Silver City Volunteer Fire Department

Silver City, Oklahoma

"If you page us, we will come."

These are compiled from various sources - the authors are unknown except where credit is shown.

 

Email your Timeless Tactical Truths to killerb@cimtel.net for possible inclusion in this list.  Truths which have high brevity and humor factors will receive favorable consideration.

 

Credit will be cheerfully published along with each submission used.

In most cases, extinguishing the fire solves the majority of the problems.

You should never develop a plan that is so smart that you can’t explain it to the people who have to carry it out.

The fire department is not usually called because someone did something smart.

There are no “time-outs” at a fire scene.

Effective analysis must always be mixed with water in order to put out the fire.

Fire trucks should not be fueled on the way to the fire.

The citizen who always beats you to the fires is probably setting them.

If the fire isn’t going out, you’re not putting enough water on it.

Safety zones and escape routes work best when everyone knows where they are.

If something isn’t broken on your brush rig, it’s about to.

You should avoid situations that are so exciting that you don’t survive.

The very worst plan is no plan;  the next worst plan is two plans.

Very little on the fire ground falls up.

If you have a lot of ideas, you need a lot of equipment.

Instructions are most effective when they are understood.

The only thing that will impress a fire is well-placed force.

If a helicopter drops water on you, you’re in the wrong place.

Safety prevents meetings.

You can fool the spectators, but you can’t fool the players.

Retreats are far superior to funerals.

If you aren’t dressed to play, stay in the bleachers.

Don’t assume that you’re communicating just because you’re talking.

The longer you take to make a decision, the few options you will have.

Most time that has elapsed since the last fire is less time until the next one.

When the wind picks up, something will happen.

Never challenge a fire to a foot race.

If it CAN burn, it WILL burn.

The only thing that won’t burn is dirt.

Dirt WILL burn if you’re fighting fire in a peat bog.

Will Watson, Fire Chief, Standish, Maine

Never trust a smiling dog.

Bob Merring, New Castle Airport FD, Delaware

When they say “Somebody do something!”, you’re the somebody they’re talking about.

“hctrouble25”, NJ

If you must run away, do so quietly… screaming looks bad on the news.

Donny Lenhardt, Tega Cay FD, SC

If you page them, they will come.

“martinm”, Northumberland Fire & Rescue, England

Never eat more than your mask will hold.

Capt. Michael “Mick” Mayers, Hilton Head Island Fire/Rescue

When you lose your head in an emergency, the next thing you lose will be your butt.

Kevin Chaff, South Butler VFD Station 7, PA

You can’t make up the time on the road that you lost at the station.

Don Stallings, Paul Peterson, Chris Perry,

Kate Owens, Joe McGillin, and Chief Ed Woods, Glenn Dale VFD, MD

If in danger, if in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.

Timeless Tactical Truths

And Other Pearls Of Wisdom

No plan survives intact past first contact with the enemy.

One should not stand too close to the guys who are always bandaged up.

If the light bar melts, you parked too close to the fire.

You can’t save anyone if you are a victim.

The only safe assumption is to assume the worst.

Andy Fish, Sub Officer, South Wales Fire Service, Cardiff, UK

If you’re cool, calm, and collected when everyone else is excited, maybe you don’t know what the hell is going on.

Don Ranges, Park Ridge, NJ

Never go into a fire with someone braver than you.

Ben Sleaford, Firefighter #12, Genesco FD, Genesco, IL

Speed in water shuttle operations is achieved by efficient filling and dumping, not by driving fast.

Bob Noll, Instructor, at least six times during the first session

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Jeremy Lawrence, Fire #514, Pleasant View VFD, Pleasant View, CO

Change your methods as conditions warrant.

Gary L. Bowker, Fire Chief USAF (Ret), Fire Marshal, City of Winfield, KS (Ret) Associate Instructor, University of Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute

Kansas Advocate Everyone Goes Home Program www.everyonegoeshome.com