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  • April 2016

    • April 2016

    This month's issue takes a look at the Future of Firefighter Training, including features on Decision-Skills Training Programs that use simulators and classroom technology and taking an Aviation Industry Approach to fireground accountability.
    Oxford, CT, Feb. 9, 2016
    Oxford, CT, Feb. 9, 2016—Shortly after 9:30 p.m., the Oxford Fire Department was dispatched for a reported chimney fire. Car 1 arrived on scene first and reported heavy fire from the B/C side of the private dwelling. Mutual aid came from Seymour, Southbury, Beacon Falls and Monroe (Stevenson) before the fire was put under control under an hour.
    Home

    Hot Shots 4/16

    Firehouse Staff
    April 1, 2016
    The Oxford Fire Department was dispatched for a reported chimney fire.
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    Careers & Education

    24 vs. 12

    John Picarello
    April 1, 2016
    John Picarello asks the question, "what is the most efficient work schedule for the fire service?"
    Photo by John W. Franks
    Here a backup center operates at capacity during an evacuation exercise. On normal days it functions as a training facility.
    Home

    Fire Dispatch: Evacuating Dispatch

    Barry Furey
    April 1, 2016
    Barry Furey explains how to manage a full-scale evacuation of a dispatch center—and still protect the public.
    Sendelbach Tim
    Safety & Health

    Take a Pass on the Salt

    Timothy E. Sendelbach
    April 1, 2016
    Tim Sendelbach explains why wearing “salty” gear to project your street cred is dangerous and shortsighted.
    Researchers Conducting Air Entrainment Studies
    Home

    Research Corner: How Much Air Does a Hose Stream Entrain?

    Robin Zevotek
    April 1, 2016
    Robin Zevotek explains how understanding air entrainment can help firefighters choose the correct nozzle technique.

    More content from April 2016

    Members of the media were permitted to go back to any of the areas to redo camera shots, conduct demonstrations of their own or do “stand-ups.'
    Community Risk

    The Fire Service PIO: Welcome, Media!

    Timothy Szymanski
    April 1, 2016
    Tim Szymanski explains how his department conducted a media blitz to prevent cooking fires.
    Project Kill the Flashover
    Figure 1: Studies show that a room consisting of modern furnishings reached flashover much faster than a room with the legacy furnishings.
    Tech & Comm

    The Thermal Paradigm Shift

    April 1, 2016
    Andy Starnes explains how enhancing our understanding of TIC applications maximizes our tactical effectiveness.
    David Griffin
    Leadership

    Leadership Lessons: Don’t Just Check the Box

    April 1, 2016
    Dr. David Griffin explains why we need to hire the right people to be firefighters—not the ones who simply fulfill a quota.
    Photo by Tom Kelly IV
    Should an accident occur, your actions will be judged by those authorities, who will consider at least two points: 1) Were you responding to a true emergency? and 2) Were you driving with due regard for the safety of others?
    Home

    EVOC: Know Your Legal Terminology

    Michael Wilbur
    April 1, 2016
    Mike Wilbur offers terms that all emergency vehicle drivers should know.
    Photo by Ron Jeffers
    Fire officer communication, or presenting clear direction to crews in an articulate manner, is supported by higher education. The ability to boil a message into the key elements is learned in the many hours of formulating thesis statements of academic papers and distilling the key supporting points and arguments.
    Careers & Education

    Higher Education Under Fire

    Kevin Milan
    April 1, 2016
    Kevin Milan poses the question, "Is college worth it for the back step, the front seat or the front office?"
    Home

    EMS: Smile! You’re on Camera

    Gary Ludwig
    April 1, 2016
    Gary Ludwig explains that anything you do could be captured on camera.
    Salka Headshot
    Leadership

    The Fire Scene: Supervisors & Subordinates

    John J. Salka Jr.
    April 1, 2016
    Chief Salka explains the chain of command and how it works.
    Photo by Matthew Strauss
    Fire personnel are similar to pilots and air traffic controllers in terms of the volume of information that must be handled in a timely manner, and often under challenging circumstances.
    Home

    Aviation-Like Accountability

    Eric Tomlinson
    April 1, 2016
    Eric Tomlinson explains how one county follows the aviation industry’s approach to incident accountability.
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    Operations & Training

