Safety In Emergency Services

Safety is one of the most important issues facing the emergency services. In the last few months there have been a number of products released on the subject. These should be must have items for any department library.

A valuable learning tool or a handy reference manual, Delmar's Highway Scene Safety focuses on operational guidelines necessary for conducting safe and efficient scene management during a highway incident. This book covers pre-planning, the national incident command system, governing laws, interagency communications, personal protective clothing, roadway considerations and other topics required for a safe response.

IFSTA's Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness 3rd edition provides information for three groups: fire and emergency service administrators, supervisors, and emergency responders. It is intended to provide an overview of programs, policies, procedures, and actions that will establish and maintain a culture of safety within the fire and emergency services.

The subject of solid fuel appliances is covered with the new 2 DVD set Firefighter Knowledge. It covers The different types of solid fuel appliances, gas combustion appliances and clothes dryer vents and the issues they present regarding structure fires, the truth about masonry and pre-fabricated fireplaces and common fireplace installation errors, safe fireplace operating guidelines, proper use of manufactured "wax" logs and chimney cleaning logs, common myths regarding fireplaces, chimney fires and the best types of wood to burn, and much more!

Finally, The Idea Bank has released Before You Go Up, featuring former state fire marshals, Ronny Coleman and Jim McMullen . Taking a "tough love" approach, it shows how to prepare for and survive a fire in a multi-story building.

As always we'd love for these to end up in your library. Feel free to email me with any questions or give us a call at (800) 522-8528.

We've also received a lot of requests recently for help in putting together top notch DVD libraries. We've put together a worksheet with many different options that we can send to any department that is interested. Or, tell us your needs and we'll customize something for you! All of our training DVDs can be found at www.Fire-Police-EMS.com.

On a final note, FSP turns 25 this year (I know, we still act like teenagers). Anyway, we're celebrating with contests, trivia, games and much more! Head over to our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FSPBooks and "like" us so you can get in on the fun!

Building Construction

Just a quick post on building construction for the fire service. Two new books have been released in the past month covering this important subject.

First, from Delmar Cengage learning, is Knowing Your Buildings. This illustrative reference guide is designed to improve safety and performance on the fireground. It has a chapter dedicated to risk management and building construction basics that emphasizes safety. It also has an A-Z illustrated terminology reference guide.

Also IFSTA has released the 3rd edition of their Building Construction Related to the Fire Service. This new edition provides firefighters with basic instructions about building design and construction, and how that relates to emergency services. The 3rd edition also includes new photos and illustrations and case histories. It also emphasizes firefighter safety and newer types of construction, along with "green" construction principles.

Previously released book include 2008's Building Construction Methods and Materials for the Fire Service from Brady, and Francis Brannigan's Building Construction For The Fire Service 4th ed. This edition honors Brannigan's motto of "know your buildings" by using plain language to deliver technical information about different building types and their unique hazards.

To order any of these books please visit us at www.Fire-Police-EMS.com. And feel free to email us with any questions at support@fire-police-ems.com.

New Rescue Books

Just wanted to drop a quick blog. There's a bunch of recently released books on rescue that we wanted to touch on.

Jones & Bartlett has just released Fundamentals of Technical Rescue. This new text covers all aspects of rescue, from introduction, through tools, equipment and management. It also covers the various rescue aspects and environments. At $55.95 this book is ideal for any rescue organization.

Delmar / Cengage has released two new titles in their Technical Rescuer Series. First, Water Levels I & II covers all 5 sub-disciplines of water rescue. this includes surface water rescue, ice rescue, swiftwater rescue, surf rescue and more. This book is ideal for all levels of rescuer, from first responder to rescue technician.

Next is Confined Space Levels I & II. It teaches the reader to be proactive in rescue by recognizing hazards, identifying which hazards can be managed and then taking steps to manage the hazards. It also emphasizes the importance of teamwork to a rescue.

Finally I wanted to mention a book that should be in every department library. Contact with 133 to 330 Volt DC or some 650 Volt AC systems during emergency operations could lead to serious injury or even death. Hybrid Vehicle High Voltage / SRS Shut-Down contains step by step instructions to quickly shut down hybrid vehicles. It comes in large desktop size (for the station) and pocket size (for the apparatus). the author are also available for seminars and training.

Visit us online at www.fire-police-ems.com for a complete list of rescue books. If you have any additional recommendations please leave them in the comments. If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email. Thanks and stay safe.

Firefighter Rescue Books

In the early 1990s the late Ray Downey wrote Rescue Company, drawing on his experience as captain of FDNY's Rescue 2 to instruct on all aspects of rescue. To this day Rescue Company is considered by many essentials to firefighter training.

Now, Chief John Norman builds on Downey's legacy with the brand new Fire Dept. Special Operations. Chief Norman looks to not only cover the gap since The Rescue Company was released, but also guide agencies and individuals in establishing, staffing, operating, and maintaining heavy rescue units in the many forms they may take. This in depth take on rescue company operations is highly recommended for the officers and individuals assigned the duties that a rescue firefighter must accomplish. It can be purchased for $79.00 by calling us at (800) 522-8528 or online at www.fire-police-ems.com.

Chief Norman isn't the only one to publish a recent book on rescue. Jez Hunter and Jones & Bartlett have recently released the Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Field Guide. This $38.95 guide was developed with the special needs of professional rescuers in mind. This compact guide is durable and weather resistant, and provides quick access to rescue techniques and essential information.

Also Jeff Mathews and Delmar have recently released Technical Rescuer: Rope Levels I & II. This rope rescue guide offers detailed instructions on numerous rope rescue techniques and insight on how to apply these techniques effectively on the scene. It includes commonly used knots, practical rigging methods, incident and scene management, lowering systems, tensioned rope system and more, and retails for $60.95.

There been much more written about all forms of rescue. A listing of all rescue books we are carrying can be found here. We also have a listing of specialized and technical rescue books. And of course there is more on the way with Jones & Bartlett announcing they are producing a new Rescue Series, developed by Safety Solutions Inc. and also releasing the Fundamentals of Technical Rescue later this year.

Fire Engineering also has a number of rescue related books and DVDs, as does IFSTA and Delmar/Cengage. And if you are looking for something in particular and can't find it on our website, give us a call or drop us an email at support@fire-police-ems.com and we'll try to help.

And since we mentioned John Norman earlier, just a quick note that Fire Engineering has released the next two DVDs in the Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics Series, #9 Forcible Entry and #10 Ventilation. Three more DVDs are scheduled for later this year.

To stay updated on new releases as we get them in, sign up to follow FSP on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FSPbooks. Also for all your fire department, rescue, police or EMS needs, visit us online. We're offering free shipping on all orders over $50 until May 30.