All Blog Posts (3,147)

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!

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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…

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District recently completed a Serious Accident Review. On May 31, members of Metro Fire were operating on a residential structure fire. A truck company was on the roof performing vertical ventilation when a roof collapse dumped one firefighter into the burning garage. The firefighter was successfully rescue by adjacent crews. Follow this link to the report…

While many hard-working Americans were busy trying to eek out a living and saving towards their retirement, our elected officials were busy stealing our America’s dream. Hope for a better tomorrow was fading as each new bill was passed in the dead of night and contrary to the majority of public opinion.

You realize that the mess that this country is in is our own damned fault; right?

Of course, I would expect many to disagree because we…

Check out www.averagejakeff.wordpress.com for all my thoughts on the fire service.

Also hit me up on twitter @averagejakeff

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Humor is a powerful drug! We use it on a daily basis without even knowing it, and it's a medicine with healing and regenerative effects. At times, the things we talk and joke about in the fire service would seem crass and inappropriate to the general public, but it performs the job of defusing stressful situations in a way that can't…

You can be gone in a flash in a flashover, a collapse, a vehicle accident, a fall or in a less violent but every bit as insidious manner such as a heart attack.

It can be sudden and without warning and it leaves many to ask the question, “Why”?

My brother-in-law George was walking down the hallway of…