July 2009 Blog Posts (91)

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

Any Words of wisdom

I have been on a Vol. Fire Dept. For four years now and I know I want to make it a career. I have been looking in to the Air Force. Some friends that have been in the army and the navy, past their thoughts of what branch is better they tell me I can get in as a E-2 with the little exp. and certs. That I have. Is their any Air Force people that can help?

Added by Robert Keck on July 30, 2009 at 8:08pm — 2 Comments

And just when you thought it couldn't get worse

Stories abound from all around the nation concerning, cutbacks in staffing, rolling "brownouts" and stations being closed, all due to budget concerns and shortfalls.

One Texas town, Nolanville, has gone the extra step and severed it's ties... with it's own fire department. You read it right. They cut off ALL funding for their own volunteer fire department. In addition, they cut 5 police officer's positions.

This little town of approximately 2150 residents will now have to… Continue

Added by Oldman on July 30, 2009 at 6:49pm — 4 Comments

Alert tones to phone

Any one know another site besides Moses.bz that allows your pager calls to your cell phone. Not havin the greatest luck with moses.bz if you contact him you will wait and wait for response and for him to activate your phone.

Please let me know if any one knows thanks

Added by Michael on July 30, 2009 at 4:20pm — 11 Comments

Rebuttal to comments) RE:"How much is enough"?

Thanks for your comments on my Blog. I guess in some ways, i am a bit more sensitive to his side of it, in that, i lost my dad this past November who died at 82 while in prison. And i have a young nephew currently in prison. Both clearly deserved to be there for the things they did and the bad choices they made. But while my dad did come to recognize his mistakes and was trying to make amends,my nephew will likely spend more time than he was sentenced to due to his bucking the system in there.… Continue

Added by Brent A. Ellis on July 30, 2009 at 2:00pm — 2 Comments

Let's Talk About Fear...

About a month ago, I got really scared.

We were in a smoky first floor above a basement fire. We didn't know it had burned itself out. We had just entered and had the line at the top of the stairs. I had plenty of air in my SCBA. We really hadn't gone to work yet.

It wasn't even that hot.

All of the sudden, my mind felt like it was 2003 and I was in a bunker with those same missiles being shot at me again. I guess that's what they call a… Continue

Added by Jason on July 30, 2009 at 1:36pm — 3 Comments

How much is enough?

I have a friend who was recently dismissed from his fire dept for being on parole. His Chief knew from the start, of his past trouble, a felony conviction from over twenty years ago. This man did do time, over 20 years. and had completely turned his life around for the good. but was still on parole. that was the reason his Chief gave for letting him go, saying "it did not look good..." This man served with honor, courage, and distinction as a firefighter, and was never late, never a problem,… Continue

Added by Brent A. Ellis on July 29, 2009 at 8:17am — 6 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

Never Appreciated Till Needed

Hey kids,

just got back from a call and had to talk about it.

I think just about every ff knows that we are never really appreciated by the public until they need us. Thats fine, I'm not a ff for the public's adoration. I do it because I love it!!!!!

Anyway, When I was still in high school, a few years back now; there was a kid that thought he was just the hottest shit on the planet, the typical jock type that just always found a way to piss me off. lol anyway,… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on July 28, 2009 at 2:52am — 4 Comments

Q & A From Identifying & Securing Hybrid Vehicles Webinar

Recently Fire Rescue Magazine contributor Doug Cincurak, spent an hour discussing the ins and outs of Hybrid Vehicles in a FirefighterNation.com webinar entitled "… Continue

Added by FFN WebTeam on July 27, 2009 at 7:00pm — 1 Comment

Barnegat Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 100th Anniversary Celebration

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009

Time: 8:00am - 6:00pm

Location: Barnegat Firehouse

Street: Birdsall St, Barnegat ,NJ

Phone: 609-698-6766

Email: PTans23296@aol.com

Parade-Music-Food-Entertainment-Beer Garden

Parade registration from 8 am - 11 am- kicks off at noon

Country Music Band "Bullzeye"- Smokey Bear-Classic Cars-Kids Games-Bagpipers-Fire Trucks-Fire Hal Dedication-Face… Continue

Added by Mark on July 27, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

OWWWWW!!!

Okay for those of u that know me and didnt hear allready im out on light duty, the doc thinks I may have torn my miniscus in my right knee. Still waiting for work comp to approv the MRI. (I think its jsut the fact I have spent most of my career pounding the crud out of my knees) but it hurts like a big dog. Anyhow, Be careful out there, make it back to your families and remember LCES working not just in place before you anchor, flank and pinch, It will help us stop lowering the flag to half… Continue

Added by Jason Myer on July 27, 2009 at 2:52pm — 4 Comments

New helmet

hey i need some help i am tring to find a N6a or N5A leather for a good price i love the helmets but 500 is a little much to spend so if any wants to sale one let me know how much thanks guys

Added by Jessie on July 26, 2009 at 7:07pm — 1 Comment

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

Bendix King Radio needed

I am looking for a working, fully functional Bendix King EPH 5142A portable radio in good condition or better. There aren't any on EBay and most of the internet serches just turn up old ebay ads. Any leads?

Added by Big White Dog on July 26, 2009 at 1:42pm — 1 Comment

Somethings I think I think (Another version)

Many years ago, one of my favorite newspaper columnists was a gentleman named Phil Musick. Occassionally, he would write an article titled the same way as I did mine today. I enjoyed most of those articles. Here's a version of mine.

Somethings I think I think.......

You may know this already, but, there is no respect for anyone or anything anymore.

Life is too short. Believe what they say and value everyday as if it was your last.

As we get older, our… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on July 26, 2009 at 1:30am — 1 Comment

Tanker wreck on Hyden Spur Leslie county Ky

We have some breaking news out of Leslie County.

There has been an accident involving a tanker truck on the Hal Rogers Parkway near the Hyden Spur. The tanker truck is leaking some type of fuel and we are told the EPA has been called to the scene.

The Hal Rogers Parkway is closed westbound from Exit 56 in Hazard to just prior to the junction of Kentucky 118 in Leslie County. Traffic is being detoured to old Kentucky 80 and the parkway will be closed for several… Continue

Added by Brittany Thomas Sparks on July 26, 2009 at 12:10am — No Comments