March 2009 Blog Posts (167)

What if you had a fire…and no one came?

By Lou Angeli

They are the folks who leave behind family and home at a moment’s notice to help a neighbor or other any person in need. That’s the story of 800,000 Americans who serve as fire-rescue volunteers. Until recently, it was a story that brought pride and inspiration to 80% of the communities in this nation. But times have changed and what was once America’s greatest emergency asset is suffering from a variety of setbacks.

A generation ago, when the fire… Continue

Added by Lou Angeli on March 13, 2009 at 11:41am — 8 Comments

new person

hi my name is rick i just found your site hope to enjoy it i am a fire fighter/emt-b

Added by rick on March 12, 2009 at 11:41pm — 3 Comments

Stuff I never learned in P School

On the theme of "A lesson learned," I recalled a rough call that taught me more than I could have thought.

Here's a snippet:

My mentor there, I'll call him Bill, was a relaxed Paramedic who always talked about everything but the job. You know the type. Sports, family, anything, but when the bells rang he was all business and I soaked it up like a sponge.

Bill was the one who taught me that driving an ambulance isn't a race, but instead a challenge to see how little… Continue

Added by the Happy Medic on March 12, 2009 at 9:32pm — 1 Comment

A Humerous Story

The story of Ralph and Edna...

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool. Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end.

He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.

Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the Head… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on March 12, 2009 at 9:22pm — 2 Comments

Its paid for, but please.....

I finally got to ride in our sweet new ambulance Tuesday night. After countless bone jarring ambulance transfers in a 4WD vehicle that would have eventually resulted in breasts I could kneel on, we got a 2WD that offered a smooth ride and steps you can negotiate with a wide butt and short legs without looking like you just fell off a Mardi Gras float. Yaay for me!

It still has that 'new ambulance' smell, which is kind of like the 'new car' smell, if new cars came with extrication… Continue

Added by Kimberly Robinson on March 12, 2009 at 2:01pm — 9 Comments

Wanted: Safety Officers!

Firefighter Nation users now have access to special Web-only articles and extras through FireRescue magazine's blog. Check back periodically for more great tips and tactics!

NEAR-MISS REPORT

Good incident safety officers must have the right mix of experience, training, dedication & confidence

By Battalion Chief John B. Tippett Jr.

A dedicated incident safety officer (ISO) provides several critical functions on the fireground and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 12, 2009 at 10:00am — 2 Comments

New Suicide Technique Could Kill US.

Subject: Fw: "Person Down" in Vehicle - New way to commit suicide

Person Down in Auto/New way to commit suicide

Recently a new way to commit suicide has been discovered by mixing two chemicals that can be bought over the counter at local stores. They are Bonide - a sulfur spray used as an insecticide for fruit trees and hydrochloric (muriatic) acid. Once mixed, the chemicals produce heat and a flammable, noxious gas that causes the subject to pass out and the… Continue

Added by Jim Brunelle Jr. on March 11, 2009 at 7:00pm — 6 Comments

The fat guy...

Throughout my career I have battled the bulge, and lost on a few occasions, but also spent the majority of it in pretty good shape.

That was until I came back after 4 and a half years of working in the private sector.

So when I decided to rejoin the brotherhood I was in decent shape from driving mud and staying physically active. Unfortunately....when I got on the job things were pretty relaxed and I was back to getting a steady check that meant i could eat a little… Continue

Added by Allen Wahlstrom on March 11, 2009 at 3:31pm — 6 Comments

HELP! fire history

hey guys, im doing a project on the technology used in the fire service over the past 50 years and i am in DESPERATE need of information. anything you can send me regarding past methods of firefighting, tools used, types of bunker gear anything would be helpful. turn me onto a good website or suggest some books anything to help me along this 15 pg paer is due MARCH 31 so please help me pass this course!!!

Added by wes long on March 11, 2009 at 2:44pm — 6 Comments

Tools of the RIT Trade

Firefighter Nation users now have access to special Web-only articles and extras through FireRescue magazine's blog. Check back periodically for more great tips and tactics!

QUICK DRILLS

Is your crew familiar with what tools & equipment rapid intervention requires?

Story & Photos by Homer Robertson

We’re only about a month or so away from having some nice weather that will support outdoor drills. But until then,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 11, 2009 at 2:00pm — 16 Comments

interview question

I have a question about what an appropriate answer would be to an interview question,here it is: "You arrive on a house fire and your captain tells you to pull hose and make entry ,but you don't feel it's safe.What do you do?"

