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Close Call: Pendleton Firefighter is Engulfed in Flames After Venting the Attic

7 comments

Watch this video as a firefighter is engulfed in flames (:35 second mark) as he opens up an opening on side A of the house. Fire quickly blows out of the opening and as the firefighter is able to back away and grab a hoseline to begin attacking the fire.

Would you say this is backdraft? Smoke Explosion? Flashover? I am no expert, but I am sure one of you might be able to correctly identify the event.

There is no word on firefighter injuries and the firefighter continue working right after the incident. Just think what the consequences might have been if he wasn’t wearing the proper PPE.

E.J. Harris Staff photo by E.J. Harris A Pendleton firefighter prepares to attack a fire as the flames burst through the roof of the residence at 22 S.E. 9th Drive on Wednesday evening in Pendleton.

EastOregonian.com:

Angry orange flames ripped through a 100-year-old house at 22 S.E. 9th Drive on a brutally cold Wednesday evening, gutting the attic and leaving Travis Walker and Tyler Hall homeless.

The roommates rented the house from Bill Fenton, who said he has owned it for the past 19 years.

The fire started after the pair built a fire in their wood stove and left to go to D & B Supply. When they got back at a little past 5:30 p.m., smoke was filling their living room and the fire alarm was going off. (Read More)

Posted by on November 30, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Close Call, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Raw Video: Captain Wines 1st in at House Fire. Interior Operations…and a rekindle?

3 comments

I have to give it to Captain Wines (IronFiremen.com). Not only was he first in to a house fire where he should have been 2nd due, but someone got the knockdown on film.

Check out Captain Wines side of the story here

Recently, many videos I have featured have shown exterior operations. I don’t know about you, but I hate setting up the battle from the street with deck guns. Luckily for me and Captain Wines, we rarely attack fire from the street. Our department is comprised of some great firefighters, the culture is that of aggressive firefighting, and to top it all off we have a pretty decent safety record (knock on wood).

Aftermath of the fire

So what else would you expect from Roanoke’s Bravest than aggressive interior firefighting?

I am mostly posting this because Wines was in on the fire and the fact that we don’t get much video of our fires. There aren’t any buffs in the area like in the Northeast. We take what we can get and every once in a while a neighbor films a short video like the one below.

In the video you will see Engine 13 and Ladder 7 operating at a house fire in #5′s first due. Engine 5, Ladder 5, and Medic 5 were OOS due to EMS CE. Engine 9 no longer exists (closed when they merged 5 & 9). So Engine 13, Engine 2, and Ladder 7 filled the box. Captain Wines and FF Todd Harris on Engine 13 made pretty decent work of putting the fire out. You can watch that part in the video.

Now the funny part! What fun would this be if I didn’t bust Wines chops?

Later that night, the damn house caught fire again. Wines says it was an errant lightening strike. I believe the rest of the Nation calls that a rekindle! Beautiful!

Posted by on November 30, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Video: 3 Alarm Fire Kills 3 Dogs in Glen Rock, NJ

1 comment

Firefighters from multiple departments fought this 3 alarm house fire in Glen Rock, NJ  on November 10, 2010.

NorthJersey.com has the story:

Tariq Zehawi - NorthJersey.com

GLEN ROCK – A fast-moving blaze that killed three dogs and destroyed a three-story house at Prospect Street and Locust Avenue on Wednesday has been labeled suspicious and remains under investigation, authorities said.

There have been no arrests and a cause has not yet been determined, authorities said. The Bergen County Arson Squad was on the scene as firefighters battled the blaze.

… Firefighters from Glen Rock, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Hawthorne, Wyckoff, Mahwah, Allendale, Midland Park and Waldwick responded.

Read more

Posted by on November 30, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Meeting of the Minds. Secret Meeting between Statter and Wines caught on tape

2 comments

Damn, if I had known it was going to take 2 hours to learn and create my first xtranormal video I might not have done it. You know that while Al Gore invented the internet, Dave Statter invented blogging, and Willie Wines Jr. invented text-to-video technology.

However, I am fairly pleased with this video as it captures a meeting between Dave Statter and Willie Wines Jr.

