| MAGAZINE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| MARKETPLACE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| COMMUNITY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| RESOURCES | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Prevention
Fire safety website targets tough-to-reach age group
On Halloween night in 2008, fire destroyed an off-campus house near Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., that was home to five students. The home had working smoke detectors and all five students in the home escaped uninjured. Still, the fire was a wake up call for fire prevention experts in the region
On Halloween night in 2008, fire destroyed an off-campus house near Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., that was home to five students. The home had working smoke detectors and all five students in the home escaped uninjured. Still, the fire was a wake up call for fire prevention experts in the region
Extrication Tips July 2010
In part 2 of big rig rescue in April we talked about arrival, inner and outer surveys, hazard control stabilization and interior rescuer duties once inside the cab. Here, our focus is on disentanglement, lifting options and procedures to gain access to the involved vehicles.
In part 2 of big rig rescue in April we talked about arrival, inner and outer surveys, hazard control stabilization and interior rescuer duties once inside the cab. Here, our focus is on disentanglement, lifting options and procedures to gain access to the involved vehicles.
Live burn
With the decrease in the number of structural fires that departments attend each year comes complacency and rustiness. The fire service is seeing fewer fires than it did even 10 years ago. The lack of exposure and continual practice of our bread-and-butter operations is breeding a generation of firefighters who are deficient in structural fire fighting. Structural fire fighting is a high-risk, low-frequency event and it seems that when we do respond to structural fires there is no time to think about the risks. This is a dangerous time, especially if our firefighting skills are rusty.
With the decrease in the number of structural fires that departments attend each year comes complacency and rustiness. The fire service is seeing fewer fires than it did even 10 years ago. The lack of exposure and continual practice of our bread-and-butter operations is breeding a generation of firefighters who are deficient in structural fire fighting. Structural fire fighting is a high-risk, low-frequency event and it seems that when we do respond to structural fires there is no time to think about the risks. This is a dangerous time, especially if our firefighting skills are rusty.
Be prepared
One aspect of incident command system training that is often overlooked is staging and base camps to support large-scale events. Large-scale events may not occur often in a career but it’s prudent for chiefs and officers to discuss the what ifs.
One aspect of incident command system training that is often overlooked is staging and base camps to support large-scale events. Large-scale events may not occur often in a career but it’s prudent for chiefs and officers to discuss the what ifs.
Stress management
An experienced firefighter battling a structural fire is alone in a heavy smoke filled environment. Without warning his SCBA malfunctions and he has trouble getting air. Suddenly, the low-air alarm activates.
An experienced firefighter battling a structural fire is alone in a heavy smoke filled environment. Without warning his SCBA malfunctions and he has trouble getting air. Suddenly, the low-air alarm activates.
The public education conundrum
Remember in the ’90s when our economy was just coming out of a slow period, and big corporations were starting to create huge profits again? That’s the first time I remember mission statements being part of the corporate identity of major corporations.
Remember in the ’90s when our economy was just coming out of a slow period, and big corporations were starting to create huge profits again? That’s the first time I remember mission statements being part of the corporate identity of major corporations.
Minimizing risks for ourselves and others
Fire fighting has always been about doing everything in our power to help the public (our customers) deal with whatever crisis confronts them on any given day. So much so, in fact, that we often neglect our own safety in the process.
Fire fighting has always been about doing everything in our power to help the public (our customers) deal with whatever crisis confronts them on any given day. So much so, in fact, that we often neglect our own safety in the process.
Guest Column: Disabled registry will save lives
Firefighters responding to a structure fire face many unknowns and variables. Add disabled individuals with special needs to the mix and it creates a potential recipe for disaster.
Firefighters responding to a structure fire face many unknowns and variables. Add disabled individuals with special needs to the mix and it creates a potential recipe for disaster.
Better public education: Three P.E.I. departments deliver effective prevention message
Fire prevention education is an important priority for all fire departments. But when it comes to educational efforts, larger departments have more people and resources available to do the job than their smaller counterparts.
Fire prevention education is an important priority for all fire departments. But when it comes to educational efforts, larger departments have more people and resources available to do the job than their smaller counterparts.
