August 2026

Issue Description: The August issue of Firehouse Magazine is the 50th anniversary edition that includes articles looking back at the past 50 years of the fire service and the impact of Firehouse since its creation.

Cover Description: From Dennis Smith’s launch of Firehouse in 1976, the publication’s devotion to serving firefighters has benefited from the contributions of chiefs, company officers and rank-and-file members, whether that be related to tactics and strategy, leadership, safety and health, apparatus design and operations, and station design and construction. Joining Smith (first row, far left) on the cover are 42 of the most influential people to whom we owe are extreme gratitude. The time and effort that they a afforded us and readers laid the groundwork for the myriad others who have and will provide their expertise, successes, heartbreak and guidance over the decades and for future generations.

Dedication: Five U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty— Firefighter/Paramedic John D. Morgan, Chief Harold Osborn, Lt. Isai Huerta, Assistant Chief Wayne Woodbury and Fire Chief Charles Woodward. This issue of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.

More content from August 2026

Photos by Glen E. Ellman
fire department chief speaking to the community and the media
Jared Renshaw believes that reconnecting with the mission and recognizing the positive changes that resulted from administrative efforts are among the ways for fire department...
Aug. 17, 2026
Photos by Glen E. Ellman
firefighters at front door of house as flashover occurs
John Lewis, Robert Moran and Robert Policht reflect on the evolutions in PPE, building construction, staffing and technology and how they changed strategy and tactics and laid...
Aug. 14, 2026
Photo courtesy of Dennis Compton
former CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb and Dennis Compton
Dennis Compton explains why maintaining close relationships with federal officials and fire service partners is critical for the fire service to sustain success in addressing ...
Aug. 13, 2026
Images courtesy of Fire Safety Research Institute
front door of a fire training house affected by bidirectional air flow and unidirectional air flow
Dan Madrzykowski shares the result of Fire Safety Research Institute's fire analyses to remind that cutting ventilation holes at a ventilation-limited fire shouldn't be done without...
Aug. 12, 2026
Photos by Tom W. Shand
In 1977, Syracuse, NY, Fire Department (SFD) Station 2’s apparatus were (from left to right) Mini 2 (a 1973 International Pierce), Engine 2 (a 1973 Ward LaFrance 50-foot Telesquirt) and Truck 2 (a 1973 Sutphen 85-foot aerial tower). SFD truck companies didn’t operate as quints and carried 233 feet of ground ladders.
Tom Shand recalls how the Syracuse, NY, Fire Department and the Rochester, NY, Fire Department were among the agencies that innovated their fleet concept in the mid-1970s.
Aug. 11, 2026
13 Steps of EMS Treatment of Heat-Related Emergencies With Cold Water Immersion
Paul Rosenberger provides the 13 steps to treating patients who are experiencing a heat-related emergency via cold water immersion.
Aug. 10, 2026
50 Years of Fire Service Technology
Jason Moore and Charles Werner are amazed with the innovation that was applied to fire and emergency services since Firehouse launched in 1976 and believe that future advancements...
Aug. 7, 2026
remembering_firehouse_magazine_founder_dennis_smit
Peter Matthews shares the committed contributions Dennis Smith, whose legacy lives on in the thousands of firefighters who he inspired.
Aug. 6, 2026
Firehouse Magazine 50th Anniversary Cover
Check out this timeline of Firehouse's first 50 years, including milestones, major incident coverage, trends and more.
Aug. 5, 2026
Photos by Curt Isakson
tools for firefighters to conduct search for occupants at a residential fire
Curt Isakson stresses that, although the traditional assignment for locating occupants at a residential fire remains effective, it can't be the only strategy that fireground commanders...
Aug. 4, 2026
Firehouse Magazine: Supporting the Fire Service for a Half-Century and Counting
Peter Matthews explains how Firehouse’s 50th anniversary affords the opportunity to celebrate its founder but also all of our authors, conference presenters and podcast guests...
Aug. 3, 2026