Fire Rescue EMS Education and Training

Glenn Clapp, CHMM, CFPS | 04/21/2013

The mere mention of the term “Globally Harmonized System” probably conjures up images of new age philosophy or persons sitting in a circle playing drums when mentioned in the company of hazardous materials/emergency responders. In all actuality, the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) impacts all hazmat responders and even responders not on the “glow bug” side of things in the realms of both response and everyday station life. In this article, we will take a close look at what the GHS is, discuss how the GHS impacts us, and discover the required training and usage elements of the GHS. The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelin... Read More...

Relevant Tags: SIXTY ONE DELTA ONE, hazard, ghs, hazardous, responders, safety, labels, hcs, harmonized system, revised hcs, hazardous materials, globally harmonized, revised hcs/ghs, safety data, hazard pictograms, data sheets, hazard categories

August Vernon | 04/21/2013

Threats With the recent mass shooting/active shooter incidents it is important that first responders and planners are aware of these incidents and how to respond to them. Regardless of where you work, you and your agency will likely face the challenge of responding to incidents that may include acts of large scale violence towards civilians and acts of violence towards responders. These can and do occur in urban, suburban, metro and rural settings. In fact, typically these incidents occur in smaller to midsize communities. These responses will require an immediate “joint” response including law enforcement, fire and EMS. This article will fo... Read More...

Relevant Tags: COMMAND AND CONTROL, incident, fire, command, scene, ems, incidents, law enforcement, fire ems, command control, unified command, first responders, life safety, firefighter life, violence incident

Carrie Capili | 04/21/2013

Firefighters, hazmat professionals and emergency services personnel in heavy gear are no strangers to the risk of heat-related injuries. Emergency responders are constantly exposed to the dangers of hot indoor/outdoor environments, structural and/or wildland fires, and an abundance of heavy personal protective equipment to mitigate other safety risks. So how do we protect our men and women on the front lines of emergency response from the dangers of heat-related injuries? Read More...

Relevant Tags: HEAT STRESS PREVENTION, heat, conditions, environmental, temperature, stress, injuries, wbgt, emergency, heat stress, environmental conditions, wet bulb, monitoring environmental, stress prevention, temperature humidity

David Pease | 04/21/2013

We had a few rough days this winter, saw a little ice and snow during the Piedmont Fire Expo, but overall the weather was not too bad. Obviously some folks had it worse than others and I am sure there were more crashes on the roads than normal. I passed six on my way to the expo, most were those 4-wheel drive vehicles, imagine that. There is a big difference between ice and snow. The weather is now warming up as spring is around the corner and a time to get some training in. We just finished a heavy vehicle class in Fayetteville the first of March, and the guys from Fayetteville Fire and Cotton Fire did a great job. Thanks to Phillips Towing... Read More...

Relevant Tags: EXTRICATION EDUCATION, cab, trucks, fire, winter, heavy vehicle, ice snow, sleeper cabs, vehicle rescue, extrication education

Ken Farmer | 04/21/2013

Recently I have been in a reflective and somewhat pensive mood. It’s due to many things that are going on including recent surgery; a new year and some needed changes in my life. In addition, it seems that every week I hear about people who started their careers after I did choosing to retire for the good life. That’s a good thing for them but boy am I feeling old! I have also had several friends that have undergone serious shoulder, hip, knee and heart surgery. They have all done well and are healing well. When you add all of this together, it makes you stop and think about what is important in life. As an example, my recent surgery was tec... Read More...

Relevant Tags: BARNYARD MANAGEMENT, mission statement, personal mission, most important, important life

By Martha Ball | 01/10/2013

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College partnered with city and county fire departments and the NC Department of Insurance to create B-FIT: Basic Firefighter Indoctrination Training, an intensive training program that challenges participants physically, mentally and academically. Almost 500 hours of instruction and hands-on application over a three-month period gives students the tools and experience needed to achieve the state’s Firefighter II certification. Candidates take a reading comprehension test, perform a physical agility test, and complete a written exam an application package. Read More...

Relevant Tags: training, academy, fit, firefighter, emergency, test, hose, physical, fire academy, agility test, scoring based, community college, fire service, reading comprehension, prepares mind

By David Greene | 01/10/2013

On August 27, 1985, three firefighters were killed as a result of an explosion that occurred at an oxygen-limiting silo. On April 11, 2010, another firefighter was killed during a silo explosion that threw him from the ladder attached to the silo. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Line of Duty Death (LODD) reports that include silo explosions are not as rare as one would think. So, what exactly are these silos and how are they killing us? Read More...

