August 2008 Blog Posts (161)

Air Force Fire Academy Graduate

Hey just to update some people on my status...I graduate from the air force fire academy tomorrow...its a 3 month school it was fun but im ready to get back home...but thanks to everyone who supported me through all of this thanks you all.

Added by Dustin on August 21, 2008 at 3:14pm — No Comments

Do you really want that big fire???

So ive offically been in the fire/ems service about two years now, but Ive grown up around it almost my entire life. One thing that I hear almost all the time is how ff's are bored, tired of the ems runs and false alarms, they say that they want to catch that really big fire. Now as much as I love putting out fires, my chief used to tell me all the time that I had to think of the person on the other end of that call, the victim. As we get soooo excited and pumped up when that call for a working… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on August 21, 2008 at 2:54pm — 6 Comments

Nomex Skin Would Help

Isn’t it always like this: We were having a quiet night and preparing to head home when things began to pick up. We are in and out of this building regularly and think nothing of it because it is at the end of the business district, well hydranted, and fully sprinklered. No signs of problems from the outside so we head into the kitchen to see and ask what’s going on there.

I was the second firefighter into the kitchen area backing up one of our newer guys. There was a light smell of… Continue

Added by Peter Lupkowski on August 21, 2008 at 2:07pm — No Comments

instant messenger friends

hi guys,
if you have aol instant messenger add me if you like my ID is bbnn709
my yahoo ID is bnn709

Added by adam911 on August 21, 2008 at 11:30am — No Comments

Pranks Should Not Compromise SAFETY!

I don't have a lot to say on this matter, except "Use your heads" when pulling pranks. There are many more imaginative ways to prank someone then to screw with their gear. As far as I'm concerned, screwing with gear not only lacks imagination, but also smarts. Gear is only manufacturer guaranteed if it is not tampered with and is in it's proper working condition, not full of cream, or oils or sand or bottles or whatever else someone feels fit to put in gear. Insurance companies are pretty picky… Continue

Added by Spanner 122 on August 21, 2008 at 11:00am — 5 Comments

New songs.

I added some new songs, go take a gander.

Added by Alex on August 21, 2008 at 12:16am — No Comments

What is wrong with people???

Ok so I know my day job really has nothing to do with firefighting, but there have been some things going on at work that I just need to get off my chest. Please bear with me. Ok so seriously there are only so many things a girl can handle and I'm beginning to feel like I reached the full point a looooong time ago... See I work with severely developmentally and physically disabled adults, so of course privacy and protection are our two biggest concerns at work!! Because of this I'm not going to… Continue

Added by Ashleigh on August 20, 2008 at 5:27pm — 6 Comments

American Fire Apparatus

Its finally done. My book American Fire Apparatus is complete. This is a 200 page full color book containing fire apparatus pictures that I took over the last 20 or so years. It wasnt easy deciding which ones to use. Being a book on all of the US I tried to be as diverse as possible. I even sought the help of my buddy Shane from Canada so that I could include some west coast stuff.

Give it a look at http://stores.lulu.com/clowe121 - Your feedback is always appreciated.

CEL

Added by Chuck Lowe on August 20, 2008 at 2:11pm — 3 Comments

Paramedic class

Hey all Hopefully tomorrow I will have my registration complete and will be enrolled into the Paramedic program. I have financial aid and all just got to hope they don't fill up the morning class. I am both anxious and at the same time very nervous taking this big step. I am sure I will do just fine in the program, mainly cause this is one thing I want to do to help out, more than I can as an EMT-B. It may cut down on the amount of time I have to be on this web site but I will try to at least… Continue

Added by John on August 20, 2008 at 2:03pm — 2 Comments

Learning Curve ONE: Dealing with difficult partners.....

Disclaimer:

This blog is not meant to demean, belittle, or slander the current person(s) that I am working with. I do not have the intention for doing this. I will not mention names, dates, or specific information, nor add add any form of false truth to the events that I write about in these discussions.

To begin with, I am working with a very difficult person at work right now. This person calls me names, mostly derogatory in nature, and usually beginning with four… Continue

Added by Jason on August 20, 2008 at 10:15am — 7 Comments

Fire & Medical Calls Today

Well I work fulltime for Birchwood Safety & EMS, and I'm paid on call with Resort-Bear Creek Fire Rescue, I love it a lot and could'nt see anything better, maybe being fulltime fire. There's a lot of jobs out there that pay a lot more money but not one that makes me feel good at the end of the day like fire/ems. So I wont be rich but I'll be happy and thats all that matters to be. I'm going to start making a list and a short write up of all my calls as they come in on both my… Continue

Added by T.J. on August 19, 2008 at 8:30pm — 2 Comments

I passed my Emt-basic!

