I keep reading how departments insist on using 13/4 lines for Standpipe operations. Usually the set up includes a gated Wye, so a second line can also be stretched to supplement the lower GPM's. How many departments have ever trained on a tandem attack. If anyone is interested in learning more about how to do this leave your information on the comment page. A video on this topic will be available early next year.
Sincerely,
Ray McCormack
Added by Ray McCormack on December 31, 2008 at 8:16am —
30 Comments
By Lance Winslow

Due to the bizarre weather patterns this winter California got pummeled with rain storms while Oregon and Washington are at a deficit. Nevada and Arizona now have deserts, which have come alive with blooming and greenness. These events are even evident from satellite photos from 100s of miles above the Earth. Even Colorado, Montana, Wyoming are a rain deficits.
The greenery in the deserts…
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Added by Lance Winslow on December 30, 2008 at 3:30am —
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Brothers and Sisters, enjoy the time with family and friends. Stay safe.
Added by Jordan Smith on December 26, 2008 at 1:03pm —
1 Comment
Does your Agency Have riding positions for Engine and Truck/Ladder positions? Are you familar with the concept? If you are please comment on how they work for you. If so does the assignment have a tool assignment also? Does the Position line up with agency Standing orders or SOG's?
Added by Chris Costamagna on December 24, 2008 at 10:00am —
2 Comments
Thanks again to T.S.L and Chief Goldfeder for reminding us to Never Forget!!!
When we think of staffing and Firefighters who gave their lives (especially where staffing was a contributing factor) ...we remember Keokuk, Iowa. Today is the anniversary of the Line of Duty Deaths of Keokuk Assistant Fire Chief Dave McNally, 48, Firefighter Jason Bitting, 29, and Firefighter Nate Tuck, 39...all of whom were killed while attempting the rescue of three trapped kids-who also perished. These…
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Added by Brad Hoff on December 22, 2008 at 1:57pm —
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My brother sent this to me and since we are such caring group of people I wanted to help this young girls wish, which could possibly be one of her last, come true.
http://www.roseradio.com/hannah.htm
Hannah's Christmas Wish
This is the true story of my 5-yr old 2nd cousin, Hannah Garman, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a rare and incurable brain tumor. She was going to be the flower girl in our… Continue
Added by Brad Hoff on December 18, 2008 at 11:32am —
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This Monday, December 8th. an F/A-18D returning to Miramar Naval Air station from the USS Abraham Lincoln off the coast of San Diego encountered some type of engine problem forcing the pilot to eject seconds before the jet slammed into a neighborhood just outside the airbase. The resulting explosion destroyed two homes and damaged three more. The most tragic result was the death of four members of one family who were home unfortunately at the time. An additional 20 homes in the area were…
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Added by Bobby Halton on December 11, 2008 at 6:02pm —
4 Comments
Mike DeVaughn's Services will be, Tuesday December 16, 2008 starting exactly
at 6:30 - ending 8 p.m. Family will be in the church at 6 p.m.
- First Baptist Church North Pole, 609 5th Ave
- Alaska Casual dress.....
- Remember the motto "Simple, simple, simple......" (per Mike's wishes)
There will also be a Celebration of Life, Saturday December 20, 2008
- Birch Lake - Ice fish and outdoor gathering
- bring a dish and… Continue
Added by Brad Hoff on December 11, 2008 at 3:30pm —
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It is with a heavy heart and deep saddness that I inform everyone of the Passing Of Micheal DeVaughn Asst. Chief (Ret.) of the Eielson AFB FD, Alaska. Chief DeVaughn had a huge impact on the fire service in Interior Alaska in the early 70's and up until his retirement last year. He was very active in his community and loved to watch his oldest son coach the Eielson Ravens HS football team. Chief was a huge advocate for fire prevention and fire safety throughout his time at Eielson serving as…
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Added by Brad Hoff on December 10, 2008 at 10:30am —
1 Comment
Our recent news announcing proposed FAA rule revisions on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and a public hearing by the NTSB in February 2009 cry out for fire service involvement (see:
www.fireengineering.com/display_article/346289/25/none/none/HLTHS/FAA-and-NTSB-react-to-air-medical-crashes). 2008 promises to end as the most catastrophic year in the…
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Added by Mike McEvoy on December 3, 2008 at 10:02pm —
3 Comments
I know that we are often sad and overcome by the events that happen to us and change our lives forever especially when it involves someone so loved, admired and close to us. I want to personally thank and applaud the outstanding efforts of the staff and students of the University FD for their relentless drive and long hours they all put in to make a fallen brothers celebration of life a very memorable and encouraging one for us all. I think everyone there felt that had a role to play in the…
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Added by Brad Hoff on December 3, 2008 at 4:00pm —
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Wow what can we say about Chief Wonderful? We had a great celebration of his life through out the week and on Saturday. He will be forever in our hearts and on our minds as we continue to carry on the task that he has always held so near and dear to his heart. Chief Rounds will forever be remembered for his love of the job by all those he touched in whatever he did.
