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from the editor - Spring 2013
Sherry Brooks | 04/21/2013
This is my favorite time of year for the fire, rescue and EMS industry as our staff has the chance to attend several conferences. This issue will be distributed at the South Carolina Fire-Rescue Expo, June 10-15 in Myrtle Beach. It is a time to meet old friends and make new ones, learn about the new products on the market, and enjoy Myrtle Beach. This year is extra special, as the Southeast Chiefs conference will be held in Charleston, S.C., June 19-22. We look forward to seeing you at our booth at both shows. Read More...
Relevant Tags: from the editor, rescue, spring, reid, editor, department, from editor, spring 2013, fire rescue, myrtle beach
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‘We only have a few hours to find them!’
Bob Twomey | 04/21/2013
Has your department or agency ever been faced with a search and rescue (SAR) operation in which a rapidly closing window of opportunity is available to conduct a successful search? Have you ever had to make a decision based upon the benefit-risk assessment to the victims and rescuers? Have you ever had to suspend a SAR operation due to an approaching storm, knowing the victims are still lost, possibly hurt and needing to be rescued? If you stay in SAR work long enough, you will likely be faced with such decisions — and they won’t be easy to make, because we are rescuers. And we have been taught that we never quit or give up, right? Read More...
Relevant Tags: RESCUE A-Z, search, rescue, sar operation, search area, aerial search, terrain navigator
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Developing an annual training program
Capt. Brad Maness | 04/21/2013
The development of a functional training program is an essential part of any fire and emergency services organization. This article will address some considerations when organizing your training program. Chiefs, company officers, instructors or anyone involved in delivering training play a vital role in preparing firefighters to handle challenges faced on a daily basis. Establishing an annual program will take time and should include input from all members. Your goal as a training officer should be to deliver the safest and most realistic training possible to help members achieve the department’s mission. Read More...
Relevant Tags: training, training program, fire service, training officer, fire department, program nfpa
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Heavy vehicle rescue
David Pease | 04/21/2013
We had a few rough days this winter, saw a little ice and snow during the Piedmont Fire Expo, but overall the weather was not too bad. Obviously some folks had it worse than others and I am sure there were more crashes on the roads than normal. I passed six on my way to the expo, most were those 4-wheel drive vehicles, imagine that. There is a big difference between ice and snow. The weather is now warming up as spring is around the corner and a time to get some training in. We just finished a heavy vehicle class in Fayetteville the first of March, and the guys from Fayetteville Fire and Cotton Fire did a great job. Thanks to Phillips Towing... Read More...
Relevant Tags: EXTRICATION EDUCATION, cab, trucks, fire, winter, heavy vehicle, ice snow, sleeper cabs, vehicle rescue, extrication education
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From reactive to proactive and beyond
John Scott Loftis | 04/21/2013
I was listening to a dear friend and colleague speak the other day, and this friend made the statement: “It’s a great day to be a firefighter in the state of South Carolina.” My friend used this quote a number of times during the talk that he was giving. I listened intently while he spoke, but that statement resounded through my head for the next few days, and still does on occasion. I thought about this statement frequently. My friend is right; it is a great day to be a firefighter in the state of South Carolina. Every day to me this statement rings true. Being a firefighter is the best job in the world, regardless of rank, or sub-category ... Read More...
Relevant Tags: fire, service, state, carolina, firefighter, emergency, south carolina, firefighter state, fire service, medical care, preventive medical
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A look at outer wear
David Pease | 04/21/2013
We are now moving into the spring of the year and things are starting to come to life. The weather will be getting warmer and more folks will be out on the roads, at the lakes, visiting the parks and just being out and about. It is also budget time for departments that are on a July 1st budget year. Those budgets have to be worked on and submitted for the June approval. This is the time of year we have to look at our needs and see what equipment is at the top of the list, sometimes a tough situation to be in. Read More...
Relevant Tags: TOOLS OF THE TRADE, rescue, pants, spring, coat, gear, fire, outer wear, tools trade
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Returning to the foundations: fire behavior
Mike Coffey | 04/21/2013
By now, we have figured out to what ends our means is accomplished as we take the task of fire fighting to heart. Understanding what fire is and how to interpret its life signs and shadows are essential to all firefighters’ safety and survival. The ability to use the information assists in our gaining the advantage on fire itself within structures, vehicles and wildland operations. With civilian injuries and fatalities noted daily, including our own injuries and deaths — this creates the needed mindset change to continue to learn and understand the demon we dedicate to tame. Read More...
Relevant Tags: fire, heat, vapor, combustion, temperature, gases, fire behavior, vapor density, boiling point, specific gravity, ignition temperature, returning foundations, vapor pressure, ignitable mixture
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You get what you give
Ken Farmer | 04/21/2013
Recently I have been in a reflective and somewhat pensive mood. It’s due to many things that are going on including recent surgery; a new year and some needed changes in my life. In addition, it seems that every week I hear about people who started their careers after I did choosing to retire for the good life. That’s a good thing for them but boy am I feeling old! I have also had several friends that have undergone serious shoulder, hip, knee and heart surgery. They have all done well and are healing well. When you add all of this together, it makes you stop and think about what is important in life. As an example, my recent surgery was tec... Read More...
Relevant Tags: BARNYARD MANAGEMENT, mission statement, personal mission, most important, important life
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ASK ERNIE “The Apparatus Maintenance Expert”
CFJ Staff | 04/21/2013
Explain the new changes to NFPA 1962 for hose testing that will impact fire departments. I will defer to John Carbo, FF/EMT for the Thorndale FD, PA. He has reviewed the NFPA 1962 and written an extensive report on updates at: http://thorndalefirecompany.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=536 Read More...
Relevant Tags: ASK ERNIE, pump, apparatus, fire, ernie, reflective, testing, retro reflective, ask ernie, fire apparatus, volume/parallel mode, timing standards, pressure/series mode
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Automotive Event Recorders: Ally or big brother?
Bill Tricarico | 04/21/2013
The scenario is all too familiar. An emergency vehicle involved in a collision with another vehicle resulting in bodily injury and property damage. Your driver had done everything correct — lights and sirens, full stop at the red light, checked each lane of traffic, and yet a car drove around the other stopped vehicles and struck the fire truck or ambulance. After the injured are cared for and vehicles removed, a witness suddenly comes forward to say he did not hear any sirens or see your vehicle stop. You already know a long string of legal issues are facing both your organization as well as your driver. Wouldn’t it be great if you always h... Read More...
Relevant Tags: fire, driver, vehicle, cameras, video, event recorders, managed systems, emergency vehicle, lights sirens, red light, recorders ally, big brother
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