Welcome!
Turn Out: It’s a phrase we are familiar with. It conjures up images of a dash for the rigs or a turning on to the street. The masthead graphic calls up the rich history of firefighters turning out over the centuries well before steam, combustion engines or horses, even. For us, it has come to mean both the act of responding as well as the gear we wear.
Of course, it means other things too: how many people voted (what was the turnout?), and being tossed out of the bar on your ear (We turned’em out.) It also refers to a wide place in a highway where a vehicle can turn left or right.
So, in keeping with the various definitions, I will endeavor to provide some variety here, too. We might even talk about an election along the way, and possibly even veer to the left (or the right.) Being predictably unpredictable is much under-rated.
A brief bio: I became a volunteer in 1971 by employing the dubious tactic of lying about my age. (15) Later, I served as a career firefighter for 22 years and retired in 1998. I have been a proud union firefighter for 37 years and I also worked at the IAFF beginning in 1999. I retired from there in 2010.
Eric
16 Comments
Eric, congratulations on another career. I’ve enjoyed your views in the past and look forward to your future. What department did you retire from? More importantly where did you get your education, I don’t think you slept through to many classes.
Ray:
Thanks for the feedback. I worked for Fairfax County, VA.
While I have some modest college education, I enjoying reading, which certainly helps.
Eric
Eric, I enjoy your postings. Keep them coming.
Bill
Thanks, Bill. I appreciate it. Say hello to everyone down that way.
Eric
You have the monopoly on useful inrfmoatoin—aren’t monopolies illegal? đŸ˜‰
Hello Eric;
Thank you for the interesting story on the Fire Service in Nepal. Please look at our website- Firefighters Without Borders Canada at http://www.fwbcanada.ca. Maybe we can help?
Thanks;
Bob Dubbert, President- FWB Canada
Eric,
I don’t know how I missed your trip to Nepal, and here I was the whole time saying stuff you were already discussing! My wife was there in November of 2011 and told me the same things you said, so I have found myself trying to figure out how to help them myself.
I will certainly share your insights on the situation as well as some of the mentions regarding FF without borders, etc.
Have a great holiday!
Hey, Mick. Just saw this…duh. Sounds like a good idea. Let me know if I can help. Happy holidays to you, too.
Eric
Eric,
Great, great writings. As always it is good to see you doing well! Have a Happy New Year.
Hey–thanks. Take care.
E
Eric,
I would like to speak with you – I am with an organization iWomen.
You certainly got us smiling……
Ericslamar@gmail.com
202.489.8216
Please remove me from your emails please!!!!
Great article today on the ethical history of the IAFF. Would love to see more on this as well as how and why it impacts the way we do business and what we accomplish.
Hi Eric,
I only recently discovered your site and I love reading the posts. The latest about what happened to Walsh is particularly disturbing.
Liars, thieves, and miscreants work best in the dark. Keep shining the spotlight on them!
Eric, I was sent the link to your website regarding what’s going on at the IAFF. Very interesting to say the least. I am still on the roster there but they stopped using me and a few others a few years ago for an unknown reason. Hmmmm, I wonder… I hope you are enjoying your retirement.