All Blog Posts (7,003)

A Fire Department having too many volunteers?

I was a part of one fire department or another from 1992 until 2003. When I moved away to another part of the county, the fire department there said they already had too many volunteers? Ever since then I have often wondered this....HOW CAN A FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE TOO MANY VOLUNTEERS!!!!!!!! I would think they would want more....I really miss being on the department....love helping others....Can anyone give me a reasonable explanation of this.....

Added by Brian on August 11, 2008 at 4:31pm — 9 Comments

Chemical reaction Of Fire...

Chemical reaction

Fires start when a flammable and/or a combustible material with an adequate supply of oxygen or another oxidizer is subjected to enough heat and is able to sustain a chain reaction. This is commonly called the fire tetrahedron. No fire can exist without all of these elements being in place.

Once ignited, a chain reaction must take place whereby fires can sustain their own heat by the further release of heat energy in the process of combustion and may… Continue

Added by alex on August 11, 2008 at 10:07am — No Comments

September 11th

Does anyone know if they have any sort of ceremony on the 11th any more? I will be out near that area during that time and would love to attend if there is something going on?

Added by Bob on August 10, 2008 at 11:25pm — 1 Comment

Heart Of A Hero

Did anyone see the opening ceramonies to the olympics? Yao Ming walked in with a 9yr old child that was trapped in his school after the eartquake. They said that he got himself out and then WENT BACK IN and rescued some of his classmates. When asked why he said, "I was hall monitor, and watching out for his classmates was his responsibility" I can't speak for the members of firefighter nation, but i want to make him an honorary chief. That story put a lump in my throat and reminded me about the… Continue

Added by Russ on August 10, 2008 at 7:30pm — 1 Comment

we sadly regret line of duty death of a Toronto firefighter today in a explosion i can not give anything eles at this time

Toronto firefighter dies in the line of duty today

BOB LEEK

ACTIVE DISTRICT CHIEF

OF EMERGENCY PLANNING

DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AT THE SUNRISE PROPANE INDUSTRIAL GASES FIRE ON SUNDAY AUGUST 10, 2008.

FUNERAL INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED WHEN KNOWN

BOB LEEK

ACTIVE DISTRICT CHIEF

OF EMERGENCY PLANNING

DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AT THE SUNRISE PROPANE INDUSTRIAL GASES FIRE ON SUNDAY AUGUST 10,… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on August 10, 2008 at 7:00pm — 6 Comments

Another busy day.

So much for a relaxing Saturday. Had to do a pr function at the creek front for most of the day. Got to do some show and tell with the kids. When home after that and immediately had my pager go off for a first responder run. Then about a half hour later pager when off again for an accident. Drove engine 6 to the scene and got there just in time to turn around and go back the way I had came to sit up an lz for medevac. It was really interesting backing the engine up a two lane country road the… Continue

Added by Lester Pearsall on August 9, 2008 at 10:24pm — No Comments

My photos

I've just added a few more photos. Please feel welcome to look at them individually and leave comments - I like to hear from people! I don't post ( or even keep!) all the photos I take, I keep only those that I think are of at least reasonable quality. Digital is nice and cheap of course, but back in the days of film I used to be very happy if I could get two out of a roll of 35+ that were worth keeping!

Added by Tony P on August 9, 2008 at 8:50pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

For those of you that have kept up with my column, many of you know about the anxiety I've felt trying to manage going to the Fire Academy full-time with the antics of my teenagers, the horrible real estate market, and trying to do it all like many business women my age.

Today I did something I was really nervous about. It may seem soooo simple to some, but today I rode a motorcycle. Just like flying, I was nervous about this. Being uncoordinated, and hating rides and motion, I was afraid… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on August 9, 2008 at 8:00pm — 1 Comment

Old news story from my dept.

TOUR BUS HIT, 15 INJURED

By ANDY MILLER-Times City Editor

HOLIDAY CITY - Fifteen people were transported to various hospitals after their bus was struck in the rear by a tractor-trailer rig on the Ohio Turnpike Tuesday evening.

At 10:15 p.m., a 1965 GMC bus that was converted into a tour bus was westbound on the Ohio Turnpike at milepost 18.5, just east of the Ohio 15 Bryan/Montpelier exit. The tour bus was being driven by Aaron Winett, 35, Berkeley, Calif., at… Continue

Added by Brian Dill on August 9, 2008 at 1:09pm — No Comments

The inside out or is it the outside in?

Having been a Fire Chaplain for over 25 years has made me love fire service so much more than I did when I got started. Starting out at a volunteer/partially paid department and learning on the job really did a number on my initial confidence. that I kept asking myself " why do these guys spend double or triple what they make to be on call for extreme times and have to work a job with this commitment to even be here?"

