Click play button to listen

In our previous segment, we heard a tragic story from the fire chief who lost his own son to suicide and how that experience changed the way he and his department made it through that horrific experience.  

Listen today as a fellow brother in the fire service, indeed a blue shirt, bravely recounts his own battle with depression- how he suffered, how he handled it, and how he emerged on “the other side”.

Here’s the link to the original article on his blog, “Backwards and Stupid”

Over the past few days and weeks, the fire service news has been inundated with stories of firefighters who have taken their own lives. It’s times like these which force us to pause and realize that the mental health challenges we face every day are truly no different than any physical challenge such as a bum back or sprained knee that keeps us from operating at our best. Why then are we treating these obstacles in such a different way?

The truth is that now, more than ever before, our brothers and sisters in the fire and EMS services, along with our families, have an incredible amount of new resources with which to assist us as we begin to change our attitudes toward the way we address these issues which have always been there, but we were always afraid to confront. The result is that more and more of us are emerging from our behavioral issues as much more healthy, productive, and happy firefighters, moms, and dads.

Now that’s great news.

Firefighter Netcast is suspending our regular programming schedule to bring you re-broadcasts of some of this great news so we can apply it as its needed- starting now.

I urge you to listen in to each of the segments of this Stand Down for Firefighter Behavioral Health. It’s our hope that we can learn to approach these issues we face with a new attitude, and realization that we are winning these battles, just as we have overcome countless challenges over the storied history of this, the greatest service on earth.

Links to Listen to our Previous Episodes

“Stand Down For Firefighter Behavioral Health”

Part 1- The Invisible Scourge

Here’s how big of a deal all of this really is.

Part 2- The Firefighters Mental Health Toolbox

Do you know what you should do if you think your buddy needs some help?

Part 3- A Fire Chief’s Tragic Story

Hear from a chief officer as he describes the tragic loss of his own son and the effect that horrific nightmare had upon him and his department.

Click play button to listen

In part 3 of our series, listen in as Chief Pat Kenny bares his soul about his struggles, both personally as a father and professionally as a chief officer at his department, with the tragic suicide death of his young son.

Chief Kenny tells us how they all made the painful journey in a way which turned the page on how his firefighters related to that incident and how they will pbe better equipped to handle this type of medical emergency- before it becomes fatal.

Over the past few days and weeks, the fire service news has been inundated with stories of firefighters who have taken their own lives. It’s times like these which force us to pause and realize that the mental health challenges we face every day are truly no different than any physical challenge such as a bum back or sprained knee that keeps us from operating at our best. Why then are we treating these obstacles in such a different way?

The truth is that now, more than ever before, our brothers and sisters in the fire and EMS services, along with our families, have an incredible amount of new resources with which to assist us as we begin to change our attitudes toward the way we address these issues which have always been there, but we were always afraid to confront.

The result is that more and more of us are emerging from our behavioral issues as much more healthy, productive, and happy firefighters, moms, and dads. Now that’s great news.

Firefighter Netcast is suspending our regular programming schedule to bring you re-broadcasts of some of this great news so we can apply it as its needed- starting today.

One of our most listened-to shows was originally netcast late last summer and features two special guests who lead a thought-provoking discussion on firefighter behavioral health. Battalion Chief Jeff Dill of the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in suburban Chicago is an Illinois licensed counselor of behavioral issues specifically for firefighters. He formed “Counseling Services For Firefighters” to offer just that- firefighters who know where firefighters are coming from and thus are best quipped to relate and help their brothers and sisters.

Chief Dill is joined by another suburban Chicago Fire Chief- Pat Kenny, retired chief from the Hinsdale and Western Springs fire departments. Chief Kenny is the Assistant Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and a representative at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Seminar on Depression and Suicide held last summer in Baltimore.

Moreover, Chief Kenny is the father of Sean Kenny, who took his own life back in 2006. Listen to Chief Kenny as he offers a firsthand account of what its like to go through the torture of having lost your son to suicide, and how to deal with his loss publicly as a chief officer in his own department.

It’s very powerful stuff, and I hope you’ll join us for the next few days as we bring you all of the segments of this amazing show. It’s our hope that we can learn to approach these issues we face with a new attitude, and realization that we are winning these battles, just as we have overcome countless challenges over the storied history of this, the greatest service on earth.

“Stand Down For Firefighter Behavioral Health”

Part 1- The Invisible Scourge

Here’s how big of a deal all of this really is.

Part 2- The Firefighters Mental Health Toolbox

Do you know what you should do if you think your buddy needs some help?

———————————————–

B/C Dill is a nationally recognized authority on behavioral health issues within the fire service. He established Counseling Services for Fire Fighters, LLC based on the tragic events that surrounded Hurricane Katrina. When speaking with firefighters who returned after serving the community of New Orleans, Jeff heard the pleas of firefighters who had a difficult time talking with counselors who did not have any firefighting experience. They became frustrated and never did seek the help they needed.

In this program, Chief Dill tells us about a new resource coming to the aid of the fire service. Last year, Chief Dill announced the formation of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA). The new 501(c) (3) organization was established to directly educate firefighters/ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and their families about behavioral health issues such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and addictions, as well as firefighter suicides.

FBHA’s sole goal is to promote good mental health to the men and women of the fire service/EMS and their families, as well as make a significant difference in reducing the numbers of firefighters who are turning to suicide to ease their pain. FBHA Founder Jeff Dill holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois.

Joining Chief Dill will be a very special guest- retired Fire Chief Patrick Kenny of the Hinsdale (IL) Fire Department. Chief Kenny is the Assistant Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and a representative at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Seminar on Depression and Suicide.

Tragically, in 2006, Chief Kenny lost his son Sean to suicide. He reflects on the obstacles and challenges he faced as a father as well as a chief officer during his personal nightmare. Since then, Chief Kenny has traveled across the nation and around the world sharing his intensely personal story and promoting advocacy of mental health awareness in the fire service and beyond.

Find out more by visiting any the links above, or browsing these others:

“A Father’s Grief”

Click play button to listen

If one of your brothers or sisters started showing signs that they are in need of some type of help, would you know what tools to reach for?  Would you know how to use the tools?  Do you even know where the toolbox is? 

In today’s segment, we learn the answers to these and other questions.

Over the past few days and weeks, the fire service news has been inundated with stories of firefighters who have taken their own lives. It’s times like these which force us to pause and realize that the mental health challenges we face every day are truly no different than any physical challenge such as a bum back or sprained knee that keeps us from operating at our best. Why then are we treating these obstacles in such a different way?

The truth is that now, more than ever before, our brothers and sisters in the fire and EMS services, along with our families, have an incredible amount of new resources with which to assist us as we begin to change our attitudes toward the way we address these issues which have always been there, but we were always afraid to confront.

