Reflections on life in the fire service...
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Amanda Swenson recently found occasion to reflect on her career in the fire service. Her experience doing so might give us all pause to think about what we give to — and take from — the job we so love. Chief Swenson shares some of her thoughts here.
There is nothing haphazard about a hazmat response
Ever wonder exactly what happens when a 9-1-1 dispatcher realizes the response to a call is going to require more than just a “routine" (if there is such a thing) response? In his article
Initiation and expansion of emergency response, Fire Service Specialist Steve White walks us through a hypothetical situation that illustrates the communication and work flow that ensues when special teams are activated.
Taking stock: our smoking-related fire fatality project
Take a few minutes to see what's been done, where things stand, and what's ahead of us with our statewide smoking-related fire fatality reduction project. Click on their names and Fire Service Supervisor
John Ehret and Fire Educator
Kathi Osmonson, with their contributions to this newsletter, bring you up-to-speed and stress the important role you play as the effort to reduce or eliminate these needless deaths continues.
Some things bear repeating…
Steve Flaherty, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE), wrote last month about accessing available funding streams, to not “leave money on the table." Well, some of that money still sits there, so the message bears repeating — like the O'Jay's classic hit “For the Love of Money…" If you didn't catch
Steve's reminder last month, please read his article in this month's newsletter.
Maintaining apartment doors
Fire Code Specialist Tom Jenson's contemplation of recent news headlines about apartment fires inspired him to write about the importance of
maintaining apartment doors. Apartment doors — particularly those in stairwells — that close and latch properly save lives. Inspectors need to be vigilant about checking those doors during inspections, and educating property owners and building managers about keeping those doors in good working order.
Historic hotel fires in Minnesota
Fire Safety and Data Team Supervisor Jon Nisja, as he combs through mountains of data on a daily basis, often uncovers bits that warrant another look. Jon's article talks about four tragic hotel fires in our state, all of which occurred in the month of January. We've learned a lot by examining the reports associated with those fires, and what we've learned should go a long way toward avoiding similar catastrophe's in the future.
