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Discussions (57)
Groups (17)
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Ray McCormack's Friends

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Ray McCormack's Groups

Pandora's Box

70 members
Illinois Fire Service In…

66 members

Common Sense Firefighting

216 members
TOOLS OF THE TRADE-BASIC…

114 members

Tools and Tricks

200 members

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Ray McCormack's Discussions

What "Rules" Do You Believe Must be Followed In The Engine?

Started Apr 12, 2009

Pistol Grip Nozzles - Love em or Leave em?

Started Apr 1, 2009

Booster Water for Structural Fires

Started Mar 11, 2009

Do You Use A Stream Shaper On Your Smooth Bore Nozzle

Started Dec 9, 2008

How Many Firefighters Do You Need To Make An Interior Attack

Started Oct 21, 2008

First Due Engine: Occupied Exposure Tactics

Started Oct 7, 2008

What Size and Length are Your Preconnects

Started Sep 19, 2008

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Please Keep Fire in Your Life

Profile Information

Lives in:: The Harlem Hilton

Department:: F.D.N.Y.

Title/rank:: Lieutenant

Years of public service:: 27

Agency structure:: Paid fire department

Web site:: http://liveburntraining.com

Ray McCormack's Blog

Passing On - A Simple and East Way to Remember How to Lower LODD's

A Ransom Note To The American Fire Service

IF yoU CoMplY witH theSE

S A F E T Y

DeMAndS wE will LowER The NUMber of LODDss

S SEAT BELTS WEAR EM

A ACCIDENTS AVOID EM

F FITNESS GET IT

E ERRORS END EM

T TRAIN EVERYDAY

Y YOU MAKE IT WORK

tHe CloCk has StaRtED

tHE NeXt MovE is yoUrs

we wiLL be WATCHinG

As found on thehousewatch.com

Posted on October 5, 2009 at 10:00am

Group Milestone

The Start Water group just posted its 50th topic. I would like to thank the members of the Start Water group for their thoughts, insights, and time. The amount of topics and responses by the Start Water members is outstanding and in a class by itself. To all those who have not joined our group so far, don't worry there's still time to discover firefighting.

Posted on April 12, 2009 at 8:45pm — 1 Comment

Tandem Attack Video

I keep reading how departments insist on using 13/4 lines for Standpipe operations. Usually the set up includes a gated Wye, so a second line can also be stretched to supplement the lower GPM's. How many departments have ever trained on a tandem attack. If anyone is interested in learning more about how to do this leave your information on the comment page. A video on this topic will be available early next year.
Sincerely,
Ray McCormack

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 9:16am — 30 Comments

Men Are From Smooth Bore Women Are From Fog

Pause then laugh!

This is not a debate on smooth bore vs. fog nor is it a male - female thing. It seems sometimes that the fire service can be broken down into two distinct camps. Some of the more popular Smooth Bore vs. Fog, Paid vs.Volunteer and PPV vs. VES.

Maybe there is another - Extinguishment vs. Failure

Extinguishment is at the heart of what we do. No other organization does what we do. Ask any firefighter how they felt putting out the fire and you will find the…

Continue

Posted on September 29, 2008 at 11:54am — 12 Comments

Of Chiefs, Training Officers and Consultants

Fire companies using outdated equiptment and being taught outdated training methods is common in the American fire service and it cuts across all departments types and sizes. I have listened to firefighters talk about being unable to affect change within their company or department. These are not style issues. These firefighters are presenting factual data and willing to test their tools against what is currently in use. They are rebuffed at…

Continue

Posted on June 10, 2008 at 10:10pm — 3 Comments

Comment Wall (143 comments)

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At 12:44pm on January 13, 2011, Todd McKee said…: Hi Lt!

I took an Incident Safety Officers class at our state fire academy and they were saying to no longer do the triangle cut for steel roll up doors. ^ <--- the best I could do to show the cut I have always been taught. They say to make horizontal cut?? Can you please share your thoughts??? Thank you for what you do for the fire service!

At 2:25am on January 6, 2010, Christian Cossey said…: How's it going? Hope your year is starting out well. Jyst be safe okay Remember faulure to train is training for failure.

At 3:26pm on October 30, 2009, paul nigro said…: Hi Ray
Paul Nigro..great to see you back on LINE, the dept. was not the same without you.
Keep on training!!

At 1:37pm on October 26, 2009, Wayne Benner Jr said…: Fair enough Ray, I understand thanks..
Be safe.

At 3:11pm on October 15, 2009, Wayne Benner Jr said…: Lt,
Im pleased to announce that I got the go ahead to purchase solidbores on our 2.5 Highrise/Static Loads as well as the Preconnect 2.5.
Im just wondering what tip size would work best? As for the 1 3/4 preonnects. That i could not convince as of yet however, how do you feel about the Sabre-Jet by akron. I could be on the right track with that nozzle for our 1 3/4 until the solidbore gets the go ahead for the preconnect.

You advice would mean alot as it has helped me get the ball rolling.

Thanks Lt
Wayne Benner
PCFES

At 12:41pm on October 8, 2009, Jeffrey S Austin said…: Ray,
While I haven't had a chance to see the video that has cause quite a stir what is the real problem? Is it that you hit a sore point? Is it that you spoke the truth? If firefighting was a safe occupation my grandmother would have been doing it in her 90's. It's not a safe job and some join the Fire Service because they get a rush from pushing the envelope. Those are the firefighters I do not want to work with, someone is going to be a LODD. I want to work with FFs that understand the dangers and will risk everything to save a life. That is why I became a firefighter. Why my father became one and his father before him. Why my son is carrying on the family business. But, at some point you have to draw the line and say no reason to risk all if there is no life. No reason to risk all if you got the call too late to save the building. While we, as a group, may not totally agree we do agree that we need to change the way we do business. The fires that we face are fewer in number but more deadly in nature.

At 8:26am on September 20, 2009, Barry Aptt said…: Ray, is your FDIC speech still available online? some guys I work with @ the Academy still haven't seen it and it seems to have fallen off the face of the earth.

At 10:04am on July 8, 2009, Brian Rowe said…: Lt, thanks for the add. I appreciate all the topics you share and we learn from you all the time! If you ever find yourself down in SC - dinner is on me!

At 12:13pm on July 3, 2009, Mike Gagliano said…: Hey brother... Hope you have a great 4th and know that I'm proud to call you a friend.

Speak from your heart, tell the truth as best you know it and serve your firefighters and citizens with dedication and compassion.

The streets of New York are a better place with you on them brother....

Ride to the sound of the guns...

Mike

At 8:28pm on May 23, 2009, Jim Miller said…: Ray,
I am coming into the city Friday morning, what is your schedule look like? i thought i'd stop by to visit the Hilton. Let me know.
BE SAFE BRO,
Jim

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