The result is that more and more of us are emerging from our behavioral issues as much more healthy, productive, and happy firefighters, moms, and dads. Now that’s great news.

Firefighter Netcast is suspending our regular programming schedule to bring you re-broadcasts of some of this great news so we can apply it as its needed- starting today.

One of our most listened-to shows was originally netcast late last summer and features two special guests who lead a thought-provoking discussion on firefighter behavioral health. Battalion Chief Jeff Dill of the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in suburban Chicago is an Illinois licensed counselor of behavioral issues specifically for firefighters. He formed “Counseling Services For Firefighters” to offer just that- firefighters who know where firefighters are coming from and thus are best quipped to relate and help their brothers and sisters.

Chief Dill is joined by another suburban Chicago Fire Chief- Pat Kenny, retired chief from the Hinsdale and Western Springs fire departments. Chief Kenny is the Assistant Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and a representative at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Seminar on Depression and Suicide held last summer in Baltimore.

Moreover, Chief Kenny is the father of Sean Kenny, who took his own life back in 2006. Listen to Chief Kenny as he offers a firsthand account of what its like to go through the torture of having lost your son to suicide, and how to deal with his loss publicly as a chief officer in his own department.

It’s very powerful stuff, and I hope you’ll join us for the next few days as we bring you all of the segments of this amazing show. It’s our hope that we can learn to approach these issues we face with a new attitude, and realization that we are winning these battles, just as we have overcome countless challenges over the storied history of this, the greatest service on earth.

 ———————————————–

B/C Dill is a nationally recognized authority on behavioral health issues within the fire service. He established Counseling Services for Fire Fighters, LLC based on the tragic events that surrounded Hurricane Katrina. When speaking with firefighters who returned after serving the community of New Orleans, Jeff heard the pleas of firefighters who had a difficult time talking with counselors who did not have any firefighting experience. They became frustrated and never did seek the help they needed.

You can listen to Jeff’s last appearance on the Firefighter Netcast Show here: “Counseling For a Firefighter- By a Firefighter”

In this program, Chief Dill tells us about a new resource coming to the aid of the fire service. Last month, Chief Dill announced the formation of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA). The new 501(c) (3) organization was established to directly educate firefighters/ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and their families about behavioral health issues such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and addictions, as well as firefighter suicides.

FBHA’s sole goal is to promote good mental health to the men and women of the fire service/EMS and their families, as well as make a significant difference in reducing the numbers of firefighters who are turning to suicide to ease their pain. FBHA Founder Jeff Dill holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois.

Joining Chief Dill will be a very special guest- retired Fire Chief Patrick Kenny of the Hinsdale (IL) Fire Department. Chief Kenny is the Assistant Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and a representative at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Seminar on Depression and Suicide.

Tragically, in 2006, Chief Kenny lost his son Sean to suicide. He reflects on the obstacles and challenges he faced as a father as well as a chief officer during his personal nightmare. Since then, Chief Kenny has traveled across the nation and around the world sharing his intensely personal story and promoting advocacy of mental health awareness in the fire service and beyond.

Find out more by visiting any the links above, or browsing these others:

“A Father’s Grief”

Click play button to listen

Over the past few days and weeks, the fire service news has been inundated with stories of firefighters who have taken their own lives.  It’s times like these which force us to pause and realize that the mental health challenges we face every day are truly no different than any physical challenge such as a bum back or sprained knee that keeps us from operating at our best.  Why then are we treating these obstacles in such a different way?

The truth is that now, more than ever before, our brothers and sisters in the fire and EMS services, along with our families, have an incredible amount of new resources with which to assist us as we begin to  change our attitudes toward the way we address these issues which have always been there, but we were always afraid to confront.

The result is that more and more of us are emerging from our behavioral issues as much more healthy, productive, and happy firefighters, moms, and dads.  Now that’s great news.

Firefighter Netcast is suspending our regular programming schedule to bring you re-broadcasts of some of this great news so we can apply it as its needed- starting today.

One of our most listened-to shows was originally netcast late last summer and features two special guests who lead a thought-provoking discussion on firefighter behavioral health.  Battalion Chief Jeff Dill of the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in suburban Chicago is an Illinois licensed counselor of behavioral issues specifically for firefighters.  He formed “Counseling Services For Firefighters” to offer just that- firefighters who know where firefighters are coming from and thus are best quipped to relate and help their brothers and sisters.

Chief Dill is joined by another suburban Chicago Fire Chief- Pat Kenny, retired chief from the Hinsdale and Western Springs fire departments.  Chief Kenny is the Assistant Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and a representative at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Seminar on Depression and Suicide held last summer in Baltimore.

Moreover, Chief Kenny is the father of Sean Kenny, who took his own life back in 2006.  Listen to Chief Kenny as he offers a firsthand account of what its like to go through the torture of having lost your son to suicide, and how to deal with his loss publicly as a chief officer in his own department.

It’s very powerful stuff, and I hope you’ll join us for the next few days as we bring you all of the segments of this amazing show.  It’s our hope that we can learn to approach these issues we face with a new attitude, and realization that we are winning these battles, just as we have overcome countless challenges over the storied history of this, the greatest service on earth.

B/C Dill is a nationally recognized authority on behavioral health issues within the fire service.  He established Counseling Services for Fire Fighters, LLC based on the tragic events that surrounded Hurricane Katrina. When speaking with firefighters who returned after serving the community of New Orleans, Jeff heard the pleas of firefighters who had a difficult time talking with counselors who did not have any firefighting experience. They became frustrated and never did seek the help they needed.

You can listen to Jeff’s last appearance on the Firefighter Netcast Show here: “Counseling For a Firefighter- By a Firefighter”

In this program, Chief Dill tells us about a new resource coming to the aid of the fire service. Last month, Chief Dill announced the formation of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA). The new 501(c) (3) organization was established to directly educate firefighters/ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and their families about behavioral health issues such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and addictions, as well as firefighter suicides.

FBHA’s sole goal is to promote good mental health to the men and women of the fire service/EMS and their families, as well as make a significant difference in reducing the numbers of firefighters who are turning to suicide to ease their pain. FBHA Founder Jeff Dill holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois.

Joining Chief Dill will be a very special guest- retired Fire Chief Patrick Kenny of the Hinsdale (IL) Fire Department. Chief Kenny is the Assistant Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and a representative at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Seminar on Depression and Suicide.

Tragically, in 2006, Chief Kenny lost his son Sean to suicide. He reflects on the obstacles and challenges he faced as a father as well as a chief officer during his personal nightmare. Since then, Chief Kenny has traveled across the nation and around the world sharing his intensely personal story and promoting advocacy of mental health awareness in the fire service and beyond.

Find out more by visiting any the links above, or browsing these others:

“A Father’s Grief”

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Police dashcam captures rescue of man from his burning car; suspected drunk driver pulls out in front of a Chicago engine and injures 10 including 4 firefighters; a NH firefighter is headed to the Super Bowl; and some Super Bowl snacking ideas for the firehouse. 

