Featured Blog Posts – July 2009 Archive (21)

Firefighters as Violent Offenders?

In the past couple weeks, one firefighter shot his family pets--two dogs that I'm sure his kids are now heartbroken over--so he didn't have to board them while going on a cruise with his girlfriend.

In another story, a firefighter shot a bicyclist because he thought the cyclist was riding with his child too close to a busy roadway. Luckily, the cyclist and his child are still alive, although I'm sure the 3-year-old won't want to take any more bike rides with daddy for a… Continue

Added by Cindy Devone-Pacheco, FireRescue on July 31, 2009 at 12:25pm — 5 Comments

Blowin’ in the Wind, Part 3

Working the interior of a fire building during a wind-driven high-rise fire

By Fred LaFemina

On the fireground, our No. 1 priority is life safety—including the lives of firefighters, which is why clear, concise and acknowledged communication is so important for safe and effective operations. At wind-driven high-rise fires, information gathered and relayed directly affects operations, both offensive and defensive.

Relaying pertinent information… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 29, 2009 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

No Butts about It: Pennsylvania picks up a powerful anti-smoking program for firefighters

By Jane Jerrard

Photo iStock.com

Firefighters across America—and especially in Pennsylvania—are getting some hardcore help kicking the tobacco habit. Thanks to a smoking cessation program introduced by the International Association of Fire Firefighters (IAFF), and picked up in June by the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA), any firefighter who smokes can get help with quitting—help that’s professionally designed and proven to… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 29, 2009 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

The Fire Service Trifecta

Departmental excellence comes from a proven action plan, not a high-stakes bet

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a site visit of a department applying for re-accreditation. As a long-term student of the fire service, I’ve always found value in visiting other departments and learning how they operate and seeing what tools and techniques they’ve tried and/or rejected. I’m always amazed by the creative minds and innovative methodologies that make our… Continue

Added by Timothy Sendelbach on July 28, 2009 at 9:48pm — 4 Comments

Engine Operator - what you need to know

The post below was originally posted on FireCritic.com here. The post has been reproduced with permission.

It seems to me that all the decent fire service writers focus too much on “talking on the radio”. It is important, but so are some other things. Today, The Fire Critic will start an ongoing in-depth look at the Engine Operator. This will be the first topic of many,… Continue

Added by Fire Critic on July 28, 2009 at 12:45pm — No Comments

Something To Think About....

Since arriving to Iraq I have managed to learn this:

1. FireFighters are like what we call Battle Buddies, They're always there to save your a** when s*** gets HOT!

2. The Beach is OVER RATED!!! * Just a thought, Live at the beach for 12 months or more turn up the heat a few notches, and then SUBTRACT the OCEAN.... see what I mean??

3. Car Alarms can mess with your mind, since being here the same sound your car makes when someone is messing with it, that exact… Continue

Added by Southern Chick on July 26, 2009 at 7:00pm — 7 Comments

Return of the Fire Station Design Symposium!

I’m happy to say that the Fire Industry Equipment Research Organization (F.I.E.R.O.) Fire Station Design Symposium is on for 2009! After initially choosing not to hold the event this year because of the tough economy, organizers reconsidered, noting that fire stations are still being planned or built and, therefore, people still need all the help they can get in this arena. “And with a portion of the economic stimulus package earmarked for fire stations, we decided that we should offer an… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on July 24, 2009 at 11:07am — No Comments

The World Burn Congress Brings Rescuers and Survivors Together

By Ann-Marie Lindstrom

After saving a burn patient from immediate death, you may have wondered late at night if you really did that person a favor. Maybe a quick death would have been better than the long and painful treatment for extensive, serious burns. And then there are years of continuing treatment, surgeries and skin grafts. If the burns are on visible parts of the body, especially the face, there will psychological trauma to deal with in addition to the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 23, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

There’s at least Four Cs in NBFC

Earlier today I had the pleasure of joining lots of other folks who participating in the dedication of a new fire station for the North Boston Volunteer Fire Company in the Town of Boston, NY.

As I was sitting here remembering the ground breaking ceremony they held last fall, I was reminded of how proud I am to be associated with their fire company.

Many times when we discuss incident management, training and collaboration in… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on July 22, 2009 at 9:31am — 1 Comment

Leader?

I have been reading books on historical figures and great leaders. I find these people fascinating and intriguing. Many of these individuals have been studied on their leadership style and characteristics in great detail. However, the parallels to these great politicians, executives, generals and peace keepers is that they were aware of their surroundings and those around them. They all understood there was a greater cause.

