Featured Blog Posts – April 2009 Archive (37)

Goldfeder on NLC/TriData Cancer Report: “A grave, grave mistake”

Today, the IAFC and the IAFF released joint statements condemning the recent report from National League of Cities/TriData, “Assessing State Firefighter Cancer Presumption Laws.” Read the IAFC statement here and the IAFF statement here.

In case… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 29, 2009 at 11:30pm — 7 Comments

Swine Flu: What you need to know from JEMS and FireRescue

Editor's note: With the first U.S. death from swine flu confirmed today, it’s clear this issue isn’t going away soon. Our colleagues at JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services) put together the following information. Take a look so you’re prepared on your next EMS run.

Protect Yourself and Your Patients from Swine Flu

By Jennifer Berry, Senior Editor, JEMS/jems.com

With the number of confirmed swine flu cases growing in North America,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 29, 2009 at 2:00pm — 5 Comments

USED BUNKER GEAR?????

I am with a Volunteer Fire District Located in MID-Missouri. I am asking the FIREFIGHTER NATION if anyone has access to used Bunker Gear or wants to donate it to our Department. Items we are looking for are Boots, Gloves, Pants, Coats, Helmets. We are increasing our number of members and are running out of gear for them. Alot of our reserve gear is unuseable. So if you can help or know of anyone who can please reply. Thank you in advance for your support!!!!!

Added by Scott Charles Peterson on April 28, 2009 at 11:53pm — 2 Comments

Help Sperian Fire donate $100,000 to the NFFF

At FDIC last week, one regular exhibitor had a much smaller booth than usual, and for good reason. Sperian Fire elected to downsize its exhibit significantly, and with the money it saved on exhibit costs, it’s making a $100,000 donation to National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

That’s a lot of cash, and what’s even cooler: Sperian is making the donation… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 28, 2009 at 9:00pm — No Comments

FDIC Exhibits: If you missed these products, you might be sorry

Everyone knows the drill when it comes to FDIC: Firefighters en masse converge on Indianapolis for a week of activities focused solely on the fire service. Those who’ve never been before may feel as if they’ve embarked on a firefighter spring break of sorts, especially if the weather’s good. Those returning may feel like Norm on an episode of “Cheers.”

But the intent of any fire-service-related convention is to inform, educate and improve. Therefore, being an exhibitor myself, I… Continue

Added by Cindy Devone-Pacheco, FireRescue on April 28, 2009 at 5:00pm — 2 Comments

FDIC Recovery Mode

The Monday following FDIC is never fun. It’s usually characterized by exhaustion, sore feet and a stack of business cards that need some action, like, NOW.

But not all is gloomy—far from, in fact. I’ve spent most of my first day back in the FireRescue office musing about the sights, sounds and accomplishments of the previous week: the myriad vendor meetings and subsequent scheduling of product reviews; engaging debates about controversial fire service topics (including Lt. Ray… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on April 27, 2009 at 8:02pm — 1 Comment

Understanding firefighter group dynamics and being a leader! The attached video will change how you think.

When dealing with groups of firefighters, especially in situations where you get together to train or any group activity, a four step process occurs regardless of who and where you are... People are people and these rules will never change.

Four Steps of Group Interaction:

1. Forming

2. Storming

3. Norming

4. Performing

Forming: When you first meet someone, you form an immediate opinion of someone based on many things such as how… Continue

Added by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on April 27, 2009 at 5:00pm — 2 Comments

Courage To Be Safe

We recently spoke with Billy D. Hayes, about his upcoming presentation "Courage To Be Safe" at FRI 2009. Here’s what he had to say:

Q. Director Hayes, What are the top three take aways from your presentation?

A. The first and most important is to re-enforce the message of firefighter safety. Everyday, our first responders take risks to protect the public. However, some of the risks can be significantly reduced by merely… Continue

Added by IAFC on April 27, 2009 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment

Good news to come for the fire service?

In Thursday’s general session at FDIC, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger hinted that he’s close to working out an arrangement with Congress that could bring a wave of new funding to the fire service.

By now it’s widely known that the stimulus package contained only $210 million in direct funding for the fire service, allocated to fire station construction. Nearly $9 billion was set aside for discretionary funding, some of which could be directed to the fire service, but that… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 27, 2009 at 12:03pm — No Comments

Blinded by Success

From the fireground to the budget review, it’s not always about who wins or loses

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” —John Wooden

Very early on in my ﬁre service career, I was given the advice to become a student of leadership, to read everything I could about the character traits of eﬀective leaders. I’ve tried my best to heed this advice and I’ve spent many hours reading about distinguished leaders… Continue

Added by Timothy Sendelbach on April 26, 2009 at 8:10pm — 3 Comments

From FDIC: Thank you, Firefighter Nation members!

