Rescue
Lenny Yox | 10/18/2009

During the past year, more people than ever before have been buying larger than normal quantities of ammunition and reloading components. There are many reasons for those purchases -- and I will not try to cover them in this article.

I will, however, try to bring out some of the additional dangers posed to us, the responders on a fire or other emergency.

Equipment
TIM WOJCIK | 10/18/2009

Let me take a quick second to stand on my soapbox. Have you ever noticed that we in the fire service are quick and passionate when it comes to training on things like RIT, Mayday Drills and Self Rescue? This is a good thing, but have you also noticed that we tend to be equally as passionate against preventive training and actions? Have you ever been written up for not wearing a seatbelt or using a backer? What was your response? I bet there was passion, but not the good kind!

Education and Training
DAVID GREENE | 10/18/2009

Shortly after shift change, as acting Battalion Chief on Thanksgiving morning of 2005, a local television station called inquiring about a house fire that had just occurred hours prior. The reporter asked excitingly, “Did you have a fire last night at 123 Main Street?” I replied, “Yes.” The reporter immediately snapped off eagerly, “Did anyone die?” To which I responded in a monotone voice, just as quickly, “No.” The reporter sighed while letting out a dejected, sad, “Oh,” followed by a slightly more cheery, “Well, have a good Thanksgiving.”

HAZMAT
Glenn Clapp | 07/25/2010

Hazardous materials personal protective equipment (PPE) is one component of the hazmat response that is often taken for granted. Civilians, for instance, think that a fully encapsulating vapor protective suit (often referred to as a “moon suit” by persons not in emergency services) is a veritable suit of armor that will protect responders against any chemical threat. We as Hazardous Materials Technicians should know that is not the case, however do we know as much as we really need to about our PPE? In addition, do we train as much as we should on PPE and receive as much “suit time” as we should on a regular basis? And think carefully about this one - Is there such a thing as a “Level A” hazmat suit? We will encounter each of these topics as we journey through the following article.

Dale Stewart | 01/26/2010

I believe people and agencies that responded to the Haitian earthquake of January 2010 went in with certain expectations to provide help, comfort, supplies and services to the people of Haiti.

expanding our knowledge
DOUG ROSS | 01/11/2010

Over the past few issues I have discussed certain issues that negatively affect the fire and arson investigator in the Carolinas. This article will be no different. A troubling statistic that hasn’t varied over the past decade is the conviction rate for individuals charged with arson —two to four percent! (USFA). Think about that number for a minute. With only a two to four percent conviction rate, 96 arson cases are either lost in court, nol prossed or the prosecutor chooses not to take the case to trial for various legal reasons. That isn’t acceptable.

Kristy Moore | 10/18/2009

As ethanol production and use continues to expand to all parts of the U.S., it is inevitable that most American’s will encounter ethanol in one way or another. There are 196 ethanol production facilities located in the US and today nearly all unleaded gasoline is blended with 10 percent ethanol. Safety is and will always continue to be a top priority for America’s ethanol industry and those who transport and bring ethanol to the marketplace. It is important that those responsible for the safety of their communities are well prepared and trained for responding to ethanol related emergencies.

Fire
| 04/26/2010

The 2010 South Carolina Fire-Rescue Conference will be held in Myrtle Beach, SC, June 7-12, 2010. The goal is to provide a training and education conference that is entertaining and professionally stimulating. 

Pre-conference seminars and classroom sessions are taught by nationally recognized experts, and premier South Carolina fire service instructors, who have proven leadership skills developed under fire.

H.O.T. classes/workshops

• Advanced Automobile Extrication

• Fire Ground Command Simulation

• Techniques of Searching Fire Buildings

• The Art of Not Breathing Smoke

• The Four R’s of Accountability and Fire Ground Decision Making

• Firefighting Technicians — Truck Company Style

• Chief Officers Academy

• This House Rocks

• Rapid Intervention Crew Awareness and Mayday Communications

From the Editor
Sherry Brooks | 10/18/2009

In this edition, we feature expanded coverage in the area of Hazmat. It is such a vital area of the Fire Rescue EMS world, and we’re pleased to bring it to you.

We welcome Glen Clapp, president of the North Carolina Association of Hazardous Materials Responders (NCAHMR), and his expertise on all things hazmat. In this issue, Clapp covers the Annual Hazmat Competition, along with some amazing pictures from Michael Porowski. Read his feature article on the challenge of chlorine railcar enhanced fittings.

KEEPING YOU SAFE
| 04/26/2010

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have announced the theme for the 2010 Safety, Health and Survival Week: Fit for Duty. Safety Week is June 20-26, 2010.