All Blog Posts (7,003)

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

Fit for Funds: New grant application assistance for fitness equipment

Fit for Funds: New grant application assistance program is now being offered for fitness equipment

Fitness equipment manufacturer SportsArt Fitness recently announced the start of its new grant application assistance program for all departments looking to obtain funding for fitness equipment.

According to Amber Maechler, Director of Marketing for SportsArt, the process is simple. “SportsArt is funding a specialist from firegrantshelp.com to help departments find the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 14, 2010 at 3:00pm — No Comments

just short of two years in the fire serivce

Wow its been a long time since i was here last just over a year now, Things have been nuts to say the least with me just about done with college and other things that have kept me away. well i thought i would give a update as to whats been going on with me.

First of all, i have completed my FFII course that started last Feb, took nearly a year to complete but i did it and and passed all the written test's on the first try woohoo, though i did love the course and i actually learned… Continue

Added by Mike Yocom on January 14, 2010 at 2:31pm — No Comments

Nevada Firefighters Rescue Couple Trapped Under a Car—in Bed!

RESCUE REPORT

Car Crashes into House, Pins Couple Sleeping in Bed

By Tom Vines

Photos Courtesy Sparks Fire Department

It seems at some point, every department responds to a car-into-a-house call. But on Oct. 20, Sparks, Nev., responders faced a new and unexpected situation involving a car vs. a house—a challenging extrication resulting from a love triangle gone wrong.

At 0411 HRS, the Sparks Fire Department was… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 14, 2010 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Is the Safety Message Starting to Get Through?

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 90 firefighters died in 2009. While that’s far too many as far as I’m concerned (and I’m sure you feel the same way), that number also happens to be the lowest it’s been since the early 90s, when 81 firefighters died in 2003 and 77 died in 1992. In 1994, the number of firefighter LODDs jumped to 106 and since then has steadily hovered near that mark. In both 2007 and 2008, 118 firefighters died in the line of duty. (You can find a chart that depicts… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on January 13, 2010 at 5:59pm — 1 Comment