05/30/2026
Firefighting is Combat
Classic example, the structure fire with occupants rescued in Port St Joe. Outstanding work ladies and gentlemen! Success on the fire ground is no accident, it’s a long, difficult, demanding process. It requires Trust, Training, Teamwork.
There’s a misconception that being a Volunteer Firefighter does not require the same amount of training as a Paid, Career Firefighter, that perception is totally incorrect and untrue. Volunteer Firefighters may not encounter the same number of incidents , but the risk factor is the same. Fire does not discriminate, it only kills. How does one mitigate these risks? Simple answer… you train, you train, and you train some more. Firefighters, volunteer or career give so much of themselves 24/7, 365. We are not a fraternity or a sorority, country club, ect. We are truly a Band of Brothers ( Sisters) that respond when called upon. We train extremely hard and often. One cannot lean back on prior training and achievements, one must keep pushing to prepare for the combat of firefighting. Chief Officers have a moral and legal duty to ensure their firefighters, support staff have the best and most current training available. Today, members of SGFR continued their training. Members spent several hours learning about the responsibilities of becoming a Driver/Engineer. Driving a 24 ton fire apparatus is not for the faint of heart. Besides having the ability to safely navigate these vehicles to and from fire incidents safely, these teammates must know and become proficient at pumping procedures, hydraulics, radio communications, hand signals, hand tools, Jaws of Life equipment, ladders, power tools, proper understanding of Fire Incident procedures, multiple other tasks. I wish to thank the following for their support and hard work.
Driver/Engineer Machelle Campbell
Firefighter Candidate Travis Ruff
Firefighter Candidate Jim Honaker
These 3 are great examples of not only SGFR, but volunteers in Gulf County, State of Florida, and across America.
Again to the 1st Responders at last night’s structure fire in Port St Joe.. “ Good Grab “
Thanks
Chief Mike
STAY SAFE
