Featured Blog Posts (1,722)

The Rhythm Nightclub Fire: Tragic lessons many of us never heard about

FIRE PREVENTION

An Untold History

The Rhythm Nightclub Fire provides tragic lessons, but many of us never heard about it

By Jim Crawford

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the February issue of FireRescue magazine. We're sharing it here to mark the anniversary of the Rhythm Nightclub Fire.

February is Black History Month. I was born in 1954, and I… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 23, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

The Nightclub Fire You Probably Never Heard About

The Nightclub Fire You Probably Never Heard About

The history of the fire service is closely entwined with nightclub fires that killed hundreds and resulted in significant changes in fire codes. But there’s one nightclub fire that you may never have heard about.

In 1940, in Natchez, Miss., 207* people died in the Rhythm Night Club fire. It ranks among the NFPA’s 10 deadliest public assembly and nightclub fires in U.S. history. And if… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 23, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Siarnicki Awarded 2010 Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award

Siarnicki Awarded 2010 Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award

Announces that military firefighters who die while performing firefighting duties will be included in the NFFF memorial

By Janelle Foskett

Chief Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on April 22, 2010 at 2:50pm — No Comments

Ricci at FDIC: “It’s Time to Take Back the Fire Service”

At FDIC, Ricci evokes Brennan, urges “political courage”

In a forceful address that touched on topics as diverse as fire service culture, the need for stronger leadership, equal opportunity, merit and the debate over education vs. experience, Frank Ricci urged FDIC attendees to have “political courage” in his keynote address at today’s General Session.

Ricci, a lieutenant with the New Haven (Conn.) Fire Department who became a fire… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 22, 2010 at 11:21am — 3 Comments

On-Site @ FDIC: Class focuses on how to combat cultural & career development shortcomings in the fire service

ON-SITE @ FDIC

The Enemy Within

Class focuses on how to combat cultural & career development shortcomings in the fire service

By Shannon Pieper

In March, the Cumberland Valley Firemen’s Association rattled the fire service with its report, “Fire… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 21, 2010 at 5:00pm — 1 Comment

On-Site @ FDIC: The Dreaded Counseling Session

On-Site @ FDIC

The Dreaded Counseling Session: How to make it a mere speed bump, not a train wreck

If you ask company officers what they like least about their jobs, I’d venture to guess that a fair number of them would say the personnel issues that come with being an officer. No manger likes dealing with personnel issues—or if they do, they’re certainly not a manger people… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 21, 2010 at 4:13pm — No Comments

On-site @ FDIC: Research illuminates the relationship between firefighting and cardiac strain

On-Site @ FDIC

Hard on the Heart

Research illuminates the relationship between firefighting and cardiac strain

By Shannon Pieper

By now, you can probably recite in your sleep that “heart attacks are the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths.” But do most… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 21, 2010 at 4:00pm — No Comments

New on Firehouse Zen - Art in Unexpected Places

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Added by Mick Mayers on April 21, 2010 at 9:43am — No Comments

Under Attack: The fire service should implement policies & training for response to violent incidents

Under Attack

The fire service should implement policies & training for response to violent incidents

Story & Photo by Howard Munding

Firefighter Life Safety Initiative #12:

National protocols for response to violent… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 20, 2010 at 12:00pm — 4 Comments

The Missing Ingredient

Montana Dispatcher Suspended for April Fool's Joke

Virginia EMS Investigates Alleged False Certifications

N. Las Vegas Captain Indicted on Arson

Two Tenn. volunteer firefighters charged with… Continue

Added by Oldman on April 19, 2010 at 8:35am — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter - Please read and give me your comments if you can

Hi guys, I just completed this last night and sent it to the news hoping we get resident participation. If anyone has the time, can you please offer comments. Thank you, your favorite rookie

I am a concerned resident of Morris Township. In the upcoming township meeting on Wednesday, April 21^st, the Township Committee is considering the elimination of our…

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Added by Denise Imperiale on April 18, 2010 at 10:30am — 6 Comments

Organizational Values - Daily vs. Emergency Ops

From Firehouse Zen:…

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Added by Mick Mayers on April 17, 2010 at 9:18am — No Comments

The Rules Of EMS Very Funny

The First Law of EMS:

All emergency calls will wait until you begin to eat, regardless

of the time.

Corollary 1 - Fewer accidents would occur if EMS personnel would

never eat.

Corollary 2 - Always order food "to go".

The Paramedical Laws of Time:

1 - There is absolutely no relationship between the time at

which you are supposed to get off shift and the time at… Continue

Added by Christian Cossey on April 16, 2010 at 9:30pm — 3 Comments

Remembering Texas City: The largest U.S. industrial accident

Remembering Texas City: The largest U.S. industrial accident

On this day in 1947, the largest industrial accident in the United States occurred at 0912 hrs. Today we remember the members of the Texas City Volunteer Fire Department who gave their lives battling the fire that caused the massive explosion on board the S.S. Grandcamp. …

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 16, 2010 at 9:00am — No Comments

Size Matters: Operations in large structures put situational awareness & task management to the test

Firefighting 360

Size Matters

Operations in large structures put situational awareness & task management to the test

By Billy Schmidt

Firefighters learn and hone their knowledge, skills and…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 16, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Think it’s time to eliminate “BS” calls? Think again.

Putting the Service Back in Fire Service: Think it’s time to eliminate “BS” calls? Think again.

By Chief Jeffrey D. Johnson, EFO, CFO, MIFireE

From the April 2010 issue of FireRescue magazine

Money is… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 14, 2010 at 4:00pm — 8 Comments

Going to FDIC? Some exhibit highlights to consider

Each April, my in-box starts to fill up with emails from apparatus manufacturers and equipment companies introducing new products or, in some cases, spreading intrigue about upcoming announcements. It can only mean one thing: FDIC.

FDIC boasts the biggest exhibit floor of any U.S. fire conference, so big that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Of course it’s nice just to browse sometimes, but the pre-FDIC announcements that companies send out can give you some direction on what to see.… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 12, 2010 at 7:05pm — No Comments

Fitness Standards: Doing nothing is more damaging than taking action

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Damage Control

When it comes to fitness standards, doing nothing is more damaging than taking action

By Jeff & Martha Ellis

Editor's Note: This article ran…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 12, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Life, Loss and an Extraordinary Man

I had every intention of posting a new "boot review" piece today, until I received the news of the passing of a FASNY member and firematic friend, and I have opted instead to post a quiet good-bye to a gentleman with extraordinary qualities who loved the fire service with unabashed abandon.

I first met Bob and Rebecca Franklin about five years ago when I was just starting out in my career at FASNY. I was running registration at a FASNY-sponsored seminar, and Rebecca showed up…

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Added by Mary Ellen Shea on April 12, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Stress Relief at Sebastian Inlet

Back at work after a much needed 4 days off, fishing from the south jetty of Sebastian Inlet and Haulover Canal between Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. Thanks go out to the Firefighters of Brevard County Fire and Rescue Stn 65 "the last one in the county" for the shirts and photo opportunity.

There's something to be said for "getting away from it all", even if only for a little while, but no matter where I go, I can't leave fire and rescue behind completely.

Added by George A. Laiacona III on April 12, 2010 at 12:19pm — No Comments