FireEngineering.com Course Rating Comments

25 Pointers for Your Engine Company

9/13/2009 11:23:10 PM

This is a baseline for engine company operations ranging from pre-alarm considerations to post incident analysis. The educational objectives are as follows: 1. Describe the limits of various hoseline sizes and the appropriate size for specific fires using the acronym “ADULTS”. 2. Describe proper nozzle operating techniques. 3. Gain an understanding of the importance of apparatus positioning in terms of hoseline stretching. 4. Gain an understanding of the importance of proper hoseline pressure and flow.

Avoiding Tire-related Vehicle Crashes

9/13/2009 11:24:29 PM

In addition to driving speed and the driver's lack of training, hydroplaning and tire blowouts are two other factors that contribute to fatal accidents.

Halon Replacement: Water Mist Fire Extinguishing Systems

9/29/2009 6:21:49 PM

Are you current in fire extinguishing technology? A look at one system that can replace Halon 1301 and Halon 1211.

Building Construction: Lightweight Steel Framing

9/29/2009 6:25:21 PM

Being able to distinguish between wood frame and steel construction is crucial to any size-up. Here's how to recognize steel frame so you can adjust tactics accordingly.

Help Make Your Employees Successful

9/30/2009 12:26:35 PM

Tips and techniques for helping firefighters navigate the maze that is their career successfully from the rookie stage through retirement.

Improving Cardiovascular Health and Fitness

9/30/2009 4:19:52 PM

How do you determine if you are fit enough to perform your job and survive? The first step is to make your cardiovascular health your first priority.

Is Your Department Complying with the NFPA 1404 Air Management Policy?

10/1/2009 5:14:46 PM

To comply with the new standard, the authors say, follow the Rule of Air Management: Know how much air you have in your SCBA and manage that air so that you leave the hazardous environment before your low-air alarm activates.

Interior Size-Up from the Door

10/2/2009 12:33:23 PM

A moment taken at the door to the fire area can affect the outcome of interior operations.

Hoseline Operations for Residential Fires

10/4/2009 10:27:23 PM

Tactics for stretching, advancing, and operating hoselines are critical to firefighting. A review of size-up factors to consider before deploying a hoseline at a residential fire.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety for Firefighters

10/4/2009 10:30:03 PM

Although only a few firefighters have been injured by MRI machines, a little knowledge and good preplans can prevent future injuries.

Managing Big Fires 101: Divide and Conquer

10/4/2009 10:31:31 PM

The author shares lessons he learned while commanding operations at a wind-driven fire that threatened numerous buildings.

*New Technologies Focus on First Responder “Capability Gaps” and Needs - Parts 1 & 2

10/4/2009 10:33:46 PM

Evolving technologies from DHS, USFA, NIST, and NIOSH aim at improving firefighter health and safety and operational efficiencies. Evolving technologies in the areas of communications and firefighter locator systems. The educational objectives are as follows: 1. Describe how recent technological advances in health/safety, communications, and firefighting equipment have been improved in terms of scope, accessibility, and affordability. 2. Identify improvements in protective clothing 3. Identify advances in firefighting techniques for things such as win-driven fires. 4. Describe how communications equipment is changing and how firefighter locator technology is improving.

Officer Development: Filling the New Officer’s Toolbox

10/4/2009 10:36:27 PM

How can a new officer with little time in the field fulfill his duties as a first-line trainer? Miami-Dade (FL) Fire-Rescue helped solve this problem by adding hands-on officer training to its officer development school curriculum, with good results.

Simulation Training: Decision-Making Aid

10/4/2009 10:39:47 PM

Computer simulations can help incident commanders to make life-and-death decisions rapidly on the fireground, regardless of real-world experience.

Storage Tank Fires: Is Your Department Prepared?

10/4/2009 10:41:52 PM

Although the frequency of tank fires has decreased, tank size has increased. Fires in these larger tanks can be extremely hazardous as well as costly in terms of property and environmental damage and business interruption.

Structure Fire Overhaul: Respiratory Hazards and Personal Protective Equipment

10/4/2009 10:45:41 PM

Although a serious respiratory hazard exists during overhaul, firefighters often give the hazard low priority.

Teamwork Key to Mitigating Trolley Collision

10/4/2009 10:47:41 PM

A light rail collision in Massachusetts tests the local mutual-aid response and proves how interagency drills between the Boston and Newton Fire Departments paid off.

The Hazards of Modified Fire Apparatus and Extended Passenger Vans

10/4/2009 10:50:23 PM

When departments purchase used vehicles designed for other purposes and convert them into firefighting vehicles, it could have disastrous results. A look at the risks and how to reduce them.

The ShakeOut San Andreas Earthquake Scenario: Preparing for a Catastrophe

10/4/2009 10:52:12 PM

How will California, its people, and its structures withstand a 300-mile long, 30-foot rupture of the San Andreas Fault? This massive earthquake drill intends to find out.

Tips for Improving Effectiveness in Forcible Entry Parts 1 & 2

10/4/2009 10:55:30 PM

Follow these fundamental rules to enhance safety and effectiveness during our next forcible entry operation. Experienced firefighters know when to use conventional methods to force doors and when more difficult doors call for power tools or through-the-lock methods. Here is a look at conventional techniques-using hand tools to pry and strike.

