December 2009 Blog Posts (104)

Hello everyone, New to Firefighter Nation.

Hello everyone,

My name is Daniel J Rocha, I guess you could call me a rookie to firefighter nation. =)

I am glad to have found this site, and will now do what I can to engage myself with this site. Even though I am currently not part of the Fire Department/EMS, it is my aspiration to join and be part of a team of heroes. It's been a dream of mine, as I'm sure with all of you, to pursue a career in this field.

I am currently a student at Seneca College (Toronto,… Continue

Added by Daniel J Rocha on December 31, 2009 at 1:33pm — 7 Comments

The New Tool on the Block

Stanley Tools’ FUBAR Forcible Entry Tool is like a Halligan—but different

By Peter F. Kertize

Editor's Note: The following article appeared in the December 2009 issue of FireRescue magazine.

I first saw the Stanley FUBAR Forcible Entry Tool while doing some hands-on training at a fire service conference. I couldn’t help but notice all the people traipsing by, holding a shiny, new, odd-looking tool. My first gut impressions: 1) This looked like a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 31, 2009 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

A Paramedic Dies from Injuries Due to a Ambulance Wreck

A PARAMEDIC FROM DOUGLASVILLE,GA GOT INJURED IN A LATE SATURDAY NIGHT CRASH BETWEEN AN AMBULANCE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE DIED MONDAY MORNING ON 12-28-2009. DUE TO HIS INJURIES.HE WAS ONLY 37 YEARS OLD JUST BEEN WITH THE DEPT FOR A YEAR AS A MEDIC AND GRADUATED ON DEC 3RD FROM THE FIRE FACILITY OF DOUGLAS CO, GA AS A FIREFIGHTER. HE WAS ANSWERING A CALL TO A VEHICLE FIRE WITH INJURIES .THE AMBULANCE HAD LIGHTS AND SIRENS GOING WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN THE COLLISION IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE… Continue

Added by sherry miles on December 31, 2009 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

Firefighter "AIG" Problem

For the second year, taxpayers are screaming about the end-of-year bonuses provided to Wall Street executives.

While the pile is money is much lower, career firefighters are encountering taxpayer anger. Let's look at two issues:

TIME-TO-RETIRE

In the last half of the 20th century, some IAFF locals and state associations were successful in reducing the time required to qualify for a pension. Part of the argument was the punishing work conditions as a city… Continue

Added by Mike Ward on December 31, 2009 at 11:40am — 3 Comments

I'm taken back by people....

I was wearing on my department t-shirt today while I was at the store and a customer behind me noticed the shirt then went off on a rant on me. He started calling me a fool for thinking I could change the world. As a firefighter I never think I can change the world, just help it. I have no idea what this guys problem is with firefighters, but man I wish I knew...

Added by Christian Cossey on December 31, 2009 at 1:17am — 6 Comments

Training the New and Old

Some firefighters do, but others don’t or haven’t in a while, so train like your life depends on it. If we want to be the best on the fire ground, we must require the best on the training ground. Find creative ways to maximize your training resources and you will see new energy amongst the ranks.

Get out of the recliners, loose the “retired on duty” mindset, and slap complacency in the face by re-energizing yourself, your company and your department with “outside the box” training… Continue

Added by Paul Hasenmeier on December 30, 2009 at 8:22pm — No Comments

Flight 3407 Responders Recognized for Response and Recovery Efforts

Buffalo radio station WBEN-930AM listeners have overwhelming chosen the first responders who responded to the crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Clarence Center, NY on February 12, 2009 as their "Persons-of-the-Year."

Congratulations to all those involved in the response effort.…

Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on December 30, 2009 at 1:57pm — 2 Comments

Trying to aquire a Bismarck ND patch

Well, I am on this site, and I cant seem to find the patch exchange page. So, I am Providence Fireman, and our collection of State Capital patches is 49 strong, we cant seem to get the 50th state which is Bismarck, N.D. I did write them, and call them, but they seem to think that due to Homeland secutriy issues, or some nonsense they wont exchange, or sell a patch, however we did get one from the Bismarck ND Police..lol Anyway. If anyone has a Bismarck, N.D. patch to trade, or sell to the… Continue

Added by The Commish on December 29, 2009 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Tradition...History...Honor...9/11 Is all our spirit gone?

My name is Kevin O'Brien and will not hide behind anything or anyone about being a Firefighter!

Where has it gone? Our spirit, tradition and honor! Too many young kids on the job forget what is important. Is it beacuse our lives are too busy? Perhaps!

