All Blog Posts (7,007)

Redesigned RFD Flag

On Friday, January 15, 2010, at 11:30a.m., employees of the City of Rochester Fire Department (RFD) will unveil and present to Fire Chief John Caufield in the presence of Mayor Robert Duffy a newly redesigned RFD flag. The flag—which will be flown by the City of Rochester, as well as RFD fire trucks and in RFD ceremonies—is the result of a yearlong process that came to fruition because of the tenacity, generosity and hard work of a few good men and women.

About a year ago, Doug King… Continue

Added by Davin Eshelman on January 21, 2010 at 8:47am — No Comments

EJ Metals' Impressive Little Apparatus

INSIDE THE APPARATUS INDUSTRY

1 Impressive Little Apparatus: Although small in size, EJ Metal’s new Assault Force 70 FRRTV packs a firefighting punch

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

If you’re like me—an apparatus junkie—you’re always hunting for a new fire truck that’s both neat and can get the job done. One of these unique vehicles came across my desk the other day. Well, it didn’t literally come across my desk; I received an e-mail and product brochure… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 20, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

An Airbag Deployment Question for Auto Extrication Enthusiasts

Can an airbag actually be deployed/activated by a smack from a pedestrian? If so, it makes me a little more nervous dealing with an airbag in a MVA that may or may not go off... Any thoughts here?

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When I saw this video, it made me wonder if it was real or… Continue

Added by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on January 19, 2010 at 11:30pm — 13 Comments

clark county fire

hey i'm the chief of the clark county fire dept explorers post 444 we would love for everybody to check out our website it's www.clarkcountyfirepost444.webs.com

Added by calvin theodore parker on January 19, 2010 at 3:03pm — 1 Comment

In Memory of former Assistant Chief & Vice President Michael Francis Krakosky

Back in June of 1992 when I first joined the volunteer fire department, I met a slighly older gentleman by the name of Michael Francis Krakosky or as I quickly found out his nick name "Slick".

Not sure why but he seemed to take an interest in me and was my first aid instructor, which at the time was enough to ride the ambulance. After the first aid course, I was off to take the basic courses in fire fighting which following one incident at the training academy I almost quit. If it… Continue

Added by Bill Brierton on January 19, 2010 at 9:43am — No Comments

dreams

ive been having the same dream for the past week or two..every night ends the same way.what do you think is causing it? and should i be worried?

Added by Alex on January 19, 2010 at 9:02am — 3 Comments

A Safer Search: Mastering the firefighter-oriented search method

A Safer Search: Mastering the firefighter-oriented search method

By Lieutenant Victoria Quick

When firefighters get in trouble inside a burning structure, it’s often because they’ve lost their orientation during a search and rescue operation. Although staying oriented may sound simple, it comprises a lot of details: dealing with low visibility, communicating with your crew, deciding what information to relay to your partner and to command,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 18, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Thanks For Help

I just want to thank all who are helping our department at Raccoon Mountain we are greatful for all we get i will post some pictures of the trucks we are using at this ime in my page once again thank you

Chief Curtiss Harris

Added by Coapus on January 17, 2010 at 6:42pm — No Comments

This is so true

Everyone Goes Home!

By: Eric J. Hankins

engine1shark@sbcglobal.net

Captain

Yuba City Fire Department

Yuba City, California

NORCAL FOOLS

As firefighters travel in search of more knowledge for this great profession you come across great “Tips” or “Tricks” to help get you and your crew home safe after every job. I have been fortunate enough to come across several of these tips over the years. Nationally known instructors… Continue

Added by Shelly Lovell on January 17, 2010 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-making due

Friday is my day to volunteer with the local sheriff's department. I work in the vehicle abatement program. This means I drive a volunteer car and wear a uniform of sorts and get to listen to the command channel on the Motorola radio. To compare it to being in the captain's seat of a fire engine is like comparing looking at the Victoria's Secret catalog to sex. A very poor substitute.