Pre-plan thwarts disaster: N.B. flood management focuses on local responders
Oromocto, N.B. – Finding water to use for firefighting operations can often be a challenge for fire departments. But, on occasion, firefighters find they have more than they need. Flooding along the St. John River in New Brunswick is an annual spring occurrence but rarely causes any significant damage. Such was not the case this year, when heavy rains and warm temperatures all combined with a heavier-than-normal snowfall to cause the worst flooding since 1973.
Oromocto, N.B. – Finding water to use for firefighting operations can often be a challenge for fire departments. But, on occasion, firefighters find they have more than they need. Flooding along the St. John River in New Brunswick is an annual spring occurrence but rarely causes any significant damage. Such was not the case this year, when heavy rains and warm temperatures all combined with a heavier-than-normal snowfall to cause the worst flooding since 1973.
Cracking down: Software helps communities locate grow ops and reduces threat to public safety
It was a classic case of: “Be careful what you wish for.” In 2006, the City of Surrey in B. C. successfully lobbied the provincial government to provide legislation giving cities access to hydro consumption data to help them identify potential marijuana grow operations.
It was a classic case of: “Be careful what you wish for.” In 2006, the City of Surrey in B. C. successfully lobbied the provincial government to provide legislation giving cities access to hydro consumption data to help them identify potential marijuana grow operations.
Flashpoint: Sprinkler misinformation hurting cause for safety
You know what bugs me? Urban myths. I hate it when inaccurate, misleading or downright wrong information is perpetuated by the media, the entertainment industry or just spread through the grapevine. Sometimes it is just a pet peeve or an annoyance but it can be a big deal when the public gets bad information about an issue that is needlessly costing the lives of dozens of Canadians each year.
You know what bugs me? Urban myths. I hate it when inaccurate, misleading or downright wrong information is perpetuated by the media, the entertainment industry or just spread through the grapevine. Sometimes it is just a pet peeve or an annoyance but it can be a big deal when the public gets bad information about an issue that is needlessly costing the lives of dozens of Canadians each year.
Between Alarms: Risk management requires thought
Two recent events got me thinking about our occupation. The first was a letter to an editor of a local paper that caused a bit of an uproar between emergency responders. In a nutshell, the letter writer was frustrated with an EMT who stayed outside an area where a stabbing had occurred. The letter writer felt the patient perished because the EMT did not enter the scene immediately. The writer went on to say that if he were in a similar situation he would have entered without delay and therefore the outcome may have been different. The second event was a TV show about firefighters. A district chief was asked about gambling within the fire department. He went on a bit of a rant and finished by saying “We are New York City firefighters. Every day of our lives is a gamble.”
Two recent events got me thinking about our occupation. The first was a letter to an editor of a local paper that caused a bit of an uproar between emergency responders. In a nutshell, the letter writer was frustrated with an EMT who stayed outside an area where a stabbing had occurred. The letter writer felt the patient perished because the EMT did not enter the scene immediately. The writer went on to say that if he were in a similar situation he would have entered without delay and therefore the outcome may have been different. The second event was a TV show about firefighters. A district chief was asked about gambling within the fire department. He went on a bit of a rant and finished by saying “We are New York City firefighters. Every day of our lives is a gamble.”
Getting the message out
Customer service backpack program ensures consistency of message by fire fighters in providing information to citizens
Customer service backpack program ensures consistency of message by fire fighters in providing information to citizens
Sparky hits the ice
An innovative partnership for fire prevention and public education is paying off for this fire department in Ontario. The City of Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Service had created a partnership with retired NHL defensive player Jeff Beukeboom and East Side Mario’s restaurant in Lindsay.
An innovative partnership for fire prevention and public education is paying off for this fire department in Ontario. The City of Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Service had created a partnership with retired NHL defensive player Jeff Beukeboom and East Side Mario’s restaurant in Lindsay.
Smoke alarms: evaluating effectiveness
Do they really prevent fire deaths? Current research is challenging our beliefs.
Do they really prevent fire deaths? Current research is challenging our beliefs.
New challenges: Responding today, planning for tomorrow
Fire suppression has always been an art rather than a science. There are so many variables to contend with at the scene, that successfully dousing the flames has always been a blend of practical knowledge, hard work, courage, and plain good luck.
Fire suppression has always been an art rather than a science. There are so many variables to contend with at the scene, that successfully dousing the flames has always been a blend of practical knowledge, hard work, courage, and plain good luck.
