Campus Firewatch Radio: Fire Retardents and Firefighter Safety
In this edition, host Ed Comeau investigates the use of fire retardants in furnishings and their impact upon the environment and the health and safety of firefighters when the products are encountered.
With the explosive growth of environmental awareness, a much closer look is being given to the use of fire retardants. Are we creating a potentially bigger problem from the chemical exposure than we are solving? In other words, are more people being sickened and killed through the chemical exposure than are potentially dying in fires? Another significant factor is the exposure to fire fighters when these chemicals are burned.
Join Ed Comeau as he talks with John Dean, president of the National Association of State Fire Marshals and the Maine State Fire Marshal. We will also be talking with Richard Duffy, assistant to the general president for Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine at the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Please send any suggestions, questions or comments, to: podcast@firehouse.com
Related Links
• Fire retardants – benefit or danger?
• Initiative for Green Science Policy
• National Campus Fire Safety Month
• Campus Fire Safety Education Program “To Hell and Back: College Fire Survival”
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Through the Smoke: Firefighters and Hot Blogs from Firehoue Expo
Chief Billy Goldfeder talks with the men behind two of the hottest blog sites in the fire service world.
The blogs are STATter911 and Firegeezer. Be it the latest fire news, fire controversy or fire opinion, these two bloggers usually have it well covered.
But who are the people behind these two blogs and what got them started? What is their history and background with the fire service and why have they poked at those who may need poking and what keeps them going?
Join Through the Smoke host Billy Goldfeder along with Bill “Fire Geezer” Shrumm and Dave “Statter911″ Statter for a lively and frank discussion related to their blogs - and what the some of the recent controversial issues are, according to them.
Note: This podcast was recorded in front of a live studio audience at Firehouse Expo.
Related Links
• STATter 911
• Firegeezer
• Firefighter Close Calls
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Sponsored By:
Fire Codes and the Upcoming Residential Sprinkler Vote
The National Fire Sprinkler Association presents a panel discussion featuring Chief Billy Goldfeder, Chief Sean Decrane, the Home Safety Council’s Meri-K Appy and Jeff Shapiro from the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition. The NFSA’s Shane Ray moderates the panel as the discuss the role fire sprinklers play in both firefighter and citizen safety.
Join this excellent group as they discuss the need for the fire service to get involved in the codes process, and specifically the information relating to the upcoming ICC Code hearings in Minneapolis, MN.
Related Links
• The National Fire Sprinkler Association
• IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Sponsored By:
NVFC Corner: Firefighter Health Week
Each year, more firefighters die in the line of duty from heart attacks than any other cause. Many more are diagnosed with life-changing or life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung cancer, or depression. The second annual National Firefighter Health Week (August 18-22), brought to you by the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), is your opportunity to begin or re-energize a healthy lifestyle so you do not become a statistic.
This podcast features expert advice, resources, tips, and success stories centering on the important health topics that National Firefighter Health Week 2008 brings into focus: behavioral health, nutrition, heart-health, respiratory/lung health, and diabetes.
Panelists include Jeff Cash, Chief of the Cherryville Fire Department and NVFC’s North Carolina Director; Heather Davis of the American Heart Association; Janet De Jesus of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation; and Maggie Wilson, Director of Health and Safety for the NVFC. Then hear from Mike Bitney and Mike Wilson, who have implemented changes into their lives that resulted in improved health and vitality.
Related Links
• National Firefighter Health Week Resource Center
• Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program
• National Volunteer Fire Council
• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Sponsored By:
Firehouse Magazine Insider: August 2008
When you aspired to get promoted through the ranks, were you turned down?
This month’s Firehouse Magazine Insider speaks with Battalion Chief Steve Prziborowski about his new column, “Managing Your Career.”
Listen as Steve talks about the first article, “What’s Keeping You From Getting Promoted?” which appears in the August issue of Firehouse Magazine. He offers insight into common problems and shares ideas that anyone who’s thinking about moving up the career ladder won’t want to miss.
Related Links
• Complete Biography and Article Archives for Steve Prziborowski
• Chabot College Fire Technology Program
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
The Leader's Toolbox: Officer Development Skills with the National Fire Academy's Chuck Burkell
Some trying issues are tackled by Fire Chief Richard B. Gasaway and Chuck Burkell, the program manager for Executive Development Program at the National Fire Academy.
