Engine 33-Buffalo Fire Dept.

07/20/2023

Keeping our brothers & sisters of Memphis in our prayers 🙏🏼🙏🏾

08/08/2022

It is with deep regret that we forward the sad news that former Engine 33-Lieutenant Jim Minor has past away. A big man with a bigger heart he will be missed…

07/03/2022

Tomorrow the members of the BFD, their families and friends take some time out of their holiday sched to remember E-33 FF Mike Seguin. Mike made the ultimate sacrifice 25 years ago tomorrow. We will be hosting a small ceremony at our firehouse (1720 Fillmore). All are welcome. Starts at 0930 hrs.

07/02/2022

A newly promoted officer asked me for some advice the other day. Here’s what I got. Some of this I have learned through failure.

Be yourself. Your credibility as a firefighter will help as an officer.

Look out for your crew! The right way. Their morale, their development. Look out for them, but don’t be afraid to hold them accountable.

Address problems when they are small. Most big issues started as small ones and people ignored them.

Speak the truth even if your voice shakes when you do it. Have the difficult conversations about difficult topics.

Work on building relationships and establish some trust. Without trust, there is no team. They have to trust you with EVERYTHING.

Set expectations! What you expect on the rig, around the station, and on calls. You can’t hold them accountable to expectations you haven’t set.

Be quick to listen and slow to react. Always be in control of your emotions.

Train them and hold them to high standards. Teach them how to be good firefighters. You owe it to your crews to hold them to high standards which are for their benefit, even though they may not be popular at the time. (Military quote)

Don’t pre-judge people. Give everyone a chance. Give them the resources and help them get better, but don’t sacrifice your values and where you want to take your team. We can’t save em all and some you just have to cut loose.

You must be willing to accept loss. It lets people know how committed you are to your team and your vision. Sometimes dead weight just needs to go.

Don’t coddle people. Be empathetic, but don’t coddle.

Don’t forget where you came from and be humble.

Don’t be afraid to say I don’t know.

Be approachable

Be a good manager of your time and theirs.

Give a s**t even when others won’t. Someone has to.

You’re still a firefighter. Don’t let the office get more comfy than the drill ground.

Above all else lead by example. You are a walking talking officer development program and they will be watching.

05/25/2022

05/24/2022

You may treat this profession as just a job and that mindset will get you by for some time. It may even get you through a career in a slower environment. You may get very good at hiding and avoiding work. However, one day you are going to be confronted with a situation where the oath you took is going to be tested.

The promise to serve others and protect their lives and property.

The promise to conduct yourself in a professional manner with honor and integrity.

The promise to be respectful and to protect the people to whom you serve’s dignity.

The promise to take care of the people that serve beside you.

The promise to go to people’s sides on the worst day of their lives and do everything in your power to make their situation better.

The promise to lay your life down as collateral for the lives of those you serve.

The promise to hold yourself and those you serve with accountable to the fulfillment of our mission.

Simply put….we must UPHOLD THE OATH. It is the only reason that we exist. We are here to serve and to prepare to serve. There are plenty of other professions that need people. The Fire Service does not need you if you are not willing to fulfill the mission. UPHOLD THE OATH. It is that simple. That is it. That is all.



📸: Colleton County Fire Rescue