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  • April 2021

    • April 2021

    The April issue of Firehouse Magazine includes feature articles on firefighter training, emergency vehicle operations, fire-based EMS and a Firehouse Expo preview. In addition, this month we have two special supplements: Station Design; and Apparatus: Designing Pumpers. Plus, a link to our exclusive Combination Fire Department Run Survey.
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    Precautions around the firehouse that weren’t considered prior to COVID-19 are necessary today. Maximum protections must be afforded to responders and others who weren’t on scene when those who were return to the station.
    April 27, 2021
    Photos by Geoffrey Lyon
    The headquarters and operations center of the Cy-Fair Fire Department in Harris County, TX, was created out of what was a mattress warehouse. The conversion cost about half of what new construction would have required. The facility is piquing the interest of other departments in the region that have construction projects on the horizon.
    April 27, 2021
    Images courtesy of BRW Architects
    The first line of defense against airborne viruses in the fire station is its HVAC system. In certain climates and at certain times of the year, a system’s capability to regulate humidity to a range of 40 percent–60 percent can increase HVAC’s effectiveness. In settings in which members congregate (shown), UV-C lighting can be added for more protection against viruses, including COVID-19.
    April 27, 2021
    Photos courtesy of Ten Over Studio
    The apparatus bays of the San Jose, CA, Fire Department’s Station 35 have exposed concrete floors and exposed concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls. Concrete floors are highly durable and require little maintenance. The same can be said for walls that are constructed out of CMU once the CMU is sealed.
    April 27, 2021
    Photos by Jeffrey Gaskin
    A much too common occurrence is to see apparatus without the proper restraints.
    April 27, 2021

