All Blog Posts (3,146)

Knowledge of building construction is critical for a firefighter.  2 good resources for this information is 'The Art of Reading Buildings' by Dave Dodson and John Mittendorf and 'Building Construction' for the Fire Service by Francis Brannigan.  But how do you recall 600 plus pages of information when you arrive on the scene of a fire?  What from those 600 pages is important right now in determining my actions?   Firefighters need to have a good understanding of building construction as a…

This throwback photo was taken in the seventies at the retirement party for Raymond “Raybo” Adams. Raymond was an “old timer” when I joined his company. He also was the star pitcher on the department baseball team and he could still “bring the stuff” as he aged.

The picture always reminds me of the old and the new and the generational differences that we hear so much about in the Fire Service. It also causes me to stop…

“Engine 1 is on scene confirming 123 South Front Street with a 1 story occupied row of stores. There is smoke showing from the Alpha/Bravo corner. We’ve laid out from the hydrant at Front and Wayne…we’re going offensive with a 2” in the end unit…Engine 2 pick up our hydrant and Truck 1 come North on Front…

       The scene size-up is the most important thing the first due officer can do. In my class I have a large section based solely on the scene size-up and the things that go into establishing one correctly. It needs to be accurate. It needs to be complete. It sets the tone for the rest of the incident and should be based off of Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, and Property Conservation. If we do not get this done then the strategic and tactical goals of the incident may not be what they…

"One Armed Bandit..."

"The invention of the remote microphone with incorporated speakers dramatically helped firefighters hear fireground audio...If your radio requires you to hold it in your hands and then put up to your ear to listen and to your mouth to transmit, is that really an effective use of your hands? Older style handheld radios might work for the chief in the street...but it is absolutely going to slow down every operation that you…

The back of a commercial occupancy typically provides the best roof access for aerial ladders. Less customer parking (obstruction), fewer windows and doors to work around and parapet walls are not as common. Most commercial signage and aesthetic architecture is in the front of the structure allowing for simple access to the roof in the back.

The back side of a…

New podcast, click here.

In this episode of the Engine House Training Podcast, Co-Owner and Lead Instructor Jason Hoevelmann discusses five critical things that you must be doing to prepare for a future promotion. Jason…

The Sunday Preach:

"One Armed Bandit..."

"The invention of the remote microphone with incorporated speakers dramatically helped firefighters hear fireground audio...If your radio requires you to hold it in your hands and then put up to your ear to listen and to your mouth to transmit, is that really an effective use of your hands? Older style handheld radios might work for the chief in the street...but it is absolutely going to slow down every operation that you…

Being in the fire service, it is inevitable that you will be subjected to grief, loss, and a world of other assorted emotions. It is also likely that in addition to the suffering you will see in the field, you will also experience the same range of emotions from your co-workers.

In the firehouse I worked out of for nine (9) years, we operated with a small roster of 26 officers and firefighters that shared the workload of three (3) separate shifts. Regardless of your time in…

PRE-SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT - Tonight on Fire Engineering Radio Join the Tap the Box guys with host Billy Greenwood and Chief Don DeAngelis as the industry leaders in fire service leadership discuss the leading…

Many departments across the country have a in-house maze for SCBA Confidence training.  These mazes are great for instilling confidence for the brand new fire fighter and maintaining proficiencies for the 20 year veteran.  The issue that I have heard not just in my own department but departments across the county in which I reside is, “I can do this maze in my sleep” statement.  A lot of mazes are constructed modular so different paths can be taken; the maze will also be slightly different…

My friends at Tailboard Training published a new blog post recently. It’s called Ultrahazardous. Everyone in the fire service should read this short piece…everyone from the department chief to the newest rookie, to every person even considering the pursuit…

Working in the fire service has taught me many things. I learned how to become a solid firefighter, a decent cook and learned how to grow tough skin. The one thing I see that many firefighters do is judge others. That is what the fire service is about. From the day you start in rookie school you look around and judge the other candidates. After you get some years under you, you start to judge the other firefighters around you. “He is jam up,” “What was she thinking?” or “That crew is lazy,”…

Just like any other position on the fire apparatus, responsibility and owning your position play a major part in the outcome of the incident or training scenario. We are seeing more and more younger fireman being promoted to the front seat rider as well as young volunteers being forced to ride "shotgun" due to low manpower.…

As I am sitting here at my desk after finishing up daily round of paperwork, daily tour log and browsing the interwebs to kill some time, I sit here and ponder the job. How much I love it, how much I want other brother and sister…

The Sunday Preach



WE BELIEVE...



"Take a good look inside. Why are you here?" pg. 5



We Believe:



~ Like minded individuals enjoy each others company. As such, they often form formal or informal teams.

~Individuals join the team with a series of their own 'similar' yet 'different' personal skill sets.

~Teams need leaders and mentors and coaches and support to recognize and pair the…

A fire at an Iowa feed plant Tuesday demonstrates why firefighters must be cautious and consider the effects of every action when dealing with fires in compartmented areas of manufacturing equipment. Reports stated that a fire occurred within a cooling tower, and upon firefighters opening the tower, the fire flared up.

Fires within pelleting operations are common, especially if a malfunction or power failure causes a disruption in the flow of air or product within the system. Fresh…

It’s no secret that incorporating stress into a training environment has its benefits. It causes us to think and make logical decisions while we are battling increased breathing, heart rate, and auditory exclusion. The first place we can begin this type of training is with new recruits entering the fire service. Incorporating these stressors little by little throughout their practical training in my experience has been the best way to go with a grand finale if you will near the end of their…

I would say there are two questions I field more than any others when it comes to fire streams and apparatus set up. The first is, “How is your engine set up?” and the second, “How would you set up an engine”. I believe most of the time people who ask the first question really want the answer to the second question. So rather than waste the explanation of how an engine is currently set up and what I would change I think it would be best to start with a blank sheet and explain one approach to…