All Blog Posts (7,007)

Chili Dispatcher Passes Away

January 26, 2010
Donna Donovan, Chili FD Fire Dispatcher, mother, wife and sister, has passed away today. She will be remembered for her caring and sensitive nature, her laughter and kindness. Donna will truly be missed by all that knew her or heard her on the air for many years. Rest in peace Donna. Fly with the angels.

We will have more information about arrangements as they become available.

Added by Davin Eshelman on January 26, 2010 at 6:20pm — No Comments

Charleston firefighters sue sofa store

FireRescue1 is reporting that four former Charleston firefighters are suing Sofa Super Store, its owners and several furniture companies, alleging that they suffered physical and emotional injuries as a result of the 2007 blaze that killed nine of their fellow firemen.

Read the full article at:…

Continue

Added by lutan1 on January 26, 2010 at 4:40pm — No Comments

What’s Happening to the WUI? Washington’s latest reactions

The wildland/urban interface (WUI) is constantly growing and changing. As a result, more and more homeowners are putting themselves at risk of experiencing a large, and potentially deadly, WUI fire. Fire departments, along with state and federal agencies, have had to come together on several occasions in the recent past to battle some of the largest wildland/WUI fires ever seen in this country. Add to that the fact that several other countries around the world are experiencing these same types… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 26, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Turnout liner technology takes a turn with DuPont's Nomex on Demand

The Plot Thickens

Turnout liner technology takes a turn with DuPont's Nomex on Demand

By Henry Costo

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the January 2010 issue of FireRescue magazine.

Despite considerable and continuous efforts during the last 15 years or so, not much has changed with regard to turnout gear composition and related thermal protective performance. Throughout this period, two fundamental concepts of NFPA 1971:… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 26, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

"Hope Always Remains": USAR Teams Discuss Relief Efforts in Haiti

By Janelle Foskett, Senior Editor, FireRescue Magazine

In a conference call from Port-au-Prince on Monday, specialists from the Fairfax and Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams fielded questions related to their response and rescue efforts following the massive earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. Participants on the call—a special briefing for publications that serve the fire, EMS and emergency management communities—included four members of VA-TF1, two… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on January 26, 2010 at 12:55pm — No Comments

hey the life of a fire fighter

hey l' m the fire dept out here in baskin la it great i love it with them everyone is just so nice and good to be around and I' m back doing what i love to do and that being a fire fighter

Added by arthur gisclair on January 26, 2010 at 12:15pm — 3 Comments

It's Official

Well, It's official now. I said that when my kids went to school I would go back to EMS...unfortunately because I am now in a different state from where I was originally licensed I have to start all over again.(Too long for reciprocity to work out) So, next month I start EMT class with an end date of June, and then pretty soon I'll be back to a "real" job on top of the "Mom" job. Started volunteering a few months ago as the extra hands on the local squad, sort of like riding a bike, but cannot… Continue

Added by Beverly on January 25, 2010 at 7:00pm — No Comments

FDNY Firefighter Layoffs

Mayor Bloomberg warned lawmakers in Albany Monday that Gov. Paterson's proposed $134 billion budget for 2010-2011 would cost the city 18,500 jobs.

That breaks down to 10,000 city employees and 8,500 teachers.

"We would, for example, have to lay off 3,150 police officers - reducing the NYPD's operational strength to 1985 levels," Bloomberg said in prepared testimony. "Some 1,050 firefighters would be laid off, and the firehouses where they work would be closed."

"We'd… Continue

Added by Davin Eshelman on January 25, 2010 at 5:00pm — 3 Comments

The Awareness Level: What to do when you need to hang back

FireRescue magazine's Fireground Operations column

The Awareness Level: What to do when you need to hang back

By Freddie LaFemina

You’re working your shift and you’re in the middle of a long tour. So far, your unit has responded to three structural fires and about a dozen medical-related incidents. After all of this work and no time for anything else, you receive a response for a man trapped in a hole. En route, you begin your mental size-up… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 25, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-fading memories

Most people now have never seen a Roledex. It was a device used on a desk to store phone numbers and business cards. It spun on an axis. I have one in my head as do most firefighters and cops. We store pictures of scenes we have seen, usually first impressions that stick with you. They are brought back by a related action or incident and you see the scene from 20 or 30 years ago in a color picture in your mind.

