The Standard Podcast: Standard Issue
Ambulance fires, cemeteries, and fire department morale…that’s what’s currently going on in public safety news!
Fire Prevention
The Benefits and Importance of Diversity in the Fire Service
Demographically speaking, our nation’s fire departments are not diverse. Consider the following workforce statistics from 2019 reported by Data USA: 95.8% of firefighters were male. 79.9% of firefighters were white and non-Hispanic. Many communities have started improving their efforts to recruit a more diverse workforce. For these programs to succeed, it’s important to recognize two …
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Professional Development: Tips on How to Get Your Program Started
To be a student of the job means you chase unfamiliar factors tirelessly until you find a solution or answer. Seeking the answer on how to start and manage a Professional Development Program became my newfound passion in the fire service. The development and implementation of this program began as a priority for McHenry Township …
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Hazmat Site Storage: How Much is too Much?
How much hazardous material is stored at any given facility is probably something we could all have a better handle on. Knowing what is in a facility can be difficult enough, let alone knowing how much is there. And if both of those are known, does that quantity of that material exceed the proper limit? …
Data-Driven Decision Making for the Fire Service
In the fire service, decisions are constantly made by the fire academy cadets up to the chief of department. At times, they are significant; if mismanaged, drastic consequences can result. One way to achieve confident, successful decision making in the fire service is to collect and analyze data that will help guide the individuals in …
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Report released for the prescribed fire that led to the Hermits Peak Fire
An 80-page report concluded that the management of the prescribed fire that escaped and became the largest wildfire in the recorded history of New Mexico, generally followed the approved prescribed fire plan for most but not all of the parameters. The people on the ground felt they were close to or within the prescription limits but …
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Lithium-ion Battery Safety and Tactics
The increase in popularity of battery-operated mobility devices, like scooters, skateboards and bicycles has meant a dramatic increase in fires in New York City caused by lithium-ion batteries with sometimes fatal consequences. Lt. John Cassidy, Haz-mat Company 1, discusses the dangers of these batteries, tactics and procedures operational units can take at these incidents. Battalion …
Fire department preparation for fireworks season
Firefighters should be familiar with fireworks-focused standards and state regulations. No matter where your state or your jurisdiction falls on this legal fireworks spectrum, fireworks remain an issue for which the fire service must be ready to deal with the consequences. Every department should be familiar with both NFPA 1123: Code for Fireworks Displays and …
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E-Bike and E-Scooter Saftey
Battery-powered electric bicycles and scooters, collectively known as micromobility devices, have exploded in popularity in recent years, but so too have fires involving these devices. From New York City to India, e-bikes and e-scooters batteries have sparked fires that have killed dozens of people and destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars of property.
Drugs, Falls, and Fires
Research suggests that two-thirds of US adults aged 65 and older use at least three prescription medications. Meanwhile, older adults are twice as likely as the general population to experience a fatal fire, and deaths and injuries from accidental falls have skyrocketed in this age group over the last decade. It begs the question: Do …