Featured Blog Posts (1,722)

A Joint Effort: One responder’s account of the response to the San Bruno explosion

TECHNICAL RESCUE

By Harold Schapelhouman

On Thursday, Sept. 9, at 1812 HRS, the San Mateo County Public Safety Communications Center (PSC) received a report that an explosion and subsequent fire had occurred in the Glenview neighborhood area of San Bruno, Calif., a city within San Mateo County, which borders the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Bay, the City of San Francisco and Santa Clara County. This region is often…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 25, 2010 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Think Tank: A new water tank enhances fire protection in Wareham, Mass.

Think Tank

A new water tank enhances fire protection in Wareham, Mass.

By Chief Robert McDuffy & Timothy M. Stinson, P.E.

After a rash of devastating fires during the early part of the 20th century, including one that swept through the center of town, residents of Wareham, Mass., began demanding better fire protection. It came… Continue

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

Eco-Engine! At FDIC, HME unveiled a truck that runs on compressed natural gas

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

By now, just about all of us have heard about how manufacturers in various industries are making strides in producing and delivering hybrid, electric diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and trucks.

I never thought the fire apparatus industry would succumb to the idea of an eco-friendly fire truck. I… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 15, 2010 at 5:30am — 1 Comment

Open Door Policy...RIDING BACKWORDS September 2010

RIDING BACKWORDS – September 2010

Generally speaking, an open door policy refers to the availability of management to any employee at any level. Open door policies allow employees to step outside the traditional boundaries created by the hierarchy of an organization – what we know as the chain of command. Open door policies permit employees to bring their concerns to the appropriate level they feel can provide the impetus necessary to resolve their issue. Our discussion will…

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Added by John Barrett on September 14, 2010 at 6:50pm — No Comments

Social Media SOGs: Every department must create guidelines for how personnel share information online

Social Media SOGs

Every department must create guidelines for how personnel share information online

By Michelle DeCrane

When you hear the words “social media,” do you automatically think “cocktail party”? Does getting a “tweet” mean the robins have come home to roost? Does getting “tagged” mean the same thing as it did… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 22, 2010 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

Train with the Towers: Download the Tow Company Visit Worksheet to track your extrication training needs

Story & Photos by Les Baker

Tow Company Visit Worksheet-2.pdf

Welcome to In-Depth Extrication! This column will cover very specific extrication-related topics that allow for an “in-depth” analysis. Each month, I plan to completely deconstruct a topic, and then reconstruct it in a manner that’s… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 20, 2010 at 6:30am — 1 Comment

Rescue Report: Teton Rangers Respond to Mass Casualty on Mountain

By Tom Vines

Photos Courtesy Grand Teton National Park

On July 21, Grand Teton National Park rangers completed an extraordinary, complex and challenging rescue for numerous climbers hit by lightning strikes on the 13,773' Grand Teton Mountain. The operation was breathtaking in scope—a mass-casualty incident response in one of the lower 48’s most rugged areas. Even for the Teton rangers, who… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 14, 2010 at 12:30am — 2 Comments

Amazing Posts Commemorating 9-11

I'd suggest if you haven't had a chance yet, check out some of the posts today over on FireEMSBlogs.com. There are some excellent posts remembering feelings about that day, our observations now about things, and just honoring those who gave everything they had that day. This event not only touched those in our nation, but in others as well. Give your day in honor of those by helping others and dedicate today to the memories of our brothers and their… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on September 11, 2010 at 10:17am — No Comments

Remembering the Real 9/11: We can’t forget that day’s images, emotions & lessons

Remembering the Real 9/11

We can’t forget that day’s images, emotions & lessons

By Brian A. Crawford

Over the last 9 years, countless tributes—books, songs, films—have been made about the events of 9/11; each September, these tributes are revived as the nation collectively mourns.

