Firehouse Magazine

In This Issue: January 2013

Cover photo by Scott LaPrade/SmokeShowingPhotography.com

Firefighters battled a six-alarm fire involving a dairy farm in Lancaster, MA. Crews were able to contain the fire before it could spread to a slaughterhouse. Units from 23 communities were called to fight the fire and a tanker task force was also called. A lack of hydrants in the rural community hampered firefighting operations. The smoke was visible more than 15 miles away. The farm was open and working at the time of the fire, which fire occurred on Nov. 10, 2012. Cover photo by Scott LaPrade/SmokeShowingPhotography.com

Dedication

This month’s Firehouse® is dedicated to Captain Mike Burgin, 46, of the Sugarcreek, OH, Fire Department; Firefighter Anne Veseth, 20, of Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Grangeville, ID; Inmate Firefighter Jimmy Randolph, 44 of the California Department of Corrections in South Sacramento, CA; Captain Roulos Davis, 49, of the Chattanooga, TN, Fire Department; and Assistant Chief Timothy J. Lamere, 47, of the Constable, NY, Volunteer Firemen Inc., who died in the line of duty, August 2012.

The Apparatus Architect

by Tom Shand/Mike Wilbur
Created: January 1, 2013

Many fire departments are struggling with reduced budgets, including little or no funding for capital projects. Fire station repairs and apparatus maintenance and testing are often being deferred with...
Fire Destroys Century-Old Beckley Buildings

by Jay K. Bradish
Created: January 1, 2013

BECKLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief: Billie Trump Personnel: 41 career firefighters Stations: 3 Apparatus: 2 pumpers, 1 aerial, 1 regional response truck, 1 hazmat rescue, 4 staff/support...
20 Tough Questions For the Fire Chief: Are You Prepared To Answer Them? Question 9

by Dr. Richard Gasaway and Richard Kline
Created: January 1, 2013

These questions get to the heart of the fire department’s efficiency. Set aside for a moment that it is extremely difficult to predict when an emergency will occur. On-duty staffing serves, in...
Maintenance Roundtable

by Ed Ballam
Created: January 1, 2013

When it comes to fire apparatus maintenance, you would be correct to think that equipment required to meet emissions standards was challenging. You would also be correct to think that aging...

University of Extrication: High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) Headlights

by Ron Moore
Created: January 1, 2013

SUBJECT: Electrical Hazards at Vehicle Rescue Incidents TOPIC: High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) Headlights OBJECTIVE: Understand the design and operation of HID headlights and appropriate...
What If the Fire Service Gets Out of EMS?

by Gary Ludwig
Created: January 1, 2013

Another fire chief and I were having a conversation about how much the fire service has an impact on EMS. He said that during a recent meeting with business leaders, he had mentioned that his fire...
Riding the Right-Front Seat: Basic Leadership Skills

by Dr. Harry Carter
Created: January 1, 2013

I recently came across research on the basics of leading people in a volunteer environment that applies to every type of fire department. In an article titled “Thoughts on Leadership...
Conducting Interviews At TV and Radio Stations

by Timothy Szymanski
Created: January 1, 2013

You just received a call from your local radio or TV station to be interviewed on a show to talk about how to make a home safe from fire. What should you do? When you first get the call, make sure...
Know Your Crew, Part 5: Leading the "Expressives"

by Kimberly Alyn
Created: January 1, 2013

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 four...
Three Wishes For the New Year

by Dennis Compton
Created: January 1, 2013

This being the January 2013 edition of the Fire Politics column, it is interesting to contemplate what could happen this year in politics to significantly benefit the fire service. I have learned over...
With Nothing Showing Initially... Part 1

by William Goldfeder
Created: January 1, 2013

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at 10:01 A.M., the Mantua Township Fire District (MTFD) in New Jersey was dispatched to a dwelling fire with people reported trapped. While units were enroute, they were told...
"The Wrong People Are Here"

by John J. Salka, Jr.
Created: January 1, 2013

I was presenting a leadership program in a suburb of Denver, CO, with my buddy Rick Lasky, retired chief of the Lewisville, TX, Fire Department, when a young firefighter came up to talk with us. He...
The Station Uniform Shirt

by Denise L. Smith
Created: January 1, 2013

Firefighters wear structural turnout gear and other components of personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide protection against multiple hazards, most notably thermal injury. The use of such...
Emergency Services Stretched to the Limit

by Harvey Eisner
Created: January 1, 2013

A 500-mile-wide Hurricane named Sandy caused death and destruction from the Northeast to the Great Lakes at the end of October and beginning of November 2012. One of the worst storms to hit the area...
An 11-Stage System Analysis Of Firefighting Strategy

by Vincent Dunn
Created: January 1, 2013

As I noted in part one of this column (November 2012), much is written about firefighting tactics, but not strategy. One reason for that is because tactics – firefighting tasks and procedures...

Rekindles 1/13

by Paul Hashagen
Created: January 1, 2013

PRINCETON, NJ: JAN. 1, 1913 – Alexander Hall, the oldest building of Princeton Theological Seminary, was damaged by an afternoon fire. Flames broke out on the fourth floor and spread...
Scuttlebutt 1-13

by Steven Shaw
Created: January 1, 2013

Lending a Hand (and a Truck) to Kosovo When Jakup Jahiri came to Mason, MI, to visit his son, he returned home to Viti, Kosovo, with much more than memories of a fun trip. While in Mason, the then...
Turbo Diesel Engine

FORD’s all-new Transit full-size van, which goes on sale in late 2013, will be offered with a new, clean-running 3.2-liter Power Stroke five-cylinder diesel engine. The new diesel, Ford’s second...
For the Record 1-13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: January 1, 2013

USFA Offers Tips to Prevent CO Poisoning The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is urging residents to be safe as cold weather blankets the United States, including areas recently impacted by Hurricane...
Industry News 1/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: January 1, 2013

KME took part in a relief effort called “Carbon County, PA Helps Sea Bright, NJ” on Nov. 10. Part of KME’s contribution was to perform much-needed routine services for fire departments in the...
New Products 1/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: January 1, 2013

Inflatable Boats RESCUE ONE CONNECTOR BOAT has introduced the Rescue ONE Inflatable Boat Series, featuring smaller, lighter-weight boats designed for rescue operations. Standard features include...
Emergency Services Stretched to the Limit

by Harvey Eisner
Created: January 1, 2013

A 500-mile-wide Hurricane named Sandy caused death and destruction from the Northeast to the Great Lakes at the end of October and beginning of November 2012. One of the worst storms to hit the area...
Are We Defeating the Enemy?

by Firehouse Readers
Created: January 1, 2013

The U.S. military is our nation’s most elite group of individuals. They have led our nation to victory in many battles. I do believe, however, none of these victories have come without a precise and...
Fire Wire 1/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: January 1, 2013

NOV. 2: OCALA, FL – Five people using a gasoline generator inside their home survived carbon monoxide poisoning when one was able to call 911. NOV . 10: COOKVILLE, TN – Improperly...
New Deliveries 1/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: January 1, 2013

THE VALLEY FORGE, PA, VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY has taken delivery of a Spartan ERV pumper built on a Spartan Gladiator chassis and equipped with a 2,000-gpm Waterous pump, 1,000 gallon UPF Poly Tank...
Hot Shots 1/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: January 1, 2013

LOS ANGELES, CA, OCT. 9, 2012 – Upon arrival, firefighters found the second floor was well involved with fire and soon was through the roof. One firefighter suffered a minor injury. Photo by...

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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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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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