FireFighterNation

The fireground is changing—and so must we. FireRescue Editor-in-Chief Tim Sendelbach challenges readers to examine whether they’re clinging to old tactics out of tradition, and encourages every firefighter to incorporate the latest research into fire behavior into their tactics and strategy.

On Feb. 20, 2003, 100 people died when malfunctioning pyrotechnics set The Station nightclub on fire in Warwick, R.I. Firefighters would be well-served to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of this tragedy by learning from the extensive research and investigative reports, which provide valuable lessons on fire attack, egress, human factors, code enforcement, and the need for enhanced fire codes.

Effective safety and firefighting tactics are major concerns in the fire service. Jane Jerrard interviews South Carolina State Fire Marshal Shane Ray, and ISFSI volunteer and Project Manager Vicki Pritchett, about the live burns they conducted in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Firefighters from 14 states and the District of Columbia conduct eight days of burns.