All Blog Posts (7,003)

How USAR Started, Part 3

FireRescue magazine's Technical Rescue Web column

The First Deployment: Hurricane Iniki

The history of the national Urban Search & Rescue program, part 3

By Harold Schapelhouman

Editor's Note: This article is part of a series on the history of the national USAR program. Read the previous posts:

Part 1: How It All… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 22, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my Brothers and Sisters A Christmas wish to all, Be Safe this Hoiliday if you are the ones working, enjoy the time with family and friends if you are not working, and let us not forget those Brothers and Sisters of both the fire service, police and millitary who have fallen while protecting us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

John Washington Twp Fire Station 45

Added by John on December 22, 2009 at 7:58am — 2 Comments

Massive fire burns through row of Bronx stores

BRONX (WABC) -- A fifth-alarm fire burned through a row of stores in the Norwood section of the Bronx.

The fire broke out in a store on East 204th Street just after 4:30 a.m. and quickly spread.

Heavy flames shot through the roof of several of the businesses.

Massive fire burns in the Bronx

The Foodtown supermarket, American Diner and Bainbridge Dental Associates were all damaged by the flames.

Two firefighter sustained minor injuries… Continue

Added by Robert Mott on December 21, 2009 at 10:36am — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard Fireman: Head shots and other lessons

LESSONS

In 1974, just off my year probation, Light Unit 10 was dispatched to a difficulty breathing call. I was higher classed as the driver and had a probie fireman with me. This was before EMT training, and the ambulances did not carry paramedics yet. When we arrived at the low-rent apartment complex we found a 60-year-old man down. Liquor was evident and two women were standing in the room. The guy was not breathing. He looked like he had been down for a while so I asked how long… Continue

Added by mike simms on December 21, 2009 at 12:30am — 1 Comment

The Science of Fire (Old)

Fire can be one of nature’s most devastating natural forces. However it can also be one of the most scientific. I am almost certain that almost any normal person doesn’t know a large amount about fire, other than the fact that burns. There are many different aspects of fire. The first aspect is how fires ignite. This includes the elements need for fire to exist. Next, the next bit of information about fire is the stages of fire. There are four stages; these include ignition, growth, fully… Continue

Added by Sean Miller on December 21, 2009 at 12:11am — 7 Comments

A Decline in Volunteer Firefighters and What Can Be Done About It

"It takes a very special person to volunteer his time," (Stephens et al 14) however, the number of these special people who volunteer as firefighters is declining and fire departments are doing all they can to retain current volunteer firefighters and gain new ones. Over the years, the number of volunteer firefighters within the United States has been declining. Not only is it becoming difficult to persuade people in joining fire departments, but it is also becoming more difficult to retain the… Continue

Added by Sean Miller on December 21, 2009 at 12:02am — 8 Comments

Recruitment and Retention: A Look at What's Working.

With the number of volunteers decreasing throughout the nation, there are many actions being taken to counteract this situation. Recruitment and retention is the volunteer fire services new battle. From different training activities to gain interest, to recruitment drives and incentive plans, there are many varying approaches to this problem. On the other hand, what is really working?

From a volunteers perspective I feel that the fire departments suffering from low numbers of volunteers… Continue

Added by Sean Miller on December 20, 2009 at 11:59pm — 1 Comment

We Are So Eager to be Offended. Well, Get Offended About This.

When will they grow up?

In another controversial case racial tensions ignite, shining the spotlight of idiocy on a tiny majority firefighters- yet again.

A story from the Connecticut Post reports that an email sent by an FDNY Battalion Chief to the Captain at the Bridgeport CT Fire Department contained a small message at bottom. The Bridgeport Captain then… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on December 20, 2009 at 11:08pm — 1 Comment

Becoming an EMT

HEY EVERYONE IM GETTING READY TO TAKE THE EMT CERT COURSE IM LOOKING FOR TIPS ON THE CLASS CAN ANYONE OFFER ANY .THANKS IN ADVANCE

Added by ALAN BARBEAU on December 20, 2009 at 6:32pm — 4 Comments

Collyer Mansion, Part I

Given that much of Wash., D.C. is snowed in, this old article seems appropriate - BC.

