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.

FIRE
| 07/25/2010

Bobbitt Builds Addition For St. Stephens Fire Department
Bobbitt Design Build recently started work on a 12,700-square-foot addition, as well as renovation of the 2,640-square-foot existing facility for St. Stephens Fire Department, headquartered in Hickory, N.C.

FITNESS TRAINING
Michael Medeiros | 07/25/2010

All across America we see fire departments and emergency services taking measures to outfit there companies with newer trucks and better equipment. These same departments spend large amounts of money to make sure the apparatus we ride on has all the bells and whistles, yet we are still neglecting the major tool in our arsenal, the people who drive and use this equipment.

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.

Equipment
DAVID PEASE | 01/11/2010

I would like to touch on a couple of good products that we used in Guatemala with our training there. One tool has been around for quite a while actually, and is one that does an excellent job at what it is designed to do. Produced by Wehr, the “GlasMaster” is one of the best tools for cutting out a windshield that has come along in quite some time. When windshields used to be set in rubber gaskets, they could be removed by popping off the trim mold, and placing a bailing hook behind the edge of the glass to pop out the window.

NCAHMR
Glenn Clapp | 10/18/2009

On Aug. 22nd, eight hazardous materials teams from across the State met in Raleigh for fun, fellowship, and competition in the Annual Hazmat Challenge. The Hazmat Challenge is an annual event sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Hazardous Materials Responders (NCAHMR) and is held at the North Carolina Firemen’s Association Conference/ South Atlantic Fire Expo. The 2009 Challenge drew a large number of spectators and featured unprecedented sponsor involvement and prizes for the top finishing teams.

Rescue
Chris Wrenn | 01/11/2010

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.

EMS
| 04/26/2010

Offered for the first time in 1980, UNC Charlotte’s EMS Management Institute will enter its 30th anniversary year with the upcoming 2010-2011 offering, beginning early October. Sponsored through the University’s Department of Continuing Education, the Institute is a management training opportunity for Directors, Supervisors, and Training Specialists in the EMS field and often attracts participation from paramedics aspiring to future leadership positions within their agency.

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.

Health and Wellness
Cheryl Holland | 01/11/2010

Facing the end of life is a fact of life. It will happen to all of us. As someone who works in Emergency Medical Services, you understand that reality better than most. What can be avoided is putting those you love in the position of having to make confusing, heart-wrenching decisions on your behalf. By being prepared —by making your wishes known upfront —you can save a highly emotional time from becoming impossibly difficult.