Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 9, 2010

Gosh I can't believe three days have gone by since our pool drill. This is the third year in a row I attended the drill and still I learned something new. I didn't know that you can use pants (regular polyester pants like a police officer would wear) as a flotation device. Simply tie knots in the legs and push water into the waist part. The other thing I didn't remember from last time was the the SCBA is similar to those used in…

Part 1 of this series from All Hazards Contemplations was an introduction to Bathtub Collapse problem identification, exterior size-up, strategy considerations and development, and safety considerations. Part 2 discusses tactical considerations, interior size-up, victim recovery, investigations, and incident termination. This article was co-authored by my friend and colleague, Jason…

Dear Friends,

The Dream Factory of Rochester, Inc. is a not for profit, volunteer organization that fulfills the dreams of critically and chronically ill children ages 3-18.

To celebrate another successful year and raise the funds need to continue fulfilling dreams, The Dream Factory of Rochester is looking for volunteers to participate in our annual “Buzz the Red, White and Blue…Make a Dream Come True”. This…

This article is co-authored by my friend and colleague Jason Walters. Jason is the Team Leader for USAR SC-Regional Response Team 4. We're discussing this topic at All Hazards Contemplations.



Introduction



FEMA’s USAR system, basic firefighting texts, and other fire-rescue references describe how to recognize and respond to a variety…

i know that no one really likes funerals but today i went to a really emotional one... A junior firefighter lost her daddy tuesday morning to a massive heart attack and we as the junior firefighters went to the funeralvisitation to support her... I think it was the hardest thing i have ever had to do, even harder than the funeral for family members i have been to recently..

The man was a decorated war veteran and immediately when you walk in you see the honor guard men walking around…

NYSAFC Announces Spring Seminar Series “Flashover & Backdraft – Seconds to Disaster”

Tuesday evening March 9^th 19:00 at Roth Middle School 4000 East Henrietta Road Route 15 Henrietta NY…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 4, 2010

I have sold many homes in my life but none have made me feel like the one I am selling now. This house was our biggest, had the best property, alot of good karma, and yet provided the most stress because we simply couldn't keep up with the mortgage after awhile (let's not even go into the situations with my daughter in the house that almost made jump from the roof).

Seriously, I read all the time, and hear all the…

As a fire service instructor over the years I have met a lot of fellow firefighters and not until recently did I realize the stories from these firefighters were always the same from rookies and veterans. The rookies always say “we don’t fit in” and the veterans always say “ the rookies just don’t get it”. I guess the reason it didn’t hit me sooner was as a fire service instructor and as a company officer it is my…

Theres a lot of talk about arrogance. Politicians, departments, officers, and members making decisions that can be seen as arrogance. These people making comments, actions taken, and the way they present themselves could be seen as arrogant. I question where the line is between arrogance and pride.I take pride in being a firefighter. I take pride in responding to every call possible. I take pride in doing what I can on scene. I am proud to say " I am a…