Fighting Fires, mitigating emergencies and serving the public are hard enough tasks. Managing the resources to accomplish these tasks takes leadership and trust. The two do not come with a promotion ceremony or the pinning of badges. They come from Fire Officer Trust.
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Chief Billy Goldfeder's Keynote Address P.G. County
William "Billy" Goldfeder Graduation Keynote Addr…: http://youtu.be/DfqDfQfZgr0
Friday, June 6, 2014
Union County Fire Academy Graduation Keynote - Semper Paratus
Had the opportunity to address the graduating fire fighters at the Union County Fire Academy Graduation.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Know Your Smoke!
I was recently out at #FDIC2014 and had the chance to run into a good friend, Battalion Chief Wayne Smith, of the Indianapolis Fire Department.
We had "the talk" about this subject and he informed me of their departments "Mandatory Mask Policy". I told him, "Most if not all fire departments have the policy and hardly anyone enforces it or assigns penalties when the policy is violated.".
Listen in on our conversation:
Click here for iPAD Audio
We had "the talk" about this subject and he informed me of their departments "Mandatory Mask Policy". I told him, "Most if not all fire departments have the policy and hardly anyone enforces it or assigns penalties when the policy is violated.".
Listen in on our conversation:
Click here for iPAD Audio
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
CBS4 Investigates Silent Killer Putting Lives Of Firefighters In Danger « CBS Miami
CBS4 Investigates Silent Killer Putting Lives Of Firefighters In Danger « CBS Miami
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – They are men and women willing to risk their lives to save ours, but as our CBS4 News investigation found, a silent killer has been wreaking havoc in their lives, their careers, their dreams and destiny. First triggered more than three years ago by the courageous fight against cancer by Miami Dade Fire Rescue Captain Raphael Herrer, CBS4 Chief Investigative Reporter Michele Gillen has been following and reviewing heartbreaking cases across our community and country. Gillen reports on the human tragedy but also on efforts to collect data on the local and national level. The firefighters in Gillen’s story are just a few of the many who are in the fight of their lives and who graciously agreed to share their stories in the hope of finding answers. Also, as a way of honoring those who have lost their lives and who will not be forgotten.
It’s a chilling realization for Miami Dade Fire Captain Bob Carpenter who shared the culprit behind so many of the deaths of his colleagues – cancer. “There’s a lot of attention for line of duty deaths. Firefighters who die in a burning building, in a collapse – the funerals are on television. The truth is the number of us dying with our boots off is far greater,” said Carpenter.
For Miami Dade Firefighter Leslie Carter, tears flow and words fall with painful reflection.
“Four of us were diagnosed the week I was diagnosed with mine, four of us.”
The diagnosis was cancer, in the case of the 45-year-old it was thyroid.
“Three were thyroid, one was colon, in on week,” said Carter.
Now on the frontline of a different life-or-death battle, Miami-Dade firefighters shared their nightmare with Gillen of cancer diagnosis which seems to haunt firehouse after firehouse.
Miami-Dade Firefighter Paul Hoar, 42, a hero in his ranks, is recognized for his charity work and for his appearance in the Firefighter calendar, was stunned when he got the call from his doctor. “She says you are at stage three colon cancer and it’s in your lymph nodes and we are going to need to set you up with an oncologist and start chemotherapy,’ said Hoar. “And that just devastated me.” Surgery removed a tumor and two feet of his colon. He is in his second round of receiving eight months of chemotherapy.
“I ate clean, I exercised, I don’t smoke, I’m active daily so never in a million years did I think that was going to happen to me,” Hoar said.
He’s not alone. Grief has settled across Miami-Dade given seemingly unsettling numbers of firefighters getting diagnosed with cancer and losing the battle. Keith Tyson is a retired Miami-Dade Firefighter and head of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network for Florida. He spent hours with Gillen reviewing data, collections of cases of the diagnosis of cancer. Tyson knows the nightmare; he’s lived it, diagnosed with prostate and skin cancers. Now Tyson’s life is about documenting the cases, studying data and death certificates. “We reached out to United HealthCare, the numbers looking back were staggering. Between the years of 2008 and 2009 and 2010, out of the approximately 2000 members insured by United HealthCare, 32-percent of us had already been diagnosed with some form of cancer,” said Tyson.
