Posts Categorized: Discussions
The Initial On Scene Report
Most in the fire service would agree that our success at any building fire is determined by the actions of the initial arriving units (first alarm assignment). The ability of the first arriving unit to provide a sufficient initial on-scene report will provide other incoming units with the information and direction they need to position and operate in the most efficient manner and, hopefully, take care of the fire safely and quickly. A very useful and effective acronym that I have used is the A-B-C-D Size-up.
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Have We Forgotten Our Duty Since September 11?
Duty, Service and Valor. At no time in the fire service’s history were these words better personified than on September 11, 2001 when 343 FDNY firefighters gave their lives to save thousands during the attacks that day. A bittersweet day, 9/11 not only made America proud of its firefighters but it made our job, already one of the most proud and respected professions, a little more profound. Remember that it is our selfless duty to serve the public and, if necessary, act with valor to save savable lives and property even if we have to risk our own life. Never forget!
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RFB: Charleston 9
It’s already been 2 years since the sofa superstore fire in charleston, sc. I was on duty that night, surfing the web when I caught a headline that (at that time) 2 firefighters were missing at a commercial building fire in charleston. My crew stay…
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FDIC & Brotherhood
I recently responded to a post on the thinking man’s fire blog “fire(fighter) behavior”. The post primarily discussed the tremendous training opportunities available at the fire department instructors conference (FDIC) and asked what those who at…
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Tradition, Motivation & Training
Why do you do this job? What makes you tick? For me, it’s the tradition, brotherhood and challenge of the job and the excitement of not knowing what the next shift will bring. These may seem like clichés, but they are all true and undeniable. …
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RIP Tillerman Bob
Last week my neighbor passed away after an ongoing battle with respiratory and cardiac illnesses. His name was bob. Bob retired from the new Rochelle (NY) fire department in the 80’s and moved, with his wife, to South Carolina to be with their kids…
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Understaffed Truck Work: Forcible Entry
Most fire departments, if they are even lucky enough to staff a truck company, often struggle with how to maximize the tasks that the truck can accomplish on the fireground. Since times are tough and budgets are tougher, increasing staffing is unlikely…
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Brotherhood 101
BROTHERHOOD 101 (CLICK HERE)
I found this Powerpoint on the Indy Metro FOOLS website and thought that it needed to be shared. It talks about pride, integrity and mentoring in the fire service. It questions how we do the job. Do we take the good …
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Understaffed Truck Work: Ladders
Most fire departments, if they are even lucky enough to staff a truck company, often struggle with how to maximize the tasks that the truck can accomplish on the fireground. Since times are tough and budgets are tougher, increasing staffing is unlikely…
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Fire Attack: Nozzle Firefighter Basics
Once you’ve scene the video from the “Straight Stream vs. Fog” post (January 13, 2009), you may have a new appreciation for using a straight stream during interior fire attack. Next we’ll look at a few ways to make the interior fire attack more…
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New SCBA Technology
Check out this link! This is a prototype for a new SCBA design that could significantly improve firefighter safety while operating at building fires and, hopefully, improve firefighter health through stress reduction.
As we all know, the only reason…
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Training & Instincts Save Firefighters' Lives
A Mayday was called at a basement fire in a single family dwelling in Rockville, MD (Montgomery County) on October 2. While conducting a primary search of the first floor a firefighter fell through the floor into the basement (fire area) and a mayday w…
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The Truth About Residential Sprinkler Systems
On September 21, a highly controversial resolution was passed mandating automatic sprinkler systems in single family homes effective January 1, 2011. Since the predominant construction features in these dwellings are oriented strand board (OSB) floor a…
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What Is A S.A.F.E. Firefighter?
SAFETY MINDED:
In order to be effective, we have to know how to protect ourselves. By learning the limitations of ourselves, our crews, our equipment and the buildings that we operate in, we can prevent injuries caused by known hazards. By understan…
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9/11…It Never Gets Any Easier
It never gets any easier! Seven years later and it still doesn’t get any easier. Everyone has there 9/11 story, where they were, what they doing. Without doubt, and for obvious reasons, that day will be etched into the minds of those old enough…
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The Cleveland Hose Load… The Next Big Thing?
I found this gem while surfing the Indy Metro FOOLS website. It was posted by Mike Gilbert (a Founding FOOL).
This is great answer to the question of which way is the BEST way to load a highrise (standpipe) pack. Its easy, its versatile and…it w…
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