November 2009 Blog Posts (76)

Challenges of Wind-Driven High-Rise Fires

Blowin’ In the Wind, Part 5

The challenges of working in wind-driven high-rise fires

By Fred LaFemina

Editor's Note: This article is part of a series on high-rise fires. Read the other posts:

Part 1: Understanding conditions behind wind-driven fires…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 16, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

When “Through the Lock” Won’t Work: Tips for forcing entry without the usual tools

When “Through the Lock” Won’t Work

Tips for forcing entry without the usual tools

Story & Photos by Steve Shupert

Figure 1a & 1b…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 16, 2009 at 8:00am — 6 Comments

Giving Credit

I've lived in SoCal all my life and just today went for the first time to Knotts Berry Farm. I want to thank them for 1: Free admission for AD/Ret/veterans this month. While entering the park had a wife of a deployed marine in front of us. Doubt she could have taken herself and kids their without this. 2: Nice little touch on this mural.

For an FYI- Fire and Police Promotion Nov. 26 - Dec.… Continue

Added by Jay Nicholson on November 15, 2009 at 8:28pm — 4 Comments

had my baby

On October 20th, my son joined the world! I went in on the 19th for my routine appointment with my doctor... He told me that I had sever preeclampsia on top of everything else and the baby had to come out NOW. He allowed me to go home to get my hospital bag and make a few phone calls then I drove myself to the hospital. 23 hours later I held my son for the first time. We spent six days in the hospital, due to my severe loss of blood during the delivery i needed a few transfusions, and little… Continue

Added by Daniele on November 15, 2009 at 5:30pm — 5 Comments

3 Hot New Products from Fire Research Corp.

One Proactive Manufacturer: Fire Research Corp. pumps out 3 new innovative products

By Bob Vaccaro

Long Island, where I hail from, is not really known as a hotbed of fire industry manufacturers. However, one company that calls this place home is actually a major player in the game—a player that may sometimes get overlooked: Fire Research Corp. (FRC).

If you attend the various fire service shows around the country like I do, it would be really unusual if you… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 15, 2009 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...November 15, 2009

Sometimes I try to say witty things on this post but not today.

I am so proud of myself. I have been trying to tell someone something for three years and had the courage to say it last night. Do I feel better? I don't know yet. But at least I did it.

This is lame, not anything to do with the fire service I know, but who do I tell but you guys that would not judge me, as always?

Enjoy your… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 15, 2009 at 11:03am — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 15, 2009 at 11:03am — No Comments

Second Fire

The feeling I got from my first fire could only be matched by my second fire!!! Here's the story.

http://www.theunion.com/article/20091113/NEWS/911129983/1066&ParentProfile=1053

Added by Clay Hood on November 14, 2009 at 3:05pm — 4 Comments

Columbia Firefighter's Save Dog

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Fire gutted a home off Two Notch Road in Columbia before the fire department got the fire under control around 4:00pm Friday.

It happened on Knightbridge Road, according to Columbia fire officials. Firefighters say no one was home when the fire started, but there was a dog in the house.

His little wet nose can breathe fresh air now, but one-year-old Teddy nearly died of smoke inhalation while stuck alone inside the smoke-filled… Continue

Added by Brandon on November 14, 2009 at 5:29am — 2 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...November 13, 2009

Here it is, Friday the 13th, and I can't stop thinking that this day has to be a good one. My week at the fire service was slow with only two calls I believe. Anyway, I didn't feel so well and would have had to stay back anyway.

