Public fire departments responded to 1,331,500 fires in the United States during 2010, a slight decrease from the previous year and the lowest number since 1977 according to the NFPA in it’s report release.

One million advanced electric vehicles are expected to be on the road by 2015 The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Electric Vehicle Safety Training project is providing firefighters and first responders with the information and materials necessary to respond to emergency situations involving electric vehicles. This training will help first responders identify electric vehicles and […]

Remembering Brackenridge, Pennsylvania December 20, 1991: Four Firefighters Killed, Trapped by Floor Collapse Four volunteer firefighters died when they were trapped by a partial floor collapse during a structure fire in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, on the morning of December 20, 1991. All four were members of a mutual aid truck company that had responded to the […]

Here�s a selection of Six Fundamental Books related to the Company Officer �that should be in every Fire Officer�s library. What!- don�t have a library?-then it�s never too late to start one. In no special order or ranking here are six fundamental books that every aspiring, emerging, developing or�veteren Fire Officer should read and have. […]

The Emerging Fire Officer For a Today�s Fire Officer to be truly effective, accountable and responsible to their duties, function and assignments; they must have the requisite training and skill sets that correspond with their job performance and functions. Regardless of your affiliation or membership, career or volunteer, rank or title; if you are performing […]

Based on survey data reported by fire departments, the NFPA estimates that 78,150 firefighter injuries occurred in the line of duty in 2009. This is a decrease of 1.9 percent from the year before. In recent years, the number of firefighter injuries has been considerably lower than it was in the 1980s and 1990s, but […]

After a recent training program, we discussed in a smaller group setting common, contributing and apparent causes related to three prominent fire incidents.

�As we approach the July 4th holiday period, two significant LODD incidents previously occurred during this time frame that hold a number of lessons learned related to command management, operations, building construction principles and building performance, fire behavior and the ever present dangers of the job. Take the opportunity to learn more about these events, […]

The recent insights related to fire officer credentialing and qualifications gave way to some questions posed on resources, opportunities and guidance. In both the posting and the links there are a number of avenues for further research and exploration. With obvious reason start by looking at the offerings and requirements established within your home state […]

It�s no longer acceptable to be functioning and performing in a rank and position of responsibility without the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) in order to execute those duties in an effective, efficient and compliant manner aligned with your department�s policies, procedures and standards. The aspect of officer Credentialing and Qualifications isn�t anything new. […]