Fire Rescue Magazine's Blog (463)

Get Involved! Why the fire service needs your input in politics

Control Your Destiny

Your involvement in local & state politics can have a profound effect on the fire service

By Chief John Oceguera

Editor's Note: This article is reprinted from the January 2010 issue of FireRescue magazine.

“Politics? That’s got nothing to do with me, and besides, I’m too busy.”

It’s amazing how many times I hear that from my fellow firefighters. But consider: Every important decision that affects… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 3, 2010 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

Ventilation & search & rescue ops in lightweight structures

Light It Up

Ventilation & search & rescue ops in lightweight structures

Story & Photos by Stephen H. Higgs

Preservation of life—we all understand this critical part of our mission. These days, the question is often, “How do we ensure preservation of life in a lightweight structure?” In my February 2009 article in FireRescue magazine, “The Danger Within” (p. 64), I shared suggestions on how to understand fire behavior in lightweight structures and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 1, 2010 at 8:00am — 4 Comments

First Family: FDNY promotes father & son in the same ceremony

By Jane Jerrard

Photos Courtesy FDNY

Like all large metropolitan fire departments, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) has its share of career families—sons and daughters following their fathers into the department, brothers and cousins serving together, etc. But even so, Dec. 30, 2009, marked a first in the FDNY’s 145-year-history when it promoted a father and son on the same day, in the same class of 23 officers.…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 28, 2010 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Oregon Firefighters Face Unusual Confined-Space Rescue

RESCUE REPORT

By Tom Vines

Photos Courtesy Forest Grove Fire & Rescue

On Dec. 12, Oregon Firefighters were called to a confined-space rescue in an unexpected area: the forest backcountry.

At 1109 HRS, the Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCA) received a 911 call reporting that two men were stuck in a drain pipe in a remote area of the county—a site on private forest land approximately 15 miles northwest of Forest Grove,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 28, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

Communications Shot in the Foot

Lessons learned from an incident during which no one could get a handle on command & communication

Story by Bob Kolva

Photo iStock

Have you ever been on a call where communications started off on the wrong foot, and you never stopped stepping into snares of confusion until you were safe at home with your feet propped up? In order to save you from making the same mistakes we did, as you read this article, make note of the command and communication… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 27, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Magnum Donates Shoes & Boots to Haiti

Following the destructive earthquake in Haiti, many companies serving the fire, EMS and law enforcement communities are playing a crucial part in rescue efforts. Over the next few weeks, FireRescue will highlight those companies that are having a direct impact on relief efforts.

Following is one example of a company striving to make a difference in this devastated nation.

Following the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti earlier this month, Magnum Boots USA… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 27, 2010 at 11:00am — 2 Comments

What’s Happening to the WUI? Washington’s latest reactions

The wildland/urban interface (WUI) is constantly growing and changing. As a result, more and more homeowners are putting themselves at risk of experiencing a large, and potentially deadly, WUI fire. Fire departments, along with state and federal agencies, have had to come together on several occasions in the recent past to battle some of the largest wildland/WUI fires ever seen in this country. Add to that the fact that several other countries around the world are experiencing these same types… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 26, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Turnout liner technology takes a turn with DuPont's Nomex on Demand

The Plot Thickens

Turnout liner technology takes a turn with DuPont's Nomex on Demand

By Henry Costo

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the January 2010 issue of FireRescue magazine.

Despite considerable and continuous efforts during the last 15 years or so, not much has changed with regard to turnout gear composition and related thermal protective performance. Throughout this period, two fundamental concepts of NFPA 1971:… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 26, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

The Awareness Level: What to do when you need to hang back

FireRescue magazine's Fireground Operations column

The Awareness Level: What to do when you need to hang back

By Freddie LaFemina

You’re working your shift and you’re in the middle of a long tour. So far, your unit has responded to three structural fires and about a dozen medical-related incidents. After all of this work and no time for anything else, you receive a response for a man trapped in a hole. En route, you begin your mental size-up… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 25, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

Pelican Sends Vital Survival & Rescue Items to Provide Help in Haiti

Following the destructive earthquake in Haiti, many companies serving the fire, EMS and law enforcement communities are playing a crucial part in rescue efforts. Over the next few weeks, FireRescue will highlight those companies that are having a direct impact on relief efforts.

Following is one example of a company striving to make a difference in this devastated nation.

