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Raising a flag about lowering THE FLAG!

It’s after Memorial Day-2010 and I’ve been working on this blog for about a week, in hopes of having it finished prior to the start of the holiday weekend but life got in the way and that didn’t happen.

In retrospect, I’m glad I procrastinated. I’m glad I waited, because now, I think this blog has even more meaning.

The hot dogs are all gone, the parties and picnics are over. Now it’s time to think about what Memorial Day is really about. My goal is not to go into some patriotic tirade that offers the opportunity for readers to tune out before they even tune in, but more importantly to share with you some personal experiences that have put this annual remembrance in perspective for me. (more…)

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Posted by tiger on June 7, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, Command & Leadership, Public Relations • Tagged: Brotherhood, clean the litterbox, fire department, fire service, firefighter, funeral, Generation Y, leadership, line of duty death, motivation, practices, public information officer, story telling, Tiger Schmittendorf, volunteer, volunteering

Run-to-the-Curb is Top Story

That's me with Past Chief John Latimore, one of my best friends in the fire service and the neighborhood I grew up in.

It’s been more than a month since my presentation at FDIC and my live Internet radio talk show on FirefighterNetcast from the show floor, but a lot of exciting things have happened since then.

Feedback from my show about the importance of storytelling in the fire service with special guest Chief Tom Merrill was tremendous and it’s amazing to see the influence that the Run-to-the-Curb (RttC) concept has had on people. Several firefighters have since shared their own personal stories of growing up in and around the fire service. In fact, so many have responded that it’s tough to keep up with and more of their stories are pending publication here.

Read more at: http://runtothecurb.wordpress.com/2010/06/07/run-to-the-curb-is-top-story/

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Posted by tiger on June 7, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Public Relations, Technology & Communications, Training & Development • Tagged: Brotherhood, clean the litterbox, fire department, fire rescue magazine, firefighter, Generation Y, kids, leadership, marketing, motivation, public information officer, Public Relations, recruit, recruitment, retention, run to the curb, story telling, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-06-05

Heading in to work as part of Command Staff for the Buffalo Marathon. Otherwise, I'd be running in it, for sure… #
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished (cont) http://tl.gd/1jc0pj #
RT @usfire: RT @NFPA: Fire Prevention Week 2010 campaign was launched today! This year’s theme is “Smoke (cont) http://tl.gd/1k90ma #
RT @TheSecretList: Urgent: FIRE/EMS STAND DOWN (The Secret List) http://www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com/secret.php http://bit.ly/cU83Az #
RT @firefighternews: Ga. firefighters build program to mentor children http://tinyurl.com/3xtq87f #
@FiremanRich Thanks Rich. Good @FFNetcast show last night, huh? in reply to FiremanRich #

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Posted by tiger on June 5, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-05-30

RT @gfriese: Even though #EMSWeek is over your agency should be planning a Facebook presence http://bit.ly/cdEFkX #
RT @news4buffalo: Lancaster Ambulance Corps held open house to help prevent summertime injuries, also educated (cont) http://tl.gd/1evmgp #
I got an idea: invest those funds in a recruitment campaign! RT @FireDaily: City to stop collecting firefighter (cont) http://tl.gd/1f7imn #
Sitting on my deck. Working on my laptop. What a beautiful night in Canada (that's for you Rhett!) #
Just added a new blog post on Firefighter Nation http://ning.it/cPJYyG #
Just added a new discussion on Firefighter Nation http://ning.it/9BABz6 #
RT @firefighternews: ND fire department puts boy first http://tinyurl.com/3x9uw8m #
RT @ChiefReason: Checking out "The Answer Is In The Form Of A Question-First Due Blog Carnival-" on (cont) http://tl.gd/1gasu9 #
@FiremanRich Thanks Rich — I appreciate the pub! in reply to FiremanRich #
Reinventing Memorial Day: (cont) http://tl.gd/1hk8s8 #

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Posted by tiger on May 30, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

Local Fire News Sites Get Press, Mixed Reviews

A recent article in the Buffalo News featured two online fire service sites (www.ecfwire.com and www.ereicountyfireblotter.com) that provide live audio feeds and in-depth news coverage of the fire service here in Erie County.

Although the article focuses on the potential training value, some fire chiefs had mixed feelings about what could be considered a form of social media and the information they share.

Read it here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/05/22/1058838/wire-fire-on-the-web.html

What do you have in your Internet neighborhood?

What’s your take on citizen-jouranlism sites like these?

Discuss it here and on FirefighterNation.com.

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Posted by tiger on May 25, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Public Relations, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: erie county, fire department, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, marketing, motivation, public information officer, Public Relations, Training, volunteer, volunteering

@FireRECRUITER: Make the Right Investments

The following article tells of a small city that is threatening to stop collecting a voluntary public donation that has brought thousands and thousands of dollars in mission-critical equipment to their combination (paid/volunteer) fire department.

Apparently, the threat is in response to a dwindling number of volunteer firefighters in their department, between 5 and 10, as the article points out. Without a lot of volunteers, they apparently don’t feel it’s appropriate to collect a donation on behalf of the volunteer side of their fire department. This situation seems to be causing quite a riff in the department.

Is it just me, or does any one else smell opportunity?

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Posted by tiger on May 24, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Clearinghouse, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, Public Relations, R&R Toolkits • Tagged: campaign, fire department, fire service, firefighter, leadership, marketing, motivation, public information officer, Public Relations, recruit, recruitment, retention, Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter, volunteer

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-05-23

http://tweetphoto.com/22647095 Proud members of Arcadia Hose Co. celebrated 150 years of service tonight. I (cont) http://tl.gd/1an2ha #
RT @FireDaily: Martinez, 87, loved being a firefighter: By Jonathan Munson – Express-News Preceded by: Parents (cont) http://tl.gd/1anc4o #
RT @FireDaily: Among reader favorites: 23-year Clarksville firefighter: BY STACY LEISER • THE LEAF-CHRONICLE (cont) http://tl.gd/1athta #
RT @FFNetcast: Firefighter Netcast Live Monday May 17, 2010 – Introducing “The Voice of Reason” http://bit.ly/aj0ewK. Break a leg Art! #
Had the pleasure of meeting Doug Cline at FDIC this year: RT @FireDaily: The Kitchen Table: Experience (cont) http://tl.gd/1bsir4 #
RT @FireDaily: FOREST FIREFIGHTER TRAINING. | Brett Beadle Photography …: I went out to Hope, BC last Tuesday (cont) http://tl.gd/1bsjgh #
RT @blackhelmet: College could get fire fighter training http://bit.ly/cMM6bD #
RT @FFNetcast: Listen to Firefighter Netcast – Introducing "The… on FirefighterNetCast anytime on (cont) http://tl.gd/1bskiv #
RT @STATter911: DC #Fire Chief Dennis Rubin's memo rallying the troops over budget cuts. (cont) http://tl.gd/1bsl27 #
@chebert13 It took me that long to eat lunch yesterday… Nicely done. I thought Dave was the runner? LOL in reply to chebert13 #
RT @ffnetcast Firefighter Storytime! Chief Tom Merrill, Snyder (NY) Fire Dept. http://bit.ly/94hzrC #
RT @FireDaily: The Voice of Reason by Art Goodrich : Firefighter Netcast: We have been working on expanding the (cont) http://tl.gd/1cej02 #
In honor of EMS week: Roll With It! http://www.rollwithit.com #
Just added a new blog post on Firefighter Nation http://ning.it/akpxYa #
How'd you get involved?: http://wp.me/pIOMS-3P #
RT @FireDaily: Kids Firefighter Blog: Classic Lego Fire Trucks: The Lego Fire Museum has released several new (cont) http://tl.gd/1cp59g #
Hey @FireDaily-this kid's stoked! RT @blackhelmet: Stoking firefighter goal http://bit.ly/97s5Pi #
RT @FireCritic: Training exercise gives rookie firefighters experience http://bit.ly/dcJQCw #

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Posted by tiger on May 23, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

@FireRECRUITER: It’s EMS Week – Roll With It!

From www.FireRECRUITER.com:

In honor of EMS Week-2010, I thought I’d promote the (dare I say) sexiest video I’ve ever seen come to volunteer recruitment and retention.

“Roll With It!” is a part music video, part movie trailer — full-on high energy – high impact web site for the recruitment of fire and EMS personnel.

Celebrate EMS Week in style: “Roll With It!”

