“The First Line”…
Saturday, May 31st, 2008It is often said that the fire goes as the first (hose) line goes. The first line should always be placed between the fire and most severely exposed (victims/uninvolved areas). Perhaps the same can be said about placing ourselves between the angry mob and the most severely exposed. Always have a secondary means of egress [...]
“…No Matter What”
Sunday, May 25th, 2008Lightweight construction is relatively new to big cities; particularly with how we adapt conventional tactics to contemporary layouts and structural engineering. What began during the housing construction sprawl in the exurbs later progressed to the suburbs; and has now infiltrated blighted (urban renewal) and underdeveloped urban areas. Much has been written, researched and documented about [...]
“A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep”…
Sunday, May 18th, 2008“There is a god,” declared the Fire Department’s Union President in Baltimore, when Chief William Goodwin “resigned” over the death of a female recruit during a training burn. Following this recruit’s death in 2007, a year of accusations, retaliation and promises of cultural and operational change echoed throughout Baltimore City and the prying media. Ultimately [...]
“Your Moment of Zen”…
Sunday, May 11th, 2008There are many distractions to our happiness and success on this job; and in life in general for that matter. They often attach words (labels) to these distractions to put them in context, perspective, etc. and further mire them in semantics. However, once it’s time to roll out of the firehouse, these distractions should become [...]
“Aerial Waterway Dangers”…
Sunday, May 11th, 2008Due to a recent aerial pre-piped waterway failure that caused the line of duty death of a Deputy Chief, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has posted a safety advisory on its website. When operating aerials, be sure to inspect and train on the mechanics involved with movable or “pinable” waterways.
Although the [...]
“Any Volunteers?”…
Friday, May 9th, 2008NASA is looking for individuals who work in the Truck to volunteer for a new sleep study. Participants will have to spend 90 days straight in bed and undergo a barrage of tests. Unfortunately there is a catch. The study requires participants stay awake for 16 hours and sleep for 8; which is inversely proportional [...]
“Shoot First, Ask Questions Later”…
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008The FDNY is abuzz with a new dispatch policy aimed at reducing response times. What was formerly referred to as the “Queens Dispatch Pilot Program” is now spreading to other parts of the City. Department Brass avows that resultant, reduced response times in Queens have been “unprecedented,” while Union Officials attest to the policy’s consequences. [...]
“Ribbed Awnings”…
Friday, May 2nd, 2008If members decide to commit to roof operations on taxpayers, the prompt placement of ground ladders is paramount. Once considered the primary method of reaching the roof, as well as the secondary means of egress, ground ladder use may in fact become a hazardous part of the operation. Why? Take a look at the facade [...]
“A Little Bit of History”…
Friday, May 2nd, 2008History has proven that while some things in the fire service will never change, other thing will. The senior Firefighters in your company will surely tell you how things were “tougher” back in the day, and they are probably right. However, “tougher” can be relative in this job. We must always give fair consideration to [...]