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  • December 2019

    • December 2019

    The December issue of Firehouse includes feature articles covering technical rescue, firefighter fitness and fireground operations. There is also a special look back at the tragic Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Fire, which claimed the lives of six firefighters. Firehouse is also proud to include an important Cancer Awareness & Prevention supplement that is a must-read for all firefighters.

    More content from December 2019

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    The Firehouse Cancer Awareness & Prevention supplement reviews national and local efforts taken to decrease firefighter exposure to carcinogens.
    Dec. 2, 2019
    Photos courtesy of the Grand Prairie Fire Department
    Grand Prairie, TX, Fire Department crew are required to go through mandatory personal exposure reduction (decon) with the department’s decon system to immediately stop the off-gassing of PPE.
    Robert Fite discusses how the Grand Prairie, TX, Fire Department is working to reduce firefighter exposure to carcinogens.
    Dec. 2, 2019
    Apparatus Operator Chris Macias has been with the Arlington Fire Department in Arlington, TX, for 20 years and has been in the fire service for 23 years. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2013. He has been cancer-free for six years.
    Arlington Fire Department Apparatus Operator Chris Macias advises firefighters about the dangers of dirty gear.
    Dec. 2, 2019
    Josh Carney was a battalion chief at Midway Fire Rescue in Pawleys Island, SC, from 2000 to 2017. He was 41 years old when he was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma in June 2017. He passed away on Oct. 19, 2017.
    Lillian Carney, widow of Battalion Chief Josh Carney, talks about her late husband and his cancer journey.
    Dec. 2, 2019
    Wash off bunker boots after a work­ing fire. Boots contribute significantly to cross-contamination.
    Frank Leeb challenges firefighters to make the commitment toward reducing their exposure risks on the fireground and at the station.
    Dec. 2, 2019
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    Firehouse presents an in-depth look at national and local efforts being made to reduce firefighter exposure to carcinogens, delivered in a media-rich platform.
    Dec. 2, 2019
    Bruce Evans
    Bruce Evans explains why the role of each and every person on scene is to speak up and advocate for no shortcuts.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Photo by Jon Tenca
    The success or failure of an entire response can rest upon actions that are taken or are not taken during the exchange between dispatch and citizens. A firefighter learning crucial facts after arriving on scene is a dangerous substitute for the relay of details during dispatch and response.
    Barry Furey says departments must equip their telecommunicators with the tools—in particular, the training—that are needed to ensure their standing.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Photo courtesy of Michael Furman
    Career and volunteer firefighter Michael Furman created Flash Max to kick start the stagnating way that the home fire safety and prevention message is delivered.
    Michael Furman changed how the basic talking points of home fire safety and prevention are delivered.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    John Salkav3
    Chief John Salka looks at some new concepts and trends that are swirling around the fire service that don't contribute to our goal of serving others.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Photo courtesy of Joshua Shanley
    An inflatable hose device can be used for a water rescue if the victim's situation permits him/her to grasp it. Among problems that can emerge: The hose will try to bend or snake.
    Mark McCabe tells why water-rescue team leaders, safety personnel and members themselves need to ensure that personnel have adequate thermal protection, adequate buoyancy, and...
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Captain John A. Hayowyk Jr.
    Capt. John A. Hayowyk Jr. urges preparation for the variety of calls that will come that originate from home-heating equipment.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Curt Varone
    Curt Varone explains the challenges of the decision to allow members of a fire department to carry a firearm while on duty.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Courtesy CSU
    Casey Jones of the Little Rock, AR, Fire Department was selected as the 2019 Outstanding Fire Service Professional of the Year.
    CSU Honors National Outstanding Fire Service Professionals
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Photos by Aaron Diers
    Raising, extending and climbing a 24-foot ground ladder could be an element of a basic course that a fire department puts together to assess members. Front squats, clean and presses, and dumbbell presses can be used to improve performance of this maneuver.
    Brandon Green relates what is necessary to help new and veteran firefighters alike improve and maintain performance of the various skills required on-scene.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Photo by JC Kriesher
    WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP, PA, OCT. 17, 2019—High winds and low water pressure from the hydrant system hampered efforts to extinguish a house fire in the Brownsville section of the township, just outside of Shenandoah, PA. The fire began shortly after 5 a.m. Upon arrival, crews, including from Rangers Hose Company, Girardville, PA, and Nuremberg-Weston, PA, Volunteer Fire Company found a well-involved fire. Despite the deployment of a tanker task force, the entire single-family residence was destroyed.
    December Hot Shots includes a house fire in the Brownsville section of West Mahanoy Township, PA, where high winds and low water pressure from the hydrant system hampered efforts...
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Kris Blume
    What about traditional leadership roles and leadership paradigms could the modern fire service learn when it comes to emotional quotient (EQ)? Kris Blume says the answer might...
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Although the third-row roof-mounted airbag on a Chevrolet Tahoe deployed during this rollover crash, the second-row roof-mounted airbag didn’t. A fire/rescue member sprawled on his belly to partially crawl into the open window of the passenger side rear door to access trapped children in the second-row seat. In this position, the fire/rescue member was lying on the undeployed airbag. It inflated into the responder’s abdomen and pelvic area.
    Ron Moore's review of two SUV accidents emphasizes the importance of paying careful attention to undeployed airbags.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Dec 19 Fire Tech Pic 1
    Charles Werner's insight into the AskRail app for railroad incidents reflects the continual efforts to improve the app's usefulness.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Firehouseworld 5c48e7f90a758
    New classes added for Firehouse World 2020.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Worcester Pic 6
    Gus Maynard reminds us of how two decades ago, the Worcester, MA, Fire Department lost the lives of six firefighters in a spectacular blaze.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Photos by Joe DeVito
    Upon arrival on scene, it’s important to remember to read the smoke first, not the fire. Because the fire is bright, one’s eyes go to it quickly, which might stop you from reading the danger signs that the smoke indicates.
    Joe DeVito believes that the use of the TIC should be incorporated into first size-up information.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Peter Matthews
    As the anniversaries of two tragedies are upon us, Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews says we all need to take time to focus on training and drills.
    Dec. 1, 2019