Featured Blog Posts – March 2010 Archive (39)

The 19th Watchout: Treating a WUI fire like a structure fire

The 19th Watchout: Treating a WUI fire like a structure fire

By Brad Mayhew

This article originally ran in the April 2010 issue of FireRescue magazine.

Author's Note

The 18 Watchouts are designed to help firefighters recognize warning… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 30, 2010 at 7:30pm — No Comments

What do your words say about you?

Please excuse my delay in continuing the “communications” blog. The Chief was out of town for 2 weeks. Why is it when he goes outta town and leaves me the keys to the caddie, things get busy. I’m not complaining though…Anywho, back on topic.…

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Added by Capt.Alex Arnold on March 27, 2010 at 1:35pm — 4 Comments

First Blog

I have never blogged on the internet before.

I only socially network here on FFN.com and jems.connect.com.

I have posted on view points on training or opinions of ideas, but never on my thoughts.

I'd like to say thank you, and a genuine thank you to everyone who have helped advance my knowledge over the past 10 months or so.....I have been pursuing my FF1...and am within a few months of that now...with my FF essentials being done for about a year,…

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Added by blair4630 on March 26, 2010 at 2:19am — No Comments

Mt. Rainier Rangers Rescue Skier from Snow Cavern

By Tom Vines

On Jan. 31, Mt. Rainier National Park rangers received a report that a woman had fallen into a deep “hole” in the snow while skiing and was unable to get out. Mt. Rainier National Park, located in Northwestern Washington State, includes Mt. Rainier, the tallest volcano in the Cascade Range.

A ranger followed the reporting party about three-quarters of a mile from the trailhead to a “moat,” a snow cavern created… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 25, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

History in the Making: Response to the 2009 North Dakota flood

History in the Making: Response to the 2009 North Dakota flood By Captain Leon Schlafmann

Editor's Note: For more information on Fargo's 2010 flood preparations, check out FireRescue's interview with Captain Schalfmann.

When it comes to fire…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 24, 2010 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

COAL WAS WEALTH: Size-up basics you need to know, part 2

FireRescue magazine's Fireground Operations column

COAL WAS WEALTH: The basics of size-up, part 2

By Freddie LaFemina

Editor's Note: For the complete 13-point size-up strategy, be sure to read part 1 of this article.

Last month, I addressed the first seven points of a 13-point size-up strategy (COAL WAS WEALTH) for evaluating problems… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 22, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

USFA reaches out to FFN PIOs to take advantage of free resources

FROM THE FFN PIO GROUP:

At first I was a little confused about the following message because I wasn't sure where it originated from and where it was intended to go.

As I read it a second time, I realized that it had come from the US Fire Administration and it was meant specifically for us - the PIO group on FFN. Now, that's pretty cool that DHS has recognized our group as a target audience and partner for…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 22, 2010 at 9:14am — No Comments

Career firefighters next Tea Party target?

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Added by Mike Ward on March 22, 2010 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

I'm with STUPID

From All Hazards Contemplations...

We’ve all heard the stories about firefighters doing stupid things on duty or off. Firefighters committing arson, breaking and entering, driving intoxicated, failing work-related random drug screening tests, abusing their domestic partners…the list goes on and on. As one of the replies to the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman’s Association’s recent…

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Added by Ben Waller on March 21, 2010 at 3:00pm — 4 Comments

The Right Time to Give: Through March 31, Pierce Is Matching Donations to NFFF

If you're considering giving to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, now is the right time. Through March 31, Pierce Manufacturing will double all donations up to $10,000 through the NFFF Full Throttle Support II initiative.

In addition, anyone donating is entered into a sweepstakes to win a custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle.

“The Pierce family is an integral part of the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 18, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

@FireRECRUITER: The Art of Speed-Recruiting

If you had just 30 seconds to convince someone why they should join your volunteer fire department, what would you…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 18, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

American Idol vs. American Politics

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to chat with an old friend about the upcoming elections and voting.

I confessed over a latte to being a political junkie.

She confessed to not being a political junkie.

“I hate politics,” she said. “Things in our country are a mess! I don't even vote.”

I tried to shame her into taking an interest in politics by explaining how it's these people who make all the decisions that directly affect her and her family. But, to no avail.

As we… Continue

Added by Sally on March 17, 2010 at 5:26pm — 1 Comment

What’s All the Hubbub about Striping?

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

By now most of us have seen new apparatus deliveries with the new NFPA 1901-required reflective striping on the front and rear. Whether you like it or not, it’s here to stay. In my opinion, it really makes a vehicle stand out on a highway, which was the intent of the standard to begin with.

Anything we can do to improve apparatus visibility on the fireground or at accident scenes is a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 17, 2010 at 1:30pm — 4 Comments

The Science Behind Our Business: Use data to your department’s advantage

The following article was published in the March issue of FireRescue magazine.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

By Chief Jeffrey D. Johnson, EFO, CFO, MIFireE

The Science Behind Our Business

Use data to your… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 17, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

50 pounds

Sometime on Friday I hit 1100 miles for the year. I am about 3 weeks ahead of last years 1000 mile point and by April 9th I should have 1500.

My weight has fallen to 197 and the goal is 180 by June 1st. The cool part of this whole thing is I will be 50 pounds lighter some time this week, of course that depends on my mileage and how many cookies I eat!

This is a huge water mark for me as I have had a hard time breaking down the 200 pound barrier. That finally…

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Added by Allen Wahlstrom on March 15, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

Two Firefighter Deaths Highlight the Need for Rehab

Two Firefighter Deaths Highlight the Need for Rehab

Story & Photos by Jeffrey T. Lindsey

Training is an integral part of the fire service. Senior firefighters and company officers conduct training exercises and drill every day throughout the country. But whether it’s initial training or station drills, the risk of injury or death is always present.

Cases in point: On May 31, 2008, a firefighter recruit died…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 15, 2010 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

Severe Weather Preparedness Resources Now Available

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Energizer and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) are teaming up with local fire departments to help families prepare for spring and summer’s severe weather, particularly the power outages that frequently result from them. The program officially begins on March 20, the first day of spring.…

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Added by IAFC on March 15, 2010 at 9:03am — No Comments

It was in the cards.

Blogger’s Note: The following is my submission to the Fire Critic’s First Due Fire Blog Carnival…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 15, 2010 at 8:00am — 4 Comments

Training in the Volunteer Fire Service

Training in the Volunteer Fire Service

My time as a dedicated volunteer firefighter has been the experience of a lifetime. It has taken…

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Added by Kayli Borell on March 14, 2010 at 1:00am — No Comments

Green Bay Fire Rescues Man from Fox River

By Tom Vines

Photo iStock

A Jan. 23 ice rescue in Green Bay, Wis., demonstrated how the right preparation and equipment can overcome a significant challenge.

Calls to 911 reported that a person had fallen through the ice on the Fox River, which runs through the city of Green Bay.

At 1337 hrs, the Green Bay Fire Department dispatched Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Ladder 2, Ambulance 3 (ALS), Ambulance 2 (ALS),… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 11, 2010 at 12:00pm — 6 Comments