I worked in the FDNY from 1981 and retired 2002. I have seen so many things. It made me strong in many ways and also made me weak. I learned from the past by paying attention to the "senior" members and so should you! Our… Continue

Added by Kevin OBrien on December 29, 2009 at 5:30pm — 1 Comment

Tough on Tattoos: Like it or not, body modifications can reduce your chances of getting hired

Tough on Tattoos: Like it or not, body modifications can reduce your chances of getting hired

By Scott Cook

This month I’m going to talk about body modification: tattoos and piercings.

Now I know some of us believe that body modifications are really a personal choice, and they’re often done as a remembrance or celebration of someone important in our lives—and that’s all well and good. Tattoos and piercings are your business. You like… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 29, 2009 at 8:00am — 51 Comments

Chronicles of a New Chief: Incident Command Secrets Part I

12/12/09

I also serve as a Deputy EMS Coordinator for the County. In this volunteer position my role is to respond to incidents involving two or more EMS agencies in my half of the County. The coordinator’s job is to represent the Emergency Management Office and ensure that all EMS agencies on scene are working together, all patients are being cared for, and just try to be of general help while not getting in the way. Most incidents are vehicle crashes, although I have also… Continue

Added by Joe Stoltz on December 27, 2009 at 3:47pm — 2 Comments

Firefighters Attacked

You have got to read this one. Who would have suspected this in winter. www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20091227/NEWS05/312279938 .

Added by Tom Wheland on December 27, 2009 at 9:29am — 4 Comments

How Total Newbies Make You Safer

Every fire station, flight program, ambulance service and communications center has one or will get one soon. Anyone want to venture a guess?

If you’re thinking Dalmatian puppy or poster of Paramedic Johnny Gage,* your sentiment is appreciated.

The answer, however, is a new… Continue

Added by Troy Shaffer on December 26, 2009 at 9:30pm — 3 Comments

Firefighter Life Safety Resource Kit Volume 4

Request a Copy of the Firefighter Life Safety Resource Kit Volume 4

http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/kits/volume4/request.html

Added by fire investigator 21 on December 26, 2009 at 8:20pm — No Comments

Tales from a tailboard fireman. Firehouse behavior 2

Food at the firehouse brought some good comments. Seagulls are birds that inhabit coastal areas and dumps. They are also firefighters who swoop other people's food. We have all done it at some level, but some make it an everyday event. Most firehouses have three cabinets designated for the three shifts to keep their supplies in. Staples that are not covered by house dues are fair game to all. The private shift stash is sometimes locked to prevent "gulling." Big houses may have three… Continue

Added by mike simms on December 26, 2009 at 5:56pm — 2 Comments

Fire/Rescue-Autism Training

www.firerescueautism.com for firefighter/EMS autism awareness training.

Fire/Rescue Autism is dedicated to increase Autism Awareness for the First Responders. Our members have trained over 10,000 firefighters and EMT's in the United States in Autism Awareness and we have given First Responders the tools necessary to mitigate incidents that they may come across. We are available to assist your department or organization in setting up a training… Continue

Added by Bill Cannata on December 26, 2009 at 11:00am — 1 Comment

The Christmas gift!

This is how it looks unwrapped yet under the tree. If the Chargers hadn't been laying a woopn' on the Titans I'd be playing it now.

Added by Jay Nicholson on December 25, 2009 at 11:09pm — 1 Comment

Two children die in Christmas morning house fire

This morning my pager went off for a residential structure fire with a rescue. The events that unfolded were not a good way to start my Christmas day but I love my job and I will continue to do it. I thought the day would get better but we had a truck get into an accident on the way back from the scene, nobody was hurt thankfully. Then I post a simple message to my friends including a message about making sure your smoke detectors work and I get a 16 friend of my lil sister respond with a laugh… Continue

Added by Katrina A. Graves on December 25, 2009 at 6:29pm — 1 Comment

Tales from a tailboard fireman: Firehouse behavior

Most people on the street know firefighters eat at work and do other stuff as shown on TV or in movies. They have no idea of the complex social system that exits behind those roll-up doors.

While traveling in Italy years ago I visited a firehouse in Florence. While being given a tour, I noticed the cabinets in the kitchen had padlocks on them. When I asked, I was informed it was to protect against, "The other shifts stealing our food." Same problem the world over. Food and all that implies… Continue

Added by mike simms on December 25, 2009 at 12:17pm — 2 Comments

Chronicles of a New Chief

On 7 December 2009 I was elected Fire Chief by my Department. This is for a one year term for the calendar year 2010, overseeing the operation of a rural volunteer fire department serving about 2800 people over an area of 40 square miles.

As this will be my first time as chief, I’ve experienced a wide range of thoughts and emotions since the election. I had the idea that if I captured some of these thoughts and emotions and published them as a blog, they would prove humorous to… Continue

Added by Joe Stoltz on December 24, 2009 at 8:30pm — 8 Comments