Both of which have lobbed grenades my way and I am finally joining in the fun. While I would rather sit here at the Fire Critic/Prinston Media headquarters and roll around in the fortunes I have made off of this site and others, I have to have a little fun occasionally.

Statter has a nice piece on the state of this interweb fire service blog bullying that is happening as we speak! (link)

Enjoy this piece.

Posted by on November 29, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Video: Propane Tank on Fire at a fire on Peace Road Near Downeyville

2 comments

Over a quarter of a million dollars damage done in a house-fire on peace road near Downeyville Saturday afternoon.

Smoke could been seen for miles as firefighters arrived to find an attached garage fully involved and the fire spreading to the house. An added danger was a propane tank that had ignited and was burning furiously. One firefighter was injured and taken to hospital but later released.no one was home at the time of the fire and the cause is still under investigation.

Posted by on November 29, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Weekend Review: Fires, Social Media Use, Statter gets served, and a hilarious Mentos prank

1 comment

Hilarious Firehouse Prank with Coke and Mentos – Here is a hilarious prank that some firefighters pulled on an unsuspecting firefighter.

I have announced the Thanksgiving Day Giveaway winner. The winner is Kingsport, TN Station 6. Check this link for their entry and how I decided to pick the winner.

Videos from this weekend include Glendale, California house fire; Regentville, Australia house fire; Redding, California house fire

The Fire Critic’s School of Hard Knocks Policy on Social Media – My submission to the first due blog carnival. Tune in to Backstep firefighter for links to all the submissions. Statter did another video. I think his carpal tunnel syndrome is acting up.

Video: CBS Sunday Morning Showcases Volunteer Firefighters, The NFFF, and The Family of Steven Koeser

Another House Lost Before Firefighters Can Make a Decent Attack – This is what it looks like when we get there too late.

Statter and Wines in Cahoots! The Fire Critic has Cracked the Case – Is anyone following the veritable love-fest between Dave Statter and Willie Wines Jr.? I have broken my silence and finally stooped to their level. Someone sent me some damaging photos of Dave and Willie and I felt compelled to share.

How quick can you get dressed? Full turnout and SCBA in 37 seconds? Maybe this isn’t a sanctioned trial, but this firefighter is able to put his turnout gear on in 37 seconds. There are numerous videos on youtube of firefighters attempting a record!

Posted by on November 29, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Firehouse Pranks, Fires, News, Weekend Review • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Fire Critic’s School of Hard Knocks Policy on Social Media

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This is my submission to the First Due Blog Carnival.

I could have written a very nice, well written, and detailed example of a social media policy that departments might be able to use to their favor. I have decided to do something different. I will actually have plenty to come in the future as I gear up for my FDIC class on Social Media.

Consider this the Cliff’s Notes!

Here is the School of Hard Knocks guide to Social Media usage in the Fire/EMS Service.

Purpose of this policy
The purpose of this policy is to extend gainful employment for the employee or volunteer status for the volunteer. Improper usage of this policy could hamper the longevity of your career and/or volunteering service.

Social Media usage comes with a lot of responsibility. The proper usage may be beneficial to the user (employee) and the department. However, improper usage can have instant and long term damage to the perception of the department and the user.

Social Media use is encouraged to proliferate the positive message of the department.

Golden Rule of Social Media
If you would not say it in front of your mother, boss, and/or priest do not say it or write it.

Social Media
Social media is content created by individuals using technologies through the Internet. Examples of social media include Facebook, blogs (a shortened term for web log), MySpace, RSS, YouTube, FourSquare, Twitter, LinkedIn, Delicious, Flicker, etc.

Potentially Damaging Usage of Social Media
a. Profane language or content
b. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation
c. Sexual content or links to sexual content
d. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
e. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
f. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party
g. Images and/or video from incidents which have not been cleared for usage by the department
h. Images and/or video of patients, bystanders, and first responders

Usage While on Duty
Employees may utilize social media while on duty while adhering personnel operating policies. Employees may not use social media while responding as a first responder or in the view of the public.

Photography and Videography
The use of cameras (still and video) should not interfere with your role as a first responder.

Information Dissemination
It is the role of the Public Information Officer (PIO) to disseminate information to the press and public. No employee shall be allowed to disseminate information to the press or public without expressed consent by the Fire/EMS Chief.

