Featured Blog Posts – November 2009 Archive (28)

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

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

The best advice I got from an old firefighter was:

We have such a wide variety of ages in the membership here at FirefighterNation.com. Such diversity offers the great opportunity to pass along nuggets of knowledge from the old, grizzled, sometimes cranky old veterans down to the younger firefighters who represent the future of the fire service.

Some are good, some are just plain funny. But, I've found that I can learn more from just listening to an old Chief talking then I can learn in any… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on November 7, 2009 at 4:08am — 4 Comments

Class A Foam Makes for Speedy Attack on Vehicle Fires

RURAL FIRE COMMAND

Quick Knockdown: Class A foam can make for a speedy attack on vehicle fires in rural areas

Story & Photos by Keith Klassen

Although vehicle fires are a common response for any department, they can be more challenging for rural departments where longer response times and distant water sources are common. In those situations, Class A foam can be an extremely helpful fire attack option.

Class A… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 5, 2009 at 12:00pm — 7 Comments

Candlemoth Syndrome

How many firefighters have experienced Candlemoth Syndrome? I know I have, particularly when I was younger and less experienced. Candlemoth Syndrome is a firefighting cousin of Target Fixation, where firefighters are drawn closely to the fire in disregard for proper firefighting tactics and for firefighter safety.

The definition of "… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on November 4, 2009 at 7:33pm — 7 Comments

Study recommends frequent rest for fire service instructors

Accept Your Limits: Study recommends frequent rest for fire service instructors

By Stefan Svensson

Recent studies conducted in Sweden have led to changes in the way live-fire instructors conduct training. The results of these studies were presented at the International Firefighting Safety Conference, held in conjunction with the International Fire Instructors Workgroup meeting in Australia earlier this year.

The studies measured consequences due to… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 3, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...November 2, 2009

Today is a day I will never forget. The Morris Township Fire Department was invited to… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 2, 2009 at 7:06pm — 1 Comment

30 Minutes a Week of Training is Unfair, "Unreal"...

I had just finished reading a depressing thought I found on facebook by Christopher Naum:

“There’s an awful lot of time, energy and resources being committed and directed towards fire service safety. Is anyone really listening? Does anyone really care?” Are we just running against the wind?

Almost immediately after reading that, I… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on November 2, 2009 at 1:36pm — 6 Comments