SOC Vehicles Becoming Nerve Centers of Fireground Operations

SOC Vehicles Becoming Nerve Centers of Fireground Operations

At complex fire scenes and natural disasters, these vehicles link all communications, direct operations, serve as rehab centers, and even issue weather reports.
Aerial Ladders and Anthropometry

Aerial Ladders and Anthropometry

Much work has been done recently relating to firefighters and anthropometrics. What is anthropometry? Webster's Dictionary defines it as "the study and technique of human…
Technician Certification Programs vs. Liability

Technician Certification Programs vs. Liability

One area I have not written about regarding automobile, truck, and emergency vehicle technician (EVT) certification programs is that of the liability issue.
Rope Rescue Takes Many Forms in Fire Service

Rope Rescue Takes Many Forms in Fire Service

Although the techniques differ from high angle to confined space to swiftwater to self-rescue, the basic equipment loads and hardware are similar across the disciplines.
The News Is Not Good

The News Is Not Good

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has released its provisional summary of line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) for 2012, and as firefighters and apparatus operators, we should…
The Challenges of Technical Rescue for Rural Fire Departments

The Challenges of Technical Rescue for Rural Fire Departments

Presently being from a very rural fire department in the very rural rocky mountains of Idaho, I have first-hand experience with the challenges of technical…
Finding Right Technical Rescue PPE for the Job

Finding Right Technical Rescue PPE for the Job

Firefighting PPE is for firefighting; rescue PPE is for rescue. But, there are several subsets of technical rescue, and each has gear appropriate for that…