The Intrepid Firefighter Always Fight Fire With Fired-up Courage

...The Intrepid Firefighter Always Fight Fire With Fired-up Courage
Just as firefighter Jimmy Santos closes his weary ash-colored eyes and places his head on the narrow cot in his lower Manhattan firehouse, the sirens began to wail. He immediately jumps up and reaches for his fire-proof coat, hastily throwing it on over the rest of his uniform, one that still reeks of smoke from the office complex that was ablaze just hours before. He slides down his firehouse's pole, picks up the remainder of his gear, and joins the rest of his company, who are clambering onto their fire truck.
"Where's the fire?" Jimmy asks, as the truck's red lights begin swirling.
"Over on 13th and Sixth," his Captain replies. Why does that location sound familiar, Jimmy wonders. Sixth and 13th, he says to himself, trying to jog his memory, which has been kind of foggy of late. Four major fires in two days will do that, he knows.
"Is the ARA Corporation at 13th and Sixth?" he yells above the clamor, coming to his senses.
"Yeah, apparently something in their kitchen caught on fire," the captain shouted back. "Most of the employees evacuated, but a few people are stuck there."
"Oh, no. That's where my brother's wife, Christine, works!" Jimmy exclaims. He doesn't mention that she's also pregnant. He needs to stay focused on rescuing all individuals and stabilizing the building. Since 9/11 and the horror that he witnessed and survived as he watched the Twin Towers fall, he is still having a hard time concentrating. You need to focus, he reminds himself, as he feels his head begin to throb. His brother needs his help. Maybe I should call him, Jimmy thinks fleetingly. No, that would worry him more. He decides that he'll find Christine and bring her home to the small Cape Cod house she and his brother just moved into, a few streets away from his own duplex where he lives, upstairs from his parents. Think good thoughts, he says to himself.
The smell of smoke reaches Jimmy's nostrils, and he turns his head up. He can see the flames clearly, as they begin to engulf what looks to be the third floor. As soon as the fire truck pulls up alongside the six-story building, Jimmy looks quickly at the evacuees congregated across the street. No Christine. "How many are missing?" he asks the police officer waiting for them.
"Looks like three men and one pregnant woman," the policewoman replies. "They are stuck in the kitchen and have been communicating via cell phone, so they are all hanging in there. But, hurry--you'll have to go up the stairs. The elevator is out of service." Wasting no time, Jimmy puts on his gas mask and rushes into the building with an extinguisher, a few of his fellow firefighters right behind him. The others douse the building's exterior with the truck's hoses and set up a safety net, in case anyone needs to jump. He reaches the third floor in a matter of seconds and surges through the office, his heart pounding. "Christine, can you hear me?" he yells, as he pulls the pin from the fire extinguisher and begins trying to put out the blaze. He can't see a thing, including his guys--the smoke is just too thick. Why isn't anyone answering, he wonders, panicking. Beams above him start to shake, and he realizes he does not have much time. Heading in the direction of the greatest heat, he nearly stumbles on four crouched bodies. He touches what looks like Christine's blond head, and her petrified eyes look up at him. "Jimmy! Thank God!"
"We have to move fast," he urges, as he instructs Christine's three co-workers to move behind him while he and the other firefighters fight the flames that have practically filled the office's kitchen. As soon as Jimmy sees a window, he proceeds to open it and sticks his head out, looking for the safety net below. He spots it as his company sees him at the window. Jimmy signals them to place the net directly below him. He then guides the three businessmen, who are coughing heavily, to the window, and tells them how and where they must jump. At the same time he lifts Christine, who is clutching her belly and staggering. "We're all going to get out of here fine!" he shouts to everybody. "Let's go!" And down the stairs Jimmy and Christine go, while the rest of the firefighters help the businessmen, who are about to jump into the safety net below.
Two minutes later, Jimmy and Christine are safely outside. After placing Christine on the gurney provided by the ambulance corps, who then take her to the hospital to check on her and the baby, Jimmy runs around the corner, soot flying from his normally jet-black hair. He breathes a sigh of relief upon seeing the safety net in place and learning that everyone landed OK. He then stumbles to the nearest pay phone, calls his brother, and lets him know that Christine will be all right as well. It's this bravery, unselfishness, and respect for humanity that makes Jimmy and all the other firefighters worthwhile persons in more ways than a million!
About the Author Prolific author Simeon W. Johnson is a successful author of five books: an entrepreneur With a book and gift boutique: JohnsonandJohnsonGift.com. A former Radio and television electronics technician... He received a master's certification in radio and TV electronics From National Technical Schools, Los Angeles, CA ... He also earned his FCC First Class General Radio and Telephone License

Firefighter Shares 3 Reasons to Select Profitlance as an Online Business Opportunity

Being a Firefighter I work and unusual schedule of 24 hours on and 48 hours off. This schedule is pretty common in the fire service and it offers me the ability to research internet traffic at all times. I have spent a lot of time researching what program I should invest in. I looked at many different programs but they all seemed to simply be an e-book or a very cheap looking website that you had to pay hosting fees for.
Are you ready to start learning about the internet? Well, ProfitLance is ready to share with you everything Michael Andrew knows! This course is very complete. I have learned many important internet secrets from Profit Lance. You can also find the website I created at the bottom of this article. I created the webpage as the result of what I have learned from Michael Andrews site, ie Profitlance.
Here is some of the major reasons why I joined. Let me start by telling you an incredible fact:
According to Internet World Stats dot com, there are 212,080,135 Internet users as of July/07. This is just in the United States. Nielsen/NetRatings has estimated that this is approximately 2/3 of the entire population of the United States! Any percentage of this type of number could mean significant revenue for your Internet business. This is provided you have the right internet marketing experience and desire. You learn everything you need to know in the profit lance course.
In 1996 I paid several hundred dollars for a set of two binders fulled with printed material on how to make a website profitable. I have since purchased many less expensive products in an attempt to extract any tips. Here is an obvious statement that many people simply refuse to accept, "If it sounds to good to be true, it is". I am guilty of getting caught up in the excitement of a new program or a slick website that promises millions of dollars overnight. My suggestion is that you save the money and invest it in a program or course that teaches you and requires you to put what you learned into action.
Distractions have been my biggest obstacle. Here is the first rule that seems so simple yet causes many people to fail! Avoid distractions! Distractions are major obstacles to success, so clear your mind of distractions, find a quiet place and concentrate on what you want to do. If you are on shift at work, retreat to your bunk room. If you are not at the fire station, or at another job, print this email out and read it during a break. Profitlance's e-book section has a ton of self help proven formulas that will definitely help anyone. Regardless of where you absorb this information, it is equally as important to remain focused and have a positive attitude as you absorb this material. There is a ton of information in Michael Andrew's course.
Here is the another reason why I joined Profit Lance and it is very important to understand.
It does not matter if you have not yet decided on what product or service that you would like to sell. Do not let this distract you from your desires. Once you log into the members area you will clearly appreciate how much information he provides and be able to understand how it all works and how you can make money on the internet or market any product. Maybe, the biggest reason I joined is because Michael Andrew actually returns your email! I researched a lot of other programs and encourage you do to the same. I believe a honest person or company should at least return your email. Profit Lance was the only person to respond to my email. This means that Michael Andrews is standing behind his product and has a sincere desire to help.
If you are not ready to join the profit lance course and are still researching your options you should at least start to cultivate your desires and then your mind will be right for when you find the perfect product. I would recommend that you right down a simple paragraph that best summarizes what you want to achieve. Many successful people have done exactly the same thing. One of the most popular books that describe this method is by Napoleon Hill, and it is entitled Think and Grow Rich. It was soon after reading this book, that I developed my own personal motivational mantra that really seems to motivate me to even right this article.
The only question at this point is whether you are willing to make time to create additional revenue? One of the main attractions for me was the ability to work towards the following goals of being able to work from home, set my own hours and provide a great income for my family.

