Apparatus are expensive. Yet, in communities across the nation, three towns within a four square mile area will each purchase a ladder, communications truck, and other vehicle. A well done response plan will save millions and offer more effective services by using every department in the area.

Firefighters aren't used to asking for help. If anything firefighters provide the help. The maturation process should help take care of those who see other departments as bitter rivals rather than brothers and sisters ready to offer services. Otherwise we are in the position of having to demand cooperation or insist on it through every means available.

By and large, from California to Virginia, the nations firefighters simply want to help. Therefore they will ask a neighbor, or another unit, to respond to incidents because they are aware of the mission's difficulties. That's maturation.

Mutual aid works.

Several firefighters were in serious condition while the rest suffered minor injuries. Our best wishes go out to those injured.

November 22, 2008 – Visibility that doesn’t compromise safety is just what a firefighter needs during roadside response. The new fire-resistant (FR), high-visibility vest from Lion Apparel gives both types of protection for every roadside call.

Effective November 24, 2008, a new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Worker Visibility regulation states that all workers, including fire, police, and emergency service providers, must wear ANSI 107-compliant high-visibility safety clothing whenever they work on or near federally-funded highways.

The Lion FR High-Visibility Vest will suit any fire department, whether they’re using an ANSI 107, class 2 level 2 or an ANSI 207 visibility strategy. Lion Apparel’s FR High-Vis Vest also meets ASTM F-2302 Standard Performance Specification for Labeling Protective Clothing as Heat and Flame Resistant Lion is the only manufacturer to offer an inherently FR, high-visibility vest certified to two ANSI standards.

The new vest features FR trim, full-torso visibility, a 5-point breakaway system, and cargo and radio pockets. It can be worn over turnout gear, uniforms or regular outerwear.

"This product meets the latest standards and regulations that firefighters must comply with in order to be safe and secure during a potentially hazardous situation,” said Karen Lehtonen, director of products for Lion Apparel’s Protective Systems Group.

“It’s made of a long-lasting, flame-resistant blend of fibers that won’t melt, drip, or wash out, which reduces melting that can occur in a high-radiant situation such as a vehicle fire.”

For detailed information on Lion’s new fire resistant, high-visibility vest, visit the website here.

Prince George's firefighters arrived and found a home burning. Crews worked to knock the blaze down quickly.

Our best wishes to Blazek and Johnson.

Debate is vociferous between those who advocate an experienced but slightly educated officer and those who like the opposite. To both sides of the debate let me offier up a suggestion.

Strive to educate while gaining experience. If your department doesn't run a lot of calls there's not much you can do to increase your experience so education is a priorty. On the other hand if the department is very busy focus on education and learning from experience.

The point is education is superior to winging it. A good combination will always rise to the top but like everything else in life education plays an important role.

The same goes for a rescue. There are people who believe a rescue is nothing more than an expensive taxi. Further, they believe it's fine to staff specialty equipment with just anyone. This is ignorance personified. It's also a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars.

Here's a novel way to address departments who have spent a fortune on equipment but fail to staff it in accordance with best practices. Take the issue of spending to the public. Show them what other departments are doing and explain what their department just purchased. Show the cost per household and let them take it up with the Mayor or other civilian leadership.

More firefighters are starting to try to change the way departments do business. Here's another tool, about to be used, showing how some departmental leaders just don't get it.

Safety Vest Requirements On November 24th

Salisbury Internal Report Reviewed

Atlanta May Furlough Firefighters

Charleston Firefighters Ask Why

When Is A Truck Not A Truck

Political machinations are at best boring for most firefighters. A few, now in the media, have taken it upon themselves to send out emails or make remarks about Mr. Obama. While it is within the rights of a person to say how they feel with that right comes the responsibility to answer for comments viewed as problematic by leadership. In short you have the freedom to say what you wish but you are not protected from the consequences if you make those comments in a professional capacity.

Sending out "joke" emails from city accounts or from business accounts is a bad idea. Put some thought into what you are going to send. This isn't political correctness but rather speaks to common sense. When, as a firefighter, you make a mistake revealed in the media all firefighters are often painted with the same broad stroke.

Further, if the best you can do is make fun of someones skin color think about investing in education. Wake up before you put brothers and sisters in the position of defending your stupid comments.

We will send out breaking news, training ideas and updates via the newsletter. This requires everyone to sign up again. It takes about one minute.

We will also be including .pdf files next month to discuss hot topics.

The members include:

- John Sullivan is district chief with the Worcester (Mass.) Fire Department. He is a frequent contributor to Fire Rescue Magazine. He is best known for his presantations on the Worcester Cold Storage Fire which claimed the lives of six of Worcester's bravest.

- Doug Cline is a training officer for the High Point Fire Department.

- Wesley Greene is the Mooresville Fire Chief.

- Tim Bradley is with the NC Fire Marshals Office.

In what is an embarassing story for firefighters the financial dealings of the department are now out in the open including records reportedly kept by the former accountant who had a "system" no one could decipher. Or so it seems depending upon who is talking.

The one certainty is the need for people to support the rank and file while the chief and former chief, as well as SLED, sort out the issues.

The Isle of Palms Fire Department operates out of two stations on the barrier island just east of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

We will send out breaking news, training ideas and updates via the newsletter. This requires everyone to sign up again. It takes about one minute.

We will also be including .pdf files next month to discuss hot topics.

Salisbury Report To Discuss Radios

Charleston County Moving to Digital Radios

Firefighters Have Issues With Digitals

Departments in Charleston Drill Together At St. Andrews

We will discuss it more in the podcast coming up in less than an hour.

Maine Public Safety Department spokesman Steve McCausland says Snowman was taken to Sebasticook Valley Hospital and later transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center. He subsequently died.  

Our condolensces go out to the Snowman family and to the brothers and sisters of the department.

The damage is along the side of the structure in the area of the restrooms.

Firefighter Rick Ensley, the former Secretary of IAFF Local 302 and now the Chair of the Safety Committe, lost his house in the blaze.

If you wish to help Rick out please visit this page for information.