January 2010 Blog Posts (127)

Communications Drill in mold infested building 1-27-2010

Today the city of Mobile fire rescue training instructors conducted a communication drill at a downtown building that has been closed for a period of time. This building was once called city hall north and was occupied by city employees until employees were moved to a new building located on Government Street. The City had a similar problem with the old City court house building located on the corner of Government Street and Royal Street. This court house building was closed down around the… Continue

Added by Darrell Wayne Farmer on January 27, 2010 at 11:51pm — No Comments

Mold still a problem at Mobile fire stations

Mold in local fire stations in Mobile Alabama is still a problem. The following URL is another article about mold in Mobile fire stations. http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-29309-Mobile-Firehouse-Examiner~y2009m11d13-Mold-at-local-fire-stations-put-fire-fighters-health-at-risk Mold has been an issue in the city of Mobile fire stations for a… Continue

Added by Darrell Wayne Farmer on January 27, 2010 at 11:30pm — 1 Comment

Hoops for HOPE Seeks Cure for Colorectal Cancer

A battalion chief in Ontario, Calif., is fighting for his life in the battle against colorectal cancer, and he’s doing something to help make a difference for everyone fighting the disease.

Richard “Chip” Smith, a battalion chief with the Ontario (Calif.) Fire Department, met David Smith, the head boys basketball coach and teacher at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., in the spring of 2009, after both men were diagnosed with stage 4 metastasis cancer. They… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on January 27, 2010 at 7:00pm — 1 Comment

Communications Shot in the Foot

Lessons learned from an incident during which no one could get a handle on command & communication

Story by Bob Kolva

Photo iStock

Have you ever been on a call where communications started off on the wrong foot, and you never stopped stepping into snares of confusion until you were safe at home with your feet propped up? In order to save you from making the same mistakes we did, as you read this article, make note of the command and communication… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 27, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Magnum Donates Shoes & Boots to 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.

Following the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti earlier this month, Magnum Boots USA… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 27, 2010 at 11:00am — 2 Comments

Fed Judge: FDNY must hire 2 blacks and 1 hispanic for every 5 successful applicants

Last week, Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Nicholas Garaufis ruled that FDNY’s 1999 and 2002 entrance examinations were “intentionally” discriminatory.

In his decision, Garaufis wrote: “There has been one persistent stain on the Fire Department’s record. When it comes to being a New York firefighter, blacks and other minorities face entry barriers that other applicants do not.”

Now, the same judge has issued an order to impose a temporary hiring quota in which 2 blacks and… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on January 27, 2010 at 10:51am — 3 Comments

68 Foot telesquirt vs 75 Foot Ladder

I,m looking for reasons to justify a 75 foot arial vs a 68 foot telasquirt. I,m going to have to have many good reasons. I need your help. Please give safety reasons and usability.

Added by Michael Martin on January 27, 2010 at 9:31am — 2 Comments

I remember my first time...

Excerpt:

As soon as I got home tonight I settled into my chair in front of the computer with a bowl of corn chowder my wife had made much earlier in the evening. As often happens, I left for drill before I had a chance to eat dinner.

I opened up Internet Explorer where my home page is literally my home page: www.tigerschmittendorf.com and I clicked on the FireEMS Blogs icon in the upper left hand corner to see what my… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on January 27, 2010 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

International Fire, Rescue & Emergency Expo (IFREE) to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia

International Fire, Rescue & Emergency Expo (IFREE), Indonesia, A truly international event will be a concourse of the world's leading manufacturers, exporters, suppliers, contractors, consultants in the area of fire and safety. IFREE, Jakarta Indonesia will be held at Jakarta International Expo Centre, Indonesia from 8th-10th December 2010.

Why Indonesia ?

Demand for fire and safety equipment in… Continue

Added by Vivek Gupta on January 27, 2010 at 1:01am — No Comments

Chili Dispatcher Passes Away

January 26, 2010
Donna Donovan, Chili FD Fire Dispatcher, mother, wife and sister, has passed away today. She will be remembered for her caring and sensitive nature, her laughter and kindness. Donna will truly be missed by all that knew her or heard her on the air for many years. Rest in peace Donna. Fly with the angels.

