Featured Blog Posts (1,722)

Lessons Learned

Okay, so I've been here for a long time (in FFN terms anyway) and have yet to make a blog post. I'm going to cheat and use a part of the speech that I gave Saturday night when I was installed as President of the Vermont State Firefighters Association....

There are many lessons that I have learned over the span of my fire service career. I’d like to share a couple of them with you.

The first is “don’t run”. We all know, or should know, that running on the scene is to be… Continue

Added by Kristy Oxholm on August 11, 2008 at 5:02pm — 3 Comments

Why I’m Here

There have been posts asking people why they became a firefighter or an EMT and there have been some interesting reasons on why they are doing what they do. Well, here is how I decided to become an EMT and a firefighter.

My father was in the service. He used to tell me stories here and there about how he wanted to travel overseas, while some of his friends wanted to be stationed here in the States and stories of being a doctor in the service. As it turned out, my father was stationed… Continue

Added by Kimberly A Bownas on August 15, 2008 at 9:33pm — 10 Comments

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): "This One Time....at Boot Camp?"

I traveled to Erie County in mid-July to attend Firefighter 1 Boot Camp under the auspices of the White Hatted Wonder. For personal reasons I withdrew after two days of training, but what an experience those two days were!

For anyone interested in completing FF1 in a compressed time frame while testing your limits and endurance, this is the appropriate format to find out just exactly what you’re made of. Upon arrival the first morning, we were split into smaller companies and… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on August 14, 2008 at 9:24am — 7 Comments

Aaaaaaand the Stats to Prove that We're Still Killing Ourselves the Same Old Way

USFA report highlights lack of seat belt use in '07

By FireRescue 1 Staff

A lack of seat belt use accounted for a number of vehicle-related LODDs last year, according to the USFA.

The Firefighter Fatalities in the United States 2007 report reveals that in 19 of the 27 incidents where seat belt status was known, 11 firefighters were confirmed as not wearing seat belts at the time of the incident.

During calendar year 2007, a total of 118… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on August 14, 2008 at 7:21am — 14 Comments

A Fire Department having too many volunteers?

I was a part of one fire department or another from 1992 until 2003. When I moved away to another part of the county, the fire department there said they already had too many volunteers? Ever since then I have often wondered this....HOW CAN A FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE TOO MANY VOLUNTEERS!!!!!!!! I would think they would want more....I really miss being on the department....love helping others....Can anyone give me a reasonable explanation of this.....

Added by Brian on August 11, 2008 at 4:31pm — 9 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

For those of you that have kept up with my column, many of you know about the anxiety I've felt trying to manage going to the Fire Academy full-time with the antics of my teenagers, the horrible real estate market, and trying to do it all like many business women my age.

Today I did something I was really nervous about. It may seem soooo simple to some, but today I rode a motorcycle. Just like flying, I was nervous about this. Being uncoordinated, and hating rides and motion, I was afraid… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on August 9, 2008 at 8:00pm — 1 Comment

The inside out or is it the outside in?

Having been a Fire Chaplain for over 25 years has made me love fire service so much more than I did when I got started. Starting out at a volunteer/partially paid department and learning on the job really did a number on my initial confidence. that I kept asking myself " why do these guys spend double or triple what they make to be on call for extreme times and have to work a job with this commitment to even be here?"

It all started when I was a new mission pastor in town and was… Continue

Added by David Ebel on August 9, 2008 at 3:38am — 2 Comments

OJT, Degree, or a combination

This is a blog that could actually turn into a good discussion as others read this and think about what is said as compared to what they have seen in their own department or area.

Recently, as may have happened in other areas, a person was given a position with out meeting the eligilbility requirements as set forth by the department mainly due to the fact of a degree. Now don't get me wrong, I think a degree is a good thing and has its place and use when appropriate. Do I think it should… Continue

Added by Duane M Messner on August 8, 2008 at 11:37pm — 3 Comments

Pictures Being Uploaded causing Negative Public Perception

I don't want to sound like I am preaching here, but what is with all of the pics being uploaded that show alcohol being consumed. I think that we need to set a higher standard as Firefighters than just partying. What kind of example do you think this is setting for anyone that views the public page. I am sorry but too much is just that.... too much. I don't see what it does besides makes you look like you drink alcohol a whole lot. I believe that we should think about what we are going to put… Continue

Added by FF Schoen on August 8, 2008 at 7:30pm — 20 Comments

Frequent Flyers: Stories of Repitition

Ok, everyone. I know all of you in the EMS services have them. The frequent flyers who call every day or every shift and cause immediate stress reactions when the address is announced. What is it THIS time? Why do they call EVERY shift? It's easy sometimes to lose your cool and your professionalism with these patients. It's even harder sometimes to remember that every call to these patients could actually be a real emergency. Complacency kills. How many of these calls have you made? How many of… Continue

Added by Big Jim on August 4, 2008 at 6:40pm — 2 Comments

Recruitment & Retention Toolkit: Brotherhood

This article is one in a series of toolkits focusing on recruitment, retention, fire service marketing and leadership. It appeared in the August edition of FASNY's The Volunteer Firefighter magazine.