Kids Will Say the Darnedest Things

"Good afternoon, Charlie, welcome to Bart's House Party!”
Charlie blushed revealing his obvious embarrassment. “Hi!”
“You know why you’re here, right? This is National Firefighter’s Week and from what I understand, your daddy is a firefighter.”
The studio audience was immediately captivated by this adorable 4-year old on center stage.
“So, Charlie, tell me. What do you like best about your dad being a firefighter?”
Charlie squirmed in his child-sized chair, shaking his head while giggling … “I can’t tell you.”
Children like Charlie were why Bart’s House Party was the most popular weekly family show. Bart took Charlie’s response as a queue to ask another question.
“Well, if you can’t tell me that, let me ask you another question. What makes your dad’s job as a firefighter so funny?”
Although the studio filled with laughter, his parents were getting a bit nervous not knowing what was he might say.
Charlie had a keen eye for details, even at his young age. Pointing to Bart’s tie, it appeared he tried to change the subject.
“I like your tie. My dad has some stuff with fire on it, too!”
With a surprised look, Bart continued his interview. “Oh? Does your dad have something with fire on it?”
“Yep!”
“Well, Charlie, can you tell me? What does your dad have with fire on it?”
Charlie’s dad was a local hero. This particular year had been an especially difficult one as he nearly lost his life more than once in daring rescues.
Charlie’s mom had always made it her goal to keep life at home light and fun, saving her prayers and tears for the midnight hour when all were asleep. She never wanted Charlie or husband to know of her ongoing battle to trust God for his safe return after every fire.
Charlie motioned for Bart to come closer to him. Bart leaned down as he began to whisper in his ear, careful to hold the microphone so he could be easily heard.
“My dad’s underwear has fire on it.”
Charlie leaned back in his seat with a newfound boldness. No longer intimidated, this little tale-bearer began to unveil his childlike insight.
“I saw mommy do it. She bought daddy new underwear and sewed fire on them. I know why, too! She always says that daddy is cool so I guess she thinks he needs the fire to keep warm … she’s so silly!”
Bart was doing his best not to burst out laughing as he continued the interview.
“Why is your mommy silly?”
Charlie just looked at Bart for a moment with one of those looks. “She thinks putting fire on his underwear is going to keep him warm! See what I mean?”
“I do! Does your daddy wear the fire on his underwear in the summer, too?”
Charlie sighed deeply, “Of course! We have air conditioning! But, mommy doesn’t know that daddy isn’t really cold … he’s COOL! There’s a big difference, you know!”
“Oh? And, what’s the difference between being cold and being COOL?”
As the camera zoomed in on Charlie, it was obvious he was now enjoying all the attention!
“You know! Being COOL is when you’re like my daddy who helps people and puts out fires and rides in a fire truck. Being cold is when you’re outside in the snow!”
The applause was nearly deafening as Bart walked toward the audience. “Ladies and Gentlemen, please meet Charlie’s dad, the ‘cool’ firefighter!”
With the spotlight on Charlie’s parents Bart escorted his parents to take their place on stage by Charlie.
“Tell me, mom, what about it? Is Charlie right? Why do you put fire on your husband’s underwear?”
Obviously blushing, she carefully chose her words. “I’m so embarrassed! I never thought he would tell our secret. But the little flames I put on my husband’s underwear are a reminder to him that my love for him will never grow cold.”
The audience’s standing ovation made it clear that little Charlie was a star that day. Charlie’s mom was presented with a beautiful bouquet of roses as his dad was awarded the “Firefighter of the Year Award” by Bart’s House Party!
Not many years later Charlie followed in his dad’s footsteps as a firefighter. His wife continued the family tradition of sewing flames on the waistband of her husband’s underwear as a reminder that her love for him never grows cold.
It's true ... "Kids will say the darnedest things!"

Presenting - Ralph Noble - Firefighter, Lifesaver and Creator of the Most Famous Mural in the Beach

Michael Prue’s office has been a great source of interview contacts and connected me with some very unique people. On this cold February morning I made the trek into the Beach to meet another one of Michael’s suggested interviewees: Ralph Noble, a long-term fire-fighter with a deep local attachment and some very interesting stories to tell.
Ralph welcomed me into his living room and in a quiet, modest way started to respond to my questions. His attachments to the Beach run deep: Ralph’s dad was born in 1918 and lived on a local street called Willow Avenue. Ralph himself spent his formative years around Warden and Kingston Road. After living for some time in the suburban communities of Sutton and Alliston Ralph moved back into Toronto, and right into the Beach. He met his wife Lida at a dance at the Balmy Beach Club and just got married last December.
His first job was as a life guard at the Leuty Lifesaving Station. In the mid 1970s Ralph joined the Toronto Harbour Police which later became the Metro Police Marine Unit. In 1982 he left the police services and became a fire fighter. Ralph explained that today most fire fighters take two or three year long college programs and only about 20 to 30 applicants out of 1000 are actually hired. Before they even start, many of the trainees already have medical training, defibrillation, first aid certificates and a Class D drivers licence. Then they undergo a ten to twelve week long training program that also includes high angle rescue, which essentially means rappelling down the walls of an office tower. Auto extrication, as it would become necessary during a motor vehicle accident, is also part of the training.
For eight to nine years, Ralph Noble worked in a heavy rescue truck and was involved in water rescue, high angle rescue and specialized works for the Mississauga Fire Department. In his spare time he plays hockey on a fire fighters team, and he sometimes gets to play against his colleagues from the local Fire Station 227.
With the Toronto Harbour Police Ralph participated in numerous water and boat rescues. During his tenure with the Harbour Police there was a 100 foot observation tower at the foot of Reese Street. He added that doing night shift by yourself on the tower was not a lot of fun. Today cameras are facilitating the surveillance process.
Ralph specifically remembers one boat rescue at the National Yacht Club one year in the month of April. Gale force winds were howling and one boat, originally anchored by three lines, had almost torn loose as two lines were broken. The temperatures were so cold that the boat was starting to get covered in ice. Ralph tried to rig it, but that did not work, so he had to jump onto the boat to secure it. Braving the Arctic wind and the bone-chilling temperatures he successfully leaped on the boat and attached the mooring line. His artful boat rescue was caught on camera by a Globe and Mail photographer.
One time in Mississauga, Ralph and his colleagues had to rescue some of their colleagues who had rolled over in their fire truck. A vehicle had cut off the truck which caused it to roll over and trap three fire fighters underneath the truck. Being able to rescue his colleagues’ life is one of Ralph’s most meaningful memories.
The next story illustrates that a fire fighter is never off duty. Ralph was taking a walk with his dog Fiona at the bottom of Kenilworth Avenue in minus ten degree temperatures. All of a sudden he heard a cry, so he stopped; then he heard another cry. Ralph saw a woman’s head bobbing up and down in the icy water, and concluded that this was a suicide attempt. Ralph shouted to the woman whether she would be able to swim to him while another passer-by called 911.
The woman was not able to help herself and was virtually immobilized from severe hypothermia. Ralph immediately took off his jacket and shoes and swam out to her in five degree water. To rescue the woman, Ralph tossed her his dog leash to which she held on and slowly came on shore. Ralph himself was in the freezing water up to his nose. Once they got into three foot deep water, Ralph walked her back to the boardwalk by which time the first police car had arrived. Two ambulances showed up on the scene and the first one took the woman to the hospital. Ralph was taken to the other ambulance to warm up, and he also was suffering from serious hypothermia. He smiles and adds “There was definite shrinkage that day.” He got to spend the entire day at home to slowly warm up his body to recover.
Ralph’s heroic act drew major attention from all across the city, and he received numerous awards for his bravery. Among many other honours, he was given the Ontario Provincial Firefighters’ Award of Bravery, handed out by Lieutenant Governor James K. Bartleman. Ralph Noble also received the 2005 Merit Award as Firefighter of the Year and the Fire Chief’s Citation for Valor.
Another one of Ralph’s significant memories is the 1981 sinking of the Captain John, which was a restaurant ship permanently anchored at the foot of Yonge Street in Toronto. Its original name was Normac, a ship that had served with the Detroit Fire Department and as a ferry between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island. After being struck by one of the Metro ferries, the restaurant boat took on water and a crew of workers was able to keep it upright for several days with pumps. Ralph and his colleagues also went in with additional pumps, but the ship was overcome with water and sank. Several of the Toronto Harbour Police divers including Ralph had to dive in a few days later to salvage the pumps.
A big legal battle ensued between the city and the restaurant owner, and in the end a new “Captain John” was created, using the MS Jadran, a former Adriatic cruise ship, which is now permanently anchored at the foot of Yonge Street. The Normac meanwhile was raised and is now used as a floating restaurant in other communities.
Ralph himself has been drawn to the water all his life and got his captain’s license. With his masters licence he is able to operate boats up to 60 tons in the Toronto Harbour. Ralph also works part-time as a captain for the Kwasind and the Hiawatha, two of the oldest boats in Toronto that serve as private ferries to shuttle members of Royal Canadian Yacht Club back and forth to their Island Clubhouse.
But Ralph’s talents extend beyond life-saving and captaining. Ralph Noble is a gifted artist and has completed numerous signs for stores and cottages. One of his favourite projects was a sign for a Mississauga park that was going to be dedicated to one of Canada’s most famous hockey players: Johnny Bower. Ralph refers to Johnny as “his hero”, and he handmade a sign saying “Johnny Bower Park” which was put up at the park's gate to honour his hero. Ralph even had a chance to meet the hockey star himself and invited him to his house. He says it was a thrill to meet his idol.
Ralph’s artistic pièce-de-résistance, however, and something that will link him to the Beach forever, is the famous “Legend by the Lake” mural at the Balmy Beach Club. For the 100th anniversary of the club’s founding in 2005 Ralph had created a banner which he donated to the club to be used at the Easter Parade. Several magnetic signs were also produced from his design.
Throughout 2005 there were several meetings with the Balmy Beach Club’s administrators because they were planning to revitalize and decorate the wall fronting the Boardwalk. Based on his earlier design, Ralph created a huge mural that stretches more than 140 feet horizontally across the building’s wall. He primed the wall, and did the layout work overnight, using an overhead projector which enlarged and displayed his design against the surface (and attracted every bug in the world). The mural took him about three months of work, and at the end Ralph Noble had created one of the true landmarks in the Beach.
Ralph’s wife joined us and affectionately called him “Sign Santa” for all his charitable design and sign projects. Alluding to his shyness, she also refers to him as a “reluctant smiler”, and discloses that Ralph’s looks often remind people of Pat Quinn, Toronto’s hockey coach, or Bill Clinton.
Ralph Noble is certainly a hero, many times over, and now he has a permanent place in the Beach.

