Happy Spring! Here's a re-posting of Fire Culture to get you into gear for the upcoming fire season. First of all, don’t be that guy. Don’t be last to lineout in the morning; get back to the rigs from a store stop, water up, suit up in your jump gear, get up the hill, or … Continue reading Fire Culture
A Hike in Someone Else’s Boots
DISCLAIMER: There is a healthy amount of cussing strewn throughout this post, consider yourselves warned. The Technology Wizard Takes a Detail The fire season was here once again and I had taken a temporary detail away from my job on the Helicopter Rappel Crew to work at the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) as … Continue reading A Hike in Someone Else’s Boots
Prove Yourself
My first season on a Hotshot Crew was tough. I felt like I was strivin’ for survivin’ in those first weeks. I showed up with some type II handcrew and engine experience but even still it felt like a big leap to the type I world. Our PT’s were intense, the fitness level … Continue reading Prove Yourself
Jump 1, Jump 2
I remember the day before our first jump. All of us “Rookie Candidates” were corralled into the airplane hanger to have a chat at the jump plane right before the end of the day. Most of what was discussed has long since been forgotten except for this one tidbit: We were standing outside the jump … Continue reading Jump 1, Jump 2
10 Ways Firefighting Prepped me for Parenthood
On a regular basis, I find myself noticing similarities between fighting fire and being a parent. Here are my top 10. 1. Being a Rookie As a rookie in fire, you have no idea what the hell is going on. You think you have prepared yourself in all the right ways and you’ve got friends … Continue reading 10 Ways Firefighting Prepped me for Parenthood
Fire Culture
First of all, don’t be that guy. Don’t be last to lineout in the morning; get back to the rigs from a store stop, water up, suit up in your jump gear, get up the hill, or be last in a run. Don’t leave your buggy window open, slam the door to the blue room … Continue reading Fire Culture
Blissful Breastfeeding. Really?
After a baby enters your world all the sudden phrases float through your head. Phrases like, “Why didn’t anyone tell me it was going to be like this?” “I don’t think I can do this”, “ If I don’t get some sleep my body is going to die."
Unconditional Love Anyone?
We’ve all heard this term get tousled around our entire lives. “I love you unconditionally”. I dare say that statement cannot be truthfully uttered unless that person is a parent. Not that the person is lying if they aren’t a parent, it’s just that there is no possible way to grasp this concept without raising … Continue reading Unconditional Love Anyone?