All Blog Posts (7,006)

First Major Wildfire

I had my first major wildfire yesterday. When I heard the page for a delta wildfire my adrenaline was rushing. Anyways, the fire started out to be only 13acres and by the time that we had finished up it was probably more then 50acres. My mom says that I am crazy because those kinds of fires are my favorite. I love the smell and it is amazing to watch. Even though at times it can be a lot of sitting and waiting for the fire to be where you want it or dont want it either way it is still… Continue

Added by Jessika on May 16, 2008 at 10:06am — 2 Comments

The crazy random ramblings of....

I wish I had a camera the other night. It was a sweet looking ride in the captains seat of the engine, right behind the ladder, at midnight on a moonlit night on the empty city streets on the way to a working structure fire.

Added by Doug on May 15, 2008 at 5:13pm — No Comments

Facebook Group for Firefighter Ministries

Firefighter Ministries now has a group on Facebook! Come and join us there too!

Added by Wendy Norris on May 15, 2008 at 4:58pm — No Comments

Going to see the Cubbies today

Today is the Cubs game and i am all fired-up. We went to Harry Caray's last night for dinner and it was fantastic. I hung out yesterday afternoon with the 'fellas at Truck 3 Engine 42 Squad 1. I always have a great time while here in Chicago. We are going to Howl at the Moon tonight mainly because it is right across the street from the Marriott.
Take care all.

Added by firegirl1 on May 15, 2008 at 10:55am — 1 Comment

paramedic school

i am just about to start paramedic school in june. i think it is one of the hardest things i am ever going to do i mean i am only 20 years old i am not sure what i have gotin myself into i have not been in ems that long i am kind of worried about it. everyone i know thinks i can do it and i will be good at it but i am not sure. its werid if you would have told me in high school that i would be in ems i would have told you that you were wrong and crazy. i wanted to be a cop. go figure huh. its… Continue

Added by Mendes on May 15, 2008 at 6:38am — 1 Comment

Sister Needs Help

Hello fellow FFN Brothers and Sisters,

i didn't really know how to send this so I decided to use the "blog". This sister, Stephanie Smith, one of my friends, needs some help in winning a contest. If you would go to the link below and vote for her I would be greatly appreciative. If you would pass this on and ask YOUR friends to vote I will, well, never mind. Vote for photo #30 - P1, etc.... I thank you in advance and Steph thanks you as well. Stay safe out there… Continue

Added by Da Chief - Jim O'Neill on May 15, 2008 at 4:13am — 1 Comment

What we Do!

Pager goes off in the middle of the night

I jump up heart racing,

Ready for a fight.

Racing down the empty streets

Wondering what I’m getting myself into.

Who’s mother father daughter or brother,

Am I going to save tonight.

Pull into the parking lot, putting my car in park.

I throw the door open racing into the garage.

Pulling my shoes off as I go.

Getting myself ready, despite the lack of sleep.

Psyching myself up ready… Continue

Added by Alex Skahill on May 15, 2008 at 3:48am — No Comments

Tactical Medic training

I talk to alot of fire/EMS folks who are always asking on recommendations for a tactical medic school and of course my natural response is Tangent Edge. With all bias being put aside, there are many tactical medic schools besides Tangent Edge that are quite remarkable. CONTOMS was developed many years ago and was one of the original Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3) programs headed by members of Special Forces. CONTOMS is currently NOT up and running due to funding. I expect they'll be up… Continue

Added by M Clark on May 14, 2008 at 11:00pm — 2 Comments

Disbanded fire stations and companies - a sad part of fire service history

I've moved around quite a bit in my career, and it's sad to see how many stations and units have been disbanded throughout the history of various fire departments. FDNY, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and quite a few others have some pretty good historical photos and records of old fire stations and disbanded fire companies.

Some of the ones from my past that I really miss...

Hagerstown Community Rescue Service Squad 75A - I hated the slime… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on May 14, 2008 at 10:26pm — No Comments

Livin' it up

Hey hope that all goes well with everyone. Just got my fire certs in the mail. Yep life is good

Added by kari (kat) kotara on May 14, 2008 at 9:37pm — No Comments

Rules are there for a reason!!!