“And these are young members for the most part. Cancers in the fire service that are developing are coming earlier for us. And far more aggressive,” said Tyson.
Go to FCSN.net for studies on Florida firefighters diagnosed with cancer.
It is chilling data, and it appears to be emerging nationally.
In one of the most comprehensive federal studies of its kind, that tracked 30,000 firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia, the findings are considered daunting. There is evidence of a relation between firefighting and cancer. The research speaks to the high incidence of solid cancers, such as brain, lung and colon among otherwise very fit firefighters. Miami-Dade Fire Captain and cancer survivor Bob Carpenter says he sees it day after day.
“In 2013 in the month of December, six members were diagnosed with cancer within that month,” said Carpenter. Now focus turns to the potential why the toxic soup firefighters are working in may be more toxic than ever. “The fires that we are fighting today are not the fires of 40 years ago, most of the products in our houses and homes are made up of more than 50-percent of petroleum products. We know that petroleum products are just laced with carcinogens,” said Carpenter. But it’s not just exposure to chemicals in the field that may be of concern. The set up for fire houses is also a cause of concern; the bed bunks where the firefighters sleep were often right next to the vehicle bays where diesel fuel regularly filled the air.
Also, lifesaving gear is most often stored right next to the fire trucks and each firefighter only has one set, so even when laden with toxic aftermath of fires and smoke, firefighters often have to turn right around and put them right back on. Many states have taken action, passing laws to help firefighters struck with cancer–presumed to be linked to their jobs–medical care costs covered by those states.
“There are 33 states across the country right now that have a cancer presumption law. The state of Florida does not,” said Tyson.
Carpenter is hopeful that will change, “Presumptive legislation that cancer diagnoses are job-connected is what I see in the short-term, by short-term I know we are not talking days but we should not talk about decades either,” said Carpenter.
In the latest fight for those in the trenches saving others, decades are not guaranteed for anyone.
“Firefighting is easy compared to this. You can say this is the fight of my life,” said Hoar.
For more information and support, check out firefightercancersupport.org.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Illegally Parked BMW Smashed By Boston Firefighters Was Brand New « CBS Boston
Illegally Parked BMW Smashed By Boston Firefighters Was Brand New « CBS Boston


EAST BOSTON (CBS) – A man who ignored a fire hydrant put Boston firefighters at risk Wednesday night. The man who parked his new BMW in front of a fire hydrant slowed the battle to save
East Boston homes.

Firefighters were forced to smash the windows and thread the fire hose through the car.
The fire on Lexington Street grew to eight alarms before crews were able to get control. No one was hurt, but nearly three dozen people have to find a new place to live.
The man had just bought the BMW and the registration was just two days old. He also got a $100 fine.
“He was mad,” Rafael Henriquez said. Henriquez is friends with the car’s owner. He watched as firefighters busted through the windows to hook their hose onto the hydrant. “I wanted to cry for him,” Henriquez said. “Of course he brought that on himself.”
In fact, Boston firefighters say the only thing on their minds was getting water as quickly
as possible to the burning homes which were at that point fully engulfed. Since it had gone to eight alarms, all the closer hydrants were taken. The one blocked by the BMW was a street away.

“You don’t want to lose the full force of the water you’re getting from the hydrant,” Steve MacDonald of Boston Fire said. “It’s important to be as straight as possible.”
The hose still had a kink even after they got it hooked up, so bystanders pitched in and helped firefighters lift and bounce the car away from the curb.
“You can move the car a short distance which is what they did to get the kink out,” MacDonald said. “Again this is all effort that should be concentrated on putting the fire out.”
Back at the scene, firefighters traced the source of the flames to the engine of a Toyota parked in an alley, spreading fire to three nearby buildings, leaving residents like Jaime Hernandez homeless.
“We’re trying to figure out where we’re going to stay and for now my friend offered me shelter at her house,” Hernandez said.
