September 2021

As we mark the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, Firehouse remembers and honors the members of the FDNY who were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center with a special section that includes photos of the 343 brave firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice that day. More heroes are honored with the announcement of the 2020 Valor & Community Service Awards. The September issue also includes feature articles on drones, firefighter training, school bus extrication and much more.

September 2021

FDNY: A Reflection on the Past 20 Years

Sept. 11, 2021

Careers & Education

As Firehouse Sees It: Courage in the Eyes of the World

Sept. 11, 2021

'Peers' who work in the FDNY's Counseling Service Unit aren't mental health clinicians. They share their experience to help members develop mental resilience.

Safety & Health

The FDNY Peer Program & Behavioral Health

Sept. 11, 2021

Historical Incidents

The Fire Scene: A Sad Anniversary

Sept. 11, 2021

The chiefs who were charged with rebuilding the FDNY needed to grasp the leader's intent from the new fire commissioner and chief of department and share that with the rank and file. 'Leader's intent is critical to achieving success,' FDNY Chief of Department Thomas Richardson says. 'It defines the vision for the unit, company or department, and it complements expectations.'

Leadership

FDNY Post-9/11: A Leadership Perspective

Sept. 11, 2021

More content from September 2021

Operations & Training

Operational Readiness in an Evolving Emergency Management Environment

FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations Richard Blatus explains how the department's operational readiness has been evolving ever since 9/11.

Sept. 11, 2021

This photograph of a rail car was captured by a drone from one-half mile away. Such capability permits identification of products in rail cars and highway transportation vehicles without putting personnel in harm’s way.

Drones

Rise of a Drone Program

Robert Burke's research into a recently launched drone program sheds light on what can work in such a process and what can hinder it.

Sept. 8, 2021

The author isn’t convinced that the “¼ out for every foot up” rule is the default approach when it comes to climbing angles, particularly when it comes to a circumstance in which a firefighter must perform a ladder bailout.

Operations & Training

Make Every Day a Training Day

James L. Jester provides tips for how a volunteer department that isn't privy to certain training opportunities that others are still can accomplish hoseline, ladder and search...

Sept. 8, 2021

The massive size of apartment buildings (an expanse of an entire city block isn’t unusual) can make hose stretches grueling. Also, the buildings might not have standpipes, because their height might not meet the definition of a high-rise as defined by NFPA 1: Fire Code and NFPA 101: Life Safety Code.

Operations & Training

Engine Essentials: The Adjacent Apartment Alternative

Jonathan Hall's explanation of how to attack a fire in one unit in an apartment building by beginning in a unit that's next to it is both comprehensive and easy-to-digest.

Sept. 8, 2021

When a school bus that’s involved in a crash comes to rest on its side, its roof can be breached quickly to provide access, including to remove victims and to provide a path for sending in equipment.

Vehicle Extrication

School Bus Roll-Overs: Class Is in Session

Paul Hasenmeier breaks down into great detail the process of extricating victims from school buses that were involved in a crash.

Sept. 8, 2021

The Prince George’s County, MD, Fire/EMS Department has developed a standard engine company design, as shown on this 2021 Pierce Enforcer rig, which features a short wheelbase (with an overall length of 29 feet, 4 inches), an aluminum body, a low rear hosebed and lowered ground ladders on the right side of the body.

Apparatus

The Apparatus Architect: Fleet Services Management

Tom Shand and Mike Wilbur took advantage of their relationships with fire department fleet managers to collect hands-on-useful information that a department can apply to its collection...

Sept. 8, 2021

A 1st Responder Cut Label (yellow) for this Chevrolet Bolt EV is visible at upper right along the firewall. The larger label at lower left on the top of the radiator trim piece indicates that there is a 400-volt lithium-ion battery onboard and that the 12-volt battery is in this front compartment, somewhat buried on the lower left side.

Vehicle Extrication

University of Extrication: Low-Voltage Vehicle Batteries

Ron Moore instructs rescuers on how to ascertain whether an automobile has more than one 12-volt battery, which is critical to protecting responders from electrocution.

Sept. 8, 2021

Leadership

Engaging on the DEI Platform

Brian Schaeffer builds the case for his challenge to everyone who reads his article about diversity, equity and inclusion to immediately begin the conversations that will launch...

Sept. 8, 2021

A way to give residents of a community a better chance to survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is through a fire department effort to educate citizens regarding the importance of chest compressions and to empower them to action.

Community Risk Reduction

See Something, Do Something

Mindy Gabriel makes the case for why departments should trigger efforts to connect with their municipality's citizens to teach them basic lifesaving skills, if CPR training isn...

Sept. 8, 2021

Sep 21 Volunteer View Author Pic 60eee72f4b192

Leadership

Volunteer View: Leadership Mindsets that a Volunteer Officer Needs

Corey Smith's suggestions to volunteer fire department officers regarding how to improve hinge on trust and knowledge--and popularity.

Sept. 8, 2021

EMS

EMS: Airway Aggressiveness

Brandon Heggie reminds EMS providers that noninvasive measures for respiratory distress must be considered on equal ground with intubation.

Sept. 8, 2021

Leadership

The Company Officer: How to Lead Beyond Systemic Status Quo-ness

Dr. Brett Ellis explains how comfort zones in firehouses, fire departments and organizations are detriments to members and internal and external customers.

Sept. 8, 2021

Historical Incidents

The 343

Firehouse Magazine remembers the 343 FDNY firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001.

Sept. 8, 2021

The IFD partners with the city's police department, including sharing of resources within and outside of the city.

Leadership

Chief's Corner: Improvement of Self and Others

Irving, TX, Fire Chief Victor Conley says that firefighters embracing self-improvement will ultimately be meaningful to their department as a whole.

Sept. 8, 2021

When training on deploying hose, locations that present a variety of obstacles should be utilized, rather than practicing only direct shots to the front door.

Operations & Training

No Drill Ground? Creative Ways to Train

Devon Wells speaks to how ingenuity, community relations and perseverance set the table for a training program that could be better than one that's carried out at a training facility...

Sept. 8, 2021

Sep 21 Fhe Takeaways Pic 1 (moran & Lewis Edgewater 099 1 21 15)

Firehouse Expo

Firehouse Expo 2021: Back and Better than Ever

Firehouse Expo shines once again, as exemplified by four sessions that are spotlighted below.

Sept. 8, 2021

Careers & Education

For the Record 9/21

Oklahoma State University student Grant Yardley is the recipient of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association 2021 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship.

Sept. 8, 2021

PPE

Scuttlebutt 9/21

The Midland, PA, Volunteer Fire Department and Springville, TN, Volunteer Fire Department are the latest recipients of MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway.

Sept. 8, 2021