Featured Blog Posts (1,722)

Under Fire

Under fire...we were there within minutes of the dispatched. Lightning had hit a house and started a fire in the attic. We got there in full turnout and grabbed the preconnect for a fast attack. The visibility in the house was crystal clear and very quiet. You can feel your heart beat. Its pounding from the adrenalin. We head up the flight of stairs and can hear it over us. The fire. We pull the ceiling with the pike poles and can see a sliver of an amber glow. It grows brighter the harder we… Continue

Added by M Clark on May 26, 2008 at 9:43pm — 1 Comment

Loss of a fellow Firefighter

We at Gasport Chemical Hose mourn the loss of our fellow firefighter Michelle McQueen. She was killed Memorial Day May 26,2008 in a motorcycle accident. Please keep her family and Fiance Mark Morse who was also injured in your thoughts and prayers. She was 24.

Added by Christina Luick on May 27, 2008 at 6:36am — 5 Comments

Remember............

It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag. ~unknown~

Have a safe and happy Memorial… Continue

Added by Wendy Norris on May 26, 2008 at 11:18am — 1 Comment

Nothing Breeds Success Like Success Itself...

As I mentioned in a previous blog, you'll notice that all of our press releases end with a common theme: Recruitment.

We pounce at every opportunity to get our recruitment message out to our target audience.

As an effective means of both recruitment and retention, we write a press release to announce new additions to our team every time someone joins our fire company.

Written properly, these types of advertorials can breed real success.

Hopefully, it… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on May 26, 2008 at 12:46am — 8 Comments

Being a Firefighter is a hard job...How to be the WIFE

If your lucky you get a mentor. If you don't, find your butt and with both hands hold on. You are about to get the ride of your life. You will learn how to take care of small plumbing issues,car issues,kid issues,and learn how to go to all family events by yourself. You will feel the urge to get a T-shirt printed that simply says "he is at the station" so that You can stop answering that question. You will want to have several pictures around the house so when "HE" /"SHE" comes home they (the… Continue

Added by Susie Young on May 23, 2008 at 2:00am — 10 Comments

Making Something out of Nothing?

Even the best of PIOs-Public Information Officers go through a dry spell and struggle for something newsworthy to promote once in a while. Some call it writer's block. Others call it a brain cramp.

It only takes a little imagination (or inspiration) to get put of this slump, even when you don't think you have anything that's of relevance to your target audience: the public.

I half-jokingly say that if someone goes to the bathroom in our firehouse - we write a press release… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on May 21, 2008 at 10:30pm — 4 Comments

First Major Wildfire

I had my first major wildfire yesterday. When I heard the page for a delta wildfire my adrenaline was rushing. Anyways, the fire started out to be only 13acres and by the time that we had finished up it was probably more then 50acres. My mom says that I am crazy because those kinds of fires are my favorite. I love the smell and it is amazing to watch. Even though at times it can be a lot of sitting and waiting for the fire to be where you want it or dont want it either way it is still… Continue

Added by Jessika on May 16, 2008 at 10:06am — 2 Comments

Sometimes its harder than you think....

I have not seen a huge amount stuff in my short career as an EMT, but I have seen a few things that would bother some people, but nothing that has really affected me. When you think of what would bother you, you always think of kid calls, or a mass casualty, or something along those lines, never did I think the following story would have such an impact on me.

The story starts about 9 months ago when a lady I worked with was diagnosed with Lukemia. Now this was a woman that I have… Continue

Added by Samantha Keele on May 21, 2008 at 3:37am — 1 Comment

Lets Re-think the Future of Fire Training

Friends, Brothers Sisters, and everyone interested in keeping knowledge up to date.

I have a dream, and that dream is to have a Volunteer Fire Service that holds training and education on a pedestal and worships it daily. A fire service that understands the importance of continuing education and practicing BASIC skills on an annual schedule. A fire service that is no longer concerned with ego and image and is MORE concerned with the service it provides to its residents...Isn't that what we… Continue

Added by Moose on May 21, 2008 at 11:29am — 12 Comments

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): Probie Blues

I knew we were doing a live burn training at the Tower last night, but my participation (and that of my other fellow probies) was in question until our Chief reviewed our SCBA hours....

Close, but no cigar. Red Tag City.

Anticipating an evening of basically sitting on my can at the side of the truck and watching the rest of the guys have all the fun, I took a shower and got ready to head out . My friend said before I left "Why are you taking a shower before drill? "… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 21, 2008 at 9:00am — 24 Comments

Back on deployment!!!

Hey guys, our fearless leaders are telling us it's time to deploy yet again. I will be gone on monday morning and i will be gone for a while. If you want to email me here is me ship email,

finnelliwa@cvn76.navy.mil
and here is my regular mailing address if any one wants to send other stuff.

