All Blog Posts (7,003)

Out of work. Any private jobs out there?

Hello all. I am new here but have been in the fire service for quite awhile. I am fairly new to my current department (I am an Engineer) and because of budget issues here in California, I am being laid off and am not eligible to be rehired this year.

Due to other circumstances, I am in fairly tight financial straits and need to find work quick. Most of my background is in rural local government with a good deal of urban-wildland engine time. Does anybody know if there are any private… Continue

Added by Big White Dog on April 1, 2009 at 9:37pm — 3 Comments

How To CHANGE what TRADITION Has Built

As I sit here trying to build a plan for the future I think of what has happened over the last 41 years in the fire service. It was 1968 November my Father joined the fire dept in our small mid west town of around 1,200 people, I was 11 months old. He was told show up bring a CASE and be there at 7. So he did and I am sure he never thought that 41 years later so many things would have changed and how far the fire service has come. That night in Nov. he was handed his gear, which was a plastic… Continue

Added by Tim Zehnder on April 1, 2009 at 9:02pm — No Comments

Saying from my now new friend Bull

You dont become a Firefighter,,its whats inside you that makes you whole.

I know that everyone who is a firefighter or was believes in this. It is not what you do but who you are......

Added by Katherine Davidson on April 1, 2009 at 4:16pm — 1 Comment

First, the Bad News

Notes from the IAFC's WUI 2009 conference

Qualifiers always preface responsible comments to a general audience about global warming, but it seems to me that we, the public and the fire service, are finally filing into a consensus along similar lines as the scientists. As proof: The qualifiers are more streamlined than ever, a mere bump before we’re off and rolling.

And so Dr. Faith Ann Heinsch from the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab began: “Climate change is a big topic… Continue

Added by Crawford Coates on April 1, 2009 at 1:00pm — 3 Comments

Roadside Memorials

Roadside Memorials,

Are they a hazardous distraction on our highway's and rural roads that can possibly cause more accidents ?

Or are they a sobering reminder that maybe we should slow down on this sharp corner,Don't drink and drive,perhaps not answer that cell phone or otherwise less distractions and more focusing on the road in front of us! Some people say tear down these memorials because they could be distracting,Others say leave them up to remind everyone that we need to be… Continue

Added by Paul Johnson on April 1, 2009 at 12:34pm — 5 Comments

The IAFC's Wildland-Urban Interface 2009 conference

Last week I was lucky enough to spend several days at the IAFC's WUI 2009 conference in Reno, Nev., hearing from and mixing with the leaders in wildland fire.

I was introduced to several new concepts and many new people, and I took copious notes. Over the next few days, as I begin to digest it all, I'm going to report back on what all went down, as well as some of my thoughts.

Next: The WUI and climate change ...

Added by Crawford Coates on April 1, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Excersize update

Hi Brothers an Sisters I have finally gotten a chance to get on and give an update, so far I am still on my work out regime and doing well, I am thinking I will be uping the reps next week on some of the routines. As for the other situation nothing really has changed, stepson is still being stupid and the grandson and step-daughter-in-law still are here with us. more updates later.

Added by John on April 1, 2009 at 11:47am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...April 1, 2009

Here it is Wednesday… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on April 1, 2009 at 10:40am — No Comments

Please help?

Can someone please help me decipher the requirements for fire officer training. I am trying to figure it out. I need to get the training soon, but am having a hard time figuring out just what I do need.

Added by Robert on March 31, 2009 at 6:27pm — 8 Comments

FEMA Heart Study: A lesson in situational awareness

By now, we’ve all read or heard about the preliminary results from the FEMA-sponsored study that found one third of firefighters had heart disease that was unrelated to traditional risk factors, such as high cholesterol, and they have a 300% increased risk of dying from heart disease than other segments of the general population. While these results are astonishing, they also provide vital information to… Continue

Added by Cindy Devone-Pacheco, FireRescue on March 31, 2009 at 6:06pm — 12 Comments

What does a chief do?

