Is the Airtanker Industry Dying?

By Mike Padilla



The airtanker business in the United States is in a state of crisis and everyone, except perhaps the federal government, knows it. We’re down to our last 18–19 large airtankers (LATs), which are expected to have only a few operational years left.



For years, wildland firefighting strategists across the country have relied on airtankers as…

While I was reading all of the comments that citizens had left in the local newspaper about the release of the "external" review of the February 5, 2010 fire I have writing about, one post caught my attention.



The post asked “if anything had really changed" since the the tragic February 5th fire, and then suggested that all of the Chief Officers who made the "critical" mistakes should have resigned from office? The answer to that question is a definite no! Most of the officers…

Yesterday we were paged out for a 10-50 PI with possible entrapment. Enroute we received details that the car snapped a utility pole, so we had possible lines down to contend with. Our unit arrived on scene a few minutes behind the ambulance. I went up to help the medics while the rest of our truck surveyed the vehicle to see if there was any extrication needed.

The car was a small sedan that was travelling down the country road way to fast. It lost control on a curve and the…

In the fire service we are always stressing speed. Tones go off and we run. Flying down the road the radio squawks out “Step on it, fire is progressing”. On scene we hear “hurry up and stretch that line”, “get that ladder up quickly”. Working an accident where there is entrapment the captain yells “hurry up, get that roof flapped”.…

PEIRSON, DAVID JOHN

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dave Peirson, age 48 years at the Stedman Community Hospice in Brantford after a brave battle with cancer on…

The evening of June 18, 2007 will be forever burned into my memory, but the day of June 22, 2007 was the date that really made this tragedy personal for me. To set the stage, on the evening of June 18, I was at home after a pretty good day at work. Training had gone well, the weather was pleasant, and I had just finished a nice dinner with my family. I decided to watch some TV, and started the typical flipping through the channels. I usually…

How high is your bar set on your volunteer department? Are you well trained and professional in your actions or are you still part of the good ol’ boys club meeting every night to down a few and play some cards?

Firefighting has changed rapidly over the years. While we do not face the number of…

It is with great regret and a heavy heart that we inform you of the untimely passing of Oswego Local 2707 Firefighter Scott W. Davis. After completing his tour of duty on the morning of June 19th Scott fell victim to an apparent fatal heart attack shortly after midnight this Fathers Day. Scott was 46 yrs. old and he leaves behind a wife Shawn and three children, Brandi 24, Kimberly 21 and Daniel 12.

Services will be held on…

The DIY Training Tower: How to build one with limited funds & staff

By Bob Kolva



How do remote rural and small-town fire departments keep their personnel up to date on structural search and rescue, ventilation and firefighter rescue techniques when the nearest urban training facility is hours away? That was the question we asked ourselves when, once again,…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...Father's Day...June 20, 2010

I would like to say Happy Father's Day to all you guys out there. I would also like to say Happy Father's Day to your fathers, especially the ones who were firefighters, for instilling a passion for bravery and courage in their sons.