All Blog Posts (7,003)

A Select Few - Those who join our profession must meet the highest physical & academic standards

Earlier this year, I was sitting in “balmy” St. Cloud, Minn., (-33 degrees F; now I know why those old men were so grumpy) eating dinner with a few firefighter friends of mine. As the night wore on, we each shared our fire service equivalent of a Minnesota fisherman’s fishing story—cold, longwinded and filled with exaggeration. At some point, one of the instructors spoke of his experience teaching recruits and the reward he felt when they eventually achieved success in the fire… Continue

Added by Timothy Sendelbach on March 21, 2009 at 8:13pm — 4 Comments

NEW TRUCK NEW DAY

CHIEF, CONGRATULATIONS, NOT ONLY ON THE NEW TRUCK, BUT THE CHOICE OF A GREAT COMPANY TO BUILD IT FOR YOU.....YOU WILLL BE PROUD, HONORED, AND COMPLIMENTED FOR YOUR ACHEIVEMENTS.

Added by John H. Love on March 21, 2009 at 6:22pm — No Comments

YOU NEVER KNOW?

Did you know that your break could be sitting right next to you on a plane?

Or perhaps standing beside you at a garage sale buying an antique? Or

they could be someone who you deem as insignificant on a set. Or

someone at a party that you were rude to because they weren't your

type. Any one that you discount, could be a huge factor in your success.

That is why you need to always be on your best behavior,

be prepared and dress for success where ever you… Continue

Added by George on March 20, 2009 at 7:36pm — 2 Comments

The Bonus

So...Im on vacation.

The morning we are to leave Ft Worth to drive home, I am awakened by my lovely wife with a plastic stick 3 inches from my nose. My first thought is, "Damn, is my breath that bad?" But no, it was not a tooth brush, it was a pregnancy test...

After a second to get my bearings, I say, why is there a pink line?

To which Tammy says, we are pregnant.

Was this really in the plans, well not so much. BUT...

In a way,… Continue

Added by Allen Wahlstrom on March 20, 2009 at 4:11pm — 4 Comments

MDA Fill The Boot 2009

Hey to all, our department had it's meeting for this years MDA Fill the Boot. This year we are trying to beat another record for a small fire department. Our goal is $5,oo0 this year(hopefully a lot more). We were ranked 9th last year and hope to improve. Just wondering how many other departments out there get involved in this. It's a wonderful thing to do for people in need. Just wishing you all the best in your efforts. Iwill update progress as we go along.

Added by Deanna on March 20, 2009 at 3:34pm — No Comments

3-16-09-3-17-09 this is all the fun we had, crews were out on scenes for over 15 hours each day.

A light rain brought a little relief Wednesday night for firefighters and others exhausted from two days of battling wildfires all over Laclede and Camden counties.

A haze of smoke lay over much of Laclede County Wednesday afternoon and evening as 2,000 acres of brush, a house and two vehicles were ravaged by flames.

Scores of firefighters from outside the two counties were called in during the crisis. Three firefighters had to have hospital treatment for injuries suffered during that… Continue

Added by Deanna on March 20, 2009 at 2:59pm — No Comments

The Haunted Firehouse!!!!!

Okay kids... Who doesnt like a good ghost story???

After watching an episode of SciFi's now famous tv show; Ghost Hunter's, I started to think about all the spooky things that go on at my firehouse. I could tell you how radios turn themselves on and off, doors open and close when no one is around, and emergency vehicle lights turn on without anyone even being in the truck. I could tell you all of those things... but they wouldn't be true LOL.

Despite the fact that I think… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on March 20, 2009 at 9:00am — 4 Comments

Our Reputation

The fire service, as we all know, is a proud

profession that is rich in history. We are a unique

group of individuals who are looked up to by young

and old and who kids dress up like for Halloween

every year. We are in the public eye both on and

off duty. Our actions are continuously being

monitored and scrutinized.

In the day of instant information via the

internet and text messages and mutli-media

messages, we can be recorded in the heat of… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 19, 2009 at 9:25pm — 1 Comment

Photo's of a fire in Tyler Texas

My friend Matt Hogan is not only an awesome musician... but a phenomenal photographer as well.

The photos in this collection are from a fire in Tyler, Texas. Right off the square, behind the courthouse. All involved were historic buildings containing mostly offices and the interiors were totally destroyed. The fire started around 8 pm and went for approx 2 hours. Some mutual aid was called in, and there were up to 50 Firefighters on scene.

Check out HIS blog… Continue

Added by James Quagliano on March 19, 2009 at 3:00pm — 3 Comments

one more HELP!

thanx for the info guys really appreciate it got a good bit of info and now ive switched gears here a lil bit. after researching, I've determined that trying to write a paper on all the tools and new technologies in the fire service would require me to write about a 115 page paper instead of just a 15 theres simply too much to cover and lord knows i really dont want to leave things out and not do it justice. so, with that said, ive switched to focusing on PPE and how it is changed over the… Continue

Added by wes long on March 19, 2009 at 2:01pm — 2 Comments

9 Philly Firefighters Injured in Crash

Squrt vs Aerial in Old Town Philly.

