Featured Blog Posts – January 2011 Archive (33)

The Blizzard of 2011......

Its winter.....in case the temps in the teens, ice and snow had already told you....and now for the second time in almost two weeks the weather forecasters are predicting the storm of the century here in the wonderful midwest. With ice falling now...and over a foot of snow with 40mph winds to follow I look out the window from the day room.....see the ever depressing sight of my fellow citzens driving as if it were summer. I know I had better get a nap in....as the next 36 hours are likely to… Continue

Added by Erik Wood on January 31, 2011 at 2:57pm — 5 Comments

"MAKE A HOLE, MAKE IT WIDE" on Backstep Firefighter

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Added by Dave LeBlanc on January 29, 2011 at 6:51pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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

Today is clear off a hydrant day at the firehouse. I even noticed in one of the online newspapers an opportunity for residents to get a free coffee for doing it to help the fire department out. I remember last year doing the clean off with my captain and driving through the complex that I now live in. There were alot of residents parking in the fire lanes.

I guess people see snow and don't think fire. But they…

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Added by Denise Imperiale on January 29, 2011 at 11:12am — 1 Comment

The Hubbard Street Fire: The 50th anniversary of a tragic dual collapse

By the time crews arrived at the warehouse on Hubbard Street, the seven-story structure was already heavily involved, with flames shooting out the windows. All photos courtesy Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 28, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

Long Beach (Calif.) Firefighters Rescue 2 Port Workers from Crane

RESCUE REPORT

By Tom Vines

Editor’s note: For more on crane rescue, see “No Rescue Too High” in the January 2011 issue of FireRescue magazine or click here for the online version.

Crane rescues present… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 27, 2011 at 6:30am — 1 Comment

Icy Situation Provides Cautionary Tale for Winter Rescues

Story and Photos by Bob Kolva

When the pager sounded at 1800 HRS, the air temperature was 12 degrees F with a wind chill of -10 degrees F. We were responding to a motor vehicle crash (MVC) on a hill covered with compact snow and ice. A 1980s Caravan packed with young door-to-door salespeople had crossed the center lane, meeting a full-sized Cadillac head on.

With five passengers in the van and one in the Cadillac, there were plenty of potential patients milling…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 26, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

Tips for Removing a Victim in a Tower Crane

No Rescue Too High

From the January 2011 issue of FireRescue magazine

By Andy Speier

Tower cranes run anywhere from 86 to 262 feet in…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 26, 2011 at 6:30am — No Comments

It's What We Do

This was written by Rel LT. John Gariti of the Chicago Fire Department and really hits the nail on the head of the best job in the world. Tell me what you think.

Running into a burning building sounds crazy Watching firefighters disappear into the black smoke sometimes even a vacant building because maybe there could be a homeless person. (It's what we do!)

Cutting a person out of a car that's on fire and then crawling inside of it to extricate someone! Why would anyone?… Continue

Added by paul on January 26, 2011 at 1:34am — No Comments

Who’s Telling Your Story? Use compelling "save" stories to build support for funding & enhance public education

Who’s Telling Your Story?

Use compelling "save" stories to build support for funding & enhance public education

By Chief Marc Revere

The primary role of the fire chief is to advocate for his/her agency and the fire service as a whole. A powerful way of orchestrating this is by listening to and retelling the stories of… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 25, 2011 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

FirefighterNation Contributors Remember Bob Barraclough

Bob Barraclough, chief columnist for Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine and past president of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers' Association (FAMA), passed away on Friday, January 21.

Barraclough was an icon in the industry and leader in the field of fire apparatus safety. Today, FirefighterNation contributors are remembering the influence Bob had on them. …

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 24, 2011 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Remembering "Sweet Ol' Bob"

FireRescue Publisher Jeff Berend pays tribute to fire service luminary Bob Barraclough

The fire service mourns the passing of Robert Barraclough, 70, who died at his home in Plano, Texas, on Friday, Jan. 21. A renowned expert on fire apparatus, Barraclough often referred to himself as “SOB—Sweet Ol’ Bob,” but he was also an amazing advocate for the fire service and a dear friend to all who knew… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 24, 2011 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Thoughts on a different and difficult extracation

Looking for someone who is very skilled in

vehicle extraction had a different and difficult one would like some

other opinions on this.

Had a car over a STEEP embankment in between 2 trees. was only able to open doors about 7 in on both sides..had a 3 ft + creek behind the car. The embankment was straight up, we were using a ladder to climb up and down..pt was 350 pounds plus...there was also 6+ Inches of snow on the ground and falling.....we were… Continue

Added by Tyler Williams on January 21, 2011 at 10:37pm — 4 Comments

Get Better at Something in 2011: Resources to inspire you to safer & better fireground performance

Get Better at Something in 2011

Resources to inspire you to safer & better fireground performance

By Billy Schmidt

Firefighter safety and performance has been a topic of discussion for years now, but many previous conversations and training were focused on practicing reactionary responses, not elevating the behavior and culture of our… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 21, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

Firefighters Battle Victorian Floods

Fill over 20,000 sandbags, add a few hundred volunteers including local CFA members, a huge dose of community spirit and a whole lot of hard work and you have the township of Warracknabeal pulling together as it prepares to battle the flooding of nearby Yarriambiak Creek.

Tuesday…

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Added by Alison Aprhys on January 19, 2011 at 11:30pm — 3 Comments

Check Out What’s on the Horizon for Employee Assistance Programs

Proposed changes to NFPA 1500 will establish guidelines for developing behavioral health assistance programs

By Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki

Following is the fourth in a series of seven articles that describe a new approach to mental and behavioral health in the fire service. Read the other articles:…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 18, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

FROM SIR LANCELOT TO WYATT EARP TO DICK WINTERS, PUTTING OTHERS AHEAD OF OURSELVES on Backstep Firefighter

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Added by Dave LeBlanc on January 15, 2011 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Tricks VS. The Trade

"What you showed me isn't in the book. What are the Chiefs gonna say if I do this? Are you gonna have my back if I do this and someone says something?" …

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Added by SAFE Firefighter on January 15, 2011 at 3:13pm — 1 Comment

Is It Time to Revise Your Organizational Chart?

REALITY CHECK

Is It Time to Revise Your Organizational Chart?

By Scott Cook

Do you serve your firefighters or do your firefighters serve you?

Here’s another way to ask that question: What does your organization chart look like?

If you’re like most organizations, the chief is at the top, and all of the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 14, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

Protectives Banquet

Here are some photos of the Rochester Protectives Banquet which was held this past weekend.

- Laurie Kingsley-Henry received　the 2011 Harry B. Austin Award.

- Joel Lee EMS Response Award.

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Added by Davin Eshelman on January 13, 2011 at 3:49pm — No Comments

ICS 201: How to Create Order from Chaos

ICS 201: How to Create Order from Chaos

By Brett Martinez

Sometime in the last few years, your eyes probably glazed over while attending a mandated course on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). If you’re an officer, or a firefighter hoping to promote (or just someone with masochistic tendencies), you may also have attended additional courses, such… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments