Firehouse Magazine

In This Issue: May 2013

Cover photo by Ed Gray

Five firefighters were injured in a backdraft during a five-alarm fire in Harrison, NJ, on March 10, 2013. Eventually, five ladder pipes were used as apparatus responded from three counties.

Dedication

This month’s Firehouse® is dedicated to Firefighter Nate Fruin, 22, of the Mattawan, MI, Fire District, who died in the line of duty, February 2013; and to Fire Chief Scott Morrison, 45, of the Knotts Island, NC, Volunteer Fire Department; Firefighter Cadet Donald Mize, 62, of the League City, TX, Volunteer Fire Department; and Firefighter Engineer Lonnie Nutt, 49, of the Marietta, GA, Fire Department, who died in the line of duty, March 2013.

The Apparatus Architect

by Tom Shand/Mike Wilbur
Created: May 1, 2013

During the past few months, there has been a spirited national discussion about healthcare and the leading causes of obesity in adults across the country. No matter which side of the political aisle...
20 Tough Questions For the Fire Chief: Are You Prepared To Answer Them? - Question 13

by Dr. Richard Gasaway and Richard Kline
Created: May 1, 2013

There are two components to this question. First, should the fire department be providing FIRST-RESPONDER medical services? Second, should the fire department be providing TRANSPORT medical...
Adapting New Technology In Rural Firefighting Operations

by Dominic Colletti
Created: May 1, 2013

Virtually every small-community fire department can benefit from implementing a few of the many technological innovations available in the fire industry today. The choices, for example, can range from...
The 4 Phases Of the Stretch: Phase 1

by Bryan T. Smith
Created: May 1, 2013

The opening article in this series ( Firehouse ® , April 2013) introduced the idea that the success of the hoseline stretch is based on four phases – preparation, size-up, making the stretch and...
On The Job Pennsylvania: Multiple-Alarm Fire Destroys White Township Printing Plant

by Jay K. Bradish
Created: May 1, 2013

More than 170 firefighters from four counties responded to a multiple-alarm fire that destroyed a printing plant in White Township, Indiana County, PA, on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012. The fire caused $75...

Command Post: Riding the Right-Front Seat: Set a Course for Success

by Dr. Harry Carter
Created: May 20, 2013

It has been said that the Global Positioning System (GPS) is one of the great modern inventions. It lets you navigate the streets of an unknown area with a degree of confidence and security. It lets...
Close Calls: Massive Storm Poses Unique Risks - Part 1

by William Goldfeder
Created: May 1, 2013

Dealing with nasty, weather-related storms is nothing new to firefighters. When any of us heard about the massive storms that hit the mid-Atlantic coast within the past year, we naturally thought...
The Fire Scene: The Power Saw: Working Safely & Effectively

by John J. Salka, Jr.
Created: May 1, 2013

I’ve talked about the power saw before, but there is always room for more discussion on such a useful, important and powerful piece of equipment. Whatever brand or model of power saw you use...
Hazmat Studies: Fire and Police Combine For Hazmat Response - Part 1

by Robert Burke
Created: May 1, 2013

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, fire and police officials in Gwinnett County, GA, recognized the increased potential for foreign and domestic terrorism and saw a need to share resources...
Fire Politics: Fire Chiefs Confront Our Biggest Challenges

by Dennis Compton
Created: May 1, 2013

I recently conducted a survey involving fire chiefs who manage 10 metropolitan fire departments in the United States. The departments selected for the survey were literally from East Coast to West...
EMS: Highways - What Kills Us!

by Gary Ludwig
Created: May 1, 2013

Some years ago, when I was working in St. Louis, MO, I was doing research about the city’s police department for a project I was working on. While doing the research, I came across a book the...
Fire Technology: Android to the Rescue

by Charles Werner
Created: May 1, 2013

The Fire Service Technology article in the March issue of Firehouse ® reported specifically about devices that use the Apple iOS operating system, such as iPhones and iPads. This article focuses...
Fire Safety Education: Understanding Smoke Alarms

by Timothy Szymanski
Created: May 1, 2013

If ever a tool was invented for the fire service that has saved countless lives, the undisputed champion has to be the smoke alarm. The smoke alarms currently in use were introduced in the early...
Thermal Imaging: Radiant, Conducted, Convected: Why Does It Matter?

by Brad Harvey
Created: May 1, 2013

I’ve got some disappointing news to share. It will be tough to hear, but I don’t know any other way to convey it other than to just come right out and tell you: Your thermal imager isn’t very...

