A battalion chief in Ontario, Calif., is fighting for his life in the battle against colorectal cancer, and he’s doing something to help make a difference for everyone fighting the disease.



Richard “Chip” Smith, a battalion chief with the Ontario (Calif.) Fire Department, met David Smith, the head boys basketball coach and teacher at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., in the spring of 2009, after both men were diagnosed with stage 4 metastasis cancer. They… Continue

By Janelle Foskett, Senior Editor, FireRescue Magazine



In a conference call from Port-au-Prince on Monday, specialists from the Fairfax and Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams fielded questions related to their response and rescue efforts following the massive earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. Participants on the call—a special briefing for publications that serve the fire, EMS and emergency management communities—included four members of VA-TF1, two… Continue

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 90 firefighters died in 2009. While that’s far too many as far as I’m concerned (and I’m sure you feel the same way), that number also happens to be the lowest it’s been since the early 90s, when 81 firefighters died in 2003 and 77 died in 1992. In 1994, the number of firefighter LODDs jumped to 106 and since then has steadily hovered near that mark. In both 2007 and 2008, 118 firefighters died in the line of duty. (You can find a chart that depicts… Continue

After reading about the death of Chief Ralph Jackman, the man believed to be the longest-serving fire chief in American history, I wonder how the men and women of the Vergennes (Vt.) Fire Department are holding up, and my heart goes out to them. Jackman was their chief for 55 years before retiring this past November at the age of 85. What incredible commitment to his service, his community, his brothers and sisters. How many chiefs out there could imagine holding the position for 55 years?… Continue