September 2011 Blog Posts (21)

The recent news coverage of Chicago Fire Department losing big bucks to unreimbursed refusal of transport calls is not a problem unique to Chicago.  Sure, asthmatics will call for an albuterol treatment when caught without their own medications and some hypoglycemic patients…

It's amazing what becomes important when nothing important is going on. (Said to a firefighter who was better with the floor buffer than he was with his tools.) — Steve Auton, Halifax Regional Fire, Nova Scotia, Canada

The new Firefighter Skills Competency Workbook is now available. This workbook follows NFPA 1001 (2008) edition

www.createspace.com/3690367

This workbook is designed to assist departments with tracking not only initial firefighter training, but continued skills competency as well. Use of this book will also assist…

It is a story that sparked numerous discussions among the nation’s…

A few years back it was decided that circular saws ordered for the rescue and truck companies would be the same model and manufacturer.…

I have always believed that I was not capable of hating my fellow Man.

That’s not to say that, for my personal reasons, I have people that I hold no fondness towards; not many, but some.

But, I hate Paul Krugman.

Oh, don’t worry; I said that I didn’t have the capacity to hate my fellow MAN.

Paul Krugman is a repulsive, repugnant, reprehensible, reptilian reprobate!

In addition, a man has scruples, morals, ethics and…

The recently released Warner Bros. movie, Contagion details the fictional outbreak of a deadly and highly contagious novel respiratory virus.  While some aspects of the movie are improbable, a major outbreak of a deadly disease could really happen.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) was extensively involved in the production of Contagion which was partially filmed at their headquarters in Atlanta.  If anyone…

Working two months in advance for Fire Engineering magazine can be a bit tricky with timely material like the cartoon above - especially when the material is so emotionally charged. Funny thing is, working that far in advance I sometimes forget what I've submitted - hey, I'm getting older!! However, when I received my copies of Fire Engineering in the mail today, it…

We all have our own memories of that fateful day of 09-11-2001, ten years ago. And for those of you who may have been too young to remember, I encourage you to engage in at least one of the programs on television today, or use the internet to understand the history of that day, the politics of the times, the thousands of lives lost and millions of lives affected. My own memories of that day include getting myself some coffee at a convenience store, as I prepared to assist, as an…

We just came out oft the Flashover-Can as one of the guys told us that a plane has hit WTC and so we watched the news in full gear and scba –heated,  sweating and smoked. We saw the fire und imagined how our brothers climbed the stairs – heavily loaded with all kind of stuff. As the first tower fell, it hit us like a heavy punch in the stomach. It was a feeling like:” Today I’ve to go to the dentist” or “Final exams today”.As the second tower fell, every discussion and thought that started…

Firemen... and "Never Forget"

Lt. Douglas J Mitchell, Jr. FDNY.

September the 11th is later this week and I have found myself writing. I have been writing snippet's down as they pop in and out of my head, emotions from the events from that day, and its aftermath hereafter.

I just can't watch TV these last two weeks. I can't take it, it's just too much. Caught myself getting upset watching a special such as, (I will make something up here...but…

We will never, ever forget you!

.

I am in the need of finding solutions and different viewpoints on a Rescue or Truck company splitting its crew to handle fire ground tasks.

I am a Captain on a rescue company and our staffing varies from 3 to 4 personnel.  We, by policy, assume or support truck company operations depending on when we arrive on scene.  In the event we have 4 personnel and arrive first or second due we split into a 2 man inside team and a 2 man outside team this is common practice in my area and not…

www.safefirefighter.com

I recently updated the through-the-lock setup that I carry in my gear (see pics below).  For years I had used a modified set of locking pliers (ViseGrip style) with separate key tools and shove knife. This setup has proven extremely effective at both alarm runs and working fires.

I've decided to change my setup to a modified "Channelok" setup.  It's going to allow me merge 2 tools into 1 and…

I have started and stopped this blog a couple of times now.

The first time, there was too much anger. The second blog contained too much sarcasm.

Why?

Well; there are several reasons.

First of all, I struggle with calling an event that was filled with so much pain, suffering, sorrow and sadness an “anniversary”.

But, many are referring to the tenth year since the 9/11 attacks as “the tenth anniversary of…

Public safety and customer service go hand in hand.  As many of us know, our customers are the ones that keep us around.  Whether it’s a fire, vehicle accident, medical, or a public education event, we are here to serve our customers.  When I first became involved in the fire service I had a mentor who taught me an invaluable lesson.  No matter how bad your day is going when you respond to someone in need, their day is far worse.  That lesson has…