It all started when I was a new mission pastor in town and was… Continue

Added by David Ebel on August 9, 2008 at 3:38am — 2 Comments

OJT, Degree, or a combination

This is a blog that could actually turn into a good discussion as others read this and think about what is said as compared to what they have seen in their own department or area.

Recently, as may have happened in other areas, a person was given a position with out meeting the eligilbility requirements as set forth by the department mainly due to the fact of a degree. Now don't get me wrong, I think a degree is a good thing and has its place and use when appropriate. Do I think it should… Continue

Added by Duane M Messner on August 8, 2008 at 11:37pm — 3 Comments

Pictures Being Uploaded causing Negative Public Perception

I don't want to sound like I am preaching here, but what is with all of the pics being uploaded that show alcohol being consumed. I think that we need to set a higher standard as Firefighters than just partying. What kind of example do you think this is setting for anyone that views the public page. I am sorry but too much is just that.... too much. I don't see what it does besides makes you look like you drink alcohol a whole lot. I believe that we should think about what we are going to put… Continue

Added by FF Schoen on August 8, 2008 at 7:30pm — 20 Comments

lost brothers

Tonight i request that everyone thats in the fire ems profession . before you go to bed tonight. say a prayer for the familes of those lost brothers in california

P.S. please lord be with us all

Added by firechief911 on August 7, 2008 at 8:32pm — 2 Comments

At The NFA, Part Deux

So anyway, I'm still here and continuing to learn some pretty amazing things about myself, since that's the jist of the fourth class in this program, Executive Leadership. One of the discussions, however, evolved around some of what I discussed in the first installment of this trip, that the NFA is underattended by the fire service. This is the same American Fire Service that complains when funding is being cut, and the same American Fire Service that complains that they don't get the respect… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on August 7, 2008 at 5:13pm — 3 Comments

Bill Coultus.. Injured Pilot

Bill is a friend of mine and he was one of the helocopter pilots that crashed on the NO CA fires. He is in critacal condition right now. All thoughts and prayers are welcome for the family...... Much love and thoughts to you Bill, Chris, Ricci and Matt.

Added by Sandi Humphfres on August 7, 2008 at 3:30pm — 5 Comments

Two critically injured in a bus & truck crash

Two critically injured in a bus & truck crash

While I was in England touring the UK, my squad on July 24, 2008 attended a Bus Vs Truck incident on the Princes Highway just before 11:00am. Where a bus ran into the back of a heavy haulage truck,

The BUS driver and one of his passengers were fighting for their lives after their bus collided with a semi-trailer on a major Victorian highway west of Traralgon.

The force of the crash obliterated the front of the bus,… Continue

Added by Leo Cartwright on August 7, 2008 at 8:25am — No Comments

Nine Firefighters Feared Dead, Others Injured in California Wildfire Chopper Crash

Multiple news outlets are reporting that a wildfire chopper crash in California late last night has claimed the lives of as many as nine firefighters, in what would be one of the largest losses of firefighters in recent memory.

The helicopter was carrying 11 firefighters and two crew members when it went down Tuesday night in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, the Associated… Continue

Added by Firefighter Nation WebChief on August 6, 2008 at 5:30pm — 18 Comments

Why do we do this?

I geuss I'm writing this because I've had so many of my co-workers as me why I decided to become a volunteer firefighter and I just feel the need to vent a little.I'm sure other members of the site have written similar blogs but its just that I'ld like to get this off my chest.

I have been asked did I join for the money.Thats a good one,a kid working at a fast food resturant makes more an hour than I do when I'm on a call and they arent having to deal with a quarter of the things that I… Continue

Added by Pompy on August 6, 2008 at 4:00pm — 5 Comments

LODD... colleton county deputy killed this morning. South Carolina

Hey yall,

Just to inform everyone a Colleton county deputy was killed this morning at about 0300 hrs,, i dont know the details of what happened. Police Officers from all over are responding to Hwy 61 in the area of the town of Smokes, SC. THEY ARE DOING Area search and check points.. more to come.. From what i hear, the deputy was a real nice guy and loved his job,,

MAY GOD PUT HIS BLESSING HAND ON HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

THANK OF HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

take care… Continue

Added by Captain George Gardiner on August 6, 2008 at 9:30am — 3 Comments

Just a Bit of Creative Metphors lol...

On one half the road the sun peaks over the horizon and looms over fog filled valleys. The red orange and pink glow of the flourescent wonder makes me squint a bit as I wander down the middle of the road. I look ahead and see only what I have seen for the past twenty years. A long, long winding road with many voids to the left and to the right. Half of the road harbours all the comforts of day. Singing birds, tall lush forest, a cool, comforting breeze blows through the branches of the… Continue

Added by Brian OcQue on August 6, 2008 at 9:12am — 1 Comment