http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:26:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en If it took less than 10 minutes to learn a scientifically proven way to save someone’s life in the event of a heart attack — and that lesson was free — would you take the time? Would you be willing to teach others the same technique? Individuals experiencing a heart attack ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/11/19/your-hands-their-hearts/ Recently I wrote about how Chicago Mayor Richard Daley requested that all first responders take 24 days without pay, which would save the city millions in 2010. Some readers were supportive of the mayor, and I was surprised. One reader wrote, “I applaud Mayor Daley’s courageous and principled stand on ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/11/19/personal-responsibility/ The past few weeks have been difficult for military personnel and their families, between the tragedy at Fort Hood and the high number of casualties overseas. Perhaps that’s why I was so taken by military-spouse Angela Smith’s link to “101 Ways to Thank a Veteran," written for a military-support blog. ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/11/12/102-ways-to-thank-the-military/ I always wanted to be a firefighter. I didn't become one because I was born about 10 years too early. No one in my family ever had attended college, and my blue-collar parents believed that a college degree was the key that would open the door to a better life. ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/11/12/experience-is-the-best-teacher/ Last weekend, I delivered a presentation on fire service trends at the Buffalo Trace Regional Fire Academy in Maysville, Ky. More than 400 firefighters — primarily volunteers with ages ranging from 18 to 70 — were signed up for the three-day academy. Because Kentucky firefighters are required to meet certain hours ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/11/05/unavoidable-trends/ I take the bus to work. And yesterday, my fellow riders and I were startled by a middle-age man who was screaming angrily about the current government, taxation, health care, 401K fraud and cutbacks in public services. Nutcases on public transportation add to the joy of living in Chicago. It’s ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/11/04/furlough-this/ Once again, October has proved to be a busy month. My notebook is filled with interesting information and quotes from a wide range of sources across the country, some from group discussions and therefore unattributed. Here are my tricks and treats to think about this Halloween weekend: Ergonomics. “We’re seeing Kevlar ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/10/29/halloween-tales/ By Jesse Herman Firefighters are exposed to many risks on a daily basis, but one that can go unnoticed is the danger of asbestos exposure, a mineral fiber that used in construction applications throughout the 20th century. The life of a firefighter brings many potential threats that can be easy or ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/10/29/firefighters-and-asbestos-the-hidden-danger/ While doing some Internet research last week, I came across a U.S. Fire Administration firefighter fatality notice from Feb. 23. The notice read that 34-year-old Firefighter Derek North of the Stockton Fire Department in Lakeland, Ga., died while responding to a fire call. North’s brother was driving the department’s 1966 ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/10/28/finding-safety-and-savings/ The Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association held their annual joint meeting earlier this month. The event gave several fire chiefs the opportunity to speak up on issues facing their departments — and some of those chiefs pushed back on FEMSA/FAMA members. Rob Brown, ... http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2009/10/22/money-or-lack-thereof-changes-everything/