Topics

  • Never Leave your Wingman

    "Maverick, you never leave your wingman!" How many of us have heard these words from the movie Top Gun as the senior flight instructor told pilot Maverick after he lost a battle in the sky. If we take those words and apply them to our world, they...

    Blog • January 26th, 2013

  • How to Keep Jumpseat Ready in 2013

    As I sit in the fire station waiting for the bells to hit I often wonder what firefighters are thinking about at just that moment in time. I bet they are just like me: wondering what type of call will be next. Statistics say it will, most likely, be...

    Blog • January 21st, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 102 - Rehabilitation

    Drill #102: Rehabilitation Readers will learn that rehabilitation encompasses more than just “taking five” to catch your breath. The drill is designed to be a single page of information to conjure up discussions among your crew members. Sit...

    Article • January 20th, 2013

  • USFA Unveils New Winter Fire Safety Page

    According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) website, there has been an increase in U.S. home fire deaths as winter sets in. The site states that news media reports at least 148 lives have been lost in home fires already this year, 24 more than...

    Blog • January 18th, 2013

  • Stopping the Flu in the Firehouse

    I usually write about training topics, or operational issues and even the occasional morale booster. I usually don’t write about prevention of injury or illness as a main topic but I think we need to look at this flu thing seriously. Earlier this week...

    Blog • January 16th, 2013

  • Fornell: Hydrant Hook-ups, Chicago Style

    While looking through Chicago fire photographer Steve Redick’s collection of photos he shot a few weeks ago at 4-11 alarm fire, something caught my eye. While the rapidly spreading fire consumed the large warehouse building on Chicago’s West...

    Blog • January 14th, 2013

  • A Fire Prevention Gold Mine

    On January 2, the United States Fire Administration created a new page on Heating Fire Safety: Wood Stoves, Space Heaters and Fireplaces. This page is a gold mine for your fire prevention toolbox! With portable heater fires in homes peaking in...

    Blog • January 13th, 2013

  • Talk the Truth - Cancer Kills Firefighters

    I cannot express how much I enjoy and learn from the continued interaction with all the firefighters or "view crew members" in the various social media accounts. Every day there seems to be another interesting topic that comes up that stirs the...

    Blog • January 10th, 2013

  • Prevention & Safety Grant Application Deadline Nears

    The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant application period is nearing the January 18 deadline. Have you started your grant application yet? If not, it is not too late! The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant support projects that enhance the safety of...

    Blog • January 9th, 2013

  • Some Thoughts for the New Fire Service Leader

    Winter in my world is often seen as the time of the new leader. In volunteer fire departments all acrossAmerica, January is the normal time for the new cast of leadership characters to step forward to be sworn in. It is, therefore, a time for all of us...

    Article • January 7th, 2013

  • Condition Yellow? It's About Us

    Firefighter Safety Following the Webster Shooting

    Article • January 7th, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 100 - Chemistry of Fire

    Drill #100: Chemistry of Fire The most important objective an Incident Commander can focus on is that of firefighter safety! To assist him in this very important challenge, he must master the chemistry of fire. Understanding the reactions of the...

    Article • January 6th, 2013

  • Fire & Rescue Apparatus Maintenance Roundtable

    When it comes to fire apparatus maintenance issues, you would be correct to think that equipment required for emissions standards was challenging. You would also be correct to think that aging apparatus is causing headaches, but one of the biggest...

    Article • January 4th, 2013

  • Salka: A New Year's Resolution - Training!

    I'm going to go on a little rant here because of the way things seem to be in the fire service concerning training. I travel extensively, across the country and up into Canada and Alaska. I cannot believe the number of career fire departments that...

    Blog • January 4th, 2013

  • Did You Achieve Your 2012 Goals?

    As the door closes on another wonderful year, it is time to reflect and review our performance of the past year while making some new goals for 2013. Words cannot express how thankful I am to all of you who read the Views from the Jumpseat. When I...

    Blog • December 31st, 2012