Mar 2014

Leadership

Firehouse Bullying: How to Recognize Trouble

April 1, 2014
It's easy to imagine how the social firehouse culture can lead to inappropriate behavior, but members need to learn from the mistakes of others.
Photo courtesy of LVFR
Volunteer firefighters gather outside the then-Las Vegas, NV, Fire Department's original Fire Station No. 1 in 1943.
Volunteer firefighters gather outside the then-Las Vegas, NV, Fire Department's original Fire Station No. 1 in 1943.
Volunteer firefighters gather outside the then-Las Vegas, NV, Fire Department's original Fire Station No. 1 in 1943.
Volunteer firefighters gather outside the then-Las Vegas, NV, Fire Department's original Fire Station No. 1 in 1943.
Volunteer firefighters gather outside the then-Las Vegas, NV, Fire Department's original Fire Station No. 1 in 1943.
Apparatus

Rekindles 3/14

March 23, 2014
BINGHAMTON, NY: MARCH 1, 1914 – A fire broke out in the cellar of a four-story hardware store and spread to the State Armory, where thousands of rounds of shotgun and rifle ammunition...
Apparatus

Industry News 3/14

March 1, 2014
CUMMINS INC. and NISSAN unveiled a technical study called the Nissan Frontier Diesel Runner - Powered by Cummins at the recent Chicago Auto Show. The heart of this vehicle is ...
Photo by Dean Hare/Moscow-Pullman Daily News
The Pullman, WA, Fire Department is a combination agency with 31 career firefighters and 20 volunteer firefighters, protecting a population of 31,000.
The Pullman, WA, Fire Department is a combination agency with 31 career firefighters and 20 volunteer firefighters, protecting a population of 31,000.
The Pullman, WA, Fire Department is a combination agency with 31 career firefighters and 20 volunteer firefighters, protecting a population of 31,000.
The Pullman, WA, Fire Department is a combination agency with 31 career firefighters and 20 volunteer firefighters, protecting a population of 31,000.
The Pullman, WA, Fire Department is a combination agency with 31 career firefighters and 20 volunteer firefighters, protecting a population of 31,000.
Careers & Education

2013 Combination Fire Department Run Survey

March 1, 2014
The combination fire service takes to the pages of Firehouse Magazine to share and compare statistics.
Photo1 11306195
Photo1 11306195
Photo1 11306195
Photo1 11306195
Photo1 11306195
Hazmat/Specialty

Hazmat Studies: Meet Kentucky's All-Volunteer Somerset/Pulaski County SRT

March 1, 2014
Somerset is situated in south-central Kentucky on the northeastern edge of Lake Cumberland, 76 miles south of Lexington, 128 miles southeast of Louisville and 129 northwest of...

More content from Mar 2014

EMS

EMS: Do We Kill Our Patients?

March 1, 2014
War of the Worlds is a familiar novel that has been converted to films, radio dramas, a record album, comic book adaptations and a TV series. The last one I remember watching ...
Thermal Imagers

Thermal Imaging: Come to Your Senses: Why the TI Is Essential

March 1, 2014
We are all keenly aware of the importance of our basic senses and how they impact our everyday lives. This is particularly true for firefighters. A firefighter’s sense of touch...
Leadership

Fire Politics: Political Support Is Essential To the Fire Service

March 1, 2014
The support of elected officials at all levels of government is essential to the health and well-being of the fire service. This has been written about and discussed frequently...
Photos courtesy of the author
Figure 1. Removal of a stacked tip set on a 1-3/4-inch handline readies it for compressed air foam discharge. Nozzle aperture size must increase when using CAFS to meet hydraulic and pneumatic discharge requirements.
Figure 1. Removal of a stacked tip set on a 1-3/4-inch handline readies it for compressed air foam discharge. Nozzle aperture size must increase when using CAFS to meet hydraulic and pneumatic discharge requirements.
Figure 1. Removal of a stacked tip set on a 1-3/4-inch handline readies it for compressed air foam discharge. Nozzle aperture size must increase when using CAFS to meet hydraulic and pneumatic discharge requirements.
Figure 1. Removal of a stacked tip set on a 1-3/4-inch handline readies it for compressed air foam discharge. Nozzle aperture size must increase when using CAFS to meet hydraulic and pneumatic discharge requirements.
Figure 1. Removal of a stacked tip set on a 1-3/4-inch handline readies it for compressed air foam discharge. Nozzle aperture size must increase when using CAFS to meet hydraulic and pneumatic discharge requirements.
Hoselines & Water Appliances

