Just over a month ago, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, came to a close. In the United States, these games will be remembered for how Norway, a small European country, dominated, while American athletes and teams struggled. … Continue reading →
Wearing head-mounted displays like those seen in virtual reality video games, today’s firefighters are not playing; they’re training. Virtual reality 3-D simulators, augmented reality simulators and other digitally enhanced training tools are being developed, and new technology is making these … Continue reading →
Innovations like alternative fuel vehicles widely available on the market mean that first responders are best served to undergo training specific to accident response so they can handle the situation should it arise — and with AFVs’ growing popularity, the … Continue reading →
Social media is a widely used platform among residents all over the country. Increasingly, businesses and nonprofits are adding to the list of big names who have a social media presence, and municipalities are no exception. Fire departments and police … Continue reading →
Amid increasing dissatisfaction with mobile data solutions for firefighters, fire departments across the country are turning to the cloud for a new alternative. Mobile workstations are widely used by fire and police responders. The software behind these computers has traditionally … Continue reading →
By DAVE TOPCZYNSKI | Firefighter, Newport News, Va. Part 3 of 3 Making the rescue Every situation is going to be different. There is no set answer ahead of time for every situation a rapid intervention team may encounter. There … Continue reading →
Because failure is not an option By DAVE TOPCZYNSKI | Firefighter, Newport News, Va. The size up Size ups are used to gather information before a mayday occurs, to help us stay ahead of the game. Conducting a good size … Continue reading →
Because failure is not an option By DAVE TOPCZYNSKI | Firefighter, Newport News, Va. Part 1 of 3 The topic of short-staffed operations is often overlooked, despite it being an issue that many municipalities deal with across the country. Understaffed … Continue reading →
American health care is continually seeing changes in legislation, technology and practice, both nationally and locally. Health care providers are ever searching for innovations that deliver services more efficiently and cost effectively. One example of that innovation can be found … Continue reading →
Controlling extreme fire behavior is part of the mission of the fire service. Preventing flashover — that moment when the combustible material in an enclosed area reaches its maximum ability to absorb heat energy and ignites nearly all at once … Continue reading →
With budget cuts and layoffs consistently causing police and fire departments to do more with less, communities across the nation are seeking outside-the-box solutions to maintain and manage those critical areas of public service. Among the most controversial is the … Continue reading →