I do not know if I am blessed or cursed by my recall. There are times I… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 25, 2010 at 12:17am — 3 Comments

Good Clip Art

I was looking for fire and ems clip art and I saw on here that some one said they had alot please email me at firefighterd78@yahoo. com Thanks

Added by Jim Roman on January 23, 2010 at 3:11pm — 2 Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-working with the boys in blue or sometimes brown

Firefighters interact with law enforcement at calls. Our interactions with our compatriots in blue and brown were good. There were some issues with Highway Patrol about closing freeways but even then very professional people.

DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?

In the movie Dirty Harry, he carried a 44 magnum. He shot a bunch of people with it but until one night I never understood what it really did.

We were called to a local motel on a shooting call. On arrival we… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 23, 2010 at 12:37pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 22, 2010

It seems my days are spent getting through the day until 4:00 comes and I go up to the firehouse for my Diet Coke and some comradary.

Since Thanksgiving, I have shed alot of baggage and made some decisions that will affect me the rest of my life. I agreed to a divorce, put my house on the market before we got foreclosed upon, and lost my job which I loved. Behind the scenes of all this "stuff" is the fact that my daughter has been missing somewhere in Atlantic City for almost four… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 22, 2010 at 9:12pm — 7 Comments

Pelican Sends Vital Survival & Rescue Items to Provide Help in Haiti

Following the destructive earthquake in Haiti, many companies serving the fire, EMS and law enforcement communities are playing a crucial part in rescue efforts. Over the next few weeks, FireRescue will highlight those companies that are having a direct impact on relief efforts.

Following is one example of a company striving to make a difference in this devastated nation.

Pelican Products, the global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced lighting… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 22, 2010 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Two Years Gone By Now

There's a lot of talk these days about what we're missing in the fire service. And with all this discussion of leadership, of mentorship, sharing, caring and passing down values, traditions and the rich heritage of firefighters, I thought it appropriate to revisit a very personal blog I wrote two years ago today.

When we talk about people… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on January 22, 2010 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

I don't know how I feel about this...

So I spoke with a department psychologist and they told me that I have post traumatic stress disorder. I have nothing against PTSD and I think it's something to take serious, but I'm not sure exactly how I feel about being told I have it. Even if I accept it I have no idea what to do for it or anything about it.

Added by Christian Cossey on January 22, 2010 at 12:30am — 4 Comments

FireRescue Board Member Quoted in Article on Lightweight Construction

MSN's Real Estate site is currently running an interesting feature on modern residential construction. The article walks through various aspects of modern construction and discusses whether the features represent advantages or disadvantages with legacy construction.

Clearly, one of the most distinguishing features of modern home construction is the lightweight truss. Ed Hartin, a FireRescue board member and an… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on January 21, 2010 at 8:07pm — No Comments

latest fire in Milwaukee

here is raw footage and pictures from the 4 alarm fire on Milwaukee's east… Continue

Added by Brent Jones on January 21, 2010 at 6:58pm — No Comments

Today's 360 Burn Size-up of the Fire Web

photo: Firenews.net

More Apparatus Accidents

Apparatus Accidents are headlining the news far too frequently again. After medical issues, vehicle accidents kill more firefighters every year. Read up the horrific injuries sustained by by firefighters in New Jersey, Kentucky, and… Continue

Added by Firefighter NetCast on January 21, 2010 at 1:17pm — No Comments

Doing the Right Thing, the Jets, and other Ephemera

First things first, I've been remiss in my posting on here. I've had my reasons. My heart wasn't in it.

In fact, all things fire service were tainted for me for the short term. I had to step back, take stock, and get back on track.

Mission Accomplished.

I've taken a step back for 2010. Last year I was elected to Lieutenant. I didn't necessarily feel that I had deserved the honor. I had some issues with time management, not personnel management. I liked wearing the… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on January 21, 2010 at 9:26am — 2 Comments