Relevant Tags: silo, fire, oxygen, conventional silos, silo fires, confined space, prevention efforts

By David Hesselmeyer | 01/10/2013

Junior Firefighter Programs Recently I had a chance to spend some time with a friend of mine, James Boyette; who is an officer with the Rosewood Fire Dept. in Wayne County, N.C. The main topic of our conversation was their new junior firefighter program. It just so happened that my friend is in charge of it. During this discussion he told me of the work that he had been doing and the work that the juniors had already been doing. I was extremely pleased to hear this. Why a Junior Program? I have been on several volunteer fire departments in my career. I would say most of them had a junior firefighter program. Read More...

Relevant Tags: junior, firefighter, training, firefighter program, junior firefighters, volunteer fire, fire service, fire departments

By Joe Palmer | 01/10/2013

The rigidity that is so prevalent in our profession serves us well for continuity, historical preservation, and teaching the lessons learned of the fire service. I do not belittle that importance or seek to trade out experience for other tools or models. But the training of persons in our occupation and the professional world has changed and is changing daily. The tragedy of our current fire service generation very well could be the lack of flexibility and adaptability of our training delivery to ensure recruitment and retention of the next wave of competent and dedicated persons looking for a strong coherent occupation. If I have heard it o... Read More...

Relevant Tags: training, fire, fire service, fit all, one size

By Jason Krusen | 01/10/2013

In the day of ever changing technology and information over load it is extremely important that first responders understand what is going on. There is no excuse for us to not know what has occurred in our communities, county, region, state, nation, or even the world within moments of it occurring. The media is at an ultimate frenzy to be the first to break the story, and if they are not the first they will have the exclusive interview 10 minutes later. Not only are they competing with each other, but with every Tom, Dick, and Harry that has a smart phone and a link to social media. Read More...

Relevant Tags: HAZMAT, responders, know what, first responders, law enforcement, fire department, our communities, should know

By Ron Cheves | 01/10/2013

As volunteer fire officers we have several issues facing us every day. One that seems to be near the top of the list is the fire department budget. This is certainly an issue that won’t be going away any time soon. And if you are like most departments you will have to pick and choose the conferences and training courses you will attend each year. If you are a company officer and you want great leadership training the IAFC’s Volunteer and Combination Section offers Symposium in the Sun held each November in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Read More...

Relevant Tags: THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT, vcos, service, members, fire chief, fire department, fire service, fire officers, all volunteer, volunteer department, fire rescue

| 01/10/2013

Davidson County Community College will host its 29th Annual Central Piedmont Emergency Services College – an event that not only will help train and prepare those who serve in emergency services and public safety, but also will serve as a great opportunity for families to learn about fire education and safety prevention. Classes will be held on Feb. 15-17 at the DCCC Davidson Campus; family educational events will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Public Safety Building parking lot. Read More...

Relevant Tags: fire, college, safety, services, classes, davidson, rescue, community, emergency services, services college, community college, 29th annual, county community, public safety, davidson county, dccc host, educational events, family educational

| 10/08/2012

Miami, FL—Oct. 24—Keiser University (KU) will be hosting a Scare Fair Open House for prospective students, the general public and community partners to have an opportunity to learn more about KU and the in-demand programs offered at our 15 statewide campuses. The event takes place on Oct. 24 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. There will be faculty and staff available to meet with individuals who are seeking doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees in over 70 programs. Read More...

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Christopher M. Haley | 10/05/2012

“Morale is the capacity of a group of people to pull together, persistently and consistently, in pursuit of a common purpose.” These words, spoken by Alexander Leighton, a sociologist and professor at Harvard University, ring true today more than ever. Leighton spoke to the fact of how morale is particularly important during times of stress and controversy. As we continue to work towards our goals these issues continue to wear away at that very morale which we look to drive us. Leaders, particularly those at the helm of the collective ship, must know how to maintain and encourage true morale if they plan for success and the continued or new ... Read More...

Relevant Tags: morale, organization, group, alexander leighton, leighton sociologist, common purpose, sociologist professor, university ring

By Ron Cheves | 10/05/2012

Are we losing volunteer firefighters because we are demanding too much training? If you talk to 20 different fire departments, you will hear 20 different requirements for training and 20 different number of hours required to meet the minimum set by the individual department. Training hours are so very important, but should we be thinking more about the content and the type of training we are suggesting to our members? To offer more training hours on top of what is required is certainly needed, but how much is too much? I will agree that the 36-hour minimum required by the state of North Carolina will not even start to make you a firefighter.... Read More...

Relevant Tags: THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT, training, fire, members, volunteer, firefighters, department, fire departments, volunteer firefighters, fire ems