The Company Officers Role in Safety and Survival

10/9/2009 9:27:01 AM

This course will take a look at some of the most hazardous areas of fireground operations and identify what the company officer should be looking for to keep the crews safe. Students will also be encouraged to rethink some typical tactical assignments when presented with hazardous fire and building conditions. You will be challenged to identify what the officer should be looking for and monitoring during operations. This program supports the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives by advocating better risk management and empowering the fire service membership to stop repeating history.

Tactical Decision Making

10/12/2009 1:31:10 AM

Examine case studies and lessons learned from the chief’s personal experiences in almost 30 years of crawling down hallways on the Chicago (IL) Fire Department. Each incident is brought to life through exciting pictures and video. Each story reinforces a powerful lesson learned, including risk management, reading smoke, building construction and collapse, fireground tactics, flashover, communications and accountability, commanding the Mayday, and RIT rescue. This course is geared to the seasoned veteran as well as the new recruit. The goal is to prevent firefighter deaths through safer and more effective fireground tactics.

Structural Collapse: The Hidden Dangers of Residential Fires

10/15/2009 5:51:00 PM

Recent Underwriters Laboratories tests demonstrate the behavioral differences between solid wood joist and lightweight wood structural members on fire and the collapse times of various floor and roof assemblies.

*Pressurized Fire Attack Precautions: THE “BIG THREEE”

12/4/2009 4:28:53 PM

Using fans to bring a fire under control is effective and safe when employed correctly in structures that lend themselves to such a tactic. Learn when, where, and how to deploy a positive-pressure attack.The educational objectives are as follows: 1. Understand the difference between positive-pressure attack (PPA) and positive-pressure ventilation (PPV). 2. Know the conditions in which fans should not be used. 3. Know when the Diagnostic Barometer of Interior Conditions indicates that the fire situation is conducive to PPA. 4. Know to what the three “E”s in the “Big Threee” refer.

** Truck Company Operations: Maximizing Firefighter Safety

2/9/2010 6:34:30 PM

Fireground operations consist of two viewpoints--fire attack and logistical operations, which are interrelated from the perspective of safety and the timely mitigation of an incident. The importance of truck company operations (or logistical operations) cannot be overstated. Five basic rules of fireground safety and 10 commandments for truck operators are presented. The educational objectives are as follows: 1. Define the five basic rules of fireground safety. 2. Understand the importance of reading the environment and understanding the fireground clock. 3. Recommend a method for prioritizing fireground considerations from a truck company perspective. 4. Define the three major concerns when ensuring the viability of an escape route.

If Pigs Could Fly: Swine Flu Lessons

4/20/2010 10:20:53 PM

First identified in California, Texas, and Mexico during April 2009, swine flu (H1N1) continues to stress government, health care, and public safety resources. H1N1 lessons have been many, and there are likely more to come.

Firefighter Casualties: When “Old-School Firefighting” Doesn’t Work

4/21/2010 9:29:53 AM

A cavalier approach to structural firefighting shows a gross misunderstanding of risk management and usually leads to needless injuries and deaths on the fireground. Your job is to keep personnel from developing such an old-school attitude.

How Prepared Is Your Engine Company?

4/26/2010 10:28:34 AM

The information provided in this course/article comes from lessons learned and skills handed down by very experienced firefighters and officers of the Chicago Fire Department. At the end of this course you will better understand effective ways to stretch a hose line, the roles of each member of the hose team, the do’s and don’ts of hose line management, and how to properly operate the pipe (nozzle). Also, this course will encourage self evaluation of one’s skill level as well as the skill level of your engine company as a whole.

** Courage to Be Safe/Everyone Goes Home: A Look Inside the Program

5/5/2010 11:32:17 AM

We need to instill the safety culture in the current and the future generation of firefighters. Here are some tools and tips for getting the safety message to hit home in your department.

Wood-Frame Construction, Principles, and Hazards (New): Demo Program

5/11/2010 11:54:52 AM

The focus is on safe fire operations in all wood-frame structures. Methods of construction and potential for fire spread and collapse of the four types of wood-frame construction are discussed. Case studies are used to demonstrate collapse potential. Also, a look at occupancy types where wood-frame construction is commonly found and ways to identify the type of wood-frame construction in existing structures. This can be modified

Understanding Fireground Command

7/12/2010 2:41:02 PM

Understanding how you make decisions and how to develop and maintain your situation awareness are keys to your success as an incident commander.

* Understanding Fireground Command

7/13/2010 10:03:27 AM

Understanding how you make decisions and how to develop and maintain your situation awareness are keys to your success as an incident commander.

** Technology and ARFF: Saving Lives Through Innovation

8/10/2010 2:30:05 PM

A look at four essential elements of aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF): agents, applications, appliances, and apparatus.

* Rope-Assisted Search Procedures in Large-Area Structures

9/8/2010 2:49:43 PM

Searching a large area when there is an urgency to save lives is a huge undertaking. Presented are simple, but concrete, techniques that can help you turn a huge task into a successful and safe accomplishment.