The fire service has weaponized safety, performance standards, and aggressive tactics.  Referencing traditional cowboy traits such as confidence, independence, and instinct, Thompson will make the comparison to desired traits on the fireground.  While the message will not endorse freelancing, or other rogue behavior, it will talk about having such capabilities as a preparedness action step.  The overall focus will be on managing risks and a mindset of either risk acceptacnce or risk avoidance based on the situation and operational capabilities and limitations. 

Scott Thompson entered the fire service in 1982 as a volunteer and began his paid career with the Plano (TX) Fire Department in 1986. He has been the chief in The Colony (TX) Fire Department since 2009. He has a bachelor’s degree in emergency administration and planning, is a Texas certified public manager, and has presented at FDIC since 2002. Thompson has had numerous articles published on leadership, training, command and control, suburban fire operations, and firefighter rescue and survival. He is the author of The Functional Fire Company: Positioning Small Groups for Success and Survival (Fire Engineering).