    More content from April 2021

    Photo by Jeffrey Gaskin
    The specification of this pumper, which is at the “final fit” stage before its finish is applied, would have needed the apparatus committee to consider the inventory of tools, equipment and hose that’s desired to be carried to set the size of compartments. Size of compartments can dictate the size of the booster tank and the hosebed.
    Jeffrey Gaskin and Greg Stone provide what every apparatus committee should know before it launches into specifying its department's next engine.
    April 27, 2021
    Photos by Tom Shand
    This pump panel was built by Four Guys Fire Apparatus for the Hagerstown, MD, Fire Department. Note how the crosslay discharge piping extends to the side of the panel and how the arrangement of the pump throttle and relief valve are below the master gauges and intake valve controls at the lower left corner.
    Tom Shand explains how to design the pump panel of an engine to streamline the critical tasks that the driver must carry out.
    April 27, 2021
    Photos by Keith Niemann
    An apparatus expert who knows regulations can help a department to identify problems before it’s too late.
    Keith Niemann's guidance regarding preparation to specify a new pumper hinges on the vehicle's mission and the justification of what it will carry.
    April 27, 2021
    Photos by Keith Niemann
    If the backup firefighter is behind the nozzle, that individual must drop back a few feet to help with pinch points, to facilitate the advance.
    Keith Niemann explains how teaching firefighter recruits might best be accomplished by ensuring that instructor and student don't get ahead of themselves.
    April 19, 2021
    Tim Szymanski
    Timothy Szymanski urges public information officers to build upon the added effectiveness that has resulted from evolution that's driven by the pandemic.
    April 19, 2021
    Barry Furey
    Barry Furey offers valuable information that can help avoid the type of dispatch problems surrounding the Christmas Day 2020 explosion in Nashville.
    April 19, 2021
    Photos by LSFFDC04
    Ryan Pennington, who is a captain with the Charleston, WV, Fire Department and a member of the Firehouse Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, authored numerous articles about hoarding fires. He believes that the most important tool to use in these conditions is a high-resolution thermal imager (TIC). “Not only will it allow you to see the hot (aka the fire), but it clearly will define the cold, which will be the travel path of the occupant,” he explains. “Understanding that the TIC needs to stay in the low-temperature/high-resolution mode indicates that it should be used outside of the fire building.”
    Billy Goldfeder uses the events of a recent fire in a hoarder house in Ohio to remind and educate regarding the do's and don'ts of responding to such calls.
    April 19, 2021
    Photo by Peter Matthews
    Guiding civilians down a ladder after they were rescued from a window provides them with a measure of safety.
    James P. Smith breaks down fireground rescue in perfect detail.
    April 19, 2021
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    John J. Salka, Jr., points out the importance for an officer to know when the accommodation of a crew member must be rejected.
    April 19, 2021
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    Tami Kayea addresses the lack of guidelines, unclear directives and the myths regarding performing CPR on a patient who has an automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator...
    April 19, 2021
    Photos by Robert Moran
    Initiating billing programs that generate operating revenue by charging fees for patient care and transport services can help departments that provide EMS to overcome budgetary obstacles.
    Robert Moran illustrates the effectiveness of fire-based EMS billing via two case histories.
    April 19, 2021
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    Jacob Johnson urges today's senior firefighters to emulate the veteran members who embraced the role of mentor to put rookies on the right path.
    April 19, 2021
    Photos by Ron Moore
    Clean-up time at the end of training or at the conclusion of a real-world event is an ideal time to have the SCAM program sheets available for each category of rescue tool. The SCAM program guides responders through accounting for, cleaning, inspecting and determining whether each item is ready to be placed back into service.
    Ron Moore pins his description of the steps of a "SCAM" program to rescue chain, but the process applies to all rescue tools.
    April 19, 2021
    Fir Station Design Supplementcover
    Firehouse presents our annual Station Design supplement, including advice on reducing COVID-19 spread and a showcase for durable station flooring and wallcoverings.
    April 19, 2021
    Photos by Jessica Scott
    Scapular pushup. Note how the shoulder blades are pulled backward toward each other.
    Jessica Scott brings attention to how easily firefighters and trainers can overlook the vital core muscles that connect the shoulder blades to the rib cage.
    April 19, 2021
    Photo by Keith Muratori
    Keith Muratori 1 13 21 Bridgeport, Ct Structure Fire Pic 2
    April Hot Shots include the Howard County, MD, Department of Fire & Rescue Service's use of cutting torches to open a shipping container to attack a fire that was within it.
    April 19, 2021
    Getty Images/metamorworks
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    Charles Werner instructs fire departments regarding their first forays into 5G technology.
    April 19, 2021
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    Fire Service Remembers NVFC CEO Heather Schafer
    April 19, 2021
    Nvfc Summit
    NVFC Training Summit Goes Virtual
    April 19, 2021
    Photo courtesy of Loudoun County, VA, Fire and Rescue
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    Firehouse, the IAFC, and the NVFC have compiled the 11th annual Combination Fire Department Run Survey, featuring statistics on apparatus, budgets, membership, and fire and EMS...
    April 19, 2021
    Werner Multi Position Ladders Mt 18iaa 64 600
    William Finegan explains why multipurpose ladders needed to be included in the 2020 edition of NFPA 1931.
    April 19, 2021
    Apr 21 Firehouse Expo Preview Pic 1
    Ten hands-on training classes at this year’s Firehouse Expo answer the requests of previous attendees and Firehouse Magazine readers
    April 19, 2021
    Photo by Kenny Flynn
    Firefighter Jared Lloyd
    Peter Matthews tells how the brotherhood and sisterhood turned out for a Spring Valley, NY, firefighter, his family and his crewmates following his death in the line of duty.
    April 19, 2021
    Oct 20 First Due Author Pic
    Reginald D. Freeman recounts how he addressed some formidable challenges when he became chief in Hartford, CT.
    April 19, 2021
    Fir Pumpers Supplementcover
    Firehouse presents a special supplement on designing pumpers, including tips on preplanning your next engine design, pump panels and hosebed covers.
    April 19, 2021
    Apr 21 Leadership Lessons Author Pic 600d9dd4244b9
    Candace Ashby explains why the importance of 'informal leaders' in a department rivals that of the formal leaders.
    April 19, 2021
    Images courtesy of Illinois Fire Service Institute
    Practicing essential driving tasks on a cone driving course, such as the driver of this aerial apparatus attempting the alley dock exercise, gives drivers the opportunity to feel the forces that act on a vehicle without being on public streets.
    Tal Prendergast and Jake Hutchcraft put the challenging physics of driving a fire apparatus into language that's easy to understand.
    April 19, 2021