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Firehouse.com Editor Peter Matthews reports from the VCOS Symposium in the Sun about two departments that have seen very successful recruitment programs.
The first guest is Chief John Bales from the Golden, CO, Fire Department, the recipient of the VCOS & VFIS Retention and Recruitment Award presented at the conference.
In 2005, the IRS visited the fire department to look at the paperwork it was issuing. While this led to a small decline in the membership, several other measures were taken to increase the department’s staffing.
Just how did they more than double their membership? They won a SAFER grant, hired a volunteer coordinator and changed their bylaws.
We also speak with Chief Brian Hickerson of the Nokesville, VA, Volunteer Fire & Rescue. Their unique recruitment toll is junk mail.
The department was faced with the need to staff a second station as the area grew from 10,000 residents to over 33,000. The simple postcards inviting them to a recruitment open house are mailed to every resident in their first-due response area.
Send any comments, questions of feedback to: podcast@firehouse.com.
Related Links
• City of Golden, CO, Fire Department
• Golden VCOS Award Nomination (PDF)
• Nokesville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department
• VCOS Red Ribbon Report (PDF)
• VCOS Blue Ribbon Report (PDF)
• VCOS White Ribbon Report (PDF)
• SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant
• Volunteer & Combination Officer’s Section
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Sponsored By:
This roundtable podcast, recorded at the Firehouse Expo in July, draws from a very experiencd panel on a variety of topics in the specialized rescue field.
The panelists on this podcast include: Division Chief Joe Brocato, of Baltimore City; Battalion Chief Fred LaFemina, of FDNY; Lt. Mickey Conboy, of FDNY and Lt. Scott Merbach from Baltimore City. The podcast was moderated by retired Captain Peter Rizzo of the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and Owner of Tech Rescue Corporation.
They discuss the need for training and preparation in low frequency, high risk incidents and the priorities of technical rescue. Listen to see how these departments have increased the training for specialized rescue, resources that they have found and hear about local training programs that the department’s have created.
Send any comments, questions of feedback to: podcast@firehouse.com.
Related Links
• Tech Rescue Corporation
• Firehouse Expo
• Firehouse World
• Firehouse Central
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
In this edition of Training & Tactics Talk, Chief Douglas Cline talks with South Carolina State Fire Training Academy’s Resident Training Coordinator Phillip Russell about the courses needed for today’s fire service.
One of the key topics is attitude. Is your department’s training both realistic and progressive? These two fire service veterans talk about the importance of making drills interesting and challenging.
They also talk about a needs assessment and gap analysis to determine the direction the training needs to go. Tune in to get an idea what vast resources are available.
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This edition of the Apparatus Architects focuses on cab design and safety. Hosts Tom Shand and Michael Wilbur discuss the importance of securing equipment in the cab area. In a rollover, flying gear can cause serious injuries.
They also talk about what impressed them at trade shows and fire station visits this past year. Tune in to hear their top picks.
Wilbur and Shand also look at several recent apparatus crashes and close calls.
Please send any comments, suggestions or questions for the Apparatus Architects to podcast@firehouse.com
Related Links
• Video Shows Crash of St. Louis Fire Engines
• EmergencyVehicleResponse.com
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• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Firehouse.com talks with the Worcester, MA, Fire Department Captain Kevin Maloney and Lieutenant John Daly about the activities planned for the ninth anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse fire that claimed the lives of six firefighters.
A full-day safety and survival seminar will be conducted on Dec. 3. At 5 p.m., Worcester firefighters will unveil a memorial wall dedicated to Lieutenant Thomas Spencer, Firefighters Timothy Jackson, Paul Brotherton, Jeremiah Lucey, James Lyons and Joseph McGuirk.
Maloney will discuss the memorial which is located at the new firehouse at the site of the tragic fire.
Daly talks about the seminar which features topic including the California I-5 tunnel fire, residential search and ventilation tactics.
The memorial ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at 266 Franklin Street and dress uniform is requested.
Click here learn more about the seminar.
Related Links
• Register for the Safety & Survival Seminar
• Firehouse.com’s Complete Worcester Fire Coverage
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• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
This month on Campus Firewatch Radio, host Ed Comeau discusses the incredibly successful launch of National Campus Fire Safety Month on Capitol Hill that took place on Sept. 9. A coalition of organizations came together for this day, which was co-sponsored by Campus Firewatch, the Ohio Fire Safety Coalition and the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
A contingent of over 50 students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of South Carolina traveled to Washington and were joined by a group of parent advocates for a very successful day that included a packed-room press conference and visits with staffers and members of Congress. Joining us to talk about this is Chapel Hill Fire Chief Dan Jones, Assistant Dean of Students Jenny Levering and Parent Advocate Bonnie Woodruff.
Ed also talks with Justin Phillips, director of education for the People’s Burn Foundation and Ronald Campbell, deputy fire marshal with the Raleigh Fire Department about the landmark training program “To Hell and Back: College Fire Survival” and its website, www.igot2kno.org.