Here are today’s videos!

Video:  Man Trapped in Burning Car

YouTube video:

Chicago Fire Department Intersection Accident

MyFoxChicago.com video:

9 Injured When Chicago Fire Truck Crashes Into Car: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

New Hampshire Firefighter Going to the Super Bowl

WMUR.com video:

Video Recipe for Super Bowl Sunday at the Firehouse

From TheFirehouseChef on YouTube

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out on our voicemail!

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

A horrific multi vehicle accident on I-75 in Florida overnight as smoke from a wildfire brings visibility down to zero and kills 10 people.  Learn what happens to a South Bend firefighter who takes cell phone video of a fire after his department enacts a “Facebook Policy”. 

Video: Florida Interstate Accident

WFTS.com video

 Firefighter Demoted for Posting Cell Phone Video on the Web

From ABC57.com

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out on our voicemail!

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

We’ve found an incredibly descriptive account from a fellow crew member on what was going on in the interior attack of a hi-rise medical building fire in Asheville NC which claimed the live of Captain Jeff Bowen last July.  This vivid account should be read by every firefighter and makes for great training as well.  Our video of the day shows the rescue of a family from a sightseeing biplane crash in the Caribbean Sea.

Statter911.com: Go Interior With the Crew Who Lost Their Captain

The Loss of Captain Bowen, Part One     

The Loss of Captain Bowen, Part Two     

Support Captain Bowen’s Family Here

Sightseeing Plane Crashes Into the Caribbean:

Video from MSNBC.com:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out on our voicemail!

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

We found an amazing video out of LA County of a cliff rescue by helicopter as seen from the view of the rescuer’s helmetcam.  Then watch the embarrassing video of two paramedics in a hurry to get their human heart to the transplant center when one of them trips.

Helmetcam Video:

Paramedics Drop Human Heart In The Street.

From CBSnews.com

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

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and let it all out on our voicemail!

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

The United States Fire Administration has released a preliminary report of the line of duty death statistics for 2011, and the numbers are still trending downward.  The massive wildfire near Reno Nevada has finally been contained and a remorseful senior citizen steps forward to claim responsibility for starting the fire which eventually forced the evacuation of 10,000 people and may have resulted in the death of one person.  Find out which Guinness World Record was broken in Oklahoma on Friday.

Reno Wildfire

From HuffingtonPost.com

Record Breaking Fire Truck Parade

KTEN.com news report

Link to the Live Podcast- Stop Drop and Roll With the Punches

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and let it all out on our voicemail!

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Join Billy D. Hayes on this program recorded live on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. EST as he hosts a special episode of STOP, DROP, and ROLL With the Punches.

Past episodes have included the Who’s Who in the fire and emergency service, but this one will be the view from the trenches. Billy’s guests  include firefighters and company officers on the line to share their thoughts on why fire prevention and firefighter safety may succeed and/or fail.

We often miss the opportunity to listen to those in the trenches, so this episode is sure to be a hit!  Join us on Monday, January 23 at 9pm ET for this LIVE internet radio show! 

Firefighter Netcast is growing.  We’ll be announcing our new programs for 2012 very soon.  Speaking of new programming, have you checked out Daily Fire Fix.com?  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of news and other interesting fire service happenings brought to you every weekday morning by Firefighter Netcast. 

Simply click the link and listen!  Stories, photos, and videos we refer to during each Daily Fire Fix program are linked to our webpage every day, making it easy to follow along.  If you missed your fix, no worries.  They’re all available on the website as well as iTunes.  So check out the Daily Fire Fix every day at Daily Fire Fix.com!

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out on our voicemail!

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Each week, Daily Fire Fix shines the spotlight on a special fire service web page or technical feature that you may want to check out on your own.  This week, we focus on The Report of the Week from the web page FirefighterNearMiss.com

Report of the Week (ROTW) from FirefighterNearMiss.com

Firefighter Near Miss Home Page

This Week’s Report- “Do We Have an All-Clear At This Time?”

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Click here to listen!

The success of an individual is based upon predicated knowledge skills and abilities.  So how do we develop individuals?  A long standing successful strategy has been individuals paying it forward as mentors.  In this addition of the Chief’s Trumpet you will hear generations of fire service leaders discuss their success based on the concept of “Paying it Forward”.  Join host Chief Douglas Cline, President of the Southeast Association of Fire Chiefs as he is joined a group of individuals who have not only benefited from this concept have reciprocated it to the next generation.  You will not want to miss this program as the lost art of mentoring is taken to the next level and understand why it is so important to keep it going.

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Have we found the worst fire department in the U.S.?  Sadly, probably not. For every video as incredible as the one we’ve found, there are likely dozens, perhaps hundreds of departments just as bad or worse. And that’s scary.  Watch and play along today on Daily Fire Fix.

Daily Fire Fix ran across this video with the interesting title and had to see what was going on.  It’s actually a compilation of videos of the Grant’s Pass Rural Fire Department in Josephine County Oregon which is in southwest OR along I-5 and the California border.

Grant’s Pass Rural Fire Department is one of three private fire departments competing for fire protection “contracts” for properties in the county. See if you share the myriad of emotions that others have when you see these “firefighters” in action at a residential structure fire.

One you are past the “Oh my God’s” and the “What the &%^#’s”, I’d like to challenge you to watch it a second time.  Only this time, I want you to ask yourself, “if I’m watching this fire department floundering on video, how many other fire departments in the United States operate in similar ways, with no command structure, old equipment, no PPE, no money, and no clue?”

My guess is that there are quite a few.

Now, let’s take this a step further.

I’d like to pose a challenge to you, the firefighter:  Put yourself into each of the following roles and think about what actions you would take based solely upon the information in the videos and what I have provided you in this article.

1. You have just been appointed as fire chief of the GPVF and you have just seen this video.
2. You are the fire chief of the Rural/Metro Fire Department, a neighboring combination department and you have just seen this video..
3. You are a resident considering with which department to contract your fire protection services: GPVFD at a very, very low cost (45 cents per thousand) , GPFR at a cost five times that of GPVFD, or elect to opt out entirely from any fire contract and you have just seen this video.

If you’d like to, leave a brief comment to this article, or call in and leave a voicemail with your input.  I’ll report back later here on Daily Fire Fix with your ideas.

888-887-8718

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

We take a look at the cruise ship disaster on Italy’s coast, where we’ve dug up audio of rescuers admonishing the ship’s captain to return to his ship and assist in the rescue effort.  We’ve got some of the first video from inside the half-submerged cruise ship Costa Concordia featuring helmetcam account of the technical rescue operations in place this week, as well as the use of controlled explosions in the rescue effort.

Then look at a 4-alarm rowhouse fire in Brooklyn and listen in on all the fireground audio that went along with this stubborn fire.

Costa Concordia Interior Rescue Work

HelmetCam Video

Charges Detonated to Gain Access

Video: Brooklyn 4-Alarm Row House Fire

MyFoxNY News Coverage

Row House Fire In Brooklyn: MyFoxNY.com

Fireground Audio

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Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Tulsa’s James O’Neal, the firefighter who went down in full arrest during an arson fire last week, was released from the hospital today, far ahead of expectations. 

Our videos of the day come from a New Jersey 4-alarm fire which injured two firefighters as they made a third story pick rescuing an elderly woman.

Tulsa Firefighter Released From Hospital

Videos of the Day

New Bergen, NJ   4-Alarm Building Fire

MyFoxNY.com News Report

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Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

In today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Another serial arsonist in California?  Marin County has had 56 fires set recently, so far no one has been hurt.  Then there’s the story of a volunteer firefighter who noticed some dude starting fires along the road he was driving down. He pulled over and put the fires out, then had to put the arsonist out as well when he came at him with a bag of beer.  Finally, will we never learn from what’s happened with subscription-based fire protection in Obion County Tennessee? Residents of Bell County Kentucky are venturing down that road.  Watch the three-ring circus which erupts at a public meeting caught on tape.

Arsonists?

Also:

News report of Novato CA Arson Fires

Firefighter Puts Out Suspected Arsonist

Extremely Local News

Meeting Part One

Meeting Part Two

Meeting Part Three

Other links to this story:

WBIT-TV News Video: Bell County KY Closes Two Fire Stations

WBIT-TV News Video: BCVFD Proposes Subscriber Fee

Got something to get off your chest?

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Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

On Today’s Daily Fire Fix:

Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Video: News Coverage of Toronto’s 5-Alarmer with Mayday

Video: Statter911.com’s first video of Russian Rescue

Video: Statter911.com’s updated video

Backstep Firefighter Web Page

DCFD Lt. Alvarez Challenges Chief’s Order

Backstep Firefighter Article: Biggest Lesson From DCFD Logo Rebuttal: Tact

Backstep Firefighter Article: Pine Bluff, Arkansas Video Highlights Quick Work by Minimum Staffed Crews

Got something to get off your chest?

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and let it all out on our voicemail!

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

On today’s Daily Fire Fix- The fire service suffers its second and third line of duty deaths, both at accident scenes in the Carolinas.  We take a look at the recent fatal hi rise fire in Chicago, just days after the city council extended its deadline for the installation of fire safety devices in such buildings. 

Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

North Carolina Fire Chief LODD

Chicago Hi Rise Fire

WRAL News Coverage of North Carolina LODD

South Carolina LODD

Amateur Video from Android Phone

NBC Chicago’s Report on the fire at 3130 N. Lakeshore Drive

National Fire Sprinkler Association

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

 If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

(above)  KTVQ-TV report on a possible serial arsonist

Video of the Day: Australian Fire Truck Drives Through Flood Up to it’s Roof!

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out on our voicemail!

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

DC Firefighters Speak Out

Atlanta Training Minute Bloopers

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out!

Click the play button above. 

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

On today’s Daily Fire Fix- Tulsa fire officials are taking a closer a look at James O’Neal’s SCBA following his full arrest during a Mayday, James continues to improve. 

Our video of the day clearly demonstrates that when firefighters approach a raging fire with a cool, calm, just-get-the-job-done attitude, the fire goes out and we all go home.  

Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Brooklyn Fire Video

Nate DeMarse Facebook’s running commentary on the background of this fire

Safe Firefighter Website

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out!

Click the play button above. 

Welcome to the Daily Fire Fix!

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.  It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.  If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Video: Conditions Deteriorate in Gary IN

My Fox DC Video Report on DCFD Logo Change

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out!

Click the play button above. 

On today’s Daily Fire Fix- we found a video taken from the scene of the arrest of a “person of interest” in the Hollywood arson fires.  Then we take a look at the bad boys of the fire service, accused of drug trafficking, firehouse burglary, DWI, DWI, and DWI, and of course, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at a firehouse Christmas party by relentlessly tazing the junior firefighter.  See how these reports ruin it for all of us.

Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Hollywood Arson Arrest Scene

 Firegeezer’s Problematic Firefighters

 Taser Video Report

 RRFD wrapping up troubled year

Got something to get off your chest?

Call the Fire Rant Hotline

888-887-8718

and let it all out!

Click the play button above. 

Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Tulsa Mayday

Billy Goldfeder’s “More Facts, Less Emotion”

Fire Rant Hotline- 888-887-8718

Click the PLAY button above.  Here are the links for today’s Fire Daily Fix:

Gary Storefront Fire

Pontiac Emergency Manager: “No one will lose their job.”

Pontiac Emergency Manager: The big reason Pontiac is in such financial difficulty

Fire Rant Hotline- 888-887-8718

Press the play button to listen now!

Here’s your Daily Fire Fix™ for Thursday, December 29, 2011

Helmet Cam Dog Rescue 

Local firefighters may have to pay new fees       

Obion County Pay to Spray  2010               And Again in 2011

As always, use our Fire Rant™ Hotline- 888-887-8718  for anything you need to get off your chest!

Listen to your fire news!

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

If you crave your fire service information but don’t have the time to read news articles, blogs, and hype, then check out Daily Fire Fix.

It’s a short and sweet audio rundown of what’s happening around the fire service.

If you’ve got a couple few minutes, check us out each day at DailyFireFix.com

National Fallen Firefighters Announce Release of Chicago Fire Department Video

“If you think you’ve got some good reason for not wearing this or for not doing things the right way , write it down. Because I need to read that to your widow. Because I’m not going to know what to say. You say it for me.”

So says my friend, Peter Van Dorpe, Chief of Training for the Chicago Fire Department in a spectacular video we’ve long been awaiting.

Today, the announcement from the Everyone Goes Home website:

“In an effort to make personal safety a top priority, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) today released a new video, Chicago Fire Department – Everyone Goes Home®. Members of the CFD and families of fallen firefighters share their stories in this compelling and moving testimonial of the importance of adhering to safety standards and accepting personal responsibility for following procedures.”

“More than two dozen survivors of fallen firefighters, including coworkers and family members, participated in the filming of Chicago Fire Department – Everyone Goes Home®. The video took nearly one year to complete and was produced and directed by Rob Maloney of Cool Water Multimedia.”

This is a must see video for firefighters, their families, and even anyone associated with providing fire service administration and funding.  It also makes for perfect training.

See it here or head on over to DailyFireFix.com for the link to this spectacular video.