Summary
Follow the Golden Rule, respect others, and do not let Social Media usage hamper your role as a first responder.

Posted by on November 29, 2010 • Filed under: First Due Blog Carnival, News • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Video: CBS Sunday Morning Showcases Volunteer Firefighters, The NFFF, and The Family of Steven Koeser

4 comments

At this years National Fallen Firefighter Foundation Memorial Service, I had the opportunity to meet so many families and other survivors of our Fallen Brothers. One of those families was of Fallen Brother Steven “Peanuts” Koeser. Unfortunately, I don’t have the audio to share at this time. It was created for and handed over to the NFFF. They will be using it in the future.

What I do have to share is the video from CBS Sunday Morning this morning showcasing Volunteer Firefighters, The National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, NFFF Memorial Weekend, and the family of Steven Koeser.

Here is the video in case you missed it:

Posted by on November 28, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Another House Lost Before Firefighters Can Make a Decent Attack

2 comments

Here is a short clip of firefighters staging an attack via deck gun from the street. This house is long gone.

It is hard to know the factors which contributed to this house being devoured by fire so quickly. It is amazing that the exposures haven’t caught on fire yet though.

This is one of those benefits of light weight construction and increased fuel loads inside homes these days.

Posted by on November 28, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Statter and Wines in Cahoots! The Fire Critic has Cracked the Case

9 comments

Here I am getting bombarded by all these enjoyable stories and jokes being lobbed my way by Dave Statter, Willie Wines Jr., Art Goodrich, and others.

You guys must have thought I was sleeping through all of this. No, I have been laughing my ass off. Very funny stuff. I have hesitated to answer any of these posts, but here it is…

Read or watch the latest in this saga (click below for links)

IronFiremen.com – STATter911 - ChiefReasonArt

I have to admit, it has been an enjoyable ride. To think that these guys have so much fun just because I am 5’7″ tall. Hell, I have never had a problem with my height. They also enjoy the fact that I look young for my age. Again, something that has never really bothered me. So what If I get a reminder of how young I look every time I purchase alcohol.

Age and height, that is all they have on me. That isn’t too bad is it. Not bad at all.

Dave, Willie, and Art have formed some sort of group. Apparently the purpose of that group is to get me to blow. Dave forgets that I am a firefighter (he wouldn’t understand how we are thick skinned). Willie should know that it isn’t too easy to get me to lose it. Art…well I think he is just having some fun and jumping in.

You guys are gonna have to try much harder to get under my skin. However, let this be a warning… I have no shame.

Here is the truth I uncovered. It all makes sense now...

I can already imagine that at this point in reading, Dave is hoping that I don’t make this too disturbing. After all, he has a reputation to uphold. You know, pissing off all the two-hatters up in PG County, Maryland. I wonder if they hate the local news as much as they hate Dave for syndicating the stories?

Sad truth: Dave Statter wouldn’t be anything without Jerry Engle!

I have to retract one of my previous statements though. I have actually found out that Dave Statter actually was a firefighter. Well, maybe not exactly. I will let you be the judge. Apparently, when Dave was very young (about my age), Dave was actually posed with firefighting gear. His parents were so proud! When they left and Dave found out that he would have to leave his helmet and boots at the studio he went nuts.

You guys know who Willie Wines Jr. is? I didn’t think so. Anyways, he is the Captain from Roanoke who runs IronFiremen.com. Yeah, I have created a monster! I knew I should have cut that umbilical cord a long time ago. Hell, the last time I saw him he didn’t even have any Evan Williams with him. What the hell good is he now. I really only liked him because of his cheap liquor, but now I got nothing to hang on to.

Wines is a hell of a firefighter! He has a ritual he likes doing after the fire is out. He strips down and does a dance in front of the news cameras. It is a sight to behold. Both of the fires he has been in have ended up the same way. Check out one fo the pics below by our local ABC affiliate!

As for Art Goodrich, he laid down a pretty funny story over at ChiefReasonArt.com about the whole Statter/Fire Critic back and forth. You should read it here.

Art was recently featured in a local news article in Galva, Illinois. The word is that both of the people who live in Galva missed it. That is just too bad.

Posted by on November 28, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Must Read, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hilarious Firehouse Prank – Coke and Mentos

2 comments

Here is a short and hilarious clip of an unsuspecting firefighter opening up his coke only to have it shoot across the room.

