The Fire Critic - Latest Comments

Re: 9/11 Naudet Film in its entirety online

Beate Zuernt — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:22:39 -0000

the year 2001 should not be repeated

Re: The IAFF and MSNBC’s ED Schultz Take a Stand Against Attacks on Firefighters Pensions.

Teampound — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:40:35 -0000

Making Palin rich...How bout you making Richard Trumka rich.

Re: Firehouse Expo, The Meetup, Free Passes, and The 9/11 Stair Climb

JerseyMutt — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:38:12 -0000

Haha. I won't be going home completely dry. I'll be sure to down A beer (accompanied by mass quantities of water) before my short trek south.

Re: The Final Season of Rescue Me Begins Tonight

Barry Greer — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:54:58 -0000

Rescue Me was a soap opera set in a firehouse from start to finish, because it would cost too much to produce a realistic fire service drama. A good one has yet to be made.

Re: The Final Season of Rescue Me Begins Tonight

Peter L — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:44:16 -0000

I started watching for any fire scenes and the show started to move away from that type of script. I anticipate continuing to watch each episode and then asking myself "why?" It's one of my guilty pleasures.

Re: The Final Season of Rescue Me Begins Tonight

Acatron — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:32:28 -0000

I remember when this shows very first episode aired, I had just entered into the fire service into a volunteer department and couldn't wait to watch it. As I sat in the station and watched it, Tommy saw his cousin Jimmy's head in his locker at the fire station talking to him...and I lost interest. I quit watching it and didn't follow it anymore.

Last year, I was in Walmart and saw that the full seasons 1-5 were on sale for just 13$ a piece. I broke down and purchased all 5 seasons. I sat down but watched them with an open mind and laughed my ass off. I agree w/ Fire Critic about the unrealistic segments and all the drama/soap opera family issues that are added to the show. I don't necessarily enjoy all of it, but for the majority of the season...I enjoyed it. I sure don't think I would want to watch a show about me working at my station. We all have the days that we don't have a lot of runs, and it would be easy to fall asleep during that episode.

I definately will be following along for Season 7!

Re: Custom Firehouse Kitchen Table at #3…Where the Fire Critic Eats!

BusyMomma — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:49:51 -0000

Awesome table!

Re: Custom Firehouse Kitchen Table at #3…Where the Fire Critic Eats!

Fire Critic — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:57:14 -0000

You are exactly right! I hope to see it when I retire and come back for a meal or two after that as well!

Re: Custom Firehouse Kitchen Table at #3…Where the Fire Critic Eats!

Rdecorie — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:14:32 -0000

Great table brother! Imagine the generations of firefighters that will eat there, the stories told around it, and the camaraderie formed.

Re: The Academy – Orange County Fire

Americanfire — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:48:38 -0000

Its great the Orange County Fire is online. The reality show may be useful to those who want to be a firefighter. It is a good opportunity for Fire sprinkler contractor Orange County as well. Orange County Fire Authority Recruit Class 36 may be beneficial for the recruited applicants.

Re: Video: Redding Firefighters Rescue Kitten from 2″ Pipe

Mfd903 — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:51:17 -0000

Great job guys this just shows that there is nothing routine about our job as firefighters…

Re: Android Applications for the Fire & EMS Service

Alan Jacobson — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:36:19 -0000

A2app has a great app for Android and iPhone: Firefighter Calculator. Foam, Pump Pressures and more. By firefighters, for firefighters. 5 star ratings. Check it out at:
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/...
Android Market: https://market.android.com/...

Or take a look at their website: www.a2app.com

Re: Video: Redding Firefighters Rescue Kitten from 2″ Pipe

Inflancki — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:45:08 -0000

Соngratulations for savers and kitten! From USSR.
You have made the good job!!!

Re: MN8 Products Foxfire Illuminating All-In-One Coating Kit Product Review

Rob Goodheart — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:28:32 -0000

It's obvious this stuff is really bright when fully charged and lights well over time. But how well does this coating withstand use?

Re: Go to the Funeral…You OWE it to Them

James L. Leclerc — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:15:23 -0000

As one who has 30 years under my belt in the fire service and who has seen way too many funerals, I couldn't agree more. I have been from firefighter to assistant chief and back and seen many a wanna-be firefighter come through the doors of our station. You can almost instantly tell the ones who get it from those who don't. We are a different breed from other folks, no better, no worse, just different. One thing that I have noticed in the past few years is the lack of respect given officers and older members of the fire service. In some cases it is appaling what some people believe is acceptable. I say, "If you don't get IT, get OUT". I have traveled many miles to attend funerals of firefighters that I have never met. They are my BROTHERS and SISTERS. I will attend as long as I am able and will continue to show my respect and share my experience with anyone who wants it. God bless all of our fallen.

