All Blog Posts (7,007)

Are Your Ears Burning? - PPE advances aren’t to blame for poor risk assessment & decision-making

Over the last 25 years, protective clothing manufacturers have made great strides in designing a safer, more effective protective ensemble. In years past, firefighters were provided with nothing more than a raincoat, tin helmet, rubber boots and fireball gloves (made of plastic, no less). Today, most firefighters throughout the country are provided with a fully encapsulating ensemble that incorporates technological advancements in thermal protection, breathability, chemical resistance and… Continue

Added by Timothy Sendelbach on February 28, 2009 at 8:17pm — 9 Comments

thrusday night fire!

I worked a fire last thursday it was hot. we were called out at 10:30 thursday night to a sturture that was struck by lightning we we got on scene it was a single story building with two roll up doors on one end and we had smoke rolling out of the end. it was a marble sink factury! We made entry throw and side door and i tryed to open the first roll up door and it got stuck and so i moved to the second door i could not see five inches in front of my face the heat and smoke was so hot and thick… Continue

Added by joe c robert's jr on February 28, 2009 at 7:00pm — 3 Comments

IAFC Issues Fire/EMS Survival Alert

2009 isn’t starting out on a positive trend as far as firefighter LODDs go. Accordingly, the IAFC yesterday issued a Fire/EMS Survival Alert to its members. The goal: get departments to redouble their efforts to prevent firefighter injuries and deaths by reviewing and establishing safe practices for driving, MVAs, health and fitness and more.

The alert noted that so far in 2009, just some fire/EMS LODDs include:

• Several firefighter LODDs due to medical emergencies

•… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on February 28, 2009 at 6:49pm — 2 Comments

You Make the Call - C-Spine Precautions

Let's place a game of You make the call...

You can comment here and/or read other comments at my home blog, linkable from my profile page.

This call was one of the ones I look back on as a perfect example of why a blanket C-Spine protocol is never a good idea. Paramedics need the training and authority to "clear" C-Spine in the field based on proven assessment techniques.

I'm assigned to an ALS ambulance dispatched to a PD eval late on a Saturday night to a… Continue

Added by the Happy Medic on February 28, 2009 at 4:24pm — 8 Comments

mayor fires all 21 volunteers!

Gregory Mayor Fires Entire Volunteer Fire Department

GREGORY - The mayor of Gregory has dissolved the volunteer fire department as of Thursday night.

Gregory volunteer firefighters found out Thursday night that their services were no longer needed, leaving the residents of Gregory without any help if their homes catch fire.

During a training session at the Gregory Volunteer Fire Department Thursday night, members said the mayor and chief of… Continue

Added by Sarah on February 28, 2009 at 2:08pm — 9 Comments

AMBER ALERT!!! issued in frankfort kentucky

victim:

Breanna Woodside

WHITE F

Age 2 Height 3' 0" Weight 35 lbs.

Hair BLONDE Eyes HAZEL

PURPLE SWEATPANTS, PURPLE/PINK STRIPED SHIRT, BLACK JACKET WITH PINK LINING, BLUE SHOES

Suspects:

Miles Woodside

WHITE M

Age 30 Height 6' 1" Weight 190 lbs.

Hair RED Eyes BLUE

LOOSE BLUE JEANS AND TENNIS SHOES, NO FURTHER AVAILABLE.

SILVER 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR

License… Continue

Added by Jessica Travis on February 28, 2009 at 2:00pm — 4 Comments

A New You Make the Call every Friday

Over at the Happy Medic we tried out a new feature that got a lot of attention, You Make the Call. Becasue of the popularity we're now doing it every friday, with the conclusion of each scenario on monday afternoons. Gives you the weekend to ponder.

Much like the old football game feature, I present a situation from my past and you, the visitor, tell me what you would do based on your training, experience and protocols or SOGs.

Its a great way to learn from others and get… Continue

Added by the Happy Medic on February 28, 2009 at 9:15am — No Comments

A Passing Thought

Both my boys made honor roll. Andy Jr. made high honor roll. I wondered how to describe how he retains his knowledge. Then I thought, he absorbs it. Then I thought, hmmm absorbing junior. Nah, I further thought. I better leave this one lie. :D

Added by Andy Marsh on February 28, 2009 at 4:14am — No Comments

Almost done

hey guys just wanted to anounce that i passed my final written test for emt-basic class. now all i have to do is pass my practicals on saturday. wish me luck. after that then i go on to take the national registry. i cant wait. well thanx for reading.