Rekindles 5/13

by Paul Hashagen
Created: May 8, 2013

GARDEN CITY, NY: MAY 1, 1913 – Fire tore through five aviation hangars at Hempstead Plains, destroying a number of valuable flying machines. Among the craft lost was a splendid yellow monoplane...
New Deliveries 5/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: May 1, 2013

THE UPPER FREDERICK TOWNSHIP, PA, FIRE COMPANY has taken delivery of a Darley Vision pumper-tanker built on a Spartan MetroStar chassis. The unit features a 450-hp Cummins ISL9 engine, Allison...
Hot Shots 5/2013

by Firehouse Staff
Created: May 1, 2013

HARRISON, NJ, MARCH 10, 2013 – A five-alarm fire that required responses from departments from three counties produced a backdraft that injured five firefighters and destroyed two structures. About...
Scuttlebutt 5/13

by Steven Shaw
Created: May 1, 2013

Making a Difference Jessica Carscadden is a very special little girl. Born in China and placed in an orphanage, she struggled with some serious medical conditions. There wasn’t much hope for a...
Industry News 5/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: May 1, 2013

GLOBE , DUPONT and the NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL (NVFC) have teamed up once again to provide new gear to volunteer fire departments in need. The application period is now open for eligible...
As Firehouse Sees It: In their Sights

by Harvey Eisner
Created: May 1, 2013

A recent EMS run in suburban Atlanta, GA, turned into anything but normal. A resident who called in a request for an ambulance took five firefighters hostage and held them at gunpoint when they...
New Products 5/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: May 1, 2013

Personal LED Flashlight STREAMLIGHT INC. has introduced The LOGO keychain light, a personal LED flashlight with four lighting modes and a convenient auto-off feature that conserves battery life...
Speak Up: Fireground Setup Time

by Firehouse Readers
Created: May 1, 2013

I was quite impressed with Chief Vincent Dunn’s Safety & Survival column “Fireground Setup Time, Measured Scientifically” in the March 2013 edition of Firehouse ® Magazine . I congratulate...
For the Record 5/13

by Firehouse Staff
Created: May 1, 2013

Former Pierce Manufacturing President, CEO Dies Doug Ogilvie, a former long-time president, general manager and CEO of Pierce Manufacturing, died on March 17. He was 94. Ogilvie started working...
Line-of-Duty Deaths 5/13

by Jay K. Bradish
Created: May 1, 2013

Six firefighters recently died in the line of duty in six separate incidents. Three deaths were the result of accidents, two deaths were health related and one death was the result of direct...

Wallpapers

Click Desired Size:
800x600 | 1024x768 | 1280x960

Firehouse Magazine Insider

Firehouse Managing Editor Elizabeth Neroulas talks with Deputy Chief Ray O'Brocki about his Chief Concerns article “It's All Hands On Deck When Disaster Strikes" which appears in the March 2013 issue of Firehouse Magazine . Listen as the two discuss how Baltimore City, MD, Fire Dept. handles emergency calls during extreme weather events. Read: It's "All Hands On Deck" When Disaster Strikes View: The March issue of Firehouse Magazine Subscribe to...

Listen Now

Archived Issues

View All

Heroism & Commmunity Service Awards

Nominate a department member for heroic acts and extraordinary community service that occurred between January 1 and December 31, 2012. This annual program is the largest of its kind in the United States.

Read more and submit your department today!
DEADLINE: Jan. 25, 2013

Annual Run Surveys

Each year, Firehouse publishes three surveys to help fire departments compare statistics including personnel, budgets and response data. In the spring, the Combination Run Survey focuses on combination fire departments. Over several issues in the summer, career departments compare statistics through the National Run Survey. In the fall, the Volunteer Run Survey shares details of the largest segment of the fire service. Take part in the next Firehouse Run Survey by downloading the proper form below.

Volunteer Departments

DOWNLOAD FORM

Career Departments

DOWNLOAD FORM

Combination Departments

COMING SOON!

View All

Article Reprints

For reprints and content licensing please contact Nick Iademarco at Wright's Media 877-652-5295 ext. 102. For more information on reprints, click here

Subscribe to Firehouse Magazine. Start your print, digital, or online subscription today.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Gift Subscription - The perfect gift for any occasion. Give a one-year subscription to a new subscriber.

GIVE A GIFT