From the Editor
Sherry Brooks | 01/11/2010

How can it be 2010? Weren’t we just worrying about our computers crashing and stockpiling food when we entered the year 2000?

Fire
MIKE COFFEY | 04/26/2010

I come again to you, the respected readers of this blessed periodical, in hopes to attempt to open eyes and expose those of you looking for “new” ways to train. We’ve all heard the term “Back to Basics” for a while now, and to be honest, I’m tired of it.

Michael Smith and Chad Guillot | 01/11/2010

Planning, implementation and applications

Recognizing the importance of planning and control, an implementation plan was devised to introduce the system by means of a tightly controlled pilot program. It was decided that this pilot program would:

Education and Training
TIM WOJCIK | 01/11/2010

In 1975, James Kidd wrote a book entitled How Adults Learn. In his book he outlines 10 “commandments”for adult educators. In this issue, I would like to unpack the first five of these words of wisdom, slightly paraphrased, and apply them to educating our firefighters and EMS providers.

Rescue
Chris Wrenn | 10/18/2009

(This is part one in a three-part series on gas detection.)
 
In responses to releases of Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) there may not be one technology or one “answer” that is correct. The responder must take into account all of the clues present to conclude the presence or absence of CWAs and take appropriate action. Understanding what the clues are and how to layer them to make a decision is critical to successful CWA response.

FIRE
David Pease | 07/25/2010

In 1975, I was recruited to help start the rescue squad in Garner, N.C. The irony is, I was recruited as a diver, and ended up going to EMT school, the first class in our county. I ended up riding on an ambulance as well as doing rescue. Back in 1973, when I was certified as a diver, there were only a handful of dive organizations and they only offered open water scuba certification. The only diving I had done prior to becoming part of the rescue squad was in the Florida Keys and the rock Quarry in Rolesville. Soon, I found myself in black water diving in lakes and ponds around the county, as I was the only “Rescue and Recovery” diver in the county.

EMS
David Hesselmeyer | 10/18/2009

Public health and other first responder agencies have been in planning mode for a pandemic influenza event for many years now. Unfortunately, that planning was used for the first time this year since 1968. In April of this year the “swine flu” (a novel flu virus known as H1N1) was first confirmed in Mexico. Since then over 254,000 people have gotten sick and over 2800 have died worldwide (Source: World Health Organization, as of September 8, 2009). 

Every pandemic has waves. The first wave in North America ended around the end of the school year. However, we need to be more vigilant now as we expect a second wave anytime.

Financial
Bart Valley | 10/18/2009

Last year’s stock market decline created significant stress for investors. Unfortunately, in times like last year, we often see investors panicking and moving out of risky assets such as stocks into safer holdings like savings accounts or Treasury bills. But the truth is these safer investments have never produced the kinds of real returns that most investors need. Safe investments like savings accounts or Treasury bills might eliminate investment risk, but they introduce another problem: purchasing power risk.

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.

CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION
Bonita Waters | 07/25/2010

Nothing stays the same and the fire service is no exception. Even while maintaining a sense of tradition the fire service has evolved into a complex provider of multiple services. The general public expects more from their first responders today than in previous decades.  The community expects their first responders to protect them, educate them, and manage fire department budgets in a responsible manner. Higher education gives the fire service a way to meet these expectations, and provide an educational path beyond that of basic firefighter.