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    More content from September 2013

    Photo by Ron Moore
    The driver's front seat of this GM vehicle has two seat-mounted airbags. On the outboard, or left side of the seat, one airbag 'ID' is visible along the upholstery seam. This airbag will deploy when this side of the vehicle receives sufficient impact.
    SUBJECT: Front Center AirbagTOPIC: General Motors Corporation’s Front Center AirbagOBJECTIVE: Understand how to identify the presence of the GM front center airbag system in a...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Joel Gebet
    WHITESVILLE FIRE COMPANY 1 in Jackson, NJ, has taken delivery of a Rosenbauer Viper 109-foot aerial ladder
    WHITESVILLE FIRE COMPANY 1 in Jackson, NJ, has taken delivery of a Rosenbauer Viper 109-foot aerial ladder built on a Spartan Gladiator chassis. Components include a 525-hp Caterpillar...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photos by Timothy R. Szymanski/LVFR
    This photo was taken with an iPad after a car veered off a roadway and crashed into the patio eating area of a Las Vegas restaurant. Ten people were injured with four trapped under the vehicle. The photo was sent out before the media arrived on scene and it was all around Las Vegas within minutes.
    The Fire Service PIO
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Ess Rollbar Lens Exchange 11074368
    High-Impact SunglassesESS (EYE SAFETY SYSTEMS) has introduced Rollbar ballistic sunglasses with interchangeable lenses. The sunglasses come standard with two sets of interchangeable...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    John Salka 11075559
    The word “conforming” often carries a negative or restrictive connotation. Many people think of conforming as a surrender of their own ideas or behaviors in favor of those of ...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Used properly, thermal imagers can help crews more effectively monitor fire conditions, place personnel in key areas to create control lines, enhance safety during firefighting and improve the control of prescribed burns.
    Used properly, TIs can help monitor fire conditions, create control lines, enhance safety during firefighting and improve the control of prescribed burns.
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Jay K. Bradish/IFPA
    Having fewer firefighters on the fireground means more time is needed to carry out essential functions.
    Staffing is a hot-button topic for many fire departments. We as firefighters know what is needed to safely and effectively get our job done, but all too often our towns and cities...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Gary Ludwig 11078039
    I still vividly remember TV commercials for Miller Lite beer that aired years ago. The ads featured many well-known names, such as comedian Rodney Dangerfield and former NFL coach...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Chris E. Mickal/www.firelinephotos.com
    Whether through promotion, by attrition, by request or because of discipline, it is highly unlikely that anyone will go through an entire career with the same crew.
    No matter how big or how small a department, the fire service is made up of small groups that work together very closely. Generally, cohesiveness is created in a relatively short...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Jay K. Bradish/IFPA
    There is often a gap between expectations and the ability to pay because many elected officials (and most civilians) have no idea what services cost. All they know is when they need the fire department, they want the firefighters there fast; they want them to have the resources (apparatus, equipment and personnel) to handle their emergency effectively; and they want them to have expert problem-solving knowledge and skills.
    The first part of this question insinuates that a change in governance structure is the precursor to enhancing service levels. The second part of the question concludes significant...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    NYLE ZIKMUND is chief of the Spring Lake Park, Blaine and Mounds View (SBM) Fire Department in Minnesota
    Nyle Zikmund explains why he focused on fire prevention when he became fire chief.
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Chris E. Mickal/www.firelinephotos.com
    In career departments, those riding the right-front seat usually deal with the same firefighters on a continuing basis. This familiarity helps you become familiar with each person’s role in the success (or failure) of your unit. Volunteer fire departments present a different challenge, since you never know who will be riding the right-front seat. This means you must learn more about the people in your organization so you can assess the people with whom you will be serving.