Recently I was told by a FF of 25 years to keep my mouth shut, and eyes and ears open. We wont say who it was but you can find out if you check out a recent post of mine titled Good ol Boys of the Firehouse. After I read his comment in entirety, i have to admit that I felt pretty bad. I thought, maybe this guy has a point; maybe I should just keep my mouth shut and learn as much as I can. After I read his comment a few more times, I really just got pissed off. After being called a smartass piss… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on May 14, 2008 at 6:07pm — 3 Comments

Living Will ---My way.....

New Living Will Form

I, __________________________, being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of pinhead partisan politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it or lawyers/doctors/hospitals interested in simply running up the bills.

If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to ask for at least one of the… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 14, 2008 at 10:42am — 6 Comments

Firefighter's 3 year old Daughter has cancer

I apologize in advance if this is not appropriate. I am NOT a firefighter with cancer, but in twisted event one of our brother in GRFD has a 3 year old daughter currently going through KEMO. As a training company we have decided to take on the philanthropic project of raising money for children of firefighters with cancer. Allison is our poster child and we will be helping her family first. If you feel that this is an appropriate place to post, thank you for your concern and… Continue

Added by INNER CIRCLE FIRE TRAINING on May 14, 2008 at 10:00am — 2 Comments

Exercise "UUSIMAA 2008"

HI

I am going on a exercise with my volunteer rescue squad, ICE-SAR east cost

We will start going to Estonia and exercise there 30 and 31 of Mai then in Finland 1 to 5 jun and go back to Iceland on the 7 of jun.

The Exercise "UUSIMAA 2008" is a big NATO exercise.

The exercise scenario is:

http://www.cmcfinland.fi/pelastus/cmc/home.nsf/pages/864D93264306867CC225739A00312A79?opendocument

And you can find info on it… Continue

Added by Julius Albertsson on May 14, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

Recovery

On Monday May 12 we were called out to missing person search with possible rescue. Using our depts swiftwater boat we searched the river were the missing mans vehicle was found. Other firefighters walk the area around the river bank. The search went on through out the day. The Victim was found dead the next day several miles down stream. It looks as if its going to be ruled as a sucicide.

Added by Jerry Smith on May 13, 2008 at 8:00pm — 2 Comments

Quotable Quotes

"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." - Archimedes

Look deep down inside yourself, see your potential and go after that which you desire. Each of us is capable of achieving the impossible. Working as a team, with the right tools, the right experience, and the right attitude we can achieve that which others believe we can not. It's a matter of determination and execution. We as emergency services providers astound and amaze our… Continue

Added by Lawrence W on May 13, 2008 at 4:47pm — 1 Comment

Keeping the Faith

OK...Here's one for the masses....when someone tells you to "Keep the Faith" what does it mean to you...? I know what it means to me......I see this phrase used a great deal here and started to wonder what it meant to others...anyone care to share....?? Promise with this thread no-one will cut your heart out on your response...Stay safe and KEEP THE FAITH......Paul

Added by Paul Montpetit on May 13, 2008 at 2:38pm — 6 Comments

In thoughts and prayers....

Here in Missouri we have been hit hard by storms again as most all know. But when we lose one of our own it hits harder. I live in the Branson, Mo area and we didnt get hit this time but me andmy wife are also Red Cross Volunteers. We were on standby when we heard of Tyler Casey a Firefighter and a Weather Spotter who got caught up in the path of the storm and was hurt badly, and then passed on Monday May 12th. ....So please keep him and his family in our prayers as he was the father of a 2yo… Continue

Added by Robert on May 13, 2008 at 10:59am — 4 Comments

wildfire season

Now that it is wildfire season there are a lot of things to consider. For instance, whether it is safe enough to fight or even worth fighting. Whether or we should just let it burn. Anyways, because it is wildfire season I hope that everyone is going to stay safe and keep it real.

Added by Jessika on May 13, 2008 at 2:07am — 1 Comment

One step closer!

Today, I am an EMT-IV. I passed the National Registry exam this morning, putting me one step closer to my goal of becoming a career firefighter. That was probably the toughest test I have ever taken. I spent most of the afternoon thinking that I probably failed. I bet I checked the NREMT website 75 times between 11:30 and 3:30. I was the top student in my class, posting the highest scores on every test we took, and had no problem with the practical exam. But that Natl Registry made me question… Continue

Added by Blaine on May 12, 2008 at 10:22pm — No Comments