February 2008 Blog Posts (238)

RECRUITMENT and RETENTION TOOLKIT: The Interview Process

R&R Toolkit: The Interview Process…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on February 11, 2008 at 11:00pm — 17 Comments

3 trapped firemen

Here in MIchigan we had 3 firemen get trapped in a two story house fire. The roof collapsed on them, and in the worst part of the day 2pm. They were short handed for most of the fire, but had enough help to get them out thankfully. They had atleast 4 departments there with engines, tenders and one ariel. That is a devistating thing to happen here in this area. I have never heard of anything like this here before. Thankfully they all got out with just minor injuries. This just proves that IT can… Continue

Added by mike wright on February 11, 2008 at 8:32pm — 1 Comment

A firefighter stands three feet taller than the rest of us...

Whenever I see a firefighter walking down the street, it seems to me that he or she is at least three feet taller than the rest of us. Maybe that's because as we're running away from danger and tragedy, they run right into the face of it. As we cower away to save our own skin, they risk their own lives to run in and preserve whatever life they can. You can ask any firefighter and they will tell you, "I'm not brave, not a hero... just doing my job." How is it that these men and women can be so… Continue

Added by SweetCyn1965 on February 11, 2008 at 3:12pm — 1 Comment

National Guard

On January 17 I got sworn in to the Army National Guard. On March 9 - April 2 They are sending me to Arkansas for some trainning and on July 31 I am shipping out to Fort Benning Georga for Boot camp for 4 months.

Added by Andy on February 11, 2008 at 1:49pm — 2 Comments

Hot Dogs and Ice

Wienermobile wipes out

Famed vehicle spins, crashes on snow-covered Pa. highway; 'hotdoggers' OK.

By George…

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Added by Peter Lupkowski on February 11, 2008 at 1:09pm — 14 Comments

I Love Trauma

I love trauma! Love pulling up on a scene where someones life is on the line but you know exactly what to do. Trauma is cut and dry. No second guessing. You know that blood is necessary to sustain life and if it is coming out you got to stop it. You know that fractures need to be splinted if possible, C-spine care is a must and breathing in a necessity. You are taught in basic how to do these things, of course most are just automatic impulses. You do it without…

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Added by Mary Holland on February 11, 2008 at 11:26am — 2 Comments

What NOT To Ask A Military Girlfriend/Fiance/Wife

People with stupid questions about the military. listen up!

What not to say or ask a military wife/girlfriend/ fiance while they have a loved one that is deployed or has been deployed.

1. "Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"

Of course we are terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds-- but thanks, you just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying..

2. "I don't know how you… Continue

Added by Rebecca on February 11, 2008 at 11:21am — 2 Comments

To clear up some apparent misconceptions

Hello everyone. This i my first blog ever on any site, so please be patient. My name is Mike Deniger. I have been a firefighter for almost 15 years with a couple of various companies in Southern RI and for a 1 year stint in Chester County PA. I joined FFN when the members were in the hundreds, not…

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Added by Engineco913 on February 11, 2008 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Freezing balls!

I just came in from a call and it's freezing balls out!

Added by Phil on February 11, 2008 at 4:06am — No Comments

Remembering the Deadly Outcomes of Our Decisions

My friend and fellow blogger at www.buffalo.com/yourhub, Deanna Russo, asked me to share this info with firefighters concerned about the effects of drunk driving on our families and our communities. There isn't one of us who hasn't been affected by a drunk driver in some way in their lifetime.

Deanna lost her sister to someone's deadly decision 10 years ago.

If you're local, I hope you'll consider attending. If you're too far away, I…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on February 11, 2008 at 1:36am — 1 Comment

This goes under your tongue. WTF!

This is Nitro spray. It goes under your tongue. Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth.

Now open your mouth

Okay, put your tongue on the roof of your mouth

NO!

It goes under

Try again

No not just out, up!

No, the roof of your mouth

It goes under your tongue

No under

You gotta open your mouth

Now, put your tongue on the roof of your mouth like this (You demonstrate)

Now you do it. Now open , no…

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Added by Chasefire on February 11, 2008 at 12:35am — 2 Comments

Designing for firefighters!!

Hi, my name is Martina and I'm a mechanical engineering student. I'm currently taking a design class which focuses on firefighters with the intention of eventually designing a product which caters specifically to the needs of firefighters on call. Right now my team is in the early stages of the design process, and are trying to become better acquainted with the lifestyle, needs, values etc. of firefighters (and specifically firefighters on call.) It would be greatly appreciated if all you… Continue

Added by Martina on February 11, 2008 at 12:10am — 1 Comment

Firefighter Safety

I am putting this out there to see if any of you could help me out here. I was just put on the saftey committee in Springfield township and I'm looking for some in-put.what do you think

Added by Todd Preston on February 10, 2008 at 10:47pm — No Comments

Blog 2 Breaking the barrier

Hello all again! This blog is going to be spent describing my quest to become hired as a paid firefighter. If you haven't read, I have been a firefighter for almost 15 years now. (500 calls a year no EMS) I became interested in becoming paid about 5 years ago, and promptly started to look for open…

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Added by Engineco913 on February 10, 2008 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Help Support Fallen Firefighter Chris Kangas

First off I would like to thank everyone for their support through the long fight. We still need as much support as possible to help get Chris and all other fallen junior firefighters the recognition they deserve. Signatures on the petition are greatly needed so please add your name and ask anyone you know to do the same. The link for the site is http://www.petitiononline.com/ChrisLOD/petition.html.

I am also trying to think of something special to do for his mother for his 21st birthday.… Continue

Added by Joe Bynum on February 10, 2008 at 7:04pm — No Comments

rules of ems

1. Sick people don’t bitch.

2. Try not to say "oh shit' when approaching a trauma patient.

3. The patient’s has the emergency not you.

4. All heart rhythms will eventually change to one you know how to treat.

5. Pray your partner is not stupid.

6. The more stuff you see on an EMT’s belt, the newer they are. (except For 2 people, Me, Even though I am not an EMT, and Paramedic Neal Stone)

7. All bleeding will eventually stop.

8. No… Continue

Added by Kelly Keebler on February 10, 2008 at 6:31pm — No Comments

The 343

343

It's funny how people remember us

From that fateful day

As the heroes who climbed the towers

Passing workers on the way

They see the footage of us in the lobby

Preparing for the haul

The look on our faces, they say

Surely says it all

"They knew they were going to die",

They tell each other

"You can see it in their eyes as they

Greet a fellow brother"

They fail to…

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Added by Charles R. Smith on February 10, 2008 at 5:46pm — 1 Comment

The Last Alarm

My father was fireman. He drove a big red truck

and when he'd go to work each day he'd say, "Mother wish me luck."

Then Dad would not come home again 'til sometime the next day.

But the thing that…

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Added by Charles R. Smith on February 10, 2008 at 5:45pm — No Comments

Being a Firefighter...

Who among us hasn't ever wondered as we stand in the cold, dark, wee hours of the morning. "God, why an I here? Why am I in the freezing rain at 2am pulling hoses and trying to keep warm? Why?" But who among us hasn't glowed with pride while we stand around twenty-five seven year-olds during a fire safety class as they stare in awe at that "big red truck", and scared yellow…

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Added by Charles R. Smith on February 10, 2008 at 5:44pm — No Comments

Quotes on Firefighters and Firefighting

When a man becomes a fireman his greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of work. ~Edward F. Croker

I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. ~Edward F. CrokerI can think of no more…

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Added by Charles R. Smith on February 10, 2008 at 5:43pm — No Comments