Equipment
Ron Moore | 01/11/2010

Rescuers across this country are becoming increasingly aware that automakers are integrating new, tougher and stronger steel into their newest model vehicles so they can meet new government crash standards. The industry term ‘Boron’ is becoming more and more familiar to vehicle rescue personnel as well as our rescue tool vendors. Boron is just one of the various types of a new alloy steel family that are called ‘advanced steels.’ Boron, Martensite, Dual Phase, and TRIP steel are all examples of this new generation of steel that is challenging rescue personnel. It is 25 percent lighter in weight and eight times stronger than the steel we are currently used to in vehicles.

Stephen Marks | 10/18/2009

Throughout our careers, emergency service instructors have been teaching us to slow down when it comes to our response involving hazardous materials. Over the years, we have heard that message again and again. In fact, we have become very proficient in taking our time when responding into a hazardous materials incident. Certainly our main concern has been for the safety of our personnel. However, is it possible that we now take entirely too long to enter the proverbial Hot Zone?

Fire
KEN NEWELL | 01/11/2010

The recent economic downturn (or disaster, depending on your point of view) has resulted in some of the best construction prices in years. Construction bids for stations are anywhere from 25 to 40 percent lower than they were only three years ago. If your department is serious about building new or renovating, NOW is the perfect opportunity. Don’t count on ever seeing construction prices this low again.

HazMat
David Hesselmeyer | 10/18/2009

In the last hazardous materials issue of this magazine, I discussed doing assessments of hazardous materials that are traveling through your district on railways and roadways. Part two to a good hazardous materials assessment of your district is taking inventory of the hazardous materials facilities, or those facilities that stock hazardous materials.

Fire
Jennifer C. Prince | 01/11/2010

Pleasantly located on the northern end of the Grand Strand, North Myrtle Beach offers an abundance of exciting activities that are sure to please anyone.  It’s no wonder North Myrtle Beach welcomes millions of visitors each year!

Over the years we have welcomed thousands of our service men and woman for some much needed R & R with family and friends.  There is so much to do in North Myrtle Beach, from year-round festivals and entertaining dinner shows, to challenging miniature golf courses, there is never a shortage of activities.

Fire
DAVE MURPHY | 10/18/2009

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Most of us have heard this famous quote, one that was actually borrowed by President John F. Kennedy during his 1961 inaugural address. Regardless of the original source, the message remains the same. As you are well aware, the national economy has taken, and continues to take, a serious hit. As consumer spending and subsequent sales tax revenue decline, state governments are being forced to eliminate all non-essential programs. Ultimately, local budgets are affected as the downturn eventually trickles to the local level. Most emergency services already operate on a lean budget. In paid departments, it is not uncommon for 90 percent or more of the total budget to be allocated for salaries alone, leaving little for fuel, station maintenance, and gear replacement, and the list goes on and on.

Equipment
DAVID PEASE | 10/18/2009

Awhile back we looked at OTB water boots, one of the best water boots I have come across. They also make several styles of tactical land boots that have some of the same features as their water boots. I had a chance to wear the Bushmaster tactical boot while I was in Guatemala, and it was extremely comfortable and wore really well. The boot looks almost like the Abyss, one of their water boots, but obviously does not have the holes for water drainage. The Bushmaster boots come in black or tan and are a lower cut style boot. The boot has a mesh quarter panel that keeps your foot cooler, and a dual cushioned inner bed for better wicking and comfort. This lightweight boot is comfortable to wear, has great traction with the vibram sole, and a reinforced rubber toe and heel for climbing. This boot also features reinforced lace loops and an irregular lace so it will not come untied in the field. This is a great lightweight tactical and search boot.

Fire
DOUG ROSS | 10/18/2009

Unlike a burglary or homicide scene, the preservation of the potential arson scene is a more difficult task for the 1st Responder. If you think about it, often arson scenes aren’t confirmed as actual crime scenes until hours, days or weeks after the fire is suppressed! For this reason alone all fire scenes must be considered potential crime scenes from the outset. 

KEEPING YOU SAFE
BRADLEY DEAN | 01/11/2010

We are at the beginning of a safety revolution in EMS. For many years, safety issues have taken a backseat to the pressures of keeping the trucks rolling. Throughout the process we have learned about the dangers our paramedics and EMTs face in the line of duty, and it has become increasingly difficult to ignore the facts staring us in the face.

Fire
S. JOSEPH WOODALL | 01/11/2010

Is it just me or is excellent customer service getting harder and harder to find? It appears that our national culture is suffering from a lack of commitment in completely and thoroughly assisting a customer to a positive outcome. The root-causes are many: personnel shortages, a stressful workplace, increasing financial and family challenges, low pay, off-shoring, low morale, automation and on and on. In many of my encounters ‘good’seems to be the benchmark but ‘good’ is somewhere in the middle of the customer service continuum; probably better than average but well below outstanding and excellent.