When I started in the fire service 30 years ago, we were riding the tail board of the trucks, had S... More >>

“No stop signs, speed limit; Nobody’s gonna slow me down. Like a wheel, gonna spin it; Nobody’s gon... More >>

“What we have here is ... failure to communicate.” This unforgettable line was spoken in the movie,... More >>

When you are checking the same truck for the 100th time this year, do you ever wonder why you do it... More >>

Hazardous materials personal protective equipment (PPE) is one component of the hazmat response tha... More >>

While we hear the term “back to the basics” frequently, we don’t always take the time to truly reco... More >>

Hydrocarbons are a class of chemicals that we deal with daily. They are so common, and come in so m... More >>

With vehicle technology constantly changing, it is virtually impossible for responders to keep abre... More >>

Our essential mission and number one priority is to deliver the best possible service to our custom... More >>

The recent economic downturn (or disaster, depending on your point of view) has resulted in some of... More >>

For several years now I have gone to the Appalachian mountains with a group from my church on an AS... More >>

Having noticed that this issue will contain communication equipment, your author decided that it wou... More >>

Sometimes the science and the street have trouble communicating. The Trendelenburg position was ori... More >>

Everyday during my ride to work I take note of all of the school buses on the roads today. After al... More >>

In 2009, Executive Fire Officer Paul Melfi published the following statement, “Giving a firefighter... More >>

As firefighters battled flames inside the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001 they were faced with an eve... More >>

(The following is part two of a two part series on your command plan.) Incident management The term... More >>

The 2011 South Carolina Fire-Rescue Conference will be held in Myrtle Beach, SC, June 6-11, 2011. Th... More >>

Pleasantly located on the northern end of the Grand Strand, North Myrtle Beach offers an abundance ... More >>

The International Auto Extrication Competition (NAVRC) will be held this year, June 8-10, 2011 in My... More >>

Asheville - The North Carolina Fire & Rescue Instructors Conference will be May 4-7, 2011 in Ashevi... More >>

The attacks on September 11, 2001 forever changed America. War came to our nation’s shores, and the... More >>

Whether you’re on vacation with friends or looking for things the whole family can enjoy, your vaca... More >>

The North Carolina State Firemen’s Association will hold the 123rd Annual Conference and the South ... More >>

Pleasantly located on the northern end of the Grand Strand, North Myrtle Beach offers an abundance ... More >>

Loss control — originally a civilian affair (in the city of New York until a few years ago) by the ... More >>

As I write this column we are celebrating Veteran’s Day. We should honor our Veterans every day for ... More >>

Whenever hazmat responders discuss the most exciting and interesting facets of the hazmat response w... More >>

In the first article of this four-part series on medical simulation and gaming, I encouraged you to ... More >>

The 37th annual Piedmont Fire Expo, scheduled for Jan. 13–14, 2012, in Winston-Salem, North Carolin... More >>

If we as humans give the chemical process of combustion human-like characteristics, we find that the... More >>

Statistics show that over 40 percent of all teen fatalities are due to vehicle accidents. Yes, almo... More >>

Fifty-eight front line supervisors, training officers, mid-level managers, head administrators, and... More >>

Sitting in a training class in Emmitsburg Maryland I overheard a fellow student ask another, “So, wh... More >>

We see them everywhere — on our uniforms, our ambulances, our equipment, and for some, tattooed on t... More >>

“How’d you get that in here?” That is the reaction of many people when they see what looks like an ... More >>

(This is part two of a two-part series on bariatric patients.) The obesity epidemic is hard to miss... More >>

Shortly after 8 a.m. on May 16, 2011, firefighters from Rocky Mount, Nashville, Coopers Fire Compan... More >>

(This is part one of a two-part series on bariatric patients.) The Scope of the Epidemic The obesit... More >>

As a supervisor, haven’t you wondered what the issues are with social networking in the workplace? ... More >>

As we move into the summer, more folks will be traveling on vacations, putting more vehicles on the ... More >>

Nash Community College is proud to sponsor “Beyond Hoses and Helmets” in January of 2012. “Beyond H... More >>

How well do you know your apparatus? I would be willing to bet that all of you do not know it as wel... More >>

Our mission at Fire Service Plus, Inc. is committed to saving lives, property and protecting the en... More >>

