National Firefighter News

• The first steps are the hardest: 3 lessons learned on a BLS truck September 26, 2020
  Starting out on a basic life support (BLS) ambulance can be the first step toward a career in the fire service
  Ben Thompson
• Maine fire union blasts chief for not allowing shirts supporting troops to be worn on duty September 26, 2020
  Bangor Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 772 officials say Chief Thomas Higgins refused to negotiate extending the agreement that allowed them to wear the shirts on some Fridays
• Former Colo. fire chief sentenced for trying to obtain unauthorized firefighter license plate September 25, 2020
  Former La Junta Fire Chief Aaron Eveatt, who is on probation for a previous embezzlement conviction, reportedly presented a misleading ID to the county clerk's office
• 5 tips for keeping your sanity during the COVID-19 pandemic September 25, 2020
  The ability to adjust to challenges is an essential survival skill for frontline responders – here are some tips to help you grow and maintain mental resilience during trying times
  Sarah Calams
• 3 Ind. first responders awarded for saving FF at house fire September 25, 2020
  Batesville Firefighter Chris Baker, Paramedic Ryan Everman and EMT Elizabeth Kruthaupt were awarded by the state fire marshal for saving Morris Firefighter Ed Scheele
• W.Va. fire chief dies due to COVID-19 complications September 25, 2020
  Salem Fire Chief Rick Todd, who was also a paramedic, was a well-known and respected member of the local fire and EMS community
• Mich. firefighter injured at house fire September 25, 2020
  Fire crews were dispatched to the report of a fire at a residence with a trapped occupant possibly inside
• With $2 to spare, Texas city unveils custom fire truck September 25, 2020
  The engine is designed specifically with an independent suspension that will allow personnel to make tighter turns on the narrow streets
• Photo of the Week: 'It takes your team to be successful' September 25, 2020
  Chesterfield County Fire and EMS trainees are pushing each other in their last week of EMT training before beginning fire school
• WVOEMS memo sows confusion about fire department BLS care September 25, 2020
  The memo, sent to all the state's fire departments, said any department that wasn't a certified EMS agency needed to immediately stop providing BLS
• Mass. town appeals reinstatement of FF who alleged discrimination September 25, 2020
  A civil service commission determined the firefighter-EMT, who accused the department of race discrimination, violated sick leave policy but ordered he be reinstated, suspended and demoted
• Va. firefighter-EMT dies at fire scene September 25, 2020
  Adwolfe Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter-EMT Charles C. "Dog" Woods was found unresponsive after filling a tanker
• Quick Take: 4 lessons the fire service learned during civil unrest September 24, 2020
  How months of civil unrest forced the fire service to build new community relationships, fight for access, step up communication and protect its members
  Rachel Engel
• Retired USFS chief warns of more challenging wildfire seasons in years ahead September 24, 2020
  Retired U.S. Forest Service Fire Chief Tom Harbour says wildland management strategies must change to adapt to the reality of worsening fire seasons
• Lawsuit: Asian American FF says deputy chief made racist COVID-19 remarks September 24, 2020
  Plainfield Firefighter Timothy Burkhard claims Deputy Fire Chief Pietro Martino squinted his eyes and asked Burkhard if he had recently been to Wuhan during COVID-19 training
• The firehouse kitchen table experience: Building connections among members September 24, 2020
  Communal meals may be limited, but we can find ways to maintain the shared kitchen table time that builds a sense of family
  Chief Marc Bashoor
• House passes bill to protect T-band spectrum September 24, 2020
  The bill would prevent the spectrum used by first responders from being auctioned off in February 2021
• ‘Be rigorous but not ruthless’: 6 strategies for new chiefs September 24, 2020
  Words of wisdom to help avoid those common pitfalls of taking on a leadership role, aka entering the ‘minefield’
• Boston FF injured in fire at multi-family home September 24, 2020
  The firefighter was hospitalized with undisclosed injuries after the blaze in the basement of a four-story building
• Ind. apparatus split in 2 in crash with semitrailer September 24, 2020
  Three Chesterton firefighters walked away unharmed after the collision caused the fire truck's cab to completely detach