April 2012 Blog Posts (33)

Self Improvement must be driven from within to have an effect. Outside influences may affect one’s ability to improve but for change to last, one must change for them self.

The Fire Service, by our virtue, has a culture to improve. The tools we use to complete emergency scene tasks are an example. Even today, companies modify tools based on issues unique to their first…

Its been very well documented that the leading cause of firefighter-on-duty deaths is related to heart disease. Therefore any information regarding decreasing the chances of heart disease are very valuable to the firefighting community. I've recently been researching the correlation between cholesterol and heart disease and have found some interesting correlations.

The long-established dietary recommendations…

Check out this short video on fire behavior that Arlington County recently conducted for their recruit class...department's are starting to "get" this stuff!

Video can be seen on firefightingdynamics.com

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 32nd Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter Adam Longo has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Natrona County Fire Protection District.

Adam Longo

Rank: Firefighter

Age: 31

Gender: Male

Status:…

What's your take on a firefighter having a mohawk haircut? Does it matter? Why or why not? 

While at FDIC, many instructors weighed in on the importance of our appearance. Most of it surrounded the topic of the generation gap (Baby Boomers-Millennials). The newest generation (Millennial Generation) was cited by one instructor as being disrespectful and lazy. He went on to say "They can't even change a spare tire."

Another instructor pushed back on this saying we (Baby Boomers…

I became interested in military death and calling cards when my brother was presented with an ace of spades from a retired door gunner. The gunner kept the card on his person during the Vietnam war. 30 years later, my brother Waylon was a door gunner from the same squadron (HCS-84). For him, it was a huge honor to be handed the card understanding who it came from and what it meant. It's now framed and proudly hangs on his wall at home.

I fell it´s my duty to post these and all are ones I would rather not have to do. This one has my terribly heart broken and feel a lot of the Fire Service Brothers and Sisters feel the same as I do as we lost another great Brother.

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 31st Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter Lieutenant Rich Nappi has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest…

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 30th Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter & First Lieutenant Marshall Sanford has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Huntley Fire Protection District.

George Marshall Sanford

Rank: First Lieutenant…

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 29th Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter & Captain John Winkelman have made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Huntley Fire Protection District.

John C. Winkelman

Rank: Fire Captain

Age: 54

Gender:…

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 28th Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter & John Wilkinson Jr. have made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Lake Dreamland Fire Department.

John Earl Wilkinson Jr.

Rank: Fire Chief

Age: 44…

It is about 1030 am. In about 2 hours, I will get in my truck and head south. A four-hour drive filled with anticipation and curiosity. My destination; FDIC 2012. It has been roughly 55 weeks since the last time we did this. Each week I put aside just a few dollars to pay for the 7 days of life at the convention, living in the hotel, eating at the restaurants and sharing stories with a few thousand of my brothers and sisters.

I always mentally prepare for an event. Whether it is the…

This video is a great training tool for size-up, radio comms & Command presence.  This FD sounds very professional despite difficult fire conditions.  This week we've got heavy fire & smoke on an upper floor w/ standpipe ops in progress and a Mayday called while transitioning to Defensive Ops.   Compare this FD's ops to your FD and  give us your RECEO VS considerations.  Enjoy!…

Hat tip to Billy G. Details from the Philly Fire Commish Ayers:

It is with deep regret that the Department announces the death of Lieutenant Robert Neary, assigned to Ladder 10, Platoon "C".  Lieutenant Neary, a veteran with over 37 years of service, died in the line of duty Monday, April 9, 2012.



All off-duty officers and members are invited to attend the services in uniform.  Uniform of the day will be Class "A" Dress, with blouse coat and cap.



VIEWING AND…

I wrote this quite some time ago for our Municipal Districts Recruitment Drive, I just stumbled across it and it brought a smile to my face. I am a Captain now and can only hope that I can lead as I was once led.  I thought this would be a fitting start to my foray into blogging on Fire Engineering.  Hope you enjoy...........

The First Call

It’s 2:00 in the morning your fast asleep when suddenly the peaceful silence is broken by your radio “Foothills…

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 25th Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter & Captain John Bailey has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Birchwood Fire Department.

John "Jack" Colbert

Rank: Captain

Age: 60

Gender: Male

Status:…

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 26th and 27th Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter & Lieutenant Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney have made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Robert Neary

Rank:…

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 24th Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter & Chief Kenny Fox has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Decatur County Vo,unteer Fire Department.

Kenny Fox

Rank: Fire Chief

Age: 39

Gender:…

FDIC is a very special event! It brings together the best instructors, best hands-on training, best classroom seminars, and the absolute best experience in the fire service! If you're serious about your training and have a passion for knowledge, this is the place to be.



Looking forward to catching up with friends, too! I will be there all week…

Take a look at the pictures and think about getting water on the fire to the upper floor and/or making rescues.  This building is one that is old and not sprinklered.  It sits off of the road and aerial access is extremely limited, almost ineffective.…