father is so proud of? Bob Dylan knows: “The times, and they are a changin”.

Do you remember what the first question, aside from maybe “whats your name?”, you were asked when you first walked into the fire house? Most of the time, in most departments everywhere, the first question of any potential firefighter is ” Why do you want to be here?” The answer should be just about the same from all. Anyone who answers the question without saying at some point in the next sentence ” I want to help people” , typically isn’t the kind of person we want. Some people just want to try something different, get away from the house one night a week, or join the “good ol’ boy’s” club. This is NOT the correct mindset. Chaos does not endorse it, and its most certainly not a mantra endorsed by ELAFF. If you’re not signing up to provide emergency service to your fellow-man, and put your neck on the line for your friends, neighbors, and perfectly good strangers, then you need to join something else. Go on down to the Masons lodge, or Shriners, or Four H Fair, I don’t care. There are other means to be a pillar of your community, and most are very good things to be associated with. But don’t sign up for the Fire Department. We are here for the public, whom put their complete faith and trust in us, on the worst day of their lives. Firefighters, Drivers, Captains and Chiefs need to remember this, and keep it close to their hearts. It is your absolute DUTY to make sure the citizens of your district, AND of those surrounding it, get the best and most timely help possible. It don’t matter what the name of your department is, all that matters are the words “Fire Department” on the side of every truck, and back of every coat. Train like you mean it, as if its your last chance to do it before the real thing. Protect and defend the people and their property with EVERYTHING you have available to you, not just what you like or want to have available to you. We can take a lot of notes, and learn a lot of good things from those that have come before us. Especially back when it didn’t matter who it was, just that someone was there to help. The fire service will always be evolving. Tactics and strategies will inevitably change. The politics, the people, the equipment will change. Our mission stays the same: Protect lives, Property, and stabilize the emergency. Those priorities have not changed in centuries. If you’re not doing everything in your power that your rank affords you to do so, its time to do something else! Take up underwater basket weaving! Whatever you do, NEVER mis-place the publics trust, or safety, with something so petty as pride. As always boys and girls, stay safe, and make sure everyone goes HOME!

Dont be scared to comment! Agree or disagree, you ARE after all entitled to your opinion!

follow me on Facebook: Captain Chaos   Twitter: CaptainChaos001 

Before ELAFF HQ begins full swing on the world-wide web with articles, videos, pictures and overall general pandemonium, I was asked to first give a short introduction of myself. A while back, I was approached by a cat that goes by the name Lemon. Lieutenant Lemon that is, and offered me a really well paid position of being a contributor to his up and coming web site. At first I said, “if it aint burning, I aint there.” But then, about two and a half seconds later, I realized that this was an opportunity to be a part of the hottest trend in the fire service. So after this revelation, and a righteous pummeling with fists full of cash, I accepted. So the big question on everyone’s mind will be “Who IS this outlandish man, and self-proclaimed Dragon King?”  I am Captain Chaos. I am that guy that’s on every fire department. I’ve been there, done it, twice, and have an awesome t-shirt and coffee cup to prove it! Actual time on the truck does not matter. I have an answer to everything, am never wrong, and will always have a story better than yours. Surely by now, you realize who I am. Through these shenanigans, I do hope that we will have fun together, and LEARN something. Whether you get a good laugh, our just plain out right offended, the point is to take something away from it all, and make you a better firefighter. I wont, because I’m already perfect in every way. It does not get better than this, but I digress. As time goes on, you will come to understand the ELAFF mindset. Keep your tray in its upright position, your hands and arms inside the rig at all times, and hold on! Excessive Leather Accessories for Firefighters is just getting started! Enjoy!