All Blog Posts (7,007)

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

How to Conduct Search and Rescue Over Large Urban Areas

In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, FireRescue is sharing some past articles related to structural collapse, earthquake response and USAR teams.

Searching High & Low: How to conduct search and rescue over large urban areas

Story & Photo By Fred LaFemina

July 2008, p. 44…

Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 5:30pm — No Comments

USAR Expert Comments on Haiti Earthquake

In light of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti late Tuesday, FireRescue magazine spoke with Harold Schapelhouman, former task force leader in charge of California Task Force 3. Schapelhouman offers his thoughts and insight on the current incident and the job ahead for the Fairfax and Los Angeles USAR teams. According to the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, VATF1 is en route to Haiti now and is expected to arrive around 4 pm EST; as of this writing, CATF2 was… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Lessons Learned from California Earthquake Exercise

In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, FireRescue is sharing some past articles related to structural collapse, earthquake response and USAR teams.

The following is excerpted from Capt. Larry Collins’ Major Incident Readiness Article “Ready to Shake: Lessons from earthquake exercise can be applied to many regions,” April 2009, p. 58. Photos Courtesy USGS

More than 5,000 firefighters and first responders participated in the nation’s largest disaster… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Finally cleared

Yesterday I finally was cleared to be a driver / operator on all of our Engines, Tanker and Brush Truck, I am so excited. I thought this day would never get here. There were days when some other piece of paperwork needed signed and dated, had some paperwork that was lost and had to re-do some of the driving, but patience paid off and I am now cleared.

Added by John on January 13, 2010 at 9:41am — 3 Comments

Hello is from the firefighter of Ukraine.

good day, colleague. Hello is from the firemen of Ukraine. On this site there is someone from Ukraine or Russia. Attach to the friends.

Added by Поліщук Іван on January 13, 2010 at 8:30am — No Comments

Texas

Are there any Texas volunteer firefighters on this website.
If so let me know would like to chat with others.

Added by Shelly Lovell on January 13, 2010 at 7:01am — 2 Comments

Jefferson/Belmont (Ohio)

to jefferson and belmont firefighters in ohio tell me what your dep.t is having truble with i might be albe to help

Added by andy on January 12, 2010 at 8:11pm — No Comments

Cochran to first responders: Get vaccinated!

U.S. Fire Administrator Calls on Fire Service to Participate in National Influenza Vaccination Week

From the U.S. Fire Administration: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/media/press/2010releases/011110.shtm

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), which is January 10-16, 2010, provides an important opportunity to continue vaccination efforts. During the week, U.S. Fire… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 12, 2010 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Death Notice

My sister Loretta Kuptz has lost her battle with her kidney failure. she pastaway at 19:30 on Jan 10, 2010 at Allegheny general Hospital with her family by her side. she will be greatly missed by the Negley vol. Fire Dept. she was always there in the middle of the night when our department was on a fire, she would get up and bring coffee and water, no matter the weather or how sick she was, she truly loved every one of our firefighters and all firefighters. i remeber last winter we had a… Continue

Added by Gary Banicki on January 12, 2010 at 10:45am — 1 Comment

Simple Solutions Enhance Safety and Operations in Houston

Simple Solutions Enhance Safety and Operations in Houston

by

Robert G. Parry

After nearly thirty years of responding to alarms in both a small, paid combination department and a large urban city, I look back at the dramatic changes I have witnessed over the past decades. The safety and accountability of our members, while enroute, returning, or operating at an emergency incident, have… Continue

Added by Robert G. Parry on January 12, 2010 at 12:47am — 1 Comment

Live Internet Firefighter Show Debuts!

Firefighter NetCast debuts Tuesday night at 8pm ET with a LIVE NetCast!

Firefighter NetCast is an internet radio show by and for firefighters, featuring topics which are current, interesting, fun, and sometimes controversial.

The featured topic for the first show is Line of Duty Deaths.

Firefighter Line-of-Duty Deaths are down this year. Is this just a welcome fluke or are we actually making progress? Is it realistic to shoot for zero LODD’s? What has… Continue

Added by Firefighter NetCast on January 11, 2010 at 11:53pm — 8 Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-earning our pay (3)

San Jose Fire was very fortunate, in that during my time on the job we had only one on-duty death. As I previously mentioned, we had numerous job-related deaths and injuries. We came close a number of times; in my days firefighting used very aggressive tactics, which some now view to be too aggressive.

The education about Haz Mat and the changes it brought went against our desire to get in and get the job done. When dealing with chemicals that can kill or debilitate with a drop on… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 11, 2010 at 9:52pm — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-earning our pay (2)

As with most firefighters, I have had my share of ceilings fall on me and floors give way below my boots. Hot tar has run down my helmet and steam and heat has burned my ears (before Nomex hoods). In the movies, fire is sometimes depicted as a beast that talks to you. I have only had that experience once.

Engine 7 was second in on a large pool supply warehouse fire. When we arrived, it had already gone to multiple alarm and we knew we were going to be there all night. My regular… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 11, 2010 at 9:49pm — No Comments

Its all up to me now, whether i fail or succeed

well, today i picked up up my PPE gear, and last week, i registered for college, now i am totally ready for Firefighter training, i have everything necessary to begin. Unfortunately, i lost my job last friday, but i am determined to find another one, and even tho it was tough to get let go from my job, i am still unbelievably happy, and thats because my lifelong dream of becoming a Firefighter is beginning its journey very soon, in fact less than a week! Now its all up to me, whether i fail or… Continue

Added by Firefighter Walther on January 11, 2010 at 8:04pm — 3 Comments

What Simple “Tailboard Drills” Have You Found Valuable?

Baby it’s cold outside. It’s our busy season.

That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of our game, now more than ever.

It’s a great time for a simple “tailboard drill.”

I’m looking for your suggestions on quick company drills (for small crews of 3-5 or so) that you have found to be great ways to spend a few minutes while stuck inside.

Let’s gather some ideas and we’ll use them on a future Firefighter NetCast as well!

Added by FireDaily.com on January 11, 2010 at 7:07pm — No Comments