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My Summer Acceleration Theory

Calcium Anthropologists Warn of Effects of Summer Acceleration

Unconfirmed fiction by: Tige R. Schmittendorf

Originally posted: September 6, 2009
Editor’s Note: I know it’s Labor Day. I should have warned you sooner…

One day while taking a requisite course towards my doctorate in calcium anthropology — the study of milkmen and their connection to mad cow disease — I had cause to stop, doze, and ponder the season ahead.

In the midst of my heavy R.E.M. sleep, I drooled upon an undiscovered hypothesis that ventures well beyond the natural borders of E=MC². It goes something like this: (more…)

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Posted by tiger on June 9, 2010 • Filed under: All Blogs, News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LIVE: Casting a Net over Recruitment and Retention Challenges

I was in Texas for Advanced Unified Incident Command training last week (which I’ll tell you about soon), so I’m late getting this out.

I’ve been asked by FireCritic and FireDaily to join them as their special guest on this week’s edition of Firefighter NetCast.

Naturally, we’ll be discussing volunteer recruitment and retention along with an overview of my presentation “From the X-Box to the Box Alarm” at FDIC (Thursday-April 22nd at 10:30am) and my cover story in the March edition of Fire-Rescue Magazine featuring my storytelling project: Run-to-the-Curb.com.

I hope you can join us at 9pm ET this Wednesday-March 10, 2010 at Firefighter Netcast for a lively discussion of challenges and solutions to the volunteer fire service’s survival and success.

Stay safe. Train often.

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Posted by tiger on March 8, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Public Relations, R&R Toolkits, Training & Development • Tagged: Brotherhood, campaign, Clearinghouse, fire department, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, leadership, marketing, motivation, public information officer, Public Relations, recruitment, retention, run to the curb, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-02-28

Checking out "Happening Now: Masonic Temple Fire in Dunkirk NY" on Firefighter Nation: http://ning.it/bksawZ #
Checking out "MUST-SEE VIDEO: Tower Imploded to Make Room for New Fire Trainin" on Firefighter Nation: http://ning.it/8XFDyF #

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Posted by tiger on February 28, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

@FireRECRUITER: Big Win for the Youngins’

The Volunteer and Combination Officers Section of the IAFC recently released a new and long overdue guideline focusing on the proper and safe operation of fire department youth programs.

It holds something for everyone including chief officers, youth leaders, fire department administration, parents, support liaisons and the youth themselves.

Read more at FireRecruiter.com>>>

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Posted by tiger on February 21, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Clearinghouse, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Funding & Staffing, News, Public Relations, R&R Toolkits • Tagged: Brotherhood, Clearinghouse, fire department, fire service, firefighter, Generation Y, leadership, marketing, motivation, Public Relations, recruitment, retention, Tiger Schmittendorf, Training, volunteer, volunteering

@FireRECRUITER: Who can afford to volunteer?

Who Can Afford to Volunteer?

That’s the question asked by Don Grogg, a commissioner for Harris County Emergency Service District No. 9 in Texas in this article titled: “Suburban Fire Districts Sound the Alarm” in the Houston Chronicle.

While I understand that they have somewhat unique staffing and support challenges, when you ask it like that, who could expect anyone to answer with: “I can. Pick me. Pick me.”

Other than a closing remark about one department who expanded their boundaries for joining, the article does a great job at identifying the problems — but few if any solutions.

As I’ve asked before, “Is this our best approach?”

Here’s the link to the article at FireRECRUITER.com. You decide.

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Posted by tiger on January 19, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News • Tagged: campaign, Clearinghouse, fire department, fire service, firefighter, leadership, marketing, motivation, public information officer, Public Relations, recruitment, retention, Tiger Schmittendorf, volunteer, volunteering

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-01-10

Working the "Chills" game at Ralph Wilson Stadium today. I suspect Emergency Services will be busy today. #
Adopt a New Attitude for the New Year: http://tinyurl.com/yjk69el #

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Posted by tiger on January 10, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

Tiger’s Weekly Twitter Updates for 2010-01-03

Still in the 100 pct. Call Club for 2010. The list is dwindling already. #
@SPFDChief Chief – Unrelated, I'm looking for your fire academy blog you wrote a few months back. Please point me in the right direction. in reply to SPFDChief #
RT @firedaily With Friends Like These….. http://bit.ly/7fA8kV #
@SPFDChief Chief – Found your blog and blogged about it at: http://tigerschmittendorf.com. Found it very interesting and courageous. in reply to SPFDChief #
Fire Explorer injured FIGHTING A FIRE! http://tinyurl.com/ydu9tdr #
Still in the 100pct call club after a whopping 3 calls this year. It won't last long. Working the Bills game tomorrow. #

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Posted by tiger on January 3, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: Tiger Schmittendorf, tweets, twitter

Fire Chief Blogs His Way Through Fire Academy Experience

St. Paul MN Fire Chief Tim Butler is blogging about his fire academy experiences

St. Paul MN Fire Chief Tim Butler is blogging about his fire academy experiences

I don’t remember how and when I stumbled across this particular blog, but it’s a good one.

St. Paul, Minnesota Fire Chief Tim Butler has written a blog about his experiences with the fire department since being appointed to the position two years ago. What’s so unique about this chief’s blog is that it details his adventures in participating in the latest recruit academy executed by the fire department.

The chief indicated early on after his appointment that he fully intended to experience everything his firefighters have experienced. In that vain, he prepared himself for and is actively engaged in the academy.

I was very impressed with his attitude as he wrote “We (sic) must share a common bond – a common culture – and a shared base of experience and perspective. We all must be confident in each member’s ability to operate safely and effectively on an incident scene or when representing our department to the public.” (more…)

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Posted by tiger on January 2, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, All Blogs, Brotherhood, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: adventure, blog, blogging, Brotherhood, fire academy, fire chief, fire department, fire service, firefighter, leadership, marketing, motivation, recruit, recruitment, St. Paul Minnesota, Training, training academy

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