For the Record 5/15

Foskett Named Executive Editor for Firehouse

Firehouse^® is pleased to announce that Janelle Foskett has joined the Firehouse franchise as Executive Editor for Firehouse Magazine, overseeing the editorial operations for the print edition along with working closely with the Web team.

Janelle comes to Firehouse with nearly a decade of experience in fire service publishing, previously serving as the managing editor for FireRescue magazine.

“Janelle is a gifted editor with impeccable news judgment, and her strong background in the fire service and publishing industry will help to build upon the editorial excellence and relationships that have made Firehouse a leading multiplatform educational resource for the fire service,” states Timothy E. Sendelbach, Firehouse Editor-in-Chief.

As Janelle transitions into her new position, Firehouse also announces that long-time Associate Publisher Jeff Barrington and Managing Editor Elizabeth-Friszell Neroulas have decided to step away from their positions to pursue personal passions and interests.

“Jeff and Liz have both been an integral part of the Firehouse family—Jeff for 20 years and Liz for 11 years,” states Greg Toritto, Group Publisher. “Their significant contributions to the fire service and Firehouse will always be valued and remembered, and we wish them both the best as they enter a new chapter in their lives—Jeff to follow his passion for international travel and Liz to spend more quality time with her husband and three children.”

Onieal Awarded Leadership Award

The Congressional Fire Services Institute's (CFSI) Board of Directors selected Dr. Denis Onieal, Superintendent of the National Fire Academy (NFA), as the recipient of the 2015 CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. The presentation took place at the 27th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 16 at the Washington Hilton, in Washington, D.C.

Established in 1998 and co-sponsored by CFSI and Motorola Solutions, the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have been proactive at the local, state and federal government levels to improve and advance fire/emergency services and life safety issues.

Dr. Onieal has served as Superintendent of the NFA since 1995. Under his leadership, the NFA has greatly expanded training opportunities for fire service personnel and enhanced NFA's curriculum. Working closely with fire training agencies across the country, NFA training is now being offered to over 110,000 students, compared to 15,000 in 1995. In addition, the NFA curriculum has been completely revised under Onieal's leadership to include college credit recommendation and continuing education units for all resident and off-campus deliveries.  

"The CFSI Board of Directors congratulates Dr. Denis Onieal on being selected the recipient of the 2015 CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Award," said Bill Jenaway, President of the Congressional Fire Service Institute. "He embodies the passion and dedication that the late-Mason Lankford demonstrated in making the fire service a safer profession."

Line-of-duty Deaths

6 U.S. firefighters have recently died in the line of duty.  Three career firefighters and three volunteer firefighters died in five separate incidents. Three deaths were health-related, two deaths were the result of a helicopter crash and one death was the result of fireground search-and-rescue operations.

Firefighter John L. Shoup, 38, of the Ashland, MS, Volunteer Fire Department died on March 15. On March 7, Shoup was operating at the scene of a structure fire when he complained of not feeling well and departed for home. Several hours later, he was taken to the hospital by his wife where he was treated for a heart attack. He was transferred to a hospital in Jackson for further treatment and later died there. Shoup was a 20-year veteran of the fire service.

Fire Apparatus Operator Daryl Gordon, 54, of the Cincinnati Fire Department died on March 26. While performing search-and-rescue operations for residents on the fourth floor of the five-story Kings Tower Apartments, Gordon fell down the elevator shaft to the second floor and was trapped between the wall and the elevator car. Several residents of the apartment building were treated for smoke inhalation and at least one other firefighter was injured. The building had been cited numerous times for code violations. Gordon was a 29-year veteran of the department.

Firefighter Barry Van Horn, 63, of the Somerville, NJ, Fire Department died on March 27. On March 25, Van Horn had responded to a fire alarm activation. After returning to the fire station he reported feeling ill and went home. He suffered an apparent heart attack and was transported by ambulance to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center where he remained until his death. Van Horn was 43-year veteran of the fire department.

