Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Little Cost, Big Improvement
By Chris Cavette
You may want to consider some upgrades for improved safety and performance...
Bottle Service
Self-contained breathing apparatus are right beside radios in the quest for interoperability and interchangeability...
Speed of Ideas
By Ronny J. Coleman
Technology can’t be avoided and instead should be embraced for the opportunities it offers...
A Fresh View
By Chris Cavette
In the past, many departments viewed skid-mounted pump and tank units as something to be used by the state forest service or rural fire districts because...
A Little Light Here
My mother, cousin and I recently went to a mega-movie complex near my home. Before the previews, there was the standard safety warning to "Please note the exits in the theater." Thus reminded, I quickly looked for the exit signs but didn't see them...
By the Numbers
By Chris Cavette
Every department should have a preventive maintenance program to keep its vehicles and equipment in top operating condition. A good preventive maintenance...
Pressure Precepts
By Kriss Garcia & Reinhard Kauffmann
As more incident commanders turn to positive-pressure ventilation as part of their firefighting attack strategy, the potential for injuries rises. ...
NIST Tests PPV in High Rise
By Kevin Daniels; Managing Editor
Recent positive-pressure ventilation experiments in an abandoned Chicago high-rise have helped to put some hard numbers behind experience and anecdotes....
On the Road Again
By Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
Geographic Information Systems have become an essential tool in organizing and analyzing information for better decision-making. They're like real-time encyclopedias that can be invaluable, particularly for public safety agencies. To learn more, I attended the 2006 ESRI Homeland Security GIS Summit in Denver...
Image Ready?
By David A. Little
The move toward standardization for thermal imagers begins — but at a cost....
High-Rise Pump Panels
By Chris Cavette
Traditional side-mount pump panels are designed to put the operator close to the pump controls and gauges. Unfortunately, in many situations they also...
Beyond First Aid
By Mary Beth Michos
A comparison of EMS 50 years ago to today brings an appreciation for some big advancements....
OSHA Releases Fire Protection Design Manual
Information contained in a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration manual may help increase the safety of building occupants and emergency responders, according to its publisher. Fire Service Features of Building and Fire Protection Systems is designed to help streamline fire service interaction with building features and fire protection systems....
Now Hear This
By Courtney DeWinter
Public safety departments today face very real resource challenges. The emergency call volume of most departments has risen due to population increases,...
Smart Talk
By David Holmberg
Today's modern buildings function with multiple control systems programmed to run different building systems. Network communications carry commands from...
Here They Come
By Chris Cavette
Several manufacturers showed their new engines at the Fire Department Instructors Conference earlier this year, which has generated a lot of discussion...
HSC Recognizes Fire Safety Products
Four companies manufacturing fire safety products have received Commendation Awards from the Home Safety Council for their efforts to advance consumer safety in and around the home....
No Size Fits All
By Janet Wilmoth
As the foaming systems manager for Pierce Manufacturing, Clarence Grady knows his way around firefighting alternatives to water. He served as both a career...
Do More with Less
By Chris Cavette
At a time when departments are trying to get the best value for their budgets, multi-use apparatus can be a real bargain. In some cases they can double...
NFPA to Allow Electronic Monitoring of Fire Extinguishers
Recognizing the improved reliability and added safety of electronically monitored fire extinguishers, the National Fire Protection Association has amended NFPA 10, Portable Fire Extinguishers, and NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, to allow electronic monitoring in lieu of mandatory physical 30-day inspections. The amended codes will go into effect in September 2006 ...
HP Recalls Cameras Due to Fire Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Hewlett-Packard of Palo Alto, Calif., has announced a voluntary recall of about 224,000 digital cameras. The cameras can cause certain non-rechargeable batteries, such as the Duracell CP-1, to overheat when the camera is connected to an AC adapter or docking station, posing a fire hazard....
Forward Motion
By Chris Cavette
Apparatus advances allow for smoother braking and higher engine efficency, all while helping to lower staffing needs and reduce firefighter injuries....
Tool Time
By Todd Hoffman
Determining the best set of rescue tools for your department begins with asking questions -- a lot of questions....
Study Analyzes Fire Spread in Tunnels
In a number of catastrophic tunnel fires, fire often spreads from vehicle to vehicle over surprisingly large distances, occasionally hundreds of meters....
Smoke Detector Tests Reveal Design Flaw
Comparisons of two different commercially available photoelectric smoke detector models found significant differences in how the detectors responded to...
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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. |
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