Epic!

Posted by on November 28, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firehouse Pranks, News, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Redding, California House Fire

2 comments

Redding Fire Department responds to a house fire on Third street in Redding, CA . A man was sent to the hospital with minor injuries, but nobody was killed. The video is shaky at the start because I had the camera rolling but was looking outside my viewfinder for any dangers.

Posted by on November 28, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Fires, News, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Thanksgiving Day Contest Winner – Kingsport, TN Station 6

2 comments

The winner of the Thanksgiving Day Giveaway is Kingsport, TN Station 6. Their submission is below.

I will be honest, I had the guys at the station pick a number without knowing what the number was for. Kingsport is the winner.

They have won a complete set of Emergency Services Monopoly including the Firefighter, EMS, and Law Enforcement versions.

I will be mailing it down their shortly.

Thanks to all the submissions!

Here is the winning submission:

Entry 4 -Kingsport, TN Station 6

This is our meal this evening here at Station 6 in Kingsport, TN. During the cooking of the turkey, we only had to cut the oven off once to respond on a medical call. Kingsport Fire Station 6. House of KFD Engine 6 and Sullivan Co. EMS Med 6. B-Shift. Engine 6- Captain Mike Deaton, Engineer John Hollowell, Firefighter Andrew Catron. Med 6- Paramedic Steve Monroe, EMT-IV Chad Brooks

Submitted by: Andrew Catron

Posted by on November 28, 2010 • Filed under: Contests, Fire Rescue Topics, Must Read, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2 Alarm Fire in Glendale, California

2 comments

At 0130 hrs. on November 27, 2010 Glendale, California Fire Dept. units arrived on scene reporting heavy smoke and fire showing from a two-story hillside single family dwelling in the 800 block of Brockmont Drive. The blaze quickly self-ventilated and a second alarm was soon requested. Flames could be seen from miles away as crews battled to extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Check out FireGroundAction.com for more!

Posted by on November 27, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Early Video: Regentville, Australia Fire Department Shows up Way Too Late on this One

1 comment

The Regentville, Australia Rural Fire Brigade shows up way to late on this fire.

Follow Regentville Rural Fire Brigade on Facebook here.

Posted by on November 26, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

A Bunch of Videos! LA Furniture Factory Fire, Detroit Apartment Building Fire, San Marcos Truck Fire, And Several More

2 comments

Here is several fires from today and the past several weeks that were just posted. Just playing catchup!

LA Furniture Factory Fire

A massive fire was reported at Stephie’s Furniture manufacturing plant in Los Angeles. The blaze at 158 E. 58th St, near E Slauson Ave and Main Street in South LA, was reported at 5:41 p.m. and was knocked down in 79 minutes.
The building appeared to be involved in wood manufacturing and firefighters had problems with exploding transformers and downed power lines. At least 150 firefighters were on scene at the “58th Street IC”. One firefighter was admitted to a hospital for possible heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.

Detroit Apartment Fire

This fire is from November 12, 2010

DETROIT- Firefighters were called to the scene of a fire in an apartment building on Detroit’s east side.

When firefighters arrived, the found this apartment building with fire on two floors and heavy black smoke. Firefighters initially tried to battle the blaze from the inside of the building but the fire was too dangerous and they had to retreat.

A Firefighter tells me that there was a fire in this building earlier in the day and the cause of this fire was likely a rekindle.

I have not received any reports of any injuries.

Truck Fire in San Marcos

On my way to school saw a large column of black smoke coming from a neighborhood. I pulled up just before San Marcos Fire arrived and started filming just as they parked. A quick but exciting fire attack. There was also some sort of reactive metal that exploded (small) as soon as the firefighter introduced water to it. Possible magnesium part? My Haz-Mat instructor was actually the Captain on this engine company.

Female Firefighter Cinnamon Challenge

Bourne Street fire – Brockton, MA

14th Street fire in NW Cleveland, TN.

STATter911.com ran this earlier here. And another great fire here!

Just walking my dog and saw this house catch fire. It literally consumed the house within seconds. I got there before police/fire department. So sad, on Thanksgiving, too. The woman who lived there seemed disillusioned and panicky, people came outside & were tending to her a couple houses up.