Stamford Firefighters Getting the Help They Need

“I witnessed our people shedding tears. I witnessed firefighters with blank stares, with solemn, almost hopeless looks on their faces. There was great sorrow amongst all of our people there,”

These words from Stamford CT training captain Trevor Roach as he described how the horror in  which five people, including 3 children, lost their lives in a tragic Christmas morning fire is also taking a toll on the firefighters who relentlessly tried to save them.

A special team from FDNY offered their services and four large debriefings were held at the fire department headquarters on Tuesday.  And even as firefighters were returning from the fire on Sunday, counselors were waiting for them at their station.

Stamford Fire and Rescue Chaplain the Rev. Robert Post said that the firefighters were doing the best they could under the circumstances, adding, “they aren’t hiding behind any `machismo, tears have been shed for the victims throughout the department.”

Read more here

Check back tomorrow at DailyFireFix.com

The December 13 Kitchen Table Chat  is about cancer.

Burt, with the help and support of Carolyn, is recovering from a Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy, surgery for Prostate Cancer, he had on Dec 1.

Mike Dubron, President / Founder of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network explains the organization.  If cancer has visited your family, stop by Kitchen Table Chat and share your knowledge, experience, or support.

Hear the show LIVE at this link   http://bit.ly/ueYtjJ

347-327-9920 call in number

Firefighter Cancer Support Network

http://Firefightercancersupport.org

Johns Hopkins Hospital

http://urology.jhu.edu

Kitchen Table Chat with Burt and Carolyn Clark

www.firefighternetcast.com/tag/kitchen-table-chat

It happened again.

We shouldn’t be surprised.

In rural Olbion County, Tennessee, another fire burns a structure to the ground as firefighters stand idly by, obeying the orders of their administration NOT to extinguish the fire.

Why?

The property owners did not pay for fire protection.  The rural portions of the city of South Fulton are not taxed like the citizens of the city are, and therefore do not contribute to the staffing, maintenance, and service the city department provides.

Furthermore, these rural homeowners went to the polls and CHOSE NOT to pay taxes for the city department to provide coverage to the rural area.  So the city offered a “subscription-based” fire protection service, giving rural homeowners the option of obtaining fire protection for a mere $75 per year.

Some paid, some didn’t.

It should be noted both properties that burned were owned by homeowners who knew they were not going to receive fire services because they had made a conscious decision to NOT pay the fee.

What do you think?

Should the firefighters have put out the fires anyway?

What do you think of this type of fire service funding?

Who is at fault?  The homeowner?  The firefighters?  The administration?  The Tea Party?  Obama?

We want to hear your comments.  Call us toll-free at 1-888-887-8718 and leave your thoughts on our voicemail.  We’ll play as many as possible on our next episode of the Firefighter Netcast Show.

The Front Seat hosts Dave and Bill welcome Ric Jorge as a guest.

Ric has taught in Florida and at the FDIC.  Many of you will remember seeing the video on Facebook “Impact This”.  This video was of one of the most dramatic training evolutions many have ever experienced.  The video is the “HOT” portion of the training Ric has provided at FDIC and elsewhere.

Join us for the story of how Ric got started training, his story of the brotherhood and what it means to him.

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As a new segment to the show, Mike Walker will join us for a discussion on Strategy and Tactics.  Mike is a Battalion Chief with the Oklahoma City Fire Department and has been a guest on The Front Seat before.  We look forward to Mike making monthly appearances on the show and bringing good, honest discussion about strategy and tactics to your computers.

We look forward to you joining us this Thursday, December 1^st at 9:00 pm EST on The Front Seat.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Coming to you live Wednesday November 30 9pmET

Whether it is in a large urban city, a coastal community, or anywhere in between, special events require considerable pre and post event planning.

Former Fire Chief of the District of Columbia Fire and EMS department (DCFD) Dennis L. Rubin, and retired DCFD Assistant Chief of Operations Larry Schultz will discuss their experiences while serving the in the nation’s capitol and the coordination required in the capitol region.

In contrast and comparison, Fire Chief Hartley Brokenshaw and Deputy Fire Chief Keith Martin will share their experiences of large events occurring in their jurisdiction that draw similiar crowds with less resource capabilities.

Topics will include: case studies from events that have made the headlines, fire and life safety requirements, pre and post event planning, and the political considerations that have an ever present impact. So join us this Wednesday evening at 9:00 p.m. EST as Billy D. Hayes hosts Stop Drop and Roll With the Punches.

 Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Did you ever wonder what is was like to attend the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg MD?  Or what it would be like to teach at the National Fire Academy?

The Nov 9, 2011 KTC is broadcast from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg Maryland.  Students and faculty on campus share their experiences.

If you have a NFA story to tell call in.  If you have guestion for student’s and faculty call in.  Stop by KTC from Emmitsburg MD.

We will see you at NFA!

Taking it From the Streets and Delivering it From the Chief’s Office;

An exciting and dynamic discussion that integrates the insights from Christopher Naum’s Taking it to the Streets perspectives to Chief Doug Cline’s Chief’s Trumpet visions. FirefighterNetcast.com is proud to present an insightful look at today’s leading issues affecting the American Fire Service from the perspective of the street firefighter, officer and commander and the perspective from the executive and chief officers and commanders- the Chief’s perspective.

This program’s theme and discussion will concentrate on the challenges of maintaining a balanced approach towards integrating effective risk management, with the demands for effective and highly efficient firefighting; while promoting safety, hazard reduction and injury and LODD reduction with conventional decision-making.  

Tune in Wednesday night October 26, 2011, 9pm ET on FirefighterNetcast.com for a 10-Alarm Discussion with these visionary national fire service leaders and their special guests.

Join in on the live open discussion with other fire service personnel from around the country.

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Tune in this week to the latest episode of The Front Seat on Firefighter Netcast.  Last month we were excited to add Bill Carey of Backstep Firefighter and Firefighter Behavior as a co-host.  This month Dave and Bill will dig into the meat and potatoes of the Fire Service’s mission and the resources available to fulfill them.

We are all aware of our oath to protect lives and property, but what happens when that oath comes in direct conflict with our ability to do that?  The policy makers are usually nowhere to be found at 2am when heavy smoke is showing from a single family residence and we are the ones forced to balance our mission and the safety of the public with our resources and the safety of our crews.

As part of this month’s show we asked you, the listener, to share your tips and tricks of operating shorthanded.  We received some good write ups and we will be sharing those as well.  We are also looking for you to call in and make this a true “kitchen table” discussion.  We will also announce the winner of the “Expect Fire” contest.

So tune in this week, Thursday October 27^th at 9:00pm EST and be part of the discussion.  Tell us how your Department deals with the Mission of the Fire Service, the Public Expectation and the resources available to accomplish both.

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Firefighter Netcast welcomes Dieter Bove’, a 30-veteran career Firefighter, managing partner of Firefighter Knowledge, Inc. and founder of the Chimney Department, Ltd. Dieter is an expert on the subject of solid fuel and gas combustion appliances and provides training on this subject to fire departments.

This is the 2nd of a two-part special directed at increasing firefighter knowledge of this incident, not normally gained until after you’ve fought one.  Part 1 can be found here.  While you’re listening, use this webpage as we’ll offer photos and links to follow along while Dieter talks firefighter to firefighter about all things related to chimney and gas combustion emergencies and the fires that are associated with these systems.

Attention Training Officers:  This is an excellent show at the perfect time!

Follow along with the discussion as we refer to these photos:

Dr. Burton Clark and Carolyn Smith-Clark host another edition of Kitchen Table Chat.  Although the program is designed to engage the listener in discussion based on your call-ins, one of the areas they address will be the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program.   EFO students and faculty are encouraged to tell their story of how the program has helped them and the impact EFO research has had on the American Fire Service.

2010 Outstanding Applied Research Award winners:  http://www.usfa.fema.gov/media/press/2011releases/033111a.shtm

25 years of EFO excellence http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-279.pdf

Clark articles related to EFO:

http://eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED434226.pdf

http://firechief.com/mag/firefighting_best_best/index.html

Throughout the show, your hosts would like to direct your attention to  this link for wonderful photos!

Firefighter Netcast welcomes Dieter Bove’, a 30-veteran career Firefighter, managing partner of Firefighter Knowledge, Inc. and founder of the Chimney Department, Ltd. Dieter is an expert on the subject of solid fuel and gas combustion appliances and provides training on this subject to fire departments.

This is the first of a two-part special directed at increasing firefighter knowledge of this incident, not normally gained until after you’ve fought one.  Part 2 will air next week.  While you’re listening, use this webpage as we’ll offer photos and links to follow along while Dieter talks firefighter to firefighter about all things related to chimney and gas combustion emergencies and the fires that are associated with these systems.

Attention Training Officers:  This is an excellent show at the perfect time!

Follow along with the discussion as we refer to these photos:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

10

11

Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters

The sound of a bell holds special significance for firefighters. Historically, the toll of a bell summoned members to the station, signaled the beginning of a shift, notified departments of a call for help, and indicated a call was completed and the unit had returned to the station.

Departments sounded a series of bells when a firefighter died in the line of duty to alert all members that a comrade had made the ultimate sacrifice. This time-honored tradition continues today during the funerals or memorial services for firefighters.

On Sunday, October 16, 2011 those who died in the line of duty during the previous year will be honored during the 30th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. For the first time the bells of the Chapel at the National Memorial will chime in honor of our fallen heroes. As part of this special remembrance, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is encouraging firefighters across the country to invite their places of worship to participate in Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters.

Through this grass-roots effort, the Foundation is asking religious congregations nationwide to honor the fallen heroes. Firefighters will contact their local clergy and work together to plan a brief moment of remembrance during their services.

The idea for Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters was created by Colonel Bob Ditch, USAF, Retired, EdD (c), EFO/CFO, a fifth generation firefighter who has served in eight fire service agencies in five states over the last 36 years.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will provide materials to help fire department members contact religious organizations in their communities. A response form is included so that a representative from the participating fire department and clergy can describe the commemorative service. The Foundation will record all the responses and share this information on this website.

For more information about participating in Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters, contact bells@firehero.org.

» How You Can Help: Clergy Invitation Letter | Program Participant Form
» See the Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters Program Participants

Firefighter Netcast’s Line of Duty Remembrances

According to statistics provided by the United States Fire Administration, there have been 73 Line of Duty Deaths reported for the year 2011.  Six Brothers have lost their lives in the line of duty since our last program. Firefighter Netcast would like to take a few moments to honor the Fallen.

Christopher Peterson, 22, Vehicle Accident

While responding to a call for medical assistance on Labor Day Weekend, Jonesboro Louisiana Ward Four Fire Protection District Firefighter Christopher Peterson died from injuries sustained when the fire department utility truck he was operating failed to negotiate a curve, left the rain-slicked roadway, and struck an embankment and trees.  Firefighters from his own department worked furiously to save the life of who his Chief called one of his top responders.  Chris was only 22 years old.

William Waldner, 22 and Jacob Waldner, 20, Explosion

On the morning of September 15 in rural Britton, South Dakota, Sunset Fire Department Firefighters and cousins William Waldner, 22, and Jacob Waldner, 20 died from injuries sustained while attempting to extinguish a rekindled coal bin fire.  According to an article in http://FirefighterCloseCalls.com , the two young Firefighters climbed to the top of the 75-foot structure to put out what was still burning. The men were attempting to knock down the fire through the top of the opening onto the coal bin when an explosion occurred. The blast threw both Firefighters from the roof onto the ground.  Debris from the roof landed on top of one of the Firefighters and the other was pinned beneath a concrete wall that had collapsed. The west wall of the building crashed through to the coal furnace, crushing it. The father of one of the Firefighters, was also is a Volunteer Firefighter himself, was inside a lower level of the building during the blast. He emerged from the building dazed, covered in debris and injured.
Firefighters had to use one of the trucks on scene to remove the roof and cement off of the men.

Michael Collins, 41, Struck by Vehicle

Michael Collins

In the early evening of September 18, 41-year old Firefighter Michael Collins of the Shelby (IA) Fire & Rescue Department was struck and killed by a vehicle while working a traffic control point at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 80 in Western Iowa. While he was directing traffic, a driver came up too fast on the slowing traffic and moved into the other lane, hitting Firefighter Collins. He died of his injuries at the scene. Investigation of the fatal incident continues by local and state authorities.  He leaves behind his wife, a son, and two daughters.

YouTube video

George Fisher

George Fisher III, 57, Medical

On September 22, Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire and Rescue  Kinston , North Carolina  While getting a vehicle serviced, 57-year old Captain George Fisher III collapsed from a cause still to be determined and was transported to the hospital where he passed away a short time later.  He was a past Chief and current President of his department and had been a member since 1988 and He was in charge of the Junior Firefighter Program.

Vince Cruz, 41, Unknown

41-year old Guahan, Guam Firefighter Vince Cruz passed away while on duty on September 29 from a cause yet to be determined.  He was posthumously promoted to Fire Lieutenant.

Keith Rankin, 38, Medical

38-year old Lieutenant Keith Rankin of the Lancaster Township Fire Department in Pennsylvania suffered a medical emergency and collapsed while coordinating a live burn training exercise on September 25 at the Lancaster County Fire School. Several of the 25 county firefighters on hand for the exercise immediately performed CPR and other life-saving measures, but despite their furious efforts, Keith  never regained consciousness.

