Firehouse Magazine

In This Issue: November 2012

Cover Photo by Ed Gray/allhandsgoingtowork.com

A seven-alarm fire ripped through a vacant food-distrbution warehouse consisting of eight inter-connected buildings covering a city block in Brooklyn on July 23, 2012. Eventually, 10 tower ladders were used in a defensive attack during extremely hot weather.

Dedication

This month’s Firehouse® is dedicated Firefighter Ronald Keddie, 64, of the Sheridan, NY, Fire Department, who died in the line of duty, June 2012; and to Firefighter Rocky E. Durnkin, 24, of the Nile Township Volunteer Fire Department in Friendship, OH; Major/Instructor Pilot Joseph M. McCormick, 36, Major/Navigator Ryan S. David, 35, Lt. Col./Evaluator Pilot Paul K. Mikeal, 42 and Senior Master Seargent/Flight Engineer Robert S. Cannon, 50, of the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, in Charlotte, NC, who died in the line of duty, July, 2012.

Apparatus Showcase

by Firehouse Staff
Created: November 5, 2012

ALEXIS The Saunemin, IL, Fire Protection District operates an Alexis custom pumper/tanker built on an HME 1871 MFDxL chassis powered by a 360-hp Cummins ISC engine with an Allison 3000EVS...
20 Tough Questions For the Fire Chief: Question 7

by Richard Gasaway and Richard Kline
Created: November 1, 2012

Many of the installments of this series refer to the new challenges that have been placed upon the fire service and, more specifically, how to pay for those services. Many government agencies...
Higher Education: Backdraft Modeling Fires College Student Research, Debunks Popular Myths

by Paul Snodgrass
Created: November 1, 2012

Greg Gorbett spends unmeasured hours building scale-model rooms, complete with furniture and fixtures. He then judiciously stacks wood cribbing inside and burns his creations. More often than not...
On The Job Georgia: Three-Alarm Fire Destroys Historic Columbus Mill

by Jay K. Bradish
Created: November 1, 2012

On Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, a three-alarm fire destroyed the historic Swift Textile Manufacturing Co. mill in downtown Columbus, GA. Despite firefighting challenges involving water supplies and...
The Apparatus Architect

by Tom Shand/Mike Wilbur
Created: November 1, 2012

For some time, The Apparatus Architect articles have discussed the importance of defining the mission of the apparatus prior to the development of specifications and meetings with manufacturer’s...
Aircraft Rescue and Structural Fire Departments

by Todd B. Bane
Created: November 1, 2012

On a cold February night, a passenger plane crashed into a Buffalo, NY, neighborhood, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground. In another incident, a single-engine aircraft crashed...
Apparatus Roundtable: Manufacturers Roundtable

by Ed Ballam
Created: November 1, 2012

It should be no surprise the soft economy is affecting the fire apparatus market. Manufacturers say fire departments are looking for apparatus that can do more with less, lower maintenance costs and...

Leadership Lessons: Know Your Crew, Part 4: How to Lead the "Amiables"

by Kimberly Alyn
Created: November 1, 2012

In August, I started a five-part series about knowing your crew and the four different social styles on your team, based on the Merrill/Reid Social Style Model. If you haven’t read the first three...
The Fire Scene: New Officers: Don't Be Afraid to Change

by John J. Salka, Jr.
Created: November 1, 2012

When firefighters are promoted to officer positions, there is often much discussion about how well they are going to perform, how they will treat their firefighters and in general how they are going...
The Fire Service PIO: Handling Media Interviews

by Timothy Szymanski
Created: November 1, 2012

At one time or another, every public information officer (PIO) will have to give an interview to the news media. It is one of the main duties of a PIO. There are several types of interviews, but I...
Fire Dispatch: Five Communications Drills That Could Save Your Life

by Barry Furey
Created: November 1, 2012

Although fire chiefs and training officers often struggle for training materials, emergency communications are rarely deeply explored. Let’s face it; practicing talking on a radio is not as exciting...
Fire Politics: The "Fiscal Cliff" And the Fire Service

by Dennis Compton
Created: November 1, 2012

Those who follow national news have heard of the looming “fiscal cliff.” Without some action soon by Congress, it is widely projected that the economy could be seriously impacted in a way that may...
University of Extrication: Vehicle Telematics Systems

by Ron Moore
Created: November 1, 2012

In the Introduction to OnStar column (see the October issue), we were provided with an overview of this vehicle communications system owned by General Motors (GM). In this column, we will take a...
EMS: NFPA 1917 Released

by Gary Ludwig
Created: November 1, 2012

I challenge you to finish reading this column, and then turn to your computer, go to Google’s search engine, click on the tab at the top that says, “News” and do a search using the terms...
Thermal Imaging: Thermal Imagers Key In Search and Rescue

by Brad Harvey
Created: November 1, 2012

I ’ll never forget that morning. It was a cold day in February. As I drove to the fire station to report for duty, I smelled it – that unmistakable smell of a structure fire. It was a bit foggy...
Safety & Survival: An 11-Stage System Analysis Of Firefighting Strategy: Part 1