Two employees of the U.S. Forest Service–National Forests in Mississippi died on March 30.  Pilot Brandon Ricks, 40, and Forest Service Engineering Technician Steve Cobb, 55, died in the crash of a Bell 206 L 1 helicopter in the De Soto National Forest while monitoring an 80- acre controlled burn. Another occupant of the helicopter was able to free himself and crawl out of the burning wreckage. 

Fire Police Captain John J. Doster, 95, of the Edgely Fire Company Number One located in Levittown, PA, died on April 2. While directing traffic at the scene of a two-alarm warehouse fire on Feb. 25, Doster complained of not feeling well and returned home.  His condition worsened and he was transported to the hospital.  He was later transferred to a hospice facility where he died. Doster was an active member of the fire service for 80 years. In 2008, he was awarded the National Volunteer Fire Council's Lifetime Achievement Award.  

Buchanan Named Instructor of the Year

The International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) has named Eddie Buchanan as the recipient of the 2015 Fire Engineering/ISFSI George D Post Instructor of the Year Award.

Buchanan is a past president of the ISFSI and Division Chief in the Hanover Fire EMS Department outside of Richmond, VA. He has been a leading fire service instructor for over two decades, but his most recent contribution to the profession was the development of the SLICE-RS acronym in response to the science behind years of modern fire behavior research. Buchanan worked with a team in his own department to implement this initial attack sequence of the first-arriving officer. In turn, he has shared sample SOGs and operating guidelines to thousands based on its success. His concept grew globally as he used his national recognition to catapult the strategy.

The ISFSI, in partnership with Buchanan, has developed an extensive curriculum, and training aids, including videos, to promote the Principles of Modern Fire Attack: SLICE-RS initiative. Buchanan’s open-minded response and intuitive teaching strategies ensured that the research findings of modern fire behavior were developed into a widely accepted and adaptable program for departments around the nation.

Firehouse Expo

#DiscoverFirehouse

Sign Up for the Fire-Rescue Competition!

We all know that firefighters are a competitive bunch, but do you have what it takes to compete in the Inaugural Fire-Rescue Competition? This year, Firehouse Expo is offering firefighters the opportunity to compete in a timed competition that simulates a mayday involving a downed firefighter. The three fastest, most efficient times from the July 17 preliminary round will move on to compete in the finals on July 18.

The competition provides an opportunity for firefighters from around the country to showcase their skills in a competitive venue with an audience. The skills required to successfully complete the assigned tasks replicate those commonly performed during firefighting or rescue operations

A voluntary pre-conference training session will be provided the day before the competition for all registered teams. The training will include classroom instruction and hands-on training using the props that will be used during the competition. Skills being evaluated during the competition include:

• Command and Control Operations
• Personnel Accountability and Reporting
• Fireground Communications
• Forcible Entry Techniques
• Navigating a Diminishing Clearance Obstacle
• Overcoming Entanglement Hazards
• Up and Over/Lifts and Carries
• Wall Breach
• Victim Search, Packaging and Removal
• Restricted Opening Rescue and Removal Operations

 For a complete description of the competition, event rules, grading criteria and team registration information, visit FirehouseExpo.com.

National EMS Week

The 41^st National EMS Week, May 17–23, celebrates and honors members of EMS Nation. This year’s theme is “EMS Strong.” Visit www.emsweekideas.org for resources to help you prepare for National EMS Week. View career resources, planning tools and information on the history and heroes of EMS, plus explore new ways to participate in EMS. For more information, visit www.naemt.org.

Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Gaines Dies

Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines died on April 12 after falling ill at his home. Gaines, 72, served with Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue for 35 years, starting as a volunteer. He rose through the ranks from firefighter to fire marshal, training chief and operations chief to take the white helmet in 1991. He retired in 1998. Gaines began his tenure as Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator in March 2009 and was responsible for managing USFA programs and training activities conducted at the National Emergency Training Center.
“Once or twice in a lifetime, if you’re very lucky, you’ll have a great boss or a best friend like Glenn Gaines; he was both to me,” shared National Fire Academy Superintendent Denis Onieal. “Glenn was smart, funny, generous, passionate, focused, held himself and others to the highest of standards, and always had your back. Always.”