February 2010 Blog Posts (84)

Incident Management Team Plays Critical Role in Connecticut Plant Explosion

Yesterday’s explosion at the Kleen Energy Systems plant in Middletown, about 20 miles south of Hartford, killed five people and wounded a dozen.

FireRescue caught up with Bill Higgins, State Fire Disaster Plan Administrator for the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, who responded to the scene to support the county coordinators and the incident commander with special statewide resources.

“It was an overwhelming… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on February 8, 2010 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Company Discussion: Vacant Buildings Cont.

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Added by Jason Hoevelmann on February 8, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-boot lickers and other strange events

I was working at Engine 7, located in the oldest working firehouse in San Jose. It was built in the early 1930s as a federal work project. It was a small Spanish-style house with 2 bedrooms, a small galley kitchen, and a living room. The basement had weights and a T.V. but this was before cable. The older firemen working when I came in went back to WWll and did not watch much T.V. They were great card and cribbage players.

Station 7 had walls about… Continue

Added by mike simms on February 7, 2010 at 5:38pm — No Comments

Fire Engages Firefighters For Over Five Hours

A large fire which enveloped the areas of Bannatyne, Kendal, South Ridge, Vauxhall and Sheraton Park in Christ Church engaged fire officers for more than 5 hours today. It was another fiery day as firefighters endured the blazing heat and sun to contain the fire. (e-Report by G Alleyne)

Added by Glyne Alleyne on February 6, 2010 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Final Call for Submissions: FRI 2010

The Program Planning Council is finalizing the FRI 2010 program, but it’s not too late to be a part of this year’s dynamic program. Each year new ideas and programs come up after the call for papers has been closed. This year we're offering a second opportunity to… Continue

Added by IAFC on February 6, 2010 at 1:37pm — No Comments

Random Thoughts from a Linear Thinker

Never too young.........

Friend and local firefighter/emt has had a stroke. He's only in his late thirties, healthy and fit. There's no age limits for health problems. Regular wellness checks are money well spent.

Added by George A. Laiacona III on February 6, 2010 at 7:47am — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard fireman-Fading memories 2: sad note and retirement dinner

There are some pictures and memories we retain that are so painful we try to block them but they still are there. This morning over breakfast they crept out again. My steel has been tempered in the hottest of furnaces. I have seen death and told families when we could do no more, but the death of children still brings tears to my eyes and a deep pain to my soul.

A good family friend, a young paramedic had a call that involved the death of a baby. I know this will be with her forever.… Continue

Added by mike simms on February 5, 2010 at 2:16pm — 1 Comment

Q & A with FDNY Chief Edward Kilduff

As of Jan. 12, the duties of chief of the fire department for the city of New York (FDNY) were officially handed over to Edward Kilduff.

Yesterday, Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano presided over the promotions ceremony that advanced Assistant Chief Edward S. Kilduff to Chief of Department, the highest uniformed position in the FDNY.

A member of the department since 1977, Kilduff worked his way up through the ranks, most recently…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 5, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Recognition Dinner

February 5, 2010

The Webster/Fairport B.P.O. Elks Club held its 40th annual Police - Fire - Ambulance recognition dinner. Some of the awards went to:

Hugh Franklin Penfield Volunteer Ambulance; Steve Macino NEQALS; William Schlegel West Webster Fire Department; Investigator Charles Sciortino Webster Police; Ned Stamler West Webster fire Department; Hugh Franklin Penfield Volunteer Ambulance; Steve Macino NEQALS; William Schlegel West Webster Fire…

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Added by Davin Eshelman on February 5, 2010 at 11:09am — No Comments

Thank You, Haiti Rescue Responders

FireRescue magazine's Technical Rescue Web column

Thank You, Haiti Rescue Responders

By Harold Schapelhouman

As the national (and international) urban search and rescue (USAR) task forces return from Haiti, they deserve our thanks for a job well done. They performed difficult jobs under extremely difficult conditions, and they did so in representation of the United States of America.

