Fire Department apparatus have weight problems; they are ever changing to meet departmental needs and those of the communities they serve. Over time operational equipment changes and this equipment will move from one side to the other or be transferred between several units. Most often, functionality and fit win the battle on relocating tools, but vehicle weight can be a very important factor effecting the handling and safety of the apparatus. Vehicles will display a ...

Recently, I read an article about seven rules for a successful NFL team; as I read, I couldn't help applying the rules to fire departments and firefighters. One of the primary reasons for the IAFC/IAFF Labor-Management Initiative (LMI) is to encourage strong relationships with and trust and respect for each other. When we work together, we have a better team, we have better results and the community receives better services. I thought about similarities between the ...

With winter now in full swing, it should be a high priority of all Fire Departments to enact their own form of property conservation. Washington State is one of many states that utilize de-icing and anti-icing products on the roadways to increase the safety of our roads. We have been warned many times of the negative effects of these products on our vehicles, and some of us have experienced these effects already, but this subject should be re-visited on an annual ...

After nearly 20 years, fire officials were finally successful in getting residential fire sprinkler requirements into the body of the 2009 International Residential Code. The immediate impact it had on Washington state was that It removed the road block requirement that adoption of a residential sprinkler ordinance by any jurisdiction be first approved by the building industry controlled State Building Codes Council, (SBCC).    But since that ...

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 ...