Everyone in the fire service, no matter their location, should be familiar with term "Collyer… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on December 20, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Fiji dispatch

Now I have uploaded photoes that I dispacthed in Fiji (national fire authority) for fire fighting skill.
Please check out!!
http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/nkkezy/FIJIDispatch#

Added by Kenji Nakanishi on December 20, 2009 at 3:39am — 3 Comments

Another under lying issue besides a noose and blatant accusations

Breaking news, this just in.... I am not a journalist and have no ties to the journalism agenda. My personal opinion though is that this is the main reason for so much discontent with the recent "noose-gate" scandal on this site.

I am a proud veteran that carries around a pocket size copy of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I served our countries military to ensure that all rights are protected. But with that must come some due diligence by those backing themselves up with these… Continue

Added by Capt.Alex Arnold on December 18, 2009 at 3:30pm — 3 Comments

EMT-Basic....

Well, as I post this I am getting ready for my National Regisrty Practical exam tomorrow, Saturday the 19th of December.....I'm nervous as all get out!!! The work has been put in, but I am wondering if it will be enough......

Added by Sheri Caelwaerts on December 18, 2009 at 12:45pm — No Comments

Live & Learn: Call reviews enrich volunteer training

Live & Learn: Call reviews enrich volunteer training

Story & Photos by Bob Kolva

These days, there seems to be a virtual cornucopia of urban-oriented training tools. Retired big-city battalion chiefs flock to magazine-sponsored tradeshows and seminars to discuss the best way to manage multiple engine companies during a chemical plant fire or prepare for incidents involving WMDs. Unfortunately, such a wealth of training resources doesn’t exist for volunteer… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 18, 2009 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

Responsible Writing

While I said my piece on here and on Firehouse Zen, I guess a little follow-up is due in regard to the post insinuating that the fire service might be an extension of the KKK.

The subject of racism in the firehouse is an compelling issue for discussion, as is some of the other close-minded actions of a small minority in our profession, but… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on December 17, 2009 at 11:52pm — 14 Comments

@FireRecruiter: Great News---SAFER Application Period Extended

DHS has revisited the existing policy on supplanting for the 2009 SAFER funding cycle. The Secretary has decided that DHS will consider petitions for waivers on supplanting from 2009 grantees on a case-by-case basis and under certain conditions.

In order for all potential applicants to have sufficient time to consider this revised policy guidance, DHS will extend the 2009 SAFER application period. The new application deadline will be 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Friday, January 15,… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on December 17, 2009 at 11:24pm — 2 Comments

Da Chief: Bestowed by the Fire Gods

Der Tannenbaum ist lit. Der blogmeisterberger ist lit too.

As we approach the end of the year, the crack staff here at FireDaily has taken advantage of the open bar. What better time than now to return to the thrilling days of YesterMonth for the third installment of “Two Thousand and Nine Favorite FireDaily Blog Posts from 2009”.

In case you missed the first two, you can find them here:…

Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on December 17, 2009 at 8:01pm — No Comments

Horrible Barn Fire

In late November we got toned to a barn on fire in Hardwick Vermont on Rte 15 East, as I get to the scene I quickly noticed that this was a large barn burning.... This ended up being a 6 alarm fire in this small town, it's unfortunate that the owners had 140 cows ""CHAINED"" to 8 X 8 inch lumber in the structure & also had 2 ponies..... The chains that were used were logging chains which are extremely thick & heavy duty, the only way we could free these cows was to use 3 Jaws of Life… Continue

Added by Dan Leach 45K6 on December 17, 2009 at 10:49am — 2 Comments

Another Noose?

This morning I read about yet another noose being discovered in either the locker or the personal belongings of a black firefighter somewhere in this country. It seems this noose-making is an odd trend in the fire service, as this is probably the third time I've read a story like this in the past year.

Why is racism, particularly racism against African Americans, so common in the fire service? (Remember: First responders are held to a higher standard, so if you do something… Continue

Added by Cindy Devone-Pacheco, FireRescue on December 16, 2009 at 12:16pm — 23 Comments

Fire and EMS Recommended Literature

Prehospital Trauma Life Support by NAEMT

Air Management for the Fire Service, by Mike Gagliano, Casey Phillips, Phillip Jose, and Steve Bernocco

Firefighter Rescue and Survival , by Richard Kolomay and Robert Hoff

Rapid Intervention Company Operations by Michael R. Mason

Added by fire investigator 21 on December 15, 2009 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment