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.

Massachusetts Fire Promotional Exams (and study advice)

Massachusetts Civil Service has released the released the promotional reading lists for both municipal fire departments statewide and for Boston. The list are:

Massachusetts Statewide Lieutenant:
Company Officer, 4th ed.
Inspection & Code Enforcement, 7th ed.
First Responder 8th ed., Brady
HazMat for 1st Responders 3rd ed.
NIMS FEMA 501, 2008 ed.
Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 2nd ed
Building Construction Related to the Fire Service, 3rd ed.
Engine Company Fireground. Operations, 3rd ed.
LadderCompany Fireground. Operations, 3rd ed.

Massachusetts Statewide Captain:
Company Officer, 4th ed.
Inspection & Code Enforcement, 7th ed.
First Responder 8th ed., Brady
HazMat for 1st Responders 3rd ed.
NIMS FEMA 501, 2008 ed.
Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 2nd ed
Collapse Of Burning Buildings
Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground, 2nd ed.
Supervision Today, 6th ed.

The Boston reading lists are the same, just without Pumping Apparatus and NIMS FEMA 501. Discounted packages for all four reading list are available from us at www.Fire-Police-EMS.com or by calling 800.522.8528.

They say nothing is free these days, especially when it comes to promotional exams, but here is some free advice we've learned throughout the years.

1. Should I use study guides? Some people swear by them, other people can't stand them. I usually recommend them. When being promoted can come down to a point or two, any edge you can get could prove to be the difference. Between software and print study guides there is something for almost every book!

2. Do I need to buy the texts or should I only use the study guides? If nothing else, buy the texts! The questions come from the texts. If you choose to only use the study guides, you could miss something. Again, only a few points can make a big difference. Even if you decide to only buy and tackle one text at a time, if you're taking the exam seriously you need the textbooks.

3. Whats the best way to study? If you have friends or associates (or people you barely know) on other departments who are also taking the test, for a study group. Discussing the books, answering each others questions, and debating points can bring to light information you may have missed. A dedicated study group can be a huge benefit for all involved. Everyone has to be dedicated though and make each meeting. No excuses!

4. What if I don't have time? Easy answer. Find the time. I know its not easy, but it can be done.Waiting around at the DMV? Bring a book. Visiting the in-laws? Bring a book. Going fishing? Bring a book. Or bring the whole study group! (Just leaves the beers in the cooler until after the books have been discussed). Use a text for bathroom reading. Read the children bedtime stories out of the texts (many people have said they're great for insomnia). Be willing to read and highlight any time you have some free time. Which leads to...

5. Notes and highlighting. Even if its just jotting down key ideas on a piece of paper, taking notes helps a lot of people. Make sure you understand it first, but going back and highlighting or taking notes gives you key ideas to look over on that big final review before test time. Plus, a study group can share notes to see what everyone found important.

Do you have nay other study tips? Let us know what has worked for you in the comments section.

Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics

The Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics has always been a favorite and is considered by many a "must read" book for all firefighters, and a valuable addition to any fire library. Its a simple, well written guide for any firefighter or fire officer who has already learned the basics and is looking for methods on handling specific situations. Fire Engineering has taken the handbook to a new level. Not only have they released the text and study guide, but they now have audio, software and a DVD series to supplement the text.

The audio book can be played on any CD player, or can be uploaded to an MP3 player allowing you to take it anywhere you choose.

The study guide includes multiple choice and short answer questions, and includes a page reference from the text with the answer key. It also includes a 100 questions final exam. The same is true for the software study guide, which also includes various elements of fireground situations for a more realistic approach.

Finally, Fire Engineering has released DVDs for every chapter of the text:
v.1 General Principles of Firefighting
v.2 Sizeup
v.3 Engine Company Operations
v.4 Hoselines
v.5 Water Supply
v.6 Sprinklers
v.7 Standpipes
v.8 Ladder Company Operations
v.9 Forcible Entry
v. 10 Ventilation
v. 11 Search & Rescue
v. 12 Safety & Survival
v. 13 Private Dwellings
v. 14 Multiple Dwellings
v. 15 Store Fires
v. 16 High Rise
v. 17 Buildings Under Construction / Fire-Related Emergencies
v.18 Structural Collapse
v.19 Terrorism and Homeland Security (coming soon)

As if all that wasn't enough, both Knightlite and Rapid-fire have released study software for the book as well.

As always, everything is available at FSP Books & Videos (www.Fire-Police-EMS.com). If you have any questions, the friendly sales staff can help you out. You can call them at 800.522.8528 or email support@fire-police-ems.com.

Firefighter Recruit Training

Most of the major firefighting publishers have come out with recruit training materials in the past year or so. With so many options, the choices can be difficult. Here is a quick breakdown of the latest recruit training materials.

Jones & Bartlett
Jones & Bartlett has the Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills, 2nd ed. The second edition features a laser-like focus on fire fighter injury prevention, including a dedicated chapter on safety. Student supplements include the Student Review Manual, Student Workbook, and the Skills Evaluation Workbook. Instructor materials are also available to certified instructors and can be ordered by calling us at (800) 522-8528.

IFSTA & Brady
IFSTA has published the 5th edition of Essentials of Firefighting. IFSTA and Brady have also collaborated on an expanded text, Essentials of Firefighting and Fire Department Operations. This expanded edition includes all of the information found in the regular Essentials, plus a first aid and hazardous materials component. Supplemental materials for these books include a Study Guide (available in both book and CD-Rom form), a Student Workbook, and a Skills Handbook. Both Knightlite and Rapid-fire have released software study guides for Essentials also. Set discounts are also available when texts and supplements purchased together.

Delmar / Cengage Learning
Delmar has released three versions of their recruit training manual. these are the Firefighter's Handbook: Essentials of Firefighting 3rd ed., Firefighter's Handbook: Firefighting and Emergency Response 3rd ed., and the Firefighter's Handbook: Firefighter I & II. Supplements include the Firefighter's Handbook Skills DVD, Hazardous Materials Handbook, and the HazMat Handbook Skills DVD.

A complete breakdown of the recruit training materials can be found here. There are other training materials available from other publishers including McGraw Hill's Firefighter I & II Review DVD. As always feel free to contact us with any questions and visit us online at http://www.fire-police-ems.com.