He was a volunteer firefighter for 23 years. Keith began his love of firefighting at the age of 14. He was a life member of the Lancaster Township Fire Department. He was a Lieutenant and former Assistant Chief with the Lancaster Township North Station. Keith was also awarded “Firefighter of the Year” after rescuing a civilian from a burning building.  My friend and recent guest on Firefighter Netcast, Glenn Usdin, is Lancaster Township’s deputy chief.  Chief Usdin said Rankin had been running the “live burn” drill and was talking with some firefighters when he collapsed, saying that “There was no sense that anything was wrong,” and that “He literally collapsed without a word of warning.”

YouTube video

Lieutenant Keith Rankin moments before he collapsed and died (photos from Glenn Usdin)

Please pause and join me and the entire Firefighter Netcast family in sending our love and strength to all the family, friends, co-workers, and loved ones who continue on without each of these fine men.  This month, I’ll be joining hundreds of Brothers and Sisters for the 30^th anniversary of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  If you have never made the trip, please plan to do so at least once in your lifetime.  Firefighter Netcast will be providing live coverage of the activities as they occur.

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

This show was taped live from the exhibition floor at Fire Rescue International 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.  There will be no call0ins for this program.

Stop, Drop, and Roll with the Punches host Billy D. Hayes sits down with David Thornburg, Director at Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa, AL.  They discuss the great partnership between the Alabama Fire College, CSU, and Waldorf College to achieve whatever educational opportunity they desire.

For more information, check out the website at http://AlabamaFireCollege.org

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Stop, Drop, and Roll with the Punches host Billy D. Hayes sits down with three special guests in a show taped live from Fire Rescue International 2011 in Atlanta.  Joining Billy are Cheryl Horvath, past president of International Association of Women in the Fire and Emergency Services, Linda Willing, a co-founder of the organization, and current Vice President and Treasurer Laura Baker.

“I-Women” provides a network for resource material and guidance to make the fire service a more diverse work force.  They discuss the changes that are needed within the fire service culture to accomplish this and other goals.

If you are a woman in the fire and/or emergency services, please visit http://I-women.org to find out more about this growing organization.

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Dr. Burton Clark and his wife Carolyn Smith-Clark host another edition of Kitchen Table Chat.  Although the program is designed to engage the listener in discussion based on your call-ins, one of the areas they address is Fire Safety Education for Children.  They call attention to a new guide developed for the fire service on developing and creating fire safety and education materials produced by the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy and the National Fire Protection Association.

Guidelines    http://www.jhsph.edu/bin/i/f/GuideforFireService.pdf

Research       http://www.jhsph.edu/bin/y/h/ImpactFireMessagesChildren.pdf

Some of the most important discussions take place at firehouse kitchen tables around the world.  Whenever firefighters get together for a meal, watch a ball game, have a meeting, drill on something, remember a lost friend, relive the fire, tell stories, say hello or good by, or just have cup of coffee the kitchen table is where the best discussions take place.

Our program is intended to be a virtual firehouse kitchen table. We will be sitting at the table just talking.  We do not know what we will be talking about, we do not know who will stop by to talk. There is a open invitation to 1.2 million firefighters and we are interested in what you have to say.

So stop by, the coffee is on the soda is cold; you never know who or what will be talked about at the Kitchen Table Chat.

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Hi everyone!  I’m John Mitchell, your host of the Firefighter Netcast show.  On this show, we catch up on two interviews with fire service leaders recorded earlier this summer at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore and Fire Rescue International in Atlanta.  We chat with retired Phoenix fire chief Alan Brunacini about his incident management program- Blue Card Command.

But first, we chat with my good friend, J. Gordon Routley, a Division Chief for the Montreal Fire Department and has served as Fire Chief in Shreveport, Louisiana; Assistant to the Fire Chief in Phoenix, Arizona; and Safety Officer in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Chief Routley is a highly-recognized fire protection engineer who has been tirelessly involved with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation on the Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Project and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Safety, Health and Survival Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  You may also recall that Chief Routley was called upon to serve as the Fire Review Team Leader for the Post Incident Assessment of the Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire, coordinating the work of a team of five other highly qualified national experts in a range of specialized components of the fire service.  The resulting findings came to be known as the “Routley Report” which served as a foundation in the dramatic changes within the Charleston Fire Department which continue to this day.  I sat down with Chief Routley at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore just a few weeks ago.

Next up, a brief interview from the floor at Fire Rescue International in Atlanta just two weeks ago with one of the fire service’s more well-known figures, retired Phoenix Chief Alan Brunacini.  Chief Brunacini is working with sons Nick and John in offering a variety of incident management training programs including Blue Card Command.

Finally, It’s been 10 years since the horror.  How are we remembering?

We see the networks ramp up their coverage of the tragedy with all the videos seen and various fire entities do their best to commemorate the lives of the three thousand taken that day- including 343 of our nation’s finest.

We’re remembering by hearing stories of individual lives lost and those left behind, by attending local tributes, by ringing bells, by running stairs, by wearing bracelets, by carrying photos around our necks and in our helmets, by wearing t-shirts admonishing us to “never forget,” by getting misty at the piper’s playing of Amazing Grace and the mournful notes of a bugler signaling Taps.

It’s the national response to an American tragedy with millions of Americans remembering/commemorating/memorializing- each in their own way.  It’s the way we do things.  We pause, we remember, and we move on.

Is it enough, Brother?  Hell no, it’s not.

Why are our Brothers and Sisters STILL waging a war to obtain benefits from the long-term effects of their heroic actions working “The Pile” in the hours, days, and weeks that followed?

The same government that told them- within days- that The Pile’s environment was “safe” to work in is STILL denying that the cancer ravaging their bodies is connected in any way.  Our Brothers and Sisters are being told that enough time hasn’t past to make that determination. 

How does this make you feel?  The only reason I ask is that I’m not hearing much from any of you out there whenever these stories of how we are being treated bubble up to the surface.. 

This treatment of the “other heroes” of the days and weeks that followed the deaths of the 343 is ludicrous and they deserve much better than this.

This is pure crap and it pisses me off.  Where is your outrage?

Howabaout the unconscionable lack of progress made in one of the findings of the 9/11 commission wherein police and firefighters are STILL unable to communicate with each other when (not if) the next attack occurs?  Ten years later!

Again, How does this make you feel?  Again, I ask is that because I’m still hearing crickets as these stories get reported.

This is pure crap and it pisses me off.  Where is your outrage?

As we pause to remember the brave folks who gave their lives at The World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and in Shanksville, please- don’t forget so many of the others who are still suffering today from working the pile, and those who will suffer in the future because we have –to-date- still failed to do everything we can to help us meet the challenges from the next attack.

So, go ahead and buy the t-shirt.  Wear the bracelet.  Climb the stairs with or without gear.  Put the stickers on your truck bumper and make your helmets look cool.

But I dare you to be outraged and to do more.  Do what the fallen would want you to do.  Make yourself heard whenever you feel that they would want you to do so.

