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    More content from March 2012

    Jan. 1: Hamletsburg, IL – Investigators did not find the cause of a blaze that claimed the lives of three people. A fourth occupant escaped. Jan. 2: Waynesburg, KY – Crews battled...
    March 1, 2012
    Kimalyn 10617509
    A few months ago, I wrote a column titled “Top Seven Morale Killers in Your Department” (November 2011). First on the list was “lack of discipline,” and I talked about how morale...
    March 1, 2012
    Photo from Paul Hashagen Collection
    BUFFALO, NY: MARCH 27, 1912 – Built on Buffalo’s highest hill, the massive Masten Park High School could be seen from nearly every part of the city and was known as “the school on the hill” for its white facade and lofty towers. Around 10 A.M., a fire broke out in one of the towers and the fire gong sounded. The 1,200-strong student body believed it to be a fire drill and marched out onto the cold, slushy grounds only to be surprised to see smoke pouring from the top floors of the castle-like building. As the fire department responded, teachers and students dashed back inside to save musical instruments and a collection of treasured American flags. Further salvage efforts were stopped after a section of the roof collapsed. The school was a total loss, although the library was unharmed and all the books and materials were recovered.
    MIDDLETOWN, NY: MARCH 4, 1912: – Apparently worried by financial troubles, a local justice of the peace drove his wife from their home at the point of a revolver. He then set ...
    March 1, 2012
    Deputy Fire Chief Raymond O’Brocki
    The Baltimore City, MD, Fire Department’s neighborhood smoke alarm canvassing program began passively in the 1970s after the release of America Burning, a landmark document that...
    March 1, 2012
    Photo by Ron Jeffers
    Fort Lee
    THE FORT LEE, NJ, FIRE DEPARTMENT has taken delivery of a Sutphen custom pumper/tanker built on a Sutphen Monarch chassis. Components include a 515-hp Detroit Diesel engine, Telma...
    March 1, 2012
    Photo by Bill Tompkins/www.BTFirephotos.com
    Hot Shots 3 12 Manhattan1 3 12022
    NEW YORK CITY, JAN. 3, 2012 – As temperatures dropped into the teens and wind chills were in the single digits for the first time this season, FDNY firefighters battled a three...
    March 1, 2012
    Photo by Tom Carmody
    After cutting a ventilation hole, two firefighters prepare to exit the roof.
    PAWTUCKET, RI, JAN. 6, 2012 – Three engines, two ladders and a rescue responded to a late-morning report of a house fire. First-arriving Engine 1 reported smoke showing and gave...
    March 1, 2012
    Newdel 312 Darleycafsforyoungs 10620311
    THE YOUNGSTOWN, PA, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT has taken delivery of a Darley/Dodge all-wheel-drive quick-attack unit equipped with a 305-hp Cummins engine, 250-gpm Darley pump...
    March 1, 2012
    Photo by Dennis C. Sharpe
    Newdel 312 Groundzero064 10620321
    THE SCULLVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, has taken delivery of a Pierce Velocity pumper equipped with Detroit Series 60 DD13 engine, Allison 4000EVS automatic...
    March 1, 2012
    Photo by Ron Jeffers
    Newdel 312 Westcaldwell71010f5 10620342
    THE WEST CALDWELL, NJ, FIRE DEPARTMENT has placed into service a Ford F550/Rosenbauer 1,000-gpm fast-attack pumper equipped with four-wheel drive, two crosslay hosebeds, a booster...
    March 1, 2012
    Newdel 312 Dsc01777 10620361
    THE CITY OF NEWPORT, VT, FIRE DEPARTMENT has taken delivery of a Smeal custom pumper built on a Spartan Metro Star chassis powered by a 350-hp Cummins ISC engine with an Allison...
    March 1, 2012
    Newdel 312 Clsredimedic 10620376
    COMMUNITY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS INC. in Lackawanna County, PA, has taken delivery of two Medtec RediMedic ambulances. The units feature a recessed overhead grab-rail, angled and...
    March 1, 2012
    Photos by Chris Barrios
    The line the rigger is handling is the top safety line, the center line is the main haul line and the line at center is the tag line.
    By its very name, an urban search and rescue (USAR) task force must be able to search. The three standard search techniques are physical, technical and canine. All three have ...
    March 1, 2012
    Photos by Mike Daley
    Photo 1. The emergency scene is a dynamic, ever-changing scenario where rescuers must be prepared to handle any situation they respond to.
    Michael Daley explains why rescuers must be prepared to handle any situation.
    March 1, 2012
    Johnsalka 10621380
    When we talk about “setting the tone,” we’re talking about how someone can create a mood or attitude among a group of people. Of course, the group of people I am talking about...
    March 1, 2012
    © FDNY Photo Unit.
    FDNY Firefighter James Wildes holds 6-year-old Alise Mareerose Williams of Evansdale, IA, during the Honor Roll of Life ceremony. Firefighter Wildes donated life-saving stem cells to Alise in 2009.
    Recognition for FDNY Bone Marrow DonorsFire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, President and CEO of New York Blood Center (NYBC) Christopher D. Hillyer, M.D. and Chairman of NYBC...
    March 1, 2012
    Courtesy of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
    Screen shots of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District EMS App in action.
    When you finish reading this column, go to your computer, pull up YouTube and type in the search words “did you know.” You will find videos that pertain to how technology is changing...