    Many of my columns are about problem-solving, usually at the organizational level. This month’s column is different. This time, I discuss problem-solving at the personal level...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Mike Meadows
    Aug. 11: Riverside County, CA – The 'Silver Fire,' which started in Riverside County, CA, on Aug. 7, 2013, spread across the San Jacinto Mountains burning 20,292 acres. Twelve people were injured including 11 firefighters. As of Aug. 11, the fire was 95% contained. During the height of the fire, more than 1,400 firefighters using 62 engines, 59 fire crews, nine helicopters, five dozers and 10 water tenders battled the blaze. Several photographers, including Shawn Kaye (shown in bottom left of photo), grabbed a garden hose and stopped fire in a garage from extending into a house. As Kaye was operating, Mike Meadows found some fire crews to respond.
    July 3: Newport Beach, CA – Vapors from a plastic boat-fuel container wafted into a water heater pilot light, causing an explosion at the home of the estate of Buddy Ebsen, who...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo from Paul Hashagen Collection
    After the line-of-duty death of FDNY Deputy Chief Charles Washington Krueger on Feb. 14, 1908, a call for a fitting monument began. The idea expanded to include all firemen killed, not just the chief. Fundraising went on for years until the present memorial was constructed and dedicated in 1913. The monument even has a tablet recognizing the bravery and service of fire horses.
    NEW YORK CITY: SEPT. 5, 1913 – Seven thousand firemen, including 1,500 from the FDNY, reinforced by delegations from Philadelphia, Baltimore, MD, Portland, OR, and Philadelphia...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Carol Landau with (from left) Chiefs Dent, Altman and Truman
    Georgia Firefighters Visit “Angel of Mercy”A former city clerk in Lighthouse Point, FL, who saved all her life so she could retire and travel the country, is now giving that money...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Mark E. Brady/PGFD
    Members of the Prince George’s County, MD, Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department (PGFD) responded to an arson fire in a single-family house at which seven firefighters were injured.
    Safety and operational recommendations for Prince George's County firefighters following Riverdale Heights fire that left seven firefighters injured.
    Sept. 1, 2013
    SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS CO. has announced the retirement of Delwin Smeal, company president, effective Sept. 1. He has worked for the company for 47 years, including the past 20 ...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    The new Airshore Midpoint Brace
    AirshoreThe new Airshore Midpoint Brace supports the building of raker rails with an insertion height in excess of eight feet. The Midpoint Brace strengthens the triangle and ...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Rick McClure/EPN
    On pages 64-65 we present a few more photos of the events surrounding the memorial service that was held in Prescott, AZ, to honor the 19 fallen Hotshots firefighters.
    Editor’s Note: The Firehouse staff wanted to share some of long-time Editor in Chief Harvey Eisner’s work. Harvey, a fixture on New York City firegrounds and at major events and...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    'Practically speaking, FirstNet won't replace LMR until users trust the network and see the value. At the end of the day, it's really about adoption.' —Chief Jeff Johnson
    Chief Jeff Johnson is the fire service representative appointed to the FirstNet board, which was legislated into place to build a nationwide public safety broadband network. This...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Twelve U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty. Four career firefighters, four volunteer firefighters and four contractors died in 12 separate incidents. One death...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photo by Chris E. Mickal/Firelinephotos.com
    A three-alarm fire ripped through an old Seagram's factory building in Baltimore County, MD, on July 27, 2013.
    The career fire service takes to the pages of Firehouse Magazine to share and compare statistics.
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photos by Rick McClure/EPN
    A life-size statue of a Hotshots firefighter stands in front of the 6,000-seat arena in Prescott Valley, AZ, where the memorial service was held.
    We present a follow-up to our coverage of the memorial service that was held in Prescott, AZ, on July 9, 2013, for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighters who were killed...
    Sept. 1, 2013
    Photos by Rick McClure/EPN
    Firefighters work to open up and gain access to the structure.
    Units from the Los Angeles, CA, Fire Department were called to a fire in a one-story detached garage located on an alley. The late-night fire caused about $10,000 in damage. Task...
    Sept. 1, 2013