Radio@Firehouse.com

Dr. Richard Gasaway talks with Dr. Bill Jenaway, Executive Vice President of the Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Service, Inc. (VFIS) on this edition of the Leader's Toolbox. They discuss Jenaway's recent program, "Arriving Safe at the Scene and the Station," from Fire Rescue International. Dr. Jenaway, also a Pennsylvania fire chief, shares his perspective on the challenges of vehicle safety. He shares several best practices for agencies to implement and simple first steps to help kick off a driver safety program.

48:30 minutes (27.79 MB)

The Leader’s Toolbox: Understanding Aggressive Strategy

dadler — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:46:20 +0000

This month on the Leader's Toolbox, Dr. Richard Gasaway talks with Battalion Chief Mark Emery of the Woodinville, WA, Fire & Life Safety District on the topic of aggressive strategy.

Chief Emery talks about the differences between strategy and tactics and how it is common that departments focus their training on tactics and overlook the strategic underpinnings that set up those tactics. They also explore the levels responsibility for setting and communicating the strategy and how strategy fits into the progression of a structural fire incident.

56:16 minutes (32.26 MB)

Fire Marshal’s Corner: Learning from the D.C. Live Burn

dadler — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:27:21 +0000

Fire Marshal's Corner

This month on Fire Marshal's Corner host Ed Comeau looks at the landmark Vision 20/20 efforts.
Ed talks with project manager Jim Crawford, fire marshal for Vancouver, WA. Jim has been the driving force behind the project from its genesis in 2006 when he brought together an informal group of noted national experts in Florida. From this beginning, Vision 20/20 has grown to the point where it is an important part of helping to develop a national strategic agenda for fire and loss prevention.

49:41 minutes (56.9 MB)

The Apparatus Architects: Ideas for Cost-Effective New Vehicles

FHEditor — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:36:49 +0000

The Apparatus Architects explore a number of ways to reduce the costs of new vehicles this month. From a quick and simple "bullet list" to a true evaluation based on need versus cost, Tom Shand and Michael Wilbur share several factors that can help make your next rig more affordable and highly functional.

Shand and Wilbur also answer several listener questions, including proper positioning of ladder trucks, the differences between single- and two-stage fire pumps and wheel chocks.

74:54 minutes (42.92 MB)

The Apparatus Architects: "Things We do to Screw Up Fire Trucks"

FHEditor — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:01:11 +0000

Apparatus Architects Tom Shand and Michael Wilbur explore a variety of ideas for apparatus design the turned into "thing we do to screw up fire trucks." The Architects look at several examples, including equipping the bumper with a variety of gear, but no reinforcement; poorly placed utility boxes and choosing a dangerous color for aerial ladders.

Shand and Wilbur look at the current events, including news and industry related and offer their outlook for 2010 as this year's trade shows and conference come to a close.

81:38 minutes (46.77 MB)

Training & Tactics Talk: Implementing a Safety Culture Following an LODD

dadler — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:59:50 +0000

Training & Tactics Talk

Subtitle:

Doug Cline

Douglas Cline talks with two fire officers about their departments efforts to implement a safety culture after line of duty deaths. Both share their first-hand experiences in the tragic loss of fellow firefighters.

The Salisbury, NC, Fire Department lost two firefighter during a fire in a mill buiding in 2008. Division Chief David Morris walks listeners through the incident and shares how the agency increased safety in every means to prevent another tragedy.

47:48 minutes (27.38 MB)

Fire Marshal’s Corner: Social Media for Prevention & Vision 20/20 Update

Ed Comeau — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Campus Firewatch Radio

This month on Fire Marshal's Corner host Ed Comeau looks at the landmark Vision 20/20 efforts.

Ed talks with project manager Jim Crawford, fire marshal for Vancouver, WA. Jim has been the driving force behind the project from its genesis in 2006 when he brought together an informal group of noted national experts in Florida. From this beginning, Vision 20/20 has grown to the point where it is an important part of helping to develop a national strategic agenda for fire and loss prevention.

49:41 minutes (56.9 MB)

Engine Company Operations in Today's Buildings

cygnus — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:13:44 +0000

Captain Russell Merrick moderates a roundtable that looks at the changing roles of engine companies based on new construction, vacant structures and the decrease in staffing.

Panelists include:

Deputy Chief (retired) Robert "Butch" Cobb, Jersey City, NJ
Firefighter Ryan Pennington, Charleston, WV
Battalion Chief Al Mullins, Fairfax County, VA

54:27 minutes (31.19 MB)

Firehouse Central 2009 Preview

cygnus — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:16:04 +0000

News & Events

Peter Matthews, editor of Firehouse.com, chats with Program Director Harvey Eisner and Show Manager Mary Velline about Firehouse Central, being held in Atlanta , Oct. 26 - 30, 2009.

The two discuss the wide-variety of offerings at this year's Firehouse Central, including the addition of Law Enforcement Expo Southeast. This public safety shows offers a variety of crossover training sessions, bring fire, EMS and law personnel into one room.

9:00 minutes (5.18 MB)

Through the Smoke: What do You Know About ISO?

cygnus — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:04:03 +0000

Through The Smoke

While many of you may have heard about I.S.O., or Insurance Services Office — the agency that evaluates most public fire protection services in the United States — what do your really know about I.S.O.?

83:21 minutes (47.7 MB)

The Apparatus Architects: 2009 Manufacturers Roundtable at Firehouse Expo

cygnus — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:58:26 +0000

Apparatus Architects Tom Shand and Michael Wilbur held the third annual Apparatus Manufacturers Roundtable at the Firehouse Expo last month in Baltimore.

