Featured Blog Posts (1,722)

I'm with STUPID

We’ve all heard the stories about firefighters doing stupid things on duty or off. Firefighters committing arson, breaking and entering, driving intoxicated, failing work-related random drug screening tests, abusing their domestic partners…the list goes on and on. As one of the replies to the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman’s Association’s recent…

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Added by Ben Waller on March 21, 2010 at 3:00pm — 4 Comments

The Right Time to Give: Through March 31, Pierce Is Matching Donations to NFFF

If you're considering giving to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, now is the right time. Through March 31, Pierce Manufacturing will double all donations up to $10,000 through the NFFF Full Throttle Support II initiative.

In addition, anyone donating is entered into a sweepstakes to win a custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle.

“The Pierce family is an integral part of the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 18, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

@FireRECRUITER: The Art of Speed-Recruiting

If you had just 30 seconds to convince someone why they should join your volunteer fire department, what would you…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 18, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

American Idol vs. American Politics

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to chat with an old friend about the upcoming elections and voting.

I confessed over a latte to being a political junkie.

She confessed to not being a political junkie.

“I hate politics,” she said. “Things in our country are a mess! I don't even vote.”

I tried to shame her into taking an interest in politics by explaining how it's these people who make all the decisions that directly affect her and her family. But, to no avail.

As we… Continue

Added by Sally on March 17, 2010 at 5:26pm — 1 Comment

What’s All the Hubbub about Striping?

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

By now most of us have seen new apparatus deliveries with the new NFPA 1901-required reflective striping on the front and rear. Whether you like it or not, it’s here to stay. In my opinion, it really makes a vehicle stand out on a highway, which was the intent of the standard to begin with.

Anything we can do to improve apparatus visibility on the fireground or at accident scenes is a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 17, 2010 at 1:30pm — 4 Comments

The Science Behind Our Business: Use data to your department’s advantage

The following article was published in the March issue of FireRescue magazine.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

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

The Science Behind Our Business

Use data to your… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 17, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

50 pounds

Sometime on Friday I hit 1100 miles for the year. I am about 3 weeks ahead of last years 1000 mile point and by April 9th I should have 1500.

My weight has fallen to 197 and the goal is 180 by June 1st. The cool part of this whole thing is I will be 50 pounds lighter some time this week, of course that depends on my mileage and how many cookies I eat!

This is a huge water mark for me as I have had a hard time breaking down the 200 pound barrier. That finally…

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Added by Allen Wahlstrom on March 15, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

Career firefighters next Tea Party target?

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Added by Mike Ward on March 22, 2010 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

Two Firefighter Deaths Highlight the Need for Rehab

Two Firefighter Deaths Highlight the Need for Rehab

Story & Photos by Jeffrey T. Lindsey

Training is an integral part of the fire service. Senior firefighters and company officers conduct training exercises and drill every day throughout the country. But whether it’s initial training or station drills, the risk of injury or death is always present.

Cases in point: On May 31, 2008, a firefighter recruit died…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 15, 2010 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

Severe Weather Preparedness Resources Now Available

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Energizer and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) are teaming up with local fire departments to help families prepare for spring and summer’s severe weather, particularly the power outages that frequently result from them. The program officially begins on March 20, the first day of spring.…

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Added by IAFC on March 15, 2010 at 9:03am — No Comments

It was in the cards.

Blogger’s Note: The following is my submission to the Fire Critic’s First Due Fire Blog Carnival…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 15, 2010 at 8:00am — 4 Comments

Training in the Volunteer Fire Service

Training in the Volunteer Fire Service

My time as a dedicated volunteer firefighter has been the experience of a lifetime. It has taken…

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Added by Kayli Borell on March 14, 2010 at 1:00am — No Comments

Green Bay Fire Rescues Man from Fox River

By Tom Vines

Photo iStock

A Jan. 23 ice rescue in Green Bay, Wis., demonstrated how the right preparation and equipment can overcome a significant challenge.

Calls to 911 reported that a person had fallen through the ice on the Fox River, which runs through the city of Green Bay.

At 1337 hrs, the Green Bay Fire Department dispatched Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Ladder 2, Ambulance 3 (ALS), Ambulance 2 (ALS),… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 11, 2010 at 12:00pm — 6 Comments

Run-to-the-Curb: Chief John Buttino

I just posted a new story about a Run-to-the-Curb type kid who rose to the rank of chief in his fire department.

Just as good as the story is are the great photos John has to go with it. I wish I had some photos of my younger years in the fire service, but thank God I have my Log Book to remind me of all the action and the good times we've…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 11, 2010 at 8:00am — 8 Comments

Fire Departments should consider chartering BSA Venture Crews and not just Junior FF or Explorer Posts.

Fire Departments should consider chartering Venture Crews through BSA, either as an addition to Explorer or Junior FF programs, or instead of the firefighting-focused programs entirely.

Here is my reasoning.

Explorer/Jr. FF programs focus exclusively on Firefighting, which often creates a sense in the Juniors that they "are" Firefighters - which they are not.

The Venturing Program is open to young men and women 14-21…

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Added by Greenman on March 10, 2010 at 11:00am — 6 Comments

Giving 'Fast Attack' A Bad Name? Houston LODD Differences

In the earlier article, the similarities among the 2009, 2005 and other Houston line of duty deaths were compared using recent department and national reports. This article looks at the differences and the question of whether or not these errors give Houston’s ‘fast attack’ tactic a bad name. The article will also look at the communications in each of the mayday situations.…

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Added by Bill Carey on March 10, 2010 at 5:25am — No Comments

NFFF & Everyone Goes Home Program Launch Firefighter Safety Video Contest

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Everyone Goes Home program are pleased to announce their partnership with Fireman's Fund to launch the Everyone Goes Home Safety Video Contest.

The contest, which runs until May 7, 2010, asks departments to show their safe culture by creating a video… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 9, 2010 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 9, 2010

Gosh I can't believe three days have gone by since our pool drill. This is the third year in a row I attended the drill and still I learned something new. I didn't know that you can use pants (regular polyester pants like a police officer would wear) as a flotation device. Simply tie knots in the legs and push water into the waist part. The other thing I didn't remember from last time was the the SCBA is similar to those used in…

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Added by Denise Imperiale on March 9, 2010 at 2:44pm — 9 Comments

LIVE: Casting a Net on Recruitment and Retention Challenges

UPDATE: 3/10/10 - Apparently we had some confusion on our end as to the start time of the Netcast. It will start at 9pm EST. Hope you can join us. Thanks.

I'm proud to have been asked by FireCritic and FireDaily to participate as a special guest on a live talk show via the web at…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on March 10, 2010 at 11:27am — 2 Comments

The Bathtub Collapse, Part 2

Part 1 of this series from All Hazards Contemplations was an introduction to Bathtub Collapse problem identification, exterior size-up, strategy considerations and development, and safety considerations. Part 2 discusses tactical considerations, interior size-up, victim recovery, investigations, and incident termination. This article was co-authored by my friend and colleague, Jason…

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Added by Ben Waller on March 8, 2010 at 10:00pm — 4 Comments