Firefighters Want More Training in 2026

Thinking about firefighting and the value it provides to our local communities, it’s important to recognize the challenges many departments face. Strained budgets and other issues can make it difficult to maintain large, around-the-clock departments.

That’s why part-time firefighters and volunteers are so important. Their commitment helps provide greater safety coverage and ensures that the people as well as businesses in our communities have the protection they rely on (Beyond insurance cost).

Training will always be a challenge because there is little to no pay for this type of work and so people need to support their families, take care of their kids, etc. Thus departments augment, some are almost always present, others have to take care of business. In our case we train every week.

(The last two weeks I missed because I was on an e-bike while I figured out the car situation. Swim coaches end and I don't have enough time, and unlikely the juice to go completely in the other direction. Now I should be back on track now that I found the right mechanic and have a backup. However, you see the point that things can get in the way.)

If you’re interested in supporting a great local department with many young volunteer and part-time recruits in the UP—one that teaches skills far beyond firefighting and helps develop the next generation of community leaders—please reach out. Tax free donations. I’d be happy to connect you with the right people.

There are a lot of things you may do in your life, especially if young, but few of them are important as protecting your community. That journey can start by joining one of our local fire departments.

What Firefighters Want in 2026: Time to Train

• Firefighters want more opportunities to train, including pursuing certifications, attending regional training, and improving their operational skills.

• Only 37% of surveyed firefighters rated the quality of their department’s training as very good or excellent.

• The biggest obstacle to adequate training is time, with 60% of respondents identifying scheduling conflicts and lack of time as the No. 1 barrier.

• Nearly 80% of respondents reported that AI-driven training makes up little or none of their department’s training, showing that emerging technology remains underused.

• The article emphasizes the need for departments to provide more consistent, relevant training and better align training programs with operational readiness.

FireRescue1. (2026, August 10). What firefighters want in 2026: Time to train. https://www.iafc.org/blogs/iafc/2026/09/02/what-firefighters-want-2026-aggressive-safe-tactics

Psychedelic Assisted Therapy for PTSD and Veterans

This is an interesting report that could be very helpful to our veterans. They served, they are not not rich but they showed up to defend our principles. Some come back with scars they can't shake their whole lives. Anytime we can find a possible solution then we should explore it. We waste money and things that have much lower returns (In some cases antithetical to our values. At least the values I hear from a broader sector of society.) Let applaud the effort in embracing the greater responsibility we have to each other. We only continue our path of freedom by supporting it, and those who protect/ed it, from generation to generation. A sacred oath.

(lllustrative Only)

(As a side note, I have much more respect for these men and women than those who profit off of war. These veterans fought because they were standing for something important. Anyone who puts them at risk for money or investment is not in the same strain of quality. Some are faithful to money, divided loyalties, and other interests while others are faithful to higher principles. I applaud it when people, politicians, businesses and communities stand up to support those who are actively serving and those who are veterans. We need much more thoughtfulness. Double thumbs up for this article. It is informative and helpful 👍👍)

This one is going on another site that does support our veterans. Always faithful. 

Summary and Recommendations on the Safe, Ethical, and Equitable Integration of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the United States

• Psychedelic-assisted therapy may help treat conditions such as PTSD, depression, addiction, and end-of-life distress.
• The report recommends federal, state, and Tribal cooperation to establish consistent safety, training, and ethical standards.
• Patient safety should include informed consent, screening, monitoring, and protections against misconduct.
• The report emphasizes improving access for underserved populations through affordable and flexible treatment options.
• Standardized data collection is recommended to evaluate treatment effectiveness, safety, and long-term outcomes.

Coe, M., Harris-Stephenson, M., & Henningfield, J. (2026). Summary and recommendations on the safe, ethical, and equitable integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the United States. Pinney Associates. Article

Apple Orchard and the Industry at Blakes Farm-A Few Ideas

For those who know me, I’ve been talking a lot lately about finding 10–20 acres in the U.P. and eventually building a little retirement hobby farm.

One of the things I’ve already tried was planting a couple of apple trees in my yard. Unfortunately, the deer demolished them pretty quickly! So, when I eventually scrape enough money together to buy some acreage, I’ll definitely need to figure out how to protect the 10 or so apple trees I’d like to plant. We’ll see what the future brings!

Anyway, I was at Blake’s Farm in South Lyon, MI and thought they had a really nice thing going on there. Not that I’m interested in doing something quite like this, but I do love getting out and seeing places like it.

Music, kids dancing, donuts, apple picking, and just a whole lot of fun. 🍎🍩🎶
It definitely got me thinking about what my own little place might look like someday.

U.S. Apple Industry at a Glance

• The U.S. apple industry contributes billions of dollars to the economy and supports thousands of jobs.

• More than 27,000 apple producers grow apples across all 50 states.

• U.S. growers produce approximately 11.1 billion pounds of apples annually, generating $3.2 billion in farm-gate revenue.

• About 67% of the crop is grown for fresh consumption, while 30% is processed into juice and other food products.

• The United States is the world’s second-largest apple producer, with more than 7,000 varieties grown domestically.

U.S. Apple Association. (n.d.). Industry at a glance. https://usapple.org/industry-at-a-glance

Study Indicates that Trees in Community Landscape Reduces Cardiovascular Disease

October 3rd, 2026

ESCANABA, MI.-Landscaping is about more than creating an attractive space. The environments we spend time in can influence how we feel, think, and function throughout the day.

