Few professions command as much respect as first responders. First responders rush to help when others would flee; they put themselves in harm’s way to save lives; and they work tirelessly to respond to emergencies and prevent them from getting worse. Yet, the very nature of their work puts first responders at higher risk of physical and emotional health issues. Here is a closer look at some of the dangers these workers face, as well as how to minimize the…

Continue

5-Alarm Task Force and Insight Training LLC are proud to present a Coronavirus Webinar for First Responders, sponsored by Life Scan Wellness Centers. 

Friday, April 17th at 1:00 PM.EDT. The webinar will be recorded for later viewing if you're unable to join us at 1:00 PM EDT.

Tickets are $10 and all net proceeds will be donated to the NFFF and a vetted Go Fund Me Page for PPE for first responders.

Get your tickets at …

Continue

Lt. Bronner sent the following notice about getting your cold weather bags together as the temperature drops.  If you have a cold weather bag share what you have in it so others can get an idea of what works and what doesn’t.  Stay warm.  Read On.

We took a tour of the Humanetics Innovative Solutions factory, which is the only company worldwide making crash test dummies for the auto industry.  These dummies contain an unbelievable amount of technology that provides data about how passengers are affected in various collisions.   This technology really helps explain how…

Continue

After seeing a couple variations of sleeves for high-lift jacks we made a few.  Brother Firefighter Stout helped with fabricating them and tracking down some steel.  You can read more about the “OJ Sleeves” from the brother’s in Michigan or view some pictures from Andrew Brassard’s variation here.…

Continue

Here’s another basic extrication technique for you to try at your next training.  It has everything to do with brake pedal displacement when a victims foot is entrapped.  For more on the old school techniques click here.…

Continue

Yesterday we were paged out for a 10-50 PI with possible entrapment. Enroute we received details that the car snapped a utility pole, so we had possible lines down to contend with. Our unit arrived on scene a few minutes behind the ambulance. I went up to help the medics while the rest of our truck surveyed the vehicle to see if there was any extrication needed.

The car was a small sedan that was travelling down the country road way to fast. It lost control on a curve and the…

Continue

Blogger’s Note: The following is my submission to the Fire Critic’s First Due Fire Blog Carnival…

Continue

I arrived at the station the morning of October 13, 2009 at 7:30 A.M. It was a rainy day with no signs of slowing. Considering that this was the first big rain of the season I prepared myself for multiple vehicle accidents on Highway 49. At about 8:40 A.M, 40 minutes after crew change, the tone came out. "Station 88 area, structure fire." Immediately my heart jumped, I dropped what i was doing, and sprinted to the engine. My turnouts were on and I was in the engine in warp speed. En route to… Continue

This video is about 5yrs old but def brings up a good converstation piece. What would you do if a cop tried to arrest you for doing your job? In this video (some of you have prob seen before) a cop arrests a Captain for not moving his wagon from blocking the scene of a MVA on a highway. Upon arrival the Captain goes right to the vehicle to assist with patient care. The cop is seen immediately going to the officer's side window and ordering the chauffer to move the… Continue

It is imperative that all Pennsylvania volunteer firefighters, fire police officers, and emergency medical technicians call and email their state representative to encourage them to support and quickly pass four pieces of legislation that are in the process of being sent to the PA House of Representatives. These bills will give state and local income tax credits to all active volunteers!

For more details about the legislation and how you need to…

Continue

so today i go down to the station to a medical call right, i ended up just on standby. so about 2 mins after i got there got a call for a car fire, so its me and another recruit and the district cheif, fire cheif, and the captan. so me and john get on the engine with the 2 cheifs and the capton took the duty rig. got up there told us to pull the preconnect, it was a fully involved car fire. it was a dodge ram 2500 so a pretty good sized pickup, so i pulled the line flaked it out and i had the… Continue