January 2010 Blog Posts (127)

Cochran to first responders: Get vaccinated!

U.S. Fire Administrator Calls on Fire Service to Participate in National Influenza Vaccination Week

From the U.S. Fire Administration: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/media/press/2010releases/011110.shtm

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), which is January 10-16, 2010, provides an important opportunity to continue vaccination efforts. During the week, U.S. Fire… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 12, 2010 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Death Notice

My sister Loretta Kuptz has lost her battle with her kidney failure. she pastaway at 19:30 on Jan 10, 2010 at Allegheny general Hospital with her family by her side. she will be greatly missed by the Negley vol. Fire Dept. she was always there in the middle of the night when our department was on a fire, she would get up and bring coffee and water, no matter the weather or how sick she was, she truly loved every one of our firefighters and all firefighters. i remeber last winter we had a… Continue

Added by Gary Banicki on January 12, 2010 at 10:45am — 1 Comment

Simple Solutions Enhance Safety and Operations in Houston

Simple Solutions Enhance Safety and Operations in Houston

by

Robert G. Parry

After nearly thirty years of responding to alarms in both a small, paid combination department and a large urban city, I look back at the dramatic changes I have witnessed over the past decades. The safety and accountability of our members, while enroute, returning, or operating at an emergency incident, have… Continue

Added by Robert G. Parry on January 12, 2010 at 12:47am — 1 Comment

Live Internet Firefighter Show Debuts!

Firefighter NetCast debuts Tuesday night at 8pm ET with a LIVE NetCast!

Firefighter NetCast is an internet radio show by and for firefighters, featuring topics which are current, interesting, fun, and sometimes controversial.

The featured topic for the first show is Line of Duty Deaths.

Firefighter Line-of-Duty Deaths are down this year. Is this just a welcome fluke or are we actually making progress? Is it realistic to shoot for zero LODD’s? What has… Continue

Added by Firefighter NetCast on January 11, 2010 at 11:53pm — 8 Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-earning our pay (3)

San Jose Fire was very fortunate, in that during my time on the job we had only one on-duty death. As I previously mentioned, we had numerous job-related deaths and injuries. We came close a number of times; in my days firefighting used very aggressive tactics, which some now view to be too aggressive.

The education about Haz Mat and the changes it brought went against our desire to get in and get the job done. When dealing with chemicals that can kill or debilitate with a drop on… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 11, 2010 at 9:52pm — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-earning our pay (2)

As with most firefighters, I have had my share of ceilings fall on me and floors give way below my boots. Hot tar has run down my helmet and steam and heat has burned my ears (before Nomex hoods). In the movies, fire is sometimes depicted as a beast that talks to you. I have only had that experience once.

Engine 7 was second in on a large pool supply warehouse fire. When we arrived, it had already gone to multiple alarm and we knew we were going to be there all night. My regular… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 11, 2010 at 9:49pm — No Comments

Its all up to me now, whether i fail or succeed

well, today i picked up up my PPE gear, and last week, i registered for college, now i am totally ready for Firefighter training, i have everything necessary to begin. Unfortunately, i lost my job last friday, but i am determined to find another one, and even tho it was tough to get let go from my job, i am still unbelievably happy, and thats because my lifelong dream of becoming a Firefighter is beginning its journey very soon, in fact less than a week! Now its all up to me, whether i fail or… Continue

Added by Firefighter Walther on January 11, 2010 at 8:04pm — 3 Comments

What Simple “Tailboard Drills” Have You Found Valuable?

Baby it’s cold outside. It’s our busy season.

That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of our game, now more than ever.

It’s a great time for a simple “tailboard drill.”

I’m looking for your suggestions on quick company drills (for small crews of 3-5 or so) that you have found to be great ways to spend a few minutes while stuck inside.

Let’s gather some ideas and we’ll use them on a future Firefighter NetCast as well!

Added by FireDaily.com on January 11, 2010 at 7:07pm — No Comments

30-Second Drill, Basement Fire Hoselines

Salisbury (MD) firefighters prepare to advance a hoseline at this residential basement fire. (Cliff Shockley/FITHP)

The 30-Second Drill is to… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on January 11, 2010 at 5:38pm — 3 Comments

DOUGLAS HOLT Retired District Chief, Former North York

Funeral Info for Douglas Holt - Retired District Chief, Former North York

Sunday January 10, 2010

DOUGLAS HOLT

Retired District Chief, Former North York

Retired North York District Chief Douglas Holt passed away Jan 8, 2010.

Visitation and Memorial service to be held on Wednesday January 13, 2010 in the Chapel of the Comstock Funeral Home at 356 Rubidge Street, Peterborough.

