January 2010 Blog Posts (127)

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-working with the boys in blue or sometimes brown

Firefighters interact with law enforcement at calls. Our interactions with our compatriots in blue and brown were good. There were some issues with Highway Patrol about closing freeways but even then very professional people.

DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?

In the movie Dirty Harry, he carried a 44 magnum. He shot a bunch of people with it but until one night I never understood what it really did.

We were called to a local motel on a shooting call. On arrival we… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 23, 2010 at 12:37pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 22, 2010

It seems my days are spent getting through the day until 4:00 comes and I go up to the firehouse for my Diet Coke and some comradary.

Since Thanksgiving, I have shed alot of baggage and made some decisions that will affect me the rest of my life. I agreed to a divorce, put my house on the market before we got foreclosed upon, and lost my job which I loved. Behind the scenes of all this "stuff" is the fact that my daughter has been missing somewhere in Atlantic City for almost four… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 22, 2010 at 9:12pm — 7 Comments

Pelican Sends Vital Survival & Rescue Items to Provide Help in Haiti

Following the destructive earthquake in Haiti, many companies serving the fire, EMS and law enforcement communities are playing a crucial part in rescue efforts. Over the next few weeks, FireRescue will highlight those companies that are having a direct impact on relief efforts.

Following is one example of a company striving to make a difference in this devastated nation.

Pelican Products, the global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced lighting… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 22, 2010 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Two Years Gone By Now

There's a lot of talk these days about what we're missing in the fire service. And with all this discussion of leadership, of mentorship, sharing, caring and passing down values, traditions and the rich heritage of firefighters, I thought it appropriate to revisit a very personal blog I wrote two years ago today.

When we talk about people… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on January 22, 2010 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

I don't know how I feel about this...

So I spoke with a department psychologist and they told me that I have post traumatic stress disorder. I have nothing against PTSD and I think it's something to take serious, but I'm not sure exactly how I feel about being told I have it. Even if I accept it I have no idea what to do for it or anything about it.

Added by Christian Cossey on January 22, 2010 at 12:30am — 4 Comments

FireRescue Board Member Quoted in Article on Lightweight Construction

MSN's Real Estate site is currently running an interesting feature on modern residential construction. The article walks through various aspects of modern construction and discusses whether the features represent advantages or disadvantages with legacy construction.

Clearly, one of the most distinguishing features of modern home construction is the lightweight truss. Ed Hartin, a FireRescue board member and an… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on January 21, 2010 at 8:07pm — No Comments

latest fire in Milwaukee

here is raw footage and pictures from the 4 alarm fire on Milwaukee's east… Continue

Added by Brent Jones on January 21, 2010 at 6:58pm — No Comments

Today's 360 Burn Size-up of the Fire Web

photo: Firenews.net

More Apparatus Accidents

Apparatus Accidents are headlining the news far too frequently again. After medical issues, vehicle accidents kill more firefighters every year. Read up the horrific injuries sustained by by firefighters in New Jersey, Kentucky, and… Continue

Added by Firefighter NetCast on January 21, 2010 at 1:17pm — No Comments

Doing the Right Thing, the Jets, and other Ephemera

First things first, I've been remiss in my posting on here. I've had my reasons. My heart wasn't in it.

In fact, all things fire service were tainted for me for the short term. I had to step back, take stock, and get back on track.

Mission Accomplished.

I've taken a step back for 2010. Last year I was elected to Lieutenant. I didn't necessarily feel that I had deserved the honor. I had some issues with time management, not personnel management. I liked wearing the… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on January 21, 2010 at 9:26am — 2 Comments

Redesigned RFD Flag

On Friday, January 15, 2010, at 11:30a.m., employees of the City of Rochester Fire Department (RFD) will unveil and present to Fire Chief John Caufield in the presence of Mayor Robert Duffy a newly redesigned RFD flag. The flag—which will be flown by the City of Rochester, as well as RFD fire trucks and in RFD ceremonies—is the result of a yearlong process that came to fruition because of the tenacity, generosity and hard work of a few good men and women.

