All Blog Posts (7,007)

Why I Don't Mind The Calls at Night

It's midnight and I'm home alone ... again.

Only 30 minutes ago, we had climbed into bed together. We were both tired after a long day at work. He's spent 12 hours at his "other job" as a contractor building homes and I've spent a long day at the newspaper, dealing with the endless dramas there.

I had just snuggled into his arms, letting myself enjoy the cool summer air blowing through an open window. Country living has its benefits, and hearing only the crickets outside was one of… Continue

Added by Sally on October 6, 2009 at 9:33am — 22 Comments

Post Show News : FIRE INDIA 2009 Exhibition & Conference

FIRE INDIA 2009 Yet another successful event was put together during 7th-9th September 2009 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai, India organized by Services International.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. N. R. Das, IPS, Director General CISF. Also the presence of Mr. Prasetijo (Semarang Fire Chief cum Area Coordinator of the Indonesian Fire Chief Association) along-with Mr. Sardiyo Sardi (General Secretary of the Indonesian Fire Chief… Continue

Added by Vivek Gupta on October 6, 2009 at 3:52am — No Comments

Tips for Venting Commercial Fires

TRUCK COMPANY OPERATIONS

Is It Safe Above? Tips for assessing roof conditions & initiating ventilation at commercial fires

By Michael M. Dugan

Fires at commercial occupancies are one of the most difficult operations firefighters and officers encounter. These fires are resource intensive and dangerous, and our record of performance at such fires is hardly perfect. Roof ventilation during a fire in a commercial structure is a key tactic for… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 5, 2009 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Somethings I think I think ( Octoberized)

Many years ago, one of my favorite newspaper columnists was a gentleman named Phil Musick. Occassionally, he would write an article titled the same way as I did mine today. I enjoyed most of those articles. Here's another version of mine.

October brings grilled cheese, chili, and other comfort foods that are good for the soul.

The temperature changes remind me of my dad and his sweaters, and Mister Rogers too. May they both rest in peace!

October brings… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on October 3, 2009 at 5:59pm — No Comments

Alabama Responders Complete Challenging Auger Rescue

RESCUE REPORT

Alabama Responders Complete Challenging Auger Rescue

By Tom Vines

Rescues involving auger entrapment can be extremely daunting and intimidating calls.

(Note: A typical auger consists of a continuous corkscrew blade on a long metal shaft surrounded by a round metal tube. Augers are often used to move material such as shelled corn or grain from a lower end where the product is placed, to a higher end where it is discharged. Augers… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 3, 2009 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Nozzlehead: National fire service orgs represent their dues-paying members

NOZZLEHEAD

It's Business: National fire service organizations stand up for their dues-paying members

Editor's Note: An abbreviated version of Nozzlehead's response to this letter appeared in the October issue of FireRescue magazine.

Dear Nozzlehead: Once again the disunity and parochial side of the fire service (career vs. volunteer) rears its ugly head—this time in the form of the fire union rep’s recent testimony to Congress… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 3, 2009 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

Pittsburgh asked to honor fallen Police Officers on Firefighter National Day of Mourning

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and the Pittsburgh Police Department, have asked Steeler Fans to wear memorial shirts to Sundays nationally televised game against the San Diego Chargers. Three months ago tomorrow, three Pittsburgh Police Officers were gunned down in Line of Duty. See http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/sports/21182832/detail.html.

I mean no disrespect towards the fallen officers, or the Pittsburgh Police Department. But why this Sunday? Why pick a day, which justs… Continue

Added by Coach on October 3, 2009 at 9:37am — 10 Comments

got a twitter account?

Everyday I post a new firefighter related quote of the day .... follow me at http://twitter.com/DailyFireQuotes for a little daily encouragement! Thanks and please tell a friend !

"My sons think it's a fireman's pole, but I forgot to cut a hole through the ground into the kitchen".
~Pamela Anderson

Added by Ignacio "Big Rube" Rubio on October 2, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Make the Jump: Plyometric exercises build vital leg muscle power

Survival of the Fittest

Story & Photos by Jeff & Martha Ellis

Powerful legs can come in handy at a number of typical emergency scenes. Everything from climbing stairs to lifting a heavy patient to breaching a ceiling becomes a bit easier when you have the ability to generate power with your lower extremities.

