FireRescue1 Topic Directory

Congress designated Oct. 28 as National First Responders Day in 2017. The day honors the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, EMTs and 911 operators who answer the call when a crisis arises, often putting their own lives on the line. Serving as a national day of gratitude, National First Responders Day pays tribute to their services to their communities and honors fallen first responders. National First Responders Day is also a call for action to support first responders.

The What Firefighters Want project calls on all active firefighters to share their opinions and insights through FireRescue1’s comprehensive survey.

Discover the latest advancements in electric fire truck technology and how electric fire apparatus are transforming firefighting. Explore articles, news, and resources on electric fire trucks, covering innovations, performance, sustainability, and the benefits they bring to fire departments. Learn how these eco-friendly apparatus are reducing emissions, cutting costs, and enhancing safety. Stay updated on the adoption of electric fire trucks by departments and the impact on firefighting operations.

The FireRescue1 Resource Center brings our knowledge off the website and into your hands. Download checklists, guides, ebooks and more to keep on hand for quick reference and to share with your members.

The day in the life series details the ins-and-outs of fire service life over the course of a single day, shift or week. These first-person perspectives from various ranks of the fire service hierarchy paint an honest picture of the intensity, stress and exhilaration of the job, not to mention the complexity and variability that comes with each shift.

If you’re interested in sharing a look inside a day, shift or week at your department, email editor@firerescue1.com with your pitch.

Mass-casualty incidents are possible in every coverage area across America. Too often, public safety or local government officials dismiss MCI or large-scale event preparation and training with the simple “That can’t happen here” mindset. They are wrong. An MCI event could be anything from a carbon monoxide leak to a hazmat facility blast to a massive structural collapse like the tragedy in Surfside, Florida. It could also be the result of a natural disaster – a situation to which no area is immune.

This series defines MCIs to help agencies understand their role and how they can prepare; considers the tools needed to mitigate human-caused and natural disasters; and outlines keys for interagency coordination and response efforts.

The fire service has long been considered one of the most trustworthy professions; however, it only takes a handful of bad behaviors to erode the public’s trust. From embezzlement of public funds to problematic social media posts, firefighters have been discovered making poor decisions that require immediate action. There’s also firehouse behavior like tardiness, insubordination and harassment that can undermine morale, increase risk and jeopardize a department’s reputation.

This series identifies the top disciplinary issues facing fire service leaders and what they can do to change bad behavior while preserving trust among the community and members. It also examines how to identify top performers, recognition for firefighters who meet or exceed department and community expectations, and how to use performance metrics in making promotion decisions.