Captain Mica Bulletin Board

Lunar Effect

2010-09-06T06:31:33Z

This should make for an interesting discussion.

What does anyone think about the belief that a full moon has any effect on the number, or types, of runs or how busy an ER might be?

We were talking about this the other day, at the station.

Just Curious.

FYI Spammers

2010-08-02T16:39:58Z

We have been getting new members at a rate of about 4 a week. As you can probably imagine, many appear to be spammers.

These people will join and have a signature that is a link about losing weight or sports betting, etc. Rest assured, they are deleted within 24 hours.

If you are one of these people who join with a spam signature/ advertising signature, you are wasting your time here.

New Forum Category

2010-07-23T04:55:00Z

We now have an "open mic" category. Feel free to talk about anything that does not have a designated forum page.

This site is horrible!

2010-07-01T14:29:25Z

I guess my question is, why are you so against the traditions that not only surround the fire service, but have stood in some instances as symbols for what we do and have done. For someone who professes to be so "into" the fire service and to know so much, I not only take personal offense that you attack those in and THE fire service, but have a hard time seeing you as one of those dedicated to the fire service itself. I have had many of my mentors and good friends, instructors that teach all over the country and are incredibly well respected take a look at your web site and they all have the same question. Who is this guy and why is he so sarcastic about the fire service? All I can do is tell them that I know a lot of (his department's) firefighters and he doesn't represent those that I have met. They love the job.

In closing, I actually feel sorry for you. I wish you could find it in your heart to love this job and those that love it as well. I don't know what happened in your life to cause you to be so negative and spiteful, but I wish you could one day see your way clear to love this job and try maybe to be a mentor for those young firefighters coming on the job and not be so negative. Right now you're hurting us and for that I guess you'll have to live with. I choose to promote the fire service in a positive way and not play prejudice to those that didn't grow up in your (fire department's) back yard. One of the great things about living in this country is that we have freedom of speech and people can say pretty much what they want, so good luck to you and to whatever the mission is that you are on.
-----------------------

What you just read was part of an email that I received last year from I highly respected member of the fire service community.
At first I was really hurt by the comments. As I mentioned, this person is highly respected and still has my respect and admiration.

I went through the site and tried to find examples of being "against the traditions of the fire service" and where I "attack those in the fire service." I found some instances were I reported the differing views on a few subjects, and few places where I tried to inject humor, but nothing that I thought would deserve such criticism. However, I have not ruled out the possibility that this person might be absolutely right. After all, I have unintentionally offended people with an email now and then.

I am not looking for someone to tell me that the site is wonderful. I get favorable comments about the site almost every day. If you have EVER read something on this site that makes you think in a way similar to the email posted above, please tell me where you found it. I asked the writer of the email to tell me where my site was so offensive, with assurances that I would correct or remove it immediately. I received no response. Therefore, I must turn to the members of this forum to help me.

Thank you,
mica

What should we do about the forum?

2010-07-01T14:10:02Z

To say that I am disappointed about the activity on this forum would be quite the understatement.

I had hoped that this would be a place for firefighters from many departments, all over the world to come together and share ideas. This has not happened.

The question becomes "What should we do? Do we keep the forum page and hope for the best or do we discontinue it?"

Please share your thoughts on this. Of course, no response to this question, is an answer as well.

If you feel that this forum should continue, it is up to you to get your colleagues interested and involved. Tell people about it. Start discussion topics. This is your forum and you get to share YOUR ideas.

If you have a suggestion for category for discussion, that is not listed, feel free to let us know.

Thanks for your input.
Mica

Loudermill?

2010-06-27T04:58:23Z

Does anyone know what a "Loudermill" is and who uses it?

I have run across this term twice now.

Define "Head First Ladder Ball"

2010-06-27T00:20:39Z

I was reading a training article re: ground ladder work, and I came across a phrase referring to performing a head first ladder ball into a twelve foot ladder??? I can't see an outfitted fire fighter leaping headfirst through either the rungs of a ladder or a window opening unless he/she were very hurried by an insanely critical circumstance. Could someone explain then for me, what exactly a LADDER BALL is?

1986 -1987 Texas Dept. Of Health EMT Special Skills

2010-02-25T22:45:39Z

In the fall of 1986, I was studying to be a Paramedic and I completed my training for EMT Special Skills. During the Christmas break I several broke my shoulder and was unable to continue my class.

I was recently going through old stuff and came across my EMT certificate and my EMT patch and my EMT Special Skills certificate but no patch. I would to find a patch to go along with my certificate but all I see is EMT Intermediate and Paramedic.

Was there a patch for EMT Special Skills or was it referred to as Intermediate? If there was an EMT Special Skills patch, where might I find one?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bart

Fast Attack

2010-02-15T23:29:27Z

From now on, when people send me questions, rather than posting them to the forum, I will just do it.

Here is a question I received today. Will someone please answer this person? I know that this term may mean different things, depending upon the department.

Question/Comment: "I'm hoping you can give a definition to a Fast Attack mode for fire fighting. Thanx"

RIC, RIT, RIG FAST or what?

2010-02-15T23:27:08Z

I don't really want a debate on which is better. Just what do you use?

RIC, RIG, RIT or FAST?

Please tell me your department's name, state, & number of FFs and which term you use.
If you know for sure of some other departments, you can include them as well.

If someone would like to discuss pros and cons for each term, please start another topic thread.

Thanks

Search and Rescue (SAR)

2009-12-01T15:56:53Z

SAR may encompass many things, so I'll narrow it somewhat. I followed the recent coverage of a missing Boy Scout (in NC). Being both in the Fire Service and in Scouting, I was naturally interested. I'm glad this one turned out well.

I've been involved in searches as others have, but want to see some input on Fire personnel and searching. My experience and observation, is that more often the volunteer members use their resources in this way, than do career members. Perhaps this is regionally influenced based on typical incidents, but share what your observations are on this...unless you're out searching.

Timelapse of Los Angeles Wildfire

2009-12-01T15:55:04Z

40 timelapsed minutes of the fire.

http://vimeo.com/6356422

College degrees

2009-12-01T15:53:54Z

Does anyone know anything about any college four year degrees?

I would like to finish my degree but most schools want you to take 50+ hours to get a degree regardless of the number of hours you may have from other schools.

Also, what does anyone know about tuition waivers in Texas?

Thanks

hw do v get recognised to this profession

2009-09-08T08:51:59Z

i am the recently joined one to the CRF course who wud like know more to tacklw my knowledge.

Christ Hoell

2008-11-26T22:11:39Z

I happened upon your website while googling for Christ Hoell, my great grandfather. I wanted to clarify that Christ didn't invent the pompier method of fire fighting. He introduced it to the USA after learning the method while a fire fighter in Elberfeld Germany. He did publish a training manual and visited a number of fire companies around the states to introduce the method and trained on it. I have the original manual and the printing blocks he used to print the manual. He did have the method copyrighted. If anyone has additional information on Christ Hoell or the Elberfeld fire company, I'd appreciate the information.