Webcasts by Firefighter Nation & FireRescue Magazine

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Date/Time: November 4, 2009 2:00 PM EDT/11:00 AM PDT

As departments seek to cut costs associated with response to meet tighter budgets, the importance of fire prevention is never more apparent. However, it’s extremely difficult to demonstrate the impact of public education and other prevention efforts, so funding for prevention is often insecure.

Prevention programs can significantly enhance their security by demonstrating results, but how? In this Webcast, Jim Crawford, a project manager for the national fire prevention steering committee Vision 20/20, will outline two distinct ways to evaluate fire prevention programs:

• Holistically: Government auditors (performance and financial) tend to evaluate fire prevention programs using measures of overall performance, including workload, so that they can begin to understand how many people it takes to perform a given job (e.g., fire code compliance inspections or investigations).
• Individually:Injury control specialists, epidemiologists and the medical community tend to evaluate specific prevention programs by asking questions such as, "Does this program meet specified goals and is it producing measurable results that we may rely upon to determine which programs work - and which need improvement?"

Regardless of their differences, both approaches are focused on results. This Webcast will provide real-world examples of both types of evaluation programs. You’ll also learn some ways fire prevention personnel can begin to document the results of their programs, compare them with other national and regional programs, and build a case for their continued existence.

Presented By: Jim Crawford, Dr. Angela Mickalide and Dr. Ronda C. Zakocs

Sponsored By: Vision 20/20

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Conducting live fire training has always been a controversial subject and raises concerns for safety, but a subject that is a must for the complete development of firefighters. This program will present methods to conducting effective burns while following NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, without compromising firefighter safety.

Topics covered will include:

• Lessons learned from past live fire training tragedies
• Critical aspects of NFPA 1403
• Live fire training indiscretions
• Maximizing the burn structure (acquired, fixed, and mobile facilities)
• Importance of live fire training in the development of firefighters

This program is dedicated to those who have fallen before us during live fire training evolutions.

Troy Webster, Florence (Ky.) Fire/EMS Department
Troy Webster is a 19-year member of the fire and emergency services, currently serving as a captain with the Florence (Ky.) Fire/EMS Department; he has led numerous live-fire training burns in acquired structures and fixed facilities throughout the course of his career. Troy has a bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and previously served as a training officer with Florence Fire/EMS and the Union Fire Protection District. He currently teaches as a field instructor for Kentucky State Fire/Rescue Training and is a lead instructor for the state's flashover recognition and survival program. Contact him at troy.webster@mac.com.

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Thermal imaging cameras (TICs) have become a mainstay on the fireground, but standards for their use in various tasks is often lacking. This presentation will provide a three-step approach to thermal imaging use-orientation, interpretation and communication-and explore how to apply that approach to various fireground tasks, including fire attack, search and size-up. You'll learn:

• Key components of effective thermal imaging
• TIC techniques for ordinary and complex searches
• Thermal imaging objectives for primary and secondary searches
• Tips and tricks for setting up effective thermal imaging training

Jake Pelk, Central County (Calif.) Fire Department
Jake Pelk has been in the fire service more than 15 years and started his career as a volunteer in Boulder Creek, Calif. He was recently promoted to captain at Central County Fire Department in San Mateo County. Jake began teaching thermal imaging classes in 1998. He co-founded and is currently the director of the "Nobody Gets Left Behind" Training Group; he also serves as a Search Team Manager for California Task Force 3 and a Tactical Medic Team Leader.

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SEE: Questions Answered After Event

Questions about hybrids abound in the fire service today; many first responders have misconceptions about these vehicles and how these vehicles impact our jobs as firefighters and rescue personnel. Extrication personnel should not be afraid of hybrid vehicles, but they must have a good knowledge of how they operate and a good deal of respect for their components.

