All Blog Posts (3,147)

What does it mean when you are standing in front of your fire chief with a pending discipline action and the chief states you are being charged with “conduct unbecoming”.

What does that mean? Well in many States, it means you are going to be disciplined for on or off duty conduct that violated the Departments published firefighter code of conduct policy or SOP.

I have written in prior articles the need for a Code of Conduct and Policies that outline the terms…

The age-old question…to cut or spread door hinges. This subject is brought up in almost all of my classes. As with any extrication skill, there is a time and place for both. I personally cut and spread door hinges depending on hinge design and hinge access. However, in my experience, the…

This week's simulation involves a two story mixed use dwelling; the first floor houses a deli/small supermarket, the second floor is chopped up into several apartments. This building was built in the early 1930s. Based on this era, what type of construction would you assume? Go ahead and play out the scenario based on your departments response and apparatus. This building is similar to the one that burned in Buffalo New York in 2009 that claimed the lives of two firefighters. I have…

Motivation…where is it, where did it go, was it ever even here? A lot of us as fireman like the idea of saying we’re motivated. In some cases that may be true. We’re motivated to go to a working fire, motivated to go on vacation, motivated to get up in…

"Give your Ladders a little love"

"A clean tool is a happy tool, and portable ladders are no exception. Keep your ladders free and clear of fire debris and clean as needed with careful focus on the extension ladder's moving parts. Pulleys, ladder locks, and fly section channels are prone to collecting debris." Pg. 270, Chapter 22.

Often hidden in a compartment and out of sight, the portable ladder is thrusted into action at a working fire with an occupant…

Good Morning,

I will attempt to post a simulation every week, this first one is a working fire in a multi-family residential, the fire is called in as a porch fire but while en route you are updated to a more serious condition of possible people trapped.

Building Facts:

Built Early 1900s

Balloon or Platform 

Multiple Apartments

Residence is a common response address for your department re: EMS go ahead and make up what ever…

How Many Sacrificed Lives for Freedom?

David Rhodes

As we celebrated Memorial Day this past Monday I started wondering how many Americans have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom in wars and…

Night Club Fires: A Dance with Tragedy

Wm. Lance Smith, FF/EMT

            The events that often lead to tragedy could have been prevented through education and more comprehensive prevention. Preparation for such events can also reduce the negative outcomes of these events. Preparation and planning of a disaster should not be limited to plane crashes or hazmat spills, but should…

Let’s talk about a subject that I think some of us are either afraid of or aren…

Back before super stores, mega malls and big box stores, consumers in many towns purchased their clothing and household goods from stores located on respective “Main Streets”. These stores had large display windows that advertised what shoppers could find once inside (Think Ralphie from the movie A Christmas Story staring at his Red Rider BB Gun). Because many of these Ordinary Constructed Type III structures were built specifically as retail these display cases had what best…

Tradition. Pride. Dedication. Self-sacrifice.  These are some of the reasons we embark on a career, volunteer or paid, in the fire service.  If your department holds these values essential, then I applaud you.  I have unfortunately experienced first hand, by seasoned members, an absence of ownership, lack of mentoring, and general disregard toward the enthusiasm of the upcoming generation.  

Sadly this occurs at any level in the fire service.  For example a senior member or…

GET LIKE YOU WAS

“Get like you was before you got like you is.” Earl D.

Sometimes in life and in our work we wake up one day and we look back and we find that somehow we have slipped away from the real and important things that bring worth and value to our lives and to our work.

I like to describe the changes that seem to…

So you have put the time in to study for the promotional exam. You have made it through the assessment centers and the interview process and have been handed a new t-shirt. The letters on your back have turned gold and you are ready to start your journey as a Company Officer, or are you? Anyone can wear a shirt with gold letters on their backs. If we choose to not take the responsibility and live up to the title that is on our chest, then it’s just a t-shirt and nothing else. The shirt and…

Flow Paths Aren't Real?

Some really good friends who happen to be excellent firefighters told me that there wasn’t any such thing as flow path. Their position was that it was really convection and flow path was something someone made up to make a name for themselves. I initially said no,…

Scenario: I am seeking to create a diverse cadre of instructors in fire academies and there is little on the topic. How does a fire chief or training officer select the best individuals for this important position?

The question you should start asking is what constitutes a “diverse” instructor cadre and what are the important elements to seek out when creating this group of instructors. The term Diverse in…

Why Our Fire Departments Need to Hire Military Veterans

Joseph Kitchen, Bath Twp. Fire Department (Lima, Ohio)

     As many of our fire departments…

When I became a firefighter twenty-seven years ago my father who spent thirty years on the job in the same town offered me a bit of advice when fighting fires in our town's residential structures, when fighting an upper floor or attic fire a good engine company making the advance with the initial attack line will take the stairway landing window(s) to vent and in turn make the the…