KYW-TV in Philadelphia is reporting a serious crash between two Philadelphia fire apparatus. At first it was reported that 5 firefighters were taken to the hospital, but that number has now been increased to 9.

RAW VIDEO: http://cbs3.com/video/?id=76542@kyw.dayport.com

Lou

Added by Lou Angeli on March 19, 2009 at 1:38pm — 2 Comments

Life Safety Initiatives, Should we or Shouldnt we Critique a LODD?

I have become quite familiar with the age old argument of "Is it disrespectful to talk about or critique a LODD or LODI when we were not there and did not know the specifics?" I think I may have some more info that could hopefully bring fruition to an argument that has been raging for far too long.

I attended a seminar last evening at my station put on by a very educated and experienced past chief from my area who also works for the Emergency Management Office and has been an… Continue

Added by Moose on March 19, 2009 at 9:00am — 4 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 19, 2009

The Stones and The Story

I have a collection of stones. I bought them one day when I had to go to court alone, except for my attorney, who is also a volunteer firefighter. They say inspirational things like Strength, Thank You, Believe, Love, and Money. I lost one of my older stones given to me by a friend a few weeks ago. When the 4 o'clock crew at the firehouse heard about my stones, well, they teased me… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on March 19, 2009 at 8:19am — 2 Comments

BACK TO LATEST NEWSBoy, 2, takes a break from potty training at Liverpool fire station

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Salina, NY -- Veteran firefighters were left shaking their heads with the emergency call that drove up about noon today to Liverpool Fire Station No. 2 on Seventh North Street.

Liverpool firefighters removed a potty seat from a 2-year-old boy's head. The boy's mother took this photo."In 29 years, I've seen a lot of things, but this was definitely a first," said First Deputy Liverpool Fire Chief Gary Vincitore.

Into the fire station, a mother brought her 2-year-old… Continue

Added by anne potter on March 18, 2009 at 10:58pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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

Another day in the life of Denise Broesler.

I have to update everyone on the oil tank possible leaking sump pump broken problem.

The well-known oil company came at 8:00 a.m. and saw no oil in my sump pump and it was heartily working. And he used the stick on my oil tank and I had the same amount of oil.

The insurance adjuster was here at 8:30 a.m. and said the same thing.

The electrician came… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on March 18, 2009 at 7:59pm — 2 Comments

its been awile

Well I havent been on here in a while, just got back from a pretty cool swift water rescue, it was in about class 3 maybe 4 rapids love the summers around here LOL, we have had swiftwater rescues for the past 3 days straight, I have been real busy here lately, between all the classes i have been taking and all the classes I have been organizing for the County firefighter assoc. and working my shifts and calls for my dept. But I am going to try to get on here more. Oh I just bought my self a… Continue

Added by Jarrett Underwood on March 18, 2009 at 7:15pm — 1 Comment

The Safety Culture

Last weekend I attended the Everyone Goes Home

Summit at the National Fire Academy. First let me

say that it was my first trip there and it was very

impressive. If any of you ever get the opportunity,

take advantage of this resource and take in the

experience and knowledge offered there, along

with the great history of the area.

Now, on to the Summit and what I have been

pondering since I got back. The purpose of the

Summit can be summarized as an… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 18, 2009 at 6:06pm — 2 Comments

Safe Kids Worldwide CPS Newsletter March 2009 & Cruisin' With Kids Safety Tags

As you may know Cruisin' With Kids works very closely with EMS, Law Enforcement and Child Care services, programs and schools nationwide to help Keep Kids Safe, and would like to bring to your attention a recent piece about them in the Safe Kids Worldwide Newsletter and the overwhelming response they received (an excerpt has been provided below).

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Tool for Techs: Free… Continue

Added by Cruiser Fox on March 18, 2009 at 3:36pm — No Comments

Food in Boston

I'm a retired firefighter from DC ,and now work school security in P.G. County, Md.
The school band is traveling to Boston in May and we are trying to find several reaturants the students can eat at. If any one from the Boston area can assist us please email me (dpfeil@pgcps.org)

Thanks for your assistance!
Dave Pfeil
Retired Firefighter
Washington,D.C.

Added by David L. Pfeil Sr. on March 18, 2009 at 2:28pm — 1 Comment

Power Hawk or Hydro. Extrication Equiptment??

We currently keep a Powerhawk on our Rescue/Pumper but are considering purchasing a good used hydrolic system. The budget restrains us but I hope to expidite our extrication process. Input would be great!!

Added by Palmyra Chief Donaghey on March 18, 2009 at 12:06am — 3 Comments