Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Boston Fire Department E33/L15 Walsh/Kennedy Memorial Shirt




The Engine 33 / Ladder 15 of  the Boston Fire Department is now selling memorial t-shirts to benefit the Edward Walsh / Mike Kennedy Memorial Fund. 100% of the proceeds go to the Memorial Fund. The shirts are being sold through FSP Books and Videos Inc. The shirts can be ordered at http://www.fire-police-ems.com/misc/boston-memorial-shirt.shtml or by calling FSP at 800.522.8528.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Lessons Learned During 42 Years with FDNY from Vincent Dunn, Deputy Chief, retired

We know, the FSP Blog was a little neglected in 2013. We're trying to fix that for the new year but need your input. What would you like to see here from us? Book recommendations? Opinions and advice? A little bit of everything? Let us know!

As I was trying to come up with ideas I happened upon Ira's FDNY Tales blog (fdnytales.wordpress.com) and realized I never posted this gem here. Deputy Chief Vincent Dunn discusses what he learned from 40+ years on the job. Definitely worth a read

1. The fire service is a dangerous profession. Every year, on average 100 firefighters die and another 80,000 are injured. To stay safe, study and learn about your emergency work and its hazards. Knowledge of your job enhances safety.

2. Heart attacks are the number-one killer of firefighters. Remain in good physical and mental condition. A lifelong commitment to exercise and good living can save your life and make you a better firefighter.

3. The military, police and fire service - we are all in dangerous professions where members risk their lives. But fire fighting is different. We have the best of the death professions. For example, in the military to be a good soldier you may have to shoot people. In law enforcement, to be a good police officer you may have to arrest people. In the fire service, to be a good firefighter we have to save lives. After your career is over, your memories will be good ones.

4. The job makes the man or woman; the man or woman does not make the job. What does this mean? It means look at your supervisor or chief. You will most likely assume some of the personality traits of that person during work. We rarely change the job. The job changes us. When you set your sights on a position or rank, look closely at the person who has that job, because you may become like him or her.

5. Support your boss. The top job is the toughest assignment in your department. If you get an opportunity to work with the chief, take it. You will see close-up the pressures and stresses of the position. So, if later you achieve the position, you will know what to expect.

6. Work for labor-management cooperation. You may have to work with a union official without compromising your management responsibilities. This is tough to do but it's the only way. If you become involved in an explosive labor-management situation, remember after the crisis is over we all have to work together again.

7. Balance your work in the fire service and your family. After you accomplish all your life goals and ambitions at work, you will then understand, like I did, you could not have accomplished it without their love and support.

8. A firefighter is a social worker with muscles. The fire service is physical social work. You help people by stretching hose lines and raising ladders. (Vincent Dunn, Deputy Chief, retired)

In November I had a chance to attend one of Chief Dunn's seminars. Great teacher and great storyteller. 
- See more at: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/misc/fdny-tales-stories-lessons.shtml#sthash.MEAo709H.dpuf
1. The fire service is a dangerous profession. Every year, on average 100 firefighters die and another 80,000 are injured. To stay safe, study and learn about your emergency work and its hazards. Knowledge of your job enhances safety. - See more at: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/misc/fdny-tales-stories-lessons.shtml#sthash.MEAo709H.dpuf
1. The fire service is a dangerous profession. Every year, on average 100 firefighters die and another 80,000 are injured. To stay safe, study and learn about your emergency work and its hazards. Knowledge of your job enhances safety. - See more at: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/misc/fdny-tales-stories-lessons.shtml#sthash.MEAo709H.dpuf

Friday, April 26, 2013

The Latest In Fire Apparatus Books

We got 2 great new fire apparatus books in stock this week and both are must haves for any fire apparatus enthusiast.

First, from John Calderone and Fire Apparatus Journal comes Mack CF Fire Apparatus of the New York City Fire Department.


In the same format as his Ward LaFrance, Hose Wagon and Squad Apparatus books, this 96 page book is loaded with full-color photos, data and history of all of New York City's Mack CF fire apparatus that served over the years. All photos are accompanied by data and registration numbers.

Also, 13 years after the original, Peter Aloisi and Chariot Publishing have published Fire Apparatus Fighting Fires II.





 It features 82 multiple alarm fires in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York City and Kentucky. View 96 pages of fire trucks in posed and action shots from many cities, including New York City, Boston and Chicago. Special sections include: Winter Firefighting, Truck Work, Gone but not Forgotten.

Also for the fire truck enthusiasts MT Publishing is releasing Boyer Fire Apparatus and re-releasing LAFD: Land, Sea and Air next week.You can find all the fire apparatus books we carry at our website, www.Fire-Police-EMS.com. As always, if you want to order any of the books featured in the blog or if have any questions give us a call at 800.522.8528. You can also email customer support with any questions at support@fire-police-ems.com.


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

New Fire Service Leadership books

Fire Engineering has just released two new leadership books that are must haves for any personal department library.

The first is Five Alarm Leadership, a combined effort between fire service leaders Rick Lasky and John Salka.






They combine their years of leadership to compile lessons they've learned, scenarios they've encountered, situations they've handled and problems they've solved. The goal is to use their experiences to mold others into better leaders and improve the fire service.

Step Up and Lead shares the knowledge of another wonderful fire service leader, Frank Viscuso.

He shares his secrets of effective leadership, introduces what he considers to the the essential traits and skills of a fire service leader and discusses the importance of customer service in the fire service.

These two titles are among a number of leadership and management books available.

Another highly recommended title is Once Upon A Crisis. This well-written book is an up-close account of surviving loss that takes a good look at post-traumatic stress from the inside out. It is a must read for emergency service workers, those close to them, anyone considering a career in the emergency response field, or anyone trying to overcome personal loss. 

As always feel free to contact us with any questions 800.522.8528 or support@fire-police-ems.com

Is there a blog post you'd like us to write? Let us know in the comments section.





Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Firefighter I & II Training

Starting your firefighters off on the right foot is a key to building a successful department. IFSTA, Brady and Jones & Bartlett have all updated their Firefighter I & II texts recently to provide the most up to date training possible, meeting the 2013 NFPA 1001. Delmar/Cengage Learning should also have a new edition available in the near future.

We wanted to highlight some of the key features of the new books.

IFSTA's Essentials of Fire Fighting 6/e features:
  • Content Separation – Firefighter I and II content is clearly identified and separated in each chapter for ease of teaching and learning.
  • Research-Driven Content – Updates to content, skills and tactics reflect the most current research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and others.
  • Student-Focused Design – High quality photos and illustrations emphasize the chapter content. Engaging graphics reinforce the sequence of each skill to ensure mastery is achieved safely. Key terms are clearly identified in the margins for ease of use and comprehension.
It totals up to 21 chapters (click link above for full list) and 1400 pages. IFSTA and Brady have also collaborated once again of the Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations which includes added chapters on Emergency Medical Care and HazMat.

Jones & Bartlett's new Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills 3/e features:
  • Skill drills leave the confines of the printed page. See skills performed in real-time by swiping QR Codes with your smart phone or tablet.
  • Quickly identify Fire Fighter II content and skill drills through clear visual road maps.
  • Rapidly access content through clear and concise Knowledge and Skill Objectives with page references, as well as NFPA 1001 and 472 correlations.
  • Encourage critical thinking skills. Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II case studies offer students a genuine context for applying the knowledge presented in the chapter.
It includes a total of 38 chapters and over 1200 pages. A full list of chapters can be found at the link above.

So out of all the possible Fire Fighter I & II titles which text is best for your department? That's up to you, but we're always here to help. You can call our customer service department at 800.522.8528 or drop us an email at support@fire-police-ems.com. Averaging over 10 years experience we can help with all your text and DVD needs.

Thanks for reading,

Sean
FSP Books & Videos
http://www.fire-police-ems.com/

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Reality TV and the fire service


The the popularity of reality television, especially Cops, there have been a few attempts at replicate that style and feel with firefighters. Two of these shows have recently been released on DVD. First is The Bravest. This 10 DVD, 15 hour set features all 44 episodes of the series.  This series examines every aspect of the lives of these experts in the arts of extinguishment, from the most spectacular infernos to the smaller crises that firefighters quell every day to the constant preparations that keep them on their steel.

Along the way, you’ll learn about the tactics they employ to battle the blazes, explore the ways in which modern technology aids them in their quest and get to know these courageous men and women during the quieter moments they spend together at the firehouse.


Also available is the new On Duty Firefighters. On Duty gives the viewer a front row seat to first responders in action. Whether rushing into a burning building, rappelling down a cliff for mountain rescue, or racing to a blaze on a screaming fire engine, these brave men and women are ready at a moments notice, day or night, to protect homes, rescue people and save lives. This 28 episode series features real stories about real heroes.

Both series are highly recommended and can be ordered through FSP Books & Videos online at www.Fire-Police-EMS.com or by calling 800.522.8528.