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Posted by tiger on May 19, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Clearinghouse, Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Patient Management, Public Relations • Tagged: campaign, CFR, Clearinghouse, emergency medical services, ems, EMT, fire department, fire rescue magazine, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, leadership, marketing, motivation, Paramedic, Pennsylvania, public information officer, Public Relations, recruit, recruitment, Roll With It, Tiger Schmittendorf, volunteer, volunteering, www.rollwithit.com

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-05-16

@FireCritic That place makes me sneeze. I surrender the credit card and wait outside. Happy Mother's Day to your bride! in reply to FireCritic #
I took EVOC yesterday: RT @Firegeezer: Ambulance Crash in Kentucky Intersection That Claimed Another Ambulance in March http://bit.ly/8ZaU9H #
RT @ChiefReason: Checking out "Tell Her Before It's Too Late!" on Firefighter Nation: http://ning.it/dCLqSK #
RT @FiremanRich: Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention Blog for fire safety & firefighter information. (cont) http://tl.gd/17jirj #
Just added a new blog post on Firefighter Nation http://ning.it/bGKFCj #
@FiremanRich Cool. Maybe you can explain it to me some time… in reply to FiremanRich #
@news4buffalo It's annoying that your links only take me to your Top 5 Stories page and not the page that your tweet is about. in reply to news4buffalo #
Check out "Your Stories" at http://www.runtothecurb.com. This thing's catching on. Stand by for an exciting expansion announcement soon! #
@news4buffalo Cool. Thanks. in reply to news4buffalo #
RT @FireCritic: Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue honored firefighters, staff and … http://bit.ly/d6FJE0 #
RT @TinaFightsFire: SMOKE alarms fitted by firefighters alerted a family of three and allowed them to escape (cont) http://tl.gd/18b6e9 #
I've known Jimmy a long time. Good guy: RT @FireDaily: Colleagues celebrate career of firefighter: Buffalo News (cont) http://tl.gd/18b6v5 #
RT @FireCritic: Stamford third grader "Fire Chief for the Day." http://bit.ly/cd6hyR #
RT @ChiefReason: Checking out "It's Show Time!" on Firefighter Nation: http://ning.it/9pOYZw #
RT @ffnetcast Firefighter Netcast is Catching On!!! http://bit.ly/dCf3O7 #
POTUS comes to town today. #
Presenting to NYS 911 Coordinators Conference this morning. #
@ECFireBlotter Hey Jim – Follow me so I can DM you. in reply to ECFireBlotter #
@leatherheadff Does it involve a moon walk? in reply to leatherheadff #
RT @FireDaily: » How to become a firefighter-paramedic after the army?: How to become a firefighter-paramedic (cont) http://tl.gd/1a4h0e #
RT @firefighternews: Firefighters run Okla. memorial marathon in full bunker gear http://tinyurl.com/2wek9q9 #
RT @PGFDPIO: Family Night at Fire/EMS Training Academy-Career Recruit School 41 demonstrate their skills for (cont) http://tl.gd/1a4i00 #
Speaking at the 150th anniversary of the Newark FD tonight. Nicely done Arcadia Hose Co. Might tell a few stories… #

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Posted by tiger on May 16, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

Tis’ the Season

THIS IS A DRILL! This is not an actual event. Evans Center Firefighters "responded" to a Pre-Prom Season DWI Drill that demonstrated the devastating effects of drinking and driving to juniors and seniors at the Lake Shore High School. Photo by Tiger Schmittendorf

THIS IS A DRILL! This is not an actual event. Evans Center Firefighters "responded" to a Pre-Prom Season Stop-DWI Drill that demonstrated the devastating effects of drinking and driving to juniors and seniors at the Lake Shore High School. Photo by Tiger Schmittendorf

Despite the fact that as I’m writing this it feels far more like winter than spring in Buffalo, it’s not those seasons I’m talking about in this story.

Evans Center, my volunteer fire company, planned and supported a Pre-Prom Season Stop-DWI drill for our Juniors and Seniors at the Lake Shore Central Senior High School Friday morning. Coordinated by our Asst. Chief Tom Szczepaniak, Principal Chris Walsh and the Town of Evans Police Department’s Chief Ernie Masullo, Capt. Chuck Danzi and Patrolman Ralph Maslach — the assembly and demonstration stressed the devastating effects of making poor decisions relating to drinking and driving.