Residents say the owner of the BMW drove it away with two broken windows and a big dent on the side.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
A Great 3 Valve Capture
A Great 3 Valve Capture
Great clip of a 3 valve capture with flammable liquid and 3 dimensional fire evolution. What stands out for me is the coordinated attack (water, foam, extinguishers) and AC Seelig of FDNY. He not only talks the talk...but walks the walk. The essence of fire officer trust.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
FOTRUST PODCAST: Dr. Denis Onieal
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Dr. Denis Onieal, Superintendent National Fire Academy |
While attending the 2013 New Jersey Weekend, at the National Fire Academy, I was able to sit down for an informative chat with the Superintendent. Dr. Denis Onieal and I go way back. Twenty-eight years to be exact. He has been a friend and mentor, for equally as long. Back in the mid to late 80's, Dr Onieal and I worked on several projects for the Jersey City Fie Department, the State of New Jersey and the Federal Government.
Listen to our brief talk concerning Fire Officers and the future of the Fire Service, in general.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
FOTRUST PODCAST: Chief Eddie Burns
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Fire Chief Eddie Burns (Ret'd) Dallas F.D. |
Listen to this episode
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
FDIC 2013 - Here We Go Again
Had a great and informative time this week at FDIC 2013. As always, a record crowd. As always, a great place for firefighters and fire instructors to exchange ideas, learn and grow.
BRB...
FOTRUST PODCAST: BC John Mittendorf Los Angeles
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A Great Fire Officer - BC John Mittendorf |
With all of the great opportunities @FDIC to share and grow, you cannot help but get edified in the presence of a John Mittendorf. I have know John for quite some time. I have followed his career and work ethic for many years. Many will value his lectures, articles and new book on Truck Company Operations.
He is legendary for his description and detail of all truck company operations on the fireground. His publications and lectures are as entertaining as they are informative. He is a frequent presenter at FDIC and across the nation.
But few may remember that he wrote a book on, "Facing the Oral Interview". Pages I still peruse from time to time. They have ageless wisdom inextricably attached to them.
I caught up with Chief Mittendorf, recently. I asked him a few questions about Fire Officers and the Fire Service. Click on the link below and take a listen to our chat.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
FDIC Attendees Pause For West, Tx FF's
With all of the activities and training occurring this week, at @FDIC 2013, we were fortunate that the staff of the conference made available a live feed from the memorial service honoring the 10 Firefighters killed in the tragedy of the West, Texas Fire and Explosion.
Those being remembered and honored include
Our thoughts and prayers, from Fire Officer Trust, go out to the families, members and friends of those who lost their lives. More information can be found on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation site:
- Morris Bridges, West Fire Department
- Cody Dragoo, West Fire Department
- Joseph Pustejousky, West Fire Department
- Douglas Snokhous, West Fire Department
- Robert Snokhous, West Fire Department
- Cyrus Reed, Abbott Fire Department/West EMS
- Jerry Chapman, Abbott Fire Department/West EMS
- Kevin Sanders, Bruceville Eddy Fire Department/EMS
- Kenny Harris, Dallas Fire-Rescue
- Perry Calvin, Merknel Fire Department/West EMS
- Jimmy Matus, honorary firefighter, West Fire Department
- William Uptmor Jr., honorary firefighter, West Fire Department
The fire
and emergency service as a whole mourns the loss of 10 of our own and two honorary
firefighters and honors their service and sacrifice in West, Texas. "We remember
with deep sadness and gratitude our colleagues who died in service to the community
of West, Texas, and extend our sincere condolences to their loved ones," said
Chief Hank Clemmensen, IAFC president and chairman of the board. "It's with heavy
hearts that we say goodbye, but it's in their honor that we put on our helmets each day."
Our thoughts and prayers, from Fire Officer Trust, go out to the families, members and friends of those who lost their lives. More information can be found on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation site:
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Where Did the Time Go???

Dear Friends
Where did the year go? I blinked, had a Christmas
cookie and the next thing you know it's April!
