When You Least Expect It!

Our post's title, "When You Least Expect It," is quite apropos to two topics we wanted to address today. The first is some good news about our show, "CAUSE & ORIGIN." Word arrived this morning that one of our L.A. contacts has reached out to one of the most well-known and prolific writers of episodic television and will be sending him the paperwork about the show. It goes without saying that there are no guaranties or promises, but it is a chance to have a "fresh pair of experienced eyes," to look at our story and let us know if we have something of value or we're just spinning our wheels. We look at it this way: We've always been told that to do what we're trying to do is all about networking, i.e. who you know! Thus, this is our opportunity to have someone in the business look at the show and provide some honest feedback.

The second topic that today's Post applies to is our everyday lives as firefighters, medics, LEO's, etc. We could be having a great day. Not too busy with calls, some excellent training time and a great lunch. Then, the tones go off and you're dispatched to, what you think is going to be a "routine" call.

Why did I put quotation marks around the word, "routine?" Because that word doesn't frickin' belong in our vocabulary! There is no "routine" is emergency services! That's all there is to it. Routine leads to complacency and complacency leads to injury and/or death. 

If you've got some history on your boots and turn-out gear, think back to all those dispatches to calls that, as you're putting on your PPE, you think, "Oh crap. Another routine call! When are we gonna get a worker?!?!" And you respond to the scene.

Suddenly, what you thought would be a "routine" call, turns into a full-fledged emergency, requiring additional units, personnel, etc. And it happened, "When You Least Expected It!"

So, remove the word "routine" from your vocabulary. Always be ready for the unexpected!

Please don't forget to pick up a copy of my book, "Fish Out of Water - 2 Jewish Guys in a Deep South Firehouse," available at Amazon . Part of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Now, get out there and Stay Safe!

Coming Attractions...

What's next from Dalmatian Productions? 

For  several months we have been planning to launch a podcast that will feature many of the guests we have met using Twitter (@DalmatProd & @Cause_Origin). Luckily, we already have several who have agreed to participate with us. 

Our show will provide you with the opportunity to hear subject matter that interests you! As we are all aware, we in the fire-rescue service, as well as our "family members" in EMS and Law Enforcement, we're faced with new ideas, situations and reactions almost every day. Thus, the goal of our podcast will be to invite many of the best in the field to chat with us and share their thoughts and concerns.

If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know that one of our key concerns is firefighter health and wellness; you can be sure that will be a frequent topic for the show. As will topics such as, recruitment & retention, training, job stress and PTSD, arson, juvenile fire starters, and much more.

We will announce the name of the podcast in the next few days and we are planning to premier the first show in the next two-three weeks.

Until then, please join us on Twitter or drop us a line at info@dalmatianproductions.tv with your comments or ideas for stories that you would like to hear.

Stay Safe 

Steve Greene

p.s. Please don't forget to drop by "Fish Out of Water - 2 Jewish Guys in a Deep South Firehouse"  to pick up a copy of my book. Remember, part of the proceeds from the book will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

New Endeavors - New Changes - Whe

BULLETIN...BULLETIN....

READ IT ALL ABOUT IT!!

New autobiographical firefighting book is released on Amazon-Kindle!!

 

If you've been wondering where we've been, this little picture above will tell you the first part of the story. I am very happy to announce the publishing of my first book, "Fish Out of Water - 2 Jewish Guys in a Deep South Firehouse." It is available on Amazon's Kindle format at http://preview.tinyurl.com/NCFirefighting.

 

A lot of people will not realize that there truly is a juxtaposition of the words, "Jewish," and "firefighting." Why? Because not too many of us enter this amazing profession as a career or even as a volunteer. And why is that? Back in my day it was because most Jewish parents want to see their children grow up to be doctors, lawyers, dentists, surgeons, CPA's etc. In all my years of synagogue work, not once did I ever hear a parent tell me that their son or daughter was joining a volunteer fire department or the local rescue squad.

 

However, I was different. I set my own path when the opportunity presented itself and joined a combination fire department just outside Greensboro NC and a couple of years later, accepted a paid position with Guilford County EMS.

 

I won't bother you with the why's and how's here. It's all spelled out in the book. More importantly, this decision afforded me to meet another Jewish young man who is still my best friend, these nearly forty years later.

 

There are plenty of great stories, exciting calls and more. From basic training to high-level rescue, from firehouse pranks to extremely serious calls, I've included it all. So please, pick up a copy and feel free to le me know what you thought of it.

And now back to our show...

 

I'm glad to let you know that we are once again making forward progress on our show, "Cause & Origin." Our Los Angeles-based partner has secured a new agent for us and her job will be to provide us with the entrée needed to submit the treatment and script to various studios and production companies. Thankfully, our partner has numerous contacts that he can direct her to and we're hoping their combined networking will result in some positive interest.

 

Along that line of thought, it was just announced that the City of Philadelphia has named a new Fire Commissioner, who will assume office in the near future. All of us at Dalmatian Productions, Inc. and Cause & Origin, LLC want to thank outgoing Commissioner Sawyer for his leadership of this great department and his eager interest in working with us on the show. We just hope he'll pass his recommendation on to his replacement.

 

Finally, some of you may have heard about the weird weather up in the Greater Boston area last week. I did. That's because I was frickin' in the middle of it!! Here it was, April 3rd and snow was pummeling us, along with winds reaching 40-50 mph! The next day, April 4th was to be opening day at Fenway Park for the Red Sox! No frickin' way! We were hit with a second snow storm that dropped another 3-4 inches and the game had to be postponed!

 

Boston - Strong!!! You got to love it!

Now - Stay Safe and Let's Make Sure Everyone Goes Home!