Emergency Response

Have you ever worn an SCBA in temperatures below freezing?  Are any of your SCBA’s (or any SARs) stored outside in freezing temperatures? If you answered YES to either of these questions and you have never heard the phrase “Low Temperature Operation Instructions”, you may want to sit down before reading further.  You will not […]

PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Safety Assistance Team (HMSAT) will be conducting training presentations across the country to assist those million-plus firefighters who may be missing opportunities to receive training on the Emergency Response Guidebook.  Understanding that time and money are often deciding factors when seeking new/refresher training, we are eager to host these sessions to ensure

Some help from OSHA on what a HAZMAT Team member’s physical exam should look like.  It has been well established for years that a HAZMAT or Fire Brigade member must undergo a more EXTENSIVE physical than the traditional respirator physical.  In this LOI, OSHA explains the difference between the two:

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transport Canada (TC) publish the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), which provides valuable information to first responders during the initial phase of a dangerous goods/hazardous materials transportation incident. A new edition of this guidebook is published every four years, the most recent edition being published in 2012. There are

An excellent look at fire safety in nightclubs from a REAL FIRE SAFETY PRO, Ray O’Brocki of Baltimore FD!  He makes a lot of sense… COMPLIANCE with existing fire codes is KEY!

Not that many of you will be attending any nightclubs (LOL) but many have kids in college that go to these establishments; this video is for them.  EXCELLENT piece from NFPA!   NFPA safety tips for public assemblies:

WARNING!  This video will be upsetting to most who watch it, but it is a video that MUST BE SHOWN.  When you enter any public forum, be aware of your EXITS and any over crowding.  You do not have to be a fire marshal to recognize overcrowding – go with your gut instinct!  If you

A couple of CRITICAL points to make: 1) Personnel are way too close, 2) POOR scene security!  Not sure of the situation, but there were at least two (2) professionals on the scene, and neither appeared to be clearing the area!; 3) this propane cylinder is the SAME ONE we have in our gas grills;

An amazing recollection and testimony from a survivor of what went on the night of the fatal Station nightclub fire!  WARNING!  This video may be upsetting to some, BUT it is one that every person NEEDS to watch.  He lost his fiancée and several friends that horrific night.   “The Station” a new documentary about the

This is a MUST SEE video for those serious about emergency response!  There was much interest in the I-10 vent and burn video I posted several months ago and thus I received hundreds of request for more information.  As I said then, I am NOT a V&B expert and have seen only two in my

I wish I had the orginal footage as it was long with limited interuptions, but this short piece will provide a good idea of how heavy CL2 is and how fast it can tarvel across the ground!