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
Paul Jarrett and Bradley Dean | 07/25/2010

Early on the 28th of December 2009, the Lexington Fire Dept. responded to a vacant commercial structure fire. The response was to a commercial area consisting of several buildings separated by firewalls. The initial response consisted of three engines, a ladder truck, and a shift commander, Paul Jarrett. Engine 2, the first arriving, reported working fire with heavy fire showing and began a defensive operation covering exposures. Although there were initial reports of individuals inside, the current fire conditions were too great for survival.

EMS
Michael Smith and Chad Guillot | 10/18/2009

(The following is part one of a three part series on EMS telemedicine.)
 
BR Med-Connect is an EMS telemedicine system recently installed in East Baton Rouge Parish (BR), Louisiana. Currently in a pilot phase, the system is fully functional and is now being used for actual patient care. The system has been planned by, and is now managed by an interdisciplinary team representing each of the system’s key components. This team has selected and begun to implement a diverse group of medical applications for actual patient care and study purposes. It is expected that the program will prove successful and cause many in EMS to revisit their concept of EMS telemedicine.

FIRE
| 07/25/2010

A look back at 25 years of the Carolina Fire Rescue EMS Journal…

FIRE
Tim Wojcik | 07/25/2010

In 2009, Executive Fire Officer Paul Melfi published the following statement, “Giving a firefighter a portable radio is an investment in saving lives. But you must also provide proper training, policies for radio operations, and equipment maintenance. Personnel must know all the intricacies of the portable radio in addition to being able to operate it, maintain it, and ensure that it is ready for use at all times.”

While many departments do have a Radio Operations SOG (Standard Operating Guideline), many do not have an SOG that covers the use/assignment of radios by firefighters in the IDLH environment. So, what does the NFPA have to say about this? Good Question.

EXTRICATION EDUCATION
David Pease | 07/25/2010

When you read this, summer will be upon us. We will have already suffered through several close to record-breaking heat waves. With vacations and the heat, it is just hard to get folks to train much during the summer months. The first weekend in June, we did a heavy vehicle rescue class in Lumberton through Robeson Community College, and it was hot then. We stopped several times during the practical work to make sure everyone was able to cool down and get hydrated. If you are training this summer, make sure you provide some shade for cooling your folks down, plenty of water and Gatorade, and keep an eye on folks so you can catch a problem before it occurs.

Fire
Aaron Peeler | 04/26/2010

If you’ve ever taken a swiftwater rescue course, you probably took a long drive on narrow back roads to a remote venue. You probably experienced varying and unpredictable water levels, and may have even found yourself longing for basic facilities like a restroom. Swiftwater training professionals have struggled to find areas on rivers that provide the basic requirements to fulfill their training obligations. A new type of river has emerged that provides for all those training needs — the artificial whitewater river. 

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.

VEHICLE COLLISION
Lee Junkins and Billy Leach, Jr. | 07/25/2010

With vehicle technology constantly changing, it is virtually impossible for responders to keep abreast of each and every change. Therefore, we should strive to create a s-i-m-p-l-e procedure that is applicable to all vehicles. In doing so, we will create a safer rescue operating environment.

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.