February 2009 Blog Posts (181)

Firefighters Gloves

A Firefighters Gloves hold many things

From elderly arms to a kids broken swing

From the hands they shake and the backs they pat

To the tiny claw marks of another treed cat

At 2 am they are filled with chrome

From the DWI who was on her way home

And the equipment they use to roll back the dash

From the family of 6 she involved in the crash

The brush rakes in spring, wear the palms out

When the wind does a “90” to fill them with… Continue

Added by Becky Anderson on February 16, 2009 at 10:09am — No Comments

Ready to Answer the Call

The life of a Volunteer FireFighter is something

That most Americans will never understand

To them we are represented by bingos and carnivals

Just another typical small town, woman and man.

Volunteer firefighters start with a willing heart

Giving their dedication and time to you.

The reasons that they state for serving their towns

Vary from helping their residents to just something to do.

Does it really matter why they volunteer

When you… Continue

Added by Becky Anderson on February 16, 2009 at 10:03am — No Comments

fire proof

OK i am not a big "chick flic " guy by no means. but over the past weekend i saw the new firefighter movie fire proof with my wife. now with that said let my say this I am also not a big godly person not saying i do not believe just saying i do not try very hard to do my part. If anyone out there is having a problum in there marrage or finding the lord i would say this is a must see movie and guys that goes for you to no one well take your secret man card no one has went for mine. everyone be… Continue

Added by gb on February 16, 2009 at 8:16am — 2 Comments

My Top 16: Rethinking the Life Safety Initiatives

In a couple weeks, I’ll be attending the Everyone Goes Home Safety Summit. I’m pretty excited about it because I support the Life Safety Initiatives and what the program’s trying to do. To prepare for the event, I’ve been studying up on the LSIs and it occurred to me that despite how many times I’ve read them, I don’t really remember them. Of course I remember something about changing to a safety-based culture, and I know there’s… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on February 15, 2009 at 5:50pm — No Comments

Multi-Apartment Dwellings

On Febuary 10, 2009 my department responded to a report of a car fire. as units were responding reports came in that there was exteion to the dwelling. the first unit on scene reported back to dispatch for a working structure fire , dispatch retoned for a working structure fire. We called our brothers to the north for a R.I.T. team, as we made our way into the structure we realized we had multible apartments. to get to the front apartment we had to go down a hallway around a wall and back down… Continue

Added by firekiller on February 15, 2009 at 4:29pm — No Comments

Numbering of firetrucks in Finland

This truck as an example:

L is for city/region

S is for volunteer unit

Numbering goes when there´s used this two number system:

First number points for firehouse. In this truck it´s 2, so it´s second firehouse in that area

Second number sings for type of unit.

1 - Fire/Rescue unit

2 - Fire/Rescue unit "second wave"

3 - Tanker

4 - fire extinguishing powder or foam unit

5 - Heavy… Continue

Added by Finn Volunteer on February 15, 2009 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

fire/rescue in Finland

Almost everything about fire/rescue in Finland by Ministry of the Interior, Department for Rescue Service :

http://www.pelastustoimi.fi/en

Finnish rescue authorities are responsible for the safety of people in any kind of everyday incident, and in the unlikely event of a catastrophe or war. Finland is one of the safest countries in the world, and major accidents are rare here.

Based on a Government decision, Finland… Continue

Added by Finn Volunteer on February 15, 2009 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

looking at getting a new helmet

Ok so heres the thing ive been looking at some new helmets on the fire store.And i cant decide which would be better to get The Bullard UTS6 or the cairns 1010 w/defender shield and bourkes.ive talked to a couple guys on my FD and they said that they are both good helmets.So could anyone help give me some advice?

Added by Alex on February 15, 2009 at 10:10am — 5 Comments

lol??

I'm sorry but this may be a dumb question... What does LOL or lol mean? I see it all the time. I looked it up on Google and it came back as "laugh out loud". Is this what it means? And if so why do so many people put it at the end of their posts? Thanks and bring everyone home.
pgv.

Added by Peter on February 14, 2009 at 9:52pm — 6 Comments

Firefighters VS. Cops THE EPIC BATTLE LOL

So let me start by just saying that it was pure boredom that lead me to youtube today. After a few stand up comedians, some guys being hit in the groin, and a squirl (wait... how do you spell squirl?) that ended up on the wrong end of a clay pigeon thrower; I found myself watching the now famous "fireman vs. policemen" videos. For those of you who havn't seen this series, definatly check it out because its funny!!!!