Although the situation in Haiti, particularly… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 5, 2010 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

When make do shouldn't do....RIDING BACKWORDS January 2010

RIDING BACKWORDS – January 2010

Firefighters and emergency medical workers must be largely optimistic - if they weren't then how or why would they want to do the job. Is a pessimist going to routinely put themselves in a position to respond to what may be the worst day of…

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Added by John Barrett on February 5, 2010 at 3:28am — No Comments

Counter-fire Operations At Arch Hall

Raging flames erupted as counter-fire operations were conducted at Arch Hall, St. Thomas on Tuesday. The exercise lasted approximately 3 hours as firefighters tried to control a fire in several acres of cow-itch infested bush. (e-Report by G Alleyne)

Added by Glyne Alleyne on February 4, 2010 at 9:30pm — No Comments

DRIFIRE Donates Shirts & Blankets 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.

DRIFIRE Partners with K.I.D.S. to Support the effort in Haiti by donating flame-resistant… Continue

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

NetCast Tonight: Has Firefighter Nation and Other Social Media Changed the Fire Service?

A quick reminder that Rhett Fleitz (Fire Critic) and John Mitchell (Fire Daily) will be broadcasting live tonight at 9pm ET on Firefighter NetCast. You can join us!

Our featured guest will be Chris Kaiser, editor of our sister blog Life Under the Lights. Chris will offer his… Continue

Added by Firefighter NetCast on February 4, 2010 at 11:13am — 3 Comments

EMT-B National test.

Have had a study group from my emt-b class for the ones that haven't or taken the test yet and the ones that have past the test to help the group for there pointers. Sheduled to to take it again on Feb. 20th. One of our members signed up for Pearson's website for emt-b practice test and seems to be helping. I also myself have signed up for nremt and they have one to that I have been using. It's like the test, it is timed and shuts off when you have the right amount correct or wrong. There is a… Continue

Added by Alan Small on February 3, 2010 at 9:39pm — 3 Comments

“No Reason to Panic”: CFSI’s Bill Webb says administration’s proposed budget is a work in progress

On Monday, the Obama administration released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011. As has become the norm, the proposed budget reflects significant cuts in fire service funding, including cuts of $115 million for SAFER and $85 million for FIRE, two of the most popular grant funding programs for the fire service (read the IAFC analysis here).

Naturally, this gives cause for concern, but… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on February 3, 2010 at 5:00pm — 4 Comments

Family Tradition

I thought it would be nice to see some thing else besides me complain.Here is a brief history of Fire & E.M.S. in My Family.

My Mom's Side:

2 Great Grand Fathers-Moscow(Pa.)Vol.Fire Company,Both Past Chiefs & Assistants.

2 Great Grand Mothers-Moscow Vol. Fire Co. Ladies Aux.

1 Grand Father,Moscow V.F.C.,Asst.Chief;Eden(N.Y.)Vol.Fire Dept.,Fire Police Capt.,EDEN EMERGENCY SQUAD,CHARTER MEMBER.

1 Grand Mother, EDEN EMERGENCY… Continue

Added by Tony Leonard,Jr. on February 3, 2010 at 2:05pm — 1 Comment

Get Involved! Why the fire service needs your input in politics

Control Your Destiny

Your involvement in local & state politics can have a profound effect on the fire service

By Chief John Oceguera

Editor's Note: This article is reprinted from the January 2010 issue of FireRescue magazine.

“Politics? That’s got nothing to do with me, and besides, I’m too busy.”

It’s amazing how many times I hear that from my fellow firefighters. But consider: Every important decision that affects… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 3, 2010 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

Save our Tigers

Hey guys!

The tiger, one of the most magnificent animals in the world, is also one of the most endangered. A cat of beauty, strength, and majesty, the tiger is master of all and subject to none -- except humans. Of the eight original subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct within the last 60 years; and there are less than 50 South China tigers left on this planet -- few, and possibly none, survive in the wild.

As we all are the citizens, the tigers also make up the… Continue

Added by Vivek Gupta on February 3, 2010 at 2:47am — No Comments

IAFC Raises Congressional Awareness of the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Job Protection Act

In the 111th Congress, the IAFC has continued to raise Congressional awareness of the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Job Protection Act, introduced by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in May 2009. This legislation is important to the entire fire service—volunteer and career—because it will help volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to respond to a Stafford Act-declared national emergency or major disaster for up to 14 days without fear of losing their primary… Continue

Added by IAFC on February 2, 2010 at 8:26pm — 1 Comment