Revenues are down and budgets are being stripped. It always seems the first reaction is “effective immediately, no outside training.” We limit our personnel’s ability to network with others and gain knowledge. A valuable part of this networking is often asking others “what is your organization doing to minimize the impacts.” I would challenge people to look at the bang for the buck we receive when we do send somebody to attend training at a conference or ...

​Do you know how long it takes for a Christmas tree to burn?  The State Fire Marshal’s Office will hold a press conference demonstrating the catastrophic dangers posed by indoor Christmas trees, along with a fire prevention presentation highlighting safety tips for the holiday season.  The press conference will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 1:00 p.m. at the State Fire Training Academy in North Bend. Representatives from the State Fire Marshal’s Office ...

Public safety, in terms of funding, typically consumes more than 80% of a municipal operating budget. This high percentage reflects the great pride that citizens and elected officials take in their fire and rescue services. Emergency medical services and fire services personnel are the apples of most citizens eyes, heroes from a 9-11 era -- that is, until people start losing their jobs, kids start moving back in with their parents, and one in five mortgages are under ...

Date: 10/15/2012 Body: ​The University of Washington's Environmental Surface Sampling for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in Washington Fire Stations Report is Available. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that is resistant to common antibiotics. MRSA can cause minor or severe skin infections, surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. Fire service professionals may have a higher likelihood of exposure to MRSA when ...

Date: 8/17/2012 Body: Looking at the statistics of fire ground injuries and deaths, I realized that I could be the most dangerous thing on the fire ground. 60% of fatalities are over the age of 40 (that’s me), 30% are over the age of 50 (that’s me, soon). The number of deaths by heart attack is 44%. That doesn’t have to be me. Many younger firefighters look critically at the older firefighters, questioning their physical condition. Many have even said, “We should have higher fitness ...