By Chris Nelson | 01/11/2012

On March 9, 1953, the Wilmington Fire Department faced one of its largest and costliest fires in the city’s history. The fire, which was located in a warehouse complex located on the Cape Fear River, pushed the fire department to its limits and then some. It seemed for a time that the city’s waterfront would be completely wiped out. The fire occurred at the Wilmington Terminal and Warehouse Company, part of a large complex of seven warehouses located on the Cape Fear River. The warehouses were situated perpendicular to the river with slips between some of the buildings. Rail access was alongside each building. The following is a brief descri... Read More...

Relevant Tags: A Blast from the Past - MARCH 9, 1953, fire, warehouse, nitrate, explosion, fire department, chief croom, sodium nitrate, march 1953, wilmington terminal

By Jason Krusen | 01/11/2012

In January 2010, Columbia Fire Department’s Engine 6 was dispatched to an apartment to check for carbon monoxide (CO). Upon arrival the family was standing outside the apartment. They informed Engine 6 that their family member was admitted to the hospital a few hours prior with flu-like symptoms, but that the hospital had just informed them that the patient had CO poisoning. They were concerned that they too may be affected as they were spending a few days in the apartment while visiting the family member. Engine 6 was equipped with a standard four gas meter (O2, LEL, CO, and H2S) and immediately checked the apartment, but was unable to get a... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Hazmat, gas, fire, detector, carbon monoxide, columbia fire

By Glenn Clapp | 01/11/2012

The question of “What in the heck is that?” will almost invariably arise regarding the new title of this section — “Sixty-One Delta One.” Sixty-One Delta One was selected as the title due to the fact that in the standardized Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocols being adopted in many locations throughout the nation, 61-D-1 is the dispatch code corresponding to a hazardous materials incident that is uncontained or moving, which is basically the worst-case scenario of the hazmat dispatch series. The title also represents an attempt at tongue-in-cheek hazmat humor, to which I know most readers will answer “Is there such a thing as hazmat humo... Read More...

Relevant Tags: SIXTY ONE DELTA ONE, hazmat, tube, equipment, carbon dioxide, delta one, hazardous materials, back basics, oxygen deficient, colorimetric tube, hazmat responders

By Mike Coffey | 01/11/2012

Loss control — originally a civilian affair (in the city of New York until a few years ago) by the insurance companies of the day — is designed to assist fire companies in reducing damages to property before, during and after fires and other occurrences. Within this category are two specific tasks — salvage and overhaul. Salvage is a task that can be done during and/or after fire attack — usually an afterthought of command officers. Providing protection for one’s or a family’s personal property is, by far, the best way to enhance our reputation. Overhaul is seeking hidden fire and beginning to determine the cause of the fire. Both can actual... Read More...

Relevant Tags: fire, damage, water, loss control, pre incident, returning foundations, fire attack, foundations ventilation, after fires, salvage overhaul, incident planning, primary damage

Ken Farmer | 01/11/2012

It is said we all must face death and taxes. Neither are fun and here lately about the only way to escape more taxes seems to be death! Even then you don’t get away as your family is left behind to write those big estate tax checks. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Barnyard Management, family, funeral, sunday meeting, barnyard management

By Jim Muldrow | 01/11/2012

“How’d you get that in here?” That is the reaction of many people when they see what looks like an ambulance parked in the middle of a classroom on South Piedmont Community College’s (SPCC) Old Charlotte Highway Campus, said Dennis Baucom, SPCC’s director of Vocational Trades. Some have looked around the corner into the next room to see if the front of the ambulance is there. “Several people have asked where the front of it was,” said SPCC Emergency Medical Services Coordinator Robby Smith. “The gas cap on the side really gives it some feel like it was driven in here.” Read More...

Relevant Tags: EMS 2012, ambulance, simulator, students, ems, baucom, smith, ambulance simulator, piedmont community, vocational trades, south piedmont, world experience

By Jason Boan | 01/11/2012

We see them everywhere — on our uniforms, our ambulances, our equipment, and for some, tattooed on their body. Do you know why we use it or what it means? What is the difference in the Rod of Asclepius and a caduceus? While very similar in appearance, each has its own meaning and history tied to it. A caduceus is a winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it. The Rod of Asclepeus is a staff with a single snake wrapped around it. Read More...

Relevant Tags: EMS 2012, ems, caduceus, asclepius, medical, rod asclepius, army medical, red cross, emergency medical

By Joe Palmer | 01/11/2012

As a state association director, I am fortunate enough to be a participant in a number of issues involving political decisions at the local, state, and federal level. My involvement, more frequently than any contribution, is to listen, learn, and affect communication. This role has afforded me the unique ability to observe qualities of political strivings that my brothers and sisters within the fire service must necessarily and frequently exercise. It is from these observations that I would wish to offer my profession a few of those notes as we prepare ourselves in these economically and socially challenging times to grasp the art of politics... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Forum, fire, political, art, art politics, fire service, elected official, level involvement, skill set