Does your Fire Department have a "Medal Day"

Does your department have a "Medal Day"?  FDNY did a great job with this video honoring the firefighters who went above and beyond.  Recognizing  people who do their job above and beyond usually don't cost you a thing but the reward to them is immeasurable. Congrats to all the recipients of medals today in the FDNY.

If you are a chief officer take the time to give your members a pat on the back.  It doesn't have to be a life or death situation. You will be amazed at their reaction!

"A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results."
Ella Wheeler Wilcox 

Hoarder Survey!

Loyal readers of "Views" we are looking for some information of Hoarder fires.  Please take a moment to answer these 10 questions.  Results to follow soon!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9V8DWY6

Thanks  

Evicted Woman's Stuff Takes Up City Block

Hidden hoarders are everywhere. Look at this nice neighborhood and listen to the reactions of the people who live close to the evicted tenant.

It's just a matter of time before YOU are the one called to rescue someone from theses conditions.

Are you ready? You better be, tactical changes need to be made to make this a safer firefight. Before you know it you could be buried under all this stuff. Do you think they will be able to hear your pass alarm?

Marcella Ave Apartment fire with Multiple Rescue Helmet Cam Alameda Co...

Great Helmet cam....check this out!

Training & Tactics Talk: Searching in the Modern Environment Douglas Cline talks with Ryan Pennington about the challenges facing firefighters

Douglas Cline talks with Ryan Pennington about the challenges facing firefighters performing searches in today's environment. Pennington is a firefighter/paramedic with the Charleston, WV, Fire Department and a Firehouse.com Contributing Editor.

The two look at the myriad of problems facing firefighters who conduct the search for life at structure fires and discuss the recent number of fires where crews were caught in flashovers. They compare the environments found in dwellings versus those in commercial buildings.

Listen as they discuss how resources and staffing effect searches. They also examine the tools and technology that is available to assist firefighters with searches

http://www.firehouse.com/podcast/training-tactics-talk/training-tactics-talk-searching-modern-environment

I would like to thank Chief Cline, Peter Mathews, firehouse.com and the many listeners for participating in this podcast.

Firefighters and Cancer!

To others, firefighters may seem reckless, what with all the charging into flaming buildings to save the helpless people trapped inside. But there is a difference between courage and recklessness. You know how to asses every situation and make rational (and often heroic) decisions. Firefighters are some of the most cautious and calculating professionals there are. Even little mistakes can mean disaster for themselves and others.

But there some dangers that you may not even be aware of. And it's difficult to defend yourselves from what you don't know exists. One danger you may not know of is actually cancer.

Cancer may not seem like an occupational hazards you may need to watch for as a firefighter, but it certainly is. In older buildings and homes, builders tended to use a natural mineral called asbestos in dry wall. It was also used in insulation. You see, asbestos is fire-resistant, and was supposed to make a lot of homes safer for a lot of people.

But in the 1970's we discovered that asbestos is anything but safe. When disturbed and inhaled or ingested, the mineral can cause a deadly cancer called mesothelioma, which invades the lungs or stomach.

Mesothelioma symptoms can include shortness of breath and chest heaviness. Sound familiar? They should. These symptoms are often confused with other more common, more treatable diseases. Even worse, mesothelioma symptoms are latent, often for up to 50 years. By then, the cancer has spread and treatment is either difficult or impossible.

So what should you do? Before you continue to save lives, before you risk your own, find out more about asbestos exposure and the dangers of mesothelioma. Search the web; ask a doctor; visit a library. There are resources designed to provide you with what you need to know.

You won't let fire slow you down, don't let asbestos get to you either.

Writing by: Matthew Phillips, Student at the University of Central Florida

Thanks Matt for the great Article.......Really hits home!