February 2009 Blog Posts (181)

For the first time I couldnt do my job because the p.t. was a friend.......

This morning at 0915 we had a page for MVA semi vs car. I knew that it was going to be ugly, dispatch had advised 1 pt trapped and it was on a stretch of road where traffic travels at 55+. Opon arrival found .. ALS unit was there before me.......they where calling the pt.........I know this car it belongs to a very close friends 22 year old son........I lift the sheet and confirm my horror.......I could not do it...... I turned IC to my captain to complete the extrication. Once I thought I was… Continue

Added by Palmyra Chief Donaghey on February 19, 2009 at 10:13pm — 4 Comments

Im trying to find out how to change over ifsac certifications for my state

Hey everyone I am trying to find out how to change over my IFSAC certifications that I got through the military to normal state accepted FF I/II certifications. If anyone has any idea how to do this I would greatly appreciate the help. With that if anyone has or knows where to find a list of states that accept IFSAC certs alone it would be a handy tool to have also.

Added by Martin Majda on February 19, 2009 at 10:02pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 19, 2009

A few nights ago I got to try the thermal imaging camera. When you go to the Academy, they mention the camera when you hit the chapter in the book but the only way you get to try certain pieces of equipment is in the firehouse or at a scene. At a scene is not necessarily the best way to learn something but if it's not busy, it's a good way you can pick up some practical knowledge.

I was lucky enough to be with a volunteer… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 19, 2009 at 9:27am — 6 Comments

Positive Pressure Ventilation

Hi I'm an industrial firefghter instrutor in Belgium and I am searching for some video's (succesfull and unsuccesfuul ventilations) and background on positive pressure ventilation. Can somebody help me?

Added by Rony on February 19, 2009 at 9:19am — 1 Comment

Thanks

I want to thank all who commented on my Daughters Birthday, They do grow up so fast, Before I know it she will be talking to....Ugh should I say it.... boys on the phone LOL. She has expressed that she wants to be a firefighter when she gets bigger and all I tell her is that its a long way off to decide now, she then later says she wants to be a singer LOL oh well I'll worry about that when she gets there.

Added by John on February 19, 2009 at 8:44am — No Comments

Life as a small town volunteer #4

It was my express privilege and honor this week to travel to Clayton, NM to stand in for their fire department. The Tucumcari Fire Department Deputy Chief and I represented our department. There were a couple of firefighters from Texline, TX and one from Sedan, NM that came and brought a couple of pieces of apparatus. An ambulance and crew came out of Folsom, NM to cover on the EMS side. The reason that we all traveled to Clayton was so that the Clayton Fire & Recue department could bury… Continue

Added by Gordon "Gopher" Runer on February 19, 2009 at 1:32am — 1 Comment

Weekly Joke

A fire broke out in a six story apartment building last week in a near by town. A blonde, a redhead, and a brunette escaped the flames by climbing up onto the roof.

When the fire department arrived they got out a blanket held it up and the Chief called out to the brunette to jump into the blanket.

The brunette jumped. As she was falling 'swoosh' the firefighters pulled the blanket away and she landed on the street like a brick.

The firefighters then held the blanket back up and… Continue

Added by Teresa Nolan on February 18, 2009 at 4:42pm — 1 Comment

First Day

Just like the first day you walk into the station, when you're excited as hell that the one thing you've always wanted is yours, coupled with the fear of screwing it up, I find myself wandering the site amazed that such a resources exists and I didn't even know it! So far, I'm impressed! I look forward to communicating with everyone, trading ideas, jokes, stories, hell even some recipes! nothing makes us stronger like cooperation and teamwork! Of course, it is really nice not to have to run for… Continue

Added by Jason Koontz on February 18, 2009 at 11:24am — No Comments

Australian Firefighter killed

The wife of an Australia Capital Territory (ACT) [Canberra] firefighter who died in Victoria on Tuesday says he was repaying a debt to those who helped fight the 2003 Canberra bushfires.

David Balfour, 47, from Gilmore in the ACT, was killed by a large tree branch while connecting a hose to his strike team's tanker in the Victoria Fire at Yarra Ranges National Park.

A professional firefighter of 10 years' service with the ACT Fire Brigade, Mr Balfour was part of a team of 120 Canberra… Continue

Added by Leo Cartwright on February 18, 2009 at 7:04am — 3 Comments

Emergency Twitters: How Is Your Department Using It?

