In a 33-year career with the New York City Fire Department, Tom Dunne fought hundreds of fires, survived near death incidents, crawled down burning hallways, met unforgettable characters, and witnessed the 9/11 terrorist attack. From working in glittering mid-Manhattan high-rises to squalid ghetto tenements, he saw how people in crisis lived and survived and how the firefighters who served them worked and bonded. Exploring both the positive and controversial aspects of being a firefighter, this no-holds barred memoir provides an honest account of an unusual occupation that outsiders seldom get to see.
Everything we do--or don't do--affects the fire. Deputy Chief P.J. Norwood and Captain Sean Gray discuss how fireground strategy and tactics have evolved in light of fire research conducted around the world. They discuss the fire tetrahedron and how fuel, heat, and air all affect a fire’s growth or extinguishment. Gray and Norwood take the lessons learned from the research as well as their general knowledge of the fireground to illustrate safer and more effective ways to operate on the fireground. They discuss how to apply this new understanding of fire behavior to two of the fire service’s most important tasks: search and fire attack. This book is an important resource for anyone wanting to put new fire dynamics research to action. You will learn: --How firefighting activities affect the fire tetrahedron --To stay safe while working in the flow path on the fireground --Search methods that isolate the firefighter and victim --Fire attack methods that minimize the air fed to the fire --Incident command size up and decision making
Stay focused on firefighter safety with Knowing Your Buildings, an illustrated guide to building construction terms and concepts. This book is a valuable companion for learners as well as a handy reference for practicing fire service professionals. This latest edition includes an expanded introductory section with chapters on understanding building features; risk management through planning, preparing, practicing, and performing; and hazardous building features and conditions. Additionally, the A-to-Z section has been augmented with hundreds of new terms and definitions. These terms are organized alphabetically and include photos, diagrams, drawings, and charts to clearly explain and provide visual examples of building construction materials and techniques. Safety points are also highlighted throughout the book to explain the connection between building construction materials, fire growth, and, ultimately, the safety of responding firefighters and fire officers. Features Understand the connection between building construction and firefighter safety with clear and concise definitions and explanations Stay safe on the scene with an opening chapter on building construction and risk management as well as safety notes integrated throughout the book Quickly and easily find terms and explanations, as well as photos and illustrations, with cross-references between related topics Stay informed with appendixes covering statistics, NIOSH reports, additional resources, and more
Live Fire Training: Principles and Practice to NFPA 1403, Second Edition provides a definitive guide on how to ensure safe and realistic live fire training for both students and instructors.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Jones & Bartlett Learning are pleased to bring you the fourth edition of Engine Company Fireground Operations. This expanded edition incorporates the latest recommendations from UL and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) into every aspect of fire attack and ventilation and presents an extensive study of engine company fire ground operations.This new edition is an ideal resource for fire service personnel preparing for promotion or studying for a civil service examination.Firefighters and company officers will gain knowledge in fire science, building construction, and the effects of burning modern fuels that result in extreme fire behavior.Specific features include:Detailed illustrations that show the tactics and approaches described in each chapterCase studies of strategies and tactics that resulted in firefighter line of duty deaths, as well as those that were successful, incorporated into the recommended practices of engine company fire attack, rescue, and ventilationDetailed information on size-up that applies risk management principles to the Value-Time-Size method, which considers survivability profiling and threshold limits, identifying problems, selecting strategies and tactics, developing a quick incident action plan, and applying a functional accountability system for safetyA significant emphasis on attacking residential and commercial basement firesA one-of-its-kind chapter on fireground operations and responsibilities for company level high-rise firefighting, with special attention paid to fire behavior within high-rise buildingsIn-depth coverage of all the basic engine company responsibilities, including:EquipmentInitial hose lays and water suppliesThe deployment of attack, back-up, and exposure hose linesRapid intervention teamsSearch and rescueMaster streamsFire protection systemsStandpipe operationsSalvage and overhaul
Finally, the truth is revealed about Manhattan’s Deutsche Bank building fire. The devastating fire at 130 Liberty Street in the heart of Manhattan’s financial center — a short distance from what was the World Trade Center — was one of the worst fires in New York City’s history. Two firefighters were killed, and 105 were injured. One of the firefighters killed during the horrific fire was author Graffagnino’s son, Joey. Graffagnino refused to believe what high-level government decision makers were telling the public — that the fire was an accident. After eight years of relentless research in pursuit of the truth — combing through public records and interviewing firefighters on the scene, government officials, informed observers, whistleblowers and eyewitnesses — Graffagnino uncovered the truth. The horrific seven-alarm Deutsche Bank building fire was no accident. And all efforts to quell the raging inferno were in vain. The Fix Is In is not based upon a conspiracy theory, opinion or undocumented rumors, but confirmed facts. Graffagnino places blame where it belongs and exposes the people who benefited from the catastrophe. Find out for yourself. Discover the disturbing truth about a calculated and complex conspiracy involving top governmental agencies, corporate leaders and organized crime figures. “The Deutsche Bank fire was preventable,” said FDNY Captain Simon Ressner. “Preventive measures were deliberately sidestepped in the name of ambition and in the name of money.”
