All Blog Posts (7,007)

A Friend Lost.....

I write to all who are in this service.

WE, have recently lost one of the bravest. I never had the chance to fight beside him. But I know he would have had my back. I lost a very dear friend and fellow firefighter this last week. He was only 22 years olds. He had grown up on the fire service. He was known as the "Gentle Giant" Vince Vixon was well over 6 foot tall and wore size 20 fire boots. He may have only been part time but I know his heart was always there full time. He Never knew how… Continue

Added by Amanda Kiser on June 25, 2008 at 10:15pm — 2 Comments

human race

A little girl asked her mother,

'How did the human race appear?'

'God made Adam and Eve and they had children and then all mankind was made.'

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.

The father answered,

'Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved.'

The confused girl returned to her mother and said,

'Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by… Continue

Added by nazy on June 25, 2008 at 5:44pm — 4 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Yesterday I saw a film produced by the National Fire Academy on fire safety for firefighters. We were told if it made us uncomfortable we could leave the room. However, no one did.

I thought of the calls and drills I've been on during the last seven months and how my captain and assistant captain go over safety with us all the time. "Put your goggles down," or "Wear your gloves!" are things I will now never ever forget. I even appreciate how I used the belt on a ladder drill. And I'm… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 25, 2008 at 4:11pm — 2 Comments

Knowing what we teach is getting through..

In my profile, it’s mentioned that I am head of our fire prevention team in my department. I joined my department as a firefighter in April, 1991 (I’d been active in the Auxiliary for several years prior). It didn’t take me long to get involved with the fire prevention in our department, at the urging of the Chief at the time.

With another member of our department, Rich, I started a newsletter to distribute around the village for the community to take and read. We had a lot of safety… Continue

Added by Kimberly A Bownas on June 25, 2008 at 12:21pm — 4 Comments

Buffalo New York Fire Department - "Pseudo Military?" - I dont think so !

When and where does the "Chain of Command" start and end ? Is it actually adhered to ?

This subject has plagued Fire Departments for years.

Some try to argue a Fire Department is a "Pseudo Military Organization." Given that reasoning , heres a definition :

(quote from Wikipedia) In a military context, the chain of command is the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within a military unit and between different… Continue

Added by Rick on June 24, 2008 at 2:11pm — 2 Comments

The call came on a Sunday night.........

Got a call from the chief on Sunday the 15th,wanting to know if I wanted to go to the widfire in the northern part of the state.I said yes,and we would be on our way in the morning.The rest of the night was spent trying to get stuff ready to go.Left the station in the new brush truck......after a wrong turn(chief was driving.......laffin) we got Matamaskeet base camp and check in.....and spent the rest of the day settling and waiting.They had a group there that provided us with everything we… Continue

Added by CHRIS PUYLARA on June 24, 2008 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Been Demoted But still fighting Fires

Yes the inevitable happened I got demoted as the Fire Chief and placed as a fire fighter but my spirit is not broken, There was some things that happened and their are some on here that no what happened and I myself think it was not right but it happened anyway. Thanks to all of you that have been there for the support and lending an ear for me to talk with

Added by Fire Fighter Mark Smithson on June 24, 2008 at 2:58am — 1 Comment

2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health & Survival Week

The week of June 22-28 is Fire/EMS Safety, Health & Survival Week. The following topics have been identified for special consideration:

1. Fully implement NFPA 1500 , especially sections addressing PPE:

- Provide compliant PPE.

- Train and enforce use of PPE, including respiratory protection.

2. Fully implement the Wellness-Fitness Initiative:

- Provide annual medical and physical evaluations.

- Provide equipment and time for exercise.

- Provide… Continue

Added by Curt Varone on June 23, 2008 at 11:30pm — 2 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I have kept my blog silent today because of George Carlin. However, today was also the first day of my Firefighter I class at the Morris County Training Academy and I wanted to tell you all about it while it was fresh in my mind.