In all seriousness and not to whine, A Vision and as an extension, myself has been incredibly busy. You might have heard about
our weather experience...you know Sandy? Lost my home office and basement, computer, network and microwave. Sheesh....we're still working on
getting out from under the mess, but as in everything, some good did come out
of it. I was assigned as the Evacuation/Mass Shelter Branch Director for Jersey City; managing 9 shelters. We were able to develop a few new directives in Mass Shelter that we will be sharing with the rest of the country in Emergency
Preparedness. Our validation came when Federal Agencies, Assets and Resources stated that they wanted to copy a few items from my playbook. Great job done by all and a tremendous effort by, Fire, EMS and Police. (why can't we work that way with the day to day ops), --- Did I say that?
Many Thanx to all who helped. The full story has to be told and I will post when I get a vacation. Special Thank You goes out to our Military Personnel, at the Jersey City Armory; led by Chief Armorer Charles Parsons and my new Bro. Capt. Rene Roa. (fotos to follow)
I recently joined the prestigious Instructor Cadre of the International Association of Fire Fighters (www.iaff.org) Master Instructor Corps. I am honored and humbled; I hope to share and learn with the best (students and instructors). This position gives me the opportunity to share information
and knowledge with even more folks in the upcoming years.
Are you going to be at FDIC2013(www.fdic.com)? If so, please let me know
and let's get together, trade a few war stories, and just learn from each
other. My best lessons are those I've picked up from
colleagues and friends. I'm giving a class on "Highrise Fire Safety Management: A Look from Both Sides Now". It will be Friday, April 26, 2013, in Rooms 134-135, @ 8:30hrs and will last for 90 minutes. Pop by and say hello
Also to the Victims and Responders in Boston and elsewhere. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Stay safe !
Stay safe !
John
Friday, November 9, 2012
A Pause for the Cause: Hurricane Sandy
Hey Friends. Thanx for all of the kind thoughts, wishes and actions on our behalf, during Hurricane Sandy. As you must know, I haven't had time to blog or write lately. I was in charge of the Evacuation & Shelter Branch. It was a labor of love and quite arduous. It was accomplished by a great team and cooperation between all agencies, medical and military. We are going to re-write the book on Mass Care and Sheltering. More details to follow, as we defrost from the Nor-easter that followed the hurricane. (I just got power and internet back on at home )
Listen to this great song, by Barry Manilow and continue to think of us in NJ, as we recover. It's not over yet.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The 5 Failures of Command
Recently, I had a conversation with a group of Fire Officers about the state of Leadership and Character, in the ranks of the modern day fire service. I stated, without fear of contradiction that the "First-line Supervisor" Rank was the most critical position on the job. We all agreed. We went through all of the ranks and discussed them, 1 by 1; their impact on our profession, in all of its aspects. We then began to discuss the effectiveness and/or the lack thereof. We are willing to stipulate that there are so many areas to cover, that we ran out of time. There were so many items that we had to start narrowing the focus. We got down to 5. They are: 1) Poor Communications, 2) Lack of Accountability, 3) Lack of Discipline, 4) Lack of Commitment, 5) Lack of Training.
The 5 Failures of Command:
- Poor Communications - As is stated, so many times, communication is the principle method by which we get things done. At every level in the fire service, when there is a gap in service (both for our External and Internal Customers), the lack of communications or poor communication rises to the top of the list. Whether in the Fire Station, Headquarters or in the street, poor communications are at the root of calamities, disasters and miscues. Written orders, guidelines and rules must be clearly formulated and clearly communicated. Public Fire Education and Fire Prevention efforts must take the "end-user" into consideration. Complete and succinct information can make working with the public, on important issues, so much more easier. Yet, many Officers are not trained in effective communications and many don't know when communications have gone awry.
- Lack of Accountability - ACCOUNTABILITY: for actions and responsibilities; for crew members, equipment and tasks, particularly at the scene of emergencies. Lack of Accountability could also be classified as a Lack of Responsibility; members being responsible for their own actions. A few years back, I saw so many classes being offered on Accountability Systems, Rapid Intervention Crews, May-Day's and Self-Rescue techniques. I taught many of them. The prevailing issue that came up was working to keep our people from getting into those situations in the first place. Purposeful and proactive accountability can aid to that end. When we impress upon our people that situational awareness is paramount, we are telling them to be accountable.
