‘As the First Line Goes So Does the Fire’
Fireground success can be achieved in a number of ways. The most critical way in my opinion is when the engine company gets the first
‘Never Let Your Fear Decide Your Destiny’
This is an open letter to a friend who is struggling with addiction. I think of you often. Tonight, I decided to put my thoughts
9/11 Established Officially as “First Responder Day” in North Carolina.
RALEIGH – During the 2017 Legislative Session, the North Carolina General Assembly officially established September 11th as an annual legal holiday, recognized as “First Responder
Adjusting Extrication Techniques: Modified Dash Life (MDL)
(This is part two of a two-part series.) In part two of this two part series, the Extrication.Com Modified Dash Lift (MDL)will be introduced with
ASK ERNIE – “The Maintenance Apparatus Expert”
— Ernie questions answered by Anthony D. (Tony) Bulygo. What exactly does rollover protection on my apparatus entail? Rollover protection integrates the Stability Control system
Assess Your Station Before Building or Renovating
Building or renovating your station can be a daunting task. I was recently meeting with a fire department for the first time and was asked,
BGEA UK Chaplains Stand With Londoners After Horrific Apartment Fire
Raw. That word kept coming to Nigel Fawcett-Jones’ mind as he reflected on the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team’s ministry efforts in West London. Crisis-trained
Deconstructed Firehouse
In the 2016 Winter issue I ran an exercise where we deconstructed and reconstructed a floor plan from an existing firehouse. I mentioned at the
Earthen Dams
Most of us in a rescue career may see some level of dam failure, especially when heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes pass through our state,
EMS Perfect to Help With Needle Exchange Program
The use of injection drugs has been exploding over the last several years. More people now die from an overdose than car crashes. As we
EMS: It is Time We Advocate For Us!
The other day I was at an event and met up with another paramedic and had an interesting conversation. It started with the idea of
Finding Comfort:
(This is part one of a three part series.) Pull out your phone and search the phrase “most stressful jobs.” It is of no surprise
Fire Physics: The New Offensive Fire Attack?
By now, you may have heard, there is a paradigm shift underway within the U.S. fire service — an old fire tactic from yesteryear that
Following the HERD
One of the first articles in the Barnyard Management series was about cows. It was about how cows tend to follow along with the other
Free Land: Is It Right for My New Station?
“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” It’s the age-old saying we’ve all heard, and when we meet with a fire
From the Editor
This issue marks our 32nd year as the Carolinas’ first responder trade journal. Four issues a year since 1985. R.B. Knight, our publisher, has always
Have You Had the Talk?
As founder of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) I often reflect on our beginning and the roads we have traveled these past six years. We
Hazmat Pre-Incident Planning and Management: Prior To, During and After the Incident
Traditionally, experience has taught hazmat responders that time spent conducting pre-incident planning activities in regard to possible hazardous materials incidents pays off huge dividends when
Heavy Vehicle BUS Rescue
As I write this article, we are getting ready for spring to move in and the weather to get warmer. I must say though, we
How Hoarding Affects the Fire Service
The home of a hoarder is not a pretty one. Blocked exits, narrow hallways, falling objects and trip hazards, and rooms full of belongings and
Independent Study Shows A Better Cervical Collar
Cervical immobilization has long been considered an essential first step in addressing trauma patients. For 40 years, there has been controversy over risk/benefits of a
Industry News – 07/21/17
NFPA Elects New Board Members Jim Sullivan, Jeff Cash, and Roger Montembeault were elected to the NFPA board of directors during NFPA’s annual Conference and
Keep Safe In UTV Public Safety Rescue
UTV chassis side-by-sides outfitted with appropriate medical or fire skid units complement most any agency’s first response fleet. Safety concerns surrounding their use, particularly when
Loris Fire Department
Loris Fire Department Department Name: Loris Fire Department (LFD) County: Horry Type Department: Volunteer Structure: Municipal ISO: 3 Number of Stations: 1 Number of Apparatus:
Physical and Mental Close Call
May 5th, 2014 was a day that changed my life and the lives of my family forever. I didn’t realize that this would be such
SELLING Your Hazardous Materials Response Program
Severe hazardous materials emergencies — train derailments, highway accidents, significant leaks at fixed facilities, etc. — are relatively few and far between for most jurisdictions.
South Carolina EMS Protocols
EMS Colleagues: It was great to see so many familiar faces recently at South Carolina Fire Rescue 2017. Thank you to everyone who stopped by
Tabor City Fire Department
Tabor City Fire Department Department Name: Tabor City Fire Department (TCFD) County: Columbus County, NC Type Department: Combination Structure: Municipal ISO: 9/5 Number of Stations:
The Active Shooter Threat: Fire and EMS Response Considerations
As discussed in the first edition of this series, fire departments and EMS agencies have had to reassess their role in active shooter response after
The New ‘Elephant’ in the Room: Carfentanil
Recently there has been several incidents where police officers and responders have been exposed to Carfentanil and the results have been catastrophic. For those that