Added by Jason Graffio on March 11, 2009 at 1:01pm — 3 Comments

We only go if its life threatening?

My opinion!!!!! Who desides what is life threatening? I have heard depts comment that they only go to EMS calls that are life threatening. Calls come in and status changes with in minutes. Broken legs are really amputated, Difficutlty breathing, is not breathing. (I do know that it can go the other way as well)Some citizens dont have any medical knowledge at all. When they call and somone says they are dying, how do we know with out going there that they are not? I just dont feel that a Dept… Continue

Added by Ryann Hanford on March 10, 2009 at 11:16pm — 12 Comments

Springtime = Time to Lose Those Extra Lbs.

Free the Fat: Now’s the time to lose the weight that dogs you

Story & Photos by Fire Captains Jeff & Martha Ellis

Springtime is here! All the New Year’s resolutions for weight loss are long forgotten, and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 10, 2009 at 2:00pm — 3 Comments

What is happening to the moral character of the fire service?

Is it just me or does it seem like the people around us, that work at our station or at the neighboring mutual aid station, have lost a little bit of moral character? Does it seem odd to you that many people are caught up in the flashy side of the fire service and not focused on what we are here to do?

In my time in the fire service I have noticed that alot of people are getting caught up in the fact that they are paid full time firefighters and that they are better than the… Continue

Added by Jacob Fouts on March 10, 2009 at 1:31am — 9 Comments

Cement Trucks for Water Transport?

Firefighter Nation users now have access to special Web-only articles and extras through FireRescue magazine's blog. Check back periodically for more great tips and tactics!

Haulin’ Water: Cement trucks are another option for transporting water

Story & Photos by Jeff Riechmann

Many fire departments use a variety of unique vehicles to haul water to support tanker shuttle operations. For volunteer fire departments, these vehicles often… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 9, 2009 at 2:00pm — 11 Comments

Temporarily out of service

Leave it up to me to be the klutz....Since it was so nice on Saturday we decided to do some clean-up from the December ice storm. I unfortunately should not have tried to carry a big branch down a muddy slope! To make a long story short, a trip to the ED, some xrays and meds later I am now out of service with a severe sprain to my right ankle...So, I guess that I get to sit around, eat bon bons and watch Emergency! re-runs...yeah right, but I won't be responding for a while since the airsplint… Continue

Added by Beverly on March 9, 2009 at 12:35pm — 4 Comments

Red and Gold Ball

All Arkansas Firefighters are invited to attend the Red and Gold Ball, Saturday, April 4th, 2009 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. The Ball will benefit the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Tickets are $200.00, dinner is included. Dress is Business Dress. There will be a cash bar. Reception at 6:00pm, dinner at 7:00 pm. Dance all night to the sounds of the Mid Life Crisis Band with firefighter Jimmy Woods. You must order your tickets not later than April 1st. To order contact Susan… Continue

Added by Susan Heikkila on March 9, 2009 at 7:21am — No Comments

A HOPEFUL HEART !!

I have been a member of FFN for awhile now and I can think of no better way to get the word out on behalf of

Breana Mae Bladel and ask that everyone visit her website , pray for her and if you would like to, send her an encouraging email . Her story is on her website, she is a true inspiration to all that know and love her . She has endured some much in her 13 years of life and she doesn't complain or every ask why me . She is so brave and has so much courage I wonder somtimes if I were to… Continue

Added by Dawn Melody Bladel on March 9, 2009 at 4:00am — No Comments

I am doing it again!!!

Ok folks,

Here is the official word.

I am doing it again!!!!

I was approached with the idea of heading up the Thornhill Ride again. After careful consideration and a few sleepless nights, I have decided that I would be honored to coordinate the Thornhill Ride. There are some changes this year that everyone needs to be made aware of. This year's event will take place at the Union City American Legion (409 Pearl Street Union City, Indiana). All proceeds go 100% to… Continue

Added by Crystal on March 8, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

After the storm.

We lucked out. Only a few minutes after the 'Calm before the storm.' blog post, we were toned out for weather spotter activation. I went with the Lieutenant of Station 6 and parked at the El Rancho Truck Stop based just outside of Eldon. It was already raining, and nothing much was happening. Once we arrived at the Truck Stop and parked, looking at the clouds it suddenly picked up in wind, and pea sized hail began to drop. During the middle of this portion of hail, we were then toned out by… Continue

Added by Terry R. Handel on March 8, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments