October 2019

The October issue of Firehouse Magazine includes the winners of the 2018 Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor and the 2018 Thomas Carr Community Service Awards. There are also feature stories on firefighter training, engine company operations, fire-based EMS and technical rescue, as well as an inside look at three key sessions from Firehouse Expo. This issue also includes the Cardiovascular & Chemical Exposure Risk Considerations During Training supplement.
John Odegard
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Careers & Education

2018 Volunteer Run Survey

Oct. 1, 2019
Firehouse proudly presents its 31st annual Volunteer Run Survey.
John J. Salka Jr., a Firehouse® contributing editor, is a retired FDNY battalion chief who was commander of the 18th Battalion in the Bronx. Salka has instructed at several FDNY training programs, including the department’s Probationary Firefighters School, Captains Management Program and Battalion Chiefs Command Course. He conducts training programs at national and local conferences and has been recognized for his firefighter survival course “Get Out Alive.” Salka co-authored the FDNY Engine Company Operations manual and wrote the book “First In, Last Out – Leadership Lessons From the New York Fire Department.” He also operates Fire Command Training, a New York-based fire service training and consulting firm.
Rescue

The Fire Scene: Assisting Your Own Rescue

Oct. 1, 2019
Chief John Salka presents some new twists on old tactics that may save your life.
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Leadership

Honoring and Learning from Bravery

Oct. 1, 2019
Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews says this year's Valor Award nominees saved the lives of more than 150 citizens and several colleagues.
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Cancer Prevention

Cardiovascular & Chemical Exposure Risk Considerations During Training

Oct. 1, 2019
The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), with support from Globe, has partnered with Firehouse Magazine to present the Cardiovascular & Chemical Exposure Risk Considerations...
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Valor Awards

2018 Valor Awards: Unit Citations

Oct. 1, 2019
The Unit Citation Awards recognize efforts made by three or more individuals, or one or more fire companies.

More content from October 2019

Tami Kayea
EMS

EMS: Active Shooter Plan

Oct. 1, 2019
Tami Kayea describes how Dallas public safety groups have united in the battle against terrorism.
Harry R. Carter, PhD, a Firehouse® contributing editor, is a fire protection consultant based in Adelphia, NJ. He is chairman of the Board of Commissioners in Howell Township Fire District 2 and retired from the Newark Fire Department as a battalion commander. Dr. Carter has been a member of the Adelphia Fire Company since 1971. He is a life member and past president of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and life member of the National Fire Protection Association. He is the past president of the U.S. branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) of Great Britain. Dr. Carter holds a PhD in organization and management from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. He is a member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame.
Leadership

Command Post: The Vanishing Art of Compromise

Oct. 1, 2019
Dr. Harry Carter explains how a lack of teamwork hurts everyone, from the federal government to the local fire station.
Tina Gianos
The volunteer fire/EMS/rescue service in North America is in a major and measurable crisis. The public suffers from delayed response times and poor turnout due to the problem of unstaffed fire departments. Photos by Tina Gianos
Operations & Training

Close Calls: Lonely & Dangerous Fire Responses

Oct. 1, 2019
Chief Billy Goldfeder explains why unstaffed fire departments are the predictable fire problem that we need to deal with.
Photos by Jon Hall and Keith Niemann
The layout firefighter pulls the largest loop to clear 100 feet of travel line from the hosebed.
Hoselines & Water Appliances

Engine Company Operations: The Midwestern Static Load

Oct. 1, 2019
Jonathan Hall and Keith Niemann detail tactics that can be used when long stretches are needed.
Photo by Joe Thomas
Customer service includes treating our customer’s property with respect. Simple tasks taken at scenes will go a long way when seeking public trust.
Leadership

Effective Truck Company Customer Service

Oct. 1, 2019
Sean Eagen explains how simple techniques with forcible entry and salvage go a long way in gaining the public's trust of firefighters.
Pictured here is one of the six medical officer (MOF) supervisor vehicles that carries whole blood. The other two units are on medical special operations ambulances.
EMS

Fire-Based EMS: Whole Blood Deployment

Oct. 1, 2019
Dr. C. J. Winckler discusses how the San Antonio, TX, Fire Department responds with whole blood to save lives.
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Careers & Education

Firehouse Expo Coverage: Engaging Education

Oct. 1, 2019
In case you missed them, here are highlights from three key sessions from Firehouse Expo 2019.
The JACOB Kit program was created by Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Byrne and his wife, Angela, a teacher.
Valor Awards

2018 Thomas Carr Community Service Awards

Oct. 1, 2019
Firehouse announces the newest honorees in the Thomas Carr Community Service Awards program.
Photo by Jeff Zimmerman
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Operations & Training

Hot Shots 10/19

Oct. 1, 2019
Firehouse highlights recent fires from around the country.
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Valor Awards

2018 Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor $100 Winners

Oct. 1, 2019
Firehouse is proud to announce the $100 winners of the 2018 Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor.
Photos by Ryan Pennington
No other feeling on the fireground is worse than a collapsing facepiece with zero airflow from it. Prepare for this emergency by checking the regulator and emergency bypass to ensure they are in the proper positions. This initial effort should be accomplished while using the other hand to reach back and ensure the valve is completely open.
SCBA & Accessories

Essential SCBA Skills Every Firefighter Should Revisit

Oct. 1, 2019
Ryan Pennington examines four essential points that should be performed each time you check, service or place an SCBA back in service.
Ron Moore
The anti-ejection design of this roof airbag system allows it to deploy and remain firm and seemingly fully inflated long after the initial drop down of the airbag. Note the 'fat' parts and the 'thin' parts of the airbag itself. Photos by Ron Moore
Vehicle Extrication

University of Extrication: Anti-Ejection Roof Airbag Systems

Oct. 1, 2019
Ron Moore and the rescue team develop a protocol for dealing with a deployed anti-ejection roof airbag at a crash scene.
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Vehicle Services & Inspections

For the Record 10/19

Oct. 1, 2019
Nomination Period Open for Annual EVT Award.
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LODDS

Scuttlebutt 10/19

Oct. 1, 2019
The 38th Annual NFFF Memorial Weekend will be held October 5–6.
Firefighter participating in Advanced Wilderness Rope Rescue Course attends patient on a lower.
Rope

Technical Rescue: The Importance of 15:1

Oct. 1, 2019
Russell McCullar clarifies whether 15:1 is still relevant and says that fire departments should select gear and load limits that meet their needs.
Brian S. Foley
Valor Awards

2018 Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor - Top Winners

Oct. 1, 2019
Firehouse is pleased to announce the honorees in the 2018 Firehouse Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor.
Curt “Ike” Isakson is a 30+ year veteran of the fire service. He is currently a battalion chief for Escambia County Fire Rescue in Florida where he has worked for the last 19 years. Isakson previously worked nine years for Pensacola Fire Department where he was assigned as the company officer on Rescue 31. His fire service experience started at a young age as a junior firefighter with the Midway Fire Protection District and rose through the ranks to captain. Isakson has worked in volunteer, career, and combination departments.
Leadership

First Due: It’s Worth the Risk

Oct. 1, 2019
Curt Isakson says firefighters taking risks to save lives should be “a given.”