The Changing Fire Service

The week of the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) has always been the real timestamp that I use to actually begin celebrating a new year. We endure brutal winters in my town, everything slows down, and there’s not much of a springtime to be had before summer actually begins.

FDIC always seems to fall at a time when I need to shake off the typical winter pace and get further into the swing of things. And I’m not the only one who feels this way. Yes, folks; it’s April and time for FDIC International 2015.

It’s a New Year, and there’s a lot going on now that this week is finally here. It’s time to renew interest in that specific project or initiative in the fire service you’ve held off on until the snow melted; it’s time to meet up with old friends from around the world whom you’ve waited 51 weeks to see; it’s time to come to Indianapolis to see what you’ve been missing all these years and to see what you didn’t know you should have been seeing all along! Welcome to FDIC International 2015, and welcome to the FDIC issue of FireRescue.

We packed a tremendous amount of information into this issue, so let’s begin! We discuss all things fire attack this month by reviewing a commercial fire in a tenement building in Harlem, New York. Fire Department of New York’s Paul DeBartolomeo, from Ladder 28, describes the events that unfolded at this tough incident and what we can learn from these types of urban fires.

Urban fires are spectacular incidents to witness, and capturing them on film is one reason why there can never be enough photos taken in the fire service. Fire photographers are also on scene, and their contributions help us tell the real story. As such, I’m proud that I get to tell prominent fire photographer Glenn Duda’s story to you in this issue.

Wildland fires are also spectacular, and managing fire attack during these fires is extremely demanding. Moreover, we are now seeing catastrophic wildfires yearly. Could this be the new normal for the wildland fire service? Chief Todd McNeal from the Twain Harte (CA) Fire Department explains why incident commanders may actually have to adapt to this new normal. As we adapt to catastrophic incidents and their numerous factors, we must learn to never forget those whom we’ve lost in the process. Honoring their memory also means never forgetting how we do things on the fireground. Dr. David Griffin from the Charleston (SC) Fire Department shows us to do this.

Never forgetting the intricacies of our training and skillsets doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and it doesn’t always happen at training academies either. Nick Ledin from the Eau Claire (WI) Fire Department describes why we sometimes simply teach to the test and how this can have a counterproductive effect on the student, the instructor, and the fireground. Being ready for fire attack often transcends tests and certification. Sometimes, on-the-job experiences are the only way to learn, like reacting to major emergencies when pulling up to those once-in-a-lifetime incidents. Rich Clark reviews a tragic 100-car pileup in Michigan during a major snowstorm and how a specific skillset not found on any firefighting test helped to mitigate a “perfect storm.”

We also have more profiles and stories this month that feature another elite firefighting unit. Gea Leigh Haff from Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue (MDFR) shares another incredible story of a dramatic rescue from another MDFR special unit: Fireboat 1. She profiles an incredible yacht fire that put everyone on Fireboat 1 in harm’s way yet resulted in several amazing rescues.

Finally, David Rhodes from the Atlanta (GA) Fire Department tells us a great story about a wounded warrior with a traumatic brain injury who was helped by a local fire department, and he shares how other fire departments can help bring meaningful purpose back to our wounded returning veterans.

Read about dramatic incidents on the fireground and the inspiring people who make the fire service what it is. And don’t forget to take advantage of all that FDIC International 2015 has to offer!