Saving Firefighter Ryan

Simply put, room and contents begin to burn at a very rapid rate during the growth stage of the blaze. Heat is radiated from burning combustibles, then reradiated by the walls and other structural elements. This "thermal feedback" causes an even greater acceleration of heat. Finally, the entire room and its contents ignite with violent and explosive force.
Our culture and its technology have served as a major contributor to the problem of flashover. Up until the 1960's, the average residence contained natural products made up of woods, cottons and other fabrics. Back then it often took a blaze from 8 to 10 minutes to grow from inception to the fully-involved stage. But in our present day world of synthetics, plastics and hydrocarbons, the same room takes only 2 to 3 minutes to reach the peak of fire growth. This accelerated rate of burn has become a major concern for firefighting teams and the officers who command them.
Oddly enough, it was a prevention tool designed to save lives that first brought Flashover to our attention - the home smoke detector. In days gone by, fires were typically unreported until they vented from a window, sending the fastest civilian running for the Gamewell Box. Today, because of the effectiveness of early warning systems, departments are now notified of fires much, much earlier.
Companies now arrive on the scene during the growth stage, entering the structure at the worst possible time, just prior to flashover. Combine this with the standing practice of aggressive interior attack, and one can quickly understand why firefighters have become more aware, and much more concerned, of the phenomenon. The simple fact is - we're seeing it much more often.

Low Tech System with High Tech Results
In Europe, where line of duty deaths, and interior attack, are quite rare, the multi-national fire community was shocked, when in 1987, two Swedish firefighters lost their lives to a flashover incident. In response, training officers in Stockholm saw the need to create an awareness program for the brigade's firefighters. They developed a rudimentary simulator that allows attack teams to identify potentially dangerous environments during the early stages of the firefight. Their primary goal: to demonstrate to suppression teams how to escape a flashover and exit safely.
On the fire training grounds near Stockholm, I prepare to videotape the special fire training simulator designed by the Swedes. I was expecting a high-tech block structure, with thermal sensors, gas jets, and emergency sprinklers. Instead, I'm led to a series of overseas shipping containers, that have been laid out in random fashion to represent various firefighting scenarios.
According to Roland Lindquist, Director of the Raddnings Verket, (The Swedish Fire Rescue Services Board) the system was adopted by all departments in Sweden by 1990. Instructors there further refined both classroom and hands-on curriculum, and today every Swedish firefighter is required to take this special training course. It's dubbed the Swede Survival System, and it's taken Europe, and this nation, by storm.
View firefighting images on Flickr
6,000 miles away from Stockholm, in America's heartland, Indianapolis firefighters carry on a tradition that's been passed down from generation to generation -- mounting an aggressive interior attack. Like so many departments nationwide, Indy fire administration have armed all front-line personnel with the very best in protective equipment. A secure envelope, that guards firefighters from intense heat and vicious flames. But some say that this very same envelope denies firefighters the use of an important God-given safety regulator – the sense of feel. In short, present day protective gear is so damned good, it's difficult to determine when to bail out.
A 3-alarm blaze in Indy's downtown section, found three firefighters deep inside the bowels of the beast. A huge structure, the Athletic Club blaze was stubborn, and difficult to ventilate. According to other interior personnel, the trio entered a smoky room in search of the seat of the fire, but within moments the room erupted in an explosion of flame, instantly snuffing out their lives.
IFD was determined to prevent similar horrible accidents from ever happening again. They imported the Swede Survival System, and since its installation, EVERY IFD firefighter and officer has received extensive flashover training. Many, more than once.
In other departments throughout the USA, training officers have adapted the system to meet the needs of America's aggressive firefighters. Their goal, to show an uncontrolled blaze in a SAFE, controlled atmosphere. And to date, nearly fifty departments and agencies have answered the call.
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Tips on Becoming a Firefighter

So, you want to be a firefighter? It's a great career choice and I'm living proof that if you stick with your dream, it will come true. It's hard to believe that just a little over 10 years ago, I was just like you. On the outside looking in. Now, I'm a career firefighter working for a great city fire department. How did I do it? Well, let me share a few tips on how to become a firefighter.
First off, you've probably already realized that firefighting is a very competitive field. That's ok. Most people don't want it bad enough and departments across the country weed through those folks in a myriad of ways. What they look for are people who've done their homework. People who really want it. So that's the first thing...you've got to really want to do this job. That may mean you've got to volunteer somewhere to show that dedication. I did. It may mean getting experience as a seasonal firefighter or wild land firefighter or both. It may mean going to school to get an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic Certification. Look for any and all opportunities that are out there.
Secondly, you're going to need to start testing. Get on the internet and look up the cities you'd consider working for. Do your research and find out when they are testing. Most fire departments across the country start the process with some sort of written exam. Find out when and where and take some tests. Usually, they provide some sort of material about what the test will consist of. Get this material and absorb it. Get a few study guides. They are out there.
Third, don't get discouraged. I tested more times than I'll admit here before getting a good enough score to move on. Each time I tested however, I got a little better. My scores improved. Stick with it and yours will to. I promise. If you're lucky enough to pass the written, be ready for the next step. Sometimes fire departments will go right to an interview, other times they'll conduct a physical fitness test. Learn what it will consist of and be ready. You should be already in shape or otherwise this career is not for you. We don't wait for you to show up a rookie all fat and out of shape and just hand you a hose. We want go getters. Again, you have to really want this.
So, get all the practical experience you can but remember one thing. Most fire departments will mold you into what they want. They don't really care that you were an all-American firefighter at Department X other than it shows commitment to the profession. When it comes time for the interview, again, be prepared. Go in there with confidence and sincerity. You are the best candidate. Believe in yourself and you can make your dream of becoming a firefighter come true. Once you're on the other side, you'll be so glad you put forth the effort. Good luck!

