Rapid Response

Preplanning is critical to identifying the unsafe living conditions in your area

While no fire department is ever fully prepared for such extreme conditions, we must constantly review and practice our response efforts

Fire Chief Reggie Johnson and Communications Shift Supervisor David Bradshaw address the mayday call, fill-in response, and heroic acts amid loss of life

Mayday training, preplanning, mutual-aid agreements and scene size-ups emerge as common themes in major incidents

Montgomery County crews faced a complex and dangerous scene with a plane entangled in power lines dangling 100 feet above the ground

Firefighters must ensure that they have and properly maintain air monitoring equipment to quickly identify dangerous environments

Unprovoked killing of Lt. Alison Russo-Elling is a tragic reminder that first responders are putting their lives at risk for choosing to serve their community

Paid and volunteer firefighters worked together to answer hundreds of calls for rescues

Firefighters must remain vigilant at explosion response scenes, particularly when the blast source has yet to be identified

A passenger from the Missouri Amtrak derailment shares details of the response involving nearly 20 local and state agencies

Fires in expansive structures – in this case 1.2 million square feet – can quickly overwhelm fire protection systems and crews

In the wake of two fires that left dozens dead, including many children, we must reinforce our life safety messages and focus on member support

Community support and agency coordination will be essential to assist search, rescue and recovery missions across the Midwest

Roadway LODDs are tragic reminders of the importance of time, distance and shielding to reduce hot zone risk

Crews must focus on the job at hand, not speculate about the cause; we can leave that to the experts