The following message was found posted Anonymously on the net… Anonymous something to think about Tue Aug 12, 2008 I helped carry Jim Ramage to the helicopter that would take him on his last flight. His remains were draped in an American flag. Firefighters hovered over the remains of four that day and I had been ensuring that Jim was taken ...

I think most firefighters would agree that a good call has some element of "fun" in it. I'm not talking about the kind of fun that you have with a board game or a funny movie, it's way more serious than that, but knocking down a good fire (one where no-one is in danger) produces an enjoyment unlike any other. Unfortunately, ...

"I can only hope that someone will remember me in the same way...." It's amazing that after 20 plus years in the fire service I can still think and function on a daily basis. My mind has chosen to fill itself with the most horrific things that I have seen over the years, yet I can’t remember what I got for ...

Along with the benefits of a promotion comes responsibility. Some firefighters are simply more cut-out to be leaders, and some are content serving the department the best that they can. Either way it takes a team to make a department great. FireLink has a great assessment tool to help you sort out your leadership skills with an evaluation quiz. Take it, ...

I've been on the fire department for over a year now. Another group of recruits has come through our academy since then, and they've been out running calls for months. Another recruit class is currently in session, and I'm even starting to help with their training. I feel like I've come a long way. It's always when you feel that way ...

If your department is anything like mine, you have a pretty good number of medical calls that should never have happened. Everything from small cuts to heartburn to a ride in the big white taxi, a whole gamut of conditions that you could certainly classify as "not an emergency". You may start to think after a while that most people have ...

Ever wonder what you need to do to break into the fire service? Written by Battalion Chief Paul Lepore, author of three best selling firefighter career how-to books, this 5-step guide offers aspiring firefighters unique insight on how to best position yourself for a successful firefighting career and what to expect your first year on the job. A special section by ...

Introduction In the past half a century, the role of firefighters has changed a great deal. There was a time when the business of fighting fires was not as involved as it is today. The job mainly consisted of was cleaning fire engines, taking care of the station and answering phones, and then rushing to an emergency when duty called. While ...

Worried about your firefighter oral board interview? First, take the proper amount of time to prepare. Being well-prepared will boost your confidence and lower your anxiety. Experts recommend that you spend at least three hours preparing for each interview. You should draft answers to the most common interview questions and practice speaking them out loud. You also should read up ...

Every year after a few months of decreased running due to winter months, I receive emails from people who are starting to ache after only a few days of running. Typically, if you take off for more than 2-3 months from a regular running routine, chances are when you start again you will start off “where you left off” and actually ...

This week, I received an email from an Army Soldier who was having a difficult time running a few months ago. His breathing patterns were so erratic that he was basically hyperventilating while running his two mile PFT run. Once he started breathing properly as well as exhaling FULLY, he was able to perform better in the run – not only ...

Nearly on a daily basis, people young and old confide in me with their fitness goals. Too many of these goals are extremely broad and lack focus and many are too narrow in scope and require more elements to succeed. For example, broad goals are “getting healthy again” or “losing weight”. These can require some to stop over-eating, smoking, drinking soda ...

It is important to bring productive personal skills to the table when you become a volunteer firefighter. I know at my department, we have volunteers with backgrounds in electrical work, mechanics, plumbing and farming (yes, farming). Volunteer departments will sometimes work on their own vehicles and equipment if the work is something that can be done at the station. This helps ...

It doesn’t matter if you are a rookie on probationary status, or you are a tenured member of the team, always ask questions! Common knowledge states that there is no such thing as a stupid question. If you don’t know something, ask a person who does. By asking questions you may not only help yourself, but other members and officers as ...

Congratulations on getting on a volunteer department! Hopefully, by reading through this guide you have gained some helpful knowledge to help you not only become a volunteer firefighter, but to help you along your career as well. Now that you are a part of the department, it’s time to really show what you’ve got. Keep demonstrating that you are interested in ...

Stock Photo It is well known that firefighters expose themselves to many hazards, including toxic fumes, unstable structures and, of course, fired and extreme heat. They do this not for the glory, but for their desire to protect property and the people in their communities from fire. To minimize risks to health and safety, firefighters carry protective gear and wear specialized, ...

CHARLES TOWN, W. VA - A chapter of American History has officially closed. Frank Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I, died of natural causes Sunday at the age of 110 in his Charles Town, W. Va., home, a family spokesman said in a statement. Eager to serve his country and escape the tedium of farm life in ...

The internet is an information-junkies “dream come true.” A novice “surfer” can find almost anything; and expert can do truly amazing things. I mention this, because not only is there a plethora of available information on “How to Become a Firefighter,” there is also some information that is conspicuous by its absence. The purpose of this article is to discuss the ...

What Should Your Career Path Be? FireLink has reviewed hundreds of job forecasts detailed in the US government’s 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook to bring you a list of what labor experts believe to be the fastest growing fire and rescue careers of the next decade. Whether you are working to get into first response or want to make sure you ...

My story I have is about my husband, Ted. He's a FF/Medic in St. Louis county. Clayton, MO to be exact. July 21, 2008 was the worst day of his life. At 530 a.m. he had a call for a shooting in the community that was adjacent to where he works. A man parked his truck across the street from his ...