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In this "Kitchen Table Debrief" I will talk about the way we communicate and the efforts to make what we say clear at a scene and on the radio. How Do You Say "Get Out"? When you need to move people out of a building, or you want your people (firefighters) to withdraw from a building because you have changed strategies, ...

When I began writing these articles, I never expected the following or the feedback they would receive. However, ultimately that is the goal! To make you think and ponder. To be fair, I thought I would write about something a little different. When I am asked if being a female has ever been a detriment to me or my coworkers, one ...

This is the first of a three part article on big truck extrication. *We are going to first take a look at basic truck anatomy. In article two we will discuss scene approach, hazards, and stabilization. In part three we will talk about extrication techniques.* Trucks have been around since shortly after the coming of the motorized automobile. They have become ...

“MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! Fire Department Obstacles Are Killing Us! MAYDAY!” In this “Kitchen Table Debrief” I will propose some techniques to help avoid common obstacles when documenting SOPs/SOGs. Actually, some of these issues exist in more than just our documented processes, but this is how they most often rear their ugly heads! I have a confession to make. Actually, I have ...

Ever since I wrote The Grinder PT – Key to Mental Toughness eBook, I have noticed that the majority of people who attempt one of my toughest workouts I have ever created do quite well on pushups tests upon finishing. This eBook is modeled after the first month of SEAL training, where pushups are done five days a week in the ...

I want to look at the "art" of stabilizing and lifting over the next few issues. I think we tend to spend a lot of time on the actual extrication techniques but sometimes overlook the stabilizing of the vehicles. How much time do we spend training on stabilization? I can do an entire weekend class just on stabilizing and lifting of ...

We came to be known as the Worchester Six But we were just firemen; the ones God had picked We were called to respond to a fire one night When we arrived on the scene there was no one in sight A fire in a warehouse the dispatcher said We were told it was empty, we thought, victims, instead A faint ...

As we saw in "Part 3,":http://firelink.monster.com/training/articles/505-is-it-time-to-change-our-training-yet---part-3 manufacturers have been forced to cut every ounce of weight possible, in order to meet the economic problems. One way of doing that is by the extensive use of magnesium. Magnesium is stronger and 1/3 lighter than aluminum and can be molded and machined into most any shape. Today manufacturers are using it for most ...

Landing a job in the fire service is truly a unique challenge. On average, there are over 100 candidates who apply for each opening. Since the competition is so intense, what does it take to be the top candidate? Many candidates believe it is important to be the "most qualified" individual in the testing process. The truth is that we are ...

In this “Kitchen Table Debrief” I will finish the discussion of some of the more likely Hostile Fire Events you may encounter on the fireground. In PART I, we began discussing the most common hostile fire event, Flashover. Since then, I have been discussing this with colleagues and doing more research. Don’t worry; nothing has changed! I would like to address ...

Ever wonder how you could live your dream of becoming a firefighter? Written by Battalion Chief Steve Prziborowski, instructor at Chabot College Fire Technology Program and Former President of the Northern California Training Officers Association, this 6-step guide offers aspiring firefighters a step-by-step presentation on how to best position yourself for a successful firefighting career and what to expect in the ...

In Part 1 of this series we discussed the dangers that airbags present, when involved in a vehicle fire. Another danger that we face in today's vehicle fires is the Compressed Gas Strut. Most of us call them hood struts, thinking that they are used to hold the hood up. This is true, but they are also used on trunk lids, ...

This is a question that I ask myself, while preparing a vehicle fire class for our local department. In Oct. 2003, as a training officer for our department, I was putting a two hour class together on the dangers of vehicle fires. In a previous airbag class, I had used some pictures that I thought would be helpful in this class. ...

Three years ago, Firefighter Matthew Long was expected to die after he was run down by a bus as he biked to work during the city's transit strike. Dozens of surgeries and hundreds of hours of therapy later, a determined Long learned how to walk again, one painful step at a time. His recovery is about to take a stunning leap ...

I was scrolling through one of the major fire department magazine’s website and clicked on a banner ad that promoted fire department t-shirts. I scrolled down to view the different designs. Most were creative and colorful, highlighting the fun parts of our profession. One, however, really caught my attention. As a professional firefighter I found it to be in particularly ...

Background According to the Wood Truss Council of America (WTCA), wooden trusses are used in roof systems in more than 60% of all buildings in the United States [SBCMAG 2004]. Truss and related engineered wooden floor systems are also becoming more common. Today, more engineered structures use lighter weight materials, producing larger spans and clear openings. Trusses can be designed to ...

*+Mental Conditioning+* It is extremely stressful to prepare for a manipulative exam knowing that if you don’t perform you will lose your job. Everyone in the academy has to perform to the minimum standards. There are NO exceptions. Being able to perform under pressure is critical. Remember, the training staff is there to help you be successful. The department has invested ...

Ladders. It was a word that made my heart race a little. I am not afraid of heights. Nor, am I afraid of a challenge. But there was something about hanging off the side of a ladder taking out a window with an axe in -20 degree weather when the snow was blowing sideways that sent a chill down my spine. ...

Candidates who have served our country in the Armed Forces have a huge advantage over those who have not. It is generally believed that while a military veterans may not have as many certificates and fire science units as the other candidates (they were busy serving our country), they offer so much more. There is no substitute for life experience. The ...