Recently.....my department has had the probably not so uncommon issue of not being able to get folks to training. No matter what the training is over....or how exciting I try and make it I just can't seem to get some people to attend. I have asked what I could do to make things more attractive....and I get no response.

 

Its to the point now where the Chief is considering putting people on a probationary status until they can start attending training on a regular…

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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

- What time do you show up for your shift?  At work, the shift starts at

0700 and people show up at all kinds of different times.  Some will

show up around 0545 or 0600... most show up between 0615 and 0630... and

some will come in with 2 minutes to spare (if they are lucky).



- When do you do your daily rig check? As soon as you get in? At shift change?   After breakfast? After your first run?



 Despite fighting the urge to want to curl up in a… 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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I stumbled across a new resource recently that caught my attention: FDLiveIn.com.

 

The concept of fire station live-ins or bunk-ins, depending on what you call them, has been around for quite some time and with quite a bit of success. Different departments run their programs in different ways but the common theme is that the firefighter lives in the fire station “rent-free” in return for volunteer…

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Had the thought today that I know a lot of dead people. I guess as we get older that is what happens. I ran into a new guy at a local drug store. He had on SJFD sweats so I introduced myself. When I told him I retired in 1998 his eyes got big. Our department has changed since then.  All new people and with the budget issues stations have closed and people have been laid off. When I came on the job in 1973, we had 28 stations with about 700 people. San Jose is a city of over 1,000,000 so we were… Continue

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...Yes it's still February 5, 2011

 

I just got an exciting offer from an online publication to write a regular column for them - it would be taking Notes from a Rookie Firefighter to a whole new level. Have to ask my Chief! OMG what if I get writer's block?

 

PS Imagine if I could really write what I wanted to. LOL

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 5, 2011

 

Since I've moved, I am about 4 miles from my fire house. However, there's another smaller station in our department less than one mile away.  I finally decided today, amidst the urging of many firefighters, to try to make some calls at the closer fire house to get my percentage up. So today I did that. I still missed the truck, but I felt a renewed sense of enthusiasm. I can't explain why though.

Hello i am a lt at the local VFD and i am planning a big open house event here in my hometown with the fire dept... i dont really just want it to be come talk meet us go home i want this day to be educational and fun... We are currently working on alot of projects around the fire house including ISO insurance rating which is very based on the community ... I Could really use a hand on things such as fire safty for kids.. I want it to have the intrest of the kids and reach through... any… Continue

Good morning and welcome to my world!

 

I am a carreer oriented fire Lieutanant/Paramedic with my home town department. Im going on 14 years on the department and cant imagine doing anything else with my time. I was one of the lucky ones who tested on a whim because I didnt like my original job option and started at ten on the list out of several hundered. I have had so many doors opened for me since I began my journy on the department, I just wish there were more hours in the…

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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

Q: What Was Your Worst Call?



(Squad) My first call with the squad was an unconcious/unresponsive in the summer of 2010. The ambulance responded with 4 people, and myself and 2 other members responded in our support vehicle. When we arrived on scene, we came across approx. 12 people standing outside the house, 2 of them (which i knew) said "He's in the attic, please hurry!" We grabbed our gear and rushed up the steps into the attic. We found a 20ish year old male laying on the bed; head… 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

Camden squatters and the resourcefulness and creativity which they have attained.





We are adding to our "Why We Search" page with a very well written post from Gabriel Angemi of the Camden, New Jersey Fire Department and his blog CMD-FD. We thank Gabriel for allowing us to pass along this latest detailed coverage of squatters thriving in… Continue