The nomination period for the Firehouse Valor & Community Service Awards is now open. We're seeking nominations for firefighters who went above and beyond to save lives in 2025. Find the submission details here.
Ariel "AJ" Jackson is adamant about instructors' and officers' responsibility to tell probationary and new firefighters—even at the scene of an incident—when they are falling short of expectations.
Gregory McComb raises the red flag of concern that if firefighters and officers are allowed to offload their thinking onto an AI platform, the fire service is at risk of a degradation of competence.
Gavin Parker explains how to locate and follow a hoseline or guideline, locate alternative exits, identify and avoid hazards, and avoid areas of high temperature and convection flow paths using a TIC in an emergency on the interior of a structure fire. That said, members shouldn’t rely on the device as their only means of escape.
Curt Isakson reminds that fires at commercial buildings are bigger, hotter, faster and more complex than fires at residences and that fireground commanders must plan for fire flow, staff rotation, RIT deployment and relief companies.
Firefighters must be diligent about decontamination, from the moment they step away from a call to when they take a shower. Numerous innovations aid in the effort.
The city of Harvey laid off 40 percent of its employs in October and another eight employees last week, totally 24 firefighter positions that have been eliminated.
