Time for another of the great "less filling, tastes great" debates within the fire service: Should a department run a dry or a wet pump during cold-weather operations?
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Tap into the gaming culture to train drivers
One of the core responsibilities for any emergency services organization is the proper training of its personnel for safe over-the-road operation of emergency vehicles. This is especially true for fire and EMS organizations operating large trucks, when roughly 25 percent of annual firefighter fatalities occur when responding to or returning from alarms.
Read More »12 things to have in your apparatus glove box
One thing we can all agree upon in the world of fire and EMS response is that the scope of our operations has greatly expanded. We also likely agree that the body of knowledge required by our personnel has greatly expanded and continues to do so in quantum leaps.
Read More »When and how to use fire grenades
It is tempting to dismiss thoughts of fire grenades based on our experiences with carbon tetrachloride bombs. But, as we're told to use the technology that works, it is worth revisiting these devices.
Read More »How to outfit your dept. with fitness equipment
The most important piece of firefighter safety equipment is the individual firefighter. If the individual inside the turnout gear, wearing the SCBA, working under a command structure, with a portable radio is not in good physical condition he is the weakest link in the firefighter chain-of-survival.
Read More »What’s hot with emergency response software
If there's one thing that hounds the fire service it's our reputation for not being, shall we say, the best documenters of the work we do in our communities. Our lack of documentation prowess has several negative influences on our organizations, with the most debilitating being the lack of a comprehensive national fire response database.
Read More »Simple, versatile pike pole gets accessorized
The humble pike pole's entry into the U.S. fire service began in the 1600s when it was used to pull down walls and neighboring buildings in the path of a fire to stop the fire's spread. Also known as a ceiling hook, the pike pole is the "hook" in a hook-and-ladder company, also known as a truck company.
Read More »When to choose pump and roll
Climate change along with continued human encroachment into the wildland urban interface is making many fire departments realize that they need wildland firefighting capabilities, and these departments are not all west of the Mississippi River. Those departments are finding that their Type I and II engines, the traditional pumping apparatus with an in-line pump, are not the right fit when combating fires and protecting structures in the WUI.
Read More »Airport Protection: What’s New in ARFF Vehicles
Here's what you need to know before replacing, or buying your first, airport rescue and firefighting vehicle.
Read More »6 tools for breaching auto glass
Automakers use two types of glass: tempered and laminated. Tempered glass has commonly been used for the side and rear windows, while laminated glass was reserved for windshields.
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