Scott Ferguson's Page

The Axemen lost another brother.

A few months ago, I shared a post about the importance of maintaining some kind of balance between the rigors of being a firefighter and whatever else it takes to put a smile on your face. Such a conversation usually starts with family, extends to a few golf strokes, an annual vacation, or maybe just hanging out with a pack of buddies at the local McDonalds, telling lies about the good ‘ole days.

At the time, David (Professor) and I were fresh…

If the ingredients necessary for a firefighter to maintain a healthy mind, body and spirit were listed on the side of a box full of answers, the words “maintain balance” would be underscored and printed in bold letters. The recipe would likely include a trusted employee assistance program (EAP), mentors, confidants, training, a relevant book list, and lots of prayer. Regardless of the rations, by some measure, the heart of a successful outcome would have to…

So, what exactly does a firefighter look like? How should they act? What skills should they be able to master? How big and strong should they be? Are firefighters supposed to be more mechanically inclined or fluid with their words? Should they be creative or analytical? Is it essential that they be self-aware or is it more important that they are interpersonal? Are they nimble minded and quick to reply, or do they process information more slowly before providing a response?

Slid…

Not every post has to be deep; some just require common sense.

While working out at the local gym a few weeks ago, I noticed a young woman walking around wiping down equipment, stripping weights, and putting away dumbbells that were left scattered around from the night…