johnvv

A good person to ask this question to would be the Ex-chief in Lairdsville, NY. If you recall, he killed a probationary firefighter during a live burn in a acquired structure. If I recall correctly, he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter with a jail sentence of around 16 months. That sounds like being held personally liable to me.

This case was also the reason for a NY mandated live burn policy regarding live fire training. The morale of the story is if you do somthing stupid, against written standards, SOG's, or Department policies. you can and probably will be held liable.

Many of us (including me) are quick to blame individuals who don't seek out the training that is sadly needed for the Officer positions they fill in their departments. But I don't blame untrained fire officers completely.

Some blame has to be passed on to the Commissioners of Fire Districts who don't have pre-requisites for the Officer positions. Or how about a requiring firefighters to be active members in their departments for a perscribed time before they are allowed to be nominated into a Officers position?

A combination of both a Fire Officers desire to be trained, and a Fire District requiring a combination of experience and training would help alleviate un-trained Officers on the fireground.

I don't know how useful this is for the fire service- But it sure looks like a hell of a lot of fun!!

Hey Capt32-

when you take this ship to Alaska, say hello for me to the German boat pilot with the clock that tells you the "ship's time"

I thought that identifing hazards on the fireground was the responsibility of the Safety Officer. And we all have qualified Safety Officers on the scene of every emergency incident don't we? It is also the responsibility of the FAST team to remove dangerous conditions before they cause injuries or entrapment.

Ultimately, its everyone's responsibility to identify these hazards and notify the I.C. I know its difficult to take in the entire fire scene when you are operating on the fire ground, but it is necessary to achieve the most important thing- everyone going home after the incident.

We have all this new equipment to keep us safer- Nomex, Kevlar, rescue harnesses,etc., I hope the next great inovation in the fire service is some type of personal cooling system. The equipment we wear and carry has got heavier, has no breathability, and we have less firefighters on the rigs to do more work, somthing has to give.

Most of our fire apparatus has A/C, but once we step away from the rig, our bodies are heating up. Cooling vests are used in NASCAR, and used in Hazmat Ops under level A suits. Maybe these vests could be designed for us to use? Maybe this vest could be integrated into our PPE.

There is a reason why our fire service losses over 100 firefighters a year, with the main cause being heart attacks. Although more needs to be done by us on the physical fitness end, we need better gear to take into account what I listed above.

Until then, the Incident Commanders who lead our fire fights must remember that we are not super human. We have limitations and they need to adjust their tactics to allow us to operate safer.

Although this unit is low profile for the parking structures, this vehicle's pump will only flow class A foam. This rig also has forestry hose, rakes and fire brooms on it. This rig was purchased after a bad brush fire season and the idea was to have a multi use vehicle. The only problem with this idea is that as a brush rig the clearance under the truck is too low for off road use, and for car fires it supplies the wrong type of foam.

ALS (AKA Roof Shepard),

I agree that usually when the Master stream goes up, the building comes down. However that is not always the case. On one occasion while fighting a large building fire that was "getting away from us", the Incident Commander opted to remove all personnel from the building, and use a master stream to apply a large volume of water for a short time. We then finished up with an interior attack after the master stream was shut down. It proved to be an effective tactic. In that instance I believed it saved the building. The damage was contained to the attic area.

To extinguish a fire, the appropriate amount of water must be applied. The amount of water that can be applied at a fire is also directly proportional to the amount of firefighters at the scene. A master stream from an aerial can provide the correct amount of water with minimal manpower.

Can anyone tell me why this Denver Chief feels inclined to make a comment to the press about a firefighters injury when it is clear that a full investigation has not been conducted yet?

The article seems to imply that the firefighters mask was improperly donned. Even if this turns out to be true, I feel that this Chief should hold his comments until the facts are fully determined.

What does anyone else think?

Why can't both the Fire Investigators and the Police work together to conduct a comprehensive and complete fire investigation?

Both bring different strengths to an investigation. The fire service brings its experience of firefighting and fire behavior to the investigation. We understand the science better than anyone. The Police have great interviewing/interogating skills that they have honed due to their experiences.

Having worked in the Fire Investigation field for many years (Career and Non Career) the question is not paid or not- its about competance or incompetance. I've worked with many investigators and found some great ones,and some not so great. It had nothing to do with who recieves a paycheck.

It is truly is the turning of the page for the fire service. Through his writings he had the ability to bring important points to people in a way that everyone could relate to. He came, contributed to our fire service, and made it better.

Who is next to step up and carry our cause?

The information you recieved was wrong. The mini attack has been in service about 4 years, and there is no plan to replace it.

The only rig soon to go into service is a collapse rig . It is a retrofitted reserve engine with the pump removed.

Congratulations to all the new Officers at the EFD. For the first time officers, remember where you came from, remember that the position is not all about appeasing firefighters to keep them happy. Your job is to keep them safe, making sure they are well trained, and most importantly-LEAD by example.

