Follow the Leader, Redefined

By Jim Spell

Fire-service officers must understand so-called followership to best utilize chain of command and protect firefighters at incidents....

In the Line of Fire

By Robert R. Rielage

The successful response to the recent mass shootings at Fort Hood and in Orlando may change the policies that will govern similar incidents in the future....

Strong with the Wind

By Dr. Ed Brotak

In extreme weather conditions, fire control is difficult — if not impossible....

The Best Teacher

By Glenn Bischoff (glenn.bischoff@penton.com)

Every kid dreams about what they're going to become when they grow up. One of my dreams was to be a firefighter....

First Line of Defense

By Mary Rose Roberts

It will take the DOD at least four days to gather resources after a disaster hits. Here's what to do in the meantime....

Cultural Upheaval

By Mike Wieder

Safe tanker operations aren't just a technical issue, they are a cultural issue....

Number Crunchers

By Ken Crooks

Taking a cue from business, this Texas department took a hard look at response data when determining resource reallocation....

Be Someone's Hero

By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)

So many people work so hard to keep first responders safe, yet individuals take risks that get them injured or killed....

Letters to the Editor

Readers respond to "Oh, Canada" and Crash-Fee Bans....

SuperCritical Air Pack Lightens Firefighters' Load

By Mary Rose Roberts

Colorado State University researchers will use an existing device from Niwot Technologies that can cool firefighters as they work....

Chicago OEMC Hosts 3-Day, Large-Scale Exercise

By Janet Wilmoth

Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications held a three-day regional exercise to test and evaluate capabilities to respond to and mitigate large-scale incidents....

Mesa FD Volunteer Program Gets Accolades

By Mary Rose Roberts

The National Volunteer Fire Council has awarded the Mesa (Ariz.) Fire Department the 2009 Fire Corps Award of Excellence. The awards annually honor a Fire Corps program that exemplifies outstanding performance...

Memorial Fund Calls for Swiftwater-Rescue Nominations

By Janet Wilmoth

The Higgins & Langley Memorial and Education Fund, working in conjunction with the Swiftwater Rescue Committee of the National Association for Search and Rescue, is seeking nominations for its 2010 memorial awards....

Job Assignment by Seat Position

By Robert R. Rielage

While standard operating guidelines set fireground expectations that does not mean arriving firefighters know their individual responsibilities or the equipment they'll need. This is where the standardized job assignment card comes in....

Give a Hoot, Start to Recruit

By Ronny J. Coleman

Do our residents think that because they have a fire station down the street and access to 911 systems, that they don't need a residential sprinkler?...

Legal Eagle

By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)

Philip Stittleburg shares his insights — as both an attorney and a chief — on what agencies should do in the event of a vehicle accident....