All Blog Posts (3,172)

We recently had a trauma surgeon present a EMS continuing education lecture for our department. Part of her lecture was in regards to current trends in trauma science and the use of the Damage Control concepts. Initially I was not very interested in the lecture, that is until she used the term "Ominous Triad of Death". How cool is that, you throw…

Yeah; it is used to suck the smoke and heat from structures, but it’s also used to suck any promise that many future leaders will offer new perstpective to the old hard-line ways of a traditional fire service.

I read on fire discussion boards about concern that the “old guard” isn’t passing it down to the new guard. Along with that come complaints that the new guard isn’t interested in old stuff. They want new stuff; that is, unless it deals with the same old approach to…

Your the first due engine officer (staffed @ 3) of a large home (4000 sqft) on an incline with a very long driveway. All you can see is heavy smoke from the roadway. The engine cannot get down the driveway and its approx 600 ft long. Hydrant is approx 200 ft from the driveway. Describe your operation to get water to the fire. When you approach the home what you see in the picture is what you have....(homeowner in driveway says hes the only one home) Once you…

Well, everything was just dandy until our long time village police chief retired.

Not only did our fire department get along with Jim, but many of us had developed a real friendship with him.

The irony of this dust up between our fire chief and the new police chief is that we have terrific relationships with our county sheriff’s department and our state police.

Here is the situation that was described to me:

Our fire…

Lets go with todays question! Your pulling up on scene of a working fire confirmed by the first due engine company. They arrived on scene just prior to your arrival and are putting hose on the ground and making a connection to the hydrant (staffed at 3) YOU are the officer of the first due TRUCK COMPANY and are staffed with 3 today. As the truck is pulling up you hear over the radio a report of multiple children trapped possibly upstairs per babysitter…

Ready for today's question? Here we go!



Does you department have seat assignments on you apparatus?



If they do, tell us the number of people on the rig and what the assignments are. Also tell us why you like it and why you don't



If not, tell us why you think your department doesn't have them, and why you think they should. You can also tell us how many people you have on your rig.

Give your thoughts on First…

Like most other red, white and blue-blooded Americans, I savored the news that Osama bin Laden had been found and shot dead by a U.S. SEALs Team.

Blogger Sidebar: Has anyone else noticed that the mainstream media has been spelling “Osama” with a “U” instead of an “O”? I think you know why.

I have no doubt that bin Laden is dead. I have no reason to question the validity of our President’s claim. Therefore; I need no other “verification”, but I would view the “official”…

Late last year I was back in Kansas for a funeral and saw this building while in Hutchinson. Lets say your pulling up as the first due engine company with your 2nd due engine approx 4 minutes out. You have fire showing on the top floor with the possibility of people trapped as well...How is this building going to change your tactics or is it?

Post your thoughts on First Due Question: …

To see more of my work,…

You arrive on scene at the C-side of this structure as the first due engine company. Dispatch didn't provide any information other the "Structure fire" Answer the following questions:



What have we got here? (Provide an arrival report)

What is you size up?

What is you first impression as you are driving up the drive about line placement and life safety…

This is a question they use a lot in my department during new hire interviews. They are only allowed to answer one or the other and then explain why. When I ask people it is almost split down the middle as to what there decision is. Okay, you can only answer one or the other as well and then explain your reasoning for choosing that answer. And remember. "every situation is a situation."



You and your partner are assigned search to locate a child in an…

Well here we go...Little late due to a disney trip. This is something that EVERYONE in the fire service can relate too and discuss! From the 1 month guy to the veteran...You pull up on scene as a FF or an Officer..Are you already masked up and if so...why and if not...why????? Its seems pretty split. I see and "hear" alot of guys masking up in the truck (by muffled arrival reports) Lets set another comment record need to beat 22…

I just spent the most incredible week drawing and talking with our Nation's finest! Nope, not fire service personnel, but Sailors and Marines in San Diego. I was honored to take part in a Navy sponsored NCS/USO trip where we visited the USS Peleliu (an aircraft carrier), Naval Fleet Weather Center, Military Hospitals and VA wards, and participated in a panel…