All Blog Posts (7,004)

Exporting USAR Expertise: California firefighters respond to Japan

By Jane Jerrard

By now, most of you know that U.S. firefighters rushed to Japan to help with search and rescue efforts following the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

A total of seventy-four CA-TF2 members were…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on May 2, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

How Can My Department Get Grant Money?

How and when to apply for various grant packages

By Wayne L. Eder, EFO, MBA

It’s that time of year again! Time to work on your Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) applications, and once again, we’ll all hear that frequently asked question: How can my department get a grant?

The AFG has been a staple for fire service funding since its inception in 2001, and to date it has been… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on May 2, 2011 at 7:00am — 2 Comments

FINALLY OSAMA IS DEAD,

Added by angela weller kyle on May 1, 2011 at 11:31pm — No Comments

Evaluation Strategies for Fire Service Mentors, Instructors, and Officers

If I walked into the classroom and said……..I am glad some of you showed up. My name is Paul Hasenmeier and I am a firefighter / paramedic and newly promoted lieutenant that is going to teach you everything you need to know about evaluating. You might wonder what experience I have

evaluating employees. Not much…

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Added by Paul Hasenmeier on May 1, 2011 at 10:50pm — No Comments

Common sense . . . and a lil prepardness

Common sense goes a long way in our profession. From scene size up to not picking up a hot metal rod without a glove on, common sense goes a long way. I have been in the fire service for only 12 yrs. For 11 of those 12 i was in my own home town. 100% rural america in western New York state. We used common sense everyday and we prepard for winter storms, summer heat, and everything in btwn. Im a type that wants to be ready for as much as i can be ready for. Im not just talking fires car… Continue

Added by J. Kibbe on April 29, 2011 at 11:35am — No Comments

Give Thanks

Let us all pray and let our hearts be with those brother ans sister members and firefighter/emts that are in the southern states during the recent storms. Often we forget that we may be fortunate enough to have decent weather, good fortune, and our health. My thoughts and prayers go out to those that have lost homes, memories, family members or freinds. Stay safe god bless!

Added by J. Kibbe on April 29, 2011 at 11:24am — No Comments

IN THE ZONE... LCES (#2 28 APRIL 2011) - Fire Engineering Training Community

As I sat here contemplating what to write about this week, thinking about our fellow firefighters that have been injured or have paid the ultimate sacrifice on fires in or near wildland-urban

interface areas

already this year. Two firefighters injured in North Central Nebraska, A firefighter injured in Arizona, Two

firefighters killed and I believe the total injured at one point

was 8 firefighters on separate incidents here in Texas. And I have

been wondering what is…

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Added by Jason Myer on April 28, 2011 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Equipment for sale.

For sale by the Wallingford Volunteer Fire Department, Wallingford VT.

1 Hurst cutter: recently refurbished and serviced by Hurst rep.

1 Hurst spreader: recent service by Hurst rep.

1 Hurst ram: Recent service by Hurst rep.

1 Hurst power unit Recent service by Hurst rep. New Hurst hydrolic fluid. ( expensive ) Operates one tool

2 50'…

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Added by Stephane M. Goulet on April 28, 2011 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Reading smoke

The type of smoke seen upon arrival is vital to the call, as is time of day, building type, etc. Is there a standard approach to viewing smoke. (example)...heavy black smoke is...X light grey smoke is...X. I know that this cannot be set in stone, however a general idea is a starting point.

Added by Mark Poznanski on April 28, 2011 at 2:00pm — No Comments

16!

For more days before I turn 16! I can't wait.

Added by Jonny Gordon on April 28, 2011 at 12:28pm — 1 Comment

Colorado Firefighters Perform Unusual Residential Rescue

A rescue by the Red, White & Blue Fire Protection District of Breckenridge, Colo., proves that you may need to employ rope rescue techniques in the most unexpected places.

On Jan. 31 at 1511 HRS, the Summit County Dispatch center received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a 21-year-old male had fallen down an elevator shaft in a house. The caller said the patient was unconscious and shaking.

At 1514 HRS, the Red, White & Blue Fire District dispatched units… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 28, 2011 at 7:00am — 3 Comments

We Try Harder - Firehouse Zen

Fresh out of the oven, some humble pie. Served with the right amount of self-critique, this can be a tasty dish. Latest post at Firehouse Zen.

Added by Mick Mayers on April 27, 2011 at 11:02pm — No Comments

Training Ground Complete !

The Mullins Fire-Rescue Training Ground is now complete and certified by the SCFA. Eight years of hard work and dedication finally paid off. Countless man hours put in by lots of people finally made this possible. Special thanks to Training 1 Wayne Collins, Assistant Chief Shawn Harrelson, FF Ray McCormick (Expert Fabricator),FF Josh Richardson, and everyone who helped when they could. I am proud to say i'm one of the first to graduate SCFA 1152 right here at our home training facility. Hope… Continue

Added by Shawn Lee on April 27, 2011 at 9:43pm — 1 Comment

30% Club... Wanna Join? Pay Your Dues

This article is being posted, with permission from the author Jake Rixner

In everyone's career, things are said or done that…

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Added by SAFE Firefighter on April 27, 2011 at 9:45am — No Comments

On the side of the road 4/26

I have been off duty since Feb 14th of this year ,when I experienced acute chest pain and shortness of Breath during the performance of the required Physical ability retesting by my Department .

Luckily , It was NOT an AMI ,only angina brought on by the extreme exertion of the test that resulted in an irregular heart rythm - Quagiminal PVC's . Since that day I have had a tredmill stress test with nuclear scan ,which showed a Shadow in the apex of the Left Ventricle and the…

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Added by Al (olddogg) Westbrook on April 26, 2011 at 1:49pm — No Comments

Managing the “Personal” Side of Fire Service Leadership

EADERSHIP SKILLS

Managing the “Personal” Side of Fire Service Leadership

Leadership requires people skills to maintain operational readiness

By Marc Revere

“Leadership is horrible! Leadership is lonely!” I’ve… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 26, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

Thanks To Two Awesome Instructors !

Just have to give a big shout out to my instructors for 1152 Basic FF Class. Training Officer/Captain Wayne Collins and FF Ray McCormick. Two great veterans willing to share their knowledge and experience to get a group of rookies through this class. Thanks guys!! Also thanks to Assistant Chief Shawn Harrelson, Deputy Chief Jimmy Collins, and all of the full time guys. Your patience and dedication paid off.

Added by Shawn Lee on April 25, 2011 at 10:56pm — No Comments

SOMETIMES IT"S NOT SO SIMPLE on BACKSTEP FIREFIGHTER

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Added by Dave LeBlanc on April 25, 2011 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Check out First Due Questions on Facebook...

Come and check out First Due Questions on facebook! There is daily questions added and its a great place for anyone to gain or spread a bit of knowledge...theres no WRONG answers just discussions from different parts of the nation!

Added by Isaac Frazier on April 25, 2011 at 3:26pm — No Comments

The Company Officer: Going for it and Belief

The Company Officer: Going for it and Belief

Christopher J. Naum,SPFE

TheCompanyOfficer.com

As a Company Officer, at some point in your career, you will come to that one pivotal point, when the clarity of a situation becomes all so apparent and clear.

Sometime you just have to believe and have the resilience, fortitude and that deep in the gut feeling that you know what and how something needs to…

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Added by Christopher J. Naum, SFPE on April 23, 2011 at 11:28pm — No Comments