Not much unlike what is done at schools across the country at this time of the year, the Lake Shore team put together a comprehensive program that really hit home with these at-risk young adults. And, when I say “at-risk” I mean that, statisticly, they are at great risk of being involved in an alcohol-related accident before they graduate from high school or make it to their freshman semester in college. (more…)

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Posted by tiger on May 9, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Public Relations, Training & Development • Tagged: accident, Angola NY, Buffalo NY, campaign, clean the litterbox, coroner, DOA, drill, Erie County Stop-DWI, Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company, evans police department, extrication, fire department, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, John Latimore, Lake Shore Central School District, Lake Shore Senior High School, Latimore-Schiavone Funeral Home, mercy flight of wny, mothers day, motivation, pre-prom, prom season, public information officer, Public Relations, stop dwi, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, volunteer, volunteering, YNN

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-05-09

RT @blackhelmet: Firefighter dies during training http://bit.ly/9yINmC #
RT @FiremanRich: Firehouses looking for volunteers http://bit.ly/bqbxOM #Firefighter #Firefighting #fire #
RT @FiremanRich: Volunteer services host open houses http://bit.ly/aE7hDJ #Firefighter #Firefighting #fire #
RT @FireDaily: Ballston Spa approves junior firefighter apprentice program: By MARIA McBRIDE BUCCIFERRO, For The (cont) http://tl.gd/14lcd6 #
RT @FireCritic: Future Firefighters Muster Skills – FireLink.Monster.com http://bit.ly/aBiuMp #
Our county's Chief Chaplain's father died in the LODD in Baltimore…RT @FireDaily: Explore Baltimore County: (cont) http://tl.gd/15j1oo #
RT @FireCritic: Fire department hosts open house, ice cream social http://bit.ly/b5xXKh #
RT @FireCritic: Geyserville Fire Protection District-Open House- Sonoma County … http://bit.ly/csgB5u #
RT @FiremanRich: Door-to-door fundraiser for volunteer Whitesboro Fire Department http://bit.ly/asN0Zj #Firefighter #Firefighting #fire #
@FireCritic I'm looking for an inexpensive but effective list management tool too. LMK what you find. in reply to FireCritic #
RT @WKBW: The NYS T-WAY Authority has a truck flipped over along I-90 eastbound, near Interchange 40 (Weedsport) (cont) http://tl.gd/15j46k #
RE: @AmboDriver First of all, what a tremendous story! But, more importantly, what a tremendous love story.
Not jus… http://disq.us/dm30i #
Run-to-the-Curb Kid? RT @FireDaily: The Flood Family: Fire fighter birthday: Shea thinks he wants to be a fire (cont) http://tl.gd/15o4ge #
@FireCritic No. E-mail. in reply to FireCritic #
RT @FireDaily: Randolph Community College: Firefighter Cadet School Begins at …: Randolph Community College (cont) http://tl.gd/15o58v #
@FireDaily Not nice to talk about Rhett like that… in reply to FireDaily #
RT @usfire: Understanding how fire victims think is the key to saving them: Urgent Communications article http://bit.ly/9taXox #
@FFNetcast Just got home from a fundraiser dinner and EMS run. Sorry I missed another show. in reply to FFNetcast #
10 jobs you can get with a fire science degree: http://bit.ly/cTrvBG #
Tons of photos of Evans Center Firefighters at work at http://www.flickr.com/tigerschmittendorf later today RT @WKBW: (cont) http://tl.gd/16h94e #

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Posted by tiger on May 9, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

@Run-to-the-Curb: Planting a Seed.

It should be no secret by now that I have a passion for story telling, and especially telling of the importance of sharing stories in the fire service as a means of passing down our history, traditions and values.

It’s almost an obsession.

It’s gotten so bad that I’ve started drawing my Blackberry from its holster and pressing the voice note “Record” button at the drop of a hint that a story is about to unfold in conversation. While I took a lot of friendly fire for that from friends while sharing in some “networking opportunities” at FDIC recently, the gems I’ve captured are absolutely priceless. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to read and listen to some of them soon.

It was also at FDIC that I was reminded of what got me on this story-telling kick and who inspired me to tell my stories by creating the Run-to-the-Curb concept.

