Why is it whenever we find out we will be receiving a probationary firefighter we get all excited and say we are going Back to the Basics. When truth be told you have enough equipment and topics to stay on the basics all year-long and then some. What I have found is that when you are getting back to the basics, seasoned firefighters have high anxiety for this also because they have not always kept up their skills. I have also found that seasoned and veteran firefighters love to teach for the fear that they too may have to do the skill and look like a blundering mess. Ensure the Veteran (Seasoned) firefighter demonstrates the skill so that it is known that he or she can still perform the Basics Skills also. It is high time to quite chomping at the bit when a probationary firefighter comes through the door and start asking the question Why just the probie. Recent events are showing that it’s not just probationer dying in fires and a great majority of deaths you can most likely attribute the lack of continuous basics skills training to a death. Don’t believe me review reports and tell me I’ m wrong then.
LODD’s
Posted in LODD, Thoughts on July 28, 2010 by anchorpoint1
Rest in peace brothers.
After a tough couple days the USFA says there were 49 LODD’s as of 7/27/2010. 2 more in Bridgeport Conn, 1 in Otis Mass, 2 more in Rocky Mount Va.
A Line of Duty Death is one of THE hardest things a firefighter will ever have to deal with. EVER
For all you vets out there, think about what kept you going when you were deployed. It wasn’t because you were fighting for freedom for some people from a country you couldn’t find on a map in high school. You fought because of the soldier beside you. You fought to protect him/her and the favor was returned.
It’s the same in the fire service. You do your job and do your best to help out your fellow firefighter, look after each other. When one of YOUR brothers dies there is a feeling that you let them down. You let everybody in the department down. You have let their family down.
This is not the case.
I’ve been involved in the extrication and removal of LODD’s. Not a highlight of my career. Dealing with injured children is horrible. Dealing with the removal of your deceased brother is worse. The guy you hung out with last week, it’s worse. The guy who stopped you from falling into the water at that dock fire, it’s worse. The guy that pissed you off because he came in late for work the one day you needed to leave early, the guy that won’t come to work again, is far far worse. 1 person involved with the same LODD as me took early retirement, it’s that bad. These incidents weigh heavy on the people who work them. And I’m sure it’s the same in Bridgeport, Rocky Mount and Otis currently. But this is also part of the job. Personally I was fine until we had the victim packaged and were waiting for his company to come and carry him out. I came a bit unglued, no details, sorry.
Why do so many firefighters show up at LODD funerals? Because we all feel like we let our brothers down. This is the same job city to city, town to town, state to state. Same guys, same personalities, same family, same families.
The least we can do is show up on their final day and wish them good luck on the next part of their voyage.
The least we can do is show the city that they have more than just their own firefighters to answer to.
The least we can do is show the country why we are called a brotherhood.
But most importantly, to show the fallen firefighter’s family that we look after each other and we take the loss personally also.
Learn from every death or they die in vain. I hope the best for the people who worked the scenes, and also for those who are still in the hospital.
Rest in peace, see you in Bridgeport.
With Heavy Hearts and Heads in Hands
Posted in Thoughts, fire on July 25, 2010 by blancety
Once again we find ourselves mourning the loss of two brothers. Lt. Steven Velazquez and Firefighter Michel Baik paid the ulitmate price on Saturday July 24 in Bridgeport Connecticut.
It is way too early to know what happened and why, but we should take a moment to refocus our efforts and make sure we are as prepared as we can be to do our jobs. We need to be extra vigilant and always expect that the worst can happen.
So as you head to the station this morning, take a moment to say a prayers for Brothers Velazquez , Baik, their families and the Bridgeport Fire Department. Then take a moment to make sure you are as prepared as you can be. We owe to these brothers, and the hundreds of brothers before them that have made the ultimate sacrafice.
Give the best saying or phrase you use or have heard by Jeff Schwering
Posted in Thoughts on July 19, 2010 by basiceditor1Many quotes and sayings, whether by well known Brother firefighters or the guy on the next due company, seem to play a part in who we are as firefighters and as Brothers! Lets see how many we can come up with. Since I’m tossing the gauntlet, I’ll be first: First In, Last Out by John Salka, “Leadership would be easy, if it wasn’t for people!”
Drill: Practice your Mayday Procedures
Posted in Drills on July 19, 2010 by firestudent1- Review your procedures for calling a mayday
- Discuss the parameters of when you would call a mayday like the pic below.
- Get your gloves and radio and call a mayday using whichever mnemonic your department uses ex LUNAR, UNCAN
- Also practice activating your Emergency Button on your radios with gloved hands if the buttons are activated.
We will add to this drill in the coming weeks. 
