Fire
JOE MANCOS | 01/11/2010

I have been told that to be successful in any emergency field you must “think outside the box.”In this article, we are going to explore rapid assessment and prehospital treatment of severe Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The skull has been often described as the box the brain is enclosed in. With this in mind, let us review the basic anatomy, assessment and treatment for head injuries as well as some common pitfalls when treating the head injury patient in the prehospital environment.

Haz Mat
Matt Scullion and Lou Banks | 10/18/2009

There are a variety of technologies and techniques for detecting and identifying biologics, each with its advantages and disadvantages. All of these techniques have been derived from traditional laboratory practices and have evolved at different levels for use in the field by hazmat and first responders. Using a multi-tier approach and capitalizing on multiple technologies can bolster confidence in incident response and management. It is logical that the application of multiple techniques would add to the chances of a better response to an incident, but there is a cost associated that can be measured in training and logistics. Understanding the different classes of biologic detection technologies, their advantages, disadvantages, and logistics requirements can help hazmat and first responders better prepare for and frame the efficacy of their response.

Fire
DAVID ELLIOTT | 01/11/2010

We’ re all very familiar with the incident command or incident management system. You have either been trained on it, or like myself, have applied it to successfully mitigate large-scale, multi-agency responses.  About 13 years ago I responded to a large woods fire. I established and maintained command until the incident was terminated. By the end of the day, fire equipment from the state and multiple counties was requested and utilized. The high number of news helicopters present prompted me to request restriction of air space over the incident in order for forestry aircraft to survey the scene. The extended duration of the incident necessitated delivery of replacement batteries for portable radios. EMS was needed to evacuate invalid residents in the area. 

Fire
August Vernon | 01/11/2010

Mass Violence Overview

A rapid, safe and successful response to a mass violence incident requires preparation. No jurisdiction is immune from these types of incidents. The tragic attacks such as Fort Hood, Virginia Tech and Mumbai, India present a current and growing threat to all response agencies. Today’s “bad guys” (criminals and terrorists) appear to be more determined, violent and heavily armed than ever before. Responders are not only faced with the possibility of large numbers of victims during these incidents, but also with serious threat of harm and death to response personnel.

Fire
Lenny Yox | 01/11/2010

If I were to ask you what the main differences are once you are promoted to a position of leadership in your department, what would you say? Some would glibly answer about the color of their helmet, a new radio, a response light in their POV, new keys getting added to their key ring. Far too often the most important answer is overlooked; more responsibility gets piled on.

KEEPING YOU SAFE
STEPHEN MARKS | 01/11/2010

Regardless of our background in the emergency services, we are charged with the responsibility of serving our community. Most of us realized this when we began our careers, although it may not have been the only reason we chose to follow such a path. It doesn’ t matter whether we are paid or volunteer. It doesn’ t matter if we dispatch the calls, respond to them, or clean up after them. We’ re all in this together —serving our community.

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.

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.

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.