Click here to read the rest of the story of how I got my story-telling start. (Try to say that 10-times, fast)

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Posted by tiger on May 3, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing • Tagged: Brotherhood, fire department, fire rescue magazine, fire service, firefighter, firefighternation, FirefighterNation.com, Generation Y, leadership, marketing, recruitment, run to the curb, story telling, Tiger Schmittendorf, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-05-02

Run to the Curb!: http://wp.me/pIOMS-1 #
I am listening to the Live from FDIC- The Necessity of St show by FirefighterNetCast on #BlogTalkRadio – http://tobtr.com/s/995552 #
RT @FireCritic Heading Home From FDIC… The Fire Critic Had a Blast http://bit.ly/97LGyN #
@TinaFightsFire Thanks. Hope to get invited back next year. Who knows? Reviews were good. Presenting at FRI in Chicago in August. in reply to TinaFightsFire # (more…)

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Posted by tiger on May 2, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

The FDIC Experience: Returning Home

Alex, Laurie and Kathleen

Alex, Laurie and Kathleen

My goal is to chronicle, as best I can, some of the many great experiences I had last week at FDIC-2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. There’s so many of them flowing through my brain, some of them are short snippets while others I remember as full-length features, and I plan to present them accordingly.

My FDIC-2010 experience ranks up there with some of the greatest memories of my career and life. Full of laughs (my stomach still hurts), meeting good people (and John and Rhett too!), going on “adventures” together and most importantly, sharing the brotherhood that few other professions enjoy.

So, with the intent of eventually sharing all of these experiences, I thought I would start with the end of the trip instead of the beginning; for in the end, in a very unexpected way, the value of my trip to FDIC and the importance of my returning home became very apparent to me.

You’ll see why in just a little bit. (more…)

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Posted by tiger on April 25, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, Command & Leadership, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, Public Relations, R&R Toolkits, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: 16 life safety initiatives, Brotherhood, facebook, FDIC, fire critic, fire daily, fire department, fire department instructors conference, fire rescue magazine, fire service, fire-ems blogs, fire-rescue, firecritic, firedaily, firefighter, firefighter netcast, firefighternation, FirefighterNation.com, Generation Y, kids, leadership, make-a-wish foundation, motivation, run to the curb, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, tweets, twitter, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-04-25

I wear my love for the American Flag on my sleeve, and other places: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tigerschmittendorf/sets/72157623885213092/ #
One more day before Indy. #
@FireCritic I think both of you want to relocate to WNY… #
Upcoming Epic Event! http://bit.ly/bcC1DU #
@FireCritic I thought I heard the roar of the crowd… #
@FireCritic Seems kinda sudden # (more…)

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Posted by tiger on April 25, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

Live, from Indianapolis, it’s Saturday Morning!

ChiefReasonArt, Chris Naum and some other guy

ChiefReasonArt, Chris Naum and some other guy at FDIC 2009

Join Snyder NY Chief Tom Merrill and I for a live broadcast from the show floor of FDIC on Saturday-April 24 from 9:30-10:30am CST. We’ll be special guests of FireCritic Rhett Fleitz and FireDaily John Mitchell — hosts of the new hit Internet talk show series: FirefighterNetcast.

We’ll be discussing my FDIC presentation, my www.runtothecurb.com project and the importance of storytelling in the fire service. Chief Merrill will be sharing some of his own stories and who knows, we just might drag some unsuspecting passerby into the conversation.

A full schedule of Netcasts are being hosted at the Fire-Rescue Magazine / FirefighterNation.com / Fire-EMS Blogs.com Booth #3755 throughout the week.

I hope you can join me for my conversation titled: “From the X-Box to the Box Alarm” on Thursday-April 22, 2010 at 10:30am in Room 127-128; and most certainly at the MeetUp at Indy. You do not want to miss this gathering:

When: Friday April 23rd – 8pm
Where: Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery just blocks away from the Convention Center at 10 West Washington.
What: Blogger/FireEMSBlogs.com/Firefighter Nation/Fire Rescue Magazine meetup.

The event is being sponsored by the great folks at: Fire-Rescue Magazine / FirefighterNation.com / Fire-EMS Blogs.com booth #3755. Hit me up at the show for some free drink tickets. However, I can’t be responsible for your resulting actions!

Even if you can’t physically be there, I’ll be Tweeting, updating my status on Facebook and maybe even blogging throughout the show as I meet and greet some of the biggest names and greatest faces in the fire service. It’s gonna be cool. Very cool.