This Webcast will explain some of the safety aspects associated with hybrid vehicles and how to do our jobs when confronted with one of these cars. Topics covered will include:

• "Running silent" and "the ready mode" and what these mean for rescuers
• Things to look for when approaching to the vehicle to determine whether it's a hybrid
• How to stabilize hybrid vehicles
• Safety procedures related to voltage cables and connectors to batteries that can have as much as 700 volts of electricity

Did you ask a question that did not get answered during the live event? Doug took some time after the event to answer nearly every question, they can be found by going here!

Doug Cincurak, Green (Ohio) Fire Department
Doug Cincurak is currently a lieutenant with the City of Green (Ohio) Division of Fire, where he's served 23 years as a firefighter/paramedic. Doug currently manages the Training and Communications Bureaus for the fire department. He is a member of the Green Fire Department Technical Rescue Operations Team and has been trained in Advanced Vehicle Extrication, Structural Collapse Rescue, Trench Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Rope Rescue, Open Water and Ice Dive Operations. He currently manages the City of Green Trench and Structural Collapse Teams. Doug is an Ohio State certified Fire and EMS instructor and an associate instructor for the Ohio Strike Force USAR team. He is a partner in Technical Rescue Solutions Inc. a company that provides training to fire departments and industry in basic and advanced vehicle extrication and vehicle stabilization as well as fire and EMS education. Doug has provided vehicle extrication instruction and many local, state and national conferences and fire schools. He can be reached by e-mail at dcincurak@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 330/697-3897.

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First it was the "swine" flu, and then, the more politically correct "novel H1N1 type A influenza." While governments scramble to prepare and respond to the continued worldwide spread of this new illness, misinformation abounds. The public is confused and in some case, approaching panic. You need the facts about influenza, including past, present and future outbreaks. EMS, fire and law enforcement members need information and tools to respond to influenza as professional public health partners. This webcast will tell you how.

Mike McEvoy, EMS coordinator for Saratoga County, N.Y.
Mike McEvoy is the EMS coordinator for Saratoga County, N.Y., and teaches pulmonary and critical care medicine at Albany Medical College. Mike is a paramedic, firefighter and member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Emerging Infectious Diseases task force. He writes and speaks frequently about infectious diseases at EMS, fire and law enforcement conferences and has developed pandemic plans for major corporations, critical infrastructure entities and public safety agencies.

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In today’s very competitive job market, every little edge counts, especially when it comes to getting promoted. Capt. Ray Gayk from the Ontario (Calif.) Fire Department, FireRescue magazine’s "Company Officer Development" columnist, will review some real-world principles to help you meet your goal of promoting to the Company Officer level.

During this webcast we will review several topics and answer questions such as:

• When should I start thinking of promoting to the Company Officer level?
• How do I begin preparing myself for the testing process?
• What are some helpful hints to successfully complete the promotional exam?
• Is the interview an important part of your process? (If yes, then you’ll want to attend.)

This will be a very informative class to get you going in the right direction toward promotion.

Ray Gayk, Ontario (Calif.) Fire Department
Ray Gayk is a company officer with the Ontario (Calif.) Fire Department (OFD). Gayk is a 16-year veteran of the fire service who has been actively involved with the OFD’s development of engineer and captain mentor programs. Gayk has also been a training officer and currently works on Truck 131 in downtown Ontario.

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While SCBA emergencies are rare, firefighters must be prepared for any form of malfunction or mechanical failure that might put them at risk during operations. This program will describe some of the most common SCBA emergencies a firefighter might encounter and the required actions to safely overcome an SCBA emergency. The program will also include an update on how technological developments are setting the stage for improved SCBA operations, including more functional/low-profile designs, telemetry-based monitoring devices, exposed temperatures, PASS alarm activations and much more.

Matthew Tobia, Anne Arundel (Md.) County Fire Department
Currently serving as a Battalion Chief with Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Matthew Tobia is a strong supporter of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and has served on several Everyone Goes Home projects. Matt also serves as Vice-Chair for the IAFC’s Safety, Health & Survival Section and is a member of the FireRescue editorial board.