How Vital is a Healthy Mutual Aid System?

The growth of communities into fire-prone areas has coincided with record-setting warming and drying trends in much of the western United States. Large wildfires in 2019 threatened communities and tested fire suppression capability throughout the coun…

What You Need to Know About New Smoke Alarms

I’m sure the words “New Smoke Alarm Standard Now in Effect!” doesn’t usually get you excited enough to jump out of your well-appointed easy chair but this time it should.   

For years, the fire service has known that there is a f…

Addressing Policy Deviation in the Firehouse

Why do firefighters deviate from policy? And when it happens, what is the right way to address the deviation? Before we delve into these questions, let’s look at two recent firefighter deviations from policy that made headlines.
In Dallas, firefighters…

Addressing Policy Deviation in the Firehouse

Why do firefighters deviate from policy? And when it happens, what is the right way to address the deviation? Before we delve into these questions, let’s look at two recent firefighter deviations from policy that made headlines.
In Dallas, firefighters…

First 5 Minutes on The Fireground

The Incident Safety Officer’s (ISO) response, arrival and initial activity on the fireground may seem like a narrow topic—but as an advocate for firefighter safety, the ISO plays a critical role in those first five minutes.
Whether or not your departme…