Posted by on November 25, 2010 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thanksgiving Day Giveaway. Win a Complete Set of Emergency Services Monopoly.

6 comments

Here it is,  a Thanksgiving Day Giveaway. It has been a long time since I gave anything away.

What is the Fire Critic Giving Away?

A complete set of 3 games. This includes one game each of Firefighter Monopoly, EMS Monopoly, and Law Enforcement Monopoly. The games are the prize. No cash value. The giveaway ends at 8pm on November 25, 2010.

This page will be updated throughout the day with entries.

How do we participate in the giveaway?

Simply send a picture of you or your crew working/volunteering on Thanksgiving (this year). The picture can be your crew eating, your crew on a call, posing in front of the station, posing in front of the truck, etc.

Law Enforcement, Firefighters, and EMT’s from around the World as well as U.S. Military are welcome to participate.

Send your picture to FireCritic@FireCritic.com, post them on the Fire Critic Facebook Fan Page, link to a post with the picture in them in the comments, or tweet them to me @FireCritic.

Be sure to include information on the crew, location, department, names, etc.

How is the winner picked?

I will pick the winner. The games will be mailed out promptly after the winner is chosen.

Disclaimer: Void where prohibited. If you don’t like the rules, don’t participate. In the event that FC is called out on “The Big One” today, he will complete the contest on Friday, November 26th, 2010.

Here is another giveaway ending on 11/30 over at EverydayEMSTips.com.

Entries are below

Entry 1 – Henrico County (VA) Station 8

Here at Henrico Fire Station 8 its all business today (lol). While we are waiting on our new station to be built we are in the friendly confines of this house. We started the day off with a great pancake breakfast, and will finish the nite off with some chicken, and mashed potatos.

While waiting for the football games we are watching the BOND-A-THON, and of course looking at Fire Critic on the web.

Working today are:
Boss: Lt. Mike “Soup” Campbell
Chauffer: Robby Owens
Firefighter/AIC: Robert “TEX” Goetz

Happy Thanksgiving, sorry for poor quality of photo….not alot of space and a cell phone camera!

Entry 2 – Boone County Communications Center (IN)

I’m a 911 dispatcher in Lebanon, Indiana for the Boone County Communications Center. Today at noon we took a call of a structure fire at Titus Bakery. Fire units from Lebanon, Center Township, Whitestown, and Zionsville responded as well as Boone County EMS and got a quick knockdown on the fire. I am attempting to attach a few pics that were sent to me. (4 pics below)

Submitted by Jayson Young (@jyoung1221)


Entry 3 -Minquas EMS (PA)

Working Minquas EMS (Chester County, PA). Jon Blatman (Medic) and Jason Brooks (EMT). Local country club invited us for lunch. Got here 30 minutes late because of a call… But got to eat.

Submitted by @JonEMTP

Entry 4 -Kingsport, TN Station 6

This is our meal this evening here at Station 6 in Kingsport, TN. During the cooking of the turkey, we only had to cut the oven off once to respond on a medical call. Kingsport Fire Station 6. House of KFD Engine 6 and Sullivan Co. EMS Med 6. B-Shift. Engine 6- Captain Mike Deaton, Engineer John Hollowell, Firefighter Andrew Catron. Med 6- Paramedic Steve Monroe, EMT-IV Chad Brooks

Submitted by: Andrew Catron

Entry 5 – Not much explanation but you can see it over at our Facebook page!

Thanks for all the Entries!

Posted by on November 25, 2010 • Filed under: Around the Station, Contests, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Firefighters List For 2010

7 comments

Last year, I offered my top ten Christmas Gifts for Firefighters (last years list is here). The article has remained very popular even this year.

Just in Time for Black Friday!

This year, I am redoing the list for 2010. There are many new gifts out there and I want to make sure that the firefighters are getting what they deserve…The Best Christmas Gifts for Firefighters!

This year Ash and Dreams posted a Top Ten Gifts for Firefighter Wives…Including the firefighter vibrator. Imagine that… The last thing we want is another firefighter at our house while we are working. Even if it is powered by 6 D-cell batteries!

This top ten list could  be easily used year round. Be it birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever these gifts are bound to make you popular with the firefighter you gift them to.

