By Warren Whitley



Editor’s note: For more on Lloyd Layman’s theories and how they can be applied in modern-day firefighting, see “The Plug” in the March issue of FireRescue.



In 1953, Lloyd Layman published Fire Fighting Tactics(1), followed by Attacking and Extinguishing Interior Fires(2) in 1955. The books complement one… Continue

On Feb. 27, dozens of Minnesota and Wisconsin paramedics, EMTs, firefighters and police officers will lace… Continue

RESCUE REPORT

By Tom Vines



On Dec. 23, Arizona firefighters responded to a call for “kids in tree”; however, that account didn’t turn out to be as descriptive as they may have liked, as by the end of the day, they had performed a well-coordinated water rescue.



The 9-1-1 call to Sedona Fire Dispatch was initially assigned as an EMS dispatch. At 1658 HRS, the Montezuma Rimrock… Continue

20 years ago, 3 firefighters lost their lives battling a fierce high-rise fire



On Feb. 23, 1991, a pile of rags ignited a fire in a high-rise building under construction in Philadelphia. Three firefighters were killed when they became disoriented in the thick smoke and ran out of air. The fire caused an estimated $100 million in direct property loss. …



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Writing an Effective Fire Department Vision Statement

By Chief Marc Revere



What’s the difference between effective leaders and great leaders? Effective leaders encourage individual members to succeed within the organization. Great leaders communicate a vision that enhances the success of both individuals and the entire fire department.



Most agencies have a mission statement that… Continue

DNA Detection: It's no CSI, but it gives closure to victim families

By Harold Schapelhouman

I was reading an article recently on forensic detection and information databases when it occurred to me that my name may appear in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) database. The majority of those currently in the database are criminals or individuals who’ve been arrested. Although I’ve had some minor bumps in the road early on…

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Inside the Apparatus Industry



What’s best—the side-mounted, top-mounted or even the side-mounted top-mount pump panel?



Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro



I’ve written an article or two in my time about how to choose the right pump panel for your vehicle. Those articles focused primarily on your choice between a side-mounted or… Continue

Story & Photos By Keith Klassen



Class A foam, particularly when used through a compressed air foam system (CAFS), is a highly effective tool in a fire department’s firefighting and exposure protection arsenals. But when a department makes the decision to purchase CAFS, there are several pitfalls they must be aware of to ensure that the implementation of the technology will be smooth and effective.

1. Lack of understanding of Class A foam (CAF)—There are many…

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Problems in the Station? The Chief Needs to Know

By Scott Cook



The other day, Fred, a buddy of mine and not his real name, told me he was going to sue his former career fire department because he received an “ineligible for rehire” letter from them after getting nothing but excellent performance reviews since he hired on. I inquired as to why he thought he got the letter. He hesitated for a… Continue

Working on Peer Support Programs

Initiative #13 working group works to develop easily accessible and inexpensive ways to identify best practices for peer support groups

By Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki



Following is the fifth in a series of seven articles that describe a new approach to… Continue

See how one department uses acquired structures to complete a variety of training evolutions

Story & Photos by Paul Hasenmeier



When was the last time your department conducted hands-on training at an acquired structure? Was the training worthwhile?…



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A tool cache manager can be invaluable on the extrication scene, organizing tools, coordinating resources, acting as a safety officer and much more

By Todd D. Meyer



The cook who supports the cattle drive. The pit crew that supports the race car driver. The administrative assistant at Station #51 who keeps the BCs inline. The ground support crew that keeps the fighter jets in the air. My… Continue

Factoring Weight-Per-Firefighter When Choosing Handlines

By Skip Dorgan



Editor’s note: In an article in the February 2011 issue of FireRescue magazine (“Let the Pump Do the Work,” p. 62), Skip Dorgan provided the results of some comparisons between 1¾", 2" and 2½" hose, specifically comparing 2" vs. 2½" handlines noting… Continue