Muscle power is different from muscle strength or endurance. Slow, controlled movements develop muscle strength… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 2, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Spokane Firefighters Perform High-Angle Rescue of Fallen Climber

RESCUE REPORT

Spokane Firefighters Perform High-Angle Rescue of Fallen Climber

By Tom Vines

As the popularity of rock climbing increases, so does the number of rock climbing-related accidents and injuries. A study published in the online issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine revealed a 63 percent increase in the number of patients treated in U.S. emergency departments for rock climbing-related injuries between 1990 and 2007, with more than… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 2, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

New Office in Webster Florida, Jan. 2010

Hi all,
Begining January 1, 2010 we will have a new location to serve you better. In the new location we will be offering complete apparatus service and repairs, in your location or ours. We will have two mechanics and offer service contracts, emergency repairs 24/7. Pricing will be posted on our web page for convienient shopping for pricing.
More to follow in the days to come as we nail down all information.

Added by Tim Rouse on October 2, 2009 at 11:15am — No Comments

Fire Service Leadership - Micro Managing

Micro Managing

The dictionary defines Micro Managing as- "To direct or control in a detailed, often meddlesome manner". To me that pretty well sums it up but lets break it down. Being detail oriented is usually not a bad thing as attention to detail sometimes makes a difference between a mediocre situation to an excellent one. Where is the line that denotes how far is too far? Have you ever driven an officer that is constantly telling you "Go left", "Slow down",… Continue

Added by Mike Walker on October 2, 2009 at 11:00am — 8 Comments

Philippine Volunteer Firefighters hit by Typhoon

I do not write blog posts often anymore since my schedule is so hectic but I decided to finally put my thoughts online..

Typhoon Parma:

The other day we were hit very hard by a tropical storm, this was a direct hit and many of our firefighters have damage to their houses in some way, shape, or form. Over 700,000 families were displaced from the storm and are in evacuation centers, that is just from the initial assessment… Continue

Added by Jason McDonald on October 1, 2009 at 9:02pm — 4 Comments

New tool uses and non-fire service tools

Have you found any new uses for the tools on your rig ? Also have you descovered any off the shelf tools that have worked well for you at some past fire or rescue job ?
Send in your sucess stories as well as any failures so others can learn from this shareing

Added by Dave Reed on October 1, 2009 at 7:36pm — No Comments

Study Produces Tips on Communicating with the Public about Wildfire

Straight Talk

How to speak to a public that, according to one study, better understands—but still fears—WUI fire

By Sandy Shaffer

In 2008, the Partners in Fire Education (PIFE) completed an extensive research project that involved collecting the American public’s opinion on fire use and other related topics. Have you ever wondered what John or Jane Q. Public thinks about prescribed burning? Do you think they know (or care) about fire’s historical role in our… Continue

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

Survived the Great Flood

It's Day-FIVE since Last Saturday on that fateful day Sept. 26, 2009. Water subsided slightly. My house still flooded and with no electrical power. Unlike other areas at due east and north of our city. Water flood are gone but they are starting cleaning their community.

Relief operation still on-going and out Fire Tanker its rear tires were busted and needs for replacement. It was worned out because of rescue / relief operation since DAY - ONE, stepping on debris or rocks. Our chief… Continue

Added by Michael Vito on September 30, 2009 at 11:30pm — 11 Comments

What being a Firefighter means to me

I am retired and no longer an Active Firefighter,

but I am now and always will be a Firefighter. I

am a Life Member of my Fire Company.

I will eat sleep and breathe Firefighting until the

day I am called home to the Lord. I can no longer

offer my services, due to poor health, but I can and

will offer an opinion or advice where I can.

I have fought everything the Fire Service has had

to offer during my time as an Active Firefighter,… Continue

Added by Fred Eppinger on September 30, 2009 at 10:01pm — 8 Comments

A US Firefighter visit to the Chinese Fire Service

I was fortunate to recently go to China and get an unprecedented access to the Chinese Fire Service.

Attached is a link to a Pod Cast I did for the NFPA on September 25 2009. …

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Added by Dave Reed on September 30, 2009 at 8:30pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...September 30, 2009

I did a little detective work because a friend of mine couldn't get to the convention in Wildwood a few weeks ago and he wanted a golf shirt. Because of my work I have learned how to investigate and research using the internet and I found a way to get merchandise from the convention. I won't bore you with the details of how I found the link, but I will share it with you:…

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Added by Denise Imperiale on September 30, 2009 at 8:47am — No Comments

A Fire Service Renaissance Man: Remembering Peter Jorgensen

Peter Jorgensen, the publisher of Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine, died of cancer at his home in Tundbridge, Vt.,on Sept. 25 at age 68. Below is a remembrance by Jeff Berend, Elsevier Public Safety’s VP/Publisher.

A Fire Service Renaissance Man

The fire service is made up of many unique individuals, but none more unique than Peter Jorgensen. Whenever I'd see Pete at a conference or meeting, with his always-present bowtie and strong… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 30, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments