All Blog Posts (7,003)

Double-Ended Roof Ladders to the Rescue!

TRUCK COMPANY OPERATIONS

It Takes 2 … : Hooks at both ends of the ladder simplify roof operations

By Peter F. Kertzie

It’s easy to become enamored with the newest, fanciest and most technologically advanced products that fire service manufacturers can come up with—especially those being pitched with the most “flash” or displayed with the help of a model in a bikini top and bunker pants. The excitement caused by some of… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on May 6, 2009 at 12:00pm — 10 Comments

Pick your battles

I have mourned the loss of a friend who died senselessly on a service call, and I have held dead children in my arms at a fire. I cannot agree with you more! I have but one simple rule: Pick your battles carefully. Fighting fires is like fighting an army. You never go into a battle without adequate intelligence on your enemy, and you never willingly fight an army when you are out manned and out gunned. Sadly, you only need to read a few NIOSH reports to realize that we commit to both of these… Continue

Added by Brian Couzens on May 6, 2009 at 10:43am — No Comments

Early Registration Ends May 9 for Hazmat Conference

The IAFC's 26th annual International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Confernece is May 27-31 in Hunt Valley, MD. Sign up now to take advantage of the early-bird deadline and to make sure that you and your department get the latest in hazmat education and training.

The conference offers essential training on topics such as:

Prevention and… Continue

Added by IAFC on May 6, 2009 at 9:48am — No Comments

So we havent had a lot goin on. wish we did, have had a wreck or two on besides that nothing much so just drop a line

Added by Zerkle 523 on May 6, 2009 at 1:30am — 5 Comments

fog or smooth bore nozzle?

at my dept. theres always an argument in which is better. i prefer fog nozzles just because of the fog. if you know how to use one properly they can save your life. they cant prevent a flashover but can help you in getting out of the structure away from it. so my point is what do you prefer smooth bore or fog nozzles? and why do you prefer it?

Added by Dylan Blake Zachary on May 5, 2009 at 11:45pm — 7 Comments

Funeral Service Tomorrow For Former Fire Chief

The Caribbean Fire Service fraternity will gather tomorrow on the island of Dominica in a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Julien Baptiste former Chief Fire Officer of the Dominica Fire and Ambulance Service.

The Dominican Fire Service family was in a state of mourning after being informed of Baptiste’s death on April 18, 2009. Baptiste reportedly died in Cuba where he was receiving medical treatment for an ailing kidney condition.

We take this opportunity to extend… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on May 5, 2009 at 7:30pm — 1 Comment

Stories of the Volunteer (NOT A RANT)

As some of you may know I am an actor as well as a firefighter.

I'm starting a new project and would like to hear any volunteer fire department stories. I'm looking for dramatic, or not so dramatic, funny, or not fire or rescue stories by volunteer firefighters.

Why ?

The project's purpose is two fold: First, to educate the public about volunteer firefighters. Second, to encourage people to join.

Sorry Career Guys, unless you volunteer as well, you'll… Continue

Added by Richard Shankman on May 5, 2009 at 5:11pm — 11 Comments

I wonder...

If anyone else is on the beach here today in Sunny SD.....

Added by COURTNEY THEIS on May 5, 2009 at 3:33pm — 4 Comments

Got an idea for a new fire service product? DHS' TechSolutions wants to hear about it

Do you have an idea for a new fire service product? Have you identified a need for a technology that would help you better perform your job more safely, efficiently and effectively?

The TechSolutions program, run by the United States Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), is providing a venue for first responders to directly submit "capability gaps"--basically, an idea for a new product or technology that isn't met by current products on the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on May 5, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

hard at work

it's crazy in the ER today!!!

Added by COURTNEY THEIS on May 4, 2009 at 5:06pm — 1 Comment

IAFC and FCC Partner on Digital TV Transition

The IAFC and the Federal Communications Commission are partnering to create a voluntary program to help meet the June 12 deadline for the public transition to digital television (DTV) and ultimately aid the expansion of the national public-safety communication network.