CPAT Firefighter Physical Ability Test - What Is It And How To Prepare For It

CPAT stands for Candidate Physical Ability Test. The CPAT is the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative Firefighter testing program. This physical ability testing process was engineered and is approved by the International Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF. Approved Fire Departments use the CPAT to assess the physical condition and abilities of potential candidates.
Not all fire departments give the actual CPAT test. The Department using the test must meet all the requirements of the test including training and preparation time for the candidate. As the candidate I can't stress enough to each of you to take advantage of these preparation opportunities. If you have never taken the CPAT test before you will find it is probably the toughest physical test out there.
The good news with the CPAT is most fire departments that use the CPAT will accept a validated CPAT testing completion form from other departments that use the CPAT testing process. What this means for you, the candidate, is you will probably only need to take the test once a year even though you may be applying with several departments.
The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) consists of eight separate events. The CPAT is a sequence of events requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. This test was developed to allow fire departments to obtain a pool of candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes.
The Eight events are: Stair Climb, Hose Drag, Equipment Carry, Ladder Raise and extension. Forcible Entry Simulation, Search Simulation, Rescue Simulation, Ceiling breach and Pull
The CPAT is a pass/fail test based on a maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
During the testing process the candidate wears a 50-pound vest to simulate the weight of self-contained breathing apparatus and fire fighter protective clothing. An additional 25 pounds, using two 12.5-pound weights that simulate a high-rise pack is added to your shoulders for the stair climb event.
Throughout all events the candidate must wear long pants, a hard hat with chin strap, work gloves and footwear with no open heel or toe.
All props were designed to obtain the necessary information regarding your physical ability. The tools and equipment were chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety and validity in measuring your physical abilities. While the course layout may vary in order to conform to the fire department's test area, the events and distances between events are always the same.
The events are placed in a sequence that best simulates fire scene events while allowing an 85-foot walk between events. To ensure the highest level of safety and to prevent exhaustion, no running is allowed between events. This walk allows you approximately 20 seconds to recover and regroup before each event.
To ensure scoring accuracy two stopwatches are used to time the CPAT. One stopwatch is designated as the official test time stopwatch, the second is the backup stopwatch. The stopwatches are set to the pass/fail time and count down from 10 minutes and 20 seconds. If time elapses prior to the completion of the test, the test is concluded and you fail the test.
Yes, it tough, but so is the job as a Firefighter. It's a must that Fire Departments hire well qualified Firefighters. By being prepared for the CPAT makes the testing process much easier

Goal Setting to Get a Career as a Firefighter

A career as a Fire Fighter is the most rewarding and gratifying career on earth. I'm a little partial; I've been a Fire Fighter for 19 years and have loved every minute of it. A career as a Fire Fighter is one of the few careers that you actually look forward to going to work in the morning.
The pursuit of becoming a firefighter is challenging, competitive and at times frustrating. Don't get discouraged, you can and will be a successful - if you truly want it. This is not a career choice that you sort of want, or kind of want - you have to really want it. The competition is tough, but the people who put in their heart, soul and hours of preparation are the ones who come out on top.
To truly be successful you must have a plan. No team can win without a plan, a business cannot succeed with out a plan, and no individual can reach his or hers dreams with out a plan.
Goals are the backbone of our life plan. You must focus on what your wants and desires are, make a decision to change, and take action. You must keep trying and changing to have success.
Goals must be well defined, written, have time lines, be written in a personal format and must have reason.
Any area in your life can be driven beyond your dreams through goal setting and determination.
There are several killers of success. The number one killer is procrastination. All of us find that we tend to procrastinate when things get uncomfortable.
To accomplish any goal in life we must conquer procrastination. We must take daily action.
Right now I want you to write down six items that you have put off completing. Maybe it's a work or school project. Maybe it's a phone call to a client. Maybe it's something as simple as mowing the lawn.
Jot down six items that you have put off:
Next, I want you to act on two of these items right now. Make that phone call, write that paper, and yes you need to get that lawn mowed.
DO IT NOW!
Don't go on until these two items are completed. If you can't complete the task today at least do something to move towards its completion.
"Decisions without actions are worthless."
Here is any example of some goal setting I did after I moved to a busy station after a few years of the "easy life" at a slow station:
After a few busy nights and some working fires I realized that I would need to make some major changes in my physical health! And I needed to do it fast. The thought of not being able to perform and slowing the team down was too much for me to bear. I've always taken great pride in being on top of the game in the area of firefighting. After all I'm to be part of the solution, not the problem!
I set a goal to get back into top shape in 3 months. I set daily action lists, as well as weekly and monthly goals. I had the support of a young aggressive crew, and a drive to serve at the highest level possible.
¨ Primary Goal
Get into top shape in 3 months.
¨ Daily and weekly goals
1. Workout at least 5 days per week
2. Meet with the Department PEER fitness instructors to design a better work and nutrition plan
3. Increase running distance to 3 miles per day
4. Eat healthier
5. Enlist a workout partner to keep me motivated.
This is a short list of some of the short range and long range goals I set for myself.
Realize that two things must happen to reach my goal to get back into "fighting shape", or any goal:
First, define your reason for the goal. It must be a burning, driving reason. If my reason is to simply "look" better, this would not give the motivation to succeed. However, if my reason is to; "Enable me to give my best on the fire ground for my fellow firefighters and the community." Well this reason will surly motivate me!
Second, build smaller goals that always are in line with the primary goals and evaluated them often. You will notice for example one goal I had was to meet with the PEER fitness Instructor. Once this is accomplished I can mark it completed and then add goals from want I learned from meeting this goal.
I did accomplish my goal of getting back into top shape. Through completing this goal I also accomplished other goals in my fitness and health.
My process of goal setting has served me well, and will continue to serve well.
"Dare to aim high"
I like to set weekly and monthly goals and place them in my Day-timer. I am firm believer of some type of daily planner. I place my daily action lists, as well as short and long term goals into my day planner so they are always inform of me and reminding me. Through the use of my day planner I can track my progress and stay focused.
Again let's look at our Fitness goal:
Some of my weekly goals maybe:
· Join a health club
· Hire a personal trainer
· Build a workout schedule
Now on my daily action list I would put:
· Run 30 minutes daily
· Track daily food intake
· Read one fitness article daily.
· Workout 5 days a week.
Get the idea, simple, but effective. Goals and daily actions are driving us to our primary goal of getting into top shape.
So you maybe asking how this applies to quest to becoming a career firefighter? Well, pretty much everything! The pursuit of a Fire Service Career is demanding, competitive. You need to place yourself in the top of pack by giving everything you can and being best candidate.
I believe in accomplishing something new toward my goals everyday. I continually review my short term goals and build on them during my weekly review of my goals.
An example of this might be adding 5 minutes a week to my daily run.
The key to success on truly anything is:
1. Daily action toward your goal
2. Evaluate your progress - feedback.
3. Change our ways
Action -If your daily goal is accomplished it will keep you moving toward your primary goal. All actions create a reaction. All progress, however small, guarantees success.
Evaluate progress - I like to call it feedback. This is an important step in the progress. We must assure or actions are moving us toward our goal. Feedback from weekly and monthly reviews will help us to stay on track. Remember that a ship or a plane never stays on course without constant adjustments make from feedback. We must do the same to also stay on course with our goals.
Change our ways - In order to reach your dreams there needs to be a change in what we are doing now. Sometimes we may view this as sacrifice. We need to change our life in little ways to change our life as it is now!
Our goal of becoming a Career Firefighter requires planning, action and sacrifice. My completing daily and weekly tasks the guaranteed outcome is going to be success.
Nothing is free. But everything is possible. Set your mind to a dream and it will make it so.