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Evans Center Chief Dennis Allen Demonstrates Brotherhood. Now He Needs Our Help.

Last month I said we’d take the summer… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on August 22, 2008 at 1:28am — 4 Comments

Nine Firefighters Feared Dead, Others Injured in California Wildfire Chopper Crash

Multiple news outlets are reporting that a wildfire chopper crash in California late last night has claimed the lives of as many as nine firefighters, in what would be one of the largest losses of firefighters in recent memory.

The helicopter was carrying 11 firefighters and two crew members when it went down Tuesday night in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, the Associated… Continue

Added by Firefighter Nation WebChief on August 6, 2008 at 5:30pm — 18 Comments

First DOA

For the second time today, I stand in line at the local ice-cream shop. This time, I manage to get my order in and make idle chit-chat with the couple sitting next to me. The boys wait outside, in the medic, enjoying their treats while I, the probie, wait inside with a grumbling stomach. We were here about 30 minutes ago before the tones dropped, sending us on an engine run that would be cancelled before we even got there. This time, however, the tones drop and the voice on my walkie tells me… Continue

Added by Stephanie on July 19, 2008 at 10:30pm — 10 Comments

Still Out There, But Slightly Swamped

My family (or as you could guess, my wife) seems to give me the best gifts. While not much can top a little SCUBA diving with the whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium (my birthday present this year, but I actually did the dive this past weekend), for Father’s Day this year my family (read: wife) gave me the super-cool T-Mobile Wing that I have been able to track my life with while on the road, which is a lot of the time. Just ask my boss what “a lot of time” is defined as.

The… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on July 20, 2008 at 7:00am — 4 Comments

TNT: The Accidental Runner; F.R.O.G.

Some people wonder why I run half marathons and fundraise for Leukemia, and I’ve posted some comments on here before in my TNT: The Accidental Runner blogs to explain, but I don’t think anything can say it better as to why I do what I do than the note posted below.

One of the kids that the Upstate NY/VT Chapter is running for is Dylan Mayo, 8 years old, from Clifton Park, NY.

He was diagnosed with AML M4 Leukemia on 1/9/07. He and his family have never given up hope. Their motto… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on July 7, 2008 at 9:36am — 9 Comments

WHOA! Morning Apparatus Check Interrupted By Oak Tree

Think about this one: You are minding your own business on a beautiful Sunday morning checking out the apparatus. The sun is shining, birds are singing, and the rookies are doing, well, what rookies do. Then all of a sudden CRASH! An oak tree falls in front of your station directly into the apparatus! That'll wake your ass up.

That's exactly what happened in Hillsborough County, Florida yesterday. An oak tree fell on Engine and… Continue

Added by Rockland USA on July 7, 2008 at 9:30am — 8 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I am sure many people are wondering why I haven't written a Notes from a Rookie Firefighter column this week.

I was going to quit. Going to the Morris County Training Academy full-time had to be one of the most grueling and demanding things I've done. I was all battered up, frustrated from the heat and distracted from my children and my lack of work. I had a little doubt about having the fortitude to continue. My husband then realized that one day I would be going from a red to a… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on July 6, 2008 at 3:32pm — 3 Comments

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): The Bruises to Prove It--Confined Space

Finally we get to go to the Guilderland Fire Tower and do our confined space drill....We were shut down two weeks prior...something to do with 97 degree heat and bunker gear and insurance liability.

Having never even seen a confined space drill, let alone participated, I was a little antsy on arrival. We pull up and I see four massive round concrete towers interconnected by these ridged plastic tubes......a Habitrail on a grand scale if you will. Little did I know that I was the… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on July 1, 2008 at 11:27pm — 21 Comments

Tribute to LODD's

I have had a series of discussions with a number of folks over the last few months regarding firefighter/EMS safety, and the sorrow for all involved when an LODD happens.

Those that choose public safety (either paid or volunteer) are a very unique group. Not only are they firefighters, EMT's, Paramedics (and yes I include the Police), but they are scout leaders, church deacons, political figures, community leaders from all walks of life. They raise funds for Jerry's kids, assist with… Continue

Added by Coach on July 1, 2008 at 12:39pm — No Comments

Look At The Instructors Before Blaming The Recruits!

For some time now on this website and many other forums the world over, there has been some pretty hot debates about the attitudes and skill levels of recruits and the "younger" generation entering the emergency services.

Well, I've got a newsflash for ya'!

Check out who's teaching 'em.

Even more importnantly, check out what they're being taught by these people.

By way of background, I run my own… Continue

Added by lutan1 on June 30, 2008 at 2:01am — 6 Comments