April 2009 Blog Posts (166)

Barbados Is On High Alert For Swine Flu

BARBADOS is on high alert for swine flu! While there were no known cases here up to yesterday afternoon, health authorities announced the implementation of a national action plan to mitigate the deadly virus that has claimed several lives in Mexico and spread to other countries including two of Barbados’ key tourist markets – the United States and Canada.

Officials were also monitoring the situation with two local sports teams – football and polo… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on April 28, 2009 at 3:11pm — No Comments

Done at last

Ok First off, I have never had so many people write me with good lucks and all of that before. Thank you all for caring. You were all with me yesterday at registry.

Ok. UPDATE: I passed my practicles with flying colors. That was a walk in the park. Yay....I had already passed the final... YAY...

REGISTRY: I went on Monday, the 27th with four other classmates to take the test. We were all so nervous, I was freaking out. I sat down and started. It never seemed to start easy… Continue

Added by Erika N Seager on April 28, 2009 at 10:36am — 2 Comments

Writing things, organising stuff and getting yourself together..

Where to begin.. lets see what my life has been full of lately:

After visiting the Chief of our Volunteer department I figured we need to change policies and organizational structure and also implement new rules and SOP. The Chief and OIC agreed and I went over how a "normal" structure of a department should be and we all agreed that we should conform to a specific structure and Mike and another volunteer is working hard on an SOP and it should be in place this week.

We… Continue

Added by Jason McDonald on April 28, 2009 at 2:14am — No Comments

My journey begins.

Hi folks, I'm living in southern california and i heard it is a very competitive process here. I have not taken emt yet (the community college offers it starting in may), i just took my written test on april 25th, and waiting to see when my cpat is scheduled. i have been reading the board and have seen that many of the fire fighters come from generations of fire fighters in the family, i would be the first fire fighter in our family and im really excited to get hired. Any guidance would be… Continue

Added by firekitty on April 28, 2009 at 1:29am — 1 Comment

F.O.O.L.S

DOES ERIE COUNTY HAVE A FOOLS ORG.

Added by David Case on April 27, 2009 at 10:17pm — 5 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

HOW TO: Track Swine Flu Online

There are few things in this world that cannot be easily replaced, repaired, or regained. Our health and the health of the ones we love falls into this category. The best thing we can do to protect our health, above medication or rest, is prevention.

This week, news broke of a new and fatal swine flu on the Mexico-U.S. border. It has quickly turned into a growing outbreak and possible pandemic. Knowing about these important and growing cases is vital to public health. Fortunately,… Continue

Added by Texas HazMat on April 27, 2009 at 12:43pm — 2 Comments

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

Swine Flu Preparedness for Schools

Swine Flu Preparedness for Schools

The recent declaration of a public health emergency over the swine flu cases in the U.S. and Mexico highlights the importance of public health and [pandemic planning. An influenza-based public health emergency and/or pandemic has always been a question of "when" not "if" and while it was assumed a new strain of /avian flu would be the culprit, experts emphasized a pandemic can be caused by any new virus.…

Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on April 27, 2009 at 11:36am — 1 Comment

Tamiflu

Before using this drug, please check out it's side effects. Google Tamiflu and read up on it before you administer it to yourself and/or your loved ones. Make good choices.

Added by Michele on April 26, 2009 at 11:52pm — No Comments

How swine flu spreads in humans

April 24, 2009

A new strain of influenza is infecting people in Mexico and the United States and may have killed up to 60 people in Mexico, global health officials said today.

The CDC has analyzed samples of the H1N1 virus from some of the U.S. patients, all of whom have recovered, and said it is a never-before-seen mixture of viruses from swine, birds and humans.

A new strain of influenza is infecting people in Mexico and the United States and may have killed… Continue

Added by Texas HazMat on April 26, 2009 at 10:13pm — 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

The painful waiting game

So I applied with a fire department over a year ago. They are hiring but have not made any decisions as of yet. I took my written test and my physical agility test, passsing both. The PAT I was most proud of, making a time of 4minutes 43 seconds. They give us girls 7 minutes and the guys 5 minutes. I was so super duper proud of myself for making such a fablous time!!! I give the credit to 4 people, first and foremost God! He gives me all of my strength daily! Secondly to three friends who… Continue

Added by Beverly on April 26, 2009 at 5:40pm — No Comments

What You need to know about Swine Flue

Introduction:-- A new strain of swine flu that has killed as many as 81 and sickened more than 1,324 in Mexico has spread to the United States and is raising fears of a possible pandemic. Learn more about the disease and why it is causing concern among health officials.

What is it: -- Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs first isolated in swine in 1930, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness is caused by four different type A influenza… Continue

Added by Texas HazMat on April 26, 2009 at 3:25pm — 1 Comment

Human Swine Influenza Investigation * 20 cases in the United States * so far

April 26, 2009 12:45 ET

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count is provided below.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection State # of laboratory

confirmed cases

California 7 cases

Kansas 2 cases

New York City 8 cases

Ohio 1 case

Texas 2 cases

TOTAL… Continue

Added by Texas HazMat on April 26, 2009 at 1:53pm — No Comments

Unfortunate Incident/Great Synopsis

Reading the report of this incident really hits close to home for me. As a Retired Captain from a Combination Department in middle Georgia, I realize how this could very easily happen right here. I also realize how many times I have personally been in situations very similar and have made it home to my family. I will share this locally so that my comrades understand ALL of the factors we must consider as we perform in our chosen career field. My thoughts and prayers are with families of these… Continue

Added by Joe Stinson on April 26, 2009 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...April 26, 2009

Yesterday I finally took some time to myself. Got my hair done, walked around Morristown Green talking to strangers as usual, and showed some houses in Morris Twp. I am so thankful that my life has turned around. If any of you are reading this that have problems with your kids, or your career path, have faith. If I could do, so could you.

Have a nice day everyone. It's sunny and warm here in New Jersey.

Thank you… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on April 26, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Why do I do it…..Morels??

OK, I was going to leave the end of the title off but didn’t want to lead anyone here under false pretense, besides I may miss my target audience.

As I sit here early this morning, checked the weather, web and window, looked at the calendar, surfed the net for the latest sighting report….everything points to now is the time, at least in this neck of the woods. Morel mushrooms…those tasty little timber treats that are so very elusive, why do I go hunting them? First off its spring and I… Continue

Added by Trainer on April 26, 2009 at 8:06am — 6 Comments