Fire Rescue Magazine's Blog (463)

Will fire prevention strategies used in other countries work in the U.S.?

FIRE PREVENTION

Foreign Concepts: Will fire prevention strategies used in other countries work in the U.S.?

By Jim Crawford

A great deal of attention is being given to the latest studies from Tri-Data and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention on fire prevention efforts around the world (free download), and rightly so. But the results of the studies should be no surprise to the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 30, 2009 at 8:00am — 3 Comments

Do You Know the Letters of Leadership?

The Letters of Leadership

You don’t have to be born a leader; you can learn these valuable skills

By Battalion Chief Jonathan L. Pennington

I was standing in a burned-out kitchen at one of our housing projects, giving advice to an acting captain on the hazards of not performing a thorough overhaul. My shift has had a captain’s vacancy for some time, and this acting captain had been filling the slot. Tests had already been given, interviews were scheduled,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 25, 2009 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

Fire in the Hole! Transformer vault explosions & carbon monoxide are a dangerous mix

Fire in the Hole!

Transformer vault explosions involving carbon monoxide require specific size-up & tactics

By Freddie LaFemina

We all understand the major difference between transformer vaults and manholes: Manholes can have multiple types of utilities inside their spaces: gas, water, steam, etc. Underground transformer vaults store electrical equipment.

But when there’s a fire in either one, which occurs quite frequently, things can… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 23, 2009 at 10:00am — No Comments

How USAR Started, Part 1

FireRescue's Technical Rescue Web column

How It All Started

The history of the national Urban Search & Rescue program, part 1

By Harold Schapelhouman

During this current economic crisis, as many agencies struggle for survival and all of us look for answers, it’s easy to lose focus on the future. Where we are and where we need to go are often not the same place— and that applies to the nation’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 20, 2009 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Visit the USS New York: In Tribute

USS NEW YORK: In Tribute

On Friday, October 30, 2009, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center opened a new exhibit, USS NEW YORK: In Tribute.

In 2002, the U.S. Navy approached Governor Pataki to request steel from the World Trade Center for a new ship. Seven and a half tons of World Trade Center steel was melted into the bow stem of the USS NEW YORK, which will be commissioned in New York on Nov. 7, 2009. For any further information about the USS NEW YORK, please visit… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 19, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Hydraulic Ram: The Forgotten Tool

THE CUTTING EDGE

Hydraulic Ram: The Forgotten Tool

Use the hydraulic ram to create more space in the passenger compartment

By Brad Havrilla

During extrications, the hydraulic ram seems to be the third tool of choice, following cutters and spreaders. This is only natural, I suppose, as we’re taught to spread the doors and cut the roof pillars and the hinges. The only use for rams has been to push the dash.

I’ve watched European rescuers use rams… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 19, 2009 at 1:00pm — 2 Comments

Challenges of Wind-Driven High-Rise Fires

Blowin’ In the Wind, Part 5

The challenges of working in wind-driven high-rise fires

By Fred LaFemina

Editor's Note: This article is part of a series on high-rise fires. Read the other posts:

Part 1: Understanding conditions behind wind-driven fires…

Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 16, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

When “Through the Lock” Won’t Work: Tips for forcing entry without the usual tools

When “Through the Lock” Won’t Work

Tips for forcing entry without the usual tools

Story & Photos by Steve Shupert

Figure 1a & 1b…

Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 16, 2009 at 8:00am — 6 Comments

3 Hot New Products from Fire Research Corp.

One Proactive Manufacturer: Fire Research Corp. pumps out 3 new innovative products

By Bob Vaccaro

Long Island, where I hail from, is not really known as a hotbed of fire industry manufacturers. However, one company that calls this place home is actually a major player in the game—a player that may sometimes get overlooked: Fire Research Corp. (FRC).

If you attend the various fire service shows around the country like I do, it would be really unusual if you… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 15, 2009 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Firefighter Locating Systems Not Yet Ready for Real Time

Review of Worcester Polytechnic Institute's fourth annual Precision Indoor Personnel Location and Tracking for Emergency Responders workshop

By John Sullivan

The fourth annual Precision Indoor Personnel Location and Tracking for Emergency Responders workshop was held Aug. 3–4 at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Mass. This workshop is the only national opportunity for researchers and developers of various tracking technologies to come… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 12, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Know Who You Should Thank for Their Work--& How to Thank Them

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Giving Thanks: Know who you should thank for their work—and how to thank them

By Jim Broman

The mayor stood and walked to the podium, pulling a small set of speaking notes from his jacket. He glanced across the banquet tables filled with city employees, volunteers and family members. After noting several challenges of the previous year, he ticked off an impressive list of accomplishments.

