Featured Blog Posts – March 2009 Archive (34)

FEMA Heart Study: A lesson in situational awareness

By now, we’ve all read or heard about the preliminary results from the FEMA-sponsored study that found one third of firefighters had heart disease that was unrelated to traditional risk factors, such as high cholesterol, and they have a 300% increased risk of dying from heart disease than other segments of the general population. While these results are astonishing, they also provide vital information to… Continue

Added by Cindy Devone-Pacheco, FireRescue on March 31, 2009 at 6:06pm — 12 Comments

Bright Lights, Big City: Fire-Based EMS

A decade ago it was accurate to consider large non-fire ems 9-1-1 services as the best examples of high performance systems, utilizing innovation and technology to improve both patient outcomes and system efficiency. Fire-based systems were struggling with unfilled paramedic positions, shot-gun mergers, and unsophisticated administrators.

Wake County (NC), SunStar (FL),… Continue

Added by Mike Ward on March 29, 2009 at 2:00pm — 4 Comments

2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health & Survival Week

2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week

Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility

June 14-20, 2009

Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility encourages chiefs and fire/EMS personnel to focus on what they personally can do to manage risk and enhance their health and safety. This year’s theme reflects the need for personal responsibility and… Continue

Added by Wendy Norris on March 28, 2009 at 10:30pm — 14 Comments

We Are The Brotherhood!

We have all heard this phrase, but I wonder what does it truly mean to us. For me it is the core of being a firefighter and rising above the selfish mentality of what is in it for me. I've seen people in this service that are both dedicated and loyal to the mission. And I've also seen people that were loyal to themselves and themselves alone. It is imperitive that we stop and take a long look at ourselves and ask ourselves this question. What does the brotherhood mean to me?

As an… Continue

Added by grimfire on March 28, 2009 at 1:38pm — 3 Comments

A Select Few - Those who join our profession must meet the highest physical & academic standards

Earlier this year, I was sitting in “balmy” St. Cloud, Minn., (-33 degrees F; now I know why those old men were so grumpy) eating dinner with a few firefighter friends of mine. As the night wore on, we each shared our fire service equivalent of a Minnesota fisherman’s fishing story—cold, longwinded and filled with exaggeration. At some point, one of the instructors spoke of his experience teaching recruits and the reward he felt when they eventually achieved success in the fire… Continue

Added by Timothy Sendelbach on March 21, 2009 at 8:13pm — 4 Comments

Life Safety Initiatives, Should we or Shouldnt we Critique a LODD?

I have become quite familiar with the age old argument of "Is it disrespectful to talk about or critique a LODD or LODI when we were not there and did not know the specifics?" I think I may have some more info that could hopefully bring fruition to an argument that has been raging for far too long.

I attended a seminar last evening at my station put on by a very educated and experienced past chief from my area who also works for the Emergency Management Office and has been an… Continue

Added by Moose on March 19, 2009 at 9:00am — 4 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 18, 2009

Another day in the life of Denise Broesler.

I have to update everyone on the oil tank possible leaking sump pump broken problem.

The well-known oil company came at 8:00 a.m. and saw no oil in my sump pump and it was heartily working. And he used the stick on my oil tank and I had the same amount of oil.

The insurance adjuster was here at 8:30 a.m. and said the same thing.

The electrician came… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on March 18, 2009 at 7:59pm — 2 Comments

The Safety Culture

Last weekend I attended the Everyone Goes Home

Summit at the National Fire Academy. First let me

say that it was my first trip there and it was very

impressive. If any of you ever get the opportunity,

take advantage of this resource and take in the

experience and knowledge offered there, along

with the great history of the area.

Now, on to the Summit and what I have been

pondering since I got back. The purpose of the

Summit can be summarized as an… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 18, 2009 at 6:06pm — 2 Comments

Making Your PPE “Smart”

When you stop and think about it, a firefighter’s personal protective equipment (PPE) is downright amazing. You carry the air you’ll need on your back, cloaked in fire-resistant fibers that allow you to move through burning buildings; your boots are designed not to melt as your feet encounter burning materials, and your helmet has undergone years of testing to ensure that it affords the greatest protection against impact.

But these items that you wear and bring with you are… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on March 17, 2009 at 11:42am — 7 Comments

New USFA Administrator

Firegeezer.com has just received the following press release from the USFA:

FROM: Nancy Ward

Acting Administrator

SUBJECT: Deputy Assistant Administrator for the United States Fire Administration

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Glenn A. Gaines, a 37 year veteran of the Fairfax County, Virginia, Fire & Rescue Department, to the position of Deputy Assistant Administrator for the United States Fire Administration (USFA); he will also… Continue

Added by FireGeezer on March 16, 2009 at 3:56pm — 1 Comment

Constant Battle

From Firehouse Zen: I am never surprised by the willingness of firefighters to fight for what is right. I have officers that work with me as well as friends throughout emergency services who seem like they are perpetually locked in battle with someone over something, and having been one of those people myself for a number of years, I know how exhausting and frustrating that mode of… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on March 14, 2009 at 7:38am — 6 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 13, 2009

Amazing things can happen on Friday the 13th. Since the last Friday the 13th, I've thought of the day as a good luck day. Today was one of those days.

It started by visiting a very kind penpal who lives nearby and who has an adopted son who is now grown-up. His situation was a bit different than ours, with our adoptions being private and hers through foster care. It's interesting how times have changed.

Next, I… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on March 13, 2009 at 8:52pm — 11 Comments

Second-Due Syndrome

There is a classic attitude that I've seen in quite a few places throughout my career. It is a side effect from the fact that all of us want to be members of the first company to a fire, but another unit gets to the fire first.

The result is what I call "Second Due Syndrome". If you're not there first, there's a subconscious pressure to drive a little faster, mask up a little quicker, and rush to get into the building before someone else gets all of "our" action.

Second… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on March 13, 2009 at 7:30pm — 11 Comments

Who Loves the Halligan?!

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!

TRUCK COMPANY OPS

In Praise of the Halligan, Part 2: More inventive uses for the truckie’s go-to tool

By Peter F. Kertzie

All photos Peter F. Kertzie unless otherwise specified

My January column, “In Praise of the Halligan,” p.… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 13, 2009 at 2:30pm — 5 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

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

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