‘The striking aspect of the Nation’s fire problem is the indifference with which Americans confront the subject. Destructive fire takes a huge toll in lives, injuries, and property losses, yet there is no need to accept those losses with resignation. There are many…
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – an acceptable diagnosis?
As a retired fire captain, licensed counselor and founder of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (2010) I have been around the fire service for 30 years. It has been my deepest honor to serve my communities, as well as my brothers…
Evidence-based recommendations for structural firefighting now available in NFPA 1700
In 2014, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) received a new standards project request from a retired Kansas City, Missouri fire chief asking for the development of a guide that filled the gap between the fire-science community and the fire…
Critical fire protection and life safety considerations for safe usage of tents
As states continue looking for ways to safely reopen the economy, many jurisdictions are allowing businesses, specifically restaurants, to open, provided that the seating area for customers is located outside, tables are located at least 6 feet apart, and the…
NFPA continues its efforts to help communities plan, respond, and recover from active shooter and hostile events
In May, Bloomberg News reported that the number of mass shootings in the United States was down 24% from the year before as workspaces, businesses, places of worship, entertainment venues, and cultural spots were closed. The news outlet indicated that…
Learning from assembly occupancy tragedies
On December 4, 2009, partygoers packed the Lame Horse, a nightclub in the Russian city of Perm, to celebrate the club’s eighth anniversary. Then, in an instant, fire broke out and chaos ensured. Details of the incident were captured in…
James Bond has nothing on the Fire Service
You may have heard of the old James Bond movie entitled, From Russia with Love? Well, these days I think we can swap out Mr. Bond for the brave men and women of the emergency response community and the tech…
Road sense
Facing a scourge of distracted drivers, first responders have a new reason to make roadway safety a priority. In February, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) urged fire officials to immediately issue a safety and survival alert in their…