In the fire service, the same can be said about our great leaders.… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on July 17, 2009 at 9:31pm — 1 Comment

Hosebeds Revisited: Follow the manufacturers’ lead & design ergonomically correct hosebeds

Hosebeds Revisited

Follow the manufacturers’ lead & design ergonomically correct hosebeds

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

It’s been a couple years since I touched on the subject of fire apparatus hosebeds, so I thought it was time for an update. If you visit some of the fire service conference exhibit halls, you’ll notice an interesting phenomenon: More and more fire departments, along with just about all of the fire apparatus manufacturers,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 15, 2009 at 8:00am — 6 Comments

A Multi-Layered Issue: Double-layer PPE doesn’t protect against heat injury

FROM THE PAGES OF FIRERESCUE MAGAZINE

A Multi-Layered Issue

Double-layer PPE doesn’t protect against heat injury

By Vaughan Miller

Over the past 40 years, most Southern California fire departments that regularly engage in wildland/urban interface (WUI) structure protection operations have improved wildland firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE), going from a single layer of cotton dungarees to the standard double layer of flame-resistant Nomex.… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 15, 2009 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

When It’s Time to Move On

When It's Time to Move On

Storming out & letting everyone know what you think might feel good, but it could come back to haunt you

By Scott Cook

A month or so ago, I received an e-mail from a friend of mine, one of the nicest guys you’d ever meet. I am fortunate to know him, and the guys at his new department are as well. He’s the kind of guy that gets the job done: strong back and a strong mind to go with it.

In the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 15, 2009 at 8:00am — 3 Comments

Filtered Water for Rural Ops

RURAL FIRE COMMAND

Filtered Water: Use a strainer to perform simple pump preventative maintenance

By Patrick Pauly

Regardless of where your rural fire department operations occur, if you have to draft water, you should attach a strainer to the end of your hard-suction tube. Taking a few extra minutes to do this will pay dividends in the long run.

Many different types of strainers are available, and many manufacturers offer… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 12, 2009 at 2:00pm — 1 Comment

More Hot Products from FDIC 2009!

Show & Tell: FireRescue technical editors review hot products from FDIC 2009

Despite a sluggish economy, FDIC 2009 in Indianapolis was still filled to the brim with new products. Three of FireRescue’s experienced technical editors hit the halls in search of innovative products that have the potential to simplify your job while making it safer. Following are detailed descriptions of a few of these products we felt deserved a spotlight. For more, check out the July… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 11, 2009 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Focusing on the "V" in VES

TRUCK COMPANY OPERATIONS

Focusing on the “V”: Ventilation is perhaps the most important—& hazardous—part of VES

By Michael M. Dugan

If you boil down truck company tasks to the basics, you see that ventilation, entry and search (VES) make up our core

functions—functions that support the engine company’s advance on and extinguishment of the fire. This article will focus primarily on ventilation, perhaps the most important—and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 10, 2009 at 4:30pm — 1 Comment

How Sleep Deprivation is Effecting Your Firefighters

Prolonged shift work is putting today's firefighters at a greater risk of developing sleep deprivation and fatigue which then contributes to an increase in accidents and injuries. The IAFC and USFA in partnership with researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have put together a comprehensive report on sleep deprivation and strategies to combat the effects of fatigue.

Listen to the podcast by Kerry Keuhl providing an… Continue

Added by IAFC on July 10, 2009 at 10:59am — No Comments

2009 LODD; Position, Fireground

Firefighter Behavior

A further, more specific, breakdown of the numbers and information shows the following:

Position Types

Chief Officer: 6; Line Officer: 15; Firefighter: 32

Line Officer, in this writing, refers to traditional sub-command positions (i.e. captain, lieutenant, and corporal) as well as “station chief” as it was listed congruent with “firefighter”.

Of the 32… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on July 8, 2009 at 8:08am — No Comments

2009 LODD 6-Month Summary

"2009 LODD 6-Month Summary", Firefighter Behavior

The following is a brief look at the line of duty death numbers for the first half of the year. Future posts will take a narrow look at these fatalities, the difference between "on duty" and "line of duty", and without the inclusion of the December 2003 Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act. This is to be a cultural and numerical evaluation… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on July 4, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Mutual Dependence on Independence Day

Independence Day - July 4 - is a uniquely American holiday. Many of us treat it like just another summer holiday - a barbecue, swimming or boating, relaxing with friends, and concluding with an evening of fireworks. This year, I ask you to take a few minutes to do something a little different.

The American Revolution was the brain child… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on July 3, 2009 at 8:58am — 1 Comment