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    More content from September 2012

    Dennis Compton 10756233
    It’s easy to find ourselves focused solely on fire service and government issues as we see them from our geographic location in the country. In other words, we assume that what...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY has announced that the winner of the CSU/Arizona Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA) annual scholarship is Battalion Chief Frank Ricci of the Casa Grande...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photos by Dennis Hook Photography/www.DennisHook.smugmug.com
    Chief 6C arrived on scene and reported moderate, dark smoke with little to no velocity was coming from the eaves of the second floor gable ends in the area of the Side Alpha/Delta corner, but no fire was observed.
    For years, fire departments were simply reactive response organizations that went out when “the bell” rang. We took the same amount of equipment and number of people to every ...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photo by Jay K. Bradish/IFPA
    Firefighters work at or above their predicted maximum heart rates in environments that can reach 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods, moving their bodies into a variety of positions while wearing heavy protective gear and operating in confined spaces. As a result, fire departments have some of the highest workers’ compensation costs of any profession.
    Over the past two decades, there has been a large focus on physical fitness as a way to improve firefighter health and reduce injuries. While this approach has had some success...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photos by Mike Daley
    Initial-arriving units to a trench collapse have certain responsibilities and must accomplish specific tasks to prepare the scene for the arrivals of the technical rescue team. Specialized equipment, such as vacuum trucks, should be called to respond immediately.
    Michael Daley outlines what initial responders to a trench collapse need to do to ensure the highest probability for success and survival.
    Sept. 1, 2012
    In this issue we continue our series of in-depth interviews with chief officers from around the nation. This month’s installment features Chief William “Shorty” Bryson of Miami...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    A federal appeals court has rejected a claim made by the survivors of a Baltimore City, MD, firefighter killed in a training exercise that her civil rights were violated. However...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photo by Rick McClure
    July 23: Sylmar, CA – Five Los Angeles City companies operated at a one-story private dwelling with the garage fully involved.
    July 4: Pelham, NH – Fireworks ignited and exploded inside a home, injuring nine people including two children who were airlifted to Boston.July 5: Virginia Beach, VA – Discarded...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Firefighters discovered a functioning smoke alarm inside the residence although it was severely damaged by the heat.
    Colorado Fire Crew Receives High Honor Battalion Chief Timothy Hanlon, Lieutenant John Maes, Firefighters Josh Hamilton, Josh Deuto, John Brereton and Mark Maxwell of the North...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photo courtesy of Rob Curtis/Robert Curtis Photography
    Fire Station 10 with the Stanley Cup
    Heroes Honor HeroesOne of the perks of winning the Stanley Cup is the tradition of getting to showcase the cup in celebration of the victory. In 1994 the New York Rangers took...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Otjiowa 9 12 Brueggers4 10756306
    On Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, a four-alarm fire destroyed one historic building and severely damaged another in downtown Iowa City, IA.That the fire was controlled and extinguished...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Brad Harvey 1107 10756274
    Last month, we reviewed the origins of the need for and the standards surrounding electrical safety ratings as well as some of the terminology related to the topic. This month...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Chiefwilliambrysonportraitfina 10734198
    William "Shorty" Bryson discusses the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) and its challenges.
    Sept. 1, 2012
    AP Photo/Jessica Hill
    Active Shooter Dispatch 10844199
    Barry Furey explains the critical role that dispatchers and communications centers play during active-shooter events. They play an important role in firefighter safety through...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photos courtesy of E-ONE
    The E-ONE eMAX technology can be incorporated into commercial, above, or custom cabs and chassis.
    Sometimes, unfortunate circumstances yield good results. Such is the case for the Apex, NC, Fire Department. One of its front-line engines suffered a catastrophic pump failure...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photo courtesy of TenCate
    The new Caldura thermal liner from TenCate features the Kevlar filament.
    In 2012, the DuPont Corp. announced it would cease production of Nomex® filament yarns for the fire service. Nomex filaments have long been favored for use in thermal liner face...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photo courtesy of LVFR
    When showing apparatus to children, let them see the equipment that is stored inside the compartments. Also, show them the flashing lights, but be gentle with the siren or air horn.
    Ask kids what they want to be when they grow up and many of them will say “a firefighter.” To children, firefighters are heroes and role models – people they can rely on in bad...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    On June 28, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision on what has been unofficially labeled “Obamacare.” Unless you have been in a cave, you known the court upheld...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    One critical element in your preparation to be an effective incident commander comes from the world of management, where you must be able to make weigh facts, evaluate circumstances...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photo by Bill Bennett
    LIDO BEACH, NY
    LIDO BEACH, NY, JULY 20, 2012 – The Point Lookout-Lido Fire Department responded to a working house fire. Lines were advanced into the house as firefighters searched for any trapped...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Bullard Compact Thermal Imager
    Compact Thermal ImagerBULLARD has introduced the Eclipse LD, a compact, high-performance thermal imager equipped with a state-of-the-art thermal imaging engine and the latest ...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photo by Dennis Walus
    Fire departments with quick and appropriately staffed responses to fires (assuming the fires are reported early and efficiently) have a better chance of saving lives and reducing property damage than a department whose responses are slower. But where is the evidence that supports what a response-time goal should be?
    This question is particularly challenging because of its connation that a certain response time may be legally defendable. To the best of our knowledge, there is no law that defines...
    Sept. 1, 2012
    Photos by Tom Shand
    The San Diego, CA, Fire-Rescue Department designs its engine company apparatus to serve in a variety of geographic areas, including the ability to operate in off-road conditions during wildland fires. Note the short front bumper and rear body overhang designed to improve the angle of approach and departure.
    After many months of effort, the fire department’s apparatus committee was given the go ahead to prepare specifications to replace Engine 3, a 1985-vintage, 1,250-gpm pumper that...
    Sept. 1, 2012