How do you get a “reputation” in the fire service? Obviously there are two main types of reps a person can acquire. The good and the bad, but are either of those considered positive or negative?

I can only speak from my personal experience and based on direct feedback I received from mostly supervisors. I had a chance in the last week to sit down and have a cup of Joe with a fire chief I used to work for.

My book has caused a lot…

The video below shows a surprise live fire training session involving a school bus.  Although realistic, be cautious in setting up a surprise scenario.  Here are a few things to think about ahead of time if your the instructor in charge: Read on.

Pass it on!

Cristian Spetcu…

Emphasis has been on Rolling Stock -- Not Tactics

by: Lou Angeli

(St. Louis, MO ) - Ever since Neil Svetanics, former Chief of the St. Louis Fire Department, popularized the "Quint Concept" 20 years ago, the nation's fire departments have gone crazy for quints. The concept that some said was a only a passing fad is still claiming new…

Since ancient times, people have used thick walls of adobe or stone to trap the sun’s heat

during the day and release it slowly and evenly at night to heat their buildings. Today’s

low-energy(green) buildings often improve on this ancient technique by incorporating a thermal

storage and delivery system called a Trombe wall.

Read…

Hey, here are some pictures sent to me by a Brother who is going out the DOING the job. The whole job.  He and his crew are getting out and checking on things.  Bob gets IT and thanks for the pics.  These are in his still area and these are buildlings that get inspected and then they go right back to doing this kind of stuff.   We have to be prepared for everything and anything.  Imagine being the RIT and forcing the back door to make access for a Mayday and dealing with the mattresses?…

http://ineverwantedtobeafrieman.blogspot.com/

Thanks Commissioner for your service.http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/chicago-fire-commissioner-robert-hoff-firefighter-resigns-quits-mayor-rahm-emanuel-20120215See More

Thanks Chief for your service.http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/chicago-fire-commissioner-robert-hoff-firefighter-resigns-quits-mayor-rahm-emanuel-20120215

http://bit.ly/xq6mSM

I am looking for a current or former FDNY member that might be willing to speak at our 9/11 Remembrance ceremony. The Ceremony occurs in the evening on September 11th each year . Attendance is free to the public and all area firefighters are invited. Attendance runs about 300 to 500 people. Our county fire fighters association will cover cost.

Usually we allot 20-30 minutes for a guest speaker.

This will be our 11th ceremony.  The ceremony is traditionally a…

CFD-Chief Thomas Hoff:

Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of Chicago Battalion Chief Thomas Hoff dying in the line of duty. He is the Father of Chicago Fire Commissioner Bob Hoff.

HERE is a link to the information on the LODD from the archive at IFSI (Illinois Fire Service Institute):…

The following is a post with several insights and references on fire behavior, especially today’s fire behavior.  It’s not about guts or glory, but a priceless discussion on what the fire is doing in the buildings we are entering.

David Walsh (Program Chair for…

This past weekend we at Engine House Training, LLC had the distinct honor to interview and just talk with some of the leaders of the fire service at the 31st annual Missouri Winter Fire School. We were able to sit down with Billy Goldfeder, Dave Dodson, Forrest Reeder, Doug Cline and John Norman. To say the least, it was a great time. Click on the photo below to hear all of the podcasts. We also sat down with some of the great firefighters that attended. Challenge coins were flashed with two…

In a RIT Class I was taught how to make a 3:1 mechanical advantage system using three extra large carabiners and my personal escape rope.  You have a figure 8 with one carabiner to the victim, and a few feet behind the figure 8, away from the victime, a butterfly is made.  The rope works its way up to an anchor with the second carabiner.  The rope runs through this second carabiner, your anchor, and then the ropre runs through the third carabiner attached to the butterfly.  I'll try and get…

This post is from Lt Jason Deptula (Vermilion Twp. FD).

I’m sure we all practice RIT procedures in some fashion, here’s a twist to keep your crews focused on their situational awareness.  Send your attack team through an exterior door at your station or training center and let’s call that our “A” side of our working incident.  Have them proceed through a series of halls or rooms with a couple left or right hand turns.  While they are making their way through…

You are an engine company, not an Italian restaurant.

Despite what hoseload you choose to use, how you configure your hosebed and the number of members arriving as an engine company there is no excuse for spaghetti. It is even made worse when the engine is nosed in or "beached". Your 150' or 200' hoseline is…

Check out this video.  Heavy fire from the top floor.  Pre-arrival and post arrival footage.  What would you do?  What do you of their tactics?  Give us the report and your RECEO VS considerations.  Surf's up!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO!

Thanks and Be Safe!

Here’s a pretty easy drill for ladder truck placement training.  Phil Burden, JD Vasbinder, and Tom Wilcox have been doing this for years.

Pick a day, but Sunday’s work best when traffic is light.  Get your crew out of the recliners and take your truck out for a ride.  Pick a building, discus placement, set it up, recognize hazards, check out the roof, and see where and what you can reach.

Make it a Sunday morning habit and you will soon have greater efficiency and knowledge on…