Blog 18: Answer 3

EQ Answer #3:
 After Action Reviews

1st Detail:
After Action Reviews are used as debriefing methods after an incident. An example could be a team of firefighter coming together to talk about a structure fire that they just came back from.

2nd Detail:
In after action reviews a set of questions are asked. An example of a question is "What went well or what didn't during the incident."

3rd Detail:
After action reviews are used to improve on mistakes make at previous incidents. An example is a firefighter who once failed to communicate well with a team but after conducting AARs, he talked with the team more.

Concluding Sentence:

By conducting after action reviews, firefighters can improve their skills and avoid future injuries and fatalities. 

Blog 10: The Holiday

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you over the break with your senior project?

This break I continued to work on my senior project by continuing to attend my fire explorer program. Although I did not continue to write my hours into my independent component log 1 since I am done already, I did attend my weekly meetings throughout the break and expanded my knowledge. In these past two meetings that I have attended my post advisory had choose to teach us about throwing ladders, which is basically how you would put a ladder onto a building. I also worked on my senior project by completing my months additional post, which I choose to write about ladders since that was the most recent subject that I had been taught about. 

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

The most important thing that I probably learned during the break would have to be how to properly throw a ladder. I only learned one method of throwing a ladder onto a building, the method I learned is called the beam raise, but none the less, this method is still very important. The source of what I learned came from my post advisory and certified explorers at my post.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers of your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

I'm thinking about asking another fellow firefighter at my station who usually helps my post advisory when he's not able to make a meeting. His name is Firefighter Abadie, and is a very respectable and knowledgeable firefighter who was once an explore like me. He is very approachable and I would asking him for help because I know that he has lots of experience in the fire service. 

Blog 9: EQ

1. "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."

2.a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

This EQ doesn't meet the rule of 3 criteria. When I first read this EQ I though it was great but after further investigation I realized that it could use some improvement. Although the question does allow someone to research this topic in depth, they could be more specific in the wording. I don't quite understand what they mean by healthy weight loss because the word healthy can be interpreted by different people in their own way. I would improve that EQ by changing the wording a little and being more specific. 

 2.b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

This EQ doesn't meet the rule of 3 criteria. I feel like the main problem with this EQ is that it is too broad, and it doesn't necessarily focus on one specific topic. The author of this EQ could have been more specific on what type of conviction they wanted to focus on, such as a federal or state crime. If I were to improve this EQ I would just add some more details on the type of conviction or crime. 

2.c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

This EQ doesn't meet the rule of 3 criteria. I believe that the question is a little broad, but if the word choice is improved it could be great for finding in depth research.  It could be more specific on the type of haircut. If not the type of hair cut, maybe the question could focus on and era of hair cuts, an example being how modern hair cuts differ from hair cuts in the 1970s. Also, the author should pin point their ideal customer, are they trying to create a haircut that satisfies a young customer or and older one?

2.d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain? 

This EQ may meet the rule of 3 criteria. I believe that this EQ would allow for in depth research and would let someone argue a point. Aside from that, if the author wanted to be more specific when writing their EQ they could have mentioned a certain type of treatment or a certain area in the body that pain is occurring. I would tell the author to just improve their format and be a little more specific. 

3. What is the best way for firefighters to limit injuries and fatalities when fighting structural fires? 

The biggest change that I did to my EQ was deciding what type of fire to focus one. I choose to focus my EQ on the aspect of structural fires, rather than wild land fires because I find them more interesting. 

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

Content:

1.  What is your working EQ?

What is the best way for firefighters to limit injuries and fatalities when fighting structure/wildland fires?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format. 

• If firefighters take time to perform a proper scene size up at every call then they will be aware of their surroundings and environment, thus helping then know possible exit routs . 
• Firefighters should properly inspect their equipment and turn out gear daily in order to be properly suited for any incident or call that may arise in the near future. 
• If firefighters properly communicate with their fellow brothers, meaning that each one talks to one another about their situation and if they feel the are is becoming unsafe, then there will be a lesser chance of getting and injury or death. 

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ? 

My most important source that I have used that has helped me come up with an answer to my working EQ is probably my 13th source which is titled "Sizing Up For Structure Fires" because it allowed me to see the true importance that being aware of your surroundings on the job. 

click here to view 13th source

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is Firefighter Cunningham who is a firefighter for LA County Fire Department. He is also a fire explorer post leader who decides what we are doing most of the time. I am volunteering my time every weekend at fire station 166 in the city of El Monte. This is related to my working EQ because by learning about the career of firefighting I am also getting the opportunity to learn about how injury and death goes hand in hand with the career. 

Blog 5: Project Reflection and Working EQ

1. Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?  

After completing my summer mentorship and findings an extensive amount of research I have been able to learn more than I would have ever imagined about the fire department. I have met many people who work and aspire to work for the fire department simply through completing my mentorship hours. That experience alone has also given me the opportunity to work hands on with other firefighters as they tough me vital information which they use on a daily basis, such as throwing ladders onto buildings and properly using their safety equipment. Although I would have to say that the majority of the positive things that have happened so far have come from completing my mentorship hours, I don't want to undermine the importance that finding research has had on me. Researching has allowed me to learn about several different aspects of firefighting, such as health, safety, and work life. All these positive outcomes that have arisen so far have had a big impact in my life, seeing as the new stuff that I have learned will help me forever.  

2. EQ Content: Pick a piece of research or your interview. How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?  

After reading "The Importance of Staying Hydrated" by Aaron Zamzom I was able to get a small glance at a minor hardships that firefighters are faced with, hydration. Although hydration plays a huge role in a firefighters life, many ignore its importance. It helps keep their bodies functioning properly and it protects them from several other heath conditions, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even heat strokes. At first I thought that this article was going to be of no use, and to be honest I only got it because it seemed amusing, but after reading it I knew that I was wrong. This article was filled with several facts from reliable sources such as the World Health Organization and it was really helpful because it helped me understand the importance that hydration plays on a firefighters life.  

3. What has worked for you so far in the senior project?  

Although there have been ups and down throughout this senior project, a common work habit that I have found to be beneficial so far has been the use of my resources. Being able to go the local library whenever a research check I coming up has been a great help considering that at first I couldn’t find any reliable information on firefighting. Aside from the library, being able to talk to other firefighters while I attend fire explorer meetings has also been a helpful experience because they help clarify any confusion that I may have on a certain topic.  

4. What hasn't worked so far?

  The biggest problem that I have faced throughout this senior project is focusing on one aspect of firefighting. I am continuously changing my mind and don’t know whether I should focus on structure fires, brush fires, hazmat, or medical calls. This indecisiveness has made me get a lot of information which I have not been able to apply to my life, which I find really disappointing.

  5a. What is a potential question you would like to study this year? (working EQ)  

What is the most efficient way to get a group of firefighters to work together under extreme levels of stress? I would deconstruct that essential question by defining the words efficient, firefighters, and stress. With my current knowledge I would probably answer the question by saying that a group needs to have good team work, be effective communicators, and trust one another.   What is the most effective way to put out a structure fire? I would deconstruct that possible essential question by defining the words effective and structure fire. I find this question to be a bit more interesting than the first one because I really don’t know how to answer it and it would require some true research and learning on my part.  

5b. What do you plan to do for mentorship? If you haven't found a mentor yet, then discuss where you are currently looking and who you are talking to find it.

  For my mentorship I plan on trying to attend the fire explorer academy, which will eventually let me go on rides with firefighters when they’re on calls. If that doesn’t work I will probably continue to attend my traditional explorer meetings which are held every weekend.

Blog 1: 2013 2-Hour Presentation Reflections

1. I saw the following presentations during the last two weeks:

• Wight Loss by Natalie
• Woodworking by Sebastian 
• Interior Design by Natalie
• Loscksmithing by Antonio
• Child Life Specialist by Alicia
• Clinical Social Work Therapy by Brittany 
• Healthy Mexican Food by Manuel
• Video Game Journalism by Christopher 
• Running a Skate shop by Eric 
• Political Campaigns by Angel 
• Animal Control by Cherokee
• Physical Fitness by Jocelyn 
• Anesthesiology by Zhaliah 

2. I don't have any questions regarding the actual two hour presentations that I saw because most of them were well covered andlots of information was given. I am curious about the presentation requirements though. I wondered about the amount of activities that each presentation needed to have, because some presentations had one activity while others had 3. I also asked myself, "What if someone didn't make time, did they have to represent or do they get docked a grade?" Lastly, is a power point required for the 2 hour presentation? 

3. I feel like the most important part of the senior project, based on what I saw from the 2 hour presentations, was knowing your information. It was clear when someone didn't have a deep understanding of their topic, as it was when the presenter did. I also found that the students who had a better understanding of their topic usually had entertaining presentations.

4. I am considering doing my topic on firefighting. This is because I have always respected people who risk their life to help others and quite frankly I find this topic interesting. I also have a brother who is a firefighter that can help guide and mentor me.