Dalmatians and Firefighting History

Have you ever wondered why Dalmatians are linked to firehouses and firemen? There are many reasons why these amazing dogs were selected for service in firehouses many years ago. Here is a brief history of Dalmatian's vital role in fire stations in the past and present.
Back in the olden days of horse drawn carriages, Dalmatians were commonly known as "coach dogs" or "carriage dogs." Highway robberies and horse thieving were so incredibly rampant in the seventeenth through the early twentieth century that is was common practice for coachmen to sleep in a hammock nearby their horses and carriage in efforts to prevent theft. Once people came to the realization that Dalmatians have an affinity for getting along exceptionally well with horses, coachmen began giving Dalmatians the task of acting guard dogs; Dalmatians protected the carriages so effectively that they were able to keep the robbers at bay. Soon, coachmen trusted their Dalmatians so implicitly that they were able to sleep at night in the comfort of their own homes.
Dalmatians were also an excellent choice for coachmen because they are specifically bred for speed and endurance. The dogs were able to guard the horses and carriage by night, and by day they served as an excellent companion to man. Dalmatians are an extremely loyal, friendly (to familiar faces), energetic and fun-loving breed. These characteristics are attractive to those who enjoy having a pet companion. Also, because these dogs are bred for speed, Dalmatians would commonly run alongside the carriage or sometimes directly behind it, so they would be near the coach at all times. This attribute was particularly appealing to firefighters because the dogs needed to be able to keep up with the firefighters coach for long distances, sometimes covering distances up to 20 or 30 miles.
Because Dalmatians were so perfect for guarding coaches and running alongside them, firehouses adopted this breed as the most common firehouse dog. These Dalmatians not only kept the horses and carriage safe while the fire fighter's relaxed in the firehouse, they also proved themselves as an excellent playmate for the firemen when the hours between fires were long. Once a fire call came in, the dogs would traditionally run next to or in front of the horse drawn carriage to act as a siren declaring the advance of the speeding carriage. Because Dalmatians are white with pronounced black spots, they were easy for people to notice and recognize that a fire carriage was on it's way. Once people became accustomed to seeing Dalmatians running down the street, they knew to move out of the way so they would not get trampled by firehouse horses.
Though firehouses no longer use horse drawn carriages, Dalmatians still retain a heavy presence in firehouses. Not all firehouses have a Dalmatian, but some still do keep them on staff for old time's sake. Today, Dalmatians remain a strong symbol of nostalgia for firefighters and firehouses of old time's past. The fire station legacy of Dalmatians will remain for years to come, and their service and loyalty will not be forgotten.

Firefighting Can Be Hazardous to Your Health and Your Business

Son, how about a quick game of chess?" my dad challenged. I had no idea how quick this game - and lesson was going to be. I was a senior in college. My dad barely had a high school education. Some how in my ignorance I confused education with experience (as far as chess goes). My dad for all intents and purposes was semi-pro material at the game. I took him up on the challenge.
I got to move first. “Why did you do that?” my dad inquired.
“I don’ know,” was my intelligent answer. He made his move. I made my second move.
“Why did you do that?” was my dad’s next question.
“Not sure, Dad. I guess partly because that chess piece can move that way,” I replied. The value of all my education and intelligence I was sensing was becoming more questionable. He made his move. This time to avoid his anticipated question on why I did what I did, I made my masterful move with one of the chess pieces from behind the front line. Surely this was going to throw him off and cause him to re-think whatever strategy he had going on.
“Why did you do that?” came the dreaded question. My response wasn’t a whole lot different than the other two. On his third and final move he had me in checkmate in less than 3 minutes! My dad had been in command of the board because he was playing strategically, and several steps ahead of me. I wasn’t. I was playing the game tactically - no real plan - just reacting.
Just reacting, that’s what a lot of businesses do today both large and small, start up or established. It’s amazing how many companies have no real plan. This is particularly characteristic of businesses whose ownership and management are constantly firefighting. In the end these folks burnout and their businesses stagnate, suffer in some way, or even fail. The leadership invests a disproportionate amount of their time, energy, and resources being in the business versus being on the business.
Then there are the companies that have an impressive looking leather bound strategic business plan that sits on the CEO’s mahogany credenza or in a drawer somewhere. The plan isn’t effectively implemented let alone a living and breathing document.
Here are some things to consider if your company demonstrates some of the above symptoms of being reactionary versus being pro-active or lack of proper focus.
o Get outside help. If developing a strategic plan were so easy, why don’t more companies have them? If they do have them, why is it often a challenge to get everyone in the company on the same page?
o Regularly review your plan through the use of a dashboard be it monthly or quarterly. Conduct a formal annual goals review with your leadership.
o Acquire a cost effective and proven evaluation instrument that measures corporate alignment with its goals, leadership effectiveness, and the overall health of your company. The ones with great value and validity are heavily researched and based on nationally acclaimed awards such as the Baldrige National Quality Program as identified by NIST.
o As you develop your plan as much as possible involve and get the investment of your people. Trust their intuition and value their opinions. If you can’t do that - then you've identified another challenge area.
o Change begins with its top leadership. So commit to change and embrace it. Good executive or corporate coaching is helpful here for effective implementation of your plan.
Due diligence in these areas will lend themselves to less firefighting, save you and your company an untold amount of resources, and improve your overall personal and company’s health.
David Libdan is President and Founder of Applied Resources and Knowledge - the leading regional performance and development company. Applied Resources and Knowledge is recognized and sought after by businesses for its results-oriented and customer focused processes.
In addition to operating a successful consulting and business coaching firm, David Libdan has owned other businesses for 15 years and possesses over a decade of experience in corporate sales, marketing and consulting. David Libdan is an active and much in demand speaker on the topics of change, system thinking, effective communication, and life balance. He is actively involved in local chambers of commerce and various professional organizations. His execution of results-oriented, innovative approaches enable clients to tap into their hidden potential and achieve outcomes once thought to be out of reach.

Saving Firefighter Ryan

Simply put, room and contents begin to burn at a very rapid rate during the growth stage of the blaze. Heat is radiated from burning combustibles, then reradiated by the walls and other structural elements. This "thermal feedback" causes an even greater acceleration of heat. Finally, the entire room and its contents ignite with violent and explosive force.
Our culture and its technology have served as a major contributor to the problem of flashover. Up until the 1960's, the average residence contained natural products made up of woods, cottons and other fabrics. Back then it often took a blaze from 8 to 10 minutes to grow from inception to the fully-involved stage. But in our present day world of synthetics, plastics and hydrocarbons, the same room takes only 2 to 3 minutes to reach the peak of fire growth. This accelerated rate of burn has become a major concern for firefighting teams and the officers who command them.
Oddly enough, it was a prevention tool designed to save lives that first brought Flashover to our attention - the home smoke detector. In days gone by, fires were typically unreported until they vented from a window, sending the fastest civilian running for the Gamewell Box. Today, because of the effectiveness of early warning systems, departments are now notified of fires much, much earlier.
Companies now arrive on the scene during the growth stage, entering the structure at the worst possible time, just prior to flashover. Combine this with the standing practice of aggressive interior attack, and one can quickly understand why firefighters have become more aware, and much more concerned, of the phenomenon. The simple fact is - we're seeing it much more often.
See Flashover Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/louangeli/sets/72157594315369414/
Low Tech System with High Tech Results
In Europe, where line of duty deaths, and interior attack, are quite rare, the multi-national fire community was shocked, when in 1987, two Swedish firefighters lost their lives to a flashover incident. In response, training officers in Stockholm saw the need to create an awareness program for the brigade's firefighters. They developed a rudimentary simulator that allows attack teams to identify potentially dangerous environments during the early stages of the firefight. Their primary goal: to demonstrate to suppression teams how to escape a flashover and exit safely.
On the fire training grounds near Stockholm, I prepare to videotape the special fire training simulator designed by the Swedes. I was expecting a high-tech block structure, with thermal sensors, gas jets, and emergency sprinklers. Instead, I'm led to a series of overseas shipping containers, that have been laid out in random fashion to represent various firefighting scenarios.
According to Roland Lindquist, Director of the Raddnings Verket, (The Swedish Fire Rescue Services Board) the system was adopted by all departments in Sweden by 1990. Instructors there further refined both classroom and hands-on curriculum, and today every Swedish firefighter is required to take this special training course. It's dubbed the Swede Survival System, and it's taken Europe, and this nation, by storm.
View firefighting images on Flickr
6,000 miles away from Stockholm, in America's heartland, Indianapolis firefighters carry on a tradition that's been passed down from generation to generation -- mounting an aggressive interior attack. Like so many departments nationwide, Indy fire administration have armed all front-line personnel with the very best in protective equipment. A secure envelope, that guards firefighters from intense heat and vicious flames. But some say that this very same envelope denies firefighters the use of an important God-given safety regulator – the sense of feel. In short, present day protective gear is so damned good, it's difficult to determine when to bail out.
A 3-alarm blaze in Indy's downtown section, found three firefighters deep inside the bowels of the beast. A huge structure, the Athletic Club blaze was stubborn, and difficult to ventilate. According to other interior personnel, the trio entered a smoky room in search of the seat of the fire, but within moments the room erupted in an explosion of flame, instantly snuffing out their lives.
IFD was determined to prevent similar horrible accidents from ever happening again. They imported the Swede Survival System, and since its installation, EVERY IFD firefighter and officer has received extensive flashover training. Many, more than once.
In other departments throughout the USA, training officers have adapted the system to meet the needs of America's aggressive firefighters. Their goal, to show an uncontrolled blaze in a SAFE, controlled atmosphere. And to date, nearly fifty departments and agencies have answered the call.

