We are not all “Big City Fire Departments”

By Lou Comenale and Justin Ientilluci

We see the hats, t-shirts, posters and even TV shows that advertise the “Big City” fire departments.  The reality is, we all can’t be the big city.  Most of us work or volunteer,  in comparison, small towns, in all types of departments (Paid, Combination, Paid on Call or all Volunteer).  It’s nice to think we can operate like a big city but in…

Units from my department and other companies in Prince George's County, Maryland responded to this second alarm fire last week. It involved a strip of two-story, attached, ordinary constructed, garden style apartment buildings.

Companies on the initial alarm had a well advanced fire in an entire apartment unit with substantial extension to the attic space.…

Training is not just for the drill ground or the classroom. We need to look for learning moments and practice opportunities whenever we can.

We recently responded to a fast-food joint for a fire in the kitchen. I was on overtime and we were on the engine that was second in. The first in company used a Type-K extinguisher to put out the small grease fire on the grill.

The first due captain indicated that the fire was small enough that the suppression system above the grill did…

The term two-hatter has traditionally been used in the fire service to recognize firefighters who work for a career fire department, as well as volunteer for another. However, on this Veterans Day, I would like to recognize another two-hatter - the men and women who serve as firefighters in their communities, and serve our country as warriors here at home and abroad.…

In September I began writing a web column for fireengineering.com titled "Modular Concerns".  My goal is to generate a discussion among fire service members on the hazards inherent in certain construction techniques used by the prefabricated (modular) construction industry.  The first submission was designed to frame the discussion; modular construction is everywhere, these buildings are nearly impossible to distinguish from traditional stick built construction, they often utilize…

Multiple rescues from vacant home and commercial structure

Fire crews in Buffalo, New York and Sacramento, California responded to fires in vacant, abandoned buildings and rescued squatters from each.

Buffalo

Video courtesy of Don…

Drawn By Fire, Too pre-orders are now being accepted from the PennWell bookstore. Over 150 cartoons in a beautifully bound hard-cover book. Here's the link:…

Company Training no matter if your career or volunteer it is a necessity in your job in saving lives, property and the environment.

Company training must be diversified, and relevant to your mission and needs.

In a career department, each shift should be a training day. Learn one thing or refresh up on one skill will enhance your skills and will improve crew proficiency.  In a career department each member should have a day that is scheduled so can they present…

WET YOUR SPONGE

I looked at my original fire coat today. Copper rivets repaired broken clips and canvas patches covered cuts in the coat. Although it shows some wear and tear it certainly brings back some fond memories. I remember the pocket wedges, sprinkler stops, pliers, screw drivers and a pocket knife and in which pocket they were kept and why. I physically touched each tool every morning.

Back in the day Rookies like me were given a small sponge by the veterans and told…

There are exciting things going on in the fire service these days. A lot of what we thought we knew is turning out to be false. I think it's safe to say we have also learned that we still have a lot to learn. The research being done has proven a lot of important facts. Pushing fire isn't possible. Cooling the environment from the exterior is a viable option. Synchronized ventilation and fire attack is critical. Fires are burning hotter and faster. Fortunately now have emperical data to back…

OK,  Before I move on,  as a curiosity, if you pulled up and were assigned search - nothing else was said over the radio or face to face because Command was busy, would you first move towards the victim in the window in apartment C or, because of conditions showing, would you do something else?  Is this the time to split the Crew?  (Can you split your crew because of the staffing on your rig?) 

Lastly,when you deciden…

My guess is we all know kids who would do this LOL!  Happy Halloween, everybody!

Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to order prints:…

     We are living in an incredible time in the fire service; the fact that our knowledge of the fireground is evolving at an unparalleled rate, combined with the fact that at no other point in history has information been shared as fast and freely as it is today, this truly is the Firefighter Renaissance. Twenty years ago (pre-digital big bang and infinite internet), I remember searching for hours, even days for the answer to a given question. I would first look in a dictionary, then ask my…

Chief Ron Kanterman-October 2013

That’s what Chief John McGrath (Raleigh, NC) the Memorial Weekend Incident Commander said as we convened in Emmitsburg, MD on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. The planning for the National Memorial Weekend ceremonies started in March. We had completed 7 months of planning with the last meeting being the week before the event. When we showed up that day, we knew we were already locked out of the NETC/National Fire…

“JUST A” ????

ATTENTION all firefighters! This is a call to action! What am I ranting about? The realization of your value. That’s what.

Have you ever heard or even worse made the statement “I’m JUST a fireman”, in response to a question regarding one’s

rank or stature within the company or organization? Shame on you! This statement is made with an almost subconscious

denigration. Wake up! You are the marrow in the skeleton of the company! Look up skeleton in the…

To some people Fire Prevention means Fire Prevention and only that. Fire Prevention is a chance for your department to market themselves. Even though marketing should be done all the time versus just one week out of a year.

Fire Prevention week it is time to show off their talents and what your department provides to the…