I didn't sleep well last night, so nervous that I wasn't going to wake up on time to be on time. I was so nervous that I was basically awake the whole night! I was running on time and had to drop off my son to camp on the way, pick up my SCBA and mask, grab… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 23, 2008 at 9:34pm — 3 Comments

an update on me

hello everyone,

for anyone that acutally reads this, i have had a lot going on the past few months, one of my depts i am in is started a TRT team and we hope that gets off on the right track, i am an instructor now which is aweosme but at the same time it is actually kind of stressful. I am in the process of getting divorced but i am happy now and that is the most inportant thing. i am thinking of moving up to ny and going to nyu for my bachelors in nursing and work as a paramedic… Continue

Added by Sarah on June 22, 2008 at 10:30pm — 5 Comments

Battle Of The Barrel

Sunday July 20th the Braeview Volunteer Fire Dept. is hosting a Battle of the Barrel. Entry fee is $25.00 Any team interested please contact me asap. There will be alot of different demonstartions this will be good for networking.

Let me Know.

Jason Thomas

412-592-6877

sta118chief@firehousemail.com

Added by Jason Thomas on June 22, 2008 at 9:37pm — 2 Comments

Fitness Incentive

Hey everyone! I've been put in charge of coming up with a fitness program for our department to follow so that we can implement a fitness incentive. I have a few ideas but I wanted to see what other depts. are doing. Any information would be much appreciated. I can't wait to get some of these guys in shape!

Sarah

Added by sarah on June 21, 2008 at 11:50pm — 15 Comments

Emergency Personnel that are Disabled!

There are many people in the world today that want to be involved in the emergency services field but they have a disability of some sort. Please don't give up on your dream of helping out in the emergency field even though you may be disabled. There is always something out there for you to do in the emergency field if that is the field that you have chosen to enter for a career. I am physically disabled and I have always thought that there is nothing out there for me to do that is related to… Continue

Added by Stephen Smith on June 21, 2008 at 7:59pm — 8 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

This week was a busy week for me. I am starting the Morris County Training Academy on Monday. I went to my orientation the other day and I was in a huge class and everyone was at least half my age. I was very intimidated.

When I went back to my firehouse the next day and saw my friends, whom are older than me, they were so encouraging and told me not to worry. I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. I just have fibromyalgia and take care of myself as best I can to stay pain… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 20, 2008 at 5:58pm — 1 Comment

Looking For A Job Opening

Any depts out there looking to hire. im looking to get a job somewheres in the country. FF1 emt-b and driver operator. If anyone interested let me know. waldoo_uconn@hotmail.com thanks.

Max Martin

Added by Martin3232 on June 20, 2008 at 4:21pm — 5 Comments

Firefighters for a Cure

please check out Jeffersontownfire.com and go to firefighters for a cure on there Jodie, the fire marshall there, is diagnosed with it. you can help her by donating to the breast cancer foundation and even buy a t-shirt for firefighters for the cure. remember breast cancer is not only found in women but men as well. proceeds from the t-shirts also go to the breast cancer foundation. if you buy a shirt, october is the time to wear it for breast cancer awareness week. so if you could take a look… Continue

Added by Krys on June 20, 2008 at 11:12am — No Comments

Finally!

Finally my divorce went through!! I'm so excited I just want to dance....or just drink.....I haven't quite decided yet.....LOL

Added by Meri on June 20, 2008 at 1:33am — 2 Comments

Me and my broken finger day 5

Well hello all. Me and my broken finger went and competed in the Police and Firefighter games today. My luck was it is on my left hand and I am right handed. Me and my doubles parter took Silver. We go back tomorrow morning and bowl singles. I was on pain medicine the whole time so I think that is why we took a silver medal 'cause if I was not taking them I would have torn it up baby. ;0).

Stay safe people

Added by firegirl1 on June 19, 2008 at 9:06pm — No Comments

The Many Flavors of Stress

While understanding where stress comes from will not of itself lead to recovery it will help place you on that path. I want to begin by looking at the types of stress as falling into four broad categories.

1) PHYSICAL STRESS- Physical stress results of course from physical factors affecting your body. Extreme heat, dehydration, having to run or climb are common examples. Also included would be any injuries or illnesses you might be recovering from. Obviously you likely will… Continue

Added by Chaplain Robert A Crutchfield on June 19, 2008 at 12:36pm — No Comments

Lost Brother

At 5:30 AM On Tues. 6-17-06 the Kennard vol. fire dept. lost a long time leader and freind after a long battle with cancer Lyle Hall served on the dept for over 29 years 25 of those years as cheif . services are Friday 6-20-06 at 2PM at the methodist church in Blair Nebraska with luncheon to follow in Kewnnard at the auditorium he was a tremendous leader and will be missed by family and his family in the fire service MAY HE REST IN PEACE

Added by Jim Dyson on June 19, 2008 at 10:55am — 4 Comments