In Case You Missed It: September 2018 Firefighting Articles

See some of the Web-only features that ran on the Fire Engineering site in 2018.

Professional Development in the Fire Service

Building and developing good, solid leadership is often a challenge to many fire service organizations, writes Robert DiPietro.

Training Minutes: Patient Assessment at MCI

In this new Training Minutes video, Mike Brown and Mark Litwinko discuss patient assessment in mass-casualty incidents such as mass shootings.

Construction Concerns: Concrete Reinforcement

For his latest Construction Concerns, Gregory Havel examines the combustibility of concrete reinforcements in common structures.

Today’s Evolving Fire Attack

“The time has come to stop arguing over what we call something and put our energy into learning the “when” and “how” to effectively apply water to our firegrounds in the quickest way possible,” writes P.J. Norwood and Nick J. Salameh.

When Firefighters Go Bad

Jay Fisher examines instances of corruption among firefighters in Brazil and what lessons they may provide for fire department leaders and managers in the United States.

Firefighter Physicals: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

“The saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” explains how medicine has informed us about many disease processes and cancers, particularly regarding early detection equating to greater survival rates,” writes Todd LeDuc.

Humpday Hangout: Managing a Hurricane Response

In this week’s hangout, join your hosts Terry McGrath and Chief Rick Lasky as they talk with Rich Collins, Emergency Services Director at Sarasota County, Florida. They will be addressing how to manage a hurricane response.

Holmatro Quick Cuts: Combi Tool for Side Removal

In this Holmatro Quick Cuts video, Todd Taylor and company of Advanced Rescue Solutions demonstrates a variety of techniques that can be accomplished with Holmatro Combi Tool technology.

NFPA 1802: Improving Standards for Firefighter Radios

In April 2018, the NFPA Standards Council approved the NFPA 1802, Standard on Two-Way, Portable RF Voice Communications Devices for Use by Emergency Services Personnel in the Hazard Zone, draft standard to enter into a Fall 2020 cycle. John Facella explains its origins.

New Free Essential Search Techniques Program Available

Essential Search Techniques
is a back-to-the-basics presentation of this essential fireground skill

Standpipe Systems: Stretching from the Street

“In certain situations, stretching from the street rather than using the standpipe system provides more benefit to the firefighters than the standpipe system has to offer,” writes Anthony Rowett Jr.

Humpday Hangout: Water Rescue

In this week’s hangout, Bill Gustin and Mike Dugan talk to their guests about water rescue.

Training Minutes: Halligan Positioning

In this Training Minutes video on forcible entry, Paul DeBartolomeo discusses some details about halligan placement during conventional forcible entry on an inward-opening door.

9/11 Still Causing Line-of-Duty Deaths

On the anniversary of the attacks, Mary Jane Dittmars looks at how the incident is still affecting the fire service and the nation at large.

Construction Concerns: Greenhouses

In his latest Construction Concerns, Gregory Havel examines these surpisingly intricately-built structures whose construction first responders must understand before making any response.

Voices of 9/11

Riley Norwood has some interviews with several people sharing their experiences during the 9/11 terror attacks, including Joseph Higgins, fire commissioner liaison for the FDNY.

Truck Company Ops: Ventilation From Above

In his latest Truck Company Ops article, Mark van der Feyst looks at this all-important operation to use when you are on the roof and need to ventilate from above the fire.

Humpday Hangout: Officer Development Programs

In this new Humpday Hangout, Aaron Heller, Steve Pegram, Brad French, and the rest of the panel will discuss best practices in company officer development, including recommended training, mentoring, and applicable national standards.

Training Minutes: Water Movement and Mapping

In this new Training Minutes video, Cobb County (GA) Fire Captain Sean Gray and Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Captain Chad Christenson talk about water movement and cooling in structure fires.

Operating on Autopilot

Firefighters can become creatures of habit, but there are dangers when it comes to automating our responses. David DeStefano on maintaining situational awareness when it comes to size-up and changing fireground conditions.