Well, it’s come to that point where I need to let you know exactly what is going on around here.
ADVERTISEMENTS-
I get paid for doing this. It’s true. Those ads you see are placed by the Emergency Services Ad Network and I have an agreement with them for revenue sharing. I also have Google Adsense ads that run and have an agreement with them as well. I do not directly control the content of these ads so if an ad appears for a product I support or oppose, it is simply coincidence.
PRODUCT REVIEWS-
Now that more than 5 people read this website I am also being contacted to demo new equipment. I take these offers on a one-by-one basis, only testing those I want to test or think I may want. I won’t test out a product I wouldn’t buy myself. What’s the point? Products I do demo are provided by the manufacturer at their cost and, if they accept, returned to them at the end of my demo period. I accept these items with the understanding that my review of them will be based on my experience with the product and is not an automatic “Go buy this” response.
Equipment that, to be tested and used in accordance with my standards, must replace my issued safety equipment will need to meet or exceed NFPA standards for protective equipment and also be approved by the property clerk at my Department. If I accept to do a review and it is declined by the property clerk, the item will be returned and no review made. How could I?
To have me test a product, contact me by email, but keep in mind if I test it and I don’t like it, I will spread the word.
MEDICAL ADVICE-
For whatever legal reasons it is important to remember that the medical situations I describe are so altered to maintain “privacy” that many facts are altered meaning the medical advice and actions described on these pages should never take the place of your own training, knowledge and protocols.
SPEAKING-
I am also paid to travel around speaking on various topics. It is a great opportunity for me and I enjoy having the chance to speak to groups who don’t read websites or even spend much time online. I speak for a variety of groups, mostly at no cost. When I am sponsored to speak I do mention my sponsor.
THE TRUTH-
I have one rule in life, don’t lie. If I tell you I like what a company is doing it means I like what they are doing. If someone I don’t like wants me to travel to their conference to speak about something I don’t want to speak about, I’m not going to do it. Plain and simple. I have no problem saying “No” to manufacturers and industry folks. I have said no a lot more than I have said yes.
One of the benefits of having a full time job outside the interwebs machine is being able to stand back when money gets tight. Some sites rely on reviews to keep the money coming in, not here.
So the short version is this: If I review something I’m doing it because I want you to know about it and the payment I get from it is the opportunity to use the product before purchasing it. Fair enough?
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