    Major Incident Coverage—Oklahoma City Bombing

    April 1, 2016
    As part of our ongoing celebration of Firehouse Magazine’s 40th anniversary, we share with you examples of Firehouse’s commitment to major incident coverage through the years....
    Photos by Ted Nee
    The ability to expose operators (company officers and incident commanders) to a wide variety of experiences is where simulations can be put to best use in the fire service.
    Home

    Simulations Size-Up

    Ted Nee
    April 1, 2016
    Ted Nee explains why simulations are the keystone of a decision skills training program.
    Functional strength exercises like deadlifts, squat press, crawls, sledges, drags and carries increase balance around the joints, help prevent injuries, and promote efficient movement patterns by stimulating stabilizing muscles.
    Safety & Health

    Health & Wellness: Creating a Fire-Rescue Workout Program

    Aaron Zamzow
    April 1, 2016
    Aaron Zamzow covers six keys to developing the right program for your department.
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    Home

    Tools & Technologies: When Worse Is Better

    Jeff Pikor
    April 1, 2016
    Jeff Pikor addresses adapting software development philosophies to technology advances in the fire service.
    Photos by Robert Burke
    The AFD operates from three fire stations with four engines, one truck, two boats, one hazmat trailer and a mini-pumper brush unit. In addition to hazmat response, the department also has swiftwater, dive and rope rescue teams.
    Hazardous Materials

    Hazmat Studies: Ashland, KY, Regional Hazmat Team

    Robert Burke
    April 1, 2016
    Robert Burke details the Ashland, KY, Regional Hazmat Team, which serves as a resource for three states.
    The West, TX, explosion claimed the lives of 15 people, injured more than 300, and destroyed or damaged over 150 structures.
    Safety & Health

    Hazmat Materials Response: Bad Reaction

    David Parker
    April 1, 2016
    David Parker explains the reactive hazard potential of ammonium nitrate and what’s being done about it.
    Photos courtesy of PGFD
    On Christmas Eve 2014, PGFD and Anne Arundel County units were dispatched to a fire in a house fire in the non-hydrant community of Sherwood Manor. Firefighters found and removed a victim, who later succumbed to his injuries. Fire investigators later found NO working smoke alarm in the 60-plus-year-old home.
    Community Risk

    Chief Concerns: The Birth of Adopt-a-Neighborhood

    Marc S. Bashoor
    April 1, 2016
    Chief Marc Bashoor explains how Christmas Eve 2014 changed his department's community risk reduction efforts.
    Photos courtesy TFRD
    A view of the home to which Dorner and his crew were dispatched—a one-and-a-half-story, early 1900s house. Upon their arrival, there was light smoke drifting from the eaves.
    Safety & Health

    Close Calls: After the Fall

    Billy Goldfeder
    April 1, 2016
    Chief Goldfeder and Firefighter Dorner reflect on lessons learned from an incident in which Dorner fell into a basement.
    Photo by Michael Messar
    En-route/arrival: Tell the assessor that you would review any pre-incident or tactical survey information specific to the address/occupancy in the exercise, looking for information regarding the building’s construction, the building’s occupancy, the location and presence of any auxiliary appliances, and nearby water supplies.
    Careers & Education

    Career Development: Promotional Preparation

    Michael Terpak
    April 1, 2016
    Mike Terpak offers a 10-step approach to a structure fire assessment exercise.
    Photo courtesy of UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute
    The research has yielded facts that demonstrate that the quicker the water gets on the fire, the better it is for those inside.
    Home

    Speak Up: Evolving Your Ego

    April 1, 2016
    Tom Johnson offers his opinions on why we are obligated to put water on the fire as soon as we are able, for the benefit of the civilians inside.
    Photo by Glen E. Ellman
    Flipped learning is a form of blended learning where students learn new content by watching online video lectures. The assignments that used to be given as homework are now done in class, with teachers offering more personalized guidance and interaction with students, instead of lecturing.
    Home

    Training for Tomorrow

    April 1, 2016
    Brian Kazmierzak explains how the future of fire service training combines hands-on drills and Web-based learning.
    Photos by Ron Moore
    The large, stored gas inflator that ruptured and flew out of the windshield during the fire in the Dodge Neon is on the right. The passenger front-airbag mounting bracket is on the left. Both these pieces were found 120 feet ahead of the vehicle after the fire was extinguished.
    Vehicle Extrication

    University of Extrication: Airbag Supplemental Restraint Systems—Part 2

    Ron Moore
    April 1, 2016
    Ron Moore covers the dangers of gas inflators reaching their failure point.