All Blog Posts (7,003)

Get Involved! Why the fire service needs your input in politics

Control Your Destiny

Your involvement in local & state politics can have a profound effect on the fire service

By Chief John Oceguera

Editor's Note: This article is reprinted from the January 2010 issue of FireRescue magazine.

“Politics? That’s got nothing to do with me, and besides, I’m too busy.”

It’s amazing how many times I hear that from my fellow firefighters. But consider: Every important decision that affects… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 3, 2010 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

Save our Tigers

Hey guys!

The tiger, one of the most magnificent animals in the world, is also one of the most endangered. A cat of beauty, strength, and majesty, the tiger is master of all and subject to none -- except humans. Of the eight original subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct within the last 60 years; and there are less than 50 South China tigers left on this planet -- few, and possibly none, survive in the wild.

As we all are the citizens, the tigers also make up the… Continue

Added by Vivek Gupta on February 3, 2010 at 2:47am — No Comments

IAFC Raises Congressional Awareness of the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Job Protection Act

In the 111th Congress, the IAFC has continued to raise Congressional awareness of the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Job Protection Act, introduced by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in May 2009. This legislation is important to the entire fire service—volunteer and career—because it will help volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to respond to a Stafford Act-declared national emergency or major disaster for up to 14 days without fear of losing their primary… Continue

Added by IAFC on February 2, 2010 at 8:26pm — 1 Comment

YIPPERS!!Check this out.....

I have just very recently become an IBO. I'm extremely Hyped to announce this because the people that help me out are 100% terrific and so are the products. I love the products and started out using them before I got interested in the business. I have a part time job that isn't the most fair or pleasing, and my income from there has greatly shrunk. My very best friend told me how I could make a little extra money on the side and though when I first heard the idea I told her no thanks that it… Continue

Added by Jenelle on February 2, 2010 at 6:30pm — 1 Comment

New Free After-Action Evaluations program available

The Firefighters Support Foundation (FSF) has released its newest free program, After-Action Evaluations. This approximately 30-minute video program presents two of the most powerful performance-improving techniques in use by the world’s best-managed corporations: root cause analysis and constraint analysis. These techniques are at the foundation of the long-term stellar performance of companies such as Toyota and IBM, but to date they have seen little use in the public safety professions… Continue

Added by Ralph on February 2, 2010 at 3:17pm — No Comments

Ventilation & search & rescue ops in lightweight structures

Light It Up

Ventilation & search & rescue ops in lightweight structures

Story & Photos by Stephen H. Higgs

Preservation of life—we all understand this critical part of our mission. These days, the question is often, “How do we ensure preservation of life in a lightweight structure?” In my February 2009 article in FireRescue magazine, “The Danger Within” (p. 64), I shared suggestions on how to understand fire behavior in lightweight structures and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 1, 2010 at 8:00am — 4 Comments

Welcome the to Nation

FireFighter Nation is NOT a training institution.

Seems like a simple enough statement, but there are those who think that it is, or should be, and would have everyone believe that it is.

What is FireFighter Nation, or FFN, as we like to call it? It is a Social Network for FireFighters and our EMS brothers and sisters. It is a virtual gathering of Firefighters from all across the U.S., and the world, in a sort of on-going Social Hour. Like the first hour of a Firefighter’s… Continue

Added by Greenman on February 1, 2010 at 6:13am — 3 Comments

Volunteer Ont. firefighter dies after rescue drill

Volunteer Ont. firefighter dies after rescue drill

Last Updated: Sunday, January 31, 2010 | 5:20 PM ET Comments0Recommend2

The Canadian Press

A member of the Point Edward, Ont., volunteer fire department who got trapped under the ice during a rescue drill has died of his injuries.

Lambton County OPP say Gary Kendall, 51, of Point Edward, was taking part in the ice water rescue training session Saturday afternoon when he became trapped.

Other fire… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on January 31, 2010 at 6:29pm — 1 Comment

FFCA - Giving Back

A year ago I began the journey to get myself fit.

On Jan 8th last year I was 245 pounds, or a little more, honestly Im not exactly sure myself... the scale was not my friend, so I didn't tend to visit it very often.

I have blogged on my weight loss several times, so Ill be brief on this part.

I truly needed the weight loss. Diabetes, Heart Diseases, Cancer, Pulmonary issues all run in my genetic family tree and I was well on my way to joining the 70's… Continue

Added by Allen Wahlstrom on January 31, 2010 at 3:30pm — 3 Comments

Appreciation Dinner

What a great time last night at our annual dinner, had a lot of laughs and some tears were shed as we honored our fallen brother Jason Kirby. A totally great night and a ton of thanks to all who organized a great evening.