“We could not have realized these… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 11, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Approaches to more effectively & safely attacking high-rise fires

High in the Sky

Approaches to more effectively & safely attacking high-rise fires

Editor’s note: Over the years, complex high-rise fires have challenged some of our most seasoned firefighters; these fires include the First Interstate Bank of Los Angeles, Four Leaf Towers in Houston and The One Meridian Plaza in Philadelphia. Some of the most extreme issues deal with wind-driven fires, limited access for civilian rescues, complex air management requirements and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 9, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Class A Foam Makes for Speedy Attack on Vehicle Fires

RURAL FIRE COMMAND

Quick Knockdown: Class A foam can make for a speedy attack on vehicle fires in rural areas

Story & Photos by Keith Klassen

Although vehicle fires are a common response for any department, they can be more challenging for rural departments where longer response times and distant water sources are common. In those situations, Class A foam can be an extremely helpful fire attack option.

Class A… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 5, 2009 at 12:00pm — 7 Comments

It's Your Job! Company officers ensure quality training

Company Officer Development

Quality Assurance: As a company officer, you are responsible for the successful training of your crew

By Kurt Ederer

Success in the fire service means providing quality emergency response and great customer service while ensuring the safety of both your firefighters and the public. It means keeping up with technology and staying ahead of the ever-increasing challenges of saving life and property. To do… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 4, 2009 at 12:00pm — 3 Comments

Australia uses unique approaches to protect firefighters from carcinogens & heat injury

After the Fire’s Out: Australia uses unique approaches to protect firefighters from carcinogens & heat injury

Story & Photos by Kriss Garcia

Recently, I traveled to Australia for the second annual meeting of the International Fire Instructors Workgroup (IFIW), a loosely organized group of fire practitioners from across the world. The group’s mission: to participate in an annual informal meeting aimed at blending cutting-edge international expertise through the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 3, 2009 at 12:30pm — 4 Comments

Study recommends frequent rest for fire service instructors

Accept Your Limits: Study recommends frequent rest for fire service instructors

By Stefan Svensson

Recent studies conducted in Sweden have led to changes in the way live-fire instructors conduct training. The results of these studies were presented at the International Firefighting Safety Conference, held in conjunction with the International Fire Instructors Workgroup meeting in Australia earlier this year.

The studies measured consequences due to… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 3, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

"Emergency's" Squad 51 to appear at Firefighter Cancer Support Network annual gala

Reservations are now being accepted for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) Dinner/Gala “Fight Cancer With Fire”. The event will be held on November 10, 2009 during the IAFF’s “Redmond Symposium” at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles.

The event will start at 6:00 p.m. and guests will be greeted by the original “Squad 51” from the 1970’s hit television show “Emergency” proudly on display. Opening ceremonies will include a performance by the California Professional… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 30, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Exemption from traffic laws doesn't exempt you from safe driving

…With Appropriate Care

Being exempt from regular traffic laws doesn’t exempt apparatus operators & company officers from ensuring safe driving

By Scott Cook

On April 9, AOL Autos published an article titled, “‘We Run Red Lights for a Living’: Inside A Fire Engine Driver’s Mind.” The article in and of itself is pretty informative, with quotes from a Boston Fire Department engineer such as: “There’s a fire there, there’s still gonna be… Continue

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

What You Need to Know to Properly Spot & Stabilize an Aerial

TRUCK COMPANY OPERATIONS

Ready, Set … Proper aerial spotting & stabilizing requires a thorough knowledge of your rig

By Peter F. Kertzie

Local carnivals move and set up several times, often weekly, as they move from town to town. The North Bailey Fire Department was in view from my bedroom window in the house I grew up in. Each year, the department held a firefighter carnival, complete with a ring toss, chicken barbecue, refreshment tent and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 28, 2009 at 11:30am — 4 Comments

The (secret) dark side: The reality of a first responder’s job can be traumatic

The (secret) dark side: The reality of a first responder’s job

can be traumatic

Story & Photo by Harold Schapelhouman

Recently, I was asked to do a presentation for a Catholic men’s group on the various disasters I’ve responded to over the years. More than 100 men showed up to the event, where I delivered about a 45-minute discussion that included the Loma Prieta earthquake, the Oklahoma City bombing, the attack on the World Trade Center, the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 27, 2009 at 8:00am — 2 Comments