This project was developed by PBF under a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the Department of Homeland Security and is being used in communities and at schools across the nation, including Raleigh. Justin and Ronald provide an excellent overview of this program and how you can use it in your community.
You can view pictures from the recent trip to Washington and the UK launch as well on Campus Firewatch.
On a related note, Firehouse is hosting a series of training videos of a program held at James Madison University featuring Ed Comeau and Justin Phillips speaking about “To Hell and Back,” college fire safety and how to reach out to today’s student demographic.
Campus Safety Fire Videos
• Module 1
• Module 2
• Module 3
• Module 4
• Module 5
• Module 6
Please send any comments, questions or suggestions to podcast@firehouse.com or use the comment box at the bottom of the podcast player page.
Related Links
• Campus Firewatch
• Ohio Fire Safety Coalition
• Congressional Fire Services Institute
• To Hell and Back: College Fire Survival
• People’s Burn Foundation
• Campus Fire Safety Month
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Join Fire Chief Richard B. Gasaway as he moderates a roundtable discussion with four volunteer fire chiefs that was recorded at the recent Firehouse Expo.
The chiefs include William R. Ball of Williamsport, MD, Volunteer Fire & Emergency Medical Services; David Jonker of New Canaan, CT, Fire Company No. 1; Robert Harvey, of the Southern Shores, NC, Volunteer Fire Department and L. Carl Smith, Jr., of the Thunderbolt, GA, Volunteer Fire Department.
Listen as the chiefs discuss recruitment and retention practices, ways to keep personnel trained to the same level and how to deal with the department’s governing body to get the budget items needed to protect the community. This podcast brings best practices from across the East Coast to your station.
Related Links
• RichGasaway.com
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• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
How do we know what to do when faced with a situation? Experts in human behavior under stress tell us that emergency responders develop a cognition process that allows them to recall previous experiences to speed up the decision making process.
In this edition of the Near-Miss Listen and Learn podcast, we’ll explore four reports from www.firefighternearmiss.com. Two of the reports have less than favorable outcomes because of decisions made and two have favorable outcomes.
How does one follow the path to favorable outcomes? Acquiring a strong base of experience, knowledge, and information is one way. But who can go to “all the fires” to build up their experience base?
Other industries that have people making decisions on a stopwatch have learned that experience bases can be enhanced through the transfer of knowledge and information. Case studies, table top exercises and informal kitchen or tailboard chats all contribute to an emergency responder’s decision making capability.
One feature of www.firefighternearmiss.com is the freedom for report readers to not only carry away lessons passed on from the reporter, but to form their own additional knowledge sets to improve their decision making skills.
Related Links
• Near-Miss Reports from this podcast
• National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System
• Webcast: Using Crew Resource Management To Reduce Firefighter Near Misses
• Webcast: Virtual Kitchen Table Talk: Lessons Learned from the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
So much has happened since the tragic loss of nine brave firefighters in Charleston, SC. There have been changes on a national level and most critically, locally within Charleston. One of the most significant changes was the retirement of theFire Chief Rusty Thomas leaving open the very critical “head coach” position within the Charleston Fire Department (CFD).
Clearly after the loss of the “Charleston 9″, the one common denominator that is required to lead the CFD forward is a new head coach, in other words, a new fire chief. And after an in-depth process, the selection by Mayor Joe Riley and the city council has been made and the new Charleston Fire Chief is Chief Tom Carr, currently the chief of Montgomery County, MD, Fire and Rescue and perhaps, the perfect head coach for the job.
Join Through the Smoke host Chief Billy Goldfeder for an in-depth discussion with Chief Carr and learn about his past accomplishments, his goals, his plans and his feelings related to the future of the Charleston Fire Department as their new “head coach.”
Related Links
• The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad
• Montgomery County, MD, Fire and Rescue
• Through The Smoke: Charleston & The Routley Phase II Report - Part 1
• Through The Smoke: Charleston & The Routley Phase II Report - Part 2
• Through The Smoke: The Charleston Fire…What’s Changed? - Part 1
• Charleston Phase 2 Report (PDF)
• Firehouse.com’s Charleston, SC, Tragedy Coverage
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
When an officer comes across a hot button issue, it can leave them in an awkward position. But their duties require them to mitigate any potential problems before they grow out of control.
In this edition of The Leader’s Toolbox, host and Fire Chief Richard B. Gasaway helps an assistant chief who comes across a photograph of the chief’s son in a sexually suggestive pose with one of the department’s female firefighters. Hear what advice Gasaway offers.
He also offers help to a volunteer fire officer who is upset by the actions of some people in his station. The firefighters often feel they are above the rules and regulations. Tune in to find out how to enforce rules without playing favorites.
Please send any suggestions, questions or comments, to: podcast@firehouse.com.
Related Links
• Check out Chief Gasaway’s new website: RichGasaway.com
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
One focus in the October 2008 issue of Firehouse Magazine is fire prevention. This month with talk with Lt. Daniel Byrne of the Beaufort, SC, Fire Department about two articles that were published in this month’s issue.