Never before in my life have I ever scene a gathering of brothers and sisters in Fairbanks who traveled from near and…
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Added by Brad Hoff on November 30, 2008 at 8:00pm —
3 Comments



This is a week to recall and reflect on two historic fires; Friday marked the 66th anniversary of Bostons Coconut Grove nightclub fire. The Boston Fire Department responded 5 alarms to Box 1521 that night where 492 lives were lost and 166 injured. Many of the doors to nightclub were bricked up or bolted shut and the entrance was a revolving door.The night…
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Added by Bobby Halton on November 30, 2008 at 6:30pm —
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Added by Brotherhood Instructors, LLC on November 30, 2008 at 2:00pm —
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I have not been on here lately,I have had the flu for almost and week,now.
I guess the flu shot did not work to well.
I hope to be back on when i get to feeling better.
Stay safe ,and may God Bless all you fire fighters.
Added by Brenda Tenney on November 29, 2008 at 1:28pm —
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In a time of uncertainty and grief in our lives and in our country I hope that we can all remember why it is important to be thankful to God for all that He has given us and left us to take charge of in our country and in the absence or a loved one or friend who has left us the torch to continue the job at hand.
I am thankful for a website community like this where we can come together and share our thoughts, training and lives.
This year I am very thankful to God…
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Added by Brad Hoff on November 27, 2008 at 1:00pm —
1 Comment
Brothers and Sisters,
Recently, a video of a VES operation in Indianapolis surfaced on several web-sites including this one. The responses on this site were, for the most part, thoughtful and informative. However, on others, not so much. This is not an indictment of those sites, one in fact is a very good site providing a great deal of useful training information. In any case, the level of criticism leveled at the participants was, in my opinion, over the top prompting a response…
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Added by Art Zern on November 26, 2008 at 8:30pm —
6 Comments
Fellow brothers and sisters because the Ray Downey Courage and Valor award is so special to the Fire Engineering family and to all of the FDIC faithful, I felt it important to make a a special request of all of the members of the fire engineering training community to consider nominating a worthy candidate. Please watch the video by Ray Downey's sons Battalion Chiefs Chuck and Joe, and then go to the link for the Courage and Valor award nomination form and nominate someone from your…
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Added by Bobby Halton on November 26, 2008 at 4:00pm —
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Retired Fire Chief, Carl "Bud" Gray of the Arcanum Fire Department passed away early Tuesday morning. He was 80 years old. Bud served the village for over 40 years as a firefighter with many of those as chief. He was one old dog who could be taught new tricks. He called me one day and wanted to know if I would be interested in becoming the training officer for the department. He explained that he wasn't very happy with the way things were going. So, began a long relationship for me with the…
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Added by Robert Rhoades on November 26, 2008 at 7:30am —
2 Comments
To a Brother, Mentor, Friend and Chief who too many of us was an honorary dad. It is sad to think of a fellow Brother in the Fire Service as what was and what has and what could have. You see the only thing we are asked to do is to pick up where they left off and do the right thing in hope that we can somehow fill some huge boots that are now empty. We must remember and never forget one's dedication, one's sacrifices to the public, to one's family and to us and the lessons taught to us to carry…
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Added by Brad Hoff on November 25, 2008 at 2:30pm —
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