EVERYTHING When i became chief due to the death of our past chief i thouht i had a good understanding of what to expect. After all i had been his asst.for a couple of years.I Knew what meetings to go to . Who to get a hold of and for what.That was the easy stuff. I now realise i was also a chaplain and pycologist as well. As certain things have come up the last few months.I dont care for the polatics that sometimes come with this new job. And i did know i was responsible for everything witch is… Continue

Added by Tim Wood on March 31, 2009 at 6:00pm — 4 Comments

Hello friends, brothers and sisters of Firefighter Nation. I'm not going to start this blog off like some I have read with the "sorry I haven't been around." Being busy is something that keeps me hap…

Hello friends, brothers and sisters of Firefighter Nation. I'm not going to start this blog off like some I have read with the "sorry I haven't been around." Being busy is something that keeps me happy. Work has been slow with the difficult economy and people not willing to spend money to get their homes redone, but I have managed to keep moving forward and finding work where I can when I can.

My basis for the blog is to announce my upcoming marriage on April 25th. I am blessed to… Continue

Added by Engineco913 on March 31, 2009 at 12:11am — 7 Comments

Gone to Far with keeping an eye on Probies?????

I recently changed policies on turnout gear provided to probies. While on probation and in training my probies will have yellow turnout gear instead of the brown turnouts that my trained firefighters use. I am not trying to humiliate the probies, just trying to make them easier to locate on scene by I/C and other personel. I think it might help keep them out of harms way and not be asked to do something over their heads. What do you think???? Would you be offended????

Added by Palmyra Chief Donaghey on March 30, 2009 at 11:23pm — 15 Comments

Brush Fire behind my apartments

Tonight, I realized how much I miss my other home and my brothers from the department. I have always missed them and everyone there but with the small or whatever size the brush fire is behind the apartments makes me think of them even more. The big red truck was in the apartment complex and it was so pretty. I would love to live back there but with no work there I cant. Just know guys( meaning everyone) that I miss yall and Love yall very much. Be safe and careful.

Added by Katherine Davidson on March 30, 2009 at 11:12pm — No Comments

Question

Mine is not to ask why. mine is just to do and die. This is a statement that someone wrote to figure out why cerntain people can get away with stuff while others have to follow what was said. This was not a question to be answered but but it goes back to the last blog i posted. If you are told by an officer to take a cadet into a house that you know will fall down on you but that was the order the good thing is t was luck nothing happened.

Added by Donny on March 30, 2009 at 8:30pm — 6 Comments

Mesothelioma

Countless fire fighters were exposed to asbestos during their career. The Mesothelioma Cancer Center is the leader in information on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma doctors if you've recieved a mesothelioma prognosis.…

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Added by Ben Grayson on March 30, 2009 at 2:27pm — No Comments

Thought for the day

I dont have a lot to enter today... but heard this the other day and thought was worth sharing.........

A firefighter was working on the engine outside the station, when he noticed a little girl nearby in a little red wagon with little ladders hung off the sides, and a garden hose tightly coiled in the middle.

The girl was wearing a firefighter's helmet. The wagon was being pulled by her dog and her cat.

The firefighter walked over to take a closer look. 'That sure is a… Continue

Added by Kimberly McDonald on March 30, 2009 at 10:16am — 1 Comment

AFD Job Requirments And Process

March 30, 2009

So a lot of people have asked me both what are the minimum required certs to be hired down here and two what is the process to be hired is so instead of me answering this over and over I will post it on here.

The job is posted at www.rayjobs.com. You then submit your resume via the website if you meet the following for Firefighter, High school diploma or equivalent. Certification to the following levels is required prior to commencement of work: Firefighter… Continue

Added by Mike Lintz on March 30, 2009 at 3:16am — 3 Comments

Military

Military

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He

is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal

circumstances is considered by society as half man,

half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough

to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.

He never really cared much for work and he would rather

wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never

collected unemployment either.

He's… Continue

Added by Robert on March 29, 2009 at 7:32pm — 1 Comment

How To Clean Your Toilet :

How To Clean Your Toilet :

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> 1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.

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> 2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.

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> 3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may need to stand on the lid.

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> 4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that… Continue

Added by Robert on March 29, 2009 at 7:18pm — 7 Comments