Chris DelBello

Training & Tactics

Chris DelBello is a 31-year veteran of the fire service. He currently holds the rank of senior captain with the Houston Fire Department, working in the Midtown District. He is also the district training officer, which encompasses all the stations in downtown and midtown, and holds a Training Officer II certification. DelBello also serves as a captain with the Fort Bend County (Texas) Emergency Service District. Connect with DelBello via email.

LATEST ARTICLES

Go or No-Go: Incident Command Decision-Making

POV: Go/no-go decisions simply can’t be litigated on social media

If you have a problem with the tactics in another organization, get over it, get over yourself and move on

May 18, 2023 02:37 PM

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Firefighting Tools

Understanding the wedge: A simple machine for forcible entry

When wedges are used correctly, there’s often very little force needed to create a large enough door gap

October 04, 2022 02:24 PM

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Building Construction

Mid-rise and low-rise buildings: An operational nightmare for fire crews

Part 2: A detailed look at standpipe and attack options, building systems, and fireground communications

July 28, 2022 02:40 AM

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Building Construction

Mid-rise and low-rise: The unassuming buildings you ignore every day

Part 1: Inside the maze-like hallways, confusing access areas and stairwells, void spaces and other puzzling features that hamper operations

July 28, 2022 02:16 AM

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Fire Service Culture

An open letter to the haters: Who are you to judge another firefighter’s level of passion?

I’m normally quiet about my passion, but you’re stirring up a hornet’s nest with all your chatter about who has it and who doesn’t

July 25, 2022 11:25 AM

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Ditch the ‘It can’t happen here’ Mindset

MCI training: 8 key factors to incorporate into realistic drills

Confidence can only be obtained through realistic MCI drills that truly test the system

March 22, 2022 03:26 PM

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Career

A day in the life of a truck captain

Training is king at Houston Station 7

March 21, 2022 11:51 AM

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Resources to Survive Mayday Incidents

RIT training: Focus on simplicity and speed over complexity and gadgets

With the right training and direction, rapid intervention should never be a dull assignment

January 21, 2022 02:22 PM

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Incident Command

The fireground disconnect: Where the IC and company officer miss each other

It’s vital that the IC and the company officer share a knowledge of tactics, plus each other’s abilities and training level

May 23, 2021 06:27 PM

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Fire Attack

Stretching line and making the push: Know the key roles on the attack team

Pick your load and practice to achieve flawless execution of an essential fireground function

April 02, 2021 02:20 PM

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