Some local fire departments have volunteers but you must live in the district. Where I live there is… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 16, 2010 at 9:56pm — No Comments

becomming a paid ff

hey guys,

i was wondering if anyone out there could give me any info on becomming a paid ff, this is a dream of mine and i have been looking into it i know i have a local test comming up soon that i will be taking but i guess what im looking for is help with thing that i should be perparing for.

Added by Todd Stanley on January 16, 2010 at 6:23pm — 2 Comments

The Beginning

Since starting this blog, I have been asked what exactly “A Firefighter’s Own Worst Enemy” means. Well, it means a great deal.

First let’s start with the logo since it came last. The logo is a devil. I had plans to make him wear a fire helmet, but, it just took away from the look I wanted. But, what he is doing is stirring the pot.

We have those guys and gals that like nothing better than to keep tension and discord in the… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on January 16, 2010 at 2:50pm — No Comments

Monument Honors Volunteer Firefighters

Pennsylvania’s Valley Firemen’s Association unveils monument to honor volunteer firefighters

Story & Photos by Fran Webb

A new monument now stands in Howard Elmer Park in Sayre, Pa. A dedication ceremony and unveiling was held on Oct. 10, 2009, under the veil of a large American flag, hung from the tips of two aerial trucks from Sayre Fire Department’s Engine Company No. 1 and Athens Township. The ceremony was the result of a 9-year-long effort to recognize the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 16, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Not what I thought

A little date night with my wife last night. We decided to try this place. Only thing firefighterish was the location. Next door to FS 21. At least we had a gift card.

Added by Jay Nicholson on January 16, 2010 at 11:15am — 3 Comments

Can some one tell me what "Cafe Coronary" means.

Added by bigjoefiremedic on January 16, 2010 at 7:57am — 5 Comments

R.I.P. Stuart (Stu) Brandt

R.I.P. Stuart Brandt.

Passed away aged 70 years in Paris, Illinois, USA on 14th January 2010.

Stu was early Editor of the New Zealand FireLines Magazine as well as a Fire Photographer and Fire Buff.

He had a lot of dealings with the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade during the transition in the 1970's to a nationalised service now known as the New Zealand Fire Service.

He will be sorely missed by his many friends in New Zealand…

Continue

Added by Mark Montgomery on January 16, 2010 at 4:00am — 1 Comment

Training hard for Fire Department Instructor II test

There is a fine line between being disciplined and being obsessed or is there?? As of now I am training for big fights to include helping BJ Penn for another title defense. Just wondering what people must think? (AKA) my brothers in arms.

Added by DB on January 16, 2010 at 2:04am — 1 Comment

The Life Of A Firefighter

This is a poem I wrote a couple years ago. Thought everyone might like it.

"The Life Of A Firefighter"

Some people don’t understand why we do the things we do.

How we are willing to lay down our lives just to try and rescue you.

Its not for the money or the awards that they give.

Its just a part of our lives we have chosen to live.

No matter what time it is, during the night or during the day

When the fire alarm goes… Continue

Added by Wes Kee on January 15, 2010 at 5:11pm — 2 Comments

Younger Isn’t Always Better: One department runs into trouble when only hiring rookies

Younger Isn’t Always Better

One department runs into trouble when only hiring rookies

By Scott Cook

I was visiting with a career firefighter friend the other day, and he lamented the fact that his department is short—extremely short—on personnel with the company officer knowledge/skill set. I asked him how they found themselves this way, and he answered that the HR department, with the full support of the fire chief, decided they’d just hire young… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 15, 2010 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-aging out

Ken R. died last week. His family immigrated from Ireland when he was 10. He worked in a small department prior to coming to SJFD. He was 70. That may sound old to someone 30 but to us in our 60s it seems real close. Ken was a quiet guy, not one to engage in horseplay or trash-talk around the kitchen table: a very dependable fireman at fires and emergencies and that is how we are judged. A wise chief once told me the ideal is to be retired for longer than you work. That means I have to make it… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 14, 2010 at 5:53pm — No Comments