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  • December 2013

    • December 2013

    Photo by Gene Blevins
    Twenty-three people were killed and hundreds of others were injured when a tornado with peak winds of 210 mph struck Moore, OK, and other areas around Oklahoma City on May 20, 2013. The 1.3-mile-wide tornado was on the ground for 39 minutes and covered a 17-mile area, destroying thousands of homes. Damage was estimated to be more than $1 billion.
    Rescue

    Disaster Response: Commanding the Storm – Part 1

    Pat King
    Dec. 1, 2013
    Pat King describes the lessons learned from a series of tornadoes that hit Oklahoma.
    Photo courtesy of IAFC
    Golden Valley, AZ, Fire Chief Thomas O'Donohue, second from left, is pictured with Motorola Solutions Corporate Vice President Kelly Kerwan; Chief Hank Clemmensen of the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, IL, the outgoing president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs; and Golden Valley Assistant Fire Chief Ted Martin, after receiving the 2013 International Association of Fire Chiefs/Motorola Solutions Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor at Fire Rescue International 2013. O'Donohue is the first chief to receive the award.
    Rescue

    Close Calls: Chief First on Scene: Working Fire, People Trapped

    Billy Goldfeder
    Dec. 1, 2013
    One of the most challenging times for chief fire officers is when they arrive before the apparatus. In most cases, it gives us a chance to size-up, conduct the 360-degree walk...
    Editorial 12 13 Military Hospi 11229449
    Careers & Education

    Eisner: 2013 – Some Year

    Harvey Eisner
    Dec. 1, 2013
    Editor’s Note: The Firehouse staff wanted to share some of long-time Editor in Chief Harvey Eisner’s work. Harvey, a fixture on New York City firegrounds and at major events and...
    Gary Ludwig 11233150
    EMS

    EMS: The Active Shooter: Coming To a Community Near You?

    Gary Ludwig
    Dec. 1, 2013
    It seems like no matter where I travel in the United States, it is common for people to say, “if you don’t like the weather in (insert whatever city you want), just wait a while...

    More content from December 2013

    Photos by Mike Daley
    A high potential for firefighter injury exists during collapse operations. It is important to understand the need for thorough planning for this type of response.
    Structural Collapse

    First Due to a Building Collapse

    Michael Daley
    Dec. 1, 2013
    Michael Daley offers an overview of steps that should be taken by a first arriving company at a building collapse. Incident management and collapse types are also reviewed.
    Dennis Compton 11196970
    Leadership

    Fire Politics: Communicating Your Value Can Define the Future

    Dennis Compton
    Dec. 1, 2013
    Writing about national politics tends to be depressing these days. Instead of focusing on all of the Washington, DC, craziness in this column, I want to visit instead about something...
    Photo by Dominic Fauteux/Chantal Beauchamp
    SAINT-PLACIDE, QUEBEC, OCT. 5, 2013
    Operations & Training

    Hot Shots 12/13

    Firehouse Staff
    Dec. 1, 2013
    SAINT-PLACIDE, QUEBEC, OCT. 5, 2013 – An early-morning fire destroyed a residence. First-arriving units found the house fully involved and reports stated an occupant was possibly...
    ZIAMATIC CORP. (ZICO) presents the QUIC-MOUNT Model QM-ETD-1, an adjustable upright mount for two extrication tools.
    Vehicle Extrication

    New Products 12/13

    Firehouse Staff
    Dec. 1, 2013
    Extrication Tool HolderZIAMATIC CORP. (ZICO) presents the QUIC-MOUNT Model QM-ETD-1, an adjustable upright mount for two extrication tools. The heavy-duty, aluminum unit features...
    Photo by Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun
    Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Public Education & Information Officer Timothy R. Szymanski talks with Marlene Moran during a Senior Safety Fair in October. Senior citizens were taught how to prevent fires and how to escape safely should a fire occur.
    Community Risk Reduction

