Summertime Funk!

Good hot afternoon from the jumpseat.  I apologize for the lack of blogs and articles being produced from  the jumpseat.  It seems like every year the summer funk hits.  Whether it is the kids being home from school, constant hotter than heck temperatures, or the increased call volume. Something always seems to slow down the creative juices in the summer.  So what to do….Hmmm…Let’s write about it!

Summertime in our city seems to be a Hotbed of action, literally. While the fires seem to slow down  the overall call volume goes through the roof.  It is like when the heat goes up in the daytime it causes problems and when the sun goes down everyone comes out at night it causes problems. 

I wonder if you are seeing an increase in call volume? 

What causes this spike in responses?

As we head into the dog days of summer, I hope to keep publishing quality jumpseat content.  Until then let us all focus in on our safety as we prepare for our summertime rush.


A few reminders are:

•         Hydrate constantly, including the days before your shift
•         Carry extra clothes to change into on scene because of the constant sweating
•         Allow for extra rehab time
•         Call for additional manpower
•         Remember to acclimate before the bell rings.
•         Make sure to get more rest to prepare for the busier shifts


Most of all we need to watch out for each other when the heat is on.  Be safe everyone



Bunker up, buckle in, it’s where we all begin!!!

Hoarder Survey Results

  Here are the results of the recent Hoarder fire survey sent out by the Chamber of Hoarders Staff.  Huge “thank you” to the USFA for sharing survey with the fire service community.  The response was overwhelming.

1.       Have you ever responded to a fire with Hoarder Conditions:

Yes: 100%             No   0.00%

2.       How long did it take you to realize that you were facing a hoarder house fire:

Minute: 52.4%               5 Minutes: 35.4                 Start of Overhaul: 11.0%               After Fire:2.4%

3.       Were their occupants trapped:

Yes: 11.0%           No: 89.0%

4.       Did you crew communicate to the incident commanders that they had Hoarder Conditions?

Yes: 39.0%           No: 43.9%            Not Sure: 13.4%                Didn’t Hear: 3.7%

5.       How many personnel did you have on the scene of the Hoarder Home:

5-10: 11.0%   10-20: 52.4%    20-30: 3.7%  30-40: 3.7%         50 or more:1.2%

More than normal: 6.1%

6.       How long did it take to overhaul after the fire was under control?

Longer than normal: 43.9%          10-15 Minutes: 1.2%       30-50 Minutes:  14.6%

60-90 Minutes: 14.6%                     2 Hours or More: 28.0%

7.       Was structure demolition required to extinguish the fire?

Yes: 13.6              No: 86.4%

8.       Would your department benefit from a Hoarder Training Program?

Yes: 79.3%           No: 22.0%

The numbers do not lie that we are all seeing fires in hoarder conditions.   The last two questions are coming soon.  They contained short answer questions and the responses were great.  Stay tuned in to the chamber to see the exciting answers.

 Thank you to all who took part in this survey!