Firehouse Magazine

In This Issue: October 2012

Cover photo by Mike Meadows

A five-alarm fire destroyed a 10-acre pallet yard in the City of Fontana in San Bernardino County, CA, on May 19, 2012. The pallets were stacked two to three stories high. The massive fire required the response of 160 firefighters and nearly 40 pieces of apparatus.

Dedication

This month’s Firehouse® is dedicated to First Officer Ronnie Chambless, 40, and Captain Todd Tompkins, 48, of Neptune Aviation Services Inc. in Missoula, MT; Firefighter Anthony Polk, 31, of the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Fort Yuma Agency in Yuma, AZ; Assistant Chief Donald L. Suggs, 55, of the Summerville Fire & Rescue Department in Lillington, NC; and Chief George Davis, 62, of the Hollis, ME, Fire Department, who died in the line of duty, June 2012.

On The Job Tennessee: Multi-Alarm Fire Destroys Vacant Furniture Factory

by Jay K. Bradish
Created: October 1, 2012

The main portion of the vacant structure was constructed in the late 1800s of heavy timber and brick. Several additions were made to the factory over the years. The present complex consisted of 13...
FIREHOUSE INTERVIEW: FIRE CHIEF JOANNE HAYES-WHITE San Francisco, CA, Fire Department

by Harvey Eisner
Created: October 1, 2012

Firehouse: The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) is down about 300 firefighters. Is there a plan for the future to hire new firefighters and promote EMTs? Hayes-White: In the past few years, we...
20 Tough Questions For the Fire Chief: Are You Prepared To Answer Them? Question 6

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

Response time and available staffing are the two most important factors that influence fire department success at emergency scenes. There has been much debate in the fire service literature and...
2011 Volunteer Run Survey

by Elizabeth Neroulas
Created: September 27, 2012

Firehouse ® Magazine proudly presents its 24th annual Volunteer Run Survey. For this year’s survey, we received responses from hundreds of volunteer fire departments in 35 states. Listed here...

EMS: Patient Refusals: Treading On Dangerous Ground

by Gary Ludwig
Created: October 1, 2012

I have the distinct memory some eons ago of working as a newly promoted captain/paramedic and going on a call at which the ambulance crew was already on the scene. Two paramedics were treating a...
The Fire Scene: Nothing Showing

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

Have you ever heard an officer say “nothing showing” on arriving at an alarm location? I often wonder what that means to the other firefighters responding to that location. Does it mean there is...
Fire Politics: Exercising Your Individual Right to Vote

by Dennis Compton
Created: October 1, 2012

Throughout the United States, the primary elections are over and the November general elections are right around the corner. As we know, these November elections will occur at the local, county, state...
Leadership Lessons: Know Your Crew, Part 3: How to Lead the "Drivers"

by Kimberly Alyn
Created: October 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 two...
Close Calls: Firefighters Burned In Mega-Mansion Fire

by William Goldfeder
Created: October 1, 2012

This is the conclusion of a two-part report on operations at a March 19, 2011, house fire in Huntingtown, MD, at which 10 firefighters were injured, including four who received significant burns. Fire...
Fire Law: Pregnancy Discrimination In the Fire Service

by Curt Varone
Created: October 1, 2012

I t was a discussion that took place many years ago, in a fire station, over dinner. “Hey, Chief, my wife is pregnant. Can I go on light duty?” the firefighter asked me in a baiting sort of way...
Fire Studies: Lumberyard Fires

by
Created: October 1, 2012

The deputy chief was monitoring his radio while responding to a lumberyard fire. He was familiar with the facility and knew it contained a mill shop to build windows and a building in which wooden...
Hazmat Studies: 2012 ERG: A Vital Resource For First Responders

by Robert Burke
Created: October 1, 2012

T he 2012 edition of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) has been released, featuring new information about gases, placarding and responses to incidents...
Thermal Imaging: Don't Forget Your TI During Overhaul

by Brad Harvey
Created: October 1, 2012

One of the best and most popular uses for a thermal imager (TI) is during overhaul. A TI can be a blessing to you in determining how far a fire may have extended. Using a TI for overhaul, however, can...
Command Post: On the Road, Again

by Dr. Harry Carter
Created: October 1, 2012

Let me start by saying that my son-in-law recently told me about attending a Bob Dylan concert. We discussed the man’s music and the lyrics of a number of his songs. I spoke of one of my favorite...
University of Extrication Trainer’s Guide: Vehicle Telematics Systems

by Ron Moore
Created: October 1, 2012

SUBJECT: Vehicle Telematics Systems TOPIC: Introduction to OnStar OBJECTIVE: Responders will become familiar with how the OnStar vehicle communications system is designed and functions TASK...
As Firehouse Sees It: On to the Next Chapter

by Harvey Eisner
Created: September 11, 2012

A few months ago, the FDNY 18th Battalion commander, Battalion Chief John J. Salka Jr., retired after 33 years on the job. A Firehouse ® Magazine contributing editor for many years and a speaker...

New Products 10/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: October 1, 2012

Multigas Detector MSA has introduced the ALTAIR 4X multigas detector with XCell Sensor technology. The unit detects lower explosive limit (LEL), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and...
Hot Shots 10/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: October 1, 2012

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ, JULY 28, 2012 – The driver of a tractor-trailer truck was killed when he crashed into an office building. A second alarm was transmitted, followed quickly by a third alarm...
New Deliveries 10/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: October 1, 2012

HALTOM CITY, TX, FIRE-RESCUE has taken delivery of a Rosenbauer heavy rescue featuring a custom chassis, 425-hp Cummins ISL engine, Allison 3000EVP transmission, heavy-duty tow rings, Hannay...
Product Showcase 10/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: October 1, 2012

Fire Station Exhaust Systems Plymovent Plymovent provides high-quality products to protect firefighters and others from exposure to hazardous diesel exhausts. Stay connected on twitter...
Rekindles 10/12

by Paul Hashagen
Created: October 1, 2012

PENN YAN, NY: OCT. 6, 1912 – Late at night, smoke seeped into an upstairs bedroom in a home near Keuka Landing. The woman of the house, Mrs. Stowell, was awakened by shrieks of “Fire! Fire!” Her...
For the Record 10/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: October 1, 2012

Fire Grant Expands RSLN The Cumberland Valley, PA, Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA) was awarded a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to...
Scuttlebutt 10-12

by Steven Shaw
Created: October 1, 2012

Flying High Hillsboro (OR) Firefighter Eric Keim recently got the ride of his life aboard a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16. Keim was selected to ride with the Thunderbirds for his role as...
Speak Up 10/12: The Firefighter Memorial Service

by Firehouse Readers
Created: October 1, 2012

If one researches back in time, and I mean to the customs of ancient Rome, you will find that select professions established time-honored ceremonies. These ceremonies were with distinct purpose and...
Industry News 10/12

by Firehouse Staff
Created: October 1, 2012

The FIRE APPARATUS MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (FAMA) has awarded its 2012 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship to University of Maryland student Kenneth Hamburger. The award is given...
As Firehouse Sees It: On to the Next Chapter

by Harvey Eisner
Created: September 11, 2012

A few months ago, the FDNY 18th Battalion commander, Battalion Chief John J. Salka Jr., retired after 33 years on the job. A Firehouse ® Magazine contributing editor for many years and a speaker...

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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...

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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.

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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.

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