Jonathan Hall will be presenting "Complacency Kills," a four hour, in-depth workshop at Firehouse Expo in July.
What will attendees to your program walk away with?
Those who attend my program will leave with understanding the "big picture" approach to operating on the fireground. Attention to detail, motivation, and pride will be stressed to ensure that small items/tasks are addressed in order to prevent them from compounding themselves into potentially catastrophic problems. We are all responsible for pointing out safety concerns, whether we are the "junior guy" or chief of the department. It is up to us to hone our craft and keep each other safe and my program will help you see the signs before it's too late!
What is the story behind your class?
As we go through our fire service careers, we tend to become complacent at certain tasks. This complacency is passed, sometimes unknowingly, to the younger generation. As we analyze LODD reports and near misses, we tend to find smaller items "snowball" over time, leading to disastrous problems on the fireground. We must take time to learn from our mistakes and be honest with ourselves when tackling the issues.
Tell us about your time in the fire service.
I started in the fire service in 2000 with a paid on call department, Township Fire Department, in Wisconsin. I became heavily involved in training at both the department and local technical colleges. In 2008, I was hired in Saint Paul, Minn. where I currently am a firefighter on Engine Company 8 in downtown. I have stayed very active in the training world, and just recently started my own training company, Make the Move Training, LLC.
What has been the highlight of your career?
My entire life I have only wanted to be a firefighter. I feel honored to have served with the dedicated members of both Township Fire Department and the Saint Paul Fire Department. I am truly fortunate to be an active contributor to Firehouse.com, as well as having been selected to present at some of the finest fire conferences across the country.
What’s one piece of advice that you can give to Firehouse Expo attendees to make it a great experience?
Attend as many classes as you can and take the time to absorb the knowledge! Don't forget to attend the social events at night, as they are great for networking, and the camaraderie is tops. Once you go back to your department, keep the passion alive and pass on the knowledge you obtained in Baltimore.
The 31st Firehouse Expo will take place in Baltimore, MD, July 15-19, at the Baltimore Convention Center. This year's conference offers over 90 education sessions, including hands-on training, in-depth workshops and classroom sessions. Find out more about Firehouse Expo, the exhibitors who will be showcasing their products and learn how to register go to: FirehouseExpo.com.