Remember most great officers aren't born with the great leadreship skills they posses. They have acquired them through classes, experience,... and their mistakes. Taking Officer Classes at the Fire Training Center, Camp Smith, or the Fire Academy will also help you.

Congrats Again.

Oh just one more thing. Remember that the New Mexico Program is conducted in the desert area of the state . I would not recommend attending after May and before September. IT IS HOT OUT THERE!!

This is one of many classes that are available through the Department of Homeland Security. If intertested, search their website. They have programs available in Alabama, Nevada, and in Texas as well as New Mexico.

Be aware that the Response to Terrorist Bombings that is given in New Mexico is a train the trainer program. They expect you to deliver it to personnel at home. I attended the program about two years ago and thought it was worthwhile.

Try this website for all your rescue- FD knot needs- www.animatedknots.com. The site shows the step by step method to tie most knots needed in the fire service. Follow the links for the hasty harness.

Homer J-

This list is incomplete-I don't see Dually monster trucks on the list!

Welcome to the "feeling old and responsible club" The money will be tight for a while, so use your Jet Blue frequent flyer miles for your next couple of CA trips.

Wait a minute, I forgot you are in the Hartsdale FD! What I meant to write is the money might be tight for a paycheck, so if you are going to fly, you might have to forgo first class. and go business class!

Congratulations Seth

I am amazed that such a simple topic has generated such a response! Why are some people always trying to bend the rules to not have them apply? Here are the top three answers on the board:

1) I have a "tight" cropped beard

2) I passed the fit test, so I can look like ZZ top if I wish to.

3) Hey, I volunteer my time, I can do what I want.

My answer has not been swayed by the responses- Its an OSHA law! If you choose to disregard it, then pick a new hobby to fill your time. If you are the Chief of a Department and knowingly allow your members to violate the law- then you will be held liable if a call dosen't go well. I remain clean shaven, and accept it to remain an interior classified firefighter. What you do in your dept. is your business, but if you want to sit in my classroom, you better use a shaver!

DFFD,

Regardless of my opinion, the bottom line is OSHA has regulations on this issue. This is not opinion, this is Law. OSHA dosen't classify firefighters as volunteer or career, and neither do I. I only have two classifications- Professional and Not.

I'm sorry I don't get the joke Fireboy. Tell me if anyone who reads this forum thinks that 10) Drinking Beer in the Firehouse is funny.

I don't.

Mr. Plectron,

What exactly is a exterior firefighter? Are they required to stay 100 yards from the incident? Do they respond to vehicle fires, and brush fires? How about "odor of ______" calls? Haz Mat calls are exterior calls too.

If the "bearded one" responds to these calls, he has the potential of operating in an enviroment that requires a mask. Furthermore, if the only reason for being an exterior firefighter is because he dosen't want to shave, it only shows what kind of firefighter he is.

I was wondering how a firefighter can have a beard when OSHA clearly states that no interference can be allowed between a firefighters face and his/her mask? Dosen't every fire department have a mask policy, and require a fit test for their members?

This is a real "hot button" of mine. Not only is this unsafe, and against the OSHA standard, but it does not look professional in my opinion. Many departments, rightfully so, have implimented policies that prevent Firefighters from responding to alarms if they are unshaven. What is your department's policy?

I could not disagree with you more regarding your connection between alcohol and the fire service. I am disappointed that there is brother or sister firefighter that would even post a messeage like this. Have we not learned that alcohol and firefighting don't mix? When operating on a fireground, the firefighters working with you are depending on you to make unimpaired decisions to ensure everyone comes home. How is that done when you were just partying?

Do everyone a favor, if you are drinking or partying, don't respond to alarms. And as for drinking in the fire house, shame on you. You give all respectable firefighters a bad reputation. I'm suprised that there is a fire department on this planet that allows drinking on its property. I guess that when someone gets hurt, that department won't mind the huge lawsuit that is sure to follow.

I can't speak for all firefighters, but the reason I have been involved in the fire service for the past 21 years is to help people. I took an Oath to provide fire protection to my community, and I have held up my end.

If partying is your reason for being involved in the fire service, then you are misguided. Maybe instead of responding to the firehouse, go to the bar. I would rather see you wake up the next day with a huge hangover then be responsible for a brother or sister firefighters death.

Fire Capt.,

I'm suprised to see you responding so early in the day since you are again retired! Its been a lot of fun, and I hope that my motivation and zest for the fire service stays as strong as yours is. The wisdom and experience that you instilled in this class was truly inspiring. Thanks for the memories, and hopefully we can do it again.

I'm leaving, but wanted to wish you a Great Christmas, and Happy New Year. I'll touch base with you when I get back. X635- I'll get new photos for you of your favorite secong home-CA