Firefighting as Entertainment

In the 2005 season finale of FX's "Rescue Me," Firefighter Tommy Gavin is pictured driving along in his pick up with Jesus Christ as a passenger. For Gavin, played by actor/writer Denis Leary, JC is just one of many visions that come to him from episode to episode. Certainly not a scene from the venerable series "Emergency," but an audience pleaser nonetheless. So much so, that FX has ordered up a 3rd season of the sometimes irreverent, always controversial, "Rescue Me."
Following the huge financial success of Ron Howard's "Backdraft" ($277 Million) and "Ladder 49" ($120 million), TV and motion picture producers began flocking to firehouses for more material. The most successful genre have been docu-dramas and documentaries, which utilize existing footage and re-enactments to illustrate interviews with key storytellers.
Least successful have been reality shows like "The Bravest" (2001) and NBC's short-lived "Firehouse" (2002). Both programs were well done and production values were extremely high. But the pair suffered greatly in the ratings. Why? Take note of the date, 2001. Bravest aired its first episode on September 15, 2001, just 4 days after the WTC disaster. A great many FDNY firefighters who appeared in the show, filmed during the summer of 2001, were either deceased or missing.
Even though NBC's "Firehouse" aired in one of the hottest slots on network television (replacing Dateline:NBC at 8pm Fridays) it too suffered from 9/11 backlash. Perhaps the programs were too distressing for the general public, evoking the memories and hurt of 9/11. But that was over four years ago, and time has apparently healed those wounds.
Reality/Documentary
"Firehouse USA, " Discovery Channel's recent limited run weekly series, served as the band-aid. Filmed in Boston with the members of Engine 37 and Ladder 26, "Firehouse USA" is not the fire-rescue version of COPS. It is a show with substance, because the antagonist isn't another drug-dealing; wife-beating, drunk -- it's much bigger. It's Mother Nature at her worst. The format has been attempted before in 1993-94's "Firefighters," but those producers failed to accom-plish the three most important goals of any good documentary -- identify the antagonist, inform and entertain.
"Firehouse USA" does all three very well. How? The producers use members right off the fireline to serve as storytellers. Who better to describe what it's like to do combat face-to-face with "the beast." Discovery's series tells the story not just of the fiery antagonist, but of the soldiers who ride the rigs to do battle. This ain't no easy task 'cause us jakes aren't noted for our public speakin' prowess. But amazingly, the producers have somehow discovered a half dozen articulate on-the-job firefighters to communicate with the audience.
The visual appeal of this program is two-tiered, involving its down and dirty shooting style and the go for it attitude of the AVID editors. I've learned that when shooting the scene of any fire or disaster, the best material is often found when the camera has just begun to roll -- or the operator is moving from one position to another. Nothing goes to waste on "Firehouse USA" and the editors place these short and sweet gems to good use by helping embellish the longer, more conventional shots.
Filming real firefighters, as I have since 1981, is a walk in the park. There's plenty of action wherever you point the lens. But recreating the life of the firefighter isn't a simple task. And so, walking our walk and talking our talk has been a tough sell in Hollywood, as program producers attempt to combine solid acting and good production with technical accuracy.
In 1995, ABC was successful in its made-for-TV-Movie entitled "Philly Heat", based on PFD's famed Engine Co. 50. Veteran actor Peter Boyle gave a convincing performance as a Philly Battalion Chief, and the show would've been a great series and probably a huge success. But Heat was costly to produce -- twice that of a similar ER and Cop dramas, in which the production team has complete control of the environment.
Leary's Formula
So leave it to Denis Leary, firefighting's most visible public advocate, to develop the definitive fire-rescue series -- one that really works. In "Rescue Me" -- soon to enter its third season -- Leary's team has taken on the issue of cost by abandoning the traditional Hollywood grind of using a single motion picture film camera. Instead, the series DP uses several HDTV cameras, eliminating raw film costs, processing and and lengthy multi take setups. The crew rockets through each episode, making the turnaround in six shooting days, as compared to the 10 days grind of other weekly series.
Of all the firefighting dramas ever produced, Leary's is most like the real thing. He treats the firehouse for what it is -- a family! Kooky at times, emotionally distraught at others, but always there for one another when they step off the rig to do battle with the beast. Don't expect the pablum of "Ladder-49." Leary and his writing partner Peter Tolan treat the firefighting family with borderline irreverance, much like FX's "The Badge" or HBO's "The Wire." "Rescue Me" has humor, conflict and an identifiable antagonist, all of which are essential for making any successful drama. The' production team has discovered the secret formula for firefighting drama.
It's one thing to be brave -- another to be stupid. Without knowing it, Leary and his team, as well as the producers of "Firehouse USA," have paid firefighters the greatest tribute by reminding us that life and family are precious and can never be replaced. My hope is that others in our ranks will recognize this tip and take its message to heart.

How to Become a Firefighter - Standing Out From the Competition

Firefighting has become such a popular career there is almost always a number of candidates for the few positions available. In fact, many of those whose goal is to become a firefighter have found that they need to look for positions on a nationwide basis and be willing to relocate, even to distant cities.
For that matter, we know some firefighters, who have tried three or four different times in different municipalities, before getting hired.
What all this means is that for you to be a successful candidate, you must find ways to stand out from the crowd. There are certifications you can get that can help you do just this and to win that dream job.
In fact, some experts say that in order to win that coveted badge, you should have all or most of the following:
1. EMT certificate
2. Paramedic license
3. EMT experience on an ambulance or in a hospital either full-time or part-time. This is because in most jurisdictions, firefighters respond to about 60% of the emergency medical service calls. Can you imagine your fire department hiring someone with no EMT experience?
4. CPR for the Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross) or CPR Health care Provider.
5. Firefighter 1 Academy Certificate and/or Firefighter 1 State Certification.
6. Specialized training certificates These can be training in Public Education, Fire Prevention, Fire Investigation, Auto Extraction, Rescue Systems, Swift Water Rescue, Hazardous Materials First Responder, etc.
Volunteer experience
In addition, it's good to have volunteer experience. Many counties and small municipalities use volunteer firefighters and this is a great way to get experience. You might also contact your local fire department to see if it uses volunteers in non-firefighting capacities, such as administration, hazmat training, fire prevention, et cetera.
Bilingual ability
Many jurisdictions now give preference to those who are bilingual. The most common second language is, of course, Spanish. However if your second language is something such as Russian, you would most likely stand out from many other candidates.
Memberships and affiliations
If you are serious about becoming a firefighter, don't wait. Start getting involved in the fire service. One good way to do this is to join those organizations that can teach you what is required to be a firefighter and how to be an excellent one. This includes associations such as:
- State firefighters Association
- International Assoc.of Arson Investigators
- National Fire Protection Association
- National Association of EMTs
It is also good to have an ambulance driver's license and you should have a clean driver's license.
The written exam
Of course, the best way to stand out as a firefighting candidate is by scoring very high in the written examination. This exam typically takes 3 1/2 hours and consists of 100 or more questions that are often divided into seven different types.
1. Recalling, visualizing, and spatial orientation questions.
2. Reading and verbal/listening comprehension questions
3. Questions on understanding and applying basic mathematics and science
4. Questions relating to tools and equipment
5. Questions about dealing with people
6. Questions relating to mechanical devices
7. Questions that test judgment and reasoning
The only real way to score high on your written examination is by getting a book on firefighter exams and studying it extensively. There are several of these books available on websites such as amazon.com, and if you are willing to settle for a used copy, they are very inexpensive. The experts on this subject say that you must study for this exam every bit as hard -if not harder -then you would for an important final college exam. In fact, you literally cannot spend too much time studying for this exam.
You can stand out from the crowd and you can win that coveted badge. It just takes a lot of hard work and preparation.

