All Blog Posts (7,003)

Random Thoughts From a Linear Thinker

Now that I am working emergency response full-time, I have noticed something that I haven't seen in a long while. I've been working 9 - 5 (basically) since mustering out of the Marine Corps. A few years ago I began volunteering as a firefighter and EMT. Now full-time as an EMT, I have noticed that the "atmosphere" is basically the same as when I was on Active-Duty - we're dragging through stretches of complete boredom, punctuated by brief periods of excitement. (The original quote is for "sheer… Continue

Added by George A. Laiacona III on October 22, 2009 at 10:53am — 2 Comments

NM firefighters sue over 'scene from hell'

FireRescue1 is reporting an interesting lawsuit taking place in Carlsbad.

CARLSBAD, N.M. — Firefighters and rescue workers who responded to a "scene from hell" after a gas pipeline explosion near Carlsbad in August 2000 won the right from the New Mexico Supreme Court to sue for emotional distress two years ago.

Read the full article at…

Continue

Added by lutan1 on October 22, 2009 at 5:00am — 23 Comments

Community Support Helps You Earn $10,000 for Your Department

A Community Pledge to “Be Fire Smart” Can Earn Local Fire Departments $10,000 in Funding from Liberty Mutual Insurance

Local Residents Support Their Fire Departments by Testing Fire Safety Knowledge at www.BeFireSmart.com

With less than a quarter of U.S. fire departments operating with sufficient budgets, according to a 2008 National Fire Protection Association survey, 10 departments can now turn to… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 21, 2009 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 21, 2009

SCBA 2 Drill - Not for Rookies

Last night I finally felt like I was past Rookiedom.

We did SCBA Part 2 in the smokehouse. Last year I wasn't SCBA certified yet so I did the drill but didn't go through the mazes or hatches. I did it last night though.

For all you guys and girls that are experienced, young, and fit, stop reading because you will think I am quite lame. For those of you brave enough to… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 21, 2009 at 9:30am — 4 Comments

So These Two Chevys Meet on the Street...

So I see this commercial pitting the old Chevy against the new one and my mind begins to wander -as it often does- about how much has changed in the cars over the years and how we perform extrication. (cue dream-sequence music).

Remember when we had crashes that involved those nice old cars like this ’59 Bel Air that just needed a crowbar and a come-along to remove the body,… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on October 21, 2009 at 8:43am — 1 Comment

Passing on our experience.

Some of you may remember my blog about not knowing when I became the one that the new kids looked to for answers to their questions about fire fighting, but that over the years I had gone from being the one asking all the questions to the one being asked. It was recently brought home to me that I am the one with the experience, when in a class we were asked to give our names and how long ago we started in the fire service. When it was my turn I gave my name and when I said I started in 1982,… Continue

Added by John Schander on October 20, 2009 at 3:30pm — 6 Comments

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery Program - What is Your Department Doing?

For the past 22 years, the IAFC and Energizer have worked together to remind communities across the country about the importance of fire safety through the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® program. This fall, the program urges people to change smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries when changing clocks back to standard time on November 1.

More than 6,000 fire departments use this program to reach out to their communities with this live-saving information. Thanks… Continue

Added by IAFC on October 19, 2009 at 5:03pm — 3 Comments

The Pinata Reflection

You’ve all seen the reports, the press coverage, the YouTube videos, the blog posts. The American flag is under attack. Anti-American fire chiefs are taking away the rights of patriotic hero firefighters who love their country. Welcome to the police state. It’s all about race. REVOLUTION!

Oh, please.

Tear yourself away from the carnival and let me redirect your attention for just a moment as I recall an interesting… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on October 19, 2009 at 6:30am — 5 Comments

Firefighter Helmet

Does anyone have a firefighter helmet for sale cheap......

Added by Brandon Dove on October 18, 2009 at 9:53pm — 6 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 18, 2009

Today we had a great drill. My husband told me I should rename this blog, "Running to a Drill," since that's what I always seem to be doing. It was a vehicle extrication drill and taught by one of my officers. I learned things I hadn't learned at school and maybe I wasn't ready to learn at that time anyway (perhaps FF 2). For example, the direction to put the fire out if it's in the hood, and the proper way to set the scene with the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 18, 2009 at 8:10pm — 1 Comment

junior explorers/ junior firefighters

My department is wanting to start a formal junior firefighter or junior explorer program and I'm interested in reading about other departments programs and possibly obtaining a copy of the by-laws. If anyone could help me out on this so I can take pilot course or something of that nature back to out board and present I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks everyone,
Nate

Added by Nathan Smith on October 18, 2009 at 2:27pm — 9 Comments

My first fire.

