by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | May 30, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
These past few weeks in Stronach Township, the U.S. Forest Service conducted a series of prescribed burns—planned fires intentionally set under controlled conditions. And like clockwork, the smoke brought complaints. I heard from concerned residents worried that...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | May 27, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
The Call to Remember — TogetherMemorial Day has passed, but it must not be forgotten. The cookouts are over, the flags folded, the speeches quiet. But remembrance isn’t something we pack away with the decorations. If anything, the days after Memorial Day are when the...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | May 7, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
I watched a video this week that started like some conversations in firehouses do — with frustration. A fire service instructor appeared to initially berate Millennials and Gen Z firefighters for not knowing basic skill sets.But then, something happened:He pivoted.He...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | May 6, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
Long before the tones drop, the driver engineer is already two steps ahead. While the rest of the crew is checking gear or catching a prepping for the next training, the engineer is reviewing weather conditions, road closures, hydrant maps, and mental notes from...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | Apr 22, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
It’s a question we hear often at the Stronach Township Fire Department, and it’s a good one:Why does a fire engine or rescue truck show up when someone calls for an ambulance?The short answer: We’re committed to getting the highest level of care to you in the shortest...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | Apr 18, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
There’s something broken in the fire service — and I’m not talking about an old rig or a cracked piece of fire gear. I’m talking about the state of the apparatus market in America: a system so lopsided, so consolidated, and so slow that fire chiefs now wait years for...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | Apr 14, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
Behind The Alarm: It’s Not a Personnel Problem—It’s a Leadership ProblemWelcome back to Behind the Alarm, where we dig into the challenges, culture, and realities of the fire service—especially the parts most people outside the station don’t always see. This week,...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | Mar 16, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
Behind The Alarm: The Invisible Killer—Understanding and Preventing Carbon Monoxide PoisoningWelcome to this week’s installment of Behind The Alarm, where we dive into the complexities and dangers of firefighting operations. Today’s topic, however, is a...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | Mar 3, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
🔥 10 Firefighting Truisms 🔥Pearls of Wisdom from Behind The Alarm1️⃣ The fire doesn’t care who you are — only what you do.🔥 Your title, seniority, or reputation means nothing to the flames. When the moment comes, action is the only language the job understands.2️⃣...
by Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic | Mar 3, 2025 | Behind The Alarm
Behind The Alarm: Women in the Fire Service — A History of Courage, Trailblazing, and Breaking BarriersIntroductionMarch is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the vital contributions of women throughout history — including those who have...
