All Blog Posts (7,007)

Mt. Rainier Rangers Rescue Skier from Snow Cavern

By Tom Vines

On Jan. 31, Mt. Rainier National Park rangers received a report that a woman had fallen into a deep “hole” in the snow while skiing and was unable to get out. Mt. Rainier National Park, located in Northwestern Washington State, includes Mt. Rainier, the tallest volcano in the Cascade Range.

A ranger followed the reporting party about three-quarters of a mile from the trailhead to a “moat,” a snow cavern created… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 25, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

why do we do what we do?

In my many years in the fire/ems service I have seen officers come and go! Some very good one's and others you could not wait till voting time to get them out. But either way why do they run for office? Why do they take one all the extra responsibility? Is it the while helmet? The radio? The getting to boss the people under around? Or is it to make a difference, regardless how small a difference is it to make one. To be the best at what you do, to help others grow in the service and get them… Continue

Added by anna m mills on March 25, 2010 at 7:56am — 1 Comment

History in the Making: Response to the 2009 North Dakota flood

History in the Making: Response to the 2009 North Dakota flood By Captain Leon Schlafmann

Editor's Note: For more information on Fargo's 2010 flood preparations, check out FireRescue's interview with Captain Schalfmann.

When it comes to fire…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 24, 2010 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

Firefighter's Poem by my 3 year old daughter

My daughter came to me about a year ago and told me she had written a poem. Knowing she was only 3 yrs old and had just mastered writing her alphabet I knew it would have been a miraculous achievement if she had actually written anything on paper besides the usual smiley faces and scribbled flowers. To my amazement she had not put it on paper; she had made up this poem in her head and had said it so…

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Added by Tammy on March 24, 2010 at 2:30am — 2 Comments

2009 AFG Grants

Ok looking for help from other people have obtained there 2009 AFG Awards. I got a message about filling out my SF-1199A Form which I did and faxed back to them. I now got a message from them telling me that my account information was approved. Just looking to see if anyone knows how much longer you have to wait until you hear if you got a grant.…

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Added by Ryan Pedone on March 23, 2010 at 10:06pm — 1 Comment

EMS Law in the Philippines ....Soon a reality

After 12 years of waiting, the Emergency Medical Service Law will be soon a reality. As I look around yesterday on the net. I've stumble upon some links from our Congress that they have published a third and final reading of this new law, with it some news releases links I've found. Finally! As a country more prone to natural disaster like recently the "big flood" because of typhoon Ketsana last September last year, and a new threat - terrorism. It's about time to uplift the standard of our… Continue

Added by Michael Vito on March 23, 2010 at 6:30am — No Comments

You Called 911 for What?!

New blog. Pass the word!

"You called 911 for what?!"

Check it out. You'll enjoy it! And heck, maybe you can contribute! You know you've been called to and seen some ridiculous stuff over the years. That is what this blog is about. Tell your…

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Added by Jennifer on March 22, 2010 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment

Rural Metro Contract Extended

The City of Rochester has extended the contract with Rural Metro to provided ambulance service to the City of Rochester till March of 2011. The contract was going to expire next month, but City leaders decided to extend it while they work on a long term contract.

Added by Davin Eshelman on March 22, 2010 at 1:43pm — No Comments

Mayor’s Ball

Over two hundred people protested the Mayor’s Ball this evening. This is supposed to be the major fund raiser for the democrat party. Teachers and parents protested over the Mayor wanting to take control of the School District. Firefighters were also there as they have been working without a contract since 2008.

Here is a direct quote from the mayor in regards to the Police and Fire Unions.

“I think the police union and fire union presidents should be ashamed of…

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Added by Davin Eshelman on March 22, 2010 at 1:37pm — No Comments

COAL WAS WEALTH: Size-up basics you need to know, part 2

FireRescue magazine's Fireground Operations column

COAL WAS WEALTH: The basics of size-up, part 2

By Freddie LaFemina

Editor's Note: For the complete 13-point size-up strategy, be sure to read part 1 of this article.

Last month, I addressed the first seven points of a 13-point size-up strategy (COAL WAS WEALTH) for evaluating problems… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 22, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

USFA reaches out to FFN PIOs to take advantage of free resources

FROM THE FFN PIO GROUP:

At first I was a little confused about the following message because I wasn't sure where it originated from and where it was intended to go.

As I read it a second time, I realized that it had come from the US Fire Administration and it was meant specifically for us - the PIO group on FFN. Now, that's pretty cool that DHS has recognized our group as a target audience and partner for…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 22, 2010 at 9:14am — No Comments

Career firefighters next Tea Party target?

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Added by Mike Ward on March 22, 2010 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

I'm with STUPID

From All Hazards Contemplations...

We’ve all heard the stories about firefighters doing stupid things on duty or off. Firefighters committing arson, breaking and entering, driving intoxicated, failing work-related random drug screening tests, abusing their domestic partners…the list goes on and on. As one of the replies to the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman’s Association’s recent…

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Added by Ben Waller on March 21, 2010 at 3:00pm — 4 Comments

Promotional re-deployment

Keen to know what the current outlooks is on being deployed to another station when one obtains a promotion.The reason i post this is because after working for 12 years in one station and having lived for 44 years in the area i just think it a little bit crazy to move to another station where i have absolutely no idea of the area or any hot spots. I understand the reason for not working with the same people due to friendships obtained but i'm pretty sure just changing shift would be beneficial… Continue

Added by Wayne Martin Harvey on March 19, 2010 at 12:55pm — 3 Comments

The Right Time to Give: Through March 31, Pierce Is Matching Donations to NFFF

If you're considering giving to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, now is the right time. Through March 31, Pierce Manufacturing will double all donations up to $10,000 through the NFFF Full Throttle Support II initiative.

In addition, anyone donating is entered into a sweepstakes to win a custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle.

“The Pierce family is an integral part of the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 18, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

@FireRECRUITER: The Art of Speed-Recruiting

If you had just 30 seconds to convince someone why they should join your volunteer fire department, what would you…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 18, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

What to do when u feel u failed

yesterday i responded to a grass fire at a friends house and in less than a minute turned into a 3 alarm structure and house fire .There is nothing left but a chimney my friend has 3 kids and is now left with nothing. I feel so in adiquiat what do I say to her sorry your house is gone. sorry we failed. it was only a grass fire how did it go so wrong so fast what can i do to make our dept better. so that i never have to face a friend in failure

Added by Selena Guier on March 18, 2010 at 5:15am — 4 Comments

American Idol vs. American Politics

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to chat with an old friend about the upcoming elections and voting.

I confessed over a latte to being a political junkie.

She confessed to not being a political junkie.

“I hate politics,” she said. “Things in our country are a mess! I don't even vote.”

I tried to shame her into taking an interest in politics by explaining how it's these people who make all the decisions that directly affect her and her family. But, to no avail.

As we… Continue

Added by Sally on March 17, 2010 at 5:26pm — 1 Comment

What’s All the Hubbub about Striping?

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

By now most of us have seen new apparatus deliveries with the new NFPA 1901-required reflective striping on the front and rear. Whether you like it or not, it’s here to stay. In my opinion, it really makes a vehicle stand out on a highway, which was the intent of the standard to begin with.

Anything we can do to improve apparatus visibility on the fireground or at accident scenes is a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 17, 2010 at 1:30pm — 4 Comments

The Science Behind Our Business: Use data to your department’s advantage

The following article was published in the March issue of FireRescue magazine.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

By Chief Jeffrey D. Johnson, EFO, CFO, MIFireE

The Science Behind Our Business

Use data to your… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 17, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments