Lou Holtz

As I have been studying for a upcoming Captains test in the Fire Department I find that I am drawn to the leadership styles of great sports coaches. I know, weird. Vince Lombardi, John Wooden, Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and of course the great Lou Holtz. Most of you all know that I love Notre Dame Fighting Irish football, but especially the wit and wisdom of Lou Holtz....

Lou Holtz has some great stories and lessons. Coach Holtz had just taken the head job at a new school. On the first play of the season his team threw a pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. He said his team was given a standing ovation from the crowd. It puzzled him and he thought his team’s fans were cheering for his opponent. Eventually he figured out that his team and his staff were given a standing ovation because they actually threw a pass on a first down. They were going for it, attacking and not playing to “not lose.” It had been a long time since the program he had taken over had thrown on first down. I love that story. Attack! Play to win. You might make mistakes but big deal; you will be way better off in the long run. Don’t wait around and hope success will fall on top of you if you wait long enough.

One of my favorite quotes is “When you see a person on top of a mountain, you know they didn’t fall there.” Go get it. Pass on first down.

Anyway, my random thoughts in between study sessions.....

Appleton, WI: New Engine/Truck trip 09'

A quick update for all that are interested in Lehi FD's recent purchase of a Pierce Engine and Pierce Aerial. Captain Beck, Captain Stanley, Engineer Smith and myself are currently in Appleton going through the acceptance process of our new fleet. I will try and post more pics as the trip goes along. Please excuse my photography, I am terrible.

Day One:

We arrived 7 hours late into Appleton due to mechanical problems with the airplane and were forced to get other flights which resulted in the delay. We arrived at the Pierce plant at about 930 pm and were able to check them out a bit.

Day Two:

Started the day early at the "41 plant" where are apparatus is located. Jeff had not been here before so we spent the first half of the day orienting Jeff with the place and the plant. The second half of the day we began our acceptance check off on Engine 81. Our last hour we took Engine 81 and Tower 82 for a test drive and it was amazing! Nice to FEEL the fruits our labor......this has been nearly a 1 1/2 year process. The Engine drove like a Cadilac, seriously! The Tak-4 suspension is nothing short of amazing. We would go over large bumps without feeling anything. The Caterpillar C-13 engine has a rediculous amount of horse power and torgue....powers Engine 81 nearly too well. Might be dangerous that there is so much get-up-and-go. Tower 81 has an identical drive train setup to Engine 81, but weighs nearly 25 thousand pounds more. It too powers it extremely well......I am excited. We ended the day off with a trip to the hook and ladder (firefighter bar) and dinner at Victorias in downtown Appleton. Good first day of work...