January 2026

Issue Description: The January issue of Firehouse includes feature articles on station furniture, technology-purchasing pitfalls, fire department culture and a focus on Firehouse Magazine's 50th Anniversary.

Cover Description: On arrival, Engine 5 of the Rochester, NY, Fire Department found heavy smoke coming from a five-story vacant warehouse and declared a working fire, with a second alarm transmitted shortly after because of the size of the building. Crews made an interior push on the building but were forced to go defensive because of a heavy fire load that was advancing rapidly. Third, fourth and fifth alarms were struck as firefighters worked to to get ahead of the flames. Crews acted fast to move rigs out of collapse zones. (The building collapsed on multiple sides.) Exposure buildings caught fire. Companies operated into the next day as the fire continued to burn. Photo by Jon Tenca.

Dedication: Two U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty— Lt. Brian Hatt and Capt. Michael Booke. This issue of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.

January 2026

Top 8 Skills Every Firefighter Must Master Irrespective of Apparatus Assignment

Jan. 29, 2026

firefighters commercial building fire hair salon Memphis Tennessee Fire Department

Operations & Training

Hot Shots 1/26

Jan. 28, 2026

It’s important to remember that the changes to individuals’ work and sleep patterns that occurred during the COVID years changed the way that the potential for finding fire victims as it relates to the time of day is viewed. After COVID, an increase in home-based employment resulted in countless residential structures being occupied during daytime hours.

Operations & Training

Fireground Incident Action Plan: Time Is Your Enemy

Jan. 26, 2026

The 24/7 lobby of Arlington County, VA, Fire Department Fire Station 8 includes panels that are designed around the six community virtues that emerged from meetings that included members of the community. Artifacts that were donated by the Halls Hill community include a full dress uniform and photographs from family and department archives. An image of the original Halls Hill Volunteer Fire Department water tank aboard the back of its first engine was installed on the glass, so the community can see the fire station and members can see the community through the lens of history.

Stations

Designing a Fire Station With Community Engagement

Jan. 23, 2026

Technology

Avoiding 10 Fire Department Technology-Purchasing Pitfalls

Jan. 22, 2026

More content from January 2026

EMS mental health calls social worker assistance Megan Funk

EMS

Easing EMS Load by Pairing With Social Workers for Mental Health Calls

Megan Funk shares ways that EMS can access social workers to reduce the strain on responders in regard to mental health calls.

Jan. 20, 2026

Furniture for firehouses, including recliners, are designed and constructed in ways to stand up to 24/7/365 use that models for consumers don’t approach.

Furnishings

Durable Furniture for the Firehouse that Aids in Firefighter Well-Being

When those who are in charge of making furniture purchase for a fire station default to the mass market, they are at risk of acquiring products that underperform in terms of the...

Jan. 20, 2026

firefighter mental health Dr. David Griffin Leadership Lessons

Safety & Health

Firefighters Can Handle Only So Much Trauma

Dr. David Griffin shares the reasoning behind his decision to retire from the fire service, to help others with their mental health journey.

Jan. 16, 2026

When department members’ integrity is unwavering, all members know that their word matters and that others will stand by them.

Leadership

Fire Department Culture: Integrity, Commitment, Aggressive Tactics, and an Elite Mindset

Jacob Johnson explains how his four pillars of firehouse culture produce firefighters who are physically sharp, mentally tough, ethically grounded and relentlessly aggressive....

Jan. 16, 2026

A Fairfax County, VA, Fire and Rescue Department firefighter sustained burn injuries during a live-fire training evolution during a training academy. Critical factors that contributed to the event included failure to adjust fuel loads to match the water can’s operational capabilities, inconsistent practices that resulted because no single, authoritative live-fire training policy was followed and an insufficient understanding of PPE burn dynamics.

Structures

Close Calls: Firefighter Burned During Live-Fire Training

Billy Goldfeder provides the findings of an investigation into burn injuries that were sustained by a firefighter during live-fire training, including contributing factors and...

Jan. 15, 2026

A fire in a residence of this size might require a commercial approach to ventilation, which might tax a department’s resources.

Operations & Training

Truck Company Ventilation at Residential Fires with a Commercial Mindset

Steve Reno tells why personnel who are assigned ventilation at a fire at a large residential structure should be prepared to make vertical ventilation cuts, smoke indicator holes...

Jan. 13, 2026

Firehouse Magazine 50th Anniversary fire service innovation

Careers & Education

As Firehouse Sees It: Firehouse Magazine's 50th Anniversary & the Fire Service: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

Peter Matthews explains how Firehouse Magazine will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, including recognition of the countless great authors who contributed and of the innovation...

Jan. 12, 2026

Leadership

Fire Department Management vs. Leadership: On Which Side of the Challenge Coin Do You Fall?

David Hupp points out that, although the two terms often are used interchangeably, they are different in the fire service realm and require their own dedication.

Sept. 12, 2025