| Technical Rescue |
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Tis the Season
CO poisoning presents a silent threat to victim & rescuer alike
By Harold Schapelhouman |
Many parts of the country remain unseasonably cold, and that can make for dangerous conditions for both the public and rescue personnel. Combine cold temperatures with a bad economy in which people are living on the edge, and you have a recipe for disaster ...
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| Inside the Apparatus Industry |
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Going to the DMV?
NY traffic law limits calls to which firefighters can drive
By Bob Vaccaro |
The 2005 Vehicle and Traffic Law—a law that took effect in New York more than 3 years ago—has recently become an issue again. In most parts of the country, states have apparatus-operation laws that are pretty cut and dry: You must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive any vehicle that weighs more than 26,000 lbs., including fire apparatus. However, the law passed in New York has a loophole that has some firefighters fuming. Specifically, the law states that a firefighter can drive a fire apparatus—without a CDL—to the scene ...
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| Fire Operations |
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It Takes a Team
In a team search, every individual has an important role
By Fred LaFemina
Photo Gert Zoutendijk |
In this third and final team search installment, I’ll explore the individual responsibilities and team positions as well as the tools they will carry. I will also provide some additional tips ...
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Power It Up
How to operate & troubleshoot hydraulic & pneumatic tools
By Steve Shupert
Photo Glen Ellman
From the October 2007 issue of FireRescue magazine
Hydraulic and pneumatic tools are essential to almost any major extrication or rescue incident. But these tools are also complex and dangerous, and can easily pose problems to the operator. The best way to mitigate safety hazards and ensure smooth operation of power tools: Know how they operate, how to use them and what to do when something goes wrong.
Note: Always consult your manufacturer’s recommendations ...
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