Pelican Products, the global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced lighting… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 22, 2010 at 2:30pm — No Comments

EJ Metals' Impressive Little Apparatus

INSIDE THE APPARATUS INDUSTRY

1 Impressive Little Apparatus: Although small in size, EJ Metal’s new Assault Force 70 FRRTV packs a firefighting punch

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

If you’re like me—an apparatus junkie—you’re always hunting for a new fire truck that’s both neat and can get the job done. One of these unique vehicles came across my desk the other day. Well, it didn’t literally come across my desk; I received an e-mail and product brochure… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 20, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

A Safer Search: Mastering the firefighter-oriented search method

A Safer Search: Mastering the firefighter-oriented search method

By Lieutenant Victoria Quick

When firefighters get in trouble inside a burning structure, it’s often because they’ve lost their orientation during a search and rescue operation. Although staying oriented may sound simple, it comprises a lot of details: dealing with low visibility, communicating with your crew, deciding what information to relay to your partner and to command,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 18, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Monument Honors Volunteer Firefighters

Pennsylvania’s Valley Firemen’s Association unveils monument to honor volunteer firefighters

Story & Photos by Fran Webb

A new monument now stands in Howard Elmer Park in Sayre, Pa. A dedication ceremony and unveiling was held on Oct. 10, 2009, under the veil of a large American flag, hung from the tips of two aerial trucks from Sayre Fire Department’s Engine Company No. 1 and Athens Township. The ceremony was the result of a 9-year-long effort to recognize the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 16, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Younger Isn’t Always Better: One department runs into trouble when only hiring rookies

Younger Isn’t Always Better

One department runs into trouble when only hiring rookies

By Scott Cook

I was visiting with a career firefighter friend the other day, and he lamented the fact that his department is short—extremely short—on personnel with the company officer knowledge/skill set. I asked him how they found themselves this way, and he answered that the HR department, with the full support of the fire chief, decided they’d just hire young… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 15, 2010 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Fit for Funds: New grant application assistance for fitness equipment

Fit for Funds: New grant application assistance program is now being offered for fitness equipment

Fitness equipment manufacturer SportsArt Fitness recently announced the start of its new grant application assistance program for all departments looking to obtain funding for fitness equipment.

According to Amber Maechler, Director of Marketing for SportsArt, the process is simple. “SportsArt is funding a specialist from firegrantshelp.com to help departments find the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 14, 2010 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Nevada Firefighters Rescue Couple Trapped Under a Car—in Bed!

RESCUE REPORT

Car Crashes into House, Pins Couple Sleeping in Bed

By Tom Vines

Photos Courtesy Sparks Fire Department

It seems at some point, every department responds to a car-into-a-house call. But on Oct. 20, Sparks, Nev., responders faced a new and unexpected situation involving a car vs. a house—a challenging extrication resulting from a love triangle gone wrong.

At 0411 HRS, the Sparks Fire Department was… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 14, 2010 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

How to Conduct Search and Rescue Over Large Urban Areas

In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, FireRescue is sharing some past articles related to structural collapse, earthquake response and USAR teams.

Searching High & Low: How to conduct search and rescue over large urban areas

Story & Photo By Fred LaFemina

July 2008, p. 44…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 5:30pm — No Comments

USAR Expert Comments on Haiti Earthquake

In light of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti late Tuesday, FireRescue magazine spoke with Harold Schapelhouman, former task force leader in charge of California Task Force 3. Schapelhouman offers his thoughts and insight on the current incident and the job ahead for the Fairfax and Los Angeles USAR teams. According to the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, VATF1 is en route to Haiti now and is expected to arrive around 4 pm EST; as of this writing, CATF2 was… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Lessons Learned from California Earthquake Exercise

In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, FireRescue is sharing some past articles related to structural collapse, earthquake response and USAR teams.

The following is excerpted from Capt. Larry Collins’ Major Incident Readiness Article “Ready to Shake: Lessons from earthquake exercise can be applied to many regions,” April 2009, p. 58. Photos Courtesy USGS

More than 5,000 firefighters and first responders participated in the nation’s largest disaster… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 13, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Cochran to first responders: Get vaccinated!

U.S. Fire Administrator Calls on Fire Service to Participate in National Influenza Vaccination Week

From the U.S. Fire Administration: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/media/press/2010releases/011110.shtm

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), which is January 10-16, 2010, provides an important opportunity to continue vaccination efforts. During the week, U.S. Fire… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 12, 2010 at 4:00pm — No Comments