Featured Blog Posts (1,722)

Chicago: Anatomy of a Building and it’s Collapse

Chicago: Anatomy of a Building and it’s Collapse

By Christopher J. Naum, SFPE

The tragic events in the City of Chicago on Wednesday December 22, 2010, when Chicago Firefighter Edward…

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Added by Christopher J. Naum, SFPE on December 27, 2010 at 2:16pm — No Comments

Remembering 5 Buffalo Firefighters Killed 27 Years Ago Today

The explosion injured approximately 60 other people, damaged a dozen city blocks and caused millions of dollars of damage in fire equipment.

A memorial to the five members of Buffalo Fire…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 27, 2010 at 5:00am — 5 Comments

Tales from a tailboard fireman: death on the job.

Once again the tragic news of firefighters killed. Two more deaths in Chicago, the city where I grew up. The firehouse where I got my firemanship merit badge in 1957 is still in use today. It was old then, a horse barn converted to house gas rigs years before that. I left Chicago years ago, but I still feel an attachment and a great sadness for the loss. I remember the firemen sitting on chairs on both sides of the apparatus door and peeking a look inside when I walked by. Those guys responded… Continue

Added by mike simms on December 23, 2010 at 9:59pm — No Comments

"Broken Rules" on Backstep Firefighter

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Added by Dave LeBlanc on December 23, 2010 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Lodd's

To the Fire Fighter Nation,

I would like to thank all the people that have sent there prayers, and kind words to me for our brave Brothers that answered the final bell this morning 335. Please keep all of the deceased and injured in your thoughts and prayers. THANK YOU!!
BE SAFE!!!

P basic
CFD

Added by paul on December 22, 2010 at 5:10pm — 1 Comment

"December: The Killing Month"

by Lou Angeli

December 22, 2010 -- Today firefighters and emergency personnel worldwide mourn the loss of 2 brave Chicago firefighters who perished during a building collapse in south city. It came on the 100th anniversary of the Union Stock Yards fire, which killed 21 Chicago firefighters.

Sadly though, 11 years ago this month a similar fire claimed the lives of 6 Worcester Mass Firefighters who were lost as they searched for 2…

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Added by Lou Angeli on December 22, 2010 at 8:54pm — No Comments

Paying Tribute: The 100th anniversary of the Chicago Union Stockyards Fire

In 1910, the Chicago Union Stockyards were one of the largest centers of industry in the world.

Just after 0400 HRS on the morning of Dec. 22, 1910, a fire broke out in the basement of a six-story cold storage warehouse building, specifically Warehouse…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 21, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Nothing Ordinary About It: 11 years ago, 3 firefighters perished in a seemingly routine residential structure fire

Nothing Ordinary About It

11 years ago, 3 firefighters perished in a seemingly routine residential structure fire

On Dec. 22, 1999, Dave McNally, Nathan Tuck and Jason Bitting died fighting a residential structure fire in Keokuk, Iowa. Although on the surface there was nothing special about the fire—no unusual fuel load, no explosions, it wasn’t a particularly large structure—this incident demonstrates… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 22, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

100 Years Later, Lessons from a Multiple LODD Still Hold True

100 Years Later, Lessons from a Multiple LODD Still Hold True

On Dec. 21-22, 1910, the Friedlander Leather Remnants factory in Philadelphia went up in flames. Although firefighters responded quickly and the department had the fire under control within an hour, the building was compromised, and the firefighters and police officers operating on scene were caught in the ensuing collapse. The collapse killed 11 firefighters and one police officer and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 21, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...December 21, 2010

Can you believe it? On Sunday we had our Santa Run and thank the Lord the weather held at about 30 degrees. What a blast! I sat between two guys and learned so much: how to spot a deer in the wood, slaughter it, etc.; what men like in women; views on divorce; and just other fun stuff a sheltered Catholic women wouldn't know.

What knowledge!

And there was the first call for a brush fire…

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Added by Denise Imperiale on December 21, 2010 at 7:00am — No Comments

Remembering Firefighter Michelle Smith

In Memory: Two years ago today, Delaware City Firefighter Michelle Smith, a 29 year old mother, was critically injured after being run down by a motorist while she was providing patient care to the vicitm of a motor vehicle accident on US Route 13. She died of her injuries 2 days later. Today, Delaware's Firefighters, Paramedics and EMTs remember Michelle, her family and the members of Station One-Five, Delaware City Fire Company.

Following her death, legislation was passed in the… Continue

Added by Lou Angeli on December 20, 2010 at 5:27pm — No Comments

Scenario-Based Training Substitutes for Years of On-the-Job Training

An example of scenario-based training highlights the advantages of this unique teaching tool

Story & Photos by Les Baker

How many times have you performed extrication tactics on an upright, undamaged vehicle in a junkyard? Do you consider that appropriate training for effectively handling most motor vehicle collisions? This form of training is suitable for basic skill development and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 20, 2010 at 1:00am — 1 Comment

All Firefighters and Fire Officer Should Complete This Course!

UL University recently releases an on-line training program based on an in-depth research project examining ventilation of single family dwellings. The Impact of Ventilation on Fire Behavior in Legacy and Contemporary Residential

Construction

is an excellent presentation on the influence of ventilation on fire behavior

and discussion of the tactical implications of the…

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Added by Ed Hartin on December 18, 2010 at 10:03pm — 3 Comments

3 FDNY Firefighters Killed 12 Years Ago Today

Cavalieri, Bohan & Bopp died when a flashover tore through a high-rise structure

This plaque is mounted in the lobby of 17 Vandalia St. in Brooklyn.

On Dec. 18, 1998, three FDNY… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 18, 2010 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

One Thing Leads to Another: Communicating is complex & requires a loop of information exchange

One Thing Leads to Another

Communicating is complex & requires a loop of information exchange

By Billy Schmidt

“The greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” -George Bernard Shaw

Communicating effectively is a necessary part of… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 17, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

"Expect Fire" - Baltimore, MD on Backstep Firefighter

By now many of you have heard about the tragic fire that occurred yesterday morning in Baltimore, MD. The original call was for fire on the porch, and it was…

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Added by Dave LeBlanc on December 15, 2010 at 6:00pm — No Comments

To Refurb or Not to Refurb—That Is the Question

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

With the economy being the way it is these days—department budgets stretched to the limit and layoffs happening all around us—the only logical choice for some fire chiefs is to cut their apparatus budgets. As a result, instead of buying million-dollar-plus aerial apparatus, they’re choosing to refurb existing apparatus at a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 15, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

’Tis the Season: One department’s quest to reduce cooking fires

’Tis the Season: One department’s quest to reduce cooking fires

By David L. Adams, R.A. CFO, CBO

If your department is like most, you respond to a lot of cooking fires, and the number of calls for them goes way up during the holidays. According to the NFPA, firefighters encounter three times as many cooking fires on Thanksgiving than on an average day—and cooking… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 14, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

A Primer on Flashover

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Added by Dave LeBlanc on December 13, 2010 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Hazmat Training: Preparing for the worst

By Jeff Carman

There’s an old saying among the firefighter community: “Train as if your life depends on it, because it does.” Training can mean the difference between life and death, particularly when it comes to hazardous materials. Knowing what to expect and being familiar with your PPE will ensure you’re prepared from the first day of your hazmat training. Ultimately, preparation leads to peace of mind in the hot zone.…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 13, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments