FIRE ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENTS
EDITORIAL 6
VOLUNTEERS CORNER 8
Basement fires
TRAINING NOTEBOOK 9
Agriculture rescue management
DISPATCHES 15
More training in silo firefighting
Proposed sprinkler safety standard
Smoke toxicity task force
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 11
COURSES/COMING EVENTS 80
EQUIPMENT DIGEST 82
COMPANY NEWS 88
NAMES IN THE NEWS 90
APPARATUS DELIVERIES 91
CLASSIFIEDS 93
TRAINING AIDS 94
READER SERVICE CARD 95
Second class postal paid at New York, NY 10001, and at additional mailing offices
FEATURES
CLANDESTINE DRUG LABS 16
As the drug epidemic grows, so do the chances of fire suppression forces coming face to face with the toxic fumes and explosive potentials of a clandestine drug lab fire.
BY HANK A. HOWARD
MAKE RESCUE A REALITY 22
A proper in-water rapid deployment search and rescue training program along with professional, dedicated divers and adequate equipment can make the difference between a removal and a rescue.
BY WALT HENDRICK
REFURBISH YOUR APPARATUS 28
Refurbishing has two basic functions: to extend the life of the apparatus and to reduce the amount of money you must spend for improved service.
BY NICK KORNICK
MOBILE TRAINING MAZE 32
The construction of a mobile training maze need not be elaborate or overly expensive. Here is how a group of fire departments put together such a training tool.
BY MIKE VENTIMIGLIA
VINYL CHLORIDE 39
Our chemical data notebook series continues with a discussion of vinyl chloride, the chemical that is primarily used in the polymerization of the second highest volume plastic in the United States.
BY FRANK L. FIRE
MAGNUM FORCE 45
One of the most important lessons learned in this arsenal fire is that while testing conditions and real-life situations do not always produce the same results, neither do two similar real-life situations.
BY JOSEPH J. KAMINSKI, JR.
HELICOPTER SAFETY 49
Since the helicopter is becoming a frequently used tool by the emergency medical service, it is imperative that ground emergency personnel learn the rules of survival when working around helicopters.
BY OSCAR WILTSE
COMMUNICATING THE NEED FOR FIRE DEFENSE 58
Many times, fire service proposals do not receive city council approval because the fire service representative’s presentation is weak, not because the proposal lacks merit.
BY ROGER L. JOHNSON
PRUNE THE TREE 66
The smooth operation of a system or an organization can be snagged by power seekers and empire builders whose tactics can start out as subtle and unobtrusive as a spider’s web.
BY HUGH J. CAULFIELD
RAPID WATER RESCUE 72
Knowing what to look for when sizing up a rapid water rescue situation, the precautions to take and the techniques to exercise can help to bring both the victim and rescuer to shore alive.
BY MIKE PEARSON
