FireFighterNation

Too often, as long as no firefighters are hurt during a fire, performance isn't critiqued. Editor-in-Chief Tim Sendelbach argues that members of all ranks should take every incident as an opportunity to improve.

FireRescue technical editor Greg Jakubowski reviews Leatherman’s new Super Tool 300, which is really numerous tools (pliers, a knife, wire cutters, screwdrivers and so much more) rolled into a handy 4 «-inch-long device.

The U.S. Navy's USS New York features a bow made from steel recovered from Ground Zero. Now, a special exhibit examines how the ship was built and allows visitors to explore the ship in detail.

Nozzlehead offers advice to a gay firefighter who’s surrounded by cruel co-workers and isn’t sure if they should come out about their sexuality.

Apparatus columnist Bob Vaccaro shares how proper planning ensured success for one department in its purchase of three Pierce PUC.

Mike Kirby and Tom Lakamp describe the various types of commonly used engine company hoseloads and their finishes.

Effective venting is even more important in lightweight construction, where flashover conditions can develop rapidly. Randy Frassetto provides a step-by-step method for safely performing vertical ventilation on a residential structure with lightweight trusses.

Today’s lightweight construction poses significant new dangers for rapid floor and ceiling collapse as well as flashover. This article provides recommended tactics for fires in modern residences, based on extensive research by Underwriters Laboratories.

Noting that until recently there was no way to review RIT programs to identify “best practices,” Chiefs Bill Peterson and Ken Richards discusses the how and why the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Service Training developed NFPA 1407: Standard for Training Fire Service Rapid Intervention Crews (RICs), which was approved by the Standards Council in December 2009 and will be available for use by the fire service early this year.

Apparatus editor Bob Vaccaro highlights the growing number of manufacturers offering multipurpose vehicles, and lays out some pros and cons of buying this type of apparatus.