Viewing starts at 1100 with the memorial service… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on January 11, 2010 at 5:07pm — No Comments

Active Member Death, Jim MacIntosh, Station 122-C

Funeral Information for Active Member, Captain Jim MacIntosh - Former North York

Saturday December 19, 2009

ACTIVE MEMBER DEATH

JIM MACINTOSH

STATION 122-C

Capt Jim MacIntosh R122 C Platoon passed away December 18, 2009 due to complications from ALS.

Jim's wish was to have his body donated to the University of Toronto for Medical Research.

At the families request, there will be no formal… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on January 11, 2010 at 5:04pm — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-earning our pay

During 25 years of fighting fires and responding to calls, there are times when you know that was as close as you want to come to the edge. When you sense death tapping you on the shoulder and know that day you earned your pay.

My first was an ammonia leak at a rail yard. I was on the tailboard of Engine 7 when we were dispatched at 2100 hrs. When we got close, the smell almost knocked me and Tom off. S.J.F.D. had just set up a Haz Mat unit, and when we pulled up, I saw them… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 10, 2010 at 4:35pm — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-perceptions and reality

Firefighters in this country have not always had the goodwill we enjoy today. In some places the saying, "they break what they do not steal," was common. The trust we have is sacred and anything done by any of us to lessen it affects all of us.

I do volunteer work overseas. It is no biggie, just payback for the good life I have enjoyed. When I was sent to Russia a number of years ago, I took some language lessons to prepare. The Russian word for firefighter sounds like, "Pajarnick."… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 10, 2010 at 4:30pm — No Comments

FDNY Fires

Firefighters in the FDNY were busy this morning. The following were just two of the fires they fought today. The first was fore a fire in the Bronx on W 225 St. Battalion 19 reported a fire on the 14th floor. Unfortunately there was one fatality. The second fire was in Queens on 129 St. Battalion 51 reported heavy fire on the second floor of a six story. The fire eventually grew to four alarms with the fire extending to the fifth floor.

Bronx 10-77

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Bronx, N.… Continue

Added by Davin Eshelman on January 10, 2010 at 9:30am — No Comments

Asst. Chief Wayne Gibson of The Denmark Fire Department, Denmark South Carolina Severly burned!

Everyone please pray for my Asst. Fire Chief, Wayne Gibson, of Denmark Fire Department, in South Carolina1 He was severly burned over 50% of his body on Saturday evening in a flash fire when propane was being offloaded into tanks and exploded! He is in the Augusta Ga. burn unit at this time! We are thankfull for all of your prayers! He has been enduced into a comma at this time, I think, and his vital signes are stable at this time! Asst. Chief Gibson has just been upgraded to crytical… Continue

Added by Robert F. Merkle on January 10, 2010 at 12:30am — 3 Comments

CFA Mourns Lost Volunteer

I have just returned from my station where I learned a fellow fire fighter has fallen defending Victoria. Apparently his tanker rolled and he died as a result of injuries received.

He was 62 years of age and was from Tolmie Brigade.

Please spare a thought for his family at this time. For further details visit www.heraldsun.com.au

Added by Steve Burgess on January 9, 2010 at 9:33pm — 1 Comment

FIRE/MEDIC

What's up everybody? I was wonjdering if any of ya'lls dept. is usinf Thermo Gel. If you do, I'am interested in learning mor about. thanks

Added by bigjoefiremedic on January 9, 2010 at 12:40pm — No Comments

How USAR Started, Part 4

FireRescue magazine's Technical Rescue Web column

California Takes the Lead: The history of the national Urban Search & Rescue program, part 4

By Harold Schapelhouman

Editor's Note: This article is part of a series on the history of the national USAR program. Read the previous posts:

Part 1: How It All Started…

Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 8, 2010 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Police Officer Shot

Two people were shot this afternoon in Brockport in the area of Rt 31 and Commencement Drive which is by the SUNY Brockport. One of the victims is a Sheriffs Deputy and the other person was not identified. The injuries appear to be non life threatening. We will have more information as it becomes available.…

Continue

Added by Davin Eshelman on January 8, 2010 at 4:28pm — No Comments

Longest-Serving Fire Chief Dies—How Long Would You Serve?

After reading about the death of Chief Ralph Jackman, the man believed to be the longest-serving fire chief in American history, I wonder how the men and women of the Vergennes (Vt.) Fire Department are holding up, and my heart goes out to them. Jackman was their chief for 55 years before retiring this past November at the age of 85. What incredible commitment to his service, his community, his brothers and sisters. How many chiefs out there could imagine holding the position for 55 years?… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on January 8, 2010 at 3:30pm — 8 Comments