Fire Rescue Magazine's Blog (463)

Are You Physically Fit? The Wrong Answer Could Cost You

REALITY CHECK

By Scott Cook

In January, Hood County, Texas, narrowly avoided our first line of duty death (LODD). Operating at the scene of a structure fire, a firefighter complained of some chest pain. When he was evaluated, he was found to be having a heart attack. Rushed to the hospital—and defibrillated out of v-fib twice during his course of treatment in the cath lab—he is alive… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 11, 2011 at 7:00am — 4 Comments

We're Much More Than First Responders

Our Changing Role

We’re much more than “first responders,” so we must build skills to communicate that

By Denise Pouget

Fire officers coming up through the ranks today face myriad challenges. Right now, most of us are focused on confronting harsh economic realities within our departments, but we should not overlook some broader, more long-term… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 8, 2011 at 6:33pm — 1 Comment

A Newcomer’s Guide to Participating in the Firefighter Combat Challenge

Where to start when it comes to training, team creation & more

Story & Photos by Michael DeGrandpre

A relay team follows their teammate down the course as he drags the Rescue Randy to…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 8, 2011 at 7:00am — No Comments

Hot-Button Issue: Live-fire training in acquired structures

By Kevin Milan

Beyond traditional helmets and smooth-bore nozzles, the most controversial subject in the firehouse is live-fire training. This issue polarizes training officers and departments, and for good reason.

I live and work in Colorado, a state well known for many firsts in fire service training and certification. For example, NFPA 1403: Standard on Live-Fire Training Evolutions, has its roots in Colorado—but…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 7, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

Spanning the Gap in Extrications from Ditches

Using a ladder, basket litter and rope for extrication from a ditch provides a more efficient, less labor-intensive method than forming a chain of rescuers

Story & Photos by Les Baker

During the 2010 Southeastern Extrication School, the “Down in the Ditch” program covered the topic of vehicles that come to rest in various positions in ditches of different sizes and configurations.… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 4, 2011 at 5:30am — 2 Comments

Fired Up! More Big Fire Photos with Tactical Tips

By Scott Cook & Homer Robertson

Editor’s Note: In this year’s Big Fire Photo Essay, FireRescue’s technical editors based their tactical tips on four topics: apparatus positioning, defensive operations, fire attack and reading smoke—four key issues that must be addressed at every large fire.

See the March issue of… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 1, 2011 at 4:00pm — 1 Comment

Why Lloyd Layman Is Still Relevant

By Warren Whitley

Editor’s note: For more on Lloyd Layman’s theories and how they can be applied in modern-day firefighting, see “The Plug” in the March issue of FireRescue.

In 1953, Lloyd Layman published Fire Fighting Tactics(1), followed by Attacking and Extinguishing Interior Fires(2) in 1955. The books complement one… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 28, 2011 at 8:00am — 7 Comments

Public Safety Workers Hit the Ice to "Check for Charity"

Firefighters in Minnesota are lacing up their ice skates to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Photo Courtesy Hennepin Generals

On Feb. 27, dozens of Minnesota and Wisconsin paramedics, EMTs, firefighters and police officers will lace… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 25, 2011 at 7:06pm — No Comments

Arizona Firefighters Rescue Teens Stuck in Middle of Flooded Creek

RESCUE REPORT

By Tom Vines

On Dec. 23, Arizona firefighters responded to a call for “kids in tree”; however, that account didn’t turn out to be as descriptive as they may have liked, as by the end of the day, they had performed a well-coordinated water rescue.

The 9-1-1 call to Sedona Fire Dispatch was initially assigned as an EMS dispatch. At 1658 HRS, the Montezuma Rimrock… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 24, 2011 at 6:00am — No Comments

Meridian Plaza Fire: Would Your Department Be Prepared?

20 years ago, 3 firefighters lost their lives battling a fierce high-rise fire

On Feb. 23, 1991, a pile of rags ignited a fire in a high-rise building under construction in Philadelphia. Three firefighters were killed when they became disoriented in the thick smoke and ran out of air. The fire caused an estimated $100 million in direct property loss. …

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 23, 2011 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

Writing an Effective Fire Department Vision Statement

Writing an Effective Fire Department Vision Statement

By Chief Marc Revere

What’s the difference between effective leaders and great leaders? Effective leaders encourage individual members to succeed within the organization. Great leaders communicate a vision that enhances the success of both individuals and the entire fire department.

Most agencies have a mission statement that… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 22, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

DNA Detection: It’s no CSI, but it gives closure to victim families

DNA Detection: It's no CSI, but it gives closure to victim families

By Harold Schapelhouman

I was reading an article recently on forensic detection and information databases when it occurred to me that my name may appear in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) database. The majority of those currently in the database are criminals or individuals who’ve been arrested. Although I’ve had some minor bumps in the road early on…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 21, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

A Review of Modern Pump Panels

Inside the Apparatus Industry

What’s best—the side-mounted, top-mounted or even the side-mounted top-mount pump panel?

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

I’ve written an article or two in my time about how to choose the right pump panel for your vehicle. Those articles focused primarily on your choice between a side-mounted or… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 16, 2011 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

Common Pitfalls of CAFS

Story & Photos By Keith Klassen

Class A foam, particularly when used through a compressed air foam system (CAFS), is a highly effective tool in a fire department’s firefighting and exposure protection arsenals. But when a department makes the decision to purchase CAFS, there are several pitfalls they must be aware of to ensure that the implementation of the technology will be smooth and effective.

1. Lack of understanding of Class A foam (CAF)—There are many…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 14, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

Problems in the Station? The Chief Needs to Know

Problems in the Station? The Chief Needs to Know

By Scott Cook

The other day, Fred, a buddy of mine and not his real name, told me he was going to sue his former career fire department because he received an “ineligible for rehire” letter from them after getting nothing but excellent performance reviews since he hired on. I inquired as to why he thought he got the letter. He hesitated for a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 11, 2011 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Identifying Best Practices for Peer Support Groups

Working on Peer Support Programs

Initiative #13 working group works to develop easily accessible and inexpensive ways to identify best practices for peer support groups

By Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki

Following is the fifth in a series of seven articles that describe a new approach to… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 9, 2011 at 7:30am — No Comments

Get the Most Out of Every Acquired Structure

See how one department uses acquired structures to complete a variety of training evolutions

Story & Photos by Paul Hasenmeier

When was the last time your department conducted hands-on training at an acquired structure? Was the training worthwhile?…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 8, 2011 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

Know the Tool Cache Manager’s Roles & Responsibilities

A tool cache manager can be invaluable on the extrication scene, organizing tools, coordinating resources, acting as a safety officer and much more

By Todd D. Meyer

The cook who supports the cattle drive. The pit crew that supports the race car driver. The administrative assistant at Station #51 who keeps the BCs inline. The ground support crew that keeps the fighter jets in the air. My… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 4, 2011 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

Factoring Weight-Per-Firefighter When Choosing Handlines

Factoring Weight-Per-Firefighter When Choosing Handlines

By Skip Dorgan

Editor’s note: In an article in the February 2011 issue of FireRescue magazine (“Let the Pump Do the Work,” p. 62), Skip Dorgan provided the results of some comparisons between 1¾", 2" and 2½" hose, specifically comparing 2" vs. 2½" handlines noting… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 1, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

The Hubbard Street Fire: The 50th anniversary of a tragic dual collapse

By the time crews arrived at the warehouse on Hubbard Street, the seven-story structure was already heavily involved, with flames shooting out the windows. All photos courtesy Fire Museum of Greater Chicago

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