Paul Combs

California

Writer at Medium

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Articles

Throwback Thursday: Ten Classic Westerns You Absolutely Must See Before You Die

2 days ago | paulcombs.medium.com | Paul Combs

Go watch them nowLongtime readers of my ramblings are well aware of my semi-regular attempts to turn attention to one of my older stories through the Throwback Thursday article. I’ve been publishing these on random Thursdays for the better part of four years now, more out of sheer stubbornness than because they actually generate that many additional reads.
Drawn by Fire: A Mountain Too High

3 days ago | fireengineering.com | Paul Combs

Too many young firefighters are being left to figure it out on their own—no guidance, no mentorship, no true leadership. That’s not how this calling should work. Yes, they will have to climb the mountain of experience, but don’t you stand at the top with your arms crossed. Reach down. Pull them up. Share what you’ve learned—on the fireground and in the firehouse. Be the mentor you always wished you had. STAY FIRED UP and don’t let the next generation climb the mountain alone.
Make Your Summer Reading a Little More Saintly This Year

3 days ago | medium.com | Paul Combs

Ditch that pulp fiction for some heavenly booksWe are well into summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, and as the temperature skyrockets, for me there’s nothing better than staying inside a nice, air-conditioned house and reading. But even if you are one of those maniacs who enjoys the outdoors, a good book is essential for that ill-advised sweltering trip to the beach or (even worse) the woods.
Remembering a Man So Good He Was Better Than Himself

1 week ago | medium.com | Paul Combs

Big Man ForeverToday marks 14 years since the passing of Clarence “Big Man” Clemons, saxophone maestro, notorious free spirit, and soul of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. He was such a larger-than-life presence (even for me, and I never met him) that it seems inconceivable that he is gone.
Drawn by Fire: June 2025

1 week ago | fireengineering.com | Paul Combs

Tequila-Based Brine Blamed for Fire Burst When Oven Opened at WI ApartmentA tequila-based brine is being blamed for a burst of fire when an oven was opened at a West Side apartment on Sunday.
Famous Rockers Who Share a Name with Non-Famous Cities

2 weeks ago | medium.com | Paul Combs

You probably won’t be surprised by who is hereYesterday, my friend and fellow music lover wrote an article about American rock bands with American place names; along with ones you’d expect like Boston and Kansas, he dug deep and also pulled out the Detroit Wheels and the Atlanta Rhythm Section (a Southern rock band that was huge in the 1970s but that I have not thought about since Ronald Reagan was president).
My Lawyer Says I’m Too Young for a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ Order

3 weeks ago | medium.com | Paul Combs

I’m not sure I agreeHaving lost both of my parents in the span of less than 16 months, I have been forced to consider my own mortality lately more than I normally do. I don’t mean from a theological or metaphysical standpoint (that part’s actually fun, especially when cracking jokes about dying around people who are freaked out by the very thought), but from a practical, financial, and (ugh) legal standpoint.
Drawn by Fire: The Big One

4 weeks ago | fireengineering.com | Paul Combs

Without proper guidance and preparation, promotion can feel like catching a 20-foot shark. However, mentorship, along with the required curriculum and experience, is crucial for firefighter succession and advancement, especially for promotions. Effective mentorship provides guidance, advice, and support from experienced individuals to help mentees navigate leadership pitfalls, gain tactical confidence, develop effective training skills, and make informed decisions.
The Month of May is Dedicated to Mary and So is This Rate-A-Record

1 month ago | paulcombs.medium.com | Paul Combs

I barely got it done in timeMay is celebrated as the month of Mary in the Catholic Church, so I naturally thought of doing a Rate-A-Record featuring a few of Bruce Springsteen’s songs with the name “Mary” either in the title or the lyrics.
Drawn by Fire: Heavenly Help

1 month ago | fireengineering.com | Paul Combs

Ex-FDNY Chief Gets Three Years in Prison for Taking Bribes to Fast-Track Safety InspectionsA former New York City Fire Department chief was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday for accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes.