Fire Chief Jason Caughey emphasizes the importance of developing thinking firefighters from day one. He critiques the traditional approach where rookie firefighters are told to follow orders without thinking and advocates instead for fostering critical decision-making skills early in their careers. Caughey challenges firefighters to engage in training that builds not just physical skills but also tactical and cognitive abilities, promoting adaptability and strategic thought processes in diverse fireground situations.
Get More from Chief Caughey
The fire service responded as it always does, tackling the challenges with vigor and determination
Whether new or used, apparatus costs are skyrocketing, and departments need to develop a plan
Key steps for volunteer and combination departments to implement a community risk reduction program
Chief Caughey urges leaders to avoid getting distracted by external, often ego-driven, symbols of the profession
Four key steps for minimizing incident command challenges