- Lack of Discipline - Our service is effected, negatively, not by the exercise and issuance of discipline, but by the lack of the same. Many members talk about the lack of morale from time to time. Some attribute it to contracts, equipment, schedules, the person at the top, Officers, etc. However, I can say that the lack of discipline is a more pernicious element to low morale than any other. It's easy to blame the Chief, Commissioner or Fire Director for your woes, however, what is going on in your neck of the woods. What about the things you have direct control over. I have found that when discipline is effectively applied and evenly enforced; when members know what your expectations are and you are willing to hold them to the standards, morale and productivity improve. It starts and ends with you! Yes, YOU! Lack of discipline, in your own personal and professional demeanor/deportment, can be contagious. You wear your uniform improperly, so will your subordinates; come to work late and stay unshaven/disheveled, so will your subordinates; cut corners, they will; break rules, they will.
- Lack of Commitment - I am a big proponent of commitments and being sure that you are clear on them. It is a significant character trait for firefighters and fire officers that is severely lacking these days. I have seen a great shift from a true commitment to the job, your crew, your officer and yourself to a true commitment to "yourself". The number of self-centered, self-absorbed, conceited and narcissistic firefighters is at an all time high. It permeates every aspect of our service and I don't see the trend slowing. There are several reasons why, but commitment stands out. Look up from the phone, laptop and/or iPAD and see what has happened to our beloved profession. It's not pretty.
- Lack of Training - How does one get to Carnegie Hall?; Practice, Practice, Practice. How does one become an Effective Commander in the Fire Service (one that members will Trust)? TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN! You have to train, to acquire the confidence, skill sets and competence to operate in your position. You must read, take courses and network with other more experienced fire officers to stay abreast of emerging technologies. You must seek a mentor and then be a mentor to someone else. Your training must be multi-disciplined. There are some great corporate management books out there. There is required reading for our profession and acquired reading. Be a sponge. Continue on a course of achievement and education. It works!
Copyright 2012 John Alston. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Box vs. Out of the Box Thinking
A few years back, I had a great opportunity, during one of our planning sessions, to take notice of a particular "world" view held by a facilitator. The session was an emergency management development group. It was sponsored by a dear friend and was facilitated by two other individuals. These persons were not from our agency or group. They were not familiar with its culture and underpinnings. They led us on different approaches to arrive at some of the decisions that we had to make. That was the great part! I like learning new methods and challenging some ideas that may have outlived their usefulness.
However, the not-so-great part
was that, as the days went on, I got a sense that one of the facilitators may
have been harboring a little negative, possibly condescending, attitude. It was noticeable, in his comments and gestures. I tried to shake it, because anyone can have
a bad day (theirs or yours). First
impressions, although are usually "spot on", can sometimes be
misleads. You have to give presenters a
chance. People who make presentations to others know that you have to warm up
the room, get a read and then proceed.
You may have to change methods, tactics and directions to get your room
to "buy-in". But I digress!
Okay, this guy bothered me. The feeling I had just wouldn't go away. As the days went on into multiphase sessions,
that sense increased. I thought, "Hey, this guy doesn't know
us.".
Then, it happened: One of my colleagues made a suggestion. It was a great idea, by the way. It was based
on sound past practices. It seemed feasible.
It was succinct. But the response
from the facilitator was, "Well, you're just not an "Out-of-the-Box
thinker". I then saw my colleague retreat and shut down.
You're just not an out of the box
thinker? I thought to myself; the way that statement was delivered was
condescending. It seemed as if he was saying to the person, "You're not
that creative", ; "You're not that bright!, "You're not
intelligent enough.", "You're not that flexible." You're rigid.
You don't know what we know. YOU'RE NOT
THINKING! I took umbrage to that and I didn't like it
either. ;)
When you tell someone that
they're not an out-of-the-box thinker, it shouldn't be a negative.
I find that "Box" and "Out-of-the-box"
thinkers are both needed in planning situations and emergency management. In our day-to-day situations, Box Thinkers
are very clear on their roles and responsibilities. They are clear on the "space"
they occupy. They can prove to be
invaluable, under many circumstances. They
have full knowledge of their position in the organization and are detail oriented.
If you're going to be a "Box
Thinker", though, be sure to handle everything within the box.