I learned this morning that I passed my Emt-basic test. I am so happy right now!

Added by Abby Lawton on August 19, 2008 at 6:59pm — 7 Comments

Trailer fire

Yesterday we had a fully involved house trailer fire. I was on the first arriving peice. We arrived to find a trailer almost burned down in some places. The fire was out pretty quickly and then we started the tedious job of overhaul. Since I am still probationary, that is when I get to do work. I had fun though tearing through everything and extinguishing. We weren't done until after four in the morning, but it was worth it. I love fighting fires! I never get tired of fires

Added by Abby Lawton on August 19, 2008 at 6:30pm — 3 Comments

Journalist Jill Carroll - Former Hostage in Iraq -- Makes Career Change to Become Virginia Firefighter

The Washington Post reports that Jill Carroll, the journalist held hostage in Iraq for three months in 2006, is making a dramatic career change -- leaving the Christian Science Monitor to become a Fairfax County firefighter and EMT. Yesterday she began five months of training for her new job, the Boston Globe first reported.

Why the switch? Carroll, 30, who mostly avoided the spotlight… Continue

Added by Firefighter Nation WebChief on August 19, 2008 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

Cummins, Detroit Diesel or other engines?

Which Engine manufacturer do your trucks have? Are you happy with their power, fuel economy, endurance, etc.

Added by Chad King on August 19, 2008 at 10:00am — 4 Comments

Washington Township Firefighters receive Accreditation

Local fire department receives special recognition

Posted: Aug 18, 2008 10:28 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 19, 2008 01:48 AM EDT

Local fire department receives special recognition

Washington Township Firefighters received a special recognition at Monday's township meeting. They became the first in the Miami Valley to achieve accreditation thorough the Commission on Fire Accreditation International or CFAI.

CFAI recognizes departments who meet a set of… Continue

Added by John on August 19, 2008 at 9:34am — 1 Comment

anther firefighter passed away

we sadly regret the passing of a volunteer firefighter in Caledonia Ont Canada

GORDON, William Andrew (Drew) July 1, 1945 - August 18, 2008 On Monday, August 18, 2008, Drew passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. Loving husband and precious soulmate of 25 years, Mary Angela (Doyle) by his side. Best friend to "Jack" his dog. Drew fought a long and courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy for many years. Drew touched the hearts of many as… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on August 19, 2008 at 8:52am — 2 Comments

Where I am now

Well I am no longer with Marlboro VFD. It wasn't an easy decision since I liked being with station 45 for 15 years. I transfered to another station which is a bit further from home but at least my other half is willing to compromise. The other station is ok but like any other vfd it has its issues as well.

So I will continue to be a volunteer till this body no longer can cause the spirit is willing and it seems to drag the body along for company.

Of course if I get a… Continue

Added by Bill Brierton on August 18, 2008 at 11:22pm — No Comments

Advice to Rookies

This is very likely to piss of the old timers, but I want to start talking about it, in hopes that our industry can find what it really needs and dispense with what is either outdated or does not work. I found this advice on a fire website today, and while some of the items are great advice, others really smack of hazing and a lack of teamwork. I am going to publish the original in black and my thoughts on it are underlined. I would like to see what kind of discussion this prompts to find out… Continue

Added by Joel C Kelley on August 18, 2008 at 6:00pm — 6 Comments

I WISH YOU COULD SEE

I WISH YOU COULD SEE

I WISH YOU COULD SEE THE SADNESS OF A BUSINESS MAN AS HIS LIVELIHOOD GOES UP IN FLAMES, OR THAT FAMILY RETURNING HOME ONLY TO FIND THEIR HOUSE AND BELONGINGS DAMAGED OR LOST FOR GOOD.

I WISH YOU COULD KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SEARCH A BURNING BEDROOM FOR TRAPPED CHILDREN, FLAMES ROLLING ABOVE YOUR HEAD, PALMS AND KNEES BURNING AS YOU CRAWL, THE FLOOR SAGGING UNDER YOUR WEIGHT AS THE KITCHEN BELOW YOU BURNS.

I WISH YOU COULD COMPREHEND A… Continue

Added by MrC_EMTest2005 on August 18, 2008 at 1:10pm — 7 Comments