I arrived at the station the morning of October 13, 2009 at 7:30 A.M. It was a rainy day with no signs of slowing. Considering that this was the first big rain of the season I prepared myself for multiple vehicle accidents on Highway 49. At about 8:40 A.M, 40 minutes after crew change, the tone came out. "Station 88 area, structure fire." Immediately my heart jumped, I dropped what i was doing, and sprinted to the engine. My turnouts were on and I was in the engine in warp speed. En route to… Continue

Added by Clay Hood on October 17, 2009 at 7:00am — 6 Comments

Aware of Surroundings

How many of you emergency personal can actually say when you walk into a building and notice right off the bat where the fire exits are and if the building is sprinkled or even as much as if they have fire extinguishers and if there up to code? Now I know allot of us live and breath this stuff on day to day bases but do we leave what we know at the office, or does it go right along with us when we have our most prized positions like our husbands, wife’s or even our children.... When let’s say… Continue

Added by CHIEF NORMAN on October 15, 2009 at 3:30pm — 9 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 15, 2009

It's funny...I realized the reason I have been writing on this blog less is because I write all day long for a living.

I went to see a therapist the other day to learn how to cope with mentally ill and drug addicted children I have in my life. On the initial intake, the therapist asked me what I do in my free time. My answer was hang out with the old timers at my firehouse and listen to stories.

That didn't… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 15, 2009 at 1:30pm — 4 Comments

The Place to Start When Building a Station

Fire Station Design Symposium provides all you need to know, from strategic planning to furnishings

By Robert Tutterow

The design and construction of a fire station are a major undertaking and investment for any community. Mistakes can be very costly and often carry an impact for decades. Did you know that the maintenance and operating of a fire station cost far more than the initial construction? Did you know there are many things you can do with design and materials to… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 15, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

www.2in2out.blogspot.com

http://www.2in2out.blogspot.com/ A blog about my experiences going through ropes of becoming a fire fighter.

Added by David Gandrud on October 15, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

Fear, Enemy or Ally

We as Firefighters, First Responders and EMS Personnel live with fear everyday and on every call.

The fear we feel for others in distress, is what drives us. That fear can also make us careless and we make mistakes. We must learn to deal with the urge to rush in and take chances. We are no good to a victim if something happens to us. That fear needs to be controlled or we become part of the problem not the solution.

The fear we feel for our own safety is the fear we need… Continue

Added by Fred Eppinger on October 14, 2009 at 11:05pm — 1 Comment

The Head Rule

When I joined the fire service “a couple of years ago”, my mentor was a wise young captain. He offered up what he called the “Head Rule”. It is something I have made a point to pass along to all probies struggling to find their fit in this great service:

“You’ve got two eyes and two ears; keep ‘em open. You have a nose, keep it clean. But above all, keep your mouth shut!”

The fiasco in DC that burned our brothers on video…

Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on October 14, 2009 at 7:13pm — No Comments

Operational Firefighting: The Unknown Art

Military operations provide a model for the fireground

By Chief Warren Whitley

Most firefighters and officers are familiar with the terms “strategy” and “tactics” as applied to firefighting operations. However, the true operational level of firefighting is not discussed much in firefighting literature nor overtly addressed in our practices. Because we traditionally use military terms to describe our work, including references to fire as the “enemy,” it’s useful to discuss… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 14, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Give me a break!

Its funny with the business I’m in I talk to allot of departments all across this great nation we live in and just here recent I had a department Chief ask me if I had the answers to the NIMS 300 and 400...The only thing I could do was laugh....Now I know most of the departments out there complain about all these NIMS courses and when is it ever going to stop and the famous I wont ever need this crap...Well folks all I can say is its here and its here to stay until something comes up that’s… Continue

Added by CHIEF NORMAN on October 14, 2009 at 2:29pm — 7 Comments