KEEPING YOU SAFE
STEPHEN MARKS | 01/11/2010

Regardless of our background in the emergency services, we are charged with the responsibility of serving our community. Most of us realized this when we began our careers, although it may not have been the only reason we chose to follow such a path. It doesn’ t matter whether we are paid or volunteer. It doesn’ t matter if we dispatch the calls, respond to them, or clean up after them. We’ re all in this together —serving our community.

Education and Training
Joe Mancos | 10/18/2009

"Training is one of the most challenging jobs in all of public safety.” I heard this statement in a class I attended some time ago, and I have thought about it over the years. I have amended that statement made all those years ago in that classroom to say, “Doing training well is one of the most challenging jobs in public safety.”

Fire
JOE MANCOS | 01/11/2010

I have been told that to be successful in any emergency field you must “think outside the box.”In this article, we are going to explore rapid assessment and prehospital treatment of severe Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The skull has been often described as the box the brain is enclosed in. With this in mind, let us review the basic anatomy, assessment and treatment for head injuries as well as some common pitfalls when treating the head injury patient in the prehospital environment.

Fire
DOUG ROSS | 10/18/2009

Unlike a burglary or homicide scene, the preservation of the potential arson scene is a more difficult task for the 1st Responder. If you think about it, often arson scenes aren’t confirmed as actual crime scenes until hours, days or weeks after the fire is suppressed! For this reason alone all fire scenes must be considered potential crime scenes from the outset. 

Fire
DAVE MURPHY | 01/11/2010

Our essential mission and number one priority is to deliver the best possible service to our customers —or is it?

Do we only show up when someone calls 911? If this is the case, I maintain you are not providing the best possible service to your customer, the citizens that pay your salary, or provide the necessary resources for you to operate.

Equipment
DAVID PEASE | 01/11/2010

I would like to touch on a couple of good products that we used in Guatemala with our training there. One tool has been around for quite a while actually, and is one that does an excellent job at what it is designed to do. Produced by Wehr, the “GlasMaster” is one of the best tools for cutting out a windshield that has come along in quite some time. When windshields used to be set in rubber gaskets, they could be removed by popping off the trim mold, and placing a bailing hook behind the edge of the glass to pop out the window.

Financial
Bart Valley | 10/18/2009

Last year’s stock market decline created significant stress for investors. Unfortunately, in times like last year, we often see investors panicking and moving out of risky assets such as stocks into safer holdings like savings accounts or Treasury bills. But the truth is these safer investments have never produced the kinds of real returns that most investors need. Safe investments like savings accounts or Treasury bills might eliminate investment risk, but they introduce another problem: purchasing power risk.

Equipment
TIM WOJCIK | 10/18/2009

Let me take a quick second to stand on my soapbox. Have you ever noticed that we in the fire service are quick and passionate when it comes to training on things like RIT, Mayday Drills and Self Rescue? This is a good thing, but have you also noticed that we tend to be equally as passionate against preventive training and actions? Have you ever been written up for not wearing a seatbelt or using a backer? What was your response? I bet there was passion, but not the good kind!

Equipment
DAVID PEASE | 10/18/2009

Awhile back we looked at OTB water boots, one of the best water boots I have come across. They also make several styles of tactical land boots that have some of the same features as their water boots. I had a chance to wear the Bushmaster tactical boot while I was in Guatemala, and it was extremely comfortable and wore really well. The boot looks almost like the Abyss, one of their water boots, but obviously does not have the holes for water drainage. The Bushmaster boots come in black or tan and are a lower cut style boot. The boot has a mesh quarter panel that keeps your foot cooler, and a dual cushioned inner bed for better wicking and comfort. This lightweight boot is comfortable to wear, has great traction with the vibram sole, and a reinforced rubber toe and heel for climbing. This boot also features reinforced lace loops and an irregular lace so it will not come untied in the field. This is a great lightweight tactical and search boot.

From the Editor
Sherry Brooks | 10/18/2009

In this edition, we feature expanded coverage in the area of Hazmat. It is such a vital area of the Fire Rescue EMS world, and we’re pleased to bring it to you.

We welcome Glen Clapp, president of the North Carolina Association of Hazardous Materials Responders (NCAHMR), and his expertise on all things hazmat. In this issue, Clapp covers the Annual Hazmat Competition, along with some amazing pictures from Michael Porowski. Read his feature article on the challenge of chlorine railcar enhanced fittings.