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  • January 2025

    • January 2025

    Issue Description: The January issue of Firehouse includes feature articles on virtual-reality training, incident commanders implementing technology for firefighter safety and a special section celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Milwaukee Fire Department.

    Cover Description: The Dekalb County, GA, Fire Rescue Department responded to historic downtown Stone Mountain for a reported single-family dwelling fire. On arrival, units encountered a well-advanced fire in several rooms and the attic. Interior crews experienced moderate heat conditions and zero visibility. Because of the age and balloon-frame construction of the structure, a large amount of fire was deep seated. Quint 24 and Heavy Rescue 24 performed mirrored ventilation cuts to assist with visibility for searches and to limit extension. Thirty firefighters, four engines, two trucks, one heavy rescue, one air unit and two battalion chiefs were on scene. Photo by Billy Heath III

    Dedication: Five U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty—Firefighter Marcelo Garcia III, Battalion Chief John Walsh, Third Asst. chief Stephen Pavetti, Firefighter Johnny Goines and Capt. Henry Sardina III. This issue of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.

    Photos by Rich Panek/Deerfield Township, OH, Fire Rescue Department
    Early in the response to a motor home fire, the crew of Mason, OH, Fire Department Tower 52 applied water to the engine compartment at the rear of the vehicle. There wasn’t much change in the smoke condition at that location as a result, so a rear window was taken out for ventilation.
    Operations & Training

    Close Calls: Working ‘House’ Fire … on Wheels

    Billy Goldfeder
    Feb. 7, 2025
    Billy Goldfeder shares the takeaways of members of two departments that responded to a motor home fire.
    Photo by Jon Androwski
    Torrance Fire Department (TFD) Battalion 91 arrived to a single-family dwelling with smoke and fire issuing from windows on the Alpha/Bravo corner.
    Operations & Training

    Hot Shots 1/25

    Rich Dzierwa
    Feb. 5, 2025
    Torrance, CA, Fire Department Battalion 91 arrived to a single-family dwelling with smoke and fire issuing from windows on the Alpha/Bravo corner.
    John J. Salka Jr.
    Fire Department Written Operational Procedures John J Salka Jr
    Operations & Training

    The Fire Scene: Do You Have Written Procedures?

    John J. Salka Jr.
    Feb. 4, 2025
    John J. Salka Jr. provides six reasons why it's advantageous for departments to maintain written operational procedures.
    david_griffin
    Leadership

    Leadership Lessons: Fire Service Grief

    Dr. David Griffin
    Jan. 31, 2025
    Dr. David Griffin shares how a fire chief can find ways to appreciate things in their life even amid the pain that comes with that comes with the job.
    Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
    When the Middleton, MA, Fire Department (MFD) responded to a large brush fire in October 2024, the display of the Command feature of First Due’s software on a monitor in the operations command vehicle made managing MFD’s personnel and that of numerous neighboring departments, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and others far more expeditious than if the traditional whiteboard approach was utilized.
    Incident Command

    Incident Command: Implementing Tech for Firefighter Safety

    Rich Dzierwa
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Rich Dzierwa learned from incident commanders and software engineers how on-scene personnel accountability and assignment and officer and chief training are being taken to the...

    More content from January 2025

    Image courtesy of Pleiadian Systems Inc.
    Immersing students in a simulation that imitates a real-life environment allows them to use visual cues to make fireground decisions and communicate orders.
    Virtual Reality

    Virtual Reality Training for the Fire Service

    Mike Novak
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Mike Novak is convinced that when VR training is framed as a complement to hands-on training, its acceptance is more likely. Furthermore, its use can expand to recruitment and...
    Peter Matthews
    fire department leadership trust Peter Matthews
    Leadership

    As Firehouse Sees It: Restoring Faith and Trust Within Departments

    Peter Matthews
    Jan. 27, 2025
    Peter Matthews is convinced that lack of trust in department leadership can be mitigated when faith is put into internal processes rather than posting to social media.
    Photo courtesy of H2M architects + engineers
    The central core of the Saratoga County Public Safety Facility in Ballston Spa, NY, includes critical infrastructure and smart layout of corridors and egress. Use of the core concept minimized the cost of hardening the facility and of constructing offices and services that are situated around the core.
    Stations

    Station Design: Essential Facility Response to Climate Change

    Patrick O. Stone
    Jan. 24, 2025
    Patrick Stone lays out the five steps of a vulnerability assessment for a new firehouse that identifies ways that the building can be hardened against natural disasters via use...
    Megan Funk
    firefighter paramedic EMS provider Megan Funk St. Charles Illinois Fire Department
    EMS

    EMS: Intubation: Blades, Bougies and Video Laryngoscopy

    Megan Funk
    Jan. 23, 2025
    Megan Funk explains how the use of three tools to help to guide the placement of an ET tube can increase advanced airway success rates.
    Photos by Scott Carnahan
    As a result of initial diligent work by the Milwaukee Fire Department, the Greenfield Fire Department and North Shore Fire/Rescue, a shared services agreement went into effect in the early 2010s that facilitates multiple agency response that previously flew in the face of a “We can handle everything and don’t need anyone’s help” mentality.
    Operations & Training

    Milwaukee Fire Department 150th Anniversary: Shared Services: Moving Forward

    Ryan Baker
    Jan. 22, 2025
    Ryan Baker talked with MFD Fire Chief Aaron Lipski and the chiefs of two neighboring departments to learn how a borderless response concept emerged out of a situation of no cooperation...
    Photo by Scott Carnahan
    Development of a digital business card and a QR code has benefited the department in its recruiting efforts. Those who are interested in joining the department experience a much more expedited application experience compared with what’s required from the online system.
    Technology

    Milwaukee Fire Department 150th Anniversary: Technology & Re-Growth

    Rich Dzierwa
    Jan. 21, 2025
    Rich Dzierwa learned that the Milwaukee Fire Department's dedication to the investigation into and adoption of sophisticated equipment and software has made the MFD a model for...
    Photo by Jon Tenca
    Firefighters who have experience with fires in vacant structures might be more comfortable making quick decisions about when to search.
    Operations & Training

    Truck Tactics: Vacant Properties: Search or Go Defensive?

    Sean Eagen
    Jan. 21, 2025
    Sean Eagen lays out the six key factors that fire crews and command officers must consider for their approach to a vacant structure or building fire.
    Milwaukee Fire Department
    fire department Milwaukee Wisconsin Fire Department 150th anniversary history
    Operations & Training

    Milwaukee Fire Department 150th Anniversary: History of the Milwaukee Fire Department

    Steven Shaw
    Jan. 20, 2025
    Steven Shaw tells of the Milwaukee Fire Department's evolution into one of the finest fire service organizations in the United States, based on its response to major incidents...
    Photos by Scott Carnahan
    When chiefs of the Milwaukee Fire Department fielded a team for the annual Milwaukee Fire Truck Pull, it sent a message to the rank and file that the department leadership stands with and for the members and their health, wellness and safety.
    Safety & Health

    Milwaukee Fire Department 150th Anniversary: Health & Wellness: Talking the Same Language

    Rich Dzierwa
    Jan. 17, 2025
    Rich Dzierwa explains how the Milwaukee Fire Department’s commitment to its members emerges from better connection with members’ true needs and a transcending level of cooperation...
    Photo by Scott Carnahan
    fire department Milwaukee Fire Department 150th anniversary
    Special Content

    Milwaukee Fire Department 150th Anniversary

    Jan. 15, 2025
    Fire organizations throughout the country can identify ways to improve their members' health and wellness, their mutual-aid programs and their implementation of the latest technology...