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  • July 2013

    • July 2013

    Photo by Jeff Zimmerman
    Ventura County, CA, May 1, 2013
    Operations & Training

    Hot Shots 7/13

    Firehouse Staff
    July 22, 2013
    VENTURA COUNTY, CA, MAY 1, 2013 – A Ventura County Fire Department/Sheriff Department helicopter makes a water drop in Hidden Valley behind million-dollar homes on Protrero Canyon...
    Photo by Jeff Zimmerman
    On third day of the 'Powerhouse Fire' in Los Angeles County, CA, the fire had spread to 25,000 acres. A DC-10 was called in to drop a line of retardant on the west side of the fire to prevent the fast-moving blaze from entering Kings Canyon, a densely populated and steep canyon area nearby.
    Operations & Training

    WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING: First Report: California Wildfires 2013

    Firehouse Staff
    July 1, 2013
    “Powerhouse Fire”As predicted, hot, dry weather helped to spur on a large wildfire in Los Angeles County, CA, near Green Valley. Started near the Department of Water and Power...
    Photo by Mike Meadows
    A U.S. Forest Service firefighter stands atop his engine to monitor conditions as his fellow firefighters operate during a firestorm in California. An early and busy wildland fire season is already putting emergency resources to the test.
    Safety & Health

    As Firehouse Sees It: Breaking News

    July 1, 2013
    As we were deciding which incidents to cover in Firehouse®, the past several weeks have been chock full of fires, disasters, explosions, building collapses and weather-related...
    Photo by Chief Spokesperson & PIO Mark E. Brady/PGFD
    Seven firefighters were injured during firefighting operations at this single-family dwelling in Prince George’s County, MD.
    Safety & Health

    Close Calls: Firefighters Trapped At Maryland House Fire - Part 1

    Billy Goldfeder
    July 1, 2013
    On Feb. 24, 2012, seven Prince George’s County, MD, firefighters were injured during a fire in a single-family dwelling fire on 57th Avenue in Riverdale Heights.

    More content from July 2013

    Photo by Tom Shand
    This apparatus was one of the first mini-pumpers delivered to the Syracuse, NY, Fire Department in 1971. Like most mini-pumper units of this vintage, it was overweight and suffered from suspension and brake issues.
    Apparatus

    The Apparatus Architect

    July 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...
    Curtvarone 10953344
    EMS

    Fire Law: The First Amendment & Emergency Scene Photos

    Curt Varone
    July 1, 2013
    The images have become iconic: A firefighter wrestles with a news photographer who refuses to stop taking pictures of the treatment of a patient. A police officer arrests a cameraman...
    Dennis Compton 10953342
    Leadership

    Fire Politics: Were You With the CFSI May 8 & 9, 2013?

    Dennis Compton
    July 1, 2013
    Times aren’t easy in Washington, DC, these days when it comes to maintaining federal support for issues that are critical to the fire service in the United States. For that matter...
    Gary Ludwig 10953957
    Props & Simulators

    EMS: So That's What It Means

    Gary Ludwig
    July 1, 2013
    It’s summertime again, and summer means more fun things to do. In keeping with the summer tradition of having fun, it’s time to look at some new terms that are making their way...
    Photo by Jay K. Bradish/IFPA
    EMS transportation is a logical fit and within the scope of purpose for many fire departments, but that does not make the decision to start providing EMS transportation easy.
    EMS

    20 Tough Questions For the Fire Chief: Are You Prepared To Answer Them? Question 15

    Richard Kline
    July 1, 2013
    This question is a continuation of last month’s discussion about fire-based EMS. While it is widely considered a best practice by efficiency consultants to benchmark and compare...
    Photos courtesy of the author
    Nozzle firefighter. The job of the nozzle firefighter is dangerous and challenging. The duties will place the firefighter close proximity to the fire and involve a high level of risk. To reduce risk and be able to quickly and safely reach and extinguish the fire, the firefighter must first conduct a size-up and a stretch estimate and make an efficient stretch.
    Hoselines & Water Appliances

    The 4 Phases Of the Stretch: Phase 3

    Bryan T. Smith
    July 1, 2013
    So far in this series, we have discussed how to properly prepare ourselves through training and pre-planning. We reviewed how to perform a thorough and accurate size-up and a ...
    Photos courtesy of the author
    Photo 1. Stage the hose in line with your attack entrance.
    Hoselines & Water Appliances

    The 4 Phases Of the Stretch: Phase 3 (sidebar)

    Bryan T. Smith
    July 1, 2013
    Hose should not be arbitrarily thrown wherever space allows. Instead, slow down and think about the positioning of the hose. The term “staging hose” implies that the hose is placed...
    Photos by Ron Moore
    The 'floorpan-mounted' high-voltage battery of the Mitsubuishi i-MiEV weighs approximately 500 pounds. The entire vehicle weighs approximately 2,500 pounds so it is apparent that the vehicle is 'bottom heavy.' This is important to consider when stabilizing this vehicle. The floorpan battery is visible below the vehicle in this image.
    Vehicle Extrication

    University of Extrication: Electric Plug-In Vehicle Extrication Techniques Part 3

    Ron Moore
    July 1, 2013
    SUBJECT: Electric Plug-In VehiclesTOPIC: Challenges of Floorpan-mounted High-voltage BatteriesOBJECTIVE: Understand procedures necessary for dealing with an electric plug-in vehicle...
    Photo from Paul Hashagen Collection
    One of the most stubborn fires in FDNY history occurred on April 20, 1935, and involved a warehouse filled with crude rubber on Furman Street on the Brooklyn waterfront. Five alarms were transmitted as firemen battled the flames and smoke for more than 18 hours.
    Operations & Training

    Rekindles 7/13

    Paul Hashagen
    July 1, 2013
    VALENCIA, PA: JULY 3, 1913 – Five children were killed as a fire that was caused by an overheated stove swept through their home. The children, ages 11 years to 9 months, were...
    Photo courtesy of RCC Consultants
    The Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC), also known as Fairfax County 9-1-1, is the largest emergency communications center in Virginia and one of the 10 biggest in the U.S. DPSC dispatches fire-rescue, police and sheriff’s office units and receives approximately 1 million calls for service annually.
    Technology

    Emergency Communications: Designing & Operating Your Dispatch Center

    Barry Furey
    July 1, 2013
    Barry Furey looks at PSAP consolidations, the cloud and new technology.
    KME has introduced the 102-foot AerialCat Platform
    Aerial

    New Products 7/13

    Firehouse Staff
    July 1, 2013
    Aerial PlatformKME has introduced the 102-foot AerialCat Platform, offering the shortest wheelbase and overall lengths and lowest travel heights in the industry. The new platform...
    Photo courtesy of Gwinnett County FD
    Gwinnett County Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team responded to an overturned tanker that spilled 2,000 gallons of gasoline into a creek.
    Confined Space

    Hazmat Studies: Fire and Police Combine For Hazmat Response - Part 1

    Robert Burke
    May 1, 2013
    Robert Burke explains how Gwinnett County, GA, fire and police crews work together for hazmat incidents.