From all over building, we can see Emergency Response Team members coming out, some looking a bit dazed. A general alarm had been sounded and ERT has been activated!

At command post, "Commander" quickly briefed all ERT members about situation. There was a fire at LPG storage tank, and there was an urgent need to put out fire before tank becomes so hot and pressurized that it explodes. Very serious and widespread damage will certainly occur if that happened.

So all ERT members swung into action. From command post, they ran all way to LPG area. One member was assigned to fire pump house to take care of fire pumps. This type of fire needed a tremendous amount of water to cool down tank. A few members barricaded area leading to fire. This was necessary to ensure that scene of fire be restricted only to people who are able to help, to ensure that fire brigade has free access, and for controlling crowd.

As ERT members reached scene of fire, Commander directed operations while keeping in touch with one member who was assigned for communications work at command post.

The Direct Attack Team swung into action with their hoses. There were 4 persons in each hose team - first nozzle member, second support, third runner, and fourth hydrant valve operator. Each member played their part to make hose connections, operate valves, and advancing as smoothly as possible.

Simply focus conversation on other person. This takes pressure off you --- you don't have to be a witty bon-vivant to be a great communicator.

Avoid interrogating your new acquaintance, and if you are really nervous do your best to control twitches and jittery movements. And (best hint coming...) ALWAYS slow your speaking rate down. Nervousness makes us talk too fast.

2. The eyes have it Here's a great 'rule breaker': instead of sticking to 'respect someone's privacy and personal space' rule, when you meet someone for first time give them a good look right in eyes.

It's well known that when we look at someone we find attractive, our pupils dilate, a phenomenon that other person instinctively picks up on. Well, that phenomenon can also be put to good use in our business dealings, too. Notice other person's eye colour, say 'great' to yourself, and you'll find yourself involuntarily smiling. The other person will pick up on your mood.

But try and avoid smiling lecherously, or as a vampire would when contemplating a tasty new neck...

3. Get over your 'bad hair day' Whilst 'being yourself' is always a good thing for relational honesty, try and disguise your inherent pessimism and bad mood from new acquaintances.

Even though you know you are just 'having a bad day' or a bad half-hour, other person will probably decide that you are a 'full-time whinger', an impression and reputation hard to shake.

A bad mood will spread contagiously, bringing down other person too. Better to start off positively; you can always let them see your 'other' side on another day...

4. "Mirror in bathroom" ** Adjust your posture, voice and gestures to those of your new acquaintance. Establish rapport by mirroring their head nods and tilts. Speak at their pace and volume level. You'd be surprised by just how many different 'voices' a successful salesperson uses in a day -- they spend a large amount of time mirroring other person's gestures, voice, language, pace, intonation and volume.

** (a wildly unsuccessful link to an 80s ska/reggae song)