ABH2 (AW) Finnelli, William
Air/ V-1/Crash
USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76)
FPO-AP 96616-2876

Take care everyone and i will talk to you all soon.

Added by William Finnelli on July 29, 2008 at 7:25am — 6 Comments

Fire Officer Development-- Strengthfinders 2.0

Whether you are currently an officer, or aspiring to be one, understanding your strengths and how they apply to your leadership is important. We will spend several weeks delving into the strengths you bring to an organization. Based on the book Strengthfinders 2.0, this informal course is an opportunity to interact and engage your findings from the book. The key is the application. How do you begin to apply what is learned? We will investigate ways to apply the findings to your department. To… Continue

Added by Michael Finney on May 19, 2008 at 2:28pm — No Comments

"More Than Meets The Eye"(my Transformation has begun)

Alot has happened in 6 months.Wife and son left,losing my home,my truck blowing up,etc.But things are happening becuse i'm making them happen.I Using my Training and Knowledge to do it.I got a job as a paid E.M.T.,I'm staying with family when i can,and paying up my debts.Going thru what i am and im about to,plus turning 30 on top of it,Transforming from who i was to who im going to be is hard and slower than i thought it would,but im in it for the long haul.Instead of "surround and drown" my… Continue

Added by Tony Leonard,Jr. on May 19, 2008 at 3:12pm — 3 Comments

Department of Vehicular Awesomeness

Lemme tell you a story, chilluns.

I grew up in New Jersey. You can get your learner's permit at 16 1/2 there, (at least, you could in 1986...no need to correct me if its changed.....16.5 is waay in my rearview mirror) and you could have your full driver's license, no Cinderella 12am curfew nonsense, at 17.

I took Driver's Ed in 10th grade just like everybody else. I learned to drive in a brand-new dual control Chevette with less than 200 miles on it. It still smelled new… Continue

Added by Kimberly Robinson on May 19, 2008 at 3:19pm — 1 Comment

Remember Memorial Day. . .

Memorial Day, coming up on May 26, is not, as some may believe "the official kick off to summer".

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day began in the Civil War era, when women would decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers. It was officially adopted as Memorial Day in 1966 by then President Johnson. The traditional Memorial Day is May 30, but it's fallen victim to those "Monday holidays" and is now the last Monday in May.

Many people seem to have forgotten the real meaning… Continue

Added by Karen on May 18, 2008 at 9:30pm — 1 Comment

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): Snake in The Grass.

I don't consider myself a particularly "girly" girl.....If you see me at a party, nine times out of ten, you'll find me with the guys, shooting pool or playing darts, and telling stories and jokes. You will NOT find me in the kitchen with the catty chicks, who seem to derive some form of pleasure from ripping other women to shreds behind their backs. I've never understood how that's supposed to be "fun".

I don't particularly like to shop, unless I need something specific. If I need… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 18, 2008 at 8:33pm — 25 Comments

TNT: The Accidental Runner: Why?

It hasn't been a good day for some of our patients and survivors...

One of my fellow board members on the Board of Directors for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a young son named Ben.

Ben's been fighting the good fight for over a year, and seemed to be doing better. but we found out today that his osteosarcoma (essentially bone cancer) has metastasized--meaning it's spreading. Osteosarcoma has one of the lowest survival rates for pediatric cancer. The news is worse… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 16, 2008 at 9:01pm — 6 Comments

Charleston

I just read the report issued on the Charleston incident. It's posted at Firehouse.com if anyone is interested in reading it.

It is a very well written and detailed report that covers the multitude of tactical errors that were made on that fateful day. It is almost disheartening to see that the people in charge of making sure their members go home safely at the end of their tour could be so inept at their jobs.

I would encourage EVERYONE to read this report. Get an idea of… Continue

Added by Engine 32 Capt. on May 16, 2008 at 10:00pm — 2 Comments

The trials and tribulations of dating in the profession

As a new non-firefighter member here I have come to learn many a thing about having a romantic relationship with someone that has chosen this profession. That is actually why I decided to join...as a means of getting advice and opinions about being with a firefighter/EMT/soon to be police officer.

What I have found is that I do have what it takes to be that special someone to an admirable man of this profession. It doesn't quite seem I am the one for this particular man however I… Continue

Added by Heather on May 17, 2008 at 2:02pm — 5 Comments

One of FFN's own has been kidnapped!!!!!

FirefighterNation.com Members,

Listen carefully! We are a group of individuals who represent a small but grammatically correct faction. At this time we have one of your fellow members and bloggers in our possession. Her member name is FASNYtraining, but many of you know her as the FNG(irl). She is currently safe and unharmed but if you want her to see the light of day and her computer keyboard again, you must follow our instructions to the letter.

Here are our… Continue

Added by Engineco913 on May 17, 2008 at 7:30pm — No Comments