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    More content from April 2012

    Photo by Bill Tompkins/www.BTFirephotos.com
    JERSEY CITY, NJ, FEB. 19, 2012
    JERSEY CITY, NJ, FEB. 19, 2012 – Nine firefighters were injured during a five-alarm fire that involved a large, two-story frame building that housed several stores on the first...
    April 1, 2012
    A controversial video showing a confrontation between a Connecticut state trooper and a video camera operator raises questions within the fire service about the inherent conflict...
    April 1, 2012
    No matter what type of department you are a member of – volunteer, combination or career – it should have a designated public information officer (PIO). It doesn’t matter where...
    April 1, 2012
    Alyn Photo 2012
    Countless firefighters have voiced their frustration to me when their departments open the promotional process to other departments instead of promoting from within. This practice...
    April 1, 2012
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    When was your most recent working structural fire? If you are like me, you probably remember just about everything you saw and did while at a structural fire. Whether it was a...
    April 1, 2012
    Photos courtesy of the author
    On arrival, firefighters found a large, 2½-story, historic, limestone structure with heavy smoke showing.
    The fire service has used various forms of ventilation at fires for decades with the belief that ventilation will lift smoke, which lets us search for victims, makes the environment...
    April 1, 2012
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    Alerted by a passerby, a 14-year-old boy dials 911 to report a possible chimney fire in his house. Fire crews are dispatched, but the boy’s mother calls back to report she does...
    April 1, 2012
    ZIAMATIC CORP.
    Portable Tank SystemZIAMATIC CORP. has introduced the Model PTS-HA hydraulic portable tank system. With the PTS-HA, Zico combines its portable tank system design with the added...
    April 1, 2012
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    Difficult economic times have had a significant effect on many aspects of our society. One of the most obvious has been in the area of employment – not just whether people have...
    April 1, 2012
    So, you thought it would be easy riding the right-front seat? It is never easy, because you have to worry about taking care of other people. Once you decide that you actually ...
    April 1, 2012
    Photo courtesy of General Motors Corp: Chevrolet Division
    The cut-away view of the high-voltage, lithium-ion battery used in the Chevrolet VOLT clearly shows the components of this 360-volt unit. Electrical connections are on the front and top of the battery. Lower, blue connections are part of the liquid coolant circulating system.
    SUBJECT: High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Vehicle BatteriesTOPIC: Thermal EventsOBJECTIVE: Upon the conclusion of this series, the fire service responder will have a better understanding...
    April 1, 2012
    Representatives of public safety organizations participated with Vice President Joe Biden on a national public safety conference call update from the White House Roosevelt Room. Rear: Deputy Chief Charles F. Dowd, commanding officer, Communications Division, New York Police Department; and Chief Chris Dowd, San Jose, CA, Police Department. Front: Chief Charles Werner, Charlottesville, VA, Fire Department; Dick Mirgon, past president, APCO-International; Chief (ret.) Jeff Johnson, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Oregon, and executive director, Western Fire Chiefs Association; Commissioner Ray Kelly, New York Police Department; Chief Al Gillespie, North Las Vegas, NV, Fire Department, and president, International Association of Fire Chiefs; Vice President Biden; Chief Walter McNeil, Quincy, FL, Police Department, and president, International Association of Chiefs of Police; Chief Harlin R. McEwen, chairman, Communications and Technology Committee, International Association of Chiefs of Police; Sergeant Mick McHale, Sarasota, FL, Police Department, and vice president, National Association of Police Organizations; and Tom Nee, president, Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and president, National Association of Police Organizations. Official White House Photo
    For more than six years, I have been writing articles and columns to inform you about the concept of a nationwide public safety broadband wireless network. On numerous occasions...
    April 1, 2012
    Photo courtesy of Lakeland FD
    The gas main was fused to a water line as a result of an indirect lightning strike.
    High-risk/low-frequency event in MarylandI want to share this communication I sent out to my department after one of our company officers experienced a fireground Mayday event...
    April 1, 2012
    Chief Horton poses with the Holmquist family shortly after delivering the newest member.
    This Month in Fire HistoryApril 1, 1853, Cincinnati, OHFirst salaried fire department establishedApril 4, 1949, Effingham, ILSt. Anthony’s Hospital fire kills 74April 10, 1917...
    April 1, 2012
    Dr. Max Nguyen Digital Photography
    Training included firefighters aggressively attacking a live, controlled burning cell followed by a demonstration of evidence recovery and a review of fire dynamics.
    Closing After 128 YearsSanta Ana Fire Chief David Thomas will be switching out his collar ornaments on April 20. That’s because his 128-year-old fire department will no longer...
    April 1, 2012
    Highered 412 Kerriganphoto 10644716
    As a graduate student at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, Dan Kerrigan had extensive experience with e-textbooks. Nearly all of his textbooks were in PDF format. Kerrigan...
    April 1, 2012
    As you consider promotion to the next rank within your organization or a leadership position in a different organization, you may have questions such as: How have I prepared for...
    April 1, 2012
    Photo courtesy of UHFD
    Two family members escaped the fire by climbing out windows onto the flat roof over the rear family room and then descending a ladder.
    This month, we continue our coverage of a close call in University Heights, OH (see part one in the March issue). Our thanks to University Heights Fire Chief David Rodney and ...
    April 1, 2012
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    On Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011, a three-alarm fire destroyed the former Rieter Automotive Systems Group plant in Lowell, IN. Due to the advanced stage of the fire on arrival, no ...
    April 1, 2012
    The term “deploy” has been used in military circles for more than 200 years. It comes from French roots meaning to unroll or unfurl. Random House defines “deploy” as “to arrange...
    April 1, 2012
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    For many years, I have seen people in the EMS profession die in the line of duty in a variety of ways. Some fatalities involve helicopter crashes, some deaths result from ambulance...
    April 1, 2012
    Photo from Collection of Gary E. Frederick
    The 1930 photo shows members of Baltimore City, MD, Fire Department Engine 3 in front of their quarters on Lombard Street.
    MARYSVILLE, WA: APRIL 4, 1912 – About 7 o’clock in the evening, fire was discovered on the second floor of the Anderson Building, just over the entrance to the Star Theatre. Within...
    April 1, 2012
    THE ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICIALS (APCO) INTERNATIONAL has received a $50,000 grant from the MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS FOUNDATION to provide qualified association...
    April 1, 2012
    The economy has led to a considerable impact on municipal budgets and, subsequently, on fire department budgets. Elected officials are feeling the strain to reduce operating expense...
    Dec. 2, 2011