Anyway... after watching all eight or nine installments of this… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on February 14, 2009 at 6:45pm — 10 Comments

Customer Education

From my latest article at Firehouse Zen:

Every time I hear someone use the term “fireproof”, it makes me think of something my dad (a retired Fire Marshal) used to say: “Nothing is fireproof; a cinderblock at the bottom of the ocean will burn if you can get it to the right temperature.”

When you have teachable moments in your community, it is imperative that you capitalize on them. If your… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on February 14, 2009 at 3:30pm — 1 Comment

Copenhagen vs Skoal

What pinch satisfies you on the fire ground?

Added by Derek on February 14, 2009 at 2:21pm — 6 Comments

It CAN Happen Here: The Crash of Continental Flight 3407

Thursday night, Continental Communter Flight 3407 crashed into a house less than two blocks from the firehouse in Clarence Center, New York. This incident killed 50 people and injured several others. It also destroyed a Dash 8 aircraft and the home into which it crashed.

How many of us have heard the phrase "It can't happen here"? This can be heard when firefighters and medics don't want to take NIMS training or to consider EOC or logistics roles because "That's… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on February 14, 2009 at 10:34am — 1 Comment

CONNECTING TROOPS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS ~~ DON'T LET THEM BE FORGOTTEN

GI TV

CONNECTING TROOPS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS

Come and join us, listen to some good music and chat. Tell everyone to join us here and have some fun; Dedicate or request music for loved ones anywhere in the world and we will play it for them; Wish family and friends. Happy Holidays that are in the military or visa versa.

Imagine…

Continue

Added by ANJA D'MARIANO on February 14, 2009 at 10:15am — No Comments

True or fake?

I know that there are a lot of people who are true firefighters but then you have some who just want the title but dont want to do any of the work. I dont understand how someone couldnt want to help someone else if given the chance. I guess that because firefighting is what I grew up around is why I dont understnand. The people who want the title and think that they know everything are the ones who are going to get people into "trouble" and even possible hurt. I know from expireance what it is… Continue

Added by Jessika on February 14, 2009 at 6:38am — 4 Comments

After 3 years of service...

After 3 Years of service, I got promoted today to LT. I love what I do, and I'll do it til I crawl. Thanks. Lt. Gene Rhinehart

Added by Gene Rhinehart on February 14, 2009 at 1:30am — 3 Comments

Prayer

Hey All,

I have a good friend, FDNY Retired, that is having a lot of health issues. He has bad heart problems among other health issues. More blockages were just discovered and they believe they will need to put in a stint. This would be his fourth. His wife just emailed me for prayer. His name is Tom. He was FDNY Communications division out of Staten Island. He barely survived the last surgery. All prayers would be appreciated.

Added by Sue Okenyi on February 14, 2009 at 1:26am — 6 Comments

New York City Train De-Railment

by FT Web-Cheif

photos by FT Web-Chief

FirefightingTactics.com

Two subway train cars de-railed around 1:30pm Friday, February 13th. FDNY responded to the scene to help injured passengers.

NYPD are investigating the cause of the de-railment.…

Continue

Added by NJFirefighting.com on February 13, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Positions- how it works in Australia

G'day All,

in the profile it asks what your position is. In all fire brigades in Australia, all firefighters do everything. we all drive,hazmat,rescue ect. we don't specialise in one thing. In NSWFB we do have guys that do further training for "Heavy Rescue" but they also drive the normal pumper and sit on the back as well when rostered on them.

We don't do EMS as first responders as we have the NSW Ambulance Service with paramedics. there is talk of us doing it eventually but… Continue

Added by Bill MacLean on February 13, 2009 at 6:34pm — No Comments

Crash Site IC: “One of the Biggest, Hottest Fires I’ve Ever Seen”

I just spoke with Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company (CCVFC) Chief Dave Case, who was the incident commander at the scene of the Continental commuter plane crash near Buffalo, N.Y. Despite it being difficult to digest everything that has happened in the past 12 hours, Case was able to offer FireRescue and FirefighterNation.com some initial reflections on the event as well as a play by play of the… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on February 13, 2009 at 5:00pm — 11 Comments