Madrid 28.11.2011
High Pivot point
A notebook full of big and small problems: How would you technically solve a high pivot point?
Nymphenburg November 2011
Consulting
Oh, the irony. The archetype consultant wears a suit, hangs around airport lounges, works until 3am to get some charts done and revolves around ROI or the like. There is a specific type which will invariably generate an allergic reaction in me for sheer superficiality.
On the other hand, the field I work in actually requires such consulting services. It’s not as much about selling equipment (although this will ensure my paycheck), but many organisations, whether Fire Services, Military or other safety related company departments, will develop very specific risk scenarios that require bespoke solutions. If a factory or public transport shuts down for some time, there’s a potential economic element to it, apart from personal injury and property damage. Examples of such affected critical infrastrucures are plenty.
So now, there is an increasing part of my work dealing with those specific requirements. For instance, how do you safely lift a tram with a person stuck underneath, that is slanted at 15° and no crane can reach? What kind of damage control set do you put together for specific military and civilian ships? Iron ore mines?
Risk mitigation is the underlying element, but the process leading to a product sale is actually a classical consulting process: listen to the clients’ requirement, do an assessment that is not only technical, but also tactical, and produce a product that not only includes gear but also training and perhaps even a tip or two about tactics.
The bottom line? I am in the Consulting business. But one that includes such occasions as being picked up by a fire engine from the hotel and being deposed there by a VIP tramway in the middle of the night :)
There I was.
This pretty unexciting building is where I was born. Fate would have it I visited a fire station exactly opposite. Back after 42 years, the original birthing clinic is gone, and all that remains are my parents’ memories – and a Facebook group of people born there. Truly amazing :)
Less excited than I thought I’d be but nonetheless… I always tell people I was born in Glostrup, not Copenhagen, so there you are.
-
Welcome
Welcome to Irakli West's personal pages on the Web. I am Danish, live close to Munich in Germany, and run FWnetz, an online magazine and training resource for firefighters. In real life, I am Regional Manager Northern Europe for Paratech, teach Heavy Rescue (it's fun, challenging and serves a good purpose) and try to learn more about USAR. I am a member of the Munich Volunteer Fire Department as well as @fire, a USAR and Wildfire NGO outfit.
-
Twitter
-
Pictures
-
Video