We will have more information about arrangements as they become available.

Added by Davin Eshelman on January 26, 2010 at 6:20pm — No Comments

Charleston firefighters sue sofa store

FireRescue1 is reporting that four former Charleston firefighters are suing Sofa Super Store, its owners and several furniture companies, alleging that they suffered physical and emotional injuries as a result of the 2007 blaze that killed nine of their fellow firemen.

Read the full article at:…

Continue

Added by lutan1 on January 26, 2010 at 4:40pm — No Comments

What’s Happening to the WUI? Washington’s latest reactions

The wildland/urban interface (WUI) is constantly growing and changing. As a result, more and more homeowners are putting themselves at risk of experiencing a large, and potentially deadly, WUI fire. Fire departments, along with state and federal agencies, have had to come together on several occasions in the recent past to battle some of the largest wildland/WUI fires ever seen in this country. Add to that the fact that several other countries around the world are experiencing these same types… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 26, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Turnout liner technology takes a turn with DuPont's Nomex on Demand

The Plot Thickens

Turnout liner technology takes a turn with DuPont's Nomex on Demand

By Henry Costo

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the January 2010 issue of FireRescue magazine.

Despite considerable and continuous efforts during the last 15 years or so, not much has changed with regard to turnout gear composition and related thermal protective performance. Throughout this period, two fundamental concepts of NFPA 1971:… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 26, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

"Hope Always Remains": USAR Teams Discuss Relief Efforts in Haiti

By Janelle Foskett, Senior Editor, FireRescue Magazine

In a conference call from Port-au-Prince on Monday, specialists from the Fairfax and Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams fielded questions related to their response and rescue efforts following the massive earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. Participants on the call—a special briefing for publications that serve the fire, EMS and emergency management communities—included four members of VA-TF1, two… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on January 26, 2010 at 12:55pm — No Comments

hey the life of a fire fighter

hey l' m the fire dept out here in baskin la it great i love it with them everyone is just so nice and good to be around and I' m back doing what i love to do and that being a fire fighter

Added by arthur gisclair on January 26, 2010 at 12:15pm — 3 Comments

It's Official

Well, It's official now. I said that when my kids went to school I would go back to EMS...unfortunately because I am now in a different state from where I was originally licensed I have to start all over again.(Too long for reciprocity to work out) So, next month I start EMT class with an end date of June, and then pretty soon I'll be back to a "real" job on top of the "Mom" job. Started volunteering a few months ago as the extra hands on the local squad, sort of like riding a bike, but cannot… Continue

Added by Beverly on January 25, 2010 at 7:00pm — No Comments

FDNY Firefighter Layoffs

Mayor Bloomberg warned lawmakers in Albany Monday that Gov. Paterson's proposed $134 billion budget for 2010-2011 would cost the city 18,500 jobs.

That breaks down to 10,000 city employees and 8,500 teachers.

"We would, for example, have to lay off 3,150 police officers - reducing the NYPD's operational strength to 1985 levels," Bloomberg said in prepared testimony. "Some 1,050 firefighters would be laid off, and the firehouses where they work would be closed."

"We'd… Continue

Added by Davin Eshelman on January 25, 2010 at 5:00pm — 3 Comments

The Awareness Level: What to do when you need to hang back

FireRescue magazine's Fireground Operations column

The Awareness Level: What to do when you need to hang back

By Freddie LaFemina

You’re working your shift and you’re in the middle of a long tour. So far, your unit has responded to three structural fires and about a dozen medical-related incidents. After all of this work and no time for anything else, you receive a response for a man trapped in a hole. En route, you begin your mental size-up… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 25, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-fading memories

Most people now have never seen a Roledex. It was a device used on a desk to store phone numbers and business cards. It spun on an axis. I have one in my head as do most firefighters and cops. We store pictures of scenes we have seen, usually first impressions that stick with you. They are brought back by a related action or incident and you see the scene from 20 or 30 years ago in a color picture in your mind.

I do not know if I am blessed or cursed by my recall. There are times I… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 25, 2010 at 12:17am — 3 Comments