Latest

June 30, 2012

FDNY Overcomes Obstacles at Queens Four-Alarm Fire

The end of a warm summer day tour was fast approaching on August 22, 2011, when Box 9642 was transmitted at 1737 hours for a fire in a store on the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 113th Street in Queens. On this corner was a taxpayer that contained six occupancies–four of the stores fronted on […]

June 30, 2012

The Hazards of Combustible Dust

Combustible dust is defined as a finely divided solid that is 420 microns or smaller in diameter and presents a fire or explosion hazard when dispersed and ignited in air (420 microns is approximately 0.0165 inches or the equivalent of the thickness of four human hairs). Combustible dust commonly is created during the manufacturing process […]

June 30, 2012

FDNY Mutual Aid (sidebar to above)

FDNY supports incidents outside New York City via a mutual-aid procedure in two ways: 1. As a request through channels approved by the Chief of Operations and 2. By responding to an alarm near the City border that is located outside New York City. In all incidents, the agency that has jurisdiction is the Incident […]

June 30, 2012

Wind-Impacted Fire on Bronx/Mt. Vernon Border Mars Valentine’s Day 2011

The past few decades have produced a number of dangerous and deadly wind-impacted fires that largely have occurred in high-rise multiple dwellings. These fires have exacted a tremendous toll of injuries and fatalities. A series of difficult blazes convinced the FDNY to explore the root causes and atmospheric conditions that contribute to the rapid and […]

March 31, 2012

Simulation Training in the Firehouse

Members who have been through any of the promotion courses recently have trained using computerized fire simulations. These training aids have offered the newly promoted Officers an opportunity to make fireground decisions and practice communications in a safe learning atmosphere. They are given the chance to practice their new on-scene positions in a classroom setting. […]

March 31, 2012

The FDNY KiosK Project — A Web-Based Training and Situational Awareness Tool

DIAMONDPLATE Noun: a sturdy, lightweight, textured platform, designed to reduce missteps, providing a solid support pathway. After the attack of September 11, 2001, the FDNY quickly realized the immense loss of experience that had just occurred. This hard-earned expertise could not be replaced easily. The Local Kiosk Project was borne out of a need to […]

March 31, 2012

The Dangers of Carbon Dioxide in Fast Food-Type Occupancies

Three people injured–including two Firefighters–as a CO2 leak sparked evacuation at a Phoenix McDonald’s: That was the headline the author saw recently, and wondered, carbon dioxide? That must be a misprint; they must mean carbon monoxide (CO). A typical rookie mistake for a newspaper to confuse CO for CO2, the author mused. After reading the […]

June 30, 2012

FDNY Overcomes Obstacles at Queens Four-Alarm Fire

The end of a warm summer day tour was fast approaching on August 22, 2011, when Box 9642 was transmitted at 1737 hours for a fire in a store on the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 113th Street in Queens. On this corner was a taxpayer that contained six occupancies–four of the stores fronted on […]

June 30, 2012

The Hazards of Combustible Dust

Combustible dust is defined as a finely divided solid that is 420 microns or smaller in diameter and presents a fire or explosion hazard when dispersed and ignited in air (420 microns is approximately 0.0165 inches or the equivalent of the thickness of four human hairs). Combustible dust commonly is created during the manufacturing process […]

June 30, 2012

FDNY Mutual Aid (sidebar to above)

FDNY supports incidents outside New York City via a mutual-aid procedure in two ways: 1. As a request through channels approved by the Chief of Operations and 2. By responding to an alarm near the City border that is located outside New York City. In all incidents, the agency that has jurisdiction is the Incident […]

June 30, 2012

Wind-Impacted Fire on Bronx/Mt. Vernon Border Mars Valentine’s Day 2011

The past few decades have produced a number of dangerous and deadly wind-impacted fires that largely have occurred in high-rise multiple dwellings. These fires have exacted a tremendous toll of injuries and fatalities. A series of difficult blazes convinced the FDNY to explore the root causes and atmospheric conditions that contribute to the rapid and […]

March 31, 2012

Simulation Training in the Firehouse

Members who have been through any of the promotion courses recently have trained using computerized fire simulations. These training aids have offered the newly promoted Officers an opportunity to make fireground decisions and practice communications in a safe learning atmosphere. They are given the chance to practice their new on-scene positions in a classroom setting. […]

March 31, 2012

The FDNY KiosK Project — A Web-Based Training and Situational Awareness Tool

DIAMONDPLATE Noun: a sturdy, lightweight, textured platform, designed to reduce missteps, providing a solid support pathway. After the attack of September 11, 2001, the FDNY quickly realized the immense loss of experience that had just occurred. This hard-earned expertise could not be replaced easily. The Local Kiosk Project was borne out of a need to […]

March 31, 2012

The Dangers of Carbon Dioxide in Fast Food-Type Occupancies

Three people injured–including two Firefighters–as a CO2 leak sparked evacuation at a Phoenix McDonald’s: That was the headline the author saw recently, and wondered, carbon dioxide? That must be a misprint; they must mean carbon monoxide (CO). A typical rookie mistake for a newspaper to confuse CO for CO2, the author mused. After reading the […]