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July 2009

Photo by: Michael Schwartzberg/IFPA

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On the Cover

A two-alarm fire ripped through two vacant buildings at Rosewood State Hospital in Owings Mills in Baltimore County, MD, on March 8, 2009.

Dedication

This month's Firehouse is dedicated to Corporal Christopher Allen Dill, 43, of the Oklahoma City, OK, Fire Department; Lieutenant William Rodger Vorwark, 49, of the Odessa, MO, Fire & Rescue Protection District; Firefighter Gregory Carroll Cooke, 60, of the Salem Volunteer Fire Department in Whitakers, NC; and Chief Nolan Schmidt, 37, of the Hydro, OK, Volunteer Fire Department, who died in the line of duty, March 2009.

Incident Report

On The Job: GEORGIA

On Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008, a three-alarm fire destroyed a historic 107-year-old textile mill in Columbus, GA. Firefighters encountered a large fire in an unoccupied building that was rapidly spreading throughout the structure. High winds were spreading embers for nearly five miles from the fire scene. Due to the size of the structure and the surrounding terrain, positioning apparatus in the best locations for fighting the fire was challenging.
150th Anniversary of Baltimore City Fire Department

In 1858, the mayor and city council of Baltimore City, after much deliberation, passed an ordinance creating the Fire Department of Baltimore City. Five commissioners were appointed to oversee the organization. The size of the original department was set at seven steam fire engine companies and two hook-and-ladder companies. Final approval was made in an ordinance dated March 30, 1859. Charles T. Holloway was appointed chief engineer. A police and fire alarm telegraph system also was proposed. On Feb. 15, 1859, the fire department was put in place and by Dec.
On The Job: BRITISH COLUMBIA

On Monday, May 26, 2008, the Fire Rescue Service of Prince George, British Columbia, was faced with managing four major incidents in a 12-hour period that would become the largest combined fire incident in the city's history.

Fire Service Leadership

The "Anatomy & Physiology" Of the Structural Fireground

What type of construction? You may be surprised.

An important feature of a pre-incident plan is the classification of building construction. Classifying the type of building should be simple, quick and strategically relevant. The classification of a building should capture important strategic information including a snapshot of characteristics that are germane to each type of construction.
Great Leaders: Take Input from Their Followers

I was conducting a leadership training class for a large fire department and I noticed a pretty big morale problem. When I started asking questions and getting to the bottom of the issue, I discovered that every decision that was being made in the department was being made without any input or participation from the front line. Only management was involved in the process and every policy and procedure was being shoved down the throats of the followers who were most affected by these decisions.
21st Century Firefighting

If we took a snapshot of today's American fire service, what would we find compared to 10 or 20 or even 50 years ago? Sure, our vehicles have changed, as has our personal protective equipment (PPE), but have we changed how we do business, at least in terms of strategy and tactics?

Don't we rush to the scene, just as we did 50 years ago? Don't we deploy hoselines quickly once we get on location, just as we did a generation or two ago? Don't we still save lives and property, just as in years past? Or, do we?

Fire & Emergency Apparatus

The Apparatus Architect

Part 41

Sometimes, it's the little things that count. With all of the activities surrounding the fire service — response to alarms, training, physical fitness, meetings, staffing plans and budget reviews — it is difficult at times to step back and look at the big picture.

Higher Education for the Fire Service

TENANT STAIRS: How They Impact Fireground Tactics

For many years, fire departments have had to contend with multi-floor tenants who possess internal staircases that allow for quick and efficient travel of employees between floors rather than wasting precious time waiting for an elevator cab to come by. This increases worker productivity. Firefighters, however, know that these stairs (commonly referred to as "privacy," "convenience," "tenant" or "access" stairs) are as convenient for the fire as they are for the tenants.

Emergency Communications, Cover Story

Firehouse Roundtable

As firefighters, we have come to rely upon accurate and uninterrupted communications as a means of enhancing our safety. While many of the tools in our arsenal are used frequently, none are used as routinely — or as often — as our communications devices. While we have progressed from the days of spinning watchman's rattles or banging on locomotive rims to sound an alarm, challenges await — because, when it comes to technology, it's more important to know where you're going than it is to know where you've been.