November 2010 Blog Posts (86)

Urban Disaster: Recalling the Great Boston Fire of 1872

At 1924 HRS on Nov. 9, 1872, a fire broke out in the basement of a commercial warehouse. Although the incident occurred 138 years ago, the Great Boston Fire, as it later became known, is still Boston’s largest urban fire to date, and remains one of the most costly fire-related property losses in U.S. history.

By the time firefighters gained control of the fire, 12 hours after it started, 65 acres of Boston’s downtown area were destroyed; 776 buildings, as well as a…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 9, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

First-Rate in the Second City: Apparatus highlights from Fire-Rescue International in Chicago

First-Rate in the Second City

Apparatus highlights from Fire-Rescue International in Chicago

By Bob Vaccaro

The Windy City was the host of this year’s Fire-Rescue International (FRI) conference. Fire service leaders from across the country gathered for professional development and networking opportunities, while a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 8, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Engine Co. Probie: Where Am I Going?

The new guy was just putting away the last dish when someone yelled "First due box!" He's the last one on board and the engine pulls out just as he closes his door.

Bouncing back and forth in the cab, he buttons up, and tries to slip his arms into his SCBA straps. Forgetting his radio, he slips out of the SCBA and slips the radio on. As he leans against the rig while taking a corner, he notices his hood on the floor of the cab.… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on November 8, 2010 at 7:15am — No Comments

Simulation Pays Off

Colorado department’s simulation training directly contributes to the safe & efficient mitigation of a real mayday event

By Fire Chief Steven M. Gillespie

This article is Part 5 of the editorial supplement Simulations: The Future of Fire Service Training, sponsored by FLAME-SIM, LLC,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 7, 2010 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Apparatus problems and Warranty

Lets see, purchase an apparatus? Select a committee? Identify the problems with the last purchase, identify the great things about our BRT (big red truck)

Let's get it right, Emergency One?, Pierce? Sutphen? Rosenbaugher? Seagraves?

The last unit had pump problems, valve problems and the foam injection system gave us problems. Some of us actually look at the apparatus manufacture identity, Does this make it a warranty problem with the apparatus manufacturer? ,The one who put…

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Added by August Martin on November 7, 2010 at 2:40pm — No Comments

Make It Real

Key elements to consider when building simulation programs for your department

By Battalion Chief Steve Prziborowski

This article is Part 4 of the editorial supplement Simulations: The Future of Fire Service Training, sponsored by FLAME-SIM, LLC, and featured in the November issue… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 7, 2010 at 4:30am — No Comments

Simulators Help You Train Like It’s Real

By Timothy E. Sendelbach, Editor-in-Chief, FireRescue magazine

This article is Part 1 of the editorial supplement Simulations: The Future of Fire Service Training, sponsored by FLAME-SIM, LLC, and featured in the November issue of FireRescue magazine. Read the other… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 7, 2010 at 4:30am — No Comments

The Science Behind Simulation

Study shows how simulation training program improves incident commander fireground decision-making skills

By Division Chief Jonathan Boyd & Assistant Chief Kurt A. Hall

This article is Part 2 of the editorial supplement Simulations: The Future of Fire Service Training, sponsored by FLAME-SIM, LLC, and featured in the November issue of FireRescue magazine.… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 7, 2010 at 4:30am — 2 Comments

The Simulator Roundtable

Advice & lessons learned from departments that have implemented simulation training

Image FLAME-SIM

This article is Part 3 of the editorial supplement Simulations: The Future of Fire Service Training, sponsored by FLAME-SIM, LLC, and featured in the November issue of FireRescue… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 7, 2010 at 4:30am — 1 Comment

Friends

to all my friend end of moth cancelled my virgin package phone/ computor link etc been made redundant again been great reading on firefighter nation- to all keep up the good work DAVE UK

Added by david richard exley on November 7, 2010 at 2:39am — 1 Comment

Fire & Ice: Gear for the water/ice rescue

By Andy Speier

The cold-weather months are fast approaching. If your response area includes a body of water that freezes over when the temperature drops, you need to be fully prepared to perform a water/ice-based rescue. Below, I provide information on some of the primary equipment and PPE you’ll need if and when you need to enter the water or break through the ice to save a life.…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 6, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Be a Sponsor, Make a difference…

Pro Development Team (FFCA PDT) uses cycling to spread the word about our professional rescuers

suffering chronic to terminal illnesses, especially those that can be

attributed to exposure during the months after 9/11. First

Responders everywhere are at risk for health issues that don't go away.

For many it’s a chronic cough or…

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Added by Allen Wahlstrom on November 5, 2010 at 8:00pm — 2 Comments

CPR

I'm doing CPR this week in my EMT course and it's fun.

Added by Jonny Gordon on November 5, 2010 at 5:24pm — 1 Comment

Emergency Candles - Safer, Convenient, Cost Effective and Environmentally Friendly

Check out this innovative new concept in emergency candles. www.asafercandle.com

Fire Department Fundraiser Special allows you to generate much needed funds for your department while reducing

the chances of accidental candle fires in your community -Creates a Win-Win situation!

Added by Kevin Dawson on November 4, 2010 at 10:49am — No Comments

Running The Line: Estimating the Stretch

The housewatch wakes you, hitting the intercom yelling "first due box!". At o-dark-thirty did you hear the address? Did it tell you how many lengths you'll need?

Author's Note: Purpose of post is not to specifically critique the actions in any video and/or photographs, but to prompt discussion and illustrate various points. No fireground operation is 100% perfect. - bc

A recent… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on November 4, 2010 at 9:30am — No Comments

Economic challenges offer opportunities to shape the future

NOVEMBER PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Looking Forward: Economic challenges offer opportunities to shape the present & future

By Chief Jack Parow, MA, EFO, CFO, MIFireE

A look at our country’s history of recessions since the Great Depression shows that they are a very natural—though painful—part of the economic cycle. In fact, we’ve lived through… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 4, 2010 at 6:30am — No Comments

sops

I followed sops line officers would not return calls. sops state that we are to keep our gear in perfect order. I went to fix my helmet with one screw. I found the scew in my gear bag so I put back an out of service helmet. I was kjcked out of the company for this. Where did I go wrong? All I want to do is serve my community. Yet I was told I could never apply again. What kind of bull is clear brook company 13 pulling? They bmake the rules as they go.

Added by Mike Kaplan on November 3, 2010 at 8:34pm — 1 Comment

Firefighters & Back Injuries: The New Study

Study involving San Diego firefighters examines back muscle strength, endurance & flexibility

By Joe Verna, Colin Stowell, Richard Parker, Antonio Duran & John Mayer

For information about exercises to help support back strength, check out "Back for More: Exercises that can help prevent low back pain or injury," by Jeff and Martha Ellis, in the November issue… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 3, 2010 at 7:00am — No Comments

Age to take Evoc

Can you be sixteen and take Evoc or do you have to be a certain age?

Added by Frederick Martin on November 2, 2010 at 10:53pm — 2 Comments

Consider your words carefully when demeaning those who speak of "safer firefighters"!

Perception is reality...and a large part of one's perception is based upon their environment... past, present and their expected future.

For example, if you are around positive people the majority of your life then you more than likely will have a bright outlook on things and most who cross your path will consider you to be a smiling optimist. Conversely, if you spend most of your time around people and situations that steep in negativity then you will probably share a life view…

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Added by John Barrett on November 2, 2010 at 8:30pm — 1 Comment