These two experienced fire service veterans offer assistance to the chief of a combination department, who is dealing with two issues. The career personnel are at odds the volunteers, which creates a stressful work environment. The chief also needs help stressing the importance of fire prevention and risk reduction.
They also discuss a trying issue with the training chief in a medium-sized department. How does he get the leadership to set the right example? Tune in for some tips in diplomacy.
Send any comments, suggestions, or topics ideas to podcast@firehouse.com.
Related Links
• The National Fire Academy website
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Firehouse Managment at Firehouse Expo 2008
In this podcast, fire chiefs from around the country tackle a myriad of management issues that can be found in any fire station. This roundtable discussion took place at Firehouse Expo
Tune in to hear what they have to say about keeping firefighters informed of ever-changing standards. The chiefs also discuss the importance of providing a positive team approach.
Fire Chief Richard B. Gasaway moderates the panel that includes Chief Dennis Compton of Mesa, AZ (retired); Battalion Chief Mark Emery of Woodinville, WA and Battalion Chief John J. Salka, of New York City.
Listen to what they have to say about off-duty behavior, and the ramifications.
Related Links
• Dennis Compton’s archives on Firehouse.com
• Mark Emery’s archives on Firehouse.com
• Richard Gasaway’s archives on Firehouse.com
• John Salka’s archives on Firehouse.com
• Firehouse Expo
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Near-Miss Listen & Learn: Firefighters Pushed to the Edge of Exhaustion
We’re in the dog days of summer. All over the country firefighters are dealing with temperature extremes in weather and operations conditions. This edition of Near-Miss Listen and Learn takes a look at the topic of operations during excessive heat.
This podcast explores two reports that deal with firefighters who were pushed to the level of exhaustion during training incidents. Additional National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reports review a structure fire and a technical rescue where firefighters were overcome by excessive heat conditions.
Be sure to visit www.firefighternearmiss.com. The system has collected over 1,800 survivor stories you can use to reaffirm best practices and minimize the effects of human error. The re-designed website is also featuring frequent new additions to the resources page.
Related Links
• Near-Miss Reports from this podcast
• National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Sponsored By:
Community Fire Protection: Common Voices with Important Safety Messages
The National Fire Sprinkler Association is proud to present a panel discussion featuring three Common Voices Coalition advocates, Bonnie Woodruff, Vina Drennan, and Amy Acton. This trio is joined by Chief Ron Siarnicki of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Chief Dan Jones of Chapel Hill Fire Department.
NFSA’s Vickie Pritchett serves as moderator for the group, as they discuss how advocates can play an important role in community fire protection. You will also learn the role the advocates play in educating others about fire sprinklers. No one understands the importance of this life-saving technology like those who have been directly affected by fire.
This podcast bring its listeners the opportunity to seize the message of these “unexpected messengers” as we capture “teachable moments” across our nation. Fire Sprinklers can prevent future tragedies, join this group to better understand the role of Advocacy within the fire service
Related Links
• Common Voices: An Advocates’ Coalition Determind to Create a Fire Safe America
• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
• Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
• The National Fire Sprinkler Association
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
Sponsored By:
Training & Tactics Talk: Training Philosophies
Welcome to the rebirth of the Training and Tactics Talk podcast on Firehouse.com. The new host is Fire Chief Douglas Cline, of the Eden, NC, Fire Department.
This podcast is dedicated to training our firefighters and officers in the streets. The program will explore a variety of topics and avenues that focus on keeping firefighters safe and our efforts to ensure that “Everyone Goes Home.” Through quality information, training concepts, and tactical considerations for today’s fire service listeners can learn from a wide range of fire service professionals and infuse new ideas into their department.
This edition focuses on the philosophies of what we need to be looking at in training today’s firefighter. Chief Cline talks with Buddy Hyde of the Southside Virginia Community College and Battalion Chief Jeffrey Pindelski, a well-known author, speaker and Firehouse.com Contributing Editor. They focus on the need for “back to the basics” training in every fire station across the country.
Send any comments, suggestions, or topics ideas to podcast@firehouse.com
Related Links
• National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System
• International Society of Fire Service Instructors
• Jeffery Pindelski’s Firehouse.com Archives
• Douglas Cline’s Firehouse.com Archives
IPOD Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast FREE Here
