The Challenges We Face: Issues Confronting Today’s Fire Service

Captain Bill Gustin

Captain Bill Gustin, Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue Department, provided a stellar key presention during the FDIC 2011General Session on “The Challenges We Face: Issues Confronting Today’s Fire Service” about the whole FDIC “experience.”

We have put too little attention on basic engine company operations!” This was perhaps the message that most resonated from Captain Bill Gustin as he echoed the charge for change and focus.

During a passionate and animated address titled “The Challenges We Face: Issues Confronting Today’s Fire Service,” Gustin touched on a variety of topics, from the perils of modern lightweight construction to his concern that volunteer firefighters are becoming an “endangered species,” and he even dedicated a portion of his speech to other things that “irk” him about today’s fire service.

One of those things: the fire service is not focusing enough attention on basic engine company operations.

• FDIC Key Note Interview, HERE
• Captain Gustin, Key Note Review, HERE

Bill Gustin – a 34-year veteran of the fire service, is a captain with Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue and lead instructor in his department’s officer training program. He began his fire service career with the City of Wheaton, IL Fire Department and teaches fire training programs in Florida and other states. He is a marine firefighting instructor and has taught fire tactics to ship crews and firefighters in Caribbean countries. He also teaches forcible entry tactics to fire departments and SWAT teams of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Gustin is an editorial advisory board member of Fire Engineering.