FireRescue1 Articles

The fire station is a hazardous place to live and work. News reports often have stories of firefighters dying from illnesses contracted on the job and last year the Centers for Disease Control reported that deaths from MRSA now exceed those caused by the human immunodeficiency virus in the United States.

The investigation of fires to determine origin and cause, as well as evidence of arson, is a critical function for any fire department. In addition to putting criminals behind bars, accurate determination of origin and cause can provide fire department leaders with valuable information about fire trends in their community, such as by occupancy or building construction type.

Helmet-mounted video cameras are all the rage these days, from snowboarders zooming down the slopes to firefighters disembarking their apparatus to make fire attack on a structure fire. The manufacturers of these mighty midgets continue to make their products smaller and lighter and packed with operating features.

A fleet of fire apparatus is a huge capital investment for a fire department. The decision on whether to make additional investment to repair a vehicle or to purchase a replacement is a large component of that investment. It is a decision that should be based upon objective criteria supported by objective data.

Do you ever look at a piece of clothing's label and see, "one size fits all" and think, really? We all know that there's no such thing as one size fits all for most clothing and the same can be said for EMS gear bags.

As with any fireground tool, knowing how to use and care for roof ladders is key to safe and effective operations

The publication of NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, has led to an increased awareness among firefighters for the need to have turnout clothing laundered regularly. But awareness is not enough.

A frozen brake line can take a rig out of service for hours, maybe days depending on a department's maintenance capabilities. Frozen lines and other problems are preventable, but first, we need to know how they work.

Some emergency scenarios require specialized vehicles to move patients or attack fire; here's a look at what's on the market and how to make the best choice.

Well, the end-of-year holiday season is upon us; it seems like just yesterday I was turning the calendar to 2013. We all know how important planning is in our daily operations, so here are some thoughtful gift ideas for your department.