Consider something as simple as having a cup of coffee surrounded by trees, plants, and a thoughtfully designed landscape. A pleasant setting can create a more relaxing atmosphere, support creativity, and make everyday experiences more enjoyable.

A 2026 study highlighted below takes a closer look at the connection between urban trees and cardiovascular health. Researchers found that greater visibility of trees was associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, adding to the growing discussion about how our physical surroundings may contribute to overall wellness.

For me, this topic hits close to home. As a licensed fitness trainer and yoga instructor, with experience in firefighting and lifeguarding, I believe health is about more than exercise alone. Our environment, movement, stress levels, and daily habits all contribute to the bigger picture.

If you're looking for guidance with your health and fitness goals, send me a message. I’d be happy to set up a virtual meeting and help you take the next step toward a healthier lifestyle.

Read the 2026 study below to learn more about the connection between trees, urban environments, and cardiovascular health.

 Trees and Heart Disease Risk in Cities

• More visible trees in urban neighborhoods were associated with a 4% lower incidence of cardiovascular disease.
• More visible grass was associated with a 6% higher incidence of cardiovascular disease.
• Researchers analyzed more than 350 million street-view images to measure trees, grass, and other vegetation.
• The study included nearly 89,000 women and examined health information collected over 18 years.
• Researchers stated that more research is needed to explain why different types of greenery had different associations with heart disease.

The study suggests that trees may be associated with better cardiovascular health in cities. Possible benefits include reducing heat, air pollution, and noise. However, the study shows associations rather than proving that trees directly prevent heart disease.

Howard, L. (2026, January 21). Trees—not grass and other greenery—associated with lower heart disease risk in cities. UC Davis Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/trees--not-grass-and-other-greenery--associated-with-lower-heart-disease-risk-in-cities/2026/01

August 2026 Manufacturing Report: Shipments, Inventories, & Orders

The report is also stable with mild growth. It would be nice to see additional orders and growth in the manufacturing sectors but overall it's not a bad place to be. 

Monthly Full Report on Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, & Orders

• New orders for manufactured goods increased 0.1% in August 2026 to $663.5 billion.
• Shipments decreased by less than $0.1 billion, remaining nearly unchanged at $658.6 billion.
• Unfilled orders increased 0.6% to $1,609.6 billion.
• Manufacturers’ inventories increased 0.5% to $972.4 billion, marking the eleventh consecutive monthly increase.
• The report provides monthly data on manufacturers’ shipments, inventories, and orders, helping track activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2026, October 2). Monthly full report on manufacturers’ shipments, inventories, & orders. https://www.census.gov/manufacturing/m3/current/index.html

Employment is Stable for September 2026-Healthcare Seems to Be the Growing Investor Bubble

The employment situation has changed little, with unemployment holding at 4.1%—a relatively solid number. So far, the broader picture remains stable.

One notable trend is the continued growth in healthcare employment. The expansion may reflect several factors, including high wages, increasingly expensive insurance, and the growing demand for specialized medical services. 

Wherever there is sustained demand and significant spending, there is money to be made, and healthcare has become a major economic sector.

But there is a broader economic question worth considering. For the population as a whole, wealth creation is often associated with production, industry, business formation, and other activities that expand the economy’s productive capacity.

If healthcare employment is growing substantially faster than sectors that directly produce goods and expand productive capacity, it could raise questions about whether some of that growth represents more of an investor exercise versus a practical outcome. In theory maybe or maybe not.

How much are you paying for medical insurance and should we think of solutions?

Employment Situation – September 2026

• U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 29,000 in September 2026, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.2%.
• The unemployment rate has remained between 4.1% and 4.3% since March, indicating relatively little change in overall unemployment.
• Health care added 17,000 jobs, construction added 11,000, and manufacturing added 9,000 jobs during September.
• Average hourly earnings increased 0.1% to $37.81, representing a 3.0% increase over the previous 12 months.
• Previous employment estimates were revised downward by a combined 60,000 jobs for July and August, showing that earlier job-growth estimates were weaker than initially reported.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, October 2). Employment situation—September 2026. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Good Food, Good People, and a Beacon of Freedom-Dearborn

We went out to eat in Dearborn the other day, and the food was delicious. Mediterranean food is generally considered healthy—minus the French fries, of course.

This community has so much flavor and has carved out a place it can truly call home. Over the years, both when I lived here and while I’ve been away, the people in this community have been good to me and have welcomed many of my friends as well.

The people here are good, and it’s sad to see them sometimes subjected to hate or unfair judgment by a few despite a variety of religions that go back to the beginning foundations (No matter what we accept or don't accept in that historical narrative.).

This country was founded on the principle of religious freedom, and that freedom is meant to apply to people of all faiths. Those are principles worth defending, regardless of politics or the influences financial and others on politics.

When some fail to respect certain principles, they may also fail to fully appreciate the sacrifices generations of people have made to preserve those freedoms.

At the end of the day, it shouldn’t matter what someone’s race, origin, or religion is. We all deserve the same freedom, dignity, and respect. All people and all faiths.

People should be judged on merit. Their values and character. Many here serve in the military, are firefighters, doctors, and societal contributors. 

Religion and moral codes should lead to a higher moral conscious. Over the years I have studied various religions and moral philosophies and I say that religion is a guide. Good and bad souls are not defined by religion but by their choices. The more one knows, the greater the responsibilities.

Thank you Dearborn for being such a wonderful unique place.