So as you know from my last posting that I have taken a break from firefighting. Well after I have my surgery on December 1st and recover from rehab and such I have decided to return to the department. At the age of 21 I have seen a lot of things people twice my age will never imagine of seeing, but even with that, my heart is in being a firefighter. So around the summer season of 2010 I will be returning and be back where I belong and this time it's for good. It feels so good to know I will be… Continue

For all who missed the Midwestern Smoke Symposium, the CPTC will host a 4-hour Smoke Symposium at FDIC on April 19. For details: http://www.fdic.com/index/conference/2010-workshops.html. Instructors include Rob Schnepp, Frank Ricci, Kevin Reilly, Mike Gagliano and Bruce Evans. This is NOT to be missed.

Also, for those who haven't heard, another firefighter was saved from the toxic impact of smoke inhalation. The Cyanokit did… Continue

I usually question veteran firefighters that tell a recruit or new-be “Son! Never hit smoke with a hose stream – Only the “red-stuff”!” or “Never take your gloves off”. (For those of you who are scratching your head saying “Tommie told me to never hit smoke”! If your intent is to cool unprotected steel, like the underside of a metal deck roof you are crawling under and all you see is smoke up there – it’s OK to hit smoke! I’ll discuss the glove thing in a minute.)
You see, when we tell these “mi… Continue

The following is an important release from the IAFF
Take Action on Health Care Reform
Tell Congress Not to Tax Your Benefits

The IAFF is joining the AFL-CIO for a National Week of Action on health care reform. The activities kick off November 5 with an ad campaign focusing on finding a fair way to pay for health care reform. The ads will appear in Politico, Roll Call, The Hill and The Washington Post and highlight the U.S. House health care bill as a model for reform.

The IAFF has been lobbyin… Continue