Featured Blog Posts (1,722)

Muscle Memory Required for Bailout Systems

I’m working on a research paper for my NFA class and have found some interesting statistics about the selection, use and training of bailout devices. I’m not promoting any device or even the use of a bailout device, however; if you are wearing a bailout system, you should be able to articulate to some one why you are wearing the particular system you have and how you would deploy the device during an emergency event. I have found that the departments who are wearing bailout systems may not be… Continue

Added by Darryl Kerley on January 6, 2010 at 11:59am — No Comments

Challenges for the new decade

Now that the new decade has started and having had time to reflect on what I have and have not achieved over the last 10 years it is time to set some goals.

1. Family always comes first;

2. Lose those excess kilograms;

3. Get fit;

4. Remain active and involved not just in firefighting but in my community as well;

5. Keep learning;

6. Continue to promote firefighting as a career choice not just for those who want to do this as paid work but for those people… Continue

Added by Mark Montgomery on January 6, 2010 at 5:00am — No Comments

What Would You Do? -Suspicious Item

You are the company officer on a jump company engine with a crew of three. The dispatcher calls you on the phone and tells you she’s received a report from a passer-by of a “suspicious-looking bottle” lying in the ditch in a rural portion of your response district. You tell her that you and your crew will head out and check on it.

After you arrive in the area, you begin your search of the ditch line, looking for a plastic bottle with a bright blue liquid in it. After a few moments,… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on January 5, 2010 at 1:57pm — 6 Comments

Tales from a tailboard fireman ~ Regulars

Thanks for your comments on past posts.

We all have repeat calls to people. Some of mine stand out over the years and have stayed with me for various reasons.

Roy L. was a drunk. We got called out to lots of drunks at all times of the day or night. Classic conversation, "How long have you been drinking," slurred answer, "All my life." Roy would call us at 2 or 3 in the morning. Difficulty breathing. The first time I responded I put the O2 mask on with no result and… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 5, 2010 at 12:10am — 1 Comment

Do You Know an Exceptional Fire Service Leader?

Update: CFSI also opened nominations for the Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. Criteria include: recognition of the Life Safety Initiatives; being an advocate for firefighter health and safety; leadership in promoting and supporting firefighter health and safety initiatives at the local, state or national level; reaching out to other organizations and developing partnerships to further the cause of firefighter health and safety; and engaging government leaders… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on January 4, 2010 at 4:00pm — 3 Comments

Ouch! It hurts, but muscle soreness is key to muscle strength

Survival of the Fittest

Story & Photos by Jeff & Martha Ellis

The agony of adaptation is ever-apparent when starting a new workout program. In the new year, many of you will hit the gym for the first time in a long time. With that will come the inevitable pain and suffering of delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS.

Whether you’re starting a new program or intensifying an old one, some very interesting things occur… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 4, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

Tales from a tailboard fireman ~ Promotions

Promotions on the San Jose Fire Department are based on a written test and an oral board consisting of chief officers from other departments. The orals have several stations covering tactics, personnel issues, and whatever else is dreamed up as relevant by whatever branch of the city is in charge of the process at that time. In my 25 years, the tests varied greatly.

In the beginning, the written tests were formulated by senior staff of the fire department. Questions came from our… Continue

Added by mike simms on January 3, 2010 at 12:15pm — 2 Comments

Training the New and Old

Some firefighters do, but others don’t or haven’t in a while, so train like your life depends on it. If we want to be the best on the fire ground, we must require the best on the training ground. Find creative ways to maximize your training resources and you will see new energy amongst the ranks.

Get out of the recliners, loose the “retired on duty” mindset, and slap complacency in the face by re-energizing yourself, your company and your department with “outside the box” training… Continue

Added by Paul Hasenmeier on December 30, 2009 at 8:22pm — No Comments

Flight 3407 Responders Recognized for Response and Recovery Efforts

Buffalo radio station WBEN-930AM listeners have overwhelming chosen the first responders who responded to the crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Clarence Center, NY on February 12, 2009 as their "Persons-of-the-Year."

Congratulations to all those involved in the response effort.…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on December 30, 2009 at 1:57pm — 2 Comments

Tough on Tattoos: Like it or not, body modifications can reduce your chances of getting hired

Tough on Tattoos: Like it or not, body modifications can reduce your chances of getting hired

By Scott Cook

This month I’m going to talk about body modification: tattoos and piercings.

