John Banahan wondered if guys now call us old school.

What's old school these days? Thinking about all the guys I spoke with, here's a list for everyone to consider.

Did you ever:

-use 1/1/2 inch line w/a select-o-matic SM-15 tip?

-wear a steel tank demand SCBA?

-fight a fire in a chemical plant & not think about haz-mat?

-tiller?

-pull your boots up when you arrive at a job?

-wear Fireball gloves?

-drive a gas powered rig?

-count bells & record every alarm in the journal, including return calls?

-even better, count bells & head for the rig before the first round finished?

-ride the back step of an engine or the hang onto the side of a truck?

-fight a multiple alarm fire where there was no incident commander, “just” a Deputy Chief?

-respond to a compactor fire in the projects?

-stretch a 2 ½” & 3” line as feeds?

-use a Smith valve?

-raise a 50’ ladder?

If you did any of these, you’re probably considered an old school firefighter. If that hurts to read, sorry, I just call it the way I see it.