Saturday, May 17, 2008
Culture Can Prevent Firehouse Explosions
By Ronny J. Coleman
The fire service has been characterized as a brotherhood and later as a family, but some of the acts being committed within firehouse culture are nothing less than brutal and anything but familial....
Hearing Aids May Not Meet Safety Standards
By Philip Stittleburg
The firefighter applicant’s employment discrimination claim alleged handicap discrimination, contending that the division should have allowed him to meet the hearing standards with his hearing aids....
We Heard You!
By Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
Chief Sam Chapman of Goose Creek, S.C., wanted more information about training rooms in fire stations and how "not to build an ugly station." Tom Neary of the Mill Creek (Del.) Volunteer Fire Company wanted us to change the location of the conference each year and to tour different fire stations, while many others attending our Station Style Conference last year wanted the pre-conference session broken up into "starting from scratch" and "beginning construction" sessions for more individual time with architects....
Fire Service Leaders Testify Before Appropriations Subcommittee
The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the federal government’s role in the preparing for disasters and was a first step in appropriating DHS funding. ...
NVFC Testifies on Homeland Security Before House Subcommittee
Cherryville (N.C.) Fire Chief Jeff Cash, a member of the National Volunteer Fire Council Executive Committee and NVFC North Carolina state director, testified earlier this month before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security at a hearing on disaster preparation. Cash's testimony focused on issues of particular concern to the volunteer fire service. ...
USFA Takes Lead at DHS Fire Desk
In his latest edition of Chief's Corner, Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson notes that the U.S. Fire Administration has been designated as the lead agency for staffing the newly created Fire Desk at the Department of Homeland Security National Operations Center. ...
Senate Holds Cade Nomination Hearing
Cade said that his priorities as U.S. fire administrator would be to provide firefighter training throughout the states, to improve data collection and analysis at USFA and to improve training and networking opportunities at the National Fire Academy. ...
FEMA's 2008 Budget Cuts Back on FIRE Grants
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released its FY 2008 budget request, which increases funding for the U.S. Fire Administration while reducing the amount of money available for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program....
FEMA Names Director of Region III
Jonathan D. Sarubbi has been appointed regional director of Region III in Philadelphia for the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. ...
IAFF to Webcast Presidential Forum
Presidential hopefuls seeking the International Association of Fire Fighters' endorsement in 2008 will address thousands of IAFF leaders and members at the IAFF Presidential Forum March 14. The forum will be available in streaming video on the IAFF Web site via time-delayed webcast several few hours after the start of the live event. ...
USFA: Prepare for Daylight Saving Time Changeover
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, this upcoming weekend's time change for congressionally mandated Daylight Saving Time may have unintended consequences in the fire protection industry. ...
Rubin Tapped for D.C. Chief's Post
Atlanta Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin has been nominated to head the Washington (D.C.) Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. His appointment is contingent on the approval of the D.C. council. ...
IAWF Awards 2 Scholarships
The International Association of Wildland Fire has awarded two scholarships to students in Canada and Australia. These scholarships, each worth $2,500, are designated for Master of Science or Ph.D. students studying wildland fire or wildland fire-related topics....
Briese Receives Leadership Award
The Congressional Fire Services Institute’s board of directors has selected Garry Briese, former executive director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, as the recipient of the 2007 Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. The presentation will take place at the 19th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on March 29 in Washington, D.C. ...
Can a Just Culture Save Us?
By Mike DeGrosky
Lately, there has been much discussion of just culture in the wildland fire community. Until recently, much of the debate and discussion has centered...
To Pursue Progress, Ask Yourself What If?
By Ronny J. Coleman
Look at the fire service’s past: Almost everything we do today, almost every advance we’ve made, has been the result of someone’s dream....
Is there a Doctor in the House?
By Bruce Evans
If your fire department doesn’t have a physician medical director who is a strong advocate for fire-based EMS, you are missing one of the pillars of your service delivery....
Colorado Springs Scales Many Peaks
Successful EMS, public-education, GIS and wildfire programs make the Colorado Springs (Colo.) Fire Department one to watch....
If Smoking Kills, So Does Recklessness
By Mike Chiaramonte
I wonder how many firefighters quit smoking because they were convinced that tobacco was hazardous to their health, but still think inhaling tar roof shingles, building materials and home furnishings isn’t....
Common Thread
By Cliff Jones
Safety for emergency personnel is woven throughout the fire department accreditation self-assessment process....
Promotional Progress
By Gary E. Curmode, Rick Brazill & John H. Leslie Jr.
The path to career growth can be intimidating without a clear understanding of objectives and prerequisites....
Is Anyone Listening?
By Chuck Bushey
Recently, the International Association of Wildland Fire posted an online survey to gauge U.S. wildland firefighters' concerns over the manslaughter charges...
Weldon to be Honored at CFSI Dinner
Former U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, founder of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, will be honored at the 19th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner with the 2007 CFSI Legislator of the Year Award. The award is part of a special tribute to be conducted at this year's event in honor of Weldon's 20 years of dedicated service to the nation's fire and emergency services on Capitol Hill. ...
Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in House
Legislation granting disability retirement benefits to federal firefighters who contract certain illnesses on the job has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. ...
4 Fill CFSC Leadership Slots
U.S. Sens. Chris Dodd and Susan Collins and U.S. Reps. Peter King and Jo Ann Emerson have been selected as co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, filling four vacancies in leadership following the 2006 Congressional elections. ...
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Mutual Aid is a blog of news and views from FIRE CHIEF staff and industry experts — a virtual conversation about the issues important to you as a fire service leader. |
In Service provides information on fleet management, apparatus specifying and maintenance. Keep abreast of new trends and changes to emergency vehicle apparatus. |
Station Style focuses on the architectural design and needs of fire and emergency stations today. See the latest in design trends and learn about the Fire Station Design Awards. |