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Posted by tiger on April 19, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, Funding & Staffing, News, Public Relations, Technology & Communications, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: blog network, Brotherhood, campaign, clean the litterbox, Clearinghouse, facebook, fire department, fire rescue magazine, fire service, fire-ems blogs, firecritic, firedaily, firefighter, firefighter netcast, FirefighterNation.com, Generation Y, kids, leadership, public information officer, Public Relations, recruitment, retention, run to the curb, story telling, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, tweets, twitter, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-04-11

My so-called "smart clock" sprang ahead last night after we did that manually a few weeks ago. Not so smart. Up an hour early. Happy Easter! #
Worked on some new firefighter/soldier recruitment designs til 2am. It's almost an official obsession. #
@theHappyMedic Very cool. See you there. Presenting Thursday AM. #
@chebert13 Count me in! Looking forward to it! #
Looking forward to meeting with the Guard today to move our joint recruitment efforts forward. #
More and more firefighters are coming to me every day for recruitment advice. Must be something in the water? #
You can listen to the archive of Episode 4-Volunteer Recruitment show by FirefighterNetCast on #BlogTalkRadio – http://tobtr.com/s/929532 #
@FireDaily Just did. Pay attention. in reply to FireDaily #
@FireDaily Next Wednesday? Are you sure? Don't you mean the 21st? in reply to FireDaily #
I'll be Live from FDIC Saturday-April 24 at 10am via FirefighterNetCast on #BlogTalkRadio – http://tobtr.com/s/995536 #
@FireCritic WOW! #
RT @FireCritic What is the Brotherhood Among Firefighters? http://bit.ly/9UsPES #
RE: @ttraining Nick -
I actually learned that technique from a similar personal experience and have stowed my glove… http://disq.us/dl3ts #
This guy's good. Real good. Great photos: http://www.raisingladders.smugmug.com/ – @raisingladders #

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Posted by tiger on April 11, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

Going to the Show! See You in Indy.

I hope to see all of my loyal followers (both of them) at FDIC in a few short weeks. I’ll be presenting “From the X-Box to the Box Alarm” on Thursday-April 22, 2010 at 10:30am in Room 127-128. There’s room for 308 of my closest, most personal friends so there’s really no excuse for not joining me! LOL (more…)

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Posted by tiger on April 10, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Command & Leadership, Featured, Funding & Staffing, News, Public Relations, Training & Development • Tagged: Brotherhood, campaign, clean the litterbox, Clearinghouse, erie county, FDIC, fire department, fire department instructors conference, fire engineering magazine, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, kids, leadership, marketing, motivation, practices, public information officer, Public Relations, recruitment, retention, run to the curb, SAFER, story telling, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, tweets, twitter, volunteer, volunteering

@FireRECRUITER: Recruiting in a Gray Area

My helmet is off to the folks in the Syosset NY Fire Department for recognizing 40+ aged recruits as a viable part of the solutions to our recruitment and retention challenges.

Age is Nothing But a Number at Syosset Fire Dept.

Joining later in life is becoming more the norm

The approach and image of the volunteer fire service portrayed in this article is in sharp contrast to the news articles I highlighted in “Is This Our Best Approach?”

In fact, I came across a similar article today that raises the exact same question:

Fire Companies Struggling to Get Volunteers.

I think we can do better. Let me know what you think.

Read the whole story at FireRECRUITER.com.

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Posted by tiger on April 6, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Public Relations, R&R Toolkits • Tagged: Brotherhood, Clearinghouse, fire department, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, leadership, marketing, motivation, public information officer, Public Relations, recruitment, retention, story telling, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-04-04

Tell me your story at http://www.runtothecurb.com #
@fastcompany is a dangerous magazine. It gives me ideas… #
Recruiting Volunteer Firefighters at ECC-North Campus Career Fair today. Fight Fires. Save Lives. Volunteer Today! #
RE: @mack505 Now that's funny.
It's similar to the story of my high school graduation (I joined the fire department… http://disq.us/dkt26 #
RE: Chris -
Please allow me to bring my knife to your gun fight. LOL

I wholeheartedly agree with your take that … http://disq.us/dkt2s #
Check out "Trigger Happy" on Firefighter Nation: http://ning.it/drVXFB #
Recruiting Volunteer Firefighters at ECC-South Campus Career Fair today. Fight Fires. Save Lives. Volunteer Today! #
Recruiting Volunteer Firefighters at ECC-City Campus today. Fight Fires. Save Lives. Volunteer Today! #

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Posted by tiger on April 4, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

Run-to-the-Curb Kids: Collect the whole set!

Rhett Fleitz at FireCritic.com has compiled one of the greatest collections of firefighter stories in hosting his first edition of the First Due Blog Carnival which asked our brothers and sisters to answer the question: “I am a firefighter because…”

It fits right in line with my theory on the importance of story telling in the fire service and even includes my own personal story of how it was others who forecasted that I was going to be a firefighter one day.

