Grace Under Pressure

The fire service lost a great Officer, Instructor, and Warrior yesterday with the passing of Ray Hoff, retired Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief, former Chief of the Topinabee (Michigan) Fire Department, and Field Staff Instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

Ray was a professional in every sense of the word, a Truckie to the core, and he set an example of grace under pressure.  Ray was the first Truck Officer on the scene of the Paxton Hotel Fire, March 23, 1993, as the Captain of Tower Ladder 10.  He directed the Rescue Triage of the building, he chose who would live and die.  I was an Instructor at some of the classes Ray was but I wont say I ever "Taught with him," I was as much a student as any of the candidates we had in those classes.

Ray's experience formed the basis of the "Paxton Drill" that I have participated in dozens of times.  Too many victims, too few rescuers: make decisions and execute.  At least 19 people perished at the Paxton Hotel (exact numbers are not available because some victims were believed to have been completely incinerated).

Rescues at the Paxton


Ray was also a very reflective man.  In my files someplace I have a couple of very short memoir like essays that he wrote about his experience in the City as a firefighter.  He speaks of his challenges and having to deal with the very real stress of working in communities with heavy fire duty and the fire deaths and injuries he dealt with.  While my philosophy of the Fire Service Warrior is drawn from many sources it is Ray Hoff who get's the credit for the phrase, "Controlling the Door" of your emotions.

My thoughts and prayers are with Ray's family.  His brother Bob is current Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department, his nephew Andy is a fellow instructor and firefighter.  He was a great instrucotor and a good man.  I'm proud to have known him, and honored to have learned from him.  God Speed and Following Winds, Chief.