About a year ago, Doug King… Continue

Added by Davin Eshelman on January 21, 2010 at 8:47am — No Comments

EJ Metals' Impressive Little Apparatus

INSIDE THE APPARATUS INDUSTRY

1 Impressive Little Apparatus: Although small in size, EJ Metal’s new Assault Force 70 FRRTV packs a firefighting punch

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

If you’re like me—an apparatus junkie—you’re always hunting for a new fire truck that’s both neat and can get the job done. One of these unique vehicles came across my desk the other day. Well, it didn’t literally come across my desk; I received an e-mail and product brochure… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 20, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

An Airbag Deployment Question for Auto Extrication Enthusiasts

Can an airbag actually be deployed/activated by a smack from a pedestrian? If so, it makes me a little more nervous dealing with an airbag in a MVA that may or may not go off... Any thoughts here?

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When I saw this video, it made me wonder if it was real or… Continue

Added by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on January 19, 2010 at 11:30pm — 13 Comments

clark county fire

hey i'm the chief of the clark county fire dept explorers post 444 we would love for everybody to check out our website it's www.clarkcountyfirepost444.webs.com

Added by calvin theodore parker on January 19, 2010 at 3:03pm — 1 Comment

In Memory of former Assistant Chief & Vice President Michael Francis Krakosky

Back in June of 1992 when I first joined the volunteer fire department, I met a slighly older gentleman by the name of Michael Francis Krakosky or as I quickly found out his nick name "Slick".

Not sure why but he seemed to take an interest in me and was my first aid instructor, which at the time was enough to ride the ambulance. After the first aid course, I was off to take the basic courses in fire fighting which following one incident at the training academy I almost quit. If it… Continue

Added by Bill Brierton on January 19, 2010 at 9:43am — No Comments

dreams

ive been having the same dream for the past week or two..every night ends the same way.what do you think is causing it? and should i be worried?

Added by Alex on January 19, 2010 at 9:02am — 3 Comments

A Safer Search: Mastering the firefighter-oriented search method

A Safer Search: Mastering the firefighter-oriented search method

By Lieutenant Victoria Quick

When firefighters get in trouble inside a burning structure, it’s often because they’ve lost their orientation during a search and rescue operation. Although staying oriented may sound simple, it comprises a lot of details: dealing with low visibility, communicating with your crew, deciding what information to relay to your partner and to command,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 18, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Thanks For Help

I just want to thank all who are helping our department at Raccoon Mountain we are greatful for all we get i will post some pictures of the trucks we are using at this ime in my page once again thank you

Chief Curtiss Harris

Added by Coapus on January 17, 2010 at 6:42pm — No Comments

This is so true

Everyone Goes Home!

By: Eric J. Hankins

engine1shark@sbcglobal.net

Captain

Yuba City Fire Department

Yuba City, California

NORCAL FOOLS

As firefighters travel in search of more knowledge for this great profession you come across great “Tips” or “Tricks” to help get you and your crew home safe after every job. I have been fortunate enough to come across several of these tips over the years. Nationally known instructors… Continue

Added by Shelly Lovell on January 17, 2010 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-making due

Friday is my day to volunteer with the local sheriff's department. I work in the vehicle abatement program. This means I drive a volunteer car and wear a uniform of sorts and get to listen to the command channel on the Motorola radio. To compare it to being in the captain's seat of a fire engine is like comparing looking at the Victoria's Secret catalog to sex. A very poor substitute.

Some local fire departments have volunteers but you must live in the district. Where I live there is… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 16, 2010 at 9:56pm — No Comments

becomming a paid ff

hey guys,

i was wondering if anyone out there could give me any info on becomming a paid ff, this is a dream of mine and i have been looking into it i know i have a local test comming up soon that i will be taking but i guess what im looking for is help with thing that i should be perparing for.

Added by Todd Stanley on January 16, 2010 at 6:23pm — 2 Comments