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  • April 2024

    • April 2024

    The April issue of Firehouse Magazine includes feature articles on firefighter training, fire-based EMS, thermal imaging and previews of the Station Design Conference and the new FireFusion event. There is also a special Apparatus Supplement and the results of our annual Volunteer Fire Department Run Survey.

    More content from April 2024

    Photos by Robert Policht
    Assessing a department’s equipment assists in recognizing the department’s capabilities and limitations.
    Robert Policht provides the steps that smaller departments should take to develop basic shoring capabilities.
    April 26, 2024
    The continuation of technological advancements and community involvement/education, which shaped emergency medical services from their inception, will provide opportunities to improve.
    Richard Bossert's reminder of the evolution of EMS indicates that progress will continue.
    April 25, 2024
    Photos courtesy of the Fairfax County, VA, Fire and Rescue Department
    A communications closet (left) showed no signs of a potential rapid-fire event before a member of the Fairfax County, VA, Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) forced open its door. He saw smoke that wasn’t pressurized approximately halfway down to the floor. He opened the door completely. Then, there was an explosion. To view the video of the event, go to youtube.com/watch?v=9Tjqppj6iqU.
    Billy Goldfeder tells of how preparation with full PPE and SCBA and detailed size-up prevented a firefighter from being injured when an explosion occurred in a communications ...
    April 24, 2024
    Photos by Shannon Hoffman
    Fireground commanders should consider the size and weight of large-diameter hose (LDH) in regard to moving it once it’s charged. Five-inch LDH holds 1 gallon of water per foot. With most LDH being in 100 foot sections and, thus, that length taking 100 gallons to fill, consider the use of a booster tank to start water. There really isn’t anything easy about LDH supply hose other than it being dropped via a fire engine that’s doing a forward or reverse supply lay.
    Curt Isakson provides numerous reasons why fireground commanders shouldn't choose the default size option when they select supply and attack hose.
    April 23, 2024
    Photos by Jeffrey D. Gaskin
    This apparatus that has been in service for two years was upfitted with a second alternator, and its original alternator was replaced, which are expensive propositions. Remember low-draw LED lights? When a large number of such lights are combined with high-lumen-output 12-volt scene lighting, the draw isn’t low anymore. When this apparatus sits at idle with its response lights and 12-volt scene lighting activated, it draws 341.7 amps. Keep in mind that the best alternators that are on the market produce about 180 amps at idle. In such a case as this one, the rest of the amps come from the vehicle’s batteries. In addition to the cost of all of those lights, an apparatus committee must consider that this rig will have a lifetime of battery and alternator problems.
    Jeffrey D. Gaskin wants fire organizations, particularly volunteer departments, to think twice about whether the cost of a function, feature or component on a new apparatus is...
    April 22, 2024
    Gamification principles can be used in different training sessions to enhance learner engagement and to improve knowledge and skill levels and can serve to modernize some components of fire service training.
    Edward Tracey's knowledge of the principles of video and other games can provide a spark of innovation for those who design training programs.
    April 22, 2024
    Photos by Mark Miller
    Compartments that are located in the cab extension are a good utilization of space that’s otherwise unused.
    Mark Miller details the state-of-the-art regarding in-cab planning to help apparatus committee members specify facets that aid members in various ways.
    April 22, 2024
    Photo by Glen E. Ellman
    Specifications for new apparatus are best developed when input from the members who operate on the vehicle is shared with the person who will write the specs.
    Greg Stone shares eight questions that should be answered to uncover many of the "absolutes" that should be written into a specification for a new apparatus.
    April 19, 2024
    Suppression of a fire without injuries to members and citizens is just the start to the determination that a response was accomplished correctly.
    John J. Salka Jr. provides seven areas of scrutiny beyond fire suppression and no injuries that departments must consider in the determination of a correctly accomplished response...
    April 19, 2024
    Photo courtesy of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
    San Bernardino County, CA, Fire Protection District crews used operational intelligence that was powered by GIS to help to direct specialized resources and to navigate to emergencies during a major winter storm.
    Jason Moore tells of how two fire departments use geographical information systems (GIS) to improve response and reduce community risk.
    April 18, 2024
    Burnout for those who work in jobs that help others is defined as emotional exhaustion, loss of empathy and loss of a sense of personal achievement.
    Matt Coffey tells why the results of a 2022 survey of 253 firefighters indicate that traumatic stress and problems with significant relationships can't remain the only factors...
    April 17, 2024
    Photo by David Bryce
    David Bryce Detroit firefiighters vacant building fire
    Heavy fire was showing from the second floor of a vacant, two-story Detroit building when the first-arriving engine reached the site.
    April 17, 2024
    There has been a huge uptick in lawsuits against firefighters and medics that arise out of police-related incidents. Five main facets are of primary concern.
    Curt Varone tells of the five main concerns of lawsuits against firefighters and fire departments when they respond to police-related incidents.
    April 16, 2024
    Roman Isaryk
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    The Volunteer Run Survey shares details of the largest segment of the fire service.
    April 16, 2024
    Complacency culture not only drives down a department’s operational readiness, but it also closes the department against the community that it’s supposed to protect.
    Dave Robertson explains why a closed-bay-door policy can be a danger to members and the department both operationally and culturally.
    April 15, 2024
    Photo by Jon Tenca
    This special Fire Apparatus Supplement includes feature articles on objective-driven apparatus specification, applying apparatus costs wisely, and apparatus cab design and layout.
    This special Fire Apparatus Supplement includes feature articles on objective-driven apparatus specification, applying apparatus costs wisely, and apparatus cab design and layout...
    April 9, 2024
    Frank Dellucky has been in the fire service for 40 years and currently serves as a training/safety officer with Livingston Parish Fire Protection District #4 in Walker, LA.
    Frank Dellucky tells what his department learned about improving its education of high school seniors for fire service work after the first semester of instruction.
    April 9, 2024
    Peter Matthews
    E-ONE opened their first factory in Ocala, FL, in 1981.
    Dozens gathered at the E-ONE fire trucks campus in Ocala, FL, to laud longtime workers and thank fire departments for their business over 50 years.
    April 8, 2024