I know it may seem like an
abstract analogy but follow me for a little while. Be clear on where your box fits into the
entire operation. Know the relationship
and responsibilities that your box has to the other boxes adjacent to, below
and above your box.
EXAMPLE: If you're a company officer
and your "box" is being on the Ladder Company; "Handle
everything within your box! If your task,
that day, is to perform search & rescue then handle everything in your box!
If you're assigned to be the supervisor,
on the third floor or division three of the building, then you are responsible
for everything within that box. Fire
suppression, search and rescue, ventilation, salvage, pre-&post- control
overhaul, etc. Know the authority, resources and tools that are
necessary for the box, completely. If
your box is ventilation; then you should know everything there is to know about
Ventilation: positive pressure, negative pressure, hydraulic, mechanical,
natural, vertical, horizontal. You need
to know when to apply what and at what appropriate time. Handle everything within that box.
When you're an out-of-the-box
thinker it means that you have the ability or the wherewithal to step outside
of the norm; or you just decided to think of things in a different way. That doesn't make you a better thinker than
the people who do think within the box.
EXAMPLE: If your box is OPERATIONS, at an incident,
and you are the Operations Section Chief...handle everything within your
box. Assign the necessary tasks, establish
the correct groups, place them in and on the proper divisions. Call up the appropriate resources. Provide for accountability and safety
measures. Monitor progress. Be clear on your communications, directions
and requests. Staff all required
positions. Use checklists. And...and...and...
MASTER YOUR BOX!
Additionally, to be an "Out-of-the-box"
thinker means that you can take the conventional methods, the tried and true
methods and apply them in a different way.
You may have the ability not use the conventional methods at all and
still realize a successful outcome. You
know the standards. You just look at the
situation in a different way. You may want to come up with a different or alternative
means to perform the same task. You may very
well look at things completely different.
In Emergency Management, when you
think outside of the box you are still utilizing box thinking to formulate your
idea. You have to. Think of it as a Stringed Quartet vs. a Jazz
Quartet. It's still music. One is very structured and the other more
improvisational and yet they still utilize some of the same instruments, chords
and notes to produce the final sound that they desire. It can even be the same song or piece of
music. Very often the stringed quartet
can make improvisations or perform different interpretations to the classical
pieces.
"Out-of-the-Box thinking"
is no greater than "Box thinking", when it's done completely. It just
means that we have different approaches to achieving a successful outcome..
I think they're both great and I that
any individual can possess both characteristics of a "Box or Out-of-the-Box
thinker.
Which one are you and why do you
think so?
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Be the Thermostat Not the Thermometer
When talking to Fire Officers I find that many, sometimes, fall into two basic categories:
"Thermometers" and "Thermostats"
Sometimes they find themselves, in one of two of these categories, through no fault of their own. Through discussion at meetings and by gauging the types of questions that they ask; or positions they assert; I wonder how they arrived there. Is it the "climate" where they work? Maybe the orientation or initiation they received. I surmise that long before they rose through the ranks, their indoctrination, association and/or training dictated their category... and they can't shake it. Was it osmosis??? The old nature-nurture debate??? No one can give a definitive answer.
A more pertinent question: Is there a system or process in place to move Fire Officers into one of these two categories? Is there a process to change them from one category to the other?
A more pertinent question: Is there a system or process in place to move Fire Officers into one of these two categories? Is there a process to change them from one category to the other?
Thermometers:
Thermometers (definition - an instrument that reads or measures temperature) read the temperature in the room and display there findings. They do not initiate their own actions. They wait until something happens and then display themselves. They change constantly, based on other conditions. Thermometers are sometimes fickle or, at best, just register/report/represent the "ambient" temperature. In other words, you don't get a true read. Sometimes there is a delay in their response. They do not initiate anything. They react and respond to outside influences.
Thermostats:
Thermostats (definition - an automatic or manual device for regulating temperature), on the other hand, are changers. They have the ability to effect and affect their environment. They can cause us to become warm or cold. They can alter the atmosphere. They can make us/others uncomfortable or motivate us to change. They can have a negative effect, at times. But if they are set right, they continue to do their job correctly. Thermostats can handle the heat and the cold, seamlessly. The good ones do their job efficiently.
Which One Are You?
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