    March 1, 2012
    No place for complacencySometimes, we firefighters succumb to complacency. This is especially true when we respond to repeated false alarms from home detection systems. The fact...
    March 1, 2012
    Photo courtesy of Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department
    The leadership of a combination fire department must develop rules and regulations that govern both the career and volunteer components and ensure that everyone meets the same standards.
    Given the continuing decline in the number of volunteers in many places, there is a growing need within the American fire service for the combination type of fire department operation...
    March 1, 2012
    Brad Harvey 1107 10628594
    You’ve likely experienced it before. You’re moving quickly down a hallway at a residential structure fire, occasionally glancing at the thermal imager (TI) in order to keep track...
    March 1, 2012
    'The electorate (is) more reluctant than ever to increase their tax rates to provide greater levels of service.'
    Firehouse: Why is it that the citizens of San Diego never seem to have backed legislation, bond issues or votes for more funding for fire protection in either the city or county...
    March 1, 2012
    PIERCE MANUFACTURING has received an order for three aerial tiller vehicles from the Columbus, OH, Division of Fire. Each apparatus will feature an Arrow XT chassis, 105-foot ...
    March 1, 2012
    Photo by Damien Danis
    Fortherecord 312 Newark4th123p 10628220
    January Line-of-Duty DeathsTen U.S. emergency service personnel died in January. Five volunteer firefighters, two career firefighters, one part-time firefighter and two civilian...
    March 1, 2012
    Units of the FDNY 22 Battalion on Staten Island, NY, operate at an early-morning second alarm. Ladder 79 operates its bucket as heavy fire vents through the attic roof. Illegal residents had been vacated from the attic days before the fire. During the fire, firefighters found at least 25 residents within the former single-family dwelling.
    Is it possible to make a dangerous job safer? Currently, much testing and debate are going on across the U.S. fire service. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is conducting full-size...
    March 1, 2012
    STREAMLIGHT has introduced the SL-20L and SL-20LP rechargeable flashlights. Both lights use a C4 LED to deliver up to 350 lumens measured system output and 60,000 candela peak beam intensity for long- range beam distance. The lights also feature a deep-dish parabolic reflector that optimizes peripheral illumination while providing a tight, focused beam. Both models feature a multi-function, push-button barrel switch that permits one-handed operation of the momentary, variable-intensity or strobe modes. The C4 LED is impervious to shock and has a 50,000-hour lifetime.
    Rechargeable FlashlightsSTREAMLIGHT has introduced the SL-20L and SL-20LP rechargeable flashlights. Both lights use a C4 LED to deliver up to 350 lumens measured system output...
    March 1, 2012
    Photos by Ron Moore
    Jacking or rolling the dash will require that not only the back side of the base of the A pillar be cut as we normally do, but the base's inside and outside metal plus even the front of the 'box' may have to be cut before the structure will release and move. Cut between the hinges.
    This University of Extrication Trainer’s Guide addresses a new challenge that is arising from design changes of the newest model vehicles being produced today. Manufacturers are...
    March 1, 2012
    Prodshow 312 Elbeco 10630469
    BlauerBlauer’s new TacShell System brings modern outdoor apparel layering systems to the firehouse. The TacShell combines a waterproof, windproof and breathable, stretch three...
    March 1, 2012
    Tt 10630607
    It’s no secret that fire tankers and tenders are at a higher risk of rollover than any other fire apparatus on the road today. Heavily loaded tankers with higher centers of gravity...
    March 1, 2012
    Firehouse® Magazine and Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) have compiled the second annual Combination Fire...
    Feb. 15, 2012
    Photos courtesy of University Heights FD
    Upon arrival of the first-due engine and truck companies, light smoke was showing from this house and an occupant was leaning out of a second-floor window.
    University Heights, OH, Firefighter Paul Nees, with 33 years on the job, has returned to work full time on his regular shift, but why he was out of work is the subject of this...
    Feb. 15, 2012
    Otjtexas 212 Magnablend013 10604835
    On Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, a four-alarm fire in Waxahachie, TX destroyed the Magnablend Industries plant, which manufactured and packaged custom chemicals for a variety of uses,...
    Feb. 1, 2012
    Photo by Ron Jeffers
    Newdel 312 Newmarkete211eonecy 10620332
    THE NEW MARKET FIRE DISTRICT in Piscataway, NJ, has taken delivery of an E-ONE Cyclone II pumper equipped with a 500-hp Cummins ISM engine, Allison 4000EVS-P transmission, 2,000...
    Jan. 30, 2012
    78g2730albuquerquenmmountainsc 10618394
    THE ALBUQUERQUE, NM, FIRE DEPARTMENT has taken delivery of a Seagrave Marauder II pumper powered by a 500-hp Cummins ISM engine, Allison 4000EVS transmission, 2,000-gpm Waterous...
    Jan. 25, 2012
    Randolphm 10618379
    THE RANDOLPH, VT, FIRE DEPARTMENT has taken delivery of a KME custom pumper built on a KME Predator MFD chassis. Components include a 475-hp Maxxforce 13 engine, Allison 4000EVS...
    Jan. 25, 2012
    Photo by Ron Jeffers
    Fl311sutphen20002000250b 10618305
    THE FORT LEE, NJ, FIRE DEPARTMENT has taken delivery of a Sutphen custom pumper/tanker built on a Sutphen Monarch chassis. Components include a 515-hp Detroit Diesel engine, Telma...
    Jan. 25, 2012