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CLUELESS CONGRESS

Just when I thought it was a good time to put down my pen and take a vacation, Congress goes and does something so asinine, so incredibly self-serving, that I couldn't let it go without commenting.

This past week our elected leaders shot down the 9/11 Health Bill, 255 to 159, which lacked the 2/3 votes needed… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on August 1, 2010 at 4:00pm — 5 Comments

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

Blame it on Adrenaline!

Paul Comb's illustration reminds me of the actions one might witness in so many of the nations firefighters ...when the alarm sounds the old adrenaline rush kicks in, and unfortunately it sometimes erases all memory of the hundreds of hours we've invested in training to be safe; suddenly our driving skills are comparable to to those of Earnhardt or Foyt while our knee crams our foot to the floorboard while it is on top of the gas pedal. Adrenaline turns due regard into first due, regardless… Continue

Added by Jon D Marsh on July 28, 2010 at 10:06am — 1 Comment

NO TIME TO STOP!

'Nuff said!!!

To see more of my work or to purchase prints, visit: www.artstudioseven.com

Added by Paul Combs on July 27, 2010 at 10:30am — 10 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

Use Incident Critiques To Learn All You Can

The title of this article may sound pretty basic, but there are too many times in which critiques narrow down to a couple of events or even a single action during an incident. The result is a misguided but well-intentioned lesson that doesn’t focus on the overall incident.

This has occurred on more than one occasion during my career with the MFD. One particular incident occurred in December 2008.

We had a structure fire which resulted in a Mayday with two firefighters… Continue

Added by Christopher Drake on July 24, 2010 at 9:36am — No Comments

Introductions

Hello all. I am new to the Fire Engineering community and am looking forward to sharing information which will not only help us stay safer, but maybe even put a smile on our face.

As a 24-year veteran of the fire service, I have had the opportunity to work as both a volunteer and career firefighter. In the US Coast Guard, I practiced maritime firefighting as well. No matter where I've worked, lessons are there for the taking. As a career firefighter, I've never forgotten where I came… Continue

Added by Christopher Drake on July 23, 2010 at 3:34pm — No Comments

FDA Seizes Cyanide Antidote Kits (CAK) - NOT Cyanokit

The following are links to the FDA press releases distributed yesterday by the Federal Drug Administration regarding seizure of the Cyanide Antidote Kits (CAK) from Keystone Pharmaceuticals. Do not confuse the CAK with Cyanokit and/or Hydroxocobalamin.

According to the FDA, the Cyanide Antidote Kits (CAK):

1.have not proven safe or effective for their intended use;

2.the kits are also misbranded because their labeling does not contain adequate directions… Continue

Added by Shawn Longerich on July 23, 2010 at 12:35pm — No Comments

BLAZIN' RACE 5k

Hey, Gang: If you're in the NW Ohio area, please come join us for the 4th annual Blazin' Race 5k (July 31st, Bryan, Ohio) - an event sponsored by firefighters, for firefighter wellness. All proceeds go to the Bryan Fire Department (my Department) to purchase fitness equipment and programs to help keep us ready to serve our community. It's also a great way to promote wellness and positive relations with the general public. If you'd like more… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on July 21, 2010 at 9:30pm — No Comments

WHAT BROTHERHOOD?!

I'm pissed - and have been for months about this topic. I can't begin to tell you how much I hate the divisive and contentious career v. volunteer crap!! I see this play out too many times as it tares good, well trained, dedicated departments to shreds. I'm tired of volunteers whining about their lack of respect, tired… Continue

Added by Paul Combs on July 14, 2010 at 8:30am — 17 Comments

4th of July

Chief Halton,

Always enjoy your insight and opinions, and speaking of insight, how about that John Adams ? Did he pin the tail on the donkey or what !!! Fantastic history lesson Chief ! Now many of the nations younger firefighters may not be aware of the fact that several of those signing the declaration of Independence went on to become volunteer firefighters as well. Each American or person living in America, would do well to study or review how America came about. Then take a few… Continue

Added by Jon D Marsh on July 2, 2010 at 8:12am — No Comments

Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition Awarded $394,000 DHS Grant for HCN / FF Training

Training program includes appropriate air management practice for firefighters, the correction of myths and misunderstandings about fire smoke, and instruction about new antidotal treatment therapies for smoke inhalation victims

INDIANAPOLIS – JUNE 30, 2010 – Since January 1, 2010 the CPTC has tracked 1,100 civilians treated for smoke inhalation, 413 smoke inhalation deaths, and 125 firefighters who were transported for smoke inhalation treatment. Contrary to popular belief, whether… Continue

Added by Shawn Longerich on June 30, 2010 at 4:02pm — No 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

EMT Fraud: Bad People or Flawed System?

Recent news from Massachusetts reporting suspension of 207 EMTs and revocation of 4 Instructors for bogus refresher training smacks of poor oversight. But it may also highlight continued frustration with recertification requirements placed on EMS providers across the United States that fail miserably at providing any real education. That's… Continue

Added by Mike McEvoy on June 20, 2010 at 10:01pm — 3 Comments

HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES

Tomorrow markes the 3rd anniversary of the passing of nine Charleston firefighters at what has become known as the Sofa Super Store fire. This incident was the inspiration behind my efforts to create an organization to HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES by gathering, preserving and promoting lessons learned from line-of-duty-death incidents. Please say a prayer for those left behind from that horrible day; and to those friends in the fire service don't forget to HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES...because the lessons… Continue

Added by John Barrett on June 17, 2010 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Opportunity for Firefighters to Wear their Air, Take a Shower & Wash their Gear!

Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition launches Safety Stand Down Training Program focused on Preventing Hydrogen Cyanide Exposure in Fire Smoke

INDIANAPOLIS – JUNE 16, 2010 – SMOKE kills. Firefighter deaths due to heart attacks may not be due to bad diets, but from exposure to hydrogen cyanide in fire smoke. Firefighters are trained to deal with thousands of hazards and situations on a daily basis. Unfortunately, preventing the avoidable fire smoke exposure is not one of the highest… Continue

Added by Shawn Longerich on June 17, 2010 at 7:00am — No Comments

Intro to Better, Stronger, Safer

In the past I've refrained from trying to tempt or provoke readers by offering the startling conclusions of my work in an introduction. I've done so under the assumption that these conclusions are so contrary to popular opinion that they're more likely to drive readers away rather than engage them. I'm going to mix it up, and list a few of these so that the reader can decide if this group and blog might be worth joining or following, if only to prove me wrong. Here goes.

From… Continue

Added by Brian Houska on June 8, 2010 at 5:30pm — 1 Comment

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

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