Growth is not always public. When I started the Public Safety Education Network my goal was to create a reputable organization that could remain true to a set of values important to me. 

My mantra is Vision ... Dedication ... Education. 

In the summer of 2005 we were hired by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as a consultant to be part of the development team to create a national program.  Today it is know as the Everyone Goes Home® 16 Firefighters Life Safety Initiatives campaign.

In 2007, acting as the national program manager for the campaign, I had the opportunity to meet with and work with folks from all across the country with similar passions.  In 2009 PSEN was asked to consult with the Fire Department Safety Officers Association to develop an online curriculum for their Incident and Health Safety Officer certification program. In 2012 we were hired to develop for the National Fire Protection Association a soon to be released program being called Company Officer Role in Incident Safety.

I still am very lucky to consult with the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services on special projects and have been working with the Essex County Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts teaching Incident Safety.

PSEN growth continues to lead me back to my mantra.  Vision ... Dedication ... Education.

What is your mantra?  Have you found your personal, professional, and organization success?

Can we help your organization with what we do here at PSEN?

Look over our growing portfolio

When I look back over the years it is amazing how our web site has changed. What I thought was awesome in 2003 is comical now.

My last upgrade lasted a long time and I felt proud of the image we reflected. However,  it is time again to redesign and rebuild our site to reflect the way I feel about what we do and who we are right now.

Please take a few minutes to check our new main web site and all the other links to help you understand how far we have come.  Let me say that how far we have come is a result of how far you have also grown.  Without each of you, there would be no PSEN.

Since the fall of 2010 we have established a relationship with the Fire Department Safety Officers Association.  Like many organizations they have seen cycles of interest in who they are and what they do.  My interest was heightened in September 2009 while attending their fall Safety Officer Conference in Orlando FL. I took their Incident Safety Officer certification program. It was two full days of class and one half day for certification testing.  Although comprehensive, challenging, and worthwhile, I thought about the majority of firefighters who might love the experience but could not afford the trip.

With an idea and an agreement with FDSOA we developed an online ISO certification preparation program and released it in the fall of 2010.  It follows all the criteria set by FDSOA and allows individuals, small groups, and large organizations to provide the opportunity to become ISO or HSO certified.  Follow the link to learn more of the specific details

Learn the specifics of our ISO/HSO online test preparation

Some of our users include:

• FDNY, Fire Department New York
• Boston Fire, Massachusetts
• Round Rock, Texas
• Sarasota, Florida
• Littleton, Colorado
• Orting Volunteer Fire Rescue, Orting Washington
• Louisville Fire, Kentucky
• San Bernardino Fire, California
• Columbus Fire, Ohio
• Essex County Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (see next article)

View a functional HSO module -  Specialized Incidents  

View a functional ISO module - Smoke Dynamics

Imagine having the opportunity to be part of a project that offers nearly 400 firefighters of different ranks the chance to become nationally certified Incident Safety Officers. Utilizing a blended approach to learning exactly what we are doing.  This is the challenge that the Essex County Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts has undertaken.

With the financial support of a Fire Act Grant, we began the process in April 2012. Essex County knows that the rate of fire ground accidents, incidents, and fatalities is not decreasing at a rate that is acceptable. They want to change that by asking all responders to have the same base of knowledge as an ISO. Logistics being what they are, PSEN was a fit that would help provide the opportunity.  This allows students to study how and when they prefer.  Once they complete the online portion they must attend our a two day class to validate the process of learning followed by the ISO National Certification examination.

We have educated and certified 170 students so far. We were very fortunate to see the project grant extended and over the next few months we hope to reach our goals.  I am very proud of all the students who have invested time and energy to see this happen.

Learn more about who they are and how they feel about what they accomplished.

Take a peek ... These folks are doing it!

A couple of years ago I consulted with Chief Gallagher in the best way (at the time) to create his first online training module.  His advocacy for modular home hazards and firefighting drew attention at the local, state, and national level. 

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services supported his vision.  Chief Gallagher has taught this program in many venues and he is featured at FDIC.

Having a great career teaching in the fire service is not easy.  There are thousands of instructors and presenters to compete with.  How do you strive to be the best?  Work ... work ... work.

Whenever I teach I always think about what I would expect from myself if I were in the audience. I ask myself if this were video taped, would I want others to see it?  I approach every class as if I were a waiter. I imagine that the only income I would earn came from a tip jar at the back of the room.  Let me ask you this.  If your only income came from that tip jar in the back of the room, how much do you think you would have earned?

As a board member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors I often write materials to help instructors improve presentation, style, and delivery. Here is a video interpretation of that article.  I call it the POWER approach.  Preparation, Optimize, Work the Room, Engage, Rewards.

Please take a few minutes to watch.  Hope you like it