Fireground Operations: CAFS for Structural Firefighting: 5 Best Practices

March 1, 2014
I’ve been involved in fire service training and education for more than two decades and have seen many promising innovations come and go. But few technologies have represented...
Photo by Mike Meadows
An illegal campfire sarted by three young men at the start of Colby Trail in the Angeles National Forest was blamed for starting the Colby Fire, which eventually burned 2,000 acres of brush.
An illegal campfire sarted by three young men at the start of Colby Trail in the Angeles National Forest was blamed for starting the Colby Fire, which eventually burned 2,000 acres of brush.
An illegal campfire sarted by three young men at the start of Colby Trail in the Angeles National Forest was blamed for starting the Colby Fire, which eventually burned 2,000 acres of brush.
An illegal campfire sarted by three young men at the start of Colby Trail in the Angeles National Forest was blamed for starting the Colby Fire, which eventually burned 2,000 acres of brush.
An illegal campfire sarted by three young men at the start of Colby Trail in the Angeles National Forest was blamed for starting the Colby Fire, which eventually burned 2,000 acres of brush.
Operations & Training

Wildland Fires: Early Fire Season For Southern California

March 1, 2014
On Thursday, Jan 16, 2014, at around 5:50 A.M., three young men had an illegal campfire going at the start of Colby Trail in the Angeles National Forest in California to ward ...
STREAMLIGHT INC. has introduced the ProTac HL 3
STREAMLIGHT INC. has introduced the ProTac HL 3
STREAMLIGHT INC. has introduced the ProTac HL 3
STREAMLIGHT INC. has introduced the ProTac HL 3
STREAMLIGHT INC. has introduced the ProTac HL 3
EMS

New Products 3/14

March 1, 2014
Hand-Held Tactical LightSTREAMLIGHT INC. has introduced the ProTac HL 3, a high-lumen (HL) light that delivers 1,100 lumens of bright-white light. Designed for operations requiring...
Photos by Mike Messar
The afternoon fire destroyed the building of origin, a dollar store. Companies prevented the fire from spreading to a five-story apartment building next door.
The afternoon fire destroyed the building of origin, a dollar store. Companies prevented the fire from spreading to a five-story apartment building next door.
The afternoon fire destroyed the building of origin, a dollar store. Companies prevented the fire from spreading to a five-story apartment building next door.
The afternoon fire destroyed the building of origin, a dollar store. Companies prevented the fire from spreading to a five-story apartment building next door.
The afternoon fire destroyed the building of origin, a dollar store. Companies prevented the fire from spreading to a five-story apartment building next door.
Operations & Training

Cover Story: Four-alarm fire forces 200 from homes

March 1, 2014
YONKERS, NY, DEC. 26, 2013 – Calls came in around 4 PM for a fire in the Dollar K store on South Broadway. Companies prevented the fire from spreading to a five-story apartment...
Photos by Ruel Douvillier
The Kosovo rescue instructors, all war veterans, include, from left, Samir Ismailj, Sabri Sada and Valdrim Kelmendi.
The Kosovo rescue instructors, all war veterans, include, from left, Samir Ismailj, Sabri Sada and Valdrim Kelmendi.
The Kosovo rescue instructors, all war veterans, include, from left, Samir Ismailj, Sabri Sada and Valdrim Kelmendi.
The Kosovo rescue instructors, all war veterans, include, from left, Samir Ismailj, Sabri Sada and Valdrim Kelmendi.
The Kosovo rescue instructors, all war veterans, include, from left, Samir Ismailj, Sabri Sada and Valdrim Kelmendi.
Rescue

Technical Rescue: Assignment: KOSOVO: Part 1

March 1, 2014
In May 2013, I was approached by an old friend who wanted to know if I would be interested in joining a three person team that would be assisting the military of the new nation...
Apparatus

For the Record 3/14

March 1, 2014
American LaFrance Closes its DoorsAlmost six years after filing bankruptcy, longtime fire apparatus builder American LaFrance told employees that January 17 was their last day...
The training props, which included a mock airplane, were supplied by Kellogg Community College.
The training props, which included a mock airplane, were supplied by Kellogg Community College.
The training props, which included a mock airplane, were supplied by Kellogg Community College.
The training props, which included a mock airplane, were supplied by Kellogg Community College.
The training props, which included a mock airplane, were supplied by Kellogg Community College.
Careers & Education

Scuttlebutt 3/14

March 1, 2014
NVFC, IAFC Encourage Departments to “Train Like You Fight”The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) have announced that...
The burn crib prior to crew entry. The area did not look like this when crew members made entry. This is Alpha side of house.
The burn crib prior to crew entry. The area did not look like this when crew members made entry. This is Alpha side of house.
The burn crib prior to crew entry. The area did not look like this when crew members made entry. This is Alpha side of house.
The burn crib prior to crew entry. The area did not look like this when crew members made entry. This is Alpha side of house.
The burn crib prior to crew entry. The area did not look like this when crew members made entry. This is Alpha side of house.
Operations & Training