Added by HoneyLee on February 27, 2009 at 9:18pm — No Comments

My wife fought the dragon!

Earlier this week, my wife followed in the footsteps of the rest of the family into the fire service! The incident was at a house fire in the northern part of our district. Although the home couldn't be saved, the neighbors home was with just cosmetic damage.

I was so proud of her! This was her first working structure fire. She manned a 11/2 inch line solo for a time ( she admits it was "whupping her ass" too!) until the other mutual aid departments arrived to help out. She then secured… Continue

Added by Tandy Young on February 27, 2009 at 8:30pm — 2 Comments

Fire Strong

we had a call wed. it was a structure Burn just on fire pretty cool because thats our first structure this year hope we get more vist our web site at www.eureka54.org

Added by Bryan on February 27, 2009 at 7:06pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 27, 2009

Today is a day I will never forget. I was on my weekly Eucharistic Minister visit, sitting among five old Italians (I'm Italian too) and I got the call that I passed my test.

I burst into tears.

I thank everyone for believing in me.

PS I will always be a rookie firefighter.

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 27, 2009 at 6:19pm — 6 Comments

To exercise, or not to exercise ~ Reformation of a computer chair potato?

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have been very sedentary this winter. I've been a near complete computer chair potato. I always feel very run down and frequently depressed. I started a new night turn job in the fall that has been challenging.

I'm weak, overweight and out of shape. I think there may be a link between all of the aforementioned facts. Fortunately, despite not taking good enough care of my body, I am healthy with no illnesses or infirmities.

The thought has… Continue

Added by O'Kitty on February 27, 2009 at 12:48pm — 3 Comments

Sorry in advance

Okay guys its down to the wire and I need to study so I will not be able to post or talk at least for the next month. I REALLY want to get onto the fire dept down here so no excuses. I will be back in a month. Everyone stay safe.

Added by kari (kat) kotara on February 27, 2009 at 9:21am — 2 Comments

What Burns Me Up...

Is when people on your Dept. run's there mouth about stuff that never happen... and i hope some of them read this... Because if it happen's one more time i will quit the Dept. it is happening on... FOR GOOD AND I WILL NEVER GO BACK BECAUSE IT IS ALL BULL SHIT...

Added by Bobby Armstrong on February 27, 2009 at 3:40am — 5 Comments

Amature Radios

Does anyone have any amature radios that is hand held or montable for cheap. Call me at 1-574-387-0717 or message me.Thanks

Added by Brandon Dove on February 27, 2009 at 3:27am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 26, 2009

My friend got her test results today and she failed the test for the second time. I am so sad for her. I didn't find out my results yet and am having a panic attack.

Did you ever see the Secret? Read the Secret book? I've been trying desparately to believe I'll pass, believe I'll get a job, believe the stuff with my daughter will get better. I am trying fervently, I mean fervently to keep the faith.

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 26, 2009 at 7:00pm — 5 Comments

Bunker Gear

If your bunker gear truly doesnt fit you talk to your Dept. Safety Officer. That the place to start since this sounds like a safety issue

Added by David Schnitker on February 26, 2009 at 5:01pm — No Comments

Bunker Gear

Does anyone have a used set of bunker gear for sale that is cheap.Please message me if they do i need some bad.

Added by Brandon Dove on February 26, 2009 at 4:50pm — 2 Comments

Am I too emotionally weak for this profession?

I'm no veteran to this life as a firefighter, but I'm no rookie either. I've seen messed up things in life doing this job just as much as the next firefighter, but sometimes this job really gets to me. I don't know what's down this road anymore. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way, but sometimes it seems like it. I try to stay strong and show it doesn't bother me, but I think it's really getting to me now. I guess it got to my husband as well. From one of my previous blog posts some… Continue

Added by Christian Cossey on February 26, 2009 at 4:47pm — 7 Comments