Fire News

  Simulation training is increasingly celebrated as a tool for helping people improve their emotional control. There are plenty of examples of this in the field, ranging from VR therapy for soldiers with PTSD, to immersive simulations helping children with autism develop social and emotional awareness. There’s even growing interest in using immersive simulation-based role-playing … Continued

  It’s winter. The roads are icy, but nothing too terrible. Old holiday lights left plugged in overnight have failed, causing a house fire. You arrive at the scene, deploy the hoses, activate the pump—and no water flows. There’s air in the pump. A really small mistake—a single missed step. “But a lot of times,” … Continued

  It’s well established that there’s a nationwide shortage of both professional and volunteer firefighters. As one Connecticut fire chief recently noted, “age is also a concern. [Our] average volunteer now is about 50 years old.” Communities across the country need to increase the size of their firefighting forces, decrease the age, and train everyone … Continued

  HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — Earlier this year, Fire and Emergency Services at Hill Air Force Base received three new fire trucks to enhance the department’s ability to respond to fires and other emergencies. Now, the addition of a new, high-tech pump operations simulator will serve to improve the training base firefighters receive by … Continued

  Fighting fires is obviously dangerous, but the public often overlooks how dangerous it can be. From the past year: “member suffered a seizure during training, resulting in a very serious fall” “nearly fatal electrical shock during a training exercise” “firefighter trainee killed while participating in a live-fire exercise when he and two other firefighters … Continued

  According to Phil Duczyminski, a training officer for the City of Novi (Michigan) Fire Department, there are many factors working against the most effective possible fire pump training. First and foremost, there are huge disincentives to tying up equipment doing something other than fighting a fire. Duczyminski ticks these off: “Taking a truck out … Continued

A consultant with the Texas Association of Counties instructed about 20 drivers over a two-day period at the Pct. 4 Barn in Kilgore. Pct. 4 Commissioner Shannon Brown invited the TAC after learning about the service, which has shown to practically eliminate driving incidents within the first six months of training, driving simulator consultant Don … Continued

This is an absolutely heart-breaking account of a needless, life-changing on-site injury:   “For nearly a decade, Dane Smothers Jr. fixated on becoming a D.C. firefighter.    And he stuck with it, despite hurdles.    …   He wore that uniform only once. Mere months into the firefighting job, his dream career nearly killed him. … Continued

As in other essential fields, we’re running low on firefighters.  Erik Johnson of the Guadalupe County (Texas) Firefighters Association recently told KSAT News, “Across the board, we are seeing a shortage nationally of volunteer firefighters.” Roughly 70% of fire departments nationwide are volunteer-based, and part of the pipeline that feeds career fire departments as well. … Continued

Everything on the device shines fire-engine red and chrome. The pumps, gauges and hose fixtures seem real enough. It’s like having a real fire engine in the classroom – except better in many aspects. Coconino Community College now has the ability to offer new training to Fire Science students and continuing training to firefighters in … Continued