I challenge you to come up with a better list!

Just in case you are wondering…I have not been paid or solicited by any of the mentioned products or companies I might name or link to below. Note: some of the gifts might have been reviewed by the Fire Critic. However the Fire Critic is UNFORTUNATELY not being paid for this list or to list any of these products.

10. Ledger to keep track of their calls

Ledger to keep track of their calls - Get your firefighter a ledger (or diary) so they can keep track of the calls they run, the things they do on shift, or tidbits of information they might want to keep a note of.

I have a terrible memory. I also do not keep track of much. If I wrote things down, I might be able to pinpoint exactly what the Chief told me in his office on a particular visit!

Or

I might have written down all the fires or major calls I have been on to help me put my experiences into that book I have always wanted to write. You know, the one about the fires (both of them) that I have been on!

9. Leather Fire Helmet

Cairns New Yorker Fire Helmet

Leather Fire Helmet – I love my leather helmet. I hope to get a new one soon. If at the very least, purchase a traditional style composite helmet for your firefighter! The “salad bowl” helmets that most departments issue are a travesty.

Probably the most popular leather fire helmet is the Cairns New Yorker. However, there are many other options out there.

These are not cheap by any means. However, they are well worth the investment.

Visit MSA online to purchase

8. Firemans Chore Denim Jacket

Here is a lovely model wearing a Firemans Chore jacket!

Firemans Chore Denim Jacket – These are very popular jackets among firefighters. They have many options and you can customize them the way you would like. About: Firemans Chore® Inc. is located in Indianapolis, Indiana offering you the “Original” Denim Chore and Diamond Quilted Job Jackets Made in the USA. A Firefighter owned and operated company since 2004, we bring you a line of tradional firefighters jackets that can’t be beat for style and comfort. They offer IAFF firefighter gear, and bagpiper gear as well including buckles, brooch’s, cap badges, and sporrans.

Visit Firemans chore online here

7. Firefighter/EMS/Police Monopoly

Firefighter, Law Enforcement, and EMS Monopoly

Firefighter, Law Enforcement, and EMS Monopoly

Firefighter/EMS/Police Monopoly – Finally there is parity among Fire/Police/EMS. Unfortunately it isn’t in the pay! However, each public service entity now has its own monopoly game geared towards them. For less than $40, you can be playing monopoly with your loved ones. I have them all, shouldn’t you!

Check out Emergency Services Play for more information and ordering info for these games!

Nothing says competition in a firehouse like a good old fashioned game of monopoly!

6. FireGeezer Mug

Firegeezer Travel Mug

FireGeezer Mug - Firegeezer has come out with a new travel mug to go well with his normal coffee mug. Order the travel mug here or the normal mug here.

Per FireGeezer:
This state-of-the-art Travel Mug has all of the features you want:

  • Whopping 16-ounce cup
  • Double-walled insulated construction
  • Reduced diameter base fits in most cup holders
  • Keeps your coffee hot for more than an hour (we tested it!)
  • Metallic Fire Engine Red color …. just like your ride

This is the perfect travel mug to get you to work in the morning and keep you coffee’d up on the drive back home. As you expect with any Firegeezer product, this is top-quality and will give you long and faithful service. The artwork is the same as that on our standard coffee mug, except that all the writing is white lettering over the metallic fire engine red color.

5. Leather Fire Boots

Black Diamonds X2 Boot

Leather Fire Boots – More specifically, the new Black Diamond X2 Boot.

You might remember that I did a product review on this a couple months ago. Since then I have been wearing my boots every day at work. These boots are amazingly comfortable! I cringe when I see a firefighter wearing those rubber boots that are typically issued by the department. Ugh! If they only knew how comfortable that leather boots are.

Help your firefighter out by making them at least look like they know what they are doing while on the job by fitting them into some leather fire boots.

4. Firefighter Calendar

Girls on Fire

Firefighter Calendar – There are so many firefighter calendars out there. Female firefighters will have no problem finding a decent calendar full of hunky male firefighters. What there aren’t many of is female firefighters or female firefighter calendars. Don’t worry though, I have found the best of both…Check out the Top Ten Hot & Sexy Firefighter Calendars for 2011 for my picks. That being said, your firefighter should have a calendar to keep track of your anniversary, birthdays, and other important dates. Why not get him (or her) a firefighter calendar. Just check out the one on the right for a decent idea.