The SpillKleen ® Chemical Spill Kit, is a convenient laboratory spill kit with everything the emerg... More >>

ClearCollar ™ allows first responders, doctors and nurses in the field to assess injuries without r... More >>

In recent years, the big brother of all terrain vehicles (ATV) known as the utility vehicle (UTV), ... More >>

“Ask Ernie” is a meeting place for “You” our readers, who have questions about vehicles / apparatus... More >>

When I attend fire conferences and shows, I am always on the lookout for new and innovative equipme... More >>

Most fire departments ask two questions when circumstances require that they either build a new stat... More >>

The decision to take out a new loan is usually a pretty simple process driven by the need for a new... More >>

(This is part one of a two-part series.) What are the differences in fire behavior and control betw... More >>

Choosing the lowest cost in a competitive market sometimes equates to harvesting the first whitetail... More >>

As a society, we are faced with one of the most challenging economic times in our lives. Like a vast... More >>

“Money’s tight!” You hear that everywhere, especially if you’re trying to get a loan. Five years ago... More >>

During recent years, the terms credit score and credit report have been frequently discussed and th... More >>

The joy of having children is accompanied by many responsibilities. One that seems to cause a great ... More >>

On January 01, 2012, at 13:47 hours, Rocky Mount NC Fire units were dispatched to a residential str... More >>

It is said we all must face death and taxes. Neither are fun and here lately about the only way to e... More >>

The question of “What in the heck is that?” will almost invariably arise regarding the new title of... More >>

Well brothers and sisters, let’s get started, this is the first of a four part series on how to spec... More >>

Is your department doing the checks needed to make sure your apparatus is ready to respond to a cal... More >>

In an earlier column we discussed the organization of your rapid intervention team (RIT) and how to... More >>

The following is a subject discussed in an article I wrote in the Carolina Fire Rescue EMS Journal ... More >>

Unless you live in a cave, you have probably noticed these are pretty tough economic times. Your las... More >>

Hypoxia, asphyxia, cardiac arrest, and then death. Hopefully, I have your attention. Modern technol... More >>

In January 2010, Columbia Fire Department’s Engine 6 was dispatched to an apartment to check for car... More >>

On Saturday, August 13th, seven hazardous materials teams from across the State met in Raleigh for ... More >>

The report of a suspicious package these days has become the fire services new general fire alarm. L... More >>

A series of explosions occurred in Henderson, Nevada (a Las Vegas suburb) on May 4, 1988. The explos... More >>

I was fortunate enough to attend the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) 2011 Internatio... More >>

Although the discipline of responding to hazardous materials incidents can be viewed as a relatively... More >>

Labor Day weekend 2012, the modest-sized city of Charlotte, North Carolina will showcase its souther... More >>

We are often asked by Fire Chiefs about OSHA 1910.156 and how it applies to fire departments. There... More >>

Firefighters have about three times the risk of the general population of suffering a fatal heart at... More >>

(This is part three of a three-part series on health for first responders.) So you’ve chosen a vend... More >>

A fire station, or as many refer to it, a fire “house,” is more than a building built to house fire... More >>

In your home town and home towns across the U.S. the same thing is evident; fitness becomes more of... More >>

So you’ve chosen a vendor and laid the groundwork with your firefighters. Now test day is approachi... More >>

Another New Year has arrived, the holiday season is behind us and once again it is time to REALLY g... More >>

Sometimes the science and the street have trouble communicating. The Trendelenburg position was ori... More >>

Water Response Training Council Formed In November, seven US-based public safety diving training as... More >>

TheFireStore.com , the leading online source for firefighting equipment and supplies, brings the la... More >>

IFSTA Launches Computer-Based Training by Action Training Systems IFSTA and Fire Protection Publica... More >>

Charlotte, NC - Fifty-eight front line supervisors, training officers, mid-level managers, head adm... More >>

Do you want to receive college credit for fire service certifications you already have? The Univers... More >>

Crushed cars, extrication tools, cribbing, time on the clock ticking away and anticipation of a winn... More >>

America’s Female Firefighters rush into burning buildings to help those who need it, but they conti... More >>

On May 5th in Asheville, Hickory Fire Captain Todd Shoebridge was chosen as the North Carolina Fire ... More >>

“Many times you hear stories that make you think,” a friend from Kentucky recently told me. After s... More >>