Panelists and guests include:

Jim Featherstone, Singer Associates/Pierce
Sean Duffy, Rosenbauer America
Jim Salmi, Crimson Fire
Jason Witmier, KME

72:02 minutes (41.28 MB)

Developing and Adapting Successful Fire Prevention Applications

cygnus — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:12:06 +0000

Fire Marshal Mike Love, from Montgomery County, MD, hosts a roundtable discussion on a variety of issues for fire and life safety educators.

Panelists and guests include:

Lt. Dan Byrne, Beaufort, SC
Bill Delaney, Montgomery County, MD
Billy D. Hayes, Washington D.C.
Outreach Specialist Patsieann Misiti, Alexandria, VA
Teresa Neal, U.S. Fire Administration
Sandy Facinoli, Chief of the U.S. Fire Administration's Prevention & Information Branch

88:53 minutes (50.89 MB)

Bringing Safety to the Forefront of Your Department

cygnus — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:46:01 +0000

J. Gordon Routley, a division chief with the Montreal Fire Department, hosts a roundtable that explores how the safety culture can evolve in the fire service.

Panelists include:

63:57 minutes (36.62 MB)

The Leader’s Toolbox: Four Generations and the Differences in the Firehouse

cygnus — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:59:41 +0000

In this month's episode of the Leader's Toolbox, Dr. Richard Gasaway talks with Captain Bob Duemmel of the Rochester, NY, Fire Department about generational differences in today's fire service.

The discussion focuses on four distinctly different generations of firefighters who are working in the firehouse in 2009. Capt. Duemmel compares and contrasts the traits of each generation and discusses the challenges and opportunities each has to contribute.

37:50 minutes (21.68 MB)

Successful Rescue Operations in Today’s Fire Service at Firehouse Expo

cygnus — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:54:38 +0000

This podcast looks at issues facing technical rescue teams on an international level including training, funding and resource allocation.

Panelists include: Lt. Michael Daley, Monroe Township Fire District 3; Pete Rizzo of Tech Rescue Corp and Garth Vincent, chief of emergency operations with Eastern Emergency Response in Trinidad. The host is Capt. Bob Duemmel with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department.

92:47 minutes (53.12 MB)

Training & Tactics Talk: How the Powell Doctrine can Influence Firefighting

cygnus — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:33:38 +0000

Training & Tactics Talk

Joining Chief Douglas Cline this month is Derrick Clouston, field supervisor of the fire and rescue training division of the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal's Office. They disucss the Powell Doctrine, created by General Colin Powell as he lead miltary troops into the Gulf War.

51:30 minutes (29.5 MB)

VCOS Radio: Maintaining Funding, Morale in the Poor Economy

cygnus — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:22:53 +0000

Firehouse RoundtablesDr. Richard Gasaway hosts this edition of VCOS Radio, which examines the impact of the economy on the volunteer and combination fire departments. Panelists include VCOS Chairman Tim Wall, Chief of the North Farms Fire Department; Williamsport, MD, Chief William R. Ball; Chief Mike Lee of the Lincolnton, NC, Fire Department and David See, retired fire chief from Salisbury, MD. The group discusses alternative funding ideas, grants and whether the man-hours dedicated to some fund raising are worth the efforts.
62:02 minutes (35.5 MB)

The Apparatus Architects: Fleet Planning and Ground Ladders at Firehouse Expo

cygnus — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:10:47 +0000

Hosts Tom Shand and Michael Wilbur start this month's podcast with a heated discussion on the Buffalo, NY, Fire Department's use of pick-up trucks being as front line apparatus because of an aging fleet and lack of spare units. This chat looks at other departments who are in a pinch when it comes to spare units.

They also review a recent incident where two firefighters were killed in the line-of-duty while training with a new apparatus.

65:23 minutes (37.48 MB)

The Leader’s Toolbox: The Effects of Firefighter Layoffs

cygnus — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:57:26 +0000

Dr. Richard Gasaway dispenses advice to a firefighter who has had several friends leave the department because of layoffs and early retirements. The loss of personnel leaves the firefighter confused, angry and bitter towards city administration. Listen as Dr.Gasaway helps guide this firefighter through the rough times.

Gasaway also helps guide a new officer who doesn't quite feel prepared for the job. The officer states that he's got the technical skills, but is worried about lacking skills in the leadership arena.

52:52 minutes (30.28 MB)

Wildland Firefighting: Situation Awareness and Mutual Aid from Firehouse World

cygnus — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:14:56 +0000

Three veteran wildland firefighters discuss a variety of topics, including situation awareness for the urban/wildland fire crews and the challenges brought on my mutual aid units. Guests include Quinn MacLeod, retired from the Parker Fire Protection District in Colorado and retired Los Angeles City Fire Department Battalion Chiefs Patrick Shanley and Don Stuckey. The podcast starts with a discussion on what constitutes a "Red Flag" day in California and how this can fall into each firefighter's size-up for their shift.

35:33 minutes (20.37 MB)

Fireground Audio: Baltimore Church Damaged By Fire

cygnus — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:40:08 +0000

News & EventsListen to several 9-1-1 calls and fire department radio traffic from a two-alarm fire at the Bethel AME Church in Baltimore on July 1, 2009. Related Article • Baltimore Church Damaged By Fire
4:55 minutes (2.85 MB)

The Apparatus Architects: Proper Maintenance and Operations for Emergency Vehicles

cygnus — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:51:26 +0000