The IAFC seeks fire and rescue departments interested in participating in this program. The program links community members who are having technical difficulties installing or using DTV converter boxes with… Continue

Added by IAFC on May 4, 2009 at 11:12am — No Comments

Finished Teaching FFI/II - Reflections

In January I started teaching my first Firefighter I/II course. Last week was the last official night of class and I have a couple review nights scheduled this week before they take the state exam. I hope that this has been a good experience for those in my class and that they have learned the essentials needed to do the job safely.

I learned alot during the past 4 months. First is that no matter how much experience we have we can always learn something. Going through the course I… Continue

Added by Station10Capt106 on May 4, 2009 at 10:49am — 1 Comment

Big Promotion

May 1, I made it to Chief. Fire Marshal for Salt Lake City! Yeehaa!

Added by Martha Ellis on May 4, 2009 at 1:35am — 17 Comments

research paper

I am writing my research paper for english on should it be nessecary for a career firefighter to have basic EMT training. I was going to try to get some input from true career firefighters. I personally believe that there should be at least 3-4 on each shift who are trained in emt but not all should be required to. what do you think? anything posted could help.

Added by Dylan Blake Zachary on May 4, 2009 at 12:25am — 3 Comments

International Firefighters Day - May 4, 2009

Take a moment to stop and thank a firefighter, their family or their colleagues in the fire organisation today. If you're a firefighter take time to thank a fellow firey, one or more of your mentors (perhaps they have retired or moved on from your fire organisation) or even a firey from a different organisation, service or country.

Today with modern communication we can touch the lives of people on the other side of the world so why don't… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on May 3, 2009 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Somewhere In the Middle or Just On the Fence

Over the last couple of weeks a tremendous amount of blogs have been posted and comments given about a recent speech given at the 2009 FDIC conference. Lt. Ray McCormack from FDNY stood in front of thousands and spoke to the culture war that is raging in our midst. He spoke about a culture of fear vs. a culture of extinguishment. What I gained from his dialogue was the fire service must remember our reason for existence, the people we serve. If the organization whose purpose it is to perform… Continue

Added by Mike Walker on May 3, 2009 at 8:26pm — 5 Comments

Lost or trapped Firefighters? MAYDAYAIR.COM

Hey everybody, Have any of you heard about this new product on the market called Mayday air? Its an adapter to replace the MMR in the event that you run out of air. I don't want to say to much for fear that it will sould like I am advertising for the company, but in fact it seems like a great solution for the trapped or lost FF who is about to run out of air. Check out the website at www.maydayair.com. Let me know what you guys think about the product. Maybe I'm not looking into it enough, but… Continue

Added by Don on May 2, 2009 at 5:47pm — 12 Comments

"Does God Have Enough Hands...?" (Written 17-Sept-01 by: B.A. Ellis)

Who of us can ever forget that terrible Tuesday morning of Sept 11th, 2001? I was not yet a firefighter at that time, and had not even ever really thought of becoming one, But looking back, I think perhaps, it was a seed, one of many, planted in my heart, that played a role in my becoming a firefighter. Who can ever forget the loyallty, dedication, and bravery of our Brothers/Sisters who got "that call," and those we lost that day? I often write poems and songs etc & have since I was about… Continue

Added by Brent A. Ellis on May 2, 2009 at 10:42am — 6 Comments

Word of Mouth

"Word of Mouth" from Firefighter Behavior

In fire departments our most influential training opportunities are not necessarily the yearly recertifications or the latest seminars but the working fire. Our trade is a hands on service where the majority of learning is done by doing. We go to fires; we stretch hoselines; we search rooms; we open up the roof. And if we happen to not do any of those… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on May 2, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Safety Culture vs. Extinguishment Culture – Smart Fire Departments Can Have BOTH!

If you have a personal or departmental "Extinguishment Culture", would you grab a line and enter this flashed over abandoned house that is showing signs of impending collapse? If you have a personal or departmental "Safety Culture", would you wear your SCBA , a traffic safety vest, and crank a PPV fan while sitting in the rig a half-mile down the street? Chances are, if you are a U.S. firefighter, you'll choose an option somewhere… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on May 1, 2009 at 8:30pm — 12 Comments