So can you believe this one? Criminals are targeting the homes of firefighters fighting the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs CO. for break-ins and robberies.

Is there a lower form of life than a scumbag that would rob the house of a firefighter fighting to keep them safe? This news makes me sick to my stomach. Should these dirt bags be apprehended I am struggling with ideas for a fitting punishment.

The notion of…

Here’s another basic extrication technique for you to try at your next training.  It has everything to do with brake pedal displacement when a victims foot is entrapped.  For more on the old school techniques click here.…

Have you seen a vehicle crash where the front drivers and passenger airbags have not deployed?  The picture to the left is an example of the sensors not initiating airbag deployment.

This post is going to hopefully remind you to stay clear of un-deployed…

this song got me through the academy 5 years ago. just wanted to share it since my daughter had sent it to me back then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Em4fUOrZo

i was feeling sad tonight and it just popped up on my screen.

just had to tell someone who would understand the lyrics.

The medic stood and faced God. Which must always come to pass. He hoped his uniform was clean, He'd gotten dressed kind of fast.

"Step forward now, medic. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?"

The medic squared his shoulders and said, "No Lord I guess I ain't, cause those of us who wade in blood, can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was tough. And at times I've been…

My home town Colorado Springs, Colorado is on fire. The beast known as the Waldo Canyon fire took three days to get here, but get here it did. Yesterday afternoon I stood in front of my house and watched as this beast clawed its way over a mountain ridge and then charged down the foothills and in to virgin territory.

It looked like a volcanic eruption the colors were intense black and brilliant orange, a true hell storm. I have seen many fires in…

The extrication world has changed over the years in more ways than one.  Vehicle construction, tool technology, and an evolution of techniques has created both challenges and advancements for rescue personnel.  As you read this post and watch the video below, reflect on some old school techniques that still work, but also embrace technology in the extrication world.  Read…

Yesterday the department had a barbeque in the hopes of recruiting some new members to the fire department. Although only a handful of new people came by for a hot dog or burger, it was loads of fun. I guess looking back the reason it was fun was because no one complained about the department or SOPs or gear that's not new. The guys put up the ladder and demonstrated with some of our junior program members the proper techniques for climbing the ladder. There is something to be said for kids…

The Fire Chief of my home town has had a YouTube video made about him. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the format; it has been used hundreds of times on YouTube. It is the famous Hitler rant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYJNoicuGeA&feature=player_embedded

Hitler sits at his desk surrounded by his staff of officers, all the…

What makes a good exercise for firefighters?  Any?  All?  Well, if you want to get technical then "yes and yes."  Today I want to give a quick upgrade for the row movement, firefighters, emts, and paramedics are asked to lift heavy things in akward and unbalanced situations.  Keeping this in mind, I often ask firefighters how and if the exercises that they perform on a regular basis challenge their balance, strength and core.  The DB Row is a great exercise and with a few manipulations can…

           This story is  from the International Association Of Firefighters own  Online Blog  the story  is Discusting and  Each and every Firefighter  Paid and Volunteer   Need  to Look at this and recognize  The ignorance in  depicting  Firefighters  as abusers and  racists, using Firehoses   To  fed  off  African Americans, ( not unlike  race  riots  in…

if you havent seen the stuff about a 4 year old who is a son of a dallas firefighter you should really look at it. its so amazing and touching. it really makes me thank god for my wonderful daughter. im gonna see if any of the departments in my area want to do something like this for him or donate to the cause. Dyrk you are a hero and stay strong little buddy we are all standing behind you.

When you see this post’s title you may wonder, when would I need to do that.  The scenario is a rare one, however, what if a school bus crash causes significant crumpling of the roof effectively trapping the driver and students that are towards the front of the bus.  Here’s an option for school bus roof removal involving a coordinated effort with firefighters and a heavy wrecker.…

**WARNING**

This blog is in no way a replacement of or supercedes any and/or all Fire Department S.O.P./S.O.G.'s, or replace training in regards to fire ground operations.  This topic is to give a general understanding to firefighters in hopes to promote firefighter safety and improve fire ground…

A few weeks ago Andrew Brassard started a discussion via email about meat grinder rescue.  Below are some pictures and a couple points to ponder on this type of extraction from Brass.  Be sure to check out the Brotherhood Instructors LLC Man-In-Machine Operations class and find more training materials …

Marijuana Warehouse on Fire

What seems like a part of a movie

actually happened in Zagreb,

Croatia. Firefighters from Fire Station 5

Dubrava were dispatched on

potential Roof Fire. Upon arrival crews

find smoke showing from Roof

but was fire on Warehouse which was

suppose to be a Mushroom growing

plant.

After some…

I can remember (at my age that is an accomplishment) A few year aft. I started (1979) I was riding a brush truck. The engineer noticed that there was smoke coming from the pump panel. We pulled over to investigate and a passer-bye stopped and said "when we have problems we call the fire dept., who do you guy's call" and sped off.

Here I am at 68. When I went through the Fire Academy in 1973, we had an old guy (55) waiting to retire who was teaching us knots. He told me," Kid, you're going to wake up and you will be me." He was so right. The time passes very quickly. I just read a book by a retired Chicago cop. I grew up there so it brought back lots of memories. There was one line that really says it all about the fire service: "Those hosers ( FFs?) sit on their butts most of the time, but when they have to do what…

If you haven't seen it yet.  Check out First Due Tackle. Contributions welcome.  What's in your tackle box?

Pass it on!

All vacants are empty….

Fire through the roof means no entry….

We have 20 minutes interior before collapse happens…..

Victims can’t survive in burning buildings……

It is concerning that the fire service…