December 2009 Blog Posts (104)

Collyer Mansion, Part II

Three universal fireground considerations from actual incidents

This morning, Dec. 23, 2009 news reports of two hoarding fires that claimed occupants,

Alabama: "In some cases,… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on December 23, 2009 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Asking For Help But Dont Seem To be Getting Any At All

Hello All

I Am a firefighter with a small department on Raccoon Mountain all together we have 25 firefighrers . .The department is small and funded by the members. The gear we have now is old and worn out and some without gear.

We need some help so we can try to get these firefighters in some gear and try to replace some of the old stuff so they can fight fires the only problem is we dont have the funds to get any gear at all .

We have filed for grants and had no luck so im… Continue

Added by christopher on December 23, 2009 at 3:36pm — No Comments

Help Needed

To all firefighters my name is Jay Griffin I'm the Hamilton County Fire Coordinator in Hamilton County N.Y. on 12/ 16/09 The Raquette Lake Fire Chief Tom Mattice lost his home and everything he owned to fire. Raquette Lake is one of my smallest F.D. in the county 10 fire fighters and Ambulance members, the lost of the Chiefs home hit everyone super hard. we are looking for donations to help tom who had no insurance! the cause has been linked to the family christmas tree . If you can make a… Continue

Added by Jay Griffin on December 23, 2009 at 12:59pm — No Comments

Changes to NFPA 1901: Measuring Tire Pressure

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Changes to NFPA 1901: Each tire on the apparatus must be equipped with a method to measure tire pressure

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

For those of you who have been following the new NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, there are many changes worth addressing—and most of us agree that the changes are for the better.

According to general requirement 4.13.4, one of those changes is that each tire on… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 23, 2009 at 11:30am — 3 Comments

Hey

I'm on facebook also.... julie Waskewich

Added by Julie on December 22, 2009 at 1:53pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...December 22, 2009

Ho Ho Ho!

This is Tuesday, right?

Sunday was our Santa Run and my body still hasn't recovered. I rode on the back of a trailer in gear after our foot of snow the night before, handing out candy canes to families who came out of their homes. We also were met with many happy dogs who were tossed a biscuit by our energetic Brian!

Santa was in style this year in a brand new sleigh donated by the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on December 22, 2009 at 11:32am — 6 Comments

How USAR Started, Part 3

FireRescue magazine's Technical Rescue Web column

The First Deployment: Hurricane Iniki

The history of the national Urban Search & Rescue program, part 3

By Harold Schapelhouman

Editor's Note: This article is part of a series on the history of the national USAR program. Read the previous posts:

Part 1: How It All… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 22, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my Brothers and Sisters A Christmas wish to all, Be Safe this Hoiliday if you are the ones working, enjoy the time with family and friends if you are not working, and let us not forget those Brothers and Sisters of both the fire service, police and millitary who have fallen while protecting us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

John Washington Twp Fire Station 45

Added by John on December 22, 2009 at 7:58am — 2 Comments

Massive fire burns through row of Bronx stores

BRONX (WABC) -- A fifth-alarm fire burned through a row of stores in the Norwood section of the Bronx.

The fire broke out in a store on East 204th Street just after 4:30 a.m. and quickly spread.

Heavy flames shot through the roof of several of the businesses.

Massive fire burns in the Bronx

The Foodtown supermarket, American Diner and Bainbridge Dental Associates were all damaged by the flames.

Two firefighter sustained minor injuries… Continue

Added by Robert Mott on December 21, 2009 at 10:36am — No Comments

Tales from a Tailboard Fireman: Head shots and other lessons

LESSONS

In 1974, just off my year probation, Light Unit 10 was dispatched to a difficulty breathing call. I was higher classed as the driver and had a probie fireman with me. This was before EMT training, and the ambulances did not carry paramedics yet. When we arrived at the low-rent apartment complex we found a 60-year-old man down. Liquor was evident and two women were standing in the room. The guy was not breathing. He looked like he had been down for a while so I asked how long… Continue

Added by mike simms on December 21, 2009 at 12:30am — 1 Comment

The Science of Fire (Old)