Advance Your Firefighter Career with an Online Fire Science Degree

You were lucky enough to get into a fire service career, but now you want to advance up the career ladder, so how can you do that? An online fire science degree can help you meet the grade when it is time to promote someone. Along with your agility test, your written exam, you will be able to show a portfolio that demonstrates your advanced degree and knowledge.
A bachelor's degree in fire science will include more specific and detailed information about fire behavior, fire extinguishment, rescue operations, and incident command. An online fire science degree program may offer specialty areas of fire inspection, fire investigation, forest fire management, or public safety and security.
One of the advantages of an online fire science degree program is that you can complete it online in your own time, an on your own schedule. You will be able to complete course work at the fire station during down time and not take away from your other obligation such as family and fun.
Firefighting positions are highly sought after because they generally have great benefits. Flexibility in scheduling, plenty of opportunity for overtime, health benefits, adequate vacation, guaranteed pension after 20 years of service, and tuition reimbursement.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average hourly wage for an entry level firefighter is $17.00 hour. With an advanced degree and promotion, a firefighter who specializes in fire inspection can earn $44,000 year, and for fire investigation $45,000 a year. Fire Chiefs make up to $60,000 a year and more in more urban areas. Clearly an advanced degree is a way to move up the salary ladder.
Online fire science degree may also offer specialties in public safety, emergency management and public and homeland security, all areas that are increasing in demand. Investigate the various opportunities that are available to you in an online fire science degree program.

Colt Firefighter Pocket Knife CT125 - Quick Review

The Colt Rockloc pocket knife offers firefighters the following features:
Lightning Fast Opening
Razor Sharp Blade
Firefighter Engraving
Blade Lock
Made in USA
When the situation demands that a blade open quickly, the Colt Rockloc answers the call.
Developed by Rocky Moser, hence the name, the assisted opening does exactly what it says. Simply begin pushing on either one of the thumb studs and the spring-loaded mechanism takes over from there.
Caution: Make sure that you keep your fingers away from the end of the handle when opening as the blade can pinch them quite easily.
It is also good to mention that the assisted opening feature of the Colt firefighter pocket knife should not be confused with a switch blade.
In fact, during my testing of this knife, I noticed that the assisted opening does not kick in until the blade is a good ways out of the handle. I’m assuming that this feature is a built-in safety precaution.
Needless to say, with a blade this sharp, you certainly would not want it to accidentally open while it was still in your pocket!
As far as sharpness is concerned, the 440 stainless steel blade has a mean edge. In addition to the cutting ability of the knife, the tanto design of the blade offers extra piercing strength as well.
When it comes to looks, the red and black handle provides both appearance and helps to ensure a non-slip grip.
Another feature that adds to the appearance of the knife is the engraving that can be found on the blade. Once in the open position, the words “Fire Fighter” as well as the fire department logo are prominently displayed on the blade of the Colt Rockloc CT125.
Any time you are dealing with sharp objects, safety always comes into play.
The Colt Rockloc assisted opening pocket knife offers a locking feature to keep the blade in the open position. To close the blade, depress the safety release that is located on the back of the knife.
Here are a couple of concerns that popped up during my testing of the Colt firefighter pocketknife.
One of the drawbacks I found was the small size of the thumbstuds. When I exerted force on the thumbstuds to open the blade, I could definitely feel them digging into my finger. It was not an excruciating pain by any means but there was no mistaking that it was there.
Perhaps if the thumbstuds were a little wider they would not dig into your finger as much when opening the knife.
A plus, though, is that there is a thumbstud located on each side of the blade, which offers versatility for either right or left-handed opening.
Another possible concern is the locking mechanism.
I am not completely sure how well it would hold up if extreme pressure were exerted on the back of the blade. It is possible that if the knife were being used to spear something that it would increase the chances of an accidental closing.
A good and safe practice of the Colt CT125 would be to only use it according to its intended purpose.
Note: Keep in mind that the more moving parts that a pocketknife has, the more chance there is of something breaking. This is especially true when dealing with an assisted opening knife.
So do the pros outweigh the cons? Only you can decide if the Colt Rockloc is right for you based on your intended use of the knife.
All in all, if you are looking for a firefighter pocketknife that is easy to open as well as looks good, you might consider the Colt Rockloc CT125.

Become A Firefighter And Help Others

Why would anyone want to become a firefighter? Well, I can tell you that it's not for the money. Although a firefighter's salary will pay the bills and put food on the table, it will not place you in an extremely high tax bracket. In fact, a lot of full-time firefighters work an extra job on their days off. A person does not become a firefighter just for the money.
Secondly, people do not decide to be a firefighter because they want a stress-free job. Responding to 9-1-1 calls that often involve literal life or death situations does not bring about calm and serenity. Likewise, crawling through a burning building full of super-heated gasses and throat-choking smoke is really not the most relaxing day at work. Sure, every job has some stress, but nothing compared to that of a firefighter. The desire to become a firefighter is not due to the relaxing work environment.
While we are on the subject, people do not become a firefighter because it is a healthy profession. Each year, approximately 100 fire fighters die in the line of duty. About half of these fatalities are due to heart attacks. Both stress and extreme physical exertion contribute to these statistics. So, after pointing out some of the negative aspects, why would anybody still want to become a firefighter? Because firefighters help people. When we think of the many ways in which a firefighter helps others, one of the first things that come to mind is fighting fires. We have all seen the TV shows or movies where a heroic firefighter saves someone from a raging inferno. Although the Hollywood depiction of what a firefighter can actually do is often exaggerated, the truth remains that when it comes to being trapped in a fire, a firefighter is definitely your best friend. Even if the fire does not require the saving of a life, firefighters still have a crucial role in helping others.
A quick extinguishing of a house fire will help to save treasured items that otherwise could never be replaced. Family heirlooms and personal photographs are just some of the items that fall into this category. And don’t forget the pets. To some people, their beloved cat or dog is considered to be a member of the family. There are countless stories of how firefighters have rescued an animal that would have otherwise succumbed to the smoke and flames. Any individual who wants to become a firefighter should be aware that today's fire service does more than just fight fires, a lot more. For example, many of our local fire departments respond to medical calls involving car wrecks, falls, near drowning and heart attacks.
The men and women who work these medical emergencies often times are able to provide the help that will save a victim. Even if the situation is not life threatening, the actions of the fire fighters can lessen the severity of the injuries and decrease the patient’s recovery time. Without a doubt, this service is truly a help to others. In addition, firefighters are a huge help to others through their community education efforts.
Teaching people the importance of having a working smoke alarm in the home is an excellent example of how educating the public can save lives. The early warning from a smoke detector will give family members a head start in escaping injury in the event of a fire. Hundreds of lives are saved each year as a result of these alarm systems. As we can see, these are just a few of the many ways that firefighters help others. Like any job, being a firefighter has its pros and cons. But for the majority of men and women who are in the fire service, it is a job they love. It is a job where they can go to work and help people. So, if you are a person who wants to become a firefighter in order to help others, you have come to the right place.

A Simple Solution to Getting Fit and Passing Firefighter Physical Selection Tests

A Simple Solution to Getting Fit and Passing Firefighter Physical Selection Tests

Too many people turn up for the physical selection tests to become a firefighter having not prepared properly, by either not having reached the required standard or more usually, not trained in the correct way.
Most fire brigades are now adopting the same test, designed around testing an applicants physical ability in job related tasks, such as carrying hose and ladders.
So how do you best prepare physically for these tests? Well, the role of a firefighter is varied from a physical point of view. They need stamina, strength, endurance and flexibility which all need to be at a high standard. The tests will highlight any weaknesses you have in your overall fitness.
The key to passing these tests is having a good balance in these four disciplines.
Strength - to carry bulky fire service equipment or pitch heavy ladders
Endurance - to run out lines of hose over long distances or drag unconscious people to safety from buildings.
Flexibility - work for long periods in confined spaces such as tunnels or lift shafts
Stamina - to carry out a detailed search of a smoke filled building, overcoming obstacles whilst conserving air in breathing apparatus
What if you could train in a way that meant you improved strength, endurance, flexibility and stamina in a fraction of the time and was in such good shape that you could breeze through firefighter physical selection tests?
The answer lies in calisthenics or body weight fitness training. First off, you don't need to go to a gym, nor do you need any equipment, nor do you need to leave the house and best of all, you can complete a killer workout which hits all muscles and improves overall fitness in around 20 minutes.
Calisthenics train the muscles of the body in a natural way and because much of it involves balance, you hit muscles in a different way than when using weights.
Certain exercises will also improve your strength, endurance and flexibility at the same time. For example, an exercise known as the crab, back bridge or back bend whereby you lie on your back and then push off the ground so your back arches and your hands and feet are supporting your whole body will work every muscle of the body and greatly improves flexibility. It requires strength to push off the ground and as you hold the position for longer, the endurance in your muscles will improve.
The key to passing the physical selection tests is having overall fitness and having high levels of strength, stamina, endurance and flexibility.
Calisthenics will deliver the results you want and need in the quickest time possible while being a safe, natural way to train and not impacting on your wallet. Don't waste time training the wrong way for something so important, the road to fitness and to passing firefighter physical selection tests comes in the form of bodyweight training.