Flashover Fridays
Posted in Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 by anchorpoint1Sorry this isn’t where we show you a video of flashovers. The ticker tape was pretty popular so we will expand on that. Everybody loves to complain, myself included. We’ll start with some general things and then see where we go from there.
Complain or praise as you see fit, but you better explain/justify your statements so others understand. Otherwise you will have wasted your time and others as well.
Week 1 will be apparatus.
I hate E-one. and here’s why;
1. They are THE cheapest built apparatus on the market. If you want lowest bidder here it is.
2. Suspension is Crap. Broken leaf springs every couple years. The 2 year old pump we are driving recently broke one.
3. No design evolution. The new ones look just like the old ones. Oh no, wait the gauges on the dash now have Blue lights and they are currently working, I’m sure it won’t last.
4. The good, They are cheap
I like Pierce. New design, quality assembly with quality parts. They run strong and look good. The bad: Price, The damn doors don’t stay shut, the steps cracked the first year, and there are locks on the doors and only 2 keys. Who carries Keys?
Apparatus Chevroning? Non Effective Reaction or About Damn Time
Posted in Thoughts on July 15, 2010 by firestudent1While enjoying the discussion on Personal Escape Systems. Bill Carey from BackstepFirefighter really got me to thinking. Why are we always so reactionary to problems and want to fix them with gadgets when the problem does boil down to training. Don’t take me wrong I wrote the post and strongly believe personal escape systems should be included of some form with the next NFPA 1971. With that said I noticed another standard was created based on fatalities while firefighters are working in the roadway. Chevron’s are now apart of NFPA 1901 and I want to know if you all feel it is effective or just another costly knee jerk reaction?
Are firefighters getting hurt because we are not seen or because we are not properly placing apparatus? Has this really solved our problem or just become another merchandising frenzy. Make sure you go to backstepfirefighter to read Bills post. Very insightful
South Carolina Low Country Firefighters you have been Challenged to a Bowl Off For MDA by The St. Andrews Fire Department
Posted in Uncategorized on July 15, 2010 by firestudent11st Annual St. Andrews Fire Department Bowl-A-Thon to Benefit MDA
August 20th &21st
1963 Savannah Highway
Name_____________________________________________________________________
Company__________________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________________
Phone __________________Fax _________________Email _________________________
Want to play or be a sponsor? Teams or individuals may sign up to play, or your company may do even more by choosing to be a sponsor. Some options include:
Team Registration Teams of four may sign up to play together. Don’t have a foursome?
Don’t worry, we will match you with other players for your convenience. $ 30 per person
Strike Sponsor Your company name/logo will be displayed on a sign at one lane for only: $50/one day or $ 75/two
# of people to register: __________ August 20th (Circle 1) 6PM-10PM or August 21st 12PM-4PM
Register one team of 4 players __________
My check will follow this fax via mail, made payable MDA.
_______ I will not be able to attend but please accept my donation of $ ______________ to follow by mail.
_______ I would like to sponsor a Lane. My check will follow via mail. Please contact me for sign information.
Deadline: August 13th.
Fax Your Fast entry form to (843)556-7826
Mail your check to:
Muscular Dystrophy Association
29 Leinbach Drive, Suite D-5
Charleston, SC 29407
To pay by Credit Card or to make a donation please call (843)556-3654.
Firefighter fitness
Posted in Firefighter Fitness on July 14, 2010 by anchorpoint1According to USFA, as of May 31, 2110 there were 31 LODDs. Of those, 17 were heart attack.
More than 54%.
More than half.
I guess that begs the question; Why?
I’ll spare you the firehouse routine. Here are the factors that USFA uses-Tobacco use, Weight, Inactivity, Diabetes, Family history, and High Blood pressure. And The age of 45 is the magic number for when heart attacks start to dominate firefighter deaths.
Think about what we expect from our bodies…wake up and run in the middle of the night. Over exertion almost every time we catch a job. And so forth. What are you doing for your heart health? What are you doing for your health
I’ll glaze over a couple things you can do.
The classic house tower run. Put on your gear, grab a roll of hose and do a few evolutions up and down. Don’t try to kill yourself until you have gotten used to doing the work. After you are spent do 1-2 more trips without all the extra weight.
Running, Jogging, biking, swimming, self explanatory. My personal favorite are the guys with big muscles but no capacity to do work.
The next is Crossfit. If you don’t have an affiliate in your area go to www.crossfit.com. They have all the workouts listed and video demonstrations of them. I am a huge fan of this. The biggest problem is the price. But it is well worth it and you will see results.
Finally; GO TO THE DOCTOR!
Get a physical. Get all the pokes and prods that your insurance will cover (if you have it). You are pretty likely to get cancer, the earlier you detect it the better your odds of living.
Do something. Get off your butt and just do some activity. Something is better than nothing. Be Safe
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