Don’t forget – NEVER FORGET- that the attacks on America and indeed- America’s fire service continue to this very day. 

Never forget that.

Stay stoked, my friends.

Host John Mitchell sits down with Gordon Routley from Montreal to chat about one of the biggest issues facing the fire service today.

Next up- a short chat with retired Phoenix fire chief Alan Brunacini.  Chief Brunacini talks about Blue Card Command.

Finally, we take a look back at the eight Line of Duty Deaths which hit us in August.  Medical issues continue to kill us.

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

This program was taped live from the exhibition floor at Fire Rescue International 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Stop, Drop, and Roll with the Punches host Chief Billy D. Hayes sits down for a chat with Columbia Southern University President Robert Mays.  Together, they talk about how Columbia Southern University serves the specific needs of their 27,000 students, many of them looking to achieve fire science degrees.

They also speak on accreditation, various degree programs, their relationship with the Alabama Fire College, and the future of higher education delivery as technology constantly changes.

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Exciting news for the newest edition of “The Front Seat”, on this month’s show we introduce  a new co-host for The Front Seat.   Backstep Firefighter’s own Bill Carey joins The Front Seat’s  Dave LeBlanc on Thursday, September 8th at 9pm EST.

ABOUT BILL:

Bill Carey is the online public safety news and blog manager with GoForwardMedia.com, or more specifically FireRescueMagazine FirefighterNation.com, JEMS.com, LawOfficer.com and FireEMSBlogs.com

Bill started in the fire service, as a third generation firefighter in 1986, on the eastern shore of Maryland and then continued after moving to Prince George’s County. Bill served as a volunteer sergeant and lieutenant.

Backstep Firefighter began after Bill realized his thoughts about certain fire service made sense with others. The original site was Fire(fighter) Behavior, but when it was moved over to FireEMSBlogs, someone else had that name. So Backstep Firefighter was born.

The principle behind Bill’s writing is continually summed up with this statement or purpose.

“To provide a point of critical thought about certain acts and events in the fire service while incorporating behavioral education and  commentary in a referenced format.”

Basically, it’s here to make you think. Bill doesn’t write to change your mind or your department, but to get you to think – or as Ed Hartin says “Ask why not?’”.

Backstep is not a news site, although it does use some news to help illustrate subjects or sharing of work in our areas (and Boston). Ideally, it focuses on  the basics, not so much as training and skill basics, but ideological basics, core values of our fire service especially as time changes.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Dave and Bill discuss a variety of topics on this show.  Certainly the most poignant topic will be the anniversary of September 11^th, 2001.  No single event has affected our Country more than the terrorist attacks and murders of that day.  But for the Fire Service this event had even more impact because of the number of brothers lost, and the fact that Firefighters were now on the front line of the terrorist battle.  Along with anniversary there the issue of the recent findings regarding working “the pile” and cancer will also be a topic of discussion.

From there the two move into discussion about the generational differences of firefighters, and how these differences are changing the Fire Service and whether those changes are for the good or not.

Finally Bill and Dave discuss where the show is headed and future topics.  As always listeners calling in are a big part of the show and with this change The Front Seat hopes to become more like a combination of a Radio Talk show/Kitchen table conversation.

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Host Chief Billy D. Hayes, Chief Dennis Rubin, and Chief Richard Marinucci

This show was taped live from Fire Rescue International 2011 in Atlanta.  There are no call-ins tonight.

Stop Drop and Roll with the Punches host Billy D. Hayes welcomes two fire service leaders to the microphones in this fascinating interview taped from the Columbia Southern University booth at Fire Rescue International 2011 in Atlanta. His two guests are Chief Richard Marinucci of the Farmington Hills (MI) Fire Department and the Everyone Goes Home program and Chief Dennis Rubin, former Chief of DC Fire.

These three chiefs dialogue on the political relationships and realities which currently face most all chiefs across the country.  Listen in as they give specific pieces of advice on how to put yourself in a better position to achieve each of your goals by negotiating political hurdles placed in your way.

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This netcast was taped live from Fire Rescue International 2011 in Atlanta Georgia.

John Mitchell sits down with fellow Firefighter Netcast host Dr. Burton Clark to discuss the use of seat belts in the fire service.  Dr. Clark has long since been a tireless advocate for 100% compliance for firefighters to wear seat belts.

This week the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department received acknowledgement from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for achieving 100% compliance with the International Seat Belt Pledge.

Join the nearly 200,000 firefighters across the nation who have already signed the International Seat Belt Pledge, and go to the Everyone Goes Home page to take that first step.

Don’t be the next statistic of a firefighter killed because he/she neglected to use their seat belt.  You owe it to your family.

Be more intelligent than lazy.

Click the PLAY button in the grey bar above to listen now!

Chief Billy D. Hayes (L) and Michael Brooks at Fire Rescue International 2011

Host Billy D. Hayes welcomes long-time friend Michael Brooks of CNN and HLN fame.  Mike is also a veteran of the fire service having served for decades in Virginia.  Billy and Mike presented a two-day seminar titled “Lights, Camera, and All the Actions of Media Relations” at Fire Rescue International 2011 in Atlanta Georgia.  They discuss the need of an established media management plan and a sturdy relationship with your local media outlets.  Fire Departments across the nation are beginning to learn the necessity of employing a PIO to put these activities into play.

They also talk about the phenomenal growth of social media in the fire service, resulting in the need for a dynamic social media policy for your department.

If your department is considering social media policies and/or employing a PIO and a media management policy, take a few moments to listen in on this topical and informative discussion!

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In an announcement today at Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Station 11, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation were awarded a one million dollar grant by Motorola Solutions.  The grant supports the NFFF’s core mission to honor fallen firefighters, assist their families and prevent firefighter deaths and injuries.  Two critical programs directly benefit from this funding:

Additionally, recognition was made that all 1,500 members of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department have signed the International Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge. It is the largest fire department in the world to have 100 percent of its employees commit to wearing seatbelts at all times while driving and riding in department vehicles.   The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), sponsors of the pledge campaign, Buckle Up! So Everyone Goes Home® presented Chief Kelvin Cochran with the Certificate of Compliance during the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ annual Fire Rescue International conference in Atlanta.

To listen Click the play button on the gray bar above

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Fire Hero Radio host Dave Statter brings us live coverage of the start at the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Westin Peachtree hotel in downtown Atlanta. Scheduled as part of Fire International Rescue, this stair climb is just one of many held across the nation giving firefighters the opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifice of their fellow firefighters as they ascended the 110-story towers nearly a decade ago.

Participants climb 110  flights of stairs (the same number as the World Trade Center Towers). Each climber dresses in turnout gear, station gear or workout gear and carries the photograph of a firefighter who was killed that day. 

This is not a timed event or a race, it’s a way for firefighters to honor and remember their comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th.

For more information, check out FireHero.org