Training Web Exclusives

  • Firefighter Training: The 4 Phases Of the Stretch

    It has been said a thousand times, but it still rings true – the most important life-saving tactic performed at the scene of a fire is stretching and operating an attack line to extinguish the fire. But this basic fireground operation often is taken...

    Article • April 1st, 2013

  • Close Calls: Firefighter Trapped in Marijuana-Grow "Fortress" - Part 2

    T his is the second installment of my column about a close call involving the Westfield, MA, Fire Department (WFD). To recap, during a March 30, 2012, fire in a single-family-dwelling, Captain Rebecca Boutin crawled into a smoke-filled attic moments...

    Article • April 1st, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 110 - Roofs

    Drill #110: Roofs Interior firefighters rely on roofs to maintain their integrity during firefighting operations, however, at times a roof may fail under abnormal conditions. In this drill, readers will learn about the different types of roofs they...

    Article • March 24th, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 109 - Securing Utilities

    Drill #109: Securing Utilities Readers will learn why the incident commander needs to be thinking about securing the utilities (electrical, gas, water) to ensure the safety of the firefighters.  The drill is designed to be a single page of...

    Article • March 17th, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 108

    Drill #108: Rapid Intervention Crews The Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) is an important component within the management of any incident. Readers will learn why they shouldn't take this vital resource for granted. The drill is designed to be a...

    Article • March 10th, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 107

    Drill #107: National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) Readers will learn the importance of participating in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The drill is designed to be a single page of information to conjure up...

    Article • February 25th, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 106

    Drill #106: Hose Loads There are many different fire apparatus designs and just as many hose loads. The question is, which one is right for your department? The drill is designed to be a single page of information to conjure up discussions among...

    Article • February 17th, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 105

    Readers will learn why knowing the stages or phases of a fire is very important when it comes to firefighter safety.

    Article • February 10th, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 104 - Accountability

    Readers will learn why accountability should be ranked high on our list of events to keep a handle on during an incident.

    Article • February 3rd, 2013

  • Lessons from the Circus: 2013

    One of the great joys which I have been able to experience in the many years since my retirement from the good, old, Newark Fire Department is the ability to travel when I want to and not when a vacation spot or personal day is open. Thanks to this...

    Article • February 1st, 2013

  • Firefighter Training: Never Left the Basics

    How often do you hear the term "back to the basic?" One question that keeps popping up in my head is why did we leave the basics to begin with?

    Article • January 30th, 2013

  • Weekly Drill: No. 103 - Ropes & Knots - Part 3

    Drill #103: Ropes & Knots: Part 3 In the first two parts of this three-part series, we looked at the different materials and types of ropes. This segment looks at the different knots used today in the fire service. The drill is designed to be a...

    Article • January 27th, 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

  • Weekly Drill No. 101 - Ropes & Knots - Part 2

    Drill #101: Ropes & Knots: Part 2 In Part 1 of this three-part series (Weekly Drill #98), readers learned about the different materials being used in the manufacturing of fire service ropes. In Part 2, we are going to review some the construction...

    Article • January 13th, 2013

  • Thermal Imaging: "Taking It To the Streets"

    As thermal imaging becomes more mainstream in the fire service, the potential uses of the technology expands on a daily basis. Many firefighters think of a thermal imager as a “firefighting tool,” and immediately relegate its use to those...

    Article • January 7th, 2013