Now I know some of us believe that body modifications are really a personal choice, and they’re often done as a remembrance or celebration of someone important in our lives—and that’s all well and good. Tattoos and piercings are your business. You like… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 29, 2009 at 8:00am — 51 Comments

Chronicles of a New Chief: Incident Command Secrets Part I

12/12/09

I also serve as a Deputy EMS Coordinator for the County. In this volunteer position my role is to respond to incidents involving two or more EMS agencies in my half of the County. The coordinator’s job is to represent the Emergency Management Office and ensure that all EMS agencies on scene are working together, all patients are being cared for, and just try to be of general help while not getting in the way. Most incidents are vehicle crashes, although I have also… Continue

Added by Joe Stoltz on December 27, 2009 at 3:47pm — 2 Comments

Tales from a tailboard fireman: Firehouse behavior

Most people on the street know firefighters eat at work and do other stuff as shown on TV or in movies. They have no idea of the complex social system that exits behind those roll-up doors.

While traveling in Italy years ago I visited a firehouse in Florence. While being given a tour, I noticed the cabinets in the kitchen had padlocks on them. When I asked, I was informed it was to protect against, "The other shifts stealing our food." Same problem the world over. Food and all that implies… Continue

Added by mike simms on December 25, 2009 at 12:17pm — 2 Comments

Collyer Mansion, Part II

Three universal fireground considerations from actual incidents

This morning, Dec. 23, 2009 news reports of two hoarding fires that claimed occupants,

Alabama: "In some cases,… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on December 23, 2009 at 4:00pm — No Comments

A Decline in Volunteer Firefighters and What Can Be Done About It

"It takes a very special person to volunteer his time," (Stephens et al 14) however, the number of these special people who volunteer as firefighters is declining and fire departments are doing all they can to retain current volunteer firefighters and gain new ones. Over the years, the number of volunteer firefighters within the United States has been declining. Not only is it becoming difficult to persuade people in joining fire departments, but it is also becoming more difficult to retain the… Continue

Added by Sean Miller on December 21, 2009 at 12:02am — 8 Comments

Recruitment and Retention: A Look at What's Working.

With the number of volunteers decreasing throughout the nation, there are many actions being taken to counteract this situation. Recruitment and retention is the volunteer fire services new battle. From different training activities to gain interest, to recruitment drives and incentive plans, there are many varying approaches to this problem. On the other hand, what is really working?

From a volunteers perspective I feel that the fire departments suffering from low numbers of volunteers… Continue

Added by Sean Miller on December 20, 2009 at 11:59pm — 1 Comment

We Are So Eager to be Offended. Well, Get Offended About This.

When will they grow up?

In another controversial case racial tensions ignite, shining the spotlight of idiocy on a tiny majority firefighters- yet again.

A story from the Connecticut Post reports that an email sent by an FDNY Battalion Chief to the Captain at the Bridgeport CT Fire Department contained a small message at bottom. The Bridgeport Captain then… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on December 20, 2009 at 11:08pm — 1 Comment

Collyer Mansion, Part I

Given that much of Wash., D.C. is snowed in, this old article seems appropriate - BC.

Everyone in the fire service, no matter their location, should be familiar with term "Collyer… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on December 20, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Live & Learn: Call reviews enrich volunteer training

Live & Learn: Call reviews enrich volunteer training

Story & Photos by Bob Kolva

These days, there seems to be a virtual cornucopia of urban-oriented training tools. Retired big-city battalion chiefs flock to magazine-sponsored tradeshows and seminars to discuss the best way to manage multiple engine companies during a chemical plant fire or prepare for incidents involving WMDs. Unfortunately, such a wealth of training resources doesn’t exist for volunteer… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 18, 2009 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

@FireRecruiter: Great News---SAFER Application Period Extended

DHS has revisited the existing policy on supplanting for the 2009 SAFER funding cycle. The Secretary has decided that DHS will consider petitions for waivers on supplanting from 2009 grantees on a case-by-case basis and under certain conditions.

In order for all potential applicants to have sufficient time to consider this revised policy guidance, DHS will extend the 2009 SAFER application period. The new application deadline will be 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Friday, January 15,… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on December 17, 2009 at 11:24pm — 2 Comments

Da Chief: Bestowed by the Fire Gods

Der Tannenbaum ist lit. Der blogmeisterberger ist lit too.

As we approach the end of the year, the crack staff here at FireDaily has taken advantage of the open bar. What better time than now to return to the thrilling days of YesterMonth for the third installment of “Two Thousand and Nine Favorite FireDaily Blog Posts from 2009”.

In case you missed the first two, you can find them here:…

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Added by FireDaily.com on December 17, 2009 at 8:01pm — No Comments