All Blog Posts (7,007)

Hosed.tv lost in Effingwoods?

Does anyone know why http://hosed.tv is not putting out any more episodes? This show is great! If you haven't seen the online episodes check them out. Tell a friend too.

Added by Dale Loberger on September 6, 2011 at 10:18am — No Comments

Through the Lock; A NEED to Know Skill

I recently updated the through-the-lock setup that I carry in my gear (see pics below). For years I had used a modified set of locking pliers (ViseGrip style) with separate key tools and shove knife. This setup has proven extremely effective at both alarm runs and working fires.

I've decided to change my setup to a modified "Channelok" setup. It's going to allow me merge 2 tools into 1 and I'll be able to store it in a smaller pocket. I am actually using an Irwin/ Vise…

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Added by SAFE Firefighter on September 6, 2011 at 8:30am — No Comments

We lost a friend today.

Mark Cooper was a retired assistant chief at Sacramento Metro Fire. He will be missed.…

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Added by Michael Teague on September 6, 2011 at 1:19am — 1 Comment

9/11 has become all about New York — with D.C. and the Pentagon nearly forgotten

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/911-has-become-all-about-new-york--with-dc-and-the-pentagon-nearly-forgotten/2011/08/25/gIQALTKDxJ_story.html

Added by Michael P. Cain on September 5, 2011 at 10:30am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...September 3, 2011

RIP

Siena Broesler

3/1/91-9/2/11

May you rest in peace

Love you always Mom

I lost the war on drugs.

Added by Denise Imperiale on September 3, 2011 at 11:03pm — 3 Comments

This Saturday, Fire and Law Enforcement Escort GM 9/11 First Responder Tribute Truck

The first responder truck commissioned by General Motors (GM) has been completed and is ready for its trip to Ground Zero for the upcoming 9-11 anniversary. The New York City Port Authority has arranged for it to be displayed at Ground Zero for two days, September 6 and 7, 2011. This truck honors the 441 first responders that lost their lives on that September day. After it’s viewing at Ground Zero, General Motors will tour this commemorative truck around the United States for the next…

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Added by Walt Cross on September 2, 2011 at 5:24pm — 1 Comment

Firefighter Injury Investigation Report

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District recently completed a Serious Accident Review. On May 31, members of Metro Fire were operating on a residential structure fire. A truck company was on the roof performing vertical ventilation when a roof collapse dumped one firefighter into the burning garage. The firefighter was successfully rescue by adjacent crews. Follow this link to the report

Ellsworth SAR…

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Added by Michael Teague on September 2, 2011 at 2:00am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...August 29, 2011

I am writing this from my firehouse - tucked away in a back room working because I can plug into the power since we have a generator here. I am happy that I've been able to ramp up my fire calls during my weekends and time away from NYC. Just haven't had time to blog. ;(

I am a member of the OEM and was called to duty Wednesday night in preparation for Hurricane Irene. I was on standby for the hurricane and…

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Added by Denise Imperiale on August 29, 2011 at 6:00pm — 3 Comments

Roll-Up Door Forcible Entry

We had an opportunity to cut through 12 roll-up doors in a building slated for demolition. The crews had their pick of which methods they wanted to use on the doors they were assigned. Some of the methods we discussed in the safety briefing included the following cuts; triangle, inverted triangle, two-cut rectangle, and the single vertical…

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Added by Paul Hasenmeier on August 27, 2011 at 11:20pm — No Comments

Reconditioned SCBA! Which company should we choose.

I have a long time friend who is still serving as Chief of a small VFD. Their budget is small and they are looking for good quality SCBA at a good price. I have been doing some research for this friend on the different companies that sell reconditioned SCBA. i.e. Bunker Fire & Safety & Dalmatian Fire Equipment. Both seem like large companies! Has any one ever dealt with them? Is their equipment qood quality equipment, are they authorized by the manufacture to…

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Added by Bob Anderson on August 23, 2011 at 12:44pm — No Comments

Man-Lift Rescue/Extrication Training

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Added by Paul Hasenmeier on August 22, 2011 at 5:17pm — No Comments

Keeping Extrication Simple in Sandusky (OH)

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Added by Paul Hasenmeier on August 22, 2011 at 3:56pm — No Comments

Size up

Excerpts from pipenozzle.com post on 9/11 in historical context:

9/11 will become a monument. But 9/11 has already become yet another powerful metaphor for the infinite stupidity of human beings, the infinite willingness to destroy. And 9/11 has become yet another metaphor of the infinite capacity of human beings to resist the worst…

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Added by Barry Greer on August 19, 2011 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Handling The Media Monster

I was browsing some topics on this forum, and came across one about how to handle negative newspaper editorials.

I thought, "Wow! A topic I am uniquely qualified to comment on on this forum!"

Okay, okay, I know it was presented as a question a year ago, but it's ALWAYS a relevant topic.

I started writing my response, but it became a HUGE response... so I decided that I would just make it a blog.

Now, to explain why I feel uniquely qualified to comment on the topic: I am the… Continue

Added by Sally on August 19, 2011 at 6:18pm — 1 Comment

Survey Says: Fire Service Going Mobile

If you are reading this article on a mobile device, you’re not alone. In fact, each day more people are using their mobile devices as their primary source of communication. This is just one finding from a recent IAFC survey of mobile-device use among first responders.

Recently, IAFC conducted a survey of members and nonmembers on their current and projected use of mobile devices—specifically smartphones, such as Android, Blackberry and iPhone, and tablets, such as Galaxy and iPad—in… Continue

Added by IAFC on August 17, 2011 at 11:45am — No Comments

New York 9/11/11

The city will not invite the people who responded on 9/11 to the memorial at Ground Zero on 9/11/11. The city instead will hold a separate-but-equal ceremony — on some other day.After all, President Obama will be there. And we all know where he was on 9/11: In the Illinois state Senate. 5 days later, he would be in church with his family listening to the pastor gloat about 9/11 as chickens coming home to roost for that — as he said on other occasions — god-damn…

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Added by Ray J on August 16, 2011 at 10:34am — 2 Comments

The Different Levels of Hazardous Materials Response

The Typing Levels of Hazardous Materials Response Teams (HMRT)

*Adapted form Indiana Hazardous Materials Team Qualification Program

There are generally three types of HMRT's that are categorized by their level of training, expertise, capability and equipment and resources.

HMRT's are generally categorized as Type 1,…

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Added by Shawn on August 9, 2011 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

NEW for 2011 !! Firefighter Survival

The LTBHMFS is proud to

announce that Firefighter Survival as one of our courses for 2011.

Annually, Firefighters are killed on the fireground in situations that

could have been resolved through training. This intense, physical, hands

on training is a must for any interior attack firefighter.

The Firefighter Survival course will give you some tools to use if

you find… Continue

Added by STEVE HUTCHERSON on August 8, 2011 at 9:21pm — No Comments

NEW for 2011 !! The Street Smart Fire Officer with Scott Shaw and Troy Webster

The company officer has been the backbone for effective fire ground operations for more than 150 years.

The decisions made by these officers and their ability to perform fire ground tasks can greatly impact the outcome of the incident and…

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Added by STEVE HUTCHERSON on August 8, 2011 at 9:17pm — No Comments