The first article, titled “Prevention First! Do You Truly Believe It?” explores the notion that the role of fire prevention is not necessarily at the top of the priority list for the rank and file in the firehouse. Lt. Byrne will talk about his experiences learned from traveling around the United States and viewing fire department programs.
Lt. Byrne’s talks about his second article, “Be A Partner in Education, Not Just a Visitor.” hat offers advice to departments to become a common face in schools and in the community. His department’s philosophy includes frequent trips to schools, not just during fire prevention week.
Hear the impact of Beaufort’s fire and life safety education. One student experienced a home fire just a week after firefighters visited his school and he helped his family escape safely.
Related Links
• Daniel Byrne’s Firehouse.com and Firehouse Magazine Article Archives
• Click here to subscribe to Firehouse Magazine
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
This month on Fire Marshal’s Corner, host Ed Comeau looks at three very timely topics starting with Fire Prevention Week. Four fire prevention experts from across the nation took time to talk about the creative programs they are doing to help educate the public and make them aware of what they can do to protect themselves. Featured are Judy Comoletti from NFPA, Wanda Willis of the Harrisonburg, VA, Fire Department, Monica Colby of the Utah State Fire Marshal’s Office and Jennifer Mieth from the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Also discussed is the historic vote at the International Code Council (ICC) code hearing where the requirements for residential sprinklers were just adopted. Joining Ed Comeau are Mike Love of Montgomery County, MD, Fire and Rescue, Vickie Pritchett of Common Voices and Sean DeCrane of the Cleveland Fire Department.
Ed Comeau, along with Bill Kehoe of the Institution of Fire Engineers Project Manager Jim Crawford offer an overview of the landmark report released by the Vision 20/20 project. Hear what changes are in store to effect a more fire-safe country.
Related Links
• Vision 20/20 Website
• Plans for Burn Room Mockups
• Campus Fire Safety Video Presentation
• Sparky the Fire Dog
• NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week Website
• Common Voices
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Volunteer fire departments are seeing a decrease in personnel and some agencies are going in the direction of combination operations. This podcast, hosted by IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers’ Section (VCOS) Director Tim Wall looks at creating a successful combination fire service.
This round table discussion includes Executive Director Ted Aroesty, of the Brighton, NY, Fire Department; Fire Chief John M. Buckman from German Township, IN and Chief Tom Maloney, of Snohomish County, WA, Fire Department.
All three are veteran members of combination departments and offer insight into the needs of a department when it’s going to tranisition to a combination agency. From including the members of the fire department and the communitry in the planning process, to ensuring a positive work environment, this ideas are sure to help departments in similar situations.
They also discuss the need to plan out the long term goals of the department and making sure all of the tasks are covered, but keeping every roll in the department filled by qualified and interested personnel.
This edition of VCOS Radio wraps up with a preview of the VCOS Symposium in the Sun that takes place Oct. 30 - Nov. 2 in Clearwater Beach, FL.
Send any comments, questions of feedback to: podcast@firehouse.com.
Related Links
• VCOS Website
• Register Now: VCOS Symposium in the Sun
• The Transition from Volunteer to Combination (PDF)
• VCOS Blue Ribbon Report (PDF)
• VCOS Red Ribbon Report (PDF)
• VCOS White Ribbon Report (PDF)
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Sponsored By:
Host Douglas K. Cline and Battalion Chief Les Stephens, of the Garland, TX, Fire Department, look at “Go or No Go Strategy & Tactics” for the fire service.
They will explore tactics used in dwellings and commercial buildings. Both chiefs feel that because dwelling fires are more common, the same tactics are deployed at both. Could that be a reason for fireground injuries and deaths?
Stephens discusses the conditions that dictate offensive or defensive attacks in commercial structure fires. Those factors include building anatomy, resources and fire behavior.
They also respond to a listener’s questions on what truly is back to the basics for fire service training.
Send any comments, suggestions, or topics ideas to podcast@firehouse.com
Related Links
• Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Fire Fighters Due to Truss System Failures
• Douglas Cline’s Firehouse.com Archives
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
In this segment of the National Fire Protection Association Podcast, we focus on the Fire-Safe Cigarette (FSC) campaign. Already a majority of states have passed FSC legislation to require manufacturers to produce and market only cigarettes that adhere to an established fire safety performance standard.
NFPA President Jim Shannon answers questions about our organization’s involvement in the FSC campaign and why the fire service played such a crucial role.
We also hear from three state officials involved in FSC enforcement, Paul Martin the acting chief at New York’s Bureau of Fire Prevention, Vermont’s Assistant State Fire Marshal Robert Howe, and Anita Philips the license and permit services manager with the Oregon Fire Marshal’s office.
Please send any suggestions, questions or comments, to: podcast@firehouse.com.
Related Links
• The Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes
• Daily News on the FSC Blog
• Video: Jim Shannon’s Introduction to NFPA’s FSC Campaign
• State-by-State Action on Fire-Safe Cigarettes
• Model Legislation
• About Fire-Safe Cigarettes
• The U.S. Smoking Material Fire Problem
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here