by Vincent Dunn
Created: November 1, 2012

A t rookie battalion chiefs school we were taught that “locate, confine and extinguish” is your firefighting strategy. After 26 years as an incident commander, however, I discovered there is...
Close Calls: Multiple Challenges –Then a Firefighter Trapped

by William Goldfeder
Created: November 1, 2012

“One civilian fatality, seven firefighters injured, Mayday and the rescue of a lost, unconscious firefighter, complete building loss...” Firefighters in Oconomowoc, WI, are breathing a sigh of...
As Firehouse Sees It: Good Times and Bad Times

by Harvey Eisner
Created: November 1, 2012

T he November issue of Firehouse ® is our Apparatus Issue, focusing on the most important piece of equipment in the firefighting arsenal. Whether the incident is a fire, a medical emergency or a...

Product Showcase 11/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: November 1, 2012

Force 6 FORCE 6 Swift Water RescueTec PFD (personal floatation device) is a UL-listed and United States Coast Guard-approved Type 5 Professional Swiftwater Rescue PFD. The RescueTec PFD is feature...
Rekindles 11/12

by Paul Hashagen
Created: November 1, 2012

KNOX CITY, TX: NOV. 1, 1912 – Just after midnight, a fire started in a frame building where oil was stored. The flames rapidly spread to three small buildings that quickly became fully involved. The...
Hot Shots 11/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: November 1, 2012

LOS ANGELES, CA, SEPT. 14, 2012 – A major-emergency brushfire burned more than 90 acres in the Sepulveda Pass just east of the 405 Freeway and threatened the Bel-Air Canyon. The fire congested...
New Products 11/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: November 1, 2012

Boot-Drying Accessory RAM AIR GEAR DRYER has introduced a boot-drying accessory for its 4-IHT model. The boot dryer fits into one of the four drying ports and can dry eight boots per accessory, or...
Scuttlebutt 11/12

by Steven Shaw
Created: November 1, 2012

Proud to Wear Pink The Deltona, FL, Fire Department joined fire departments throughout the country in the “Proud to Wear Pink” campaign to show support and bring awareness to breast cancer...
Fire Wire 11/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: November 1, 2012

SEPT. 1: GREENBELT, MD – Two firefighters were injured when apparatus responding to a possible house fire collided with a vehicle. The possible house fire turned out to be a malfunctioning...
Industry News 11/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: November 1, 2012

KME and sales representative Bulldog Fire Apparatus have been awarded an order for three 109-foot AerialCat rear-mount ladders by the Boston, MA, Fire Department. The aerials will join the 10 KME...
For the Record 11/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: November 1, 2012

Marion Body Works President Dies in Crash James M. Simpson, 51, the president and chief executive officer of Marion Body Works, was killed in a motor vehicle crash on Oct. 4. Simpson had been...
Speak Up: The Professional Volunteer Fire Department

by Firehouse Readers
Created: November 1, 2012

Many times in discussions with the public, I am asked whether I am a professional firefighter or a volunteer firefighter. I take exception to that, and politely explain to them that there are paid...

Wallpapers

Click Desired Size:
800x600 | 1024x768 | 1280x960

Firehouse Magazine Insider

Firehouse Managing Editor Elizabeth Neroulas talks with Deputy Chief Ray O'Brocki about his Chief Concerns article “It's All Hands On Deck When Disaster Strikes" which appears in the March 2013 issue of Firehouse Magazine . Listen as the two discuss how Baltimore City, MD, Fire Dept. handles emergency calls during extreme weather events. Read: It's "All Hands On Deck" When Disaster Strikes View: The March issue of Firehouse Magazine Subscribe to...

Listen Now

Archived Issues

View All

Heroism & Commmunity Service Awards

Nominate a department member for heroic acts and extraordinary community service that occurred between January 1 and December 31, 2012. This annual program is the largest of its kind in the United States.

Read more and submit your department today!
DEADLINE: Jan. 25, 2013

Annual Run Surveys

Each year, Firehouse publishes three surveys to help fire departments compare statistics including personnel, budgets and response data. In the spring, the Combination Run Survey focuses on combination fire departments. Over several issues in the summer, career departments compare statistics through the National Run Survey. In the fall, the Volunteer Run Survey shares details of the largest segment of the fire service. Take part in the next Firehouse Run Survey by downloading the proper form below.

Volunteer Departments

DOWNLOAD FORM

Career Departments

DOWNLOAD FORM

Combination Departments

COMING SOON!

View All

Article Reprints

For reprints and content licensing please contact Nick Iademarco at Wright's Media 877-652-5295 ext. 102. For more information on reprints, click here

Subscribe to Firehouse Magazine. Start your print, digital, or online subscription today.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Gift Subscription - The perfect gift for any occasion. Give a one-year subscription to a new subscriber.

GIVE A GIFT