FIRE ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENTS
EDITORIAL 6
A Christmas past, a fire service present
VOLUNTEERS CORNER 8
Lighting the fireground
TRAINING NOTEBOOK 10
The SCBA problem
DISPATCHES 16
Line-of-duty death rate increased CAD systems guide Safety system for jails FEMA aid offsets firefight costs
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 15
COMPANY NEWS 53
COURSES/COMING EVENTS 54
APPARATUS DELIVERIES 55
EQUIPMENT DIGEST 56
CLASSIFIEDS 58
READER SERVICE CARD 59
FEATURES
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS ON THE FIREGROUND 18
The successful mitigation of an emergency incident often depends on successful two-way communication between operating personnel. For effective radio communication, departments must institute and maintain proper radio system procedures. BY FRANK J. SAN SEVERINO
DRILLING FOR DISASTER 21
Efficient mitigation of major incidents occurring in your district’s target hazards is possible only through preplanning, training, and interagency cooperation. BY JIM NYLANDER and JEANNE OUELLETTE
PREPLAN FOR NEW-MEMBER TRAINING 24
To meet the demands of the profession, firefighters must undergo constant training and drilling. Here are some tips for organizing your training programs to benefit both the new as well as the seasoned member of your department. BY ERNEST SCHIRMER
GRAND CENTRAL STATION FIRE 27
A fire 75 feet underground posed more than the usual number of strategic factors and obstacles that firefighters have to overcome. Intense heat, heavy smoke, complicated access to the fire, and reluctance of transit personnel to shut down power were just some of the problems faced by fire forces. BY ROBERT L. CANTILLO and LOUIS J. RAGUSA
REKINDLE 35
Rekindle, an old and much feared problem in the fire service, wreaked havoc with one department until they looked beyond the normal means of fire spread in common building material. BY GEORGE W. ODELL
STATISTICS—A SOUND MANAGEMENT BASE 38
Properly gathered and used, statistics can help to lessen local fire losses by offering a sound basis for well-calculated decisions on how best to channel fire department resources. BY ROBERT NIELSEN
INCREASE FIRE SAFETY IN HOTEL ROOMS 40
This article covers the major precautions and basic measures to be taken in preventing and detecting fires in hotel and motel guest rooms.
BY CHARLES H. RULE
WINTERIZE PUMPER OPERATIONS 44
The importance of the apparatus engineer is underscored during normal fire company operations, but as winter snows begin to fall, his true capabilities are really put to the test. BY GLEN BLACKWELL
INCREASE YOUR WATER SUPPLY OPTIONS 50
Here is how one rural/suburban fire company actually improved the amount and locations of its district’s water supplies, and lowered its ISO ratings as well. BY DAVIO J. SEIFFERT