Firefighter Birthday Party

Firefighter Birthday Party

FIREFIGHTER PARTY
What child doesn’t look up to the brave firefighters? Let your birthday boy or girl get a chance to imitate their hero. You and your guests will put out fires, rescue babies and enjoy some refreshments when your work is done. What a hot party!
INVITATIONS
You will need white, red, and orange construction paper, glue and a red marker. Cut out orange and red construction paper in the shape of a fire. Glue them on the bottom of the invitation. Across the top write the words: Where’s the Fire? It’s at ____’s Firefighter Birthday Party. Include the date and time of the party, your address, and R.S.V.P. and your phone number.
DECORATIONS
Hang red and orange “fire” streamers from the ceiling. Use red plastic fire hats as place settings at the table. (You might be able to get these from a local fire station). Print the name of a different guest on each hat. The Fire Engine cake can be the centerpiece of the table.
Dalmatian Dog Place Mats
You will need black and white construction paper. Cut white construction paper into a large circle. Using a black marker, draw a face of a Dalmatian dog onto the paper. Cut out black ears and black spots to glue onto your dog’s face. Put a small piece of pink paper for the tongue.
MENU
Serve “Fire House Dogs” (recipe below) with potato chips and a fruit plate. For the grand finale, serve “Put out the Fire Punch” and Fire Engine Cake.
Fire House Dogs
Use 2 packages of refrigerated crescent roll dough and 2 packages hot dogs. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Wrap each hot dog in a crescent roll and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes. Serve with ketchup and mustard.
Put out the Fire Punch
Mix 2 liters of ginger ale with one pint of strawberry ice cream.
Fire Engine Cake
Bake a sheet cake using your favorite mix. Frost the cake with white icing. Using red cake decorator icing from a tube, draw the outline of a fire engine on the cake. Oreo cookies can be used for the wheels.
ACTIVITIES
Save the Baby
Time children as they race through the obstacle course to save a baby (doll). This can be set up in the backyard. Children can climb a ladder and go down a slide then climb through a tunnel (empty box set on its side) then they will use the hose to pretend to put the fire out before they save the baby. The little firefighter that completes the obstacle course in the shortest time will win a small prize.
Hot Potato
Have children stand in a circle. Set a kitchen timer for a minute or two. Use a stuffed Dalmatian dog to play the game of Hot Potato. Children will toss the animal around the circle until the timer goes off. The child holding the animal when the timer goes off must sit down. Continue playing until only one child is standing. Give a prize to the winner.
Stop, Drop and Roll
Divide the children into two teams. This game is to be played outside in a yard. An adult calls out “Fire, Fire. Stop, drop and roll.” The first child from each team will lie on their side and roll down a hill until they get to a designated spot. They stand up and call out the same thing to their next team member, who then rolls down the hill. This continues until all of the children have finished the race. The first team to have all of their members down the hill wins the relay. This will also reinforce the important concept of stop, drop and roll.
Dalmatian Dog Mask
Copy a picture of a Dalmatian dog from coloring book pages onto thick paper. Have children color masks with crayons or markers. Help them cut the masks out. Be sure to cut out holes for the eyes. Punch a hole on each side of the mask with a hole puncher. Measure off two pieces of string that are eight inches long. Tie one piece of string through each hole. Place the mask over the child’s face and tie behind their head. Children can pretend to be Dalmatian dogs.
FAVORS
Guests can take hoe the red plastic firefighter hats they wore during the party. Other ideas are squirt guns, fireball candy, and fire safety coloring books, which you can get from a fire station.

How to Become a Firefighter - Standing Out From the Competition , How To Become A Firefighter - The Requirements

Tool Hero - Ken Carpenter, Firefighter Mechanic

Unlike buying a Dodge off the lot, purchasing a Fire Engine requires a committee designated to the design process because each truck is hand built to specifications. The committee designs the truck around what equipment will be placed on the truck.
The Fire Truck Committee needs to know what the truck is utilized for, ie: a rescue truck, engine pumper, ladder truck, wildland truck, where the tools should be placed to be effective and efficient, the right size pumps, what types of gauges are needed and where the gauges need to be placed. It requires working with the manufacturers throughout the entire process to see it through. The design of the fire truck needs to be made to meet the specific needs of that fire department.
Ken Carpenter, Fire Engineer, in Boulder Colorado, works with the folks at Sutphen Fire Trucks, Pierce and other fire truck manufacturers to design the trucks for Rocky Mountain Fire. Through years of experience working on the engines as a mechanic with the City of Boulder, Ken knows what it takes to design a good fire engine. "By engine, I don't just mean the motor itself" says Ken. The Fire Engine consists of pumps to spray water, gauges to run the pumps, different nozzles and adapters to attach hoses, tools for breaking apart cars to save people who've been in accidents and breaking into burning houses to put out the fire. All of these are organized in such a manner so that they are quickly accessible because to a firefighter, time is not money, it is someone's life.
"The most satisfying aspect of my job is helping people, says Ken. I like to take what is out of control and help get it back into control." Ken began his fire career as a volunteer in January of 1995. At the time, he was employed as a mechanic for the City of Boulder . He enjoyed his volunteer work so much that in August of 1999, he was hired on as a full-time firefighter. He quickly was promoted to Engineer and is currently in charge of maintaining the fire trucks. With 15 engines, that is no small job.
Ken has always been mechanically inclined. He took apart his bicycles as a kid. He then moved on to taking apart cars and motorcycles. His process now originates in his head, with mechanical ideas. He then moves onto paper and working with the manufacturer, implements the designs to work on the Fire Engines. This process is what he likes most about his job.
The most challenging part of Ken's job is keeping up with all the younger guys. At 45 years young, he is considered one of the older firefighters. It requires high physical stamina to fight a fire. While in a fire, firefighters work at their peak Level of performance, under high stress for many hours. Good physical and mental health is essential to deal with the stress because you often get a call in the middle of the night, taking you from sleeping to emergency mode in 60 seconds. This makes firefighting one of the top five most stressful jobs. In addition to being one of the top ten most dangerous jobs, it puts firefighters at a high risk for heart attack.
The most frustrating part of Ken's job is dealing with the public who are not involved in the accident and who don't move out of the way for the fire truck to get through. Personal vehicles are now manufactured with improved sound sealing which, in addition to people talking on cell phones, listening to loud stereos and/or their kids, they don't notice that you are running "emergent" and they simply keep driving.
Fire tools are basically used to rescue people who have been in an accident. Just ask Tools of the Trade Editor, Rick Schwolsky what that is like.
Ken's favorite tool is the Fire Truck itself but here is a list to show you just what's on it:
1. Jaws of Life - Hydraulic Spreader by Hurst - this is used to pry doors off of a vehicle that has been crushed in an accident - to extricate victims.
2. Hydraulic Ram - used to take off the steering wheel or floor of a vehicle
3. Hydraulic Cutters - used to cut the frame of a car or remove the roof.
4. Stihl Utility Chain Saw
5. Stihl Gas-powered Circular saw
6. Stihl Gas-powered Rescue Saw for cutting through roofs.
7. Various Axes, Pike poles and prying and Cutting Tools - Ken's idea was to put it on a swing out rack
8. SCBA's - Self contained breathing apparatus
9. Nozzles, adaptors - tools to spray large amounts of water
10. Pump - 1500 gpm 'Waterous' from St. Paul, Minnesota
11. Intake pump to get water from ponds
12. Ice and Water rescue equipment including climbing helmets and a boogie board for water rescue.
13. Station tools include battery operated Makita drills, Craftsman air compressor and various hand tools.