As we embark on a new decade and plunge deeper into the millennium, changes are sure to occur. The ... More >>

Bobbitt Builds Addition For St. Stephens Fire Department Bobbitt Design Build recently started work... More >>

Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to work with some individuals who really underst... More >>

The spring of each year is a time that people on the farm get out and start to check the fence line... More >>

Do you remember the Whiners on Saturday Night Live ? The Whiners were recurring characters on Satur... More >>

If your fire department issues take home cars or SUVs to any of your paid staff members the media, ... More >>

In today’s fire service, leadership and management have become just as big of buzzwords as incident... More >>

Rescuing a seriously injured fall victim, or worse, recovering a fatality in a waterfall setting is... More >>

When was the last time your department trained with high pressure airbags? Most departments will pr... More >>

The hazardous materials response community can be very political, and it is important that a team o... More >>

I hope everyone has survived the winter. The weather is starting to warm up and that means folks wil... More >>

A few weeks ago while at my hangar doing general maintenance, an officer from another fire-rescue ag... More >>

The International Auto Extrication Competition (NAVRC) will be held this year, June 8-10, 2011 in My... More >>

Hazardous materials personal protective equipment (PPE) is one component of the hazmat response tha... More >>

Everyday during my ride to work I take note of all of the school buses on the roads today. After al... More >>

As I write this column, I have come to realize that not only with age comes wisdom and experience, b... More >>

Have you noticed how the scene lighting and equipment that we use today has changed the fire servic... More >>

Leaders in first response know information is powerful in fighting budget wars, managing daily oper... More >>

In 2009, Executive Fire Officer Paul Melfi published the following statement, “Giving a firefighter... More >>

All across America we see fire departments and emergency services taking measures to outfit there c... More >>

The 2010 South Carolina Fire-Rescue Conference will be held in Myrtle Beach, SC, June 7-12, 2010. T... More >>

As we all know, “emergency response” involves more than just fighting fires or tending to someone w... More >>

Spring will soon be here and so will the storms that follow. With our ever changing environment, st... More >>

The North Carolina Association of Hazardous Materials Responders (NCAHMR) Annual Meeting will be hel... More >>

In today’s fire service the art of forcible entry is dying. Any numbers of reasons are the cause of... More >>

Early on the 28th of December 2009, the Lexington Fire Dept. responded to a vacant commercial struc... More >>

Spring is here and we are going to see more folks on the road enjoying the weather and traveling, w... More >>

(This is part three of a three part series on telemedicine.) More >>

In responses to releases of Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) there may not be one technology or one “an... More >>

Imagine that you are a hazmat team member responding to a product leak from a chlorine railcar in y... More >>

On Aug. 22nd, eight hazardous materials teams from across the State met in Raleigh for fun, fellows... More >>

On January 01, 2012, at 13:47 hours, Rocky Mount NC Fire units were dispatched to a residential str... More >>

At 11:50 PM on January 5, Rocky Mount (NC) 911 received a call from a neighbor reporting a structure... More >>

The South Carolina State Firefighters' Association is proud to present the 106th Annual SC Fire-Res... More >>

On May 5th in Asheville, Hickory Fire Captain Todd Shoebridge was chosen as the North Carolina Fire ... More >>

A devastating tornado hit Missouri over the weekend, drawing more than 1,500 police and firefighters... More >>

DAVIDSON, N.C. – On Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 3:47 p.m., the Davidson Fire Department, with mutual... More >>

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joins with the rest of the world in expressing their sorr... More >>

On Saturday April 2nd, 2011, the Rekindle Society invites you to their Third Annual Muster and Para... More >>

Last issue we looked at several items that could be used in search and rescue — the Coaxsher Pack an... More >>

As I start to write this article, I experienced what most folks around here have never experienced,... More >>

As I sit here and write this column, I ponder what happened to Spring . Our days have been in the up... More >>

Recently I was contacted by a representative from MN8 Products. She asked if I would be willing to r... More >>

As I write this article, I have just returned from a week of jungle search and survival training in ... More >>

Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of using a couple of the newest Globe Boots. Globe... More >>

Gloves Several years ago, TechTrade introduced the Pro-Tech 8 fire glove. They soon realized the po... More >>

In today’s fire service the art of forcible entry is dying. Any numbers of reasons are the cause of... More >>