A Year of Lockdowns

 What is there to say. 

Interesting Times

Well, as I am sure everyone is aware.  We are well into our social distancing and stay at home time.  It looks, at least in our jurisdiction, that things are slowing going to start back up.  I am sure we all have questions as to how the world is going to work, how instruction in Firearms Safety and any other type of 'hands-on' training is going to be conducted.
I am attending training and seeking knowledge to ensure that anything I conduct or participate will put no one at risk.
My hope is all those at work and those still at home are safe.

Moving

House has sold (well, last condition through the lawyers tomorrow morning).  New province for Barb, I last lived in Manitoba in 1979.
I will keep you updated.  js

Still teaching

I still conduct High Angle Rescue type training with my day job with Sunset Protection Systems.  Not as often, more geared to Confined Spaces (as that seem to be the need in our area).
Mostly on my own, I am conducting Firearms Safety.
I enjoy it, meet lots of people.  Its good to introduce folks to my sport.
Just back from the range.  Beautiful day.   (the picture is from a month or so back, can't beat that smile)  js

Status

Accepted the post as Secretary for the Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario.   js

Well. Back I guess

Had a bunch of medical issues a few years back.  Still teaching rescue stuff, mostly through my day job with Sunset Protection Systems (StarGroup).
On my own I will still conduct audits, but mostly I am teaching Firearms Safety, which has always been my hobby.
If you are in the Rainy River District and are interested let me know.  I can be contacted 807.275.7808 or jsadair@jandbconsult.com
As you may be aware, I am not allowed to post pictures of FSESO and Canadian Firearms Safety Courses.
I may post some range pictures to tweak your interest.
Have a great day, On Purpose!   js

Back

Haven't been on here in quite some time.  Have had some medical issues that have kept me out of rescue training for over a year.  Am hoping to strengthen up and get back into it.  Will keep you posted.  js

Update 2013

The above are some pictures of training the past couple of months, the first two with the Rescue Team at the Ainsworth plant in Barwick and the third and forth with the Fort Frances Fire Department prior to Christmas.  Taken with a phone camera so not the best.  New phone does a better job so will get more pics in the future.  Play safe.  js

Ice Rescue in Meadowbank

Spent the past couple of weeks in Meadowbank; conducting some Ice Rescue and Mine Rescue Instructor training. 
Was a good visit.  There team is getting a firm foundation to move forward.  Just some pic's of the visit.  js

Ice Rescue and Mine Rescue Training

In Meadowbank again conducting some Ice Rescue Training, also finishing up on Train the Trainer regarding Mine Rescue. 
All going well, pictures to follow, band with doesn't seem strong enough to post here.  Will wait.  Hope everyone is playing safe.  js

Basic Surface Mine Rescue Training Meadowbank Aug 09-19 2012

High Angle Rope Rescue

Just completed an High Angle Rope Rescue orientated course at the technician level for the fire department here.  Was a small crew due to the season (which is better in many ways for the attendee's).

Had a lot of fun and covered a lot of material.  More pictures to follow.  Happy New Year.  js

Competition Training

Spent a couple of days earlier this month assisting Meadowbank (Agnico-Eagle) north of Baker Lake Nunavut to prepare for the National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition.  It was my privilege to assist them and though they did not win any events, for their second ever competition they received compliments from the judges which is commendable.
I concentrated on rope work but also reviewed other area's.  They have the makings of a good team.

Of course: the obligatory tripod.

Demonstrating self rescue techniques.

Supervising. 

A vehicle rescue exercise.

I enjoyed working with them and look forward to seeing how they and the rest of the team advance in the future.  js

Fire Department

I have just joined another fire department, to get extra training and to assist my community.  Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  js

Some more pictures from HA Rope Rescue Course

Restricted access entry lift.

Setting up a belay.

Lower section of a sloping High-line (no good anchors so set up without a live load.

A simulated load.

Single Kootenay pulley and a separated tagline.

High Angle Rope Rescue Technician Level I

Just completed a course here with the local Fire Department.  Good bunch of guys.  The first picture is one of the members carrying out a ascending techic (for self rescue).

This is one of the fellows rappelling.

  

Operating the belay line.

 

Conducting a raise with a dummy in the basket and a team member acting as the barrel boy.

High Angle Rope Acess and Rescue Technician

Conducting a course here, pictures to follow.  js

Fall

I am guilty of not posting here in quite sometime.  We have recently heard of the rescue team reaching the trapped miners down in South America, this took dedication and inovation... and lots of patience and trust on the part of workers and families.

I attended FireCon in Thunder Bay a couple of weeks past, a concentration of volunteer and professional firefighters from Northern Ontario.  The lessons learned and shared experiences are vital to grow.  I was able to participate on a course run by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources on Land Fires.

It was a good couple of days, meet new people and got to share idea's and learn from others mistakes and successes.

Hope your fall is going safe and is profitable.  I will get on here and post more soon.  js

Rest in Peace

There are some households tonight who need our prayers.  js

Safety Management

Is your workplace safe... or is it in compliance?  Not always the same thing.  It has been said that the safety regulations have been written in blood.  The for every rule or requirement, if you trace it back, there is a fatality, serious injury or close call causing that piece of legislation to be crafted.

I have never met a manager yet that wanted workers under his direction to be injured or killed.  And yet, while walking through even some of the most modern plants and work-sites that is the impression one receives on the floor.

How is it that the senior management desires their plant to be safe and yet on the floor safe practices are pushed aside or ignored to 'get the job done'?

We can easily point out blame, 'it is the supervisors' (it is always the supervisors, but who trained and leads them?), it is the union mentality, it is hard to hire good people.  These are amazing statements as other plants are safe and they hire from the same or similar pools of people, they may be unionized or not, what is the difference.

A difference that we can duplicate?

Management is only one part of running a work-site, the critical element is leadership.  Due to most management courses conducted now we sometimes confuse management with leadership.  We all know that there are natural leaders, but with the proper motivation anyone can lead.  You don't need to be a great orator or charismatic or handsome.  You need to know what you want to get done.

Leadership means giving clear direction as to what you want to happen, encouraging those who are to conduct the job to 'buy in', to take ownership.  Give them as much leeway as possible, allow them to set goals, hold them accountable for results but also reward good work (this does not have to be monetary or promotion orientated). 

I have been on many sites where things are not going right.  It is always a shock to most when I state that "if the manager wanted it to happen it would".  Is that always 100% correct?  Not really, no one can control everything, however by leadership one can guide and direct a workforce in the way one wants it to go.

If we want a safe workplace we need to start with the basics.

The most critical is leadership by example, does the manager follow all of the safety rules, at all times on-site?  If he/she does not need to follow these rules or procedures do we really need them?... that is what your workforce is asking.

Does the manager condone unsafe practices (even just momentary slips "we're just passing through here...")?

Does the manager send mixed messages?: "work safe..... lets just get the done quickly, we don't have time for that today".

Does the manager not follow up on safety issues, trust is essential... but "trust and verification" are also essential.  People forget, get wrapped up in the daily grind.  It is a managers job to verify if "things are so".

I could go on but you get the point I am sure.  Management and leadership are not the same thing but they are two parts of the whole, whether you are a strong leader or not you are providing leadership to the workforce.  Leadership that is being imitated.

Lead by example, and have a safe work-site.  js