It was a cold winter day in Wisconsin, and the coming winter weather was enough to make even the saltiest veterans of our area’s fire service consider the special calls and challenges that winter brings.  Slippery roads bring car accidents on the Interstate, cold weather creates more risk for structure fires, chimney fires, firefighter rehab and cold weather safety concerns and the holidays create dynamic EMS calls, with more emotional families, and a variety of other challenges for our…

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Whenever I have an opportunity to visit another area, whether on vacation or traveling for other reasons, I always enjoy meeting other firefighters.  I’ve learned so many things from visiting fire stations in other parts of the state and country, and I’ve also met a lot of great people.  Often, as a part of the first few minutes of conversation, the inevitable question comes up: “Are you a career firefighter, or a volunteer?” 

Being the passionate volunteer that I am, I…

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Through the years, I’ve participated in numerous interviews with candidates that have applied for membership in our department.  Recently, I started thinking about the challenges of our proud volunteer fire service, and how special of a person it takes to become a professional volunteer firefighter.  In a world where there are many different kinds of people, and many different personalities and priorities, these people give their time and energy to make their communities…

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In studies about volunteer recruitment and retention, it has been mentioned that some firefighters reach a plateau after several years of service, where they “burn out”.  We lose some of these valuable volunteers to other interests, and all of their fire service training walks out the door with them.  This leaves us with a double impact: we lose a trained firefighter, and we also lose an experienced and participative member of our group.



As members of the fire service at all ranks…

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Volunteer Ont. firefighter dies after rescue drill

Last Updated: Sunday, January 31, 2010 | 5:20 PM ET Comments0Recommend2

The Canadian Press



A member of the Point Edward, Ont., volunteer fire department who got trapped under the ice during a rescue drill has died of his injuries.



Lambton County OPP say Gary Kendall, 51, of Point Edward, was taking part in the ice water rescue training session Saturday afternoon when he became trapped.



Other fire… Continue

Buffalo radio station WBEN-930AM listeners have overwhelming chosen the first responders who responded to the crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Clarence Center, NY on February 12, 2009 as their "Persons-of-the-Year."



Congratulations to all those involved in the response effort.…



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"It takes a very special person to volunteer his time," (Stephens et al 14) however, the number of these special people who volunteer as firefighters is declining and fire departments are doing all they can to retain current volunteer firefighters and gain new ones. Over the years, the number of volunteer firefighters within the United States has been declining. Not only is it becoming difficult to persuade people in joining fire departments, but it is also becoming more difficult to retain the… Continue

With the number of volunteers decreasing throughout the nation, there are many actions being taken to counteract this situation. Recruitment and retention is the volunteer fire services new battle. From different training activities to gain interest, to recruitment drives and incentive plans, there are many varying approaches to this problem. On the other hand, what is really working?

From a volunteers perspective I feel that the fire departments suffering from low numbers of volunteers… Continue

I, like most of us here, received an email from the secret list (www.secretlist.com). It was discussing the brown-out situation in Boston. The following is a portion of the e-mail I received -



But it's a whole lot different now in Boston, MA.



Not surprisingly, defiant off-duty BFD Firefighters are intentionally disobeying BFD orders and voluntarily staffing 3 Boston fire companies that were closed this week as part of a new "brown out" policy aimed at reducing overtime… Continue

Hi Everyone, Would anyone be so kind to tell me if there is any Financial Aid for a Volunteer Firefighters child that goes to a University in Pennsylvania and what the requirements would be for them to get the financial aid for College the student is taking up Architecture and is brilliant. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Hughie lkyspgot57@aol.com The 57 House GO PENS!!!!!!!!

George J. Baraniecki, 64, of Terryville, husband of Frances (Orsini) Baraniecki died Sunday at the Bristol Hospital.



George was born April 8, 1944 in Chirnside, Scotland, son of the late Joseph A. & Emilia (Zielinski) Baraniecki. He immigrated to Canada and was raised in Weston, Ontario, Canada. He attended St. Michaels College in Toronto, and also Southern Connecticut State College where he received his B.S. in education, and received his Masters of Education degree from the… Continue

Here is a list of a few of the things I learned as a probie in my dept. All you new guys, these are bound to help a little. Enjoy.



Rules Every Probie in a Volunteer Dept Should Know...

You're always the first person you look out for at a scene, your fellow firemen second. (Civilians optional)

You, as a probie, by definition know shit, that is why your shield is a different color, so when an officer looks for someone to do something, you are overlooked, so in your observing… Continue