Click on the pic for more examples.

3. Camera

Camera - Yes a camera. No, not a huge, bulky, and expensive camera. Just a small point and shoot digital camera.

No, not so firefighters can stop what they are doing to take pictures of themselves. And no, not so firefighters become photographers on the fireground while they should be working.

Simply because too few people are capturing the good times with photography. Get them a camera to carry with them on the rig so they can take a picture of their crew while they are at fire prevention events, done working after a fire, or pictures around the station for example.

More importantly, get them a camera so they can capture training nuggets and pre fire plan issues. These photographs might be used to spread the word at the station or send in to one of the training sites to teach people about issues, construction, obstruction, or weird occurrences that might effect them if there was a fire.

2. Sav-A-Jake Multi Purpose Rescue Tool

Sav-A-Jake Rescue Tool

Sav-A-Jake Multi Purpose Rescue Tool - Sav A Jake offers many rescue and firefighting tools and straps in kevlar and leather. These firefighter rescue tools are small and can fit inside your firefighters turnout gear. They have a multitude of uses.

Check out the many other things that Sav A Jake offers like radio straps, hose straps, and tool straps to name a few.

Visit their web site here

1. Firefighter Apparel

Unfortunately, the bulging biceps are not built into this shirt.

Firefighter Apparel - Whether you like Black Helmet apparel, Rak Wear (working on a product review now), Ride Backwards, or LEO fire apparel (product review here) they have something for everyone. Each of these companies have come up with designs for firefighters that are not over the top or whacker-ish. The designs are quite well done. These t-shirts are sure to be a hit for any firefighter who doesn’t mind showing off his trade.

Black Helmet web site
LEO Fire web site
Rak Wear web site
Ride Backwards Apparel

Check out each company for the style that your firefighter might like!

Posted by on November 24, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Must Read, News, technology-communications-ems-topics, Top Ten Lists, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Life at #3 Fire Prevention, Our Custom Kitchen Table, Working on Thanksgiving, Getting Ready for Christmas, and Life Around the Station

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Here is an article that I wish I would do more of. It is about my job. I typically don’t write much about what I do or about my crew. I hope to change that in the future.

Yesterday was one of those days when I wished I hadn’t come to work. It was fun, we had some laughs, but it was tiring.

My Captain was sick, so I was riding the seat…At station 5? Mind you, I work at station 3. Engine 3 was put out of service because of training staffing. It is a common theme which has been adopted by my department. Rarely will a piece be out of service for 24 hours, but 18 hours is a different story.

FF Duane Noell showing off his footy pajamas

So there we were, my driver and I, at another station on their engine. The day was spent giving a tour and preparing for a big fire prevention awards event that evening. Nothing too awful bad. It just gets tiring being at a different station and being out of your element and in another.

I must say that the event must have been a blast for the children who would be there receiving awards. Luckily, we were able to leave just before the event started and get our engine back in service at #3.

Thanksgiving

I will be working tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day). We will hopefully watch the parades and enjoy kicking back a little bit. We get to take it easy on Holidays. I will again be riding the seat as my Captain will have the day off on vacation.

If everything goes well, we will be getting a Thanksgiving meal dropped off. If everything goes bad, we will have a contingency plan. I will let you know what plan B is when I figure it out!

Me handing out helmets to the children at the tour today. Yes, I am standing up...And NO, I am not part of the class!

FF Jerry Franks and I at station 5. Notice their custom kitchen table, probably the best in the city until ours is done.

Christmas

The guys on the ambulance got the station all ready for Christmas. The lights are on the firehouse. Sorry, we don’t have a fancy system to set the lights up to flicker to the music. We might put in for one on the next budget cycle.

FF Jason Gardner and FF/PM Eric Mulford installing Christmas Lights on Firehouse #3.

#3′s Custom Kitchen Table

We are working on our kitchen table. This is a year in the works. Basically, we kicked ideas around for almost a year and last cycle we decided to act on those ideas. In the meantime, we have built a run board, refinished and customized a coffee table for the day room, built magazine racks for the bathrooms x3, a board to hold our accountability tags, a rack to hold our radio straps not in use, and a bottle rack for spare bottles. Among other things.

