Dave McGrail, one of Fire Nuggets’ members coined the term “Andy’s Ambassadors” after reflecting on the loss of Andy Fredericks. Dave and others recognized that Andy was more than a firefighter in the Bronx. He was a craftsman, constantly working on education and the basics. Andy’s focus wasn’t on tradition but on being smarter, efficient and in the end, safe. Below are topics and events where others are teaching the craft of firefighting and not just paycheck to paycheck tips.
The purpose of this page is to be a funnel, mostly of engine company work. There’s a lot of people out there and in this huge cyber-world it’s easy to miss something. If you pass along the information below, be certain to credit the original source and authors, not backstep.
“Research, research, research” Andy Fredericks
A Problem In Emergency Management Thinking, July 2011 NEW
A Taxonomy of Larger Than Usual Happenings: Random Thoughts and Rough Sketches, July 2011 NEW
A Story, July 2011 NEW
A Philosophy of Fire Suppression Activities: Common Attitudes, Common Language (Updated), July2011
Aggressive interior attack: What’s in a name?, June 2011
How do we do the ‘greatest good?’, April 2011
Duty Before Privilege, March 2011
The Non-Aggressive Firefight: Or What Does It Mean To Be Me?, March 2011
Learning On The Move: Dream Sequence One, March 2011
What Does The Water Do and How Does It Do It?, March 2011
“Science is Killing the Fire Department”, March 2011
Large Attack Lines…hhhmmmm, March 2011
More on Rule Following, March 2011
Rule Following, March 2011
Amazing, March 2011
Our concept of risk/benefit analysis needs to change, March 2011
Risk Aversion, February 2011
My Thoughts On Ventilation, February 2011
Ventilation Policy, February 2011
Questioning risk/benefit analysis for fire officers, February 2011
Do You Have A Parking Lot Fire Department?, January 2011
The Year The Beast Came To Life, December 2010
Revisiting The NIMS Debate, November 2010
Community Connections: Do You Still Care?, September 2010
What Do Firefighters Have To Lose?, July 2010
Realities of the Fireground, May 2010
Preplanning for a Radio System Blackout, May 2010
Juggling Cuts, Closures and Public Expectations, April 2010
A Brief Consideration of Cuts to Municipal Fire Protection, April 2010
Far Flung Fire Department, March 2010
Metaphors Mask Realities of Firefighting February 2010
Academic Approaches to Firefighting January 2010
“Towards a Tactical Taxonomy: A Common Beginning” January 2010
“Looking Back for Lessons: Six Fires” December 2009
Target Problems with Perception, Scale in 2010 December 2009
Roles and Rules of the Backup Line October 2009
Nozzleman’s Creed
Video Tip: Tactical Nozzle Tips
Big Fire, Big Water…Easy for the Chief to Say
Video Tip: Flaking Excess Hoseline From A Shoulder Load
Video Training Tips From House Fire With One Trapped
I Never Heard A Trashman Scream
Is That Abandoned Building In Your First Due Really A Vacant Building?
“Play Like You Practice” Part 1, Introduction to the Concept
the Combat Ready Engine: Pony Sleeves
Standpipe or Not, You Need a Rack
Video Tip: Running the 400′ Line
Quick Thoughts on Rear Porch Fires
The Knockdown Power of Smaller Lines
Engine Company Versatility and Teamwork
Pistol Grips Are Made For One Thing…Pistols
Video: OVM / Roof FF Helmet Cam with Tips
Quick Drill: How Well Do You Know Your Radio?
Speed & the Aggressive Engine Company
Wet Stuff on the Red Stuff…The Nozzle Position
What is a “combat ready” engine company?
Basements Part 1: The Basement Check
You mean the engine carries ladders?
More Standpipes: 2.5″ or 1.5″ Line?
Engine Company Ops: Standpipe Racks