Close Calls: "The Worst Day Of My Life": Part 2

March 1, 2014
Last month, in part one of this column, we looked at some history involving firefighter deaths and injuries that occurred in live-fire training exercises, followed by Wisconsin...
Photo courtesy of Pollardwater.com
Figure 1. Color-coded discharge cap covers provide an easy and highly visible way to identify the gpm rating of hydrants.
Figure 1. Color-coded discharge cap covers provide an easy and highly visible way to identify the gpm rating of hydrants.
Figure 1. Color-coded discharge cap covers provide an easy and highly visible way to identify the gpm rating of hydrants.
Figure 1. Color-coded discharge cap covers provide an easy and highly visible way to identify the gpm rating of hydrants.
Figure 1. Color-coded discharge cap covers provide an easy and highly visible way to identify the gpm rating of hydrants.
Careers & Education

Rural Firefighting Academy: The Rural Pressurized Fire Hydrant: What's It Worth? Part 2

March 1, 2014
Last month, we explained that without a clear understanding of flow rates from pressurized hydrants, firefighting operations that rely on them as a water source can turn into ...
Photos by Ron Moore
Due to the ejection mitigation standard, responders will encounter larger side-impact airbags that stay inflated longer and have tether straps to secure them. Plan on it being necessary to cut the deployed bags away as you make patient contact.
Due to the ejection mitigation standard, responders will encounter larger side-impact airbags that stay inflated longer and have tether straps to secure them. Plan on it being necessary to cut the deployed bags away as you make patient contact.
Due to the ejection mitigation standard, responders will encounter larger side-impact airbags that stay inflated longer and have tether straps to secure them. Plan on it being necessary to cut the deployed bags away as you make patient contact.
Due to the ejection mitigation standard, responders will encounter larger side-impact airbags that stay inflated longer and have tether straps to secure them. Plan on it being necessary to cut the deployed bags away as you make patient contact.
Due to the ejection mitigation standard, responders will encounter larger side-impact airbags that stay inflated longer and have tether straps to secure them. Plan on it being necessary to cut the deployed bags away as you make patient contact.
Vehicle Extrication

University of Extrication: FMVSS 226 "Ejection Mitigation" Standard

March 1, 2014
SUBJECT: FMVSS 226 “Ejection Mitigation” Standard TOPIC: FMVSS 226 Modifications to Side Window Glass and Side-Impact AirbagsOBJECTIVE: Understand how changes in side window glass...
Photos by Garth Fuerste Photography/Dubuque, IA
Firefighters found a vehicle that had gone through the protective barrier gates of a church parking lot and plummeted down a bluff.
Firefighters found a vehicle that had gone through the protective barrier gates of a church parking lot and plummeted down a bluff.
Firefighters found a vehicle that had gone through the protective barrier gates of a church parking lot and plummeted down a bluff.
Firefighters found a vehicle that had gone through the protective barrier gates of a church parking lot and plummeted down a bluff.
Firefighters found a vehicle that had gone through the protective barrier gates of a church parking lot and plummeted down a bluff.
Operations & Training

Speak Up: Car Over Embankment Threatens Historic Downtown Business District

March 1, 2014
The City of East Dubuque is in the far northwest corner of Illinois bordering Wisconsin to the north and Iowa to the west. The city is a bluff community overlooking the Mississippi...
S Lincoln Apartment Fire2012 0 11301782
S Lincoln Apartment Fire2012 0 11301782
S Lincoln Apartment Fire2012 0 11301782
S Lincoln Apartment Fire2012 0 11301782
S Lincoln Apartment Fire2012 0 11301782
Operations & Training

On The Job Washington State: Four-Alarm Fire Heavily Damages Spokane Complex

March 1, 2014
SPOKANE FIRE DEPARTMENTChief: Bobby WilliamsPersonnel: 300 career firefightersStations: 15Apparatus: 12 pumpers, 3 aerials, 2 quints, 1 heavy rescue, 2 battalion chief units, ...
Photos by Timothy R. Szymanski/LVFR
The view from our front door on the day the fire occurred.
The view from our front door on the day the fire occurred.
The view from our front door on the day the fire occurred.
The view from our front door on the day the fire occurred.
The view from our front door on the day the fire occurred.
Careers & Education

"Fire in My Home": Now I Know How It Feels

March 1, 2014
Timothy Szymanski shares his story after an accidental fire left his home damaged.
Photo by Jeff Zimmerman
LOS ANGELES, CA, JAN. 24, 2014
LOS ANGELES, CA, JAN. 24, 2014
LOS ANGELES, CA, JAN. 24, 2014
LOS ANGELES, CA, JAN. 24, 2014
LOS ANGELES, CA, JAN. 24, 2014
Operations & Training

Hot Shots 3/14

March 1, 2014
LOS ANGELES, CA, JAN. 24, 2014 – First-in units from Station 91 responded to a structure fire in Pacoima involving a large garage located at a golf course. The garage was loaded...
Barry Furey 10755410
Barry Furey 10755410
Barry Furey 10755410
Barry Furey 10755410
Barry Furey 10755410
Tech & Comm

Fire Dispatch: Controlling PSAP Manager Stress

March 1, 2014
Barry Furey shares how PSAP telecommunicators can cope with stress after being the first point of contact for people in emergencies.