Our company enjoys woodworking and we have had fun setting up shop in the bay to work on this stuff. You never know what is next! I will post more pictures in the future!

The beginning of our custom kitchen table. All glued up and clamped.

What can I say? I work with an exceptional crew and we have a blast. The job gets done, we have fun, and everyone goes home. What more could I ask for? A raise…yeah we haven’t had one of those in 3 years yet everything is getting more and more expensive! We have our jobs still, so that is a plus.

Posted by on November 24, 2010 • Filed under: Around the Station, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Fire Station Custom Kitchen Tables, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chasing Fire Through the House. A Difficult 2 Alarm Fire in Upper Saucon Township, PA.

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We have all been on a fire that was difficult. Maybe not because of the size of the building or the size of the fire. Maybe it was due to tactics. Maybe it was due to construction or added components inside that we didn’t realize or plan for.

Maybe it was because we thought we would kick the fires ass and be back sitting drinking coffee quickly.

For whatever the reason, we have all been on one of those fires.

Here is an example!

The story is here; the video below.

Posted by on November 23, 2010 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Close Call: Chenoa Fire Engine Flips Over on Way to Call. One Firefighter Injured

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Chenoa Fire Protection District, Illinois

Firefighter Don Nagel was injured on the way to a fire caused by a natural gas line break.

Pantagraph.com:

…Chenoa firefighter Don Nagel, 47, was taken to OSF Saint James Hospital in Pontiac, after a Chenoa fire engine crashed on the way to the scene around 4:55 a.m., Illinois State Police said.

The engine was negotiating a “left sharp curve in a wet two-laned roadway” when its 1,000 gallons of water shifted abruptly, police said in a statement. The engine overturned on its left side and ended up in a ditch.

Nagel was treated and released, the hospital said later Monday.

Posted by on November 22, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Close Call, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Must Read, News, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Video: House Fire and Stubborn Vehicle Fire for West Valley City FD

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West Valley City Fire Department (WVCFD), located in Utah, working a house fire with a stubborn vehicle fire as well. Apparently the fuel tank is leaking/ruptured and the firefighters have a fun time putting it out. This is a great lesson for others to see what happens when you push burning liquid around.

West Valley City Fire Department web site

Posted by on November 22, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , ,

Raw Video: House fire in Columbus, Georgia

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Check out this video of a house fire in Columbus, Georgia. Squad 11 on the scene in this footage of a fire which has torn through one side of the house and is running through the attic.

Columbus, GA Fire Department homepage

How would you attack this fire from what you can see here?

Posted by on November 22, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Vehicle Fires…The Right Way from Weatherford, Texas and the Wrong Way from South Boston, Virginia

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Here is another video where I ask you to find something wrong. The operation seems to run pretty well. I admit I have never used CAFS and don’t have a clue about the pros and cons. My department does not use it and probably never will. The video is from Weatherford,TX Fire Department. Apparently it is tires burning in the bed of the truck.

After the video…take a scroll down a little further for a picture of a Fire Chief putting out a fire. Notice anything different from the video to the picture? These are obviously two different operations from two different sides of the U.S.

Here is a great pic of a Fire Chief doing work! Unfortunately this pic is from my home state of Virginia. Proud…no not quite. I realize I could catch some flack for this…it will be worth it. WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE! click the pic for the story.

Posted by on November 22, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Raw Video: Man pulled from L.A. River by Police Helicopter

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From Liveleak:

L.A. River Rescue LOS ANGELES — A man who apparently jumped into the rain-swollen Los Angeles River was pulled to safety by a rescue helicopter Sunday.

The man was seen jumping or walking into the river near a bridge east of downtown just before 8 a.m., according to L.A. Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott.

Police officers tried unsuccessfully to res More..cue him at Sixth Street and Olympic Boulevard.

A police helicopter team was able to pull him from the river near Vernon — about four miles downstream from where he jumped in.

The man was conscious and talking to rescuers, according to Scott. He was transferred to a fire department helicopter and flown to an area hospital in stable condition.

His name has not been released.2:37 p.m. PST, November 21, 2010

Posted by on November 22, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, News, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,