The end of the year brings alot of activities at our firehouse - pancake breakfast, visit with Santa, elections, etc. I was nominated to be trustee and secretary. I chose the latter. In any… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 13, 2009 at 1:42pm — No Comments

Firefighter Locating Systems Not Yet Ready for Real Time

Review of Worcester Polytechnic Institute's fourth annual Precision Indoor Personnel Location and Tracking for Emergency Responders workshop

By John Sullivan

The fourth annual Precision Indoor Personnel Location and Tracking for Emergency Responders workshop was held Aug. 3–4 at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Mass. This workshop is the only national opportunity for researchers and developers of various tracking technologies to come… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 12, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Blue Light Special - Part 1

There are many posts on here in the forums and groups about the warning lights used by volunteer firefighters on privately owned vehicles. This is a favorite topic on many fire service websites. They all seem to boil down to the same thing. Someone asks one of two questions, either a technical one about what lights they can use or the more benign social question about what color lights those in other areas use. Then the inevitable post comes up, from someone who is not really answering either… Continue

Added by Alan Shaw on November 11, 2009 at 11:49pm — 7 Comments

A Veteran of Many Things

It’s Veterans Day and I have a day off from my county job. (I thank Veterans for both of those freedoms: to work in a job I love and to have time off to spend with my family). The kids are still sleeping and I have some free time to sit at the computer.

I’ve been thinking of my Dad a lot lately. Maybe because a friend recently lost hers; maybe because I spent the last week with a few thousand National Guardsmen; or maybe because recent events in our lives have reinforced the… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on November 11, 2009 at 6:57pm — 2 Comments

Know Who You Should Thank for Their Work--& How to Thank Them

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Giving Thanks: Know who you should thank for their work—and how to thank them

By Jim Broman

The mayor stood and walked to the podium, pulling a small set of speaking notes from his jacket. He glanced across the banquet tables filled with city employees, volunteers and family members. After noting several challenges of the previous year, he ticked off an impressive list of accomplishments.

“We could not have realized these… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 11, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

college.... i need advice

ok so im a sophomore this year and seriously thinking about which college i want to attend... i plan on being a volunteer firefighter in bagdad when i turn 18 and a paramedic eventually.. i was wondering is eastern kentucky university a good option? i know they have a good fire science and paramedic program but i was just wondering if i should go to a traditional college, community college or just get my certifications? i welcome any and all advice...

Added by Jessica Travis on November 10, 2009 at 11:07pm — 7 Comments

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month

Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) is on November 11 which commemorates the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, between the Allies of World War I and Germany. The Armistice was signed in Rethondes, France at eleven o'clock in the morning on November 11, 1918. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a)passed by the US Congress in May 1938 proclaiming, "a day to be dedicated to the… Continue

Added by Oldman on November 10, 2009 at 4:24pm — 5 Comments

Who's The Moron? Firefighter arrested for speeding to call

Firefighter arrested for speeding to fire call in NC screams the headline on FireRescue1 at http://www.firerescue1.com/volunteer/articles/602445-Firefighter-arrested-for-speeding-to-fire-call-in-NC/

GIBSONVILLE, N.C. — A Gibsonville firefighter arrested last month on his way to an apartment fire no longer faces felony charges, but the district attorney's… Continue

Added by lutan1 on November 10, 2009 at 2:30am — 11 Comments

The First Line Determines the Result

A fundamental basic to any successful fireground operation is a successful initial hoseline stretch. It seems simple enough, so why should we drill on it so much? Three main reasons:

Errors in the initial stretch have resulted in firefighter injuries and fatalities

We go to fewer fires…

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Added by Bill Carey on November 9, 2009 at 10:45pm — 3 Comments

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY LEATHERNECKS.......

Wherever you may be tomorrow...... Whether you are Overseas in the shit, or conus. I wish every single one of you leathernecks a "Wonderful Birthday". SEMPER FIDELIS..."ALWAY's FAITHFUL"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Added by Juan Trevino on November 9, 2009 at 5:00pm — 4 Comments

Approaches to more effectively & safely attacking high-rise fires

High in the Sky

Approaches to more effectively & safely attacking high-rise fires

Editor’s note: Over the years, complex high-rise fires have challenged some of our most seasoned firefighters; these fires include the First Interstate Bank of Los Angeles, Four Leaf Towers in Houston and The One Meridian Plaza in Philadelphia. Some of the most extreme issues deal with wind-driven fires, limited access for civilian rescues, complex air management requirements and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 9, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments