January 2010 Blog Posts (127)

The Beginning

Since starting this blog, I have been asked what exactly “A Firefighter’s Own Worst Enemy” means. Well, it means a great deal.

First let’s start with the logo since it came last. The logo is a devil. I had plans to make him wear a fire helmet, but, it just took away from the look I wanted. But, what he is doing is stirring the pot.

We have those guys and gals that like nothing better than to keep tension and discord in the… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on January 16, 2010 at 2:50pm — No Comments

Monument Honors Volunteer Firefighters

Pennsylvania’s Valley Firemen’s Association unveils monument to honor volunteer firefighters

Story & Photos by Fran Webb

A new monument now stands in Howard Elmer Park in Sayre, Pa. A dedication ceremony and unveiling was held on Oct. 10, 2009, under the veil of a large American flag, hung from the tips of two aerial trucks from Sayre Fire Department’s Engine Company No. 1 and Athens Township. The ceremony was the result of a 9-year-long effort to recognize the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 16, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Not what I thought

A little date night with my wife last night. We decided to try this place. Only thing firefighterish was the location. Next door to FS 21. At least we had a gift card.

Added by Jay Nicholson on January 16, 2010 at 11:15am — 3 Comments

Can some one tell me what "Cafe Coronary" means.

Added by bigjoefiremedic on January 16, 2010 at 7:57am — 5 Comments

R.I.P. Stuart (Stu) Brandt

R.I.P. Stuart Brandt.

Passed away aged 70 years in Paris, Illinois, USA on 14th January 2010.

Stu was early Editor of the New Zealand FireLines Magazine as well as a Fire Photographer and Fire Buff.

He had a lot of dealings with the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade during the transition in the 1970's to a nationalised service now known as the New Zealand Fire Service.

He will be sorely missed by his many friends in New Zealand…

Continue

Added by Mark Montgomery on January 16, 2010 at 4:00am — 1 Comment

Training hard for Fire Department Instructor II test

There is a fine line between being disciplined and being obsessed or is there?? As of now I am training for big fights to include helping BJ Penn for another title defense. Just wondering what people must think? (AKA) my brothers in arms.

Added by DB on January 16, 2010 at 2:04am — 1 Comment

The Life Of A Firefighter

This is a poem I wrote a couple years ago. Thought everyone might like it.

"The Life Of A Firefighter"

Some people don’t understand why we do the things we do.

How we are willing to lay down our lives just to try and rescue you.

Its not for the money or the awards that they give.

Its just a part of our lives we have chosen to live.

No matter what time it is, during the night or during the day

When the fire alarm goes… Continue

Added by Wes Kee on January 15, 2010 at 5:11pm — 2 Comments

Younger Isn’t Always Better: One department runs into trouble when only hiring rookies

Younger Isn’t Always Better

One department runs into trouble when only hiring rookies

By Scott Cook

I was visiting with a career firefighter friend the other day, and he lamented the fact that his department is short—extremely short—on personnel with the company officer knowledge/skill set. I asked him how they found themselves this way, and he answered that the HR department, with the full support of the fire chief, decided they’d just hire young… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 15, 2010 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-aging out

Ken R. died last week. His family immigrated from Ireland when he was 10. He worked in a small department prior to coming to SJFD. He was 70. That may sound old to someone 30 but to us in our 60s it seems real close. Ken was a quiet guy, not one to engage in horseplay or trash-talk around the kitchen table: a very dependable fireman at fires and emergencies and that is how we are judged. A wise chief once told me the ideal is to be retired for longer than you work. That means I have to make it… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 14, 2010 at 5:53pm — No Comments

Fit for Funds: New grant application assistance for fitness equipment

Fit for Funds: New grant application assistance program is now being offered for fitness equipment

Fitness equipment manufacturer SportsArt Fitness recently announced the start of its new grant application assistance program for all departments looking to obtain funding for fitness equipment.

According to Amber Maechler, Director of Marketing for SportsArt, the process is simple. “SportsArt is funding a specialist from firegrantshelp.com to help departments find the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 14, 2010 at 3:00pm — No Comments

just short of two years in the fire serivce

Wow its been a long time since i was here last just over a year now, Things have been nuts to say the least with me just about done with college and other things that have kept me away. well i thought i would give a update as to whats been going on with me.

First of all, i have completed my FFII course that started last Feb, took nearly a year to complete but i did it and and passed all the written test's on the first try woohoo, though i did love the course and i actually learned… Continue

Added by Mike Yocom on January 14, 2010 at 2:31pm — No Comments

Nevada Firefighters Rescue Couple Trapped Under a Car—in Bed!

RESCUE REPORT

Car Crashes into House, Pins Couple Sleeping in Bed

By Tom Vines

Photos Courtesy Sparks Fire Department

It seems at some point, every department responds to a car-into-a-house call. But on Oct. 20, Sparks, Nev., responders faced a new and unexpected situation involving a car vs. a house—a challenging extrication resulting from a love triangle gone wrong.

At 0411 HRS, the Sparks Fire Department was… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 14, 2010 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Is the Safety Message Starting to Get Through?

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 90 firefighters died in 2009. While that’s far too many as far as I’m concerned (and I’m sure you feel the same way), that number also happens to be the lowest it’s been since the early 90s, when 81 firefighters died in 2003 and 77 died in 1992. In 1994, the number of firefighter LODDs jumped to 106 and since then has steadily hovered near that mark. In both 2007 and 2008, 118 firefighters died in the line of duty. (You can find a chart that depicts… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on January 13, 2010 at 5:59pm — 1 Comment

How to Conduct Search and Rescue Over Large Urban Areas

In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, FireRescue is sharing some past articles related to structural collapse, earthquake response and USAR teams.

Searching High & Low: How to conduct search and rescue over large urban areas

Story & Photo By Fred LaFemina

July 2008, p. 44…

Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 5:30pm — No Comments

USAR Expert Comments on Haiti Earthquake

In light of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti late Tuesday, FireRescue magazine spoke with Harold Schapelhouman, former task force leader in charge of California Task Force 3. Schapelhouman offers his thoughts and insight on the current incident and the job ahead for the Fairfax and Los Angeles USAR teams. According to the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, VATF1 is en route to Haiti now and is expected to arrive around 4 pm EST; as of this writing, CATF2 was… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Lessons Learned from California Earthquake Exercise

In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, FireRescue is sharing some past articles related to structural collapse, earthquake response and USAR teams.

The following is excerpted from Capt. Larry Collins’ Major Incident Readiness Article “Ready to Shake: Lessons from earthquake exercise can be applied to many regions,” April 2009, p. 58. Photos Courtesy USGS

More than 5,000 firefighters and first responders participated in the nation’s largest disaster… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Finally cleared

Yesterday I finally was cleared to be a driver / operator on all of our Engines, Tanker and Brush Truck, I am so excited. I thought this day would never get here. There were days when some other piece of paperwork needed signed and dated, had some paperwork that was lost and had to re-do some of the driving, but patience paid off and I am now cleared.

Added by John on January 13, 2010 at 9:41am — 3 Comments