This is the first in a series of occasional articles from FireGeezer.com about how some fire and rescue departments are using Twitter to enhance their operations.

IN EARLY SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR THE ENTIRE AREA AROUND GALVESTON BAY, TEXAS, was girding up for what was looking like a certain hit from Hurricane Ike that was heading their way.

Tracking models showed that it was likely to make landfall at… Continue

Added by FireGeezer on February 17, 2009 at 8:30pm — 11 Comments

Daughters Birthday

Well tomorrow is the actual day my daughter was born 5 years ago, although we celebrated it Sunday. She had a fantastic time. She wanted to go to Chuck E Cheeses for her B-Day so thats where we went the whole family and she had a ball there. afterwards we came home and she opened up her presents blew out her candle (future firefighter?? LOL) and ate cake and ice cream. We topped the nite off for her by going to Sonic for dinner, Talk about ruining any chances of losing weight this weekend LOL.… Continue

Added by John on February 17, 2009 at 7:50pm — 4 Comments

Cert's complete

As of today i have offically completed all the requirments for IFSTA for Firefighter 1 & 2.

Added by William Finnelli on February 17, 2009 at 7:24pm — 3 Comments

Personal firefighter survival in these tough economic times...

By FETC - All rights reserved

This is for all who are currently earning a living in the Fire or Emergency Services field. How do we survive in these tough economic times? Lucky enough we are afforded the opportunity to have the job you always wanted, as some put it..."my dream job".

In this day and age of shrinking operational budgets, eventually the personnel line item is going to have to take a hit. Hopefully paid details, committees, and OT coverage goes first.… Continue

Added by FETC on February 17, 2009 at 4:51pm — No Comments

Stimulus Bill Signed Today: What you need to do next

President Obama is set to sign the economic stimulus law today. As detailed in a previous post, the law includes significant funds for public safety. A new report from Galain Solutions indicates that the range of total funds available is anywhere from $4 billion to $13.8 billion for local public safety. The range is so large because of the State Fiscal… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on February 17, 2009 at 12:37pm — 34 Comments

Anyone know where to find replacement knurled grab handle stock?

Anyone know where to find replacement knurled grab handle stock? I haven't had any luck searching the net... We just purchase a used piece and it needs new grab handles along with some other items.

Added by BIVFD 216 on February 16, 2009 at 8:01pm — 6 Comments

Jr's in the fire house yes or no

should we have jr's in the fire house? i think yes they are a future us! if someone doesn't learn what we know and get ready to replace us some day where will the fire house be?

but then there is the other side thinking of the jr's that no they shouldn't be there. they are in the way right now. and if we are teaching them to take our place someday ouch we dont want that. we just stepped and strampled all who stood in our way that wasn't on board with us. so now we are going to teach… Continue

Added by anna m. mills on February 16, 2009 at 5:21pm — 8 Comments

Chain of Command !

Is there a lack of respect for the officers that have earned and worked so hard for their brass?
Is the rank structure stronger than ever, or is paramilitary not as strong as it should be?

Added by Derek on February 16, 2009 at 5:00pm — 4 Comments

Fire Station Fire

The brothers and sisters in Cambria,New York are taking an inventory of thier loses after a fire ripped thru the main firestaion. The fire appearently started in thier Engine 2, and caused damage to the quint and ambulance stationed in the same building. this is happening as of right now and further info will follow.

Update: The fire appears to have started and did the most damage to Cambria's Engine 2. Althought the aeriel did suffer heat damage and there is damage to the ambulance,… Continue

Added by Bruce Mack on February 16, 2009 at 3:30pm — 2 Comments

Tanker Pumper

Last Saturday the McLeansboro Fire Department took delivery of a 2300 Gallon Pumper/Tanker that we were in great need of. We were always relying on mutual aid calls for tankers all the time because we didn't have enough water.

Added by mcl_fireman 911 on February 16, 2009 at 2:19pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 16, 2009

A week in the life of Denise Broesler, Rookie Firefighter, RE/MAX agent and humanitarian.

People ask me when do I plan to consistently write on this blog. Writing this column has become a very safe outlet for me, and since I haven't publicized it to more than firefighters and EMS workers, I know what I say will not be admonished nor ignored.

After all the months it has taken me to get my daughter to the proper… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 16, 2009 at 1:37pm — No Comments