    Fire Safety Education: The "Three E's" Of Fire Prevention

    Dec. 1, 2013
    What if President Obama woke up one morning and decided he wanted to come up with a plan that would reduce the damage and suffering fires cause in the United States? To devise...
    Las Vegas attractions are fun for tourists from all over the world, but some visitors party a little too hard. That's when rescue crews are called.
    EMS

    Speak Up 12/13: Welcome to "Las Vegas Syndrome"

    Firehouse Readers
    Dec. 1, 2013
    With a city based on desert heat, gambling, entertainment and late-night debauchery, the unexpected becomes the norm. Whether you’re one of the more than 36 million annual visitors...
    Photo by Robert Burke
    Ammonium nitrate is a strong chemical oxidizer that can become an explosive under certain conditions.
    Hazardous Materials

    Hazmat: Understanding Ammonium Nitrate

    Robert Burke
    Dec. 1, 2013
    Ammonium nitrate fertilizer, chemically classified as an oxidizer, is commonly used in agriculture and for commercial and residential turf grass. Approximately 7 million tons ...
    Photos courtesy of Chicago FD
    Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Robert Anthony presents Paramedic Anne Gradolf with a dedicated meter for detecting carbon monoxide (CO) gas. Last year, Gradolf's 'gut instincts' saved the lives of 10 people suffering from CO poisoning in a home in city's southeast side.
    EMS

    Chicago Paramedics Gain "Third Eye" Tools & Technologies:

    Praveen Sharma
    Dec. 1, 2013
    It was a warm summer day on the Saturday before Father’s Day in June 2012. Veteran Chicago, IL, Fire Department (CFD) Paramedic Anne Gradolf responded to a call for an ambulance...
    Guest Commentary 12 13 Kimberl 11221639
    Health & Fitness

    Guest Commentary: A Preventable Tragedy

    Kimberly Quiros
    Dec. 1, 2013
    Fires. Car accidents. Domestic abuse. Death. There isn’t much a firefighter doesn’t see over the course of his or her career. Then factor in the pressures of the job, changing...
    Photos by Ron Moore
    In 2013, Ford Motor Company introduced the Police 'Interceptor' sedan or utility vehicle with some unique features of which rescue personnel need to be aware.
    Vehicle Extrication

    University of Extrication: Law Enforcement Vehicles

    Ron Moore
    Dec. 1, 2013
    SUBJECT: Specialty Vehicle Features & EquipmentTOPIC: Law Enforcement VehiclesOBJECTIVE: Given a patrol vehicle to inspect and review, fire, rescue, and medical responders will...
    Fortherecord 12 13 Book Cover 11229202
    Rescue

    For the Record 12/13

    Dec. 1, 2013
    Firehouse to Partner with RFAFirehouse, the nation’s leading fire service brand in print, online and with its live events, has announced a strategic partnership with the Rural...
    Airspace announces a complete redesign of its innovative carbon monoxide and flammable gas detectors.
    Atmospheric Monitoring

    Product Showcase 12/13: Gas Detectors

    Dec. 1, 2013
    AirspaceAirspace announces a complete redesign of its innovative carbon monoxide and flammable gas detectors. Airspace products offer 25% longer battery life and additional efficiency...
    Photo by Mike Meadows
    OCT. 30: ENCINO, CA – Over 100 Los Angeles firefighters battled a huge blaze raging at an Encino home that injured two captains and two firefighters. The home's location was a challenge as firefighters faced curvy narrow roads and had to hike equipment a 1/4-mile uphill to the structure. A long and relentless attack led to a fully extinguished blaze in two hours and 20 minutes. Two pet dogs were found deceased.
    Operations & Training

    Fire Wire 12/13

    Dec. 1, 2013
    OCT. 12: COOKVILLE, TN – Damage was estimated at $15,000-20,000 after a fire at a downtown business. The quick response of firefighters was credited with saving the building from...