Fire Headlines

Integrating Technology into Public Safety

An article recently featured in the Daily Dispatch reported that the Colorado Supreme Court, in a five-to-two ruling, deemed admissible the reverse Google keyword search warrant used by Denver Police in a 2020 house fire case. The decision could have broad implications for how investigators use digital technology in solving cases. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Jeff Buchanan and special guest Kevin Sofen, an expert in technology within the public safety sector, to explore the integration of technology into the fire service.

Part 2: Firefighter Deployment to Israel

This week we are picking up where we left off with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Fire Captain Jason Friedman sharing the story about his deployment to Israel just one week after the October 8th attack. This two-week deployment was with the Emergency Volunteer Project (EVP). In the second part of this series, Captain Friedman joins the Fire Headlines team to share his experience interacting with those in Israel and his thoughts on his experience.

Part 1: Firefighter Deployment to Israel

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Fire Captain Jason Friedman answered the call for help in Israel. Just one week after the October 8th attack, he went on a two-week deployment to Israel as part of the Emergency Volunteer Project (EVP). In this two part series, Captain Friedman joins the Fire Headlines team to share his experience in Israel and why he decided to answer this call to duty.

Tiered Response to Emergency Calls

Aurora Fire Rescue in Colorado announced the launch of its new Tiered Response approach for emergency calls. This new approach allows the department to dispatch units based on the severity of the incident they’re responding to. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion is joined by the panel, Chief Jeff Buchanan and Chief Bob Horton, to discuss why they believe every fire agency in the fire service should be utilizing this approach.  
 
Fire Headlines listeners have also submitted a question asking Chief Horton why he believes response time should not be used to measure a department’s success.
 

Charging for Non-Emergency Services

An article recently shared in the Daily Dispatch discusses a fire department in Central Illinois that is looking to charge for non-emergency services. The Village of Savoy is set to vote on a proposed ordinance that would allow the Savoy Fire Department to charge assisted living facilities, primarily for providing non-emergency lift assistance services. Other fire departments in the area are currently charging in the range of $300 to $400 for these types of calls. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Jeff Buchanan and Chief Bob Horton on the panel to discuss why a fire department may choose to begin charging for non-emergency services.

No Time To Waste - Ambulance Shortages

In a recently shared article in the Daily Dispatch shines a spotlight on ambulance shortages and the measures first responders are taking to provide adequate care to their community. In a notable incident, Portland Fire and Rescue utilized one of its fire engines to transport a stroke victim to the hospital. This decision was made after Intterra mapping app, utilized by first responders in the area, indicated there was not an ambulance available for immediate patient transport. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion is joined by the panel, Chief Jeff Buchanan and Chief Bob Horton to delve into the liability issues and staffing shortages associated with this topic.
 
Fire Headlines listeners have also submitted a question concerning how small departments with limited budgets can maximize their resources.

Cancer Prevention in the Fire Service

This week is the second episode of “Dealer’s Choice,” where a member of the Fire Headlines team selects a topic of their choice for discussion. Samantha is in the dealer’s seat this week chose to continue the conversation from last week. Make sure to tune in to episode 26, titled “Threats of Cancer in the Fire Service,” to get up to speed with our ongoing conversation.
 
This week we’ll be diving deeper into cancer prevention. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Jeff Buchanan are joined by Western Fire Chief Association’s Division Secretary and International Association of Fire Chief’s Lead Division Secretary, Jeff Griffin, to hear his insights on risk management and safety as it pertains to this topic. Fire Headlines panelist Chief Bob Horton is away this week.

Threat of Cancer in the Fire Service

A recent article reports that South Portland (Maine) Firefighters have received a $20,000 FEMA grant to provide preventative cancer screenings to their crews. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Jeff Buchanan are joined by Western Fire Chief Association’s Division Secretary and International Association of Fire Chief’s Lead Division Secretary, Jeff Griffin, to hear his insights on risk management and safety as it pertains to this topic. Fire Headlines panelist Chief Bob Horton is away this week.

Preventing Firefighter Injuries

A recent article in the Daily Dispatch announces Georgia Southern University was awarded a 1.1 million dollar grant from FEMA to help researchers assist firefighters with injury mitigation, better work outcomes and reduction in financial burdens. The article states that this integrative approach brings the best human performance practices to first responders, infusing strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, nutrition specialists and mental skill experts. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion joins the panel of Chiefs Bob Horton and Jeff Buchanan to speak with organizational psychologist, owner, and principal consultant for FR Strategies, Dr. Andrew Holter, on preventing injuries of all kinds in the fire service.

Image and Professionalism in the Fire Service

Image and Professionalism in the Fire Service
A recent article in the Daily Dispatch shares that the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is going to social media to ask for their public’s input on whether or not changes should be made to their current firefighter tattoo policy. The current policy is from 2008 and does not allow any of LAFD sworn members to display tattoos while on duty. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion joins the panel of Chiefs Bob Horton and Jeff Buchanan to speak with organizational psychologist, owner, and principal consultant for FR Strategies, Dr. Andrew Holter, on image and professionalism in the fire service.