Once you are aware of, and have an understanding of the 16 firefighter life safety initiatives as presented by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation; we will need to implement those initiatives into our daily operations whether on the scene of an emergency or back at the firehouse. That is-if we are to succeed in ensuring that everyone goes home ! No matter your longevity in the fire service, one year or forty years, I would bet my last toad on the stump that you have been involved in,…
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Added by Jon D Marsh on November 17, 2010 at 6:17pm —
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“The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act” would mandate union monopoly bargaining for state and local public safety employees. (See:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-413 and
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s111-1611)
It would force police,…
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Added by Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich on November 15, 2010 at 12:34pm —
19 Comments
Since the beginning of time this proverbial saying has been commonplace in society. Everyone, at one point, has been told to do something “because I said so”. But where does this come into play in the fire service? When does it become acceptable to use the phrase in an appropriate manor?
Obviously, we can all agree that there are some circumstances that require its use but I believe that they are few and far between. As firefighters I think we have all had that order given and there…
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Added by David Mellen on November 15, 2010 at 11:25am —
2 Comments
To see more of my work or to purchase a print of this illustration, visit:
www.artstudioseven.com
.
Added by Paul Combs on November 14, 2010 at 11:17am —
3 Comments
Just as many of you, I receive notification from The U.S. Fire Administration upon the occurance of an LODD in our nation's fire service. Each brings a sickening knot in my stomach, and tears are common at this stage of my life upon news of a fallen brother even if I don't know them personally. Death, no matter it's cause in the line of duty, is a particularly traumatic experience for those of us who fail to convey the knowledge we have in our possession that would have, or could have prevented…
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Added by Jon D Marsh on November 13, 2010 at 4:00pm —
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When I began my career in the fire service there were still fire departments that were using ¾ boots and long coats, belt mounted “elephant trunk” SCBAs and had firefighters standing up in the back of an open cab rig while going to calls. Most of these things have faded into fire service history but there are still departments that operate the “Old School” way.
I recently spoke to a long time friend whom I started my career with and after a while the discussion turned to new…
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Added by David Mellen on November 12, 2010 at 4:30pm —
4 Comments
With the changing face of the American fire service it is no wonder we don't have as many old salts to sit around the table in the beanery and spin the great tails of old. The reality is that the adventures are still out there and happening every day, some of us have just forgotten to update our stories. As with all things we as a profession are changing and what our customers expect of us is changing as well. Many would say that Johnnie and Roy ruined it for all of us by planting the seed of…
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Added by Skip Simmons on November 11, 2010 at 5:21pm —
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Note: Dad is on the right as you look at the picture.
The envelope measured four inches wide by six inches long. It has held up rather well. It almost has a waxy feel to it. I am sure that it was white at one time, but is now a dark beige color.
In the top, left corner scribbled in pencil is: “after 5 days return to Pvt. W. H. Goodrich, Fort Leavenworth Kans".
At the top, middle of the envelope is a…
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Added by Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich on November 11, 2010 at 12:48pm —
2 Comments
This is a post from last year, but the message still holds true today! Let's remember our Brothers and Sisters who are not only fire service family, but are serving our country, too. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and may they ALL come home very soon!
To ALL Veterans, young and old, of all races and many wars - THANK…
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Added by Paul Combs on November 11, 2010 at 9:00am —
2 Comments
That is in the metaphorical sense. A hand was extended and I "grabbed" it. Thank you so much, Bobby Halton.
I have not been active on the fire ground for 8 years, but I remain active in our fire department as president of its board of trustees.
Before some of you get the wrong idea, I want you to know that NOTHING comes before the safety and well-being of our firefighters.
I am true blue collar firefighter who has enjoyed the highs and suffered the lows of this great…
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Added by Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich on November 10, 2010 at 10:47am —
4 Comments
Time is ticking away. You might want to put down those few hundred pages of Emergency Cardiac Care Guidelines 2010 and pick up a copy of the draft
NFPA 1917 Standard for Automotive Ambulances. "Doesn't affect me," you say? I'd bet otherwise; if you ride a bus, aid car, rescue, box, ambulance, or whatever else you call that patient care and transport vehicle on wheels, this standard affects you.…
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Added by Mike McEvoy on November 4, 2010 at 8:01am —
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I LOVE Fall!! I love everything about it, except for the allergies, of course - but even they're tolerable with the incredible beauty of a Great Lakes Autumn!!
However, seeing multi-colored leaves carpeting the ground also brings to mind the ever increasing mounds of paperwork and documentation that…
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Added by Paul Combs on November 3, 2010 at 8:00am —
5 Comments
Perception is reality...and a large part of one's perception is based upon their environment... past, present and their expected future.
For example, if you are around positive people the majority of your life then you more than likely will have a bright outlook on things and most who cross your path will consider you to be a smiling optimist. Conversely, if you spend most of your time around people and situations that steep in negativity then you will probably share a life view full…
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Added by John Barrett on November 2, 2010 at 7:30pm —
3 Comments
Certainly enjoyed this informative Podcast! It raises issues that just 10 or even fewer years back wouldn't have aroused curiosity to many of us. Remember when we used to fill residential swimming pools ?
A few years ago, I recall being dispatched to a residence where EMS was already on scene. The EMT and Paramedic were trying to maneuver a gurney with patient out an entry that was obstructed by large shrubbery and low tree limbs. I chopped a clearing just enough to allow passage of the…
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Added by Jon D Marsh on November 1, 2010 at 12:38am —
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To see more of my work or to purchase prints, visit:
www.artstudioseven.com
.
Added by Paul Combs on October 25, 2010 at 1:52pm —
4 Comments
I suppose we all have pet peeves. As anal as I am, I have more than my share. One of them is what is shown in the photo above. Now, to be fair, no water is flowing (yet) and I am sure that the men and women of the Pawtucket fire department are among the best in the country. But - what's the firefighter doing at the tip of the aerial?
In my opinion, he or she is in one of the most dangerous positions a firefighter can put themselves in - and…
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Added by Skip Coleman on October 21, 2010 at 9:52am —
6 Comments
I am a BIG believer in SOGs (or, SOPs depending on your Department). Standard Operating Guidelines are the foundation for how we approach most incidents and a baseline for what is expected of us as firefighters. Although it is up to ALL of us to follow and uphold our Department's SOGs, I'm putting this commentary on the…
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Added by Paul Combs on October 18, 2010 at 2:45pm —
5 Comments
SAFE Firefighter is going to give an overview of how WE did as a fire service from Sunday to Saturday of every week. Please feel free to leave comments or add comments with links to additional information.
Thanks and Be SAFE!
To Read the Post,
CLICK HERE
Added by Matt McDowell on October 16, 2010 at 9:00am —
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Having a difficult time determining the best practice for flushing/back flushing these installations. Believe that pressurizing them with an inch-and-a-half or larger is causing uncemented plastic fittings to come apart or to leak. Saw the comments about letting the "dust settle" and gravity feeding some portion of the tank water down the h*** before priming. We have milfoil trouble, is anyone doing anything about invasive specie? Thanks for any suggestions
Added by Gary M Courtney on October 9, 2010 at 1:37pm —
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I'd like to introduce you to a good friend of mine, and to the fire service. Dayna Hilton and her family of dalmatians are making a difference through their energetic fire education programs. I first met Dayna and Sparkles through email a few months ago and quickly became a huge fan of their passion and dedication for…
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Added by Paul Combs on October 7, 2010 at 7:04pm —
7 Comments