May 2009 Blog Posts (130)

Got Ink? In the fire service, your reputation can precede you

Note: I'm posting this article in order to share it with viewers of my upcoming Webcast, "So You Want to Be a Company Officer?" This is the first Company Officer Development column I wrote for FireRescue magazine, back in… Continue

Added by Ray Gayk on May 20, 2009 at 7:30pm — No Comments

GAO report casts dark shadow on GPS

Satellites could fail as early as next year, potentially disrupting military and first responder operations

"Yikes! Could the sky literally start to fall? According to a new study from the U.S. government accountability office, some important GPS satellites could begin to fail as early as next year, and all sorts of GPS users — public safety, military and consumers — could begin to experience regular blackouts, failures and inaccurate readings".

Aviation also relies… Continue

Added by Oldman on May 20, 2009 at 3:25pm — 3 Comments

Code 3 trucks

If anyone collects Code 3 trucks and is interested in buying any for cheaper than they are through the website please contact me. I am looking to sell the ones I have and am willing to cut the price I paid in half.

Added by Mary Tuck on May 20, 2009 at 10:48am — 6 Comments

Sleepless night... Take two..

Its 6PM on 20 May 2009 and I just got off the phone with a friend. I need to be at the bus station at 3AM heading to Pansol. From Pansol I will go to Batangas (I am guessing near Lipa city) and then visits a resort and after that we are heading back to Pansol to rock out in a private resort private hot springs, and head back to Metro Manila. Who says being a Freelance Medic is no fun?

Well, It looks like another night I will not sleep as I have such an early morning. I will take some… Continue

Added by Jason McDonald on May 20, 2009 at 6:17am — No Comments

sleepless night...

As I am sitting here writing this blog I am thinking about how many times I have had a sleepless night and I find myself realizing that I have quite a bit of sleepless nights. I know the remedy and yet I still do not follow it. I need to not take a nap in the afternoon. Maybe too much stuff is on my mind and thats why I cannot sleep. Hmm, I know what I will do. I will play Command ond Conquer 3 and beat that game. Muahh, the kid inside of me wins yet another round.

Added by Jason McDonald on May 19, 2009 at 4:51pm — 4 Comments

Thanks

I being a voulunteer I really appreciate it when people just come up to you at radom and thank you for all the hard work you do that really make me feel good (not to take away from any of the paid fire men out there) it really makes it all worth it when people realize that you are not only protecting the community but you have all the training that we have to do most of us work full time jobs and are trying to raise a family on top of all of this. What everyone needs to remember is that we do… Continue

Added by Rob Cheesman on May 19, 2009 at 11:35am — 1 Comment

Thank you Everyone Who...

Helped me with the Code situation, Even though they aren't used in a lot of areas.
I am studying them and I Also Am studying moreee different codes.
Once again i'd like to thank you all for your support and help.

Thank You a lot.

-Ashley 7344

Added by Melisa Ashley on May 19, 2009 at 8:46am — 1 Comment

What a profound short little paragraph that says it all!

This was emailed to me today.

"You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that… Continue

Added by Oldman on May 18, 2009 at 5:47pm — 1 Comment

Workouts

I was looking for your guys inputs about working out. Do you guys have suggestions about working out at your house and using stuff around your house? i dont really feel like signing up for a gym. So do you guys know of stuff that i can use around my house and maybe some small stuff that i can buy that wont cost alot? Thanks.

Added by Tyler Baumgartner on May 18, 2009 at 5:12pm — 2 Comments

CANADIAN FIREFIGHTER LINE OF DUTY

CANADIAN FIREFIGHTER LINE OF DUTY DEATH-HEART ATTACK AT FIRE SCENE

The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

We, along with Chief Trent Hill and the members of the Keswick Valley FD, New Brunswick, Canada regret to announce the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter Phil Strang. Firefighter Strang responded to the report of a fire behind a house in Keswick Valley Friday afternoon. Upon arrival firefighters encountered a power line that had sparked and set a small wooded area on… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on May 18, 2009 at 3:58pm — 2 Comments

There's more to a "Parade Load" than just looks...