Take a peak at Run-to-the-Curb.com and be sure to stop back there to tell your story.

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Posted by tiger on March 24, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, Funding & Staffing • Tagged: Brotherhood, fire department, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, leadership, marketing, motivation, Public Relations, recruitment, retention, run to the curb, story telling, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-03-21

At Crossing Borders Conference learning about use of social media in government: http://www.erie.gov/depts/lepc/preparedness_conference.asp #
Spent the day with DCFD Chief Rubin and my good friend Billy D. Hayes/DCFD PIO amongst many other emergency services professionals. #
Just added a new discussion on Firefighter Nation http://ning.it/bah0Qk #
Checking out "Free Public Education Program: PIO-Public Information Officers" on Firefighter Nation: http://ning.it/8Z3bmK #
Nothing like the fresh smell of diesel fuel spilling in the morning… #

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Posted by tiger on March 21, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

FireRECRUITER: The Art of Speed-Recruiting

If you had just 30 seconds to convince someone why they should join your volunteer fire department, what would you say?

What would your message be? Do you have a standard sales pitch that you use for just such occasions? Can you even say hello in 30 seconds?

I recently had the opportunity to coach and practice some speed-recruiting exercises with the Doyle Hose Co. 1 in Cheektowaga NY. They had been invited to be a part of career day at the local high school in their response area and they invited me to join them.

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Posted by tiger on March 18, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, R&R Toolkits, R&R Toolkits, Training & Development • Tagged: billboard, campaign, Clearinghouse, fire department, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, leadership, marketing, motivation, public information officer, Public Relations, recruit, recruitment, retention, run to the curb, Tiger Schmittendorf, volunteer, volunteering

It was in the cards.

Blogger’s Note: The following is my submission to the Fire Critic’s First Due Fire Blog Carnival focusing on the topic: “I’m a firefighter because…”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My mother died from lung cancer when I was thirteen years old.

Now, that’s something I don’t wish on anyone, but I can certainly point to positive points of my character that can be attributed to that single tragic event in my life. My responsibility, resiliency, work ethic, and my servant attitude are all credits to my mother and the fact that I lost her so early in my childhood – all characteristics that would prove to be pivotal throughout my career, especially in the fire service.

Unbeknownst to me, my mother kept a keepsake box for several of the eight kids in my family. My father gave me mine shortly after she died. I still have it and have continued that family tradition with our kids.

Amongst many other treasures in that box were two cards and a hand-made book that may have forecasted where I would be today.

The first card was to my parents congratulating them when I was born. The card was from the Evans Center Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. Today, I celebrate my twenty-ninth year with that very same fire department. (more…)

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Posted by tiger on March 14, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, Funding & Staffing, Public Relations • Tagged: Brotherhood, clean the litterbox, fire department, fire service, firefighter, motivation, recruitment, run to the curb, Tiger Schmittendorf, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-03-14

You gotta go to TEEX. It's awesome. #
@ssgjbroyles Thanks for the cheap plug. Sorry we didn't get to chat but I appreciate you listening in. Hopefully you benefited from it. in reply to ssgjbroyles #
@ssgjbroyles Would like your feedback on my latest blog: http://tigerschmittendorf.com/2010/03/11/re-enlist/ in reply to ssgjbroyles #
@Ckemtp Thanks for the cheap tweet. It was great to connect with you on the show. Stay safe. Train often. in reply to Ckemtp #
Had a great time talking my way through my first netcast at http://ning.it/cmy2wU last night. #
BSA Venturing as an alternative path for youth to the volunteer fire service? What do you think? http://tinyurl.com/ykyk4cp #

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Posted by tiger on March 14, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

« Previous Next »

RT @news4buffalo: Fatal accident closes Rt. 16 in Holland/Sardinia when a car and semi collided: http://ow.ly/2rwWw 2010-08-18
RT @firechiefmag: Dedicate or name your fire station? http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2010/08/17/in-dedication/ 2010-08-18
RT @FireCritic: “Fire Fair” informs and strengthens community's safety — Kirkland ... http://bit.ly/byxChe 2010-08-14
The battery died in my pager this morning. Perfect timing. I'm on vacation! 2010-08-14
RT @ECFireBlotter: LIVE Streaming Coverage from Firemen’s Day at the Fair...For the convenience of those who (cont) http://tl.gd/33oebr 2010-08-13
More updates...

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