All Blog Posts (7,003)

Vacant = Dangerous: Tips for truck companies operating at vacant building fires

By Michael M. Dugan

Photo Brian Bastinelli

A fire in a vacant building has a very low probability of civilian injury or death, but it presents a high risk to firefighters. Therefore, truck members must understand the unique problems associated with fires in vacant buildings, be aware of their department’s related standard operational… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 8, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

This was my wife Deborah's thoughts on the retirement dinner we attended.Last night we went to a San Jose Firefighters Retirement dinner at a hotel/restaurant in San Jose. Thirty firefighters Mike wo…

This was my wife Deborah's thoughts on the retirement dinner we attended.

Last night we went to a San Jose Firefighters Retirement dinner at a hotel/restaurant in San Jose.

Thirty firefighters Mike worked with were retiring, and the room was filled to…

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Added by mike simms on March 7, 2010 at 10:30pm — No Comments

The Bathtub Collapse, Part 1

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…

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Added by Ben Waller on March 6, 2010 at 9:00am — 2 Comments

Want a Fire Job? Check Out FireCareerTraining.com for May, 2010 Seminar!!

Join us in Denver for a seminar on how to navigate the fire service hiring process. FireCareerTraining.com will be hosting a May 23rd, 2010 seminar from 9am-5pm. We will be covering each step of the firefighter hiring process - the Written Exam, the CPAT/Physical Agility Test, the Oral Board Process, and any other testing/hiring questions you may have. Visit FireCareerTraining.com or call 1-866-323-2352 for details and to sign up!

Added by Ed Gaffrey on March 5, 2010 at 3:14pm — No Comments

What Would Reub Do? Stories from cattle-driving cowboy teach valuable lessons about leading thousands

The following article was published in the January issue of FireRescue magazine.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

By Chief Jeffrey D. Johnson, EFO, CFO, MIFireE

What Would Reub Do?

Stories from cattle-driving… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 5, 2010 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Do You Have Gear to Donate? IFRM Collecting Now for Chile FDs

International Fire Relief Mission Toned Out for Chile

IFRM engages its donor network and collection expertise to assist Rosenbauer’s efforts provide emergency equipment to Chilean fire, rescue and EMS workers.

When its sponsoring partner Rosenbauer asked for help collecting donated gear to aid Chilean emergency responders dealing with that country’s 8.8-magnitude earthquake, the International Fire… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 5, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Want More Fire Station Design Info?

I spent the majority of my week at the Firehouse World conference, where I was working in the FireRescue booth. I personally love my “booth time,” as it affords me a chance to chat with our readers and get ideas for future articles.

This year, our booth was positioned close to an architecture firm. I had spoken with the lead architect before, specifically when I was covering past F.I.E.R.O. Fire Station Design Symposiums where he… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on March 5, 2010 at 11:59am — 2 Comments

Got Apps? Cell phone applications can aid first responders

FireRescue magazine's Technical Rescue Web column

There's an App for That: New cell phone applications can aid first responders on the emergency scene

By Harold Schapelhouman

Imagine the following scenarios:

1) A disaster has struck your community and, as a rescuer, you need some basic reference data to establish an area-wide, methodical, geographic search for survivors and trapped victims; or

2) You’re responding to an overturned… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 5, 2010 at 10:00am — 12 Comments

A Dirty Chore Made a Little Easier

FIRE PREVENTION

A Dirty Chore Made a Little Easier

Determining who’s qualified to test commercial cooking appliances isn’t easy, but 1 organization can help

By Jim Crawford

How does a local fire marshal determine whether the person conducting work on fire protection systems is qualified to do the work? And how do we prevent low-bidding, incompetent contractors from duping unsuspecting business owners with an “economical solution” that’s… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 5, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

i hate funerals...

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…

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Added by Jessica Travis on March 4, 2010 at 11:39pm — 3 Comments

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

March 4, 2010

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…

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Added by Davin Eshelman on March 4, 2010 at 1:10pm — No Comments

Giving 'Fast Attack' A Bad Name? Houston LODD Similarities

The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office released their investigative report on the house fire that killed Houston Fire Department Captain James Arthur Harlow, Sr. and Firefighter Damion Jon Hobbs on 12 April 2009. The details of the report reveal a pattern of department errors compounded by the effects of wind on fire behavior. The report reveals individual and collective problems that are not unique to this one fatal… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on March 4, 2010 at 9:00am — 1 Comment

A drill to help members build familiarity on those lesser-used tools & equipment

QUICK DRILLS

What’s in Your Compartment?

A drill to help members build familiarity on those lesser-used tools & equipment

Story & Photos by Homer Robertson

What do your grandmother and your fire department have in common?

Neither one has thrown anything away in the last… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 4, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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…

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Added by Denise Imperiale on March 4, 2010 at 7:24am — 1 Comment

Rookie's and Veteran's

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…

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Added by Vince Curry on March 3, 2010 at 5:36pm — 2 Comments

Arrogance or Pride?

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…

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Added by Jeff Pearson on March 2, 2010 at 11:54pm — 1 Comment

Thanks For The Invites & Support

Thank You All For The Invites And Support. It's Very Appreciated. And Good Luck Rafael On Your Upcoming Test. I'll Be Rootin For You

Added by Donna Sheridan on March 2, 2010 at 10:32pm — No Comments

Why, what and how..

My dad; as far as we are concerned, was burnt over 90% of his body in 2nd and 3rd degree burns when a compressor building blew. He's my inspiration. This is my thanks.

Now, to clear up the paramedic or other ALS..no, I'm not. However, I am. LOL I followed thru an OFA3 and EMR combined course in 16 days, coming out with a 98%. I am qualified to do some things paramedics aren't, yet, not qualified to do some things EMT's are. Regardless, I do all I can. Drive, medic, fight. And I'll…

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Added by Carmen S on March 2, 2010 at 12:29pm — No Comments

Have a Ball! Work out for less

Survival of the Fittest

Story & Photos by Jeff & Martha Ellis

In the spirit of exploring creative and inexpensive ways to strength train, we’d like to expand on the usefulness of a very simple but versatile piece of equipment: the exercise ball. So many exercises have been created or adapted for use with the ball that whole books have been devoted to the subject.…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 2, 2010 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Skid Units

My dept hopefully will be in the position to purchase a skid unit for a brush unit Can anyone give me feedback on their preferences and/or ideas concerning this purchase Thanks, Steve

Added by Steve Seal on March 2, 2010 at 5:03am — 2 Comments