As first responders, we have… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 11, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

A Maritime Memorial: State-of-the-art FDNY fireboat honors 9/11 fallen

A Maritime Memorial

State-of-the-art FDNY fireboat honors 9/11 fallen

By Jane Jerrard

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and New York City have gained a powerful memorial to the 343 members of the FDNY who died in the Sept. 11 attacks on the city. A new fireboat, named the Three Forty Three in tribute to the fallen, will help… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 11, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

9/11 Beyond the Memorial: Training & information from FireRescue/FirefighterNation.com contributors

On the nine-year anniversary of 9/11, we will all remember the victims in our own way. But beyond remembrance, this day reminds us that there are also lessons to be learned and training challenges to be met to ensure we’re ready for the next terrorist attack.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of articles from FireRescue/FirefighterNation.com contributors about various aspects of 9/11. We hope their words will help you not only commemorate the victims and the 343 firefighters killed, but… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 11, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

343

Today, we honor the memory of the 343 brave firefighters who perished nine years ago in the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Their sacrifice will forever be remembered as perhaps the greatest act of heroism of our time.

Photo collage supplied by…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 11, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

When standards of conduct begin to slip, the consequences can be far-reaching

REALITY CHECK

Beware the Lowering of the Bar

When standards of conduct begin to slip, the consequences can be far-reaching

By Scott Cook

Last month I wrote about the collision of USS Hartford and USS New Orleans and its relationship to the fire service, specifically in relation to officer responsibilities. You’ll recall…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 10, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Public-Private Partnerships: A Success Story!

Public-Private Partnerships: A Success Story!

A critical incident partnership in Illinois proves successful at bringing the public & private sectors together

By Rob Ugaste

Editor’s note: This is the second part of a series on public-private partnerships. Read the first article:… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 7, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

The Succession Solution: A leadership culture plays a key role in moving succession planning to action

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

From the September issue of FireRescue magazine

By Chief Jack Parow, MA, EFO, CFO, MIFireE

As the Baby Boomer Generation continues to retire and the economy drives downsizing and early retirements, we face unprecedented gaps in leadership. We addressed this topic in last month’s President’s Letter, “Planning Today for… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 6, 2010 at 4:00am — 1 Comment

9/11 Memorial motorcycle ride to Ground Zero

Memorial motorcycle ride to Ground Zero

Leaving from Carmel, NY Shop Rite at 12noon on Saturday, 9/11/10. All riders are welcome. The past few years we have had over 1000 bikes of all kinds take the trip. Some departments bring thier rigs. The Hudson Valley HellCats will be escorting. We will be parking in 1 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan, and walking the two blocks to the pile. Anyone and everyone are invited. There is no charge for this event. If you want to drive your car, thats…

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Added by Ted Hardy on September 6, 2010 at 3:30am — No Comments

What's your story? --- Firefighter Storytellers Returns Wednesday-9/8/10

A regular feature on the FirefighterNetcast Radio Network, Tiger Schmittendorf’s “Firefighter Storytellers” radio show returns Wednesday-September 8, 2010 at 9pm EDT…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on September 5, 2010 at 11:09pm — 1 Comment

Are You Ready? Terrorism 101

Terrorism 101: Know what makes a terrorist, types of weapons they use & the terminology associated with terrorist events

By Tom Phillips

AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano

The September issue of FireRescue magazine included Tom Phillips’ article “Are You Ready? Preparing for… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 4, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Lift with your Brain not your Back

Well it all started at a single vehicle MVC on a back county road @ 0545, we responded in a Squad and sent 2 Ambulances. As I pull up in the first ambulance we see a vehicle about 30 ft off the road wedged into the bush pretty good. Fortunately there was no need for extrication tools required. I crawl into the backseat of the vehicle to hold C-Spine and communicate with the passenger. After a well orchestrated removal we where able to slide the Pt onto the board and strap them down.… Continue

Added by Kevin Hatfield on September 2, 2010 at 1:59pm — 3 Comments

Fit for Duty? Company officers must set the example when it comes to physical fitness

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Fit for Duty? Company officers must set the example when it comes to physical fitness

Story & Photos by Jeff & Martha Ellis

To tell people to “lead by example” almost sounds cliché these days. The expression can mean different things to different people. But one thing is certain: It does not…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 2, 2010 at 8:00am — 1 Comment