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Featured Blog Posts (256)

STRANGE S.O.G. BREW

I am a BIG believer in SOGs (or, SOPs depending on your Department). Standard Operating Guidelines are the foundation for how we approach most incidents and a baseline for what is expected of us as firefighters. Although it is up to ALL of us to follow and uphold our Department's SOGs, I'm putting this commentary on the… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on October 18, 2010 at 2:45pm — 5 Comments

GROUND ZERO BEACON

Let's get something straight before the hate mail begins to fly; I am not an Islamaphobe, and I DO support Islam's Constitutional right for Muslims to worship where they choose, though very reluctantly in this case. Just because you CAN put a Mosque at Ground Zero, doesn't mean you SHOULD put a Mosque at Ground… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on August 17, 2010 at 1:40pm — 30 Comments

Ambulance Delayed: NFPA 1917

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Ambulances balloting this week failed by one vote to move a draft “NFPA 1917, Standard for Automotive Ambulances” forward into the review and public comment process that would have rolled an ambulance design standard out the door during mid-2012.

At issue was inclusion of several AMD (Automobile Manufacturers Division of the National Truck Equipment Association) testing standards incorporated into the draft document… Continue

Added by Mike McEvoy on August 5, 2010 at 9:43pm — 1 Comment

Is making a mistake a crime

Chief Halton, I was made to smile as I could feel the anger generating from your thoughts thru your pc keyboard. It is a sad fact that so very, very few of today's politicians from the local level to state and federal levels have zero to little knowledge of how the actual agencies they are elected to oversee, function and/or operate. Equally sad are "appointed" heads of such agencies, specifically police, fire, and public safety, who have no prior experience in the specific agency they are… Continue

Added by Jon D Marsh on July 30, 2010 at 11:14pm — 5 Comments

JULY MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION

Sorry, forgot to post this month's magazine commentary. Thanks for the gentle nudge by Chief Murphy:)

Not sure what else to say about this piece other than it's a "sign of the times". The fear of litigation may be pushing many Dept policies, but I'm not sure what choice the policy makers have. Lawsuits,… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on July 24, 2010 at 11:17am — 4 Comments

THE BLAME GAME

For those of you that have not read Chief Halton's commentary in June's Fire Engineering magazine "Is Making A Mistake A Crime?", please take a moment to do so - trust me, it's worth your time. My second illustration this month plays along many of the same lucid points made in his commentary and highlights the challenge… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on June 22, 2010 at 3:01pm — 4 Comments

RETIREE PLACEBO

Perhaps this illustration is a bit over the top, but it is an unfortunate reality for many of our retiree and disabled Brothers and Sisters. Pension benefits often do not cover sky-rocketing medication costs, not if you intend to eat, too. Volunteers have it worse, yet - some gave 20 to 30 plus years of service to a… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on June 8, 2010 at 9:16am — 6 Comments

Nice Guy vs Not so nice Guy.

First time so go easy on me. I am a relatively new company officer (3 years now) and I am looking for some advice. I am a nice guy and feel lately that it is hurting me as a company officer. I frustrated to the point that I don't want to be that "nice guy" anymore, but that is not who I am. I know that I am well respected by members of my own department and members from the agencies around me but I get the feeling that it is almost expected that I should be this "not so nice guy" and that… Continue

Added by Mark Wadsworth on June 1, 2010 at 4:55pm — 8 Comments

RIDING BACKWORDS...A Rookies Perspective on Issues Affecting the Fire Service

When make do shouldn't do

Firefighters and emergency medical workers must be largely optimistic - if they weren't then how or why would they want to do the job. Is a pessimist going to routinely put themselves in a position to respond to what may be the worst day of someone's life and expect to make it better - or at least make a difference? If they believe that they can’t/won't be able to make a difference then why even respond? An optimistic attitude is essential for success for… Continue

Added by John Barrett on May 25, 2010 at 2:30pm — 3 Comments

THE PUPPET MASTER

One of my all-time favorite quotes pretty much sums up my feelings on this month's commentary; "Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with the results" - George S. Patton.

Nothing is more demoralizing than to have a job or responsibility ranked from underneath you,… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on May 24, 2010 at 9:30am — 3 Comments

MAY MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION

...and just in time for all those summer wildfires, too. I am truly amazed every year as I watch reports from the network news drama-mill about folks who refuse to leave homes and property threatened by wildfires. Understanding that every home is a man's castle and we'd all fight to keep ours, it's comments like "I'm can… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on May 12, 2010 at 2:00pm — 1 Comment

WEDNESDAY FDIC POST

Those fortunate enough to have attended at least one FDIC knows how special the opening ceremony is. Personally, it gives me the chance to meticulously put on my Class A, making sure that every button is placed correctly and polished to a perfect shine. Not because it may impress some prominent chief, or wow some of… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on April 21, 2010 at 4:11pm — 1 Comment

Essentials of Fire Fighting

Hello

I've got a question.

Do You know this book? Is it worth buying? I would like to find out something about firefighting in US (basics, your tactics etc.). I am a firefighter from Poland (Station Officer). I need such books to improve my Unit (something interesting, new, good). Could You give me advice, is it good lecture? It's quite expensive for me so I would like to do good purchace.

Rafal Swiechowicz

Added by Swiechowicz on April 2, 2010 at 2:09pm — 3 Comments

Interesting Video

-This video was passed on to me by one of the guys at work. Take a look at it from the perspective of using it as a teaching aid and not as an opportunity to bash. There is a tremendous amount to learn from this video.
-I was shocked and in awe when I saw this but I'm interested in your comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXR-kdouVE8

Added by Michael Bricault (ret) on September 7, 2009 at 1:22pm — 4 Comments

S.O.P.'s

What SOP do I need to make law, but not write a huge book?

I have been working in SOP for over the last 6 months.

What do's and donts should I use.

Im open to all information.

Added by Kirk Pickens on March 25, 2008 at 10:28am — 4 Comments

New this week on Fire Engineering's site: EMS video and more

Mike McEvoy's third Training Minutes video is up. It's EMS training, on treatment of chest wounds. Watch it at www.fireengineering.com/videos.

Steven De Lisi's new Haz-Mat Survival Tips column talks about getting documented training on atmospheric monitors for your department. Click the… Continue

Added by Fire Engineering on March 25, 2008 at 9:34am — 1 Comment

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