The entire country, and in particular the New York City public safety system, breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when an improvised explosive device (IED), placed inside an SUV and left to detonate in Times Square, failed to detonate. This morning a naturalized citizen from Pakistan was arrested as he attempted to board an airliner for Dubai. As we congratulate the alert citizens of New York, the New York Police Department, the Fire Department of New York, the Federal Bureau of…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on May 4, 2010 at 3:39pm —
3 Comments
Attention All Instructors FDIC 2011 Call for Presentations
Fellow instructors the call for presentations is now open for FDIC 2011, please follow the link here and get your submission in as soon as possible remember we are encouraging all instructors HOT, workshop and classroom to submit for 2011. We will have some additional space with the completion of the Indianapolis Convention center but we are expecting a extremely high volume of requests to participate in the 2011 FDIC. This…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on May 1, 2010 at 9:39am —
1 Comment

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 —
2 Comments
The FDIC team has been on the ground in Indianapolis for the last three days. This morning we saw tremendous activity as the hands-on training instructors poured into the city to start setting up their sites for Monday and Tuesday’s hands-on training. The logistics warehouse was buzzing with 50 logistic specialists and 200 instructors pouring over millions in supplies and consumables. Using a type II deployment structure everything moves through the requisition, procurement system flawlessly.…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on April 17, 2010 at 1:05pm —
4 Comments
I am leaving for FDIC tomorrow and we are ahead of our attendance once again! Thank you all so much for your loyalty, support and passion. This will be the greatest collection of education and training in fire service history. I am honored to be allowed again to participate. HOT is almost completely sold out and will be by Monday morning at this rate!
On a sad note, I am sorry to inform all of you that my good friend Harvey Eisner editor of Firehouse magazine will not join us this year due…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on April 14, 2010 at 6:41pm —
3 Comments
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 —
4 Comments
IAFF and DHS Select MSA to Build Next-Generation SCBA Prototype

New Pressure-Vessel Technology of SCBA Will Increase Fire Fighter Safety
Washington, DC – The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), under contracts with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has selected global safety equipment manufacturer MSA…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on March 23, 2010 at 1:30pm —
1 Comment
Please take two minutes to participate in this important effort being undertaken by our great friends at the NVFC. Only by adding your our voice will the survey be meaningful.The NVFC is conducting a survey to identify new or changing health and safety issues facing the fire and emergency services. The results of the survey will help inform the second edition of the Emerging Issues study, which will explore the key findings as well as examine the initiatives, programs, and strategies currently…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on March 22, 2010 at 12:36pm —
No Comments
I had the opportunity to attend the inaugural Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride and Cook off. It was organized by The Texas Line of Duty Task Force. The memorial ride was created to help raise awareness of The Texas Line of Duty Task Force and helped raise funds for the trailers that they use to carry the equipment they bring when a Texas firefighter falls in the line of duty.
The memorial ride and cook off was also created to raise money for scholarships for the families and funds…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on March 21, 2010 at 12:09pm —
No Comments

Third Annual FDIC Courage and Valor Fun Run Thursday, April 22, 2010, 6:00 pm, White River State Park
The third annual FDIC Courage and Valor Fun Run will take place at the White River State Park located just a short walk from the Indianapolis Convention Center. The scenic, flat, fast course winds around the canal and provides runners with an absolutely safe (no traffic crossings) opportunity to enjoy a brisk fun run with their fellow…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on March 13, 2010 at 2:23pm —
No Comments
Ed Urbansky sent a message to the members of Official Connecticut State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Page.
Subject: CT LODD Beacon Falls
"It is with deep regret that Beacon Hose Co # 1 announces the LODD of past Asst. Chief and current Fire Police Captain Kevin Swan. At 05:08 March 10, 2010 Beacon Hose Co was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 20 Susan Street . FP 23 (Capt Swan) signed on the air and died in his vehicle of an apparent heart attack."
Added by Bobby Halton on March 12, 2010 at 12:22pm —
No Comments
Third Annual FDIC Courage and Valor Fun Run
Thursday, April 22, 2010, 6:00 pm, White River State Park
The third annual FDIC Courage and Valor Fun Run will take place at the White River State Park located just a short walk from the Indianapolis Convention Center. We all say we are serious about lowering LODD's and making a difference and here is how you prove it! The leaders lead from the front, be out…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on February 20, 2010 at 1:53pm —
No Comments
On February 8, 2010 Chief Burton Phelps lost his fight with a cancer related illness. Chief Phelps was an Assistant Chief in Anne Arundel County Maryland and taught for many years at our Nation Fire Academy. I had the pleasure many times of visiting with and sharing with Burt. He was a man of tremendous passion and energy for the fire service and his country. His passing will leave a void not…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on February 9, 2010 at 11:01am —
1 Comment
Thanks to Jim Duffy for providing us a link to Middletowns response to an Explosion in The Kleen energy plant here is the link http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?ctid=307http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?ctid=307
Here is a link to local nes…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on February 7, 2010 at 1:30pm —
No Comments
The following budget analysis below is from our good freinds Sean and Bill at the Congerssional Fire Services Institute, it is again difficult to understand why the Obama adminstration is not more supportive with all the widespread support they recieved from the fire service in general. The fight is not over and we need to get in their faces about doing the right thing for America's Bravest. Bobby
Administration Releases Fiscal Year 2011 Budget; Proposes Cuts to Assistance to…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on February 3, 2010 at 10:40am —
No Comments
I want to share this alternative medical option for 911 responders who are suffering from poor health. There is ample evidence that the environment there was harmful to many. I believe in all types of medicine however, what works for one may or may not work for another but knowledge is power. This is process is all-natural and the good folks behind it are true patriots. Take a look if you are sick check them out if you know someone who qualifies share the information. What follow is from the…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on January 29, 2010 at 4:00pm —
No Comments
The men and women of the task forces who were deployed recently to Haiti performed at a level of excellence and skill never witnessed before in service to a humanitarian rescue effort. I am in awe of all of the teams from across the globe who responded officially to the site and worked tirelessly to save those whose lives were dramatically impacted here are some links to some of our coverage and the official Fl TF1 and 2 site.…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on January 29, 2010 at 10:30am —
No Comments
Fire engineering community member Dave Stater again has incredible coverage from Haiti. From STATter911.com: All Virginia Task Force 1 members are fine after this morning's earthquake in Haiti. We have video of the 16th rescue the team was involved in (at least 122 by all teams and 43 by U.S. teams). We also have this morning's briefing and a new interview with VA-TF1 member Lt. Mark Stone of Stafford County.
STATter911.com link:…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on January 20, 2010 at 12:09pm —
No Comments

Here is the schedule for the most amazing Special Operations Conference ever presented and only possible at FDNY
March 15th
08:30 – 08:45 Welcome and introduction by FDNY Commissioner, Chief of Department and Chief of Training.
08:45 – 10:00 History of Haz-Mat Operations up to its Current capabilities, by Deputy Chief Nicholas Del Re, Chief of Haz-Mat…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on January 19, 2010 at 8:00pm —
No Comments
FDIC Courage and Valor Fun Run: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 6:00pm, White River State Park
Now the headline is not ture, yet, but someday we should have all expected 25,000 firefighters attending FDIC run together. We need to dedicate ourselves to better health and fittness, we should all be able to do a 5K it is only 3.2 miles. If you can't run or if you can't make FDIC this year, if you could please make a donation of twenty bucks to…
Continue
Added by Bobby Halton on January 19, 2010 at 6:30pm —
No Comments