• Subscribe
  • Buyer's Guide
  • In Print
  • Advertise
  • Station Design Conference
  • FireFusion
  • Podcasts
  • Station Design Awards
  • Home >
  • Back Issues >
  • Firehouse Magazine >
  • 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.
    Fi Rsup A1
    Cancer Prevention

    Cancer Awareness & Prevention

    Dec. 2, 2019
    The Firehouse Cancer Awareness & Prevention supplement reviews national and local efforts taken to decrease firefighter exposure to carcinogens.
    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.
    Safety & Health

    Texas Fire Department Changes Operations to Reduce Carcinogenic Exposure

    Dec. 2, 2019
    Robert Fite discusses how the Grand Prairie, TX, Fire Department is working to reduce firefighter exposure to carcinogens.
    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.
    Safety & Health

    Cancer Survivor Story: Chris Macias

    Dec. 2, 2019
    Arlington Fire Department Apparatus Operator Chris Macias advises firefighters about the dangers of dirty gear.
    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.
    Safety & Health

    A Widow’s Story: Lillian Carney

    Dec. 2, 2019
    Lillian Carney, widow of Battalion Chief Josh Carney, talks about her late husband and his cancer journey.
    Peter Matthews 0918 5ba4e7daa7a0c
    Safety & Health

    It’s Time to Take Action—For You, Your Family & Colleagues

    Peter Matthews
    Dec. 2, 2019
    Peter Matthews introduces the Firehouse Cancer Awareness & Prevention project and emphasizes the need for firefighter action.

    More content from December 2019

    Tim Bush, fire chief and emergency management director for the city of Maple Grove, MN, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2018.
    Safety & Health

    In the Fight: Tim Bush

    Dec. 2, 2019
    Maple Grove, MN, Fire Chief Tim Bush shares his experience fighting malignant melanoma.
    Photo by Chris Stowe
    Weaver 5dc5e316cc396
    Safety & Health

    Where We’ve Been…and Where We’re Going

    Ed Klima
    Dec. 2, 2019
    Ed Klima takes a look at current research and initiatives that document and combat firefighter cancer.
    Troy Clark has been an engineer with the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department (FWFD) for 22 years, starting in 1997. In 2017, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
    Safety & Health

    In the Fight: Troy Clark

    Dec. 2, 2019
    Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department veteran firefighter Troy Clark recounts his journey with prostate cancer.
    Photo by Keith Muratori
    15 A 0011
    Cancer Prevention

    Combating the Cancer Emergency

    NIOSH
    Dec. 2, 2019
    NIOSH writes about how a new research tool and data will fight cancer.
    Wash off bunker boots after a work­ing fire. Boots contribute significantly to cross-contamination.
    Safety & Health

    15 Tips to Minimize Firefighter Cancer Risk

    Frank Leeb
    Dec. 2, 2019
    Frank Leeb challenges firefighters to make the commitment toward reducing their exposure risks on the fireground and at the station.
    Screen Shot 2019 11 21 At 11 12 12 Am
    Cancer Prevention

    Cancer Awareness and Prevention

    Dec. 2, 2019
    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.
    Peter Matthews
    Operations & Training

    20 Years: Worcester and Keokuk

    Peter Matthews
    Dec. 1, 2019
    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.
    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.
    Thermal Imagers

    CLUES: Sizing Up Using Your TIC

    Joseph DeVito
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Joe DeVito believes that the use of the TIC should be incorporated into first size-up information.
    Worcester Pic 6
    Safety & Health

    The Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Fire: 20 Years Later

    Gus Maynard
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Gus Maynard reminds us of how two decades ago, the Worcester, MA, Fire Department lost the lives of six firefighters in a spectacular blaze.
    Firehouseworld 5c48e7f90a758
    Operations & Training

    For the Record 12/19

    Firehouse Staff
    Dec. 1, 2019
    New classes added for Firehouse World 2020.
    Dec 19 Fire Tech Pic 1
    Tech & Comm

    Fire Technology: AskRail: The Rail Responder App

    Charles Werner
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Charles Werner's insight into the AskRail app for railroad incidents reflects the continual efforts to improve the app's usefulness.
    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.
    Vehicle Extrication

    University of Extrication: Vehicle Rescue Responder Safety

    Ron Moore
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Ron Moore's review of two SUV accidents emphasizes the importance of paying careful attention to undeployed airbags.
    Kris Blume
    Leadership

    Leadership Lessons: Discovering the Emotionally Intelligent Fire Officer

    Kris Blume
    Dec. 1, 2019
    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...
    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.
    Operations & Training

    Hot Shots 12/19

    Firehouse Staff
    Dec. 1, 2019
    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...
    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.
    Health & Fitness

    Skills & Movements of a Tactical Athlete

    Brandon Green
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Brandon Green relates what is necessary to help new and veteran firefighters alike improve and maintain performance of the various skills required on-scene.
    Courtesy CSU
    Casey Jones of the Little Rock, AR, Fire Department was selected as the 2019 Outstanding Fire Service Professional of the Year.
    Careers & Education

    Scuttlebutt 12/19

    Firehouse Staff
    Dec. 1, 2019
    CSU Honors National Outstanding Fire Service Professionals
    Curt Varone
    Operations & Training

    Fire Law: Should Firefighters Be Armed?

    Curt Varone
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Curt Varone explains the challenges of the decision to allow members of a fire department to carry a firearm while on duty.
    Captain John A. Hayowyk Jr.
    Community Risk

    First Due: 'Tis the Season

    John Hayowyk Jr.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Capt. John A. Hayowyk Jr. urges preparation for the variety of calls that will come that originate from home-heating equipment.
    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.
    Water & Ice

    Water-Rescue Techniques in the Cold Environment

    Mark McCabe
    Dec. 1, 2019
    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...
    John Salkav3
    Leadership

    The Fire Scene: The Reality of Life in the Fire Service

    John J. Salka Jr.
    Dec. 1, 2019
    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.
    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.
    Off-duty

    Off Duty: Bringing Fire-Prevention Learning to Life

    Michael Furman
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Michael Furman changed how the basic talking points of home fire safety and prevention are delivered.
    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.
    Tech & Comm

    Fire Dispatch: Reputation Management Begins Here

    Barry Furey
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Barry Furey says departments must equip their telecommunicators with the tools—in particular, the training—that are needed to ensure their standing.
    Bruce Evans
    EMS

    EMS: Normalization of Deviance

    Bruce Evans
    Dec. 1, 2019
    Bruce Evans explains why the role of each and every person on scene is to speak up and advocate for no shortcuts.