Fire can be one of nature’s most devastating natural forces. However it can also be one of the most scientific. I am almost certain that almost any normal person doesn’t know a large amount about fire, other than the fact that burns. There are many different aspects of fire. The first aspect is how fires ignite. This includes the elements need for fire to exist. Next, the next bit of information about fire is the stages of fire. There are four stages; these include ignition, growth, fully… Continue

Added by Sean Miller on December 21, 2009 at 12:11am — 7 Comments

A Decline in Volunteer Firefighters and What Can Be Done About It

"It takes a very special person to volunteer his time," (Stephens et al 14) however, the number of these special people who volunteer as firefighters is declining and fire departments are doing all they can to retain current volunteer firefighters and gain new ones. Over the years, the number of volunteer firefighters within the United States has been declining. Not only is it becoming difficult to persuade people in joining fire departments, but it is also becoming more difficult to retain the… Continue

Added by Sean Miller on December 21, 2009 at 12:02am — 8 Comments

Recruitment and Retention: A Look at What's Working.

With the number of volunteers decreasing throughout the nation, there are many actions being taken to counteract this situation. Recruitment and retention is the volunteer fire services new battle. From different training activities to gain interest, to recruitment drives and incentive plans, there are many varying approaches to this problem. On the other hand, what is really working?

From a volunteers perspective I feel that the fire departments suffering from low numbers of volunteers… Continue

Added by Sean Miller on December 20, 2009 at 11:59pm — 1 Comment

We Are So Eager to be Offended. Well, Get Offended About This.

When will they grow up?

In another controversial case racial tensions ignite, shining the spotlight of idiocy on a tiny majority firefighters- yet again.

A story from the Connecticut Post reports that an email sent by an FDNY Battalion Chief to the Captain at the Bridgeport CT Fire Department contained a small message at bottom. The Bridgeport Captain then… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on December 20, 2009 at 11:08pm — 1 Comment

Becoming an EMT

HEY EVERYONE IM GETTING READY TO TAKE THE EMT CERT COURSE IM LOOKING FOR TIPS ON THE CLASS CAN ANYONE OFFER ANY .THANKS IN ADVANCE

Added by ALAN BARBEAU on December 20, 2009 at 6:32pm — 4 Comments

Collyer Mansion, Part I

Given that much of Wash., D.C. is snowed in, this old article seems appropriate - BC.

Everyone in the fire service, no matter their location, should be familiar with term "Collyer… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on December 20, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Fiji dispatch

Now I have uploaded photoes that I dispacthed in Fiji (national fire authority) for fire fighting skill.
Please check out!!
http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/nkkezy/FIJIDispatch#

Added by Kenji Nakanishi on December 20, 2009 at 3:39am — 3 Comments

Another under lying issue besides a noose and blatant accusations

Breaking news, this just in.... I am not a journalist and have no ties to the journalism agenda. My personal opinion though is that this is the main reason for so much discontent with the recent "noose-gate" scandal on this site.

I am a proud veteran that carries around a pocket size copy of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I served our countries military to ensure that all rights are protected. But with that must come some due diligence by those backing themselves up with these… Continue

Added by Capt.Alex Arnold on December 18, 2009 at 3:30pm — 3 Comments

EMT-Basic....

Well, as I post this I am getting ready for my National Regisrty Practical exam tomorrow, Saturday the 19th of December.....I'm nervous as all get out!!! The work has been put in, but I am wondering if it will be enough......

Added by Sheri Caelwaerts on December 18, 2009 at 12:45pm — No Comments

Live & Learn: Call reviews enrich volunteer training

Live & Learn: Call reviews enrich volunteer training

Story & Photos by Bob Kolva

These days, there seems to be a virtual cornucopia of urban-oriented training tools. Retired big-city battalion chiefs flock to magazine-sponsored tradeshows and seminars to discuss the best way to manage multiple engine companies during a chemical plant fire or prepare for incidents involving WMDs. Unfortunately, such a wealth of training resources doesn’t exist for volunteer… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 18, 2009 at 8:00am — 1 Comment