Brannigan’s Building Construction for the Fire Service, Fourth Edition is a must read for fire fighters, prospective fire fighters, and fire science students. This edition continues the Brannigan tradition of using plain language to describe technical information about different building types and their unique hazards. This text ensures that critical fire fighting information is easy-to-understand and gives valuable experience to fire fighters before stepping onto the fireground. The first edition of Building Construction for the Fire Service was published in 1971. Frank Brannigan was compelled to write the most comprehensive building construction text for the fire service so that he could save fire fighters’ lives. His passion for detail and extensive practical experience helped him to develop the most popular text on the market. His motto of: “Know your buildings,” informs every aspect of this new edition of the text. Listen to a Podcast with Brannigan's Building Construction for the Fire Service, Fourth Edition co-author Glenn Corbett to learn more about this training program! Glenn discusses his relationship with the late Frank Brannigan, the dangers of heavy construction timber, occupancy specific hazards, and other areas of emphasis within the Fourth Edition. To listen now, visit: http://d2jw81rkebrcvk.cloudfront.net/assets.multimedia/audio/Building_Construction.mp3.
The most comprehensive book available on firefighter rescue and rapid intervention team operations. Chapters include: Searching for a Firefighter; Assessing, Stabilizing & Packaging; Rescue Techniques; Why Do We Need RIT?; The Rapid Intervention Team; RIT Tools & Staging; Proactive RIT Tasks; The RIT Deploymet; Commanding RIT Operations; and Firefighter Rescue & RIT Training Sessions. This book is a must read fo all firefighters it may save their life or the life of a fellow firefighter.
Fire Service Ethics is the first textbook specifically developed to help fire service personnel deal with ethical dilemmas. Firefighters and fire service leaders will find benefit from this important tool to aid them in dealing with complex issues. No other profession places such discretionary burden on its practitioners as the fire service. The military, law enforcement, the medical profession, and legal profession all provide a robust set of ethical policies and guidelines to their members. Fire Service Ethics provides the foundation for creating ethical boundaries.Fire Service Ethics meets and exceeds the course outcomes and course objectives for the National Fire Academy FESHE Model Curriculum Bachelor’s (Non-Core) course called Fire Service Ethics (C0303). It is also well suited for fire officer and administration development programs. Section 1 of the book is entitled Foundations. Its four chapters are intended to provide the reader with the basic understanding of ethics necessary to master the material in the succeeding three sections. Chapter 1 is recommended for all readers, as it addresses the important questions of ethical relevance to the fire service. Chapters 2, 3 & 4 are grounded in academic approaches to ethics and are specifically intended to be used in college courses. The material within the sections encourages critical analysis of ethical systems, and understanding of the basics of human behavior.Section 2 of the book is entitled Ethics on The Line. Its chapters address issues directly related to rank-and-file firefighters, and company officers. The section also deals with diversity; first as an abstract concept, and then as it applies specifically to the fire service. Section 2 is intended to serve dual purposes. First, it is designed to be included in an academic curriculum aimed at future firefighters. Secondly, Section 2 - combined with Section 4 - encompasses the majority of material appropriate for inclusion in fire service training programs.Section 3 of the text is dedicated to Administrative Ethics. The chapters within the section explore ethics issues faced by fire chiefs and senior administrative personnel. Included within the section are chapters on the building and maintenance of an ethical work culture, the ethical responsibilities associated with administration, and finally, ethics laws. Section 3 - combined with Sections 1 and 4 - is especially appropriate for officer development programs and collegiate programs in fire administration.Section 4 of the book is entitled Applied Ethics. The three chapters within the section deal with the application of ethics on the personal and department level. Included within the section are chapters on ethical decision-making, mechanisms by which unethical behavior is engaged, and a review of current ethical issues affecting local fire departments. Section 4 is universal in its application and should be used in all collegiate programs, as well as in firefighter and fire
Modern firefighting is a continually evolving science with new technologies constantly being applied to the fire service. In the latest edition of this perennial favorite, Norman examines these new technologies and how they affect fire ground tactics. He also details the new role firefighters play in homeland security.
