Vacant Buildings: Scourge of the Fire Service
The fire service must push for changes to laws to compel owners to be responsible for vacant properties, Ray Reynonds and Ray O'Brocki argue.
Podcast: Main Street Firefighting: Learning About Legacy Construction
Hosts Chris Tobin and Alexis Shady discuss some reference materials for students to learn more about legacy construction and how it affects firefighters.
How They Fail: Gusset Plates
Sal Ancona examines the behavior of gusset plates during a recent fire and the lessons learned they provide about structural integrity.
Podcast: Buildingsonfire: Taking It to the Streets
Chris Naum and company discuss some of the recent tragedies in the fire service as well as fireground challenges related to the built environment and building construction.
Main Street Memo: Sand Lime Mortar
Joe Pronesti, Chris Tobin, and Lex Shady look at the glue that holds your "Main Street" together (sort of).
House Where St. Louis Firefighter Died Had History of Neglect
All indications are the 126-year-old brick home should have been demolished long ago, or at least made it onto the city's demolition list.
Mayday Monday: Get Out in Your District
Tony Carroll examines lessons learned from the line-of-duty death of Philadelphia (PA) Fire Lieutenant Matt LeTourneau.
What Firefighters Need to Know About High-Rise Building Systems
Firefighters must know and understand critical high-rise building systems to ensure both safety and operational success, write Jack J. Murphy and Jerry Tracy.
Demolitions
It’s essential that fire departments play a role in the demolition process, says Glenn Corbett.
Main Street Memo: Finding the ‘Angle’
Joe Pronesti, Chris Tobin, and Lex Shady share a simple insight that may help with size-up on the fireground.