Sure a Parade Load looks great, and our employers (citizens/ taxpayers) always deserve to see that we take our job seriously. We should do everything with a maximum amount of pride and professionalism, but more importantly, a Parade Load has an important functional purpose. That rain guard should protect the hose. If hose is "bulging" out of it, then the loops just get wet, look ugly AND potentially allow hose to be grabbed unintentionally by an… Continue

Added by S. Trotter on May 18, 2009 at 12:00pm — 6 Comments

Need some help with AFG

I am in need of some help here. I am trying to craft a narrative request for a mini-pumper/quick attack vehicle. I am looking for sample narratives and ideas beyond what we currently have. I have searched the site and apparently am not looking in the right places. If anyone would help out, that would be greatly appreciated. My email address is jtempesco@comcast.net .

Thank you in advance for any help provided.

Added by Jeffrey Tempesco on May 18, 2009 at 4:40am — No Comments

So I need some help.

Hi everyone, i guess i could start by telling you my name. My name is Melisa Ashley. I'm 17 years old. I am a junior Volunteer Fire fighter.

So i have some questions to those of you that feel you could help me by answering them.

I am new to all the terms and codes dealing with firefighting i do know what 10-4 means of course but they have many many many codes for many different situations and i hope that some of you could help me by sending me a bunch of different codes and… Continue

Added by Melisa Ashley on May 17, 2009 at 5:05pm — 20 Comments

A Spartan Attitude for Firefighters

I recently watched the movie “300” and find it to be inspiring and historically interesting. I have seen it maybe three or four times and this most recent viewing it made me stop and think. These Spartans were a proud, honorable and highly trained group of men and society. It was an honor to die protecting Sparta.

Sound familiar? The fire service should be a place that we are proud, honorable and in trying to save a life, we are revered for giving our lives to save another. At least that… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on May 17, 2009 at 11:07am — 10 Comments

Church fire in Cambridge Mass

3rd alarm for Mormon Church at 4 Longfellow Place box 5441 - companies venting the roof 4 LSO.

Added by IPN on May 17, 2009 at 11:04am — No Comments

1st Due Arithmetic

The "When is it Vacant...?" discussion on Firefighter Nation brings up a basic question about balancing the response to the incident. I don't have all of the answers to such a complex question, particularly in a short venue in a blog like… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on May 16, 2009 at 2:59pm — 1 Comment

Not crying anymore

With my dedication and determination, I finally was given the opportunity to be hired by an EMS family in Kentucky. I love it. Not caring how far I have to drive. Well, I only drive an hour to work. I feel now that all my dreams in life have fallen into place. Well there is one thing missing, which is having a loyal friend to share my same interests with, but I know that will come in time. In the meantime, I am able to be part of a team, family, and a community. I love it so much, if I had the… Continue

Added by Dina Lynn on May 16, 2009 at 10:26am — 1 Comment

Traveling to Deliverance for a Fire

Well I am still all pumped up about this last call I went on and yes after 1 hour of being out there I have admit I NEVER even made it to the call. It all began as my pager goes off as I am ready to drop off a returned movie at walmart. I am stoked I hear blah blah blah "oriole dr" blah blah blah exploded propane tank blah blah. I type in the address in my gps AWESOME it pinpoints it and says 8 MILES!!! WHAT!! I know crazy but i start hauling it down the road red lights a flashing. After the… Continue

Added by Kimberly McDonald on May 16, 2009 at 9:53am — 4 Comments

Why Cut AFG? DHS Secretary weighs in

In a previous post, I noted that IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger hinted at increased funding to come for the fire service.

Unfortunately, last week the administration actually proposed reducing the AFG program by 70 percent. Although this was "offset" by significant increases in the SAFER grant, it was hardly sounded like the increase in funding Schaitberger promised--overall, as… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on May 15, 2009 at 10:30pm — 3 Comments

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2009

Sunday 17 May marks the 26th anniversary of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is among the world’s oldest movements for HIV/AIDS remembrance, awareness and community action.

The first International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was held in 1983, when the cause of AIDS was unknown and no more than a few thousand AIDS deaths had been recorded. The organisers wished to honour the memory… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on May 15, 2009 at 7:04pm — No Comments