top of page
Written and maintained by a retired career firefighter, this blog includes original posts and many articles or stories published elsewhere on a wide range of topics, which may include the fire service, travel, or other unsolicited viewpoints. Opinions expressed, other than those attributed, are my own. Please feel free to share as needed with appropriate attribution.
TRAINING FOR SHUTTLE BLASTOFF
Published, FIREHOUSE Magazine, March, 1986 Copyright © 1986 by Richard Ornberg (NOTE: I pitched the idea for a story on the Kennedy Space...
Rick Ornberg
12 min read
On the Picket Line (Chicago Fire Strike)
By Richard C. Ornberg – Excerpted from his book “ 10-24: A Firefighter Looks Back ” Though I had tried to provide the most objective...
Rick Ornberg
6 min read
A Jelly Donut Will Have to Do
By Richard Ornberg – Excerpted from his book“ 10-24: A Firefighter Looks Back ” The Klaxon horn blasted shortly after 3 a.m., followed by...
Rick Ornberg
7 min read
PROLOGUE: A Fire at 3:00 AM By Richard Ornberg
Excerpted from his book, “ 10-24: A Firefighter Looks Back ” The fire started as a small spark from the electrical outlet behind the...
Rick Ornberg
6 min read
Another Country Road
Published in American Motorcyclist Magazine, April, 1983 Copyright 1983© By Rick Ornberg (NOTE: This piece was written immediately after...
Rick Ornberg
4 min read
CHICAGO 1980: Anatomy of a Firefighters’ Strike
Published, FIREHOUSE Magazine, May, 1980 Copyright © 1980 by Richard Ornberg (When Chicago firefighters went on strike in 1980 – an...
Rick Ornberg
15 min read
Air Crash Aftermath: Between Laughter and Tears (re: Crash of Flight 191)
By Richard C. Ornberg Excerpted from his book “ 10-24: A Firefighter Looks Back ” Everyone who responded to the Flight 191 crash had a...
Rick Ornberg
6 min read
CHICAGO AIR CRASH 1979 - PRE-PLANNING PAYS OFF
Published: Firehouse Magazine/October 1979 Copyright © 1979 By Richard C. Ornberg (NOTE: This article provides an in depth look at the...
Rick Ornberg
11 min read
Another Country Road
Published in American Motorcyclist Magazine, April, 1983 - Copyright 1983© By Rick Ornberg Cruising along the highway with only the high...
Rick Ornberg
3 min read
HAND SANITIZER EXPLODES INSIDE CAR! - Well, not actually....
Recently there was a story on the wires concerning a fire department warning of the dangers of sealed bottles of hand sanitizers heating...
Rick Ornberg
2 min read
Judging Cowardice Is A Scary Thing
I’ve watched recent news coverage of a Sheriff’s Deputy who now faces charges of failing to act during the Parkland School mass...
Rick Ornberg
2 min read
NEW TRICKS FOR AN OLD FIRE DOG
One of the goals of my book, 10-24: A Firefighter Looks Back, was to highlight some of the changes from when I first joined the...
Rick Ornberg
2 min read
Check for a key before using a fire axe
A friend and I were having a discussion on management techniques and lifestyles and how they’ve changed over the past several decades and...
Rick Ornberg
2 min read
Earn your own hero “strutting rights”
It happens every year. Twice a year as a matter of fact. Spring and Fall are great opportunities to take a few moments and replace...
Rick Ornberg
2 min read
MY Total Eclipse of 2017
After months of pre-planning and a few last-minute destination changes as the weather in some areas became “iffy” at best, I eventually...
Rick Ornberg
3 min read
Make mine an "Old Style" for awhile
I’m Johnny Come Lately with news of how Old Style has again issued a run of specially designed cans sporting the a Fire Service axes and...
Rick Ornberg
1 min read
HELP! I've fallen and can't get up! Down and helpless on the Washington coast
"This is bad. This is real bad," I thought. Once I started to see more clearly after slipping between a few huge driftwood logs on Ruby...
Rick Ornberg
5 min read
Firefighters shot while entering home: Update of protocols called for
Recently, two Maryland firefighters were shot by a homeowner who did not realize they entered his home following a request by the owner’s...
Rick Ornberg
2 min read
Could just One More Sentence save lives?
So far this winter we've all been subjected to massive coverage of snowstorms around the country, partly because it's news but partly...
Rick Ornberg
3 min read
Keep RV Fire Escape Clear
Fires in occupied RV’s are rare, but as more and more RV’rs continue to extend the camping experience into winter months using propane...
Rick Ornberg
2 min read
bottom of page