In the airport on my way back from FDIC, and I just wanted to post a real quick entry to thank all the Nation members who attended FDIC and picked up (and wore!) their free T-shirts and came to our meet-and-greet at Alcatraz! It was great to put faces to many of the people I read regularly on the site, and to make some new contacts as well. I especially enjoyed meeting Tiger and… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 25, 2009 at 4:36pm — 3 Comments

South Carolina Forest Fire

So far our brothers have been fortunate not to have suffered any serious injuries. Let us all share in the hope that until this fire is brought under control that they maintain their saefty and everyone goes home safely.
To the wildland crews in SC --> our thoughts and prayers are with you......

Added by Dave Tich on April 24, 2009 at 10:06am — 3 Comments

Brace for Impact

After receiving a phone call from a friend of mine, I sat in front of the television with absolute amazement. I was shocked by what I saw, but at the same time I was proud. Some called it luck, others called it fate; New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called it “the Miracle on the Hudson.”

The textbook landing of US Airways Flight 1549 by Captain Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger was likely the purest demonstration of crew resource management (CRM) ever witnessed.

Nearly 3… Continue

Added by Timothy Sendelbach on April 24, 2009 at 6:00am — 2 Comments

bringing turnouts on a plane??

So i am moving to another state for work and and flying out in a few days and i have my own personal set of turnouts that I want to bring with me. Would i be able to check the gear with the rest of my luggage ? I have heard that the TSA runs all bags through different sensors and chemical testing and i know my turnouts have been exposed to all sorts of smoke and other chemicals while in fires and im afraid they will set off the sensors and i will have a problem with bringing the bag with me.… Continue

Added by andrew on April 21, 2009 at 10:55pm — 8 Comments

IN THEIR HONOR

The recent release of the NIOSH Investigation Report #F2007-28 detailing the deaths of a Captain Matt Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond of the Contra Costa County (CA) Fire Protection District is unquestionably a wake-up call for us all. The loss of two experienced firefighters in a structure encompassing less than 1000 square feet is proof that no incident, regardless of size, cannot be taken lightly.

In honor of… Continue

Added by Timothy Sendelbach on April 21, 2009 at 8:00am — 11 Comments

Now It's Your Turn.

From: www.tigerschmittendorf.com

Last fall I wrote about doing the right thing by getting involved in an organization of firefighters known as Hancock Hope, formed for the sole purpose of helping other firefighters and fire departments in need.

I talked about the struggles of a very rural volunteer fire department in Oneida, Kentucky and of the goodwill of the… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on April 21, 2009 at 7:54am — 27 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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

Today was clean up day for our company at LaRue Field in Morris Township. The field was dedicated in 1971, and about ten of us gathered with rakes and bags this morning to clean up the field for the little leaguers. I was glad to do such a service.

Added by Denise Imperiale on April 18, 2009 at 11:07am — No Comments

Line of Duty Death

The Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company regrets to announce the untimely passing of Chief Charles "Buck" Clough Jr. Chief Clough was responding to a call when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was a life member of the company and will be dearly missed. He is survived by a wife and two sons. Rest in Peace Chief Clough, we will never forget you.

Added by Greg Harris on April 16, 2009 at 9:57pm — 5 Comments

Training night tonight - Bloodborne Pathogens

Tonight I will be presenting a refresher course on bloodborne pathogens. We all know and preach BSI, scene safe, universal precautions when we do training or during skills days but do we really practice it out in the streets?

I've been reflecting back over the last couple years and am reluctant to admit that we (myself included) sometimes get lax out on the scene.

It is scary to think about what all you can catch from someone through blood or bodily fluids. We like to… Continue

Added by Station10Capt106 on April 16, 2009 at 12:55pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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

Today our fire department had a drill on rescue harnesses. See how someone can be lowered from a second story window was very interesting, especially how the safety person below could control how slow or fast the person was lowered. Although I didn't climb out of the window, I took the practical for me approach as being the backup person on the rope. I also saw equipment I never saw before. They were Figure 8 hooks.

Added by Denise Imperiale on April 13, 2009 at 3:34pm — 5 Comments