Added by John on January 31, 2010 at 1:17pm — No Comments

what should i do please help

Ok i have been on my local vol. dept now for 8 years right out of high school and trying to go full time. in the mean time working full time as a construction worker to pay for school. after getting my degree in fire science tech. and emergency medical medicine i just got passed over for capt. by a kid that has been on for 2 and a half years with no experience or school he doesnt even have a high school education. fire one and fire two thats it. but he is 28 lives at home with his parents,… Continue

Added by Joshua j Gosselin on January 31, 2010 at 12:36pm — 8 Comments

Second alarm at Sawyer Funiture Store

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-29309-Mobile-Firehouse-Examiner~y2010m1d28-Second-alarm-at-Sawyer-Funiture-Store

It had not been long after the Sawyer furniture store had closed that evening that the fire began to slowly destroy the building. The call came in around six p.m. to the City of Prichard Alabama fire department. Shortly after Prichard… Continue

Added by Darrell Wayne Farmer on January 31, 2010 at 11:11am — No Comments

The Call of Duty

It's 3am and your pager is toning you out for a car accident.You jump to your feet and get your gear then head out of the door with one thing on your mind,helping those we my be hurt or in need of you services.Your a EMT and you know that it's up to you and the control center to get the people in the car and others that my be hurt the medical care they need. Or your a fireman and it's up to you and the rest of your team to ensure that the scene is safe and there are no chances of fire.The… Continue

Added by Scotty Hicks on January 31, 2010 at 9:34am — 3 Comments

Static Meter for Natural Gas and Propane distributors- has anybody used this?

Static Meter for Natural Gas and Propane distributors

(shown with optional recommended leather carrying case)

Static in gas distribution pipe represents the most serious safety risk in operations and repairs. The determination that static is present is a vital first step in suppressing that static. The only definitive method in the field to determine if static is present is to use an el… Continue

Added by Paresh Trivedi on January 30, 2010 at 8:02pm — No Comments

What kind of foam are you?

Over at All Hazards Contemplations, we're discussing some similarities between firefighting foam and fire officer characteristics.

Firefighting foam has been around for a long time. The Navy, ARFF firefighters, and the petrochemical industry have used Class B… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on January 30, 2010 at 5:00pm — 6 Comments

2009 LODD Summary, 2nd Half

Preface

At the start of 2009 I began a deeper look into the statistics that make up our line of duty deaths. One reason was to see in greater detail what firefighters are dying of and how. A second reason was to begin an honest and respectful look at what is both technically and culturally considered line of duty by the American fire service. To help understand the second half of the 2009 data, readers should review… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on January 30, 2010 at 4:00pm — 3 Comments

Fire Officer Rodney King Laid To Rest

Hundreds of family, friends and fire officers filled the Christ Church Parish Church on Thursday to pay final respects to Fire Officer Rodney King.

King, 45, of Lodge Road, Christ Church died recently at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after a brief illness. He enlisted in the Barbados Fire Service in 1991 and was last assigned to Fire Service Headquarters on Probyn Street in Bridgetown.

Rodney was an ardent cricket fan and could… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on January 30, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

trench rescue

on tues jan 25 2010 around 1300 we responded to a trench rescue call workers were working on putting in water lines when the trench walls collapsed on one of the workers upon arrival we were notified that they had him dug out and all we had to do was get him out of the hole when we arrived myself as well as two of our guys climbed down a ladder into the hole with the proper safety equipment we had the operator of the excavator making a ramp so we can get him out when we were set to go mercy… Continue

Added by brian breemes on January 29, 2010 at 3:56pm — 1 Comment

How do ya make up for lost family time???

We all do the same thing.....How do ya do ur RnR....getting back into family mode....After the blood the flames are gone, how do ya get back into ur PVT mode???????

Added by Tony Erickson on January 29, 2010 at 12:07am — 4 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 28, 2010

Wow! Three posts in one day!

This was reprinted with permission. Please spread the word if you live in NJ:

Roses are $25.00 for

One Dozen Red or Two Dozen all other colors * W/ Babies Breath

*available in two dozen of one color or mix colors

On Sale at Hillside Fire House, 132 Western Ave., Morris Township

February 12 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

February 13th 8:00 am to 7:00… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 28, 2010 at 8:38pm — No Comments