Re: Go to the Funeral…You OWE it to Them

Fire Critic — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:13:08 -0000

Thanks for the comment Mike.

Re: Go to the Funeral…You OWE it to Them

Fire Critic — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:12:46 -0000

Thanks, I appreciate the comment!

Re: Go to the Funeral…You OWE it to Them

Mike — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 00:44:55 -0000

Good post, Rhett. I was not able to make it to Dave's funeral, but I was able to pay my respects at the funeral home. I try to make at least one if at all possible. Some can attend more, and some less. But a large number do not attend at all. I do know that some are extremely uncomfortable at funerals. Although I do not know fully understand that feeling, I must respect that some find it difficult to attend funerals, and I do not fault them for it.
Dave was one of the nicest people I have ever worked with. It is a shame that many did not bother to attend the funeral of someone who was so dedicated to saving the lives of others.
I think a lot of it has to do with the lack of Brotherhood in the department. There are far too many who are only concerned with themselves and their careers. They talk brotherhood, but never attend meetings of the RFFA. They talk brotherhood, and then talk about their brothers behind their back. They talk brotherhood, then walk on the backs of their brothers to gain a promotion or score points with the administration.
Many blame administration for the poor morale in the department. There is some truth to that feeling, but some blame rests with the firefighters themselves. Firefighters don't trust administration, but they can't trust the people they work with everyday. I have never seen it worse in the department than it is right now. Everyone is looking to blame someone else, but most of the blame is in the hands on the person you see every time you look in the mirror. You want better morale? Respect those around you. Respect those who have retired, for they have done the job before you. Respect those for whom you work. Show respect to those who have passed, doing the same job that you are doing. Give them the honor and the dignity that you hope that others will show you when your time comes. That is Brotherhood.

Re: Go to the Funeral…You OWE it to Them

Valenzuela3184 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 00:15:06 -0000

We just said goodby to one of our brothers today. This aricle hit home. Well said.

Re: Go to the Funeral…You OWE it to Them

Fire Critic — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 23:12:54 -0000

Thanks!

Re: Go to the Funeral…You OWE it to Them

Station 2 East Side — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 22:59:58 -0000

Excellent post Rhett!

Re: Video: The Dave Statter School of Firefighting…

Mick Mayers — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:49:22 -0000

Now all you need is a little lego smoke and fire and you are in business.

Re: Early Video: Anaheim Firefighters Arrive to Well Involved House Fire

John in Australia — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:53:00 -0000

A few comments from me (and I do realise I'm from a different country, so we have different ways of doing things):
Well done on the members of the squad getting straight into getting water on the fire. From the outset it was obvious that there would be no need to conduct an internal search because if anyone was inside, it's already too late. Big fire needs big water and that's shown here.
Maybe the use of a deck gun would have helped knock down the fire in the upper floor? I don't know whether E8 has a deck gun, but it certainly could have helped.

A few learning points to be taken away from this as well though:
1: hose lines. They're everywhere at this job, crossing over one another, getting tangled in each other, etc. Not only could this be confusing for the pump operator, but it's also a tripping hazard and, as is clearly seen in the video, makes it a lot harder for the man on the nozzle to get his line to where he needs to go. The captain (I assume the chap in the red helmet is an officer of some sort) most likely has better things to do than dragging hose lines, so if a bit more thought it put into where the hose lines run, it makes everyone's jobs a lot easier.

2: SCBA!!! Where was it?? I know it was on everyone's back, but where were the masks?!? Tucked away, safe and sound, in their little pouches while the wearers are all breathing in who-knows-what! If I were any of the firies at the front of the house, I'd be donning and starting up my BA before getting water on the fire. Once you're applying water, you've got to be committed and changing nozzle men so one can start up BA wastes time. Start it up early and you don't have to worry about it afterwards. Remember: BA isn't just for inside the structure!

3: Running on the fire ground. I don't know what the rules are in the US, but I know that if any firefighter runs on the fire ground in Australia, they'll most likely cop the officer's steel-capped boot up the backside. People trip too easily when running and it's made all the easier (and more painful) when you have BA on your back, a heavy helmet on your head and plenty of gear weighing you down. And if you trip and are injured, that's one less firefighter committed to the job (plus maybe others to attend to you). No matter how hot the job's going, walking quickly will realistically only add about 5 seconds to your journey.

All in all, a good video and well done to the guys from Anaheim on getting a good knockdown on a large, going job. As always, there's lessons to be learnt and I hope all firies can learn a thing or two from this one.

Re: Videos: Sites and Sounds of Vancouver Riots and Shit Burning

HybridMedic — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:00:59 -0000

Like a lot of other things haha

Re: Videos: Sites and Sounds of Vancouver Riots and Shit Burning

Fire Critic — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:00:13 -0000

Ah yes Dave...very funny.

What's wrong, the trolls who comment on your site a little slow today?