Job Talk: November's Story
I jokingly refer to my hometown Fire Department as the "family business". My story begins in or around 1919 when my father joined the Department as a volunteer. Our community is small and the Department was all volunteer until the mid-1930s when full-time driv…
Firefighter.com is Headed to the Florida Fire & EMS Conference 2026!
We’re fired up to announce that Firefighter.com will be attending the Florida Fire & EMS Conference in Orlando, Florida, January 5–9, 2026! This event is one of the biggest gatherings in the Southeast of heroes, innovators, and industry leaders in the fire…
Job Talk: October's Story
I began my 28-year career as a first responder with the fire service and as a paramedic in the mid-80s. To succeed as both a firefighter and a woman in a mostly male workplace required perseverance, grit, and the ability to command respect. When I finally achi…
The First Female Smokejumper: Deanne Shulman
Now retired from the USDA Fire Service, Deanne Shulman surpassed barriers by becoming the first female smokejumper in 1981. After overcoming the physical limitations of being just two pounds underweight, she met the criteria and passed the physical exams. In h…
Job Talk: September's Story
With over 32 years in, Retired FF/EMT Sid H. has encouraging words of wisdom to share with those just starting out. More
Hellfighter Red Adair
Texan oil well firefighter, Red Adair, is credited with battling nearly 3,000 land and offshore well fires, including the hundreds of wells set afire during the Gulf War in 1991.More
Job Talk: August's Story
Upon responding to a Swift Water Rescue, I was the driver of the Dive Team unit with a 6-person crew. I assisted the Divers with their equipment to the scene only wearing a PFD Jacket. Upon evaluating the incident my Officer decided he wanted me to perform the…
The Role of Technology in Firefighting
The advancement of technology is more than we could have fathomed 30 years ago. In the firefighter profession, tools such as GPS, Virtual Reality Simulators, App Integration, Thermal Imaging Cameras, Drones, and so on have assisted areas of the firefighter pro…
Job Talk: July's Story
I had been in the Fire Service for 20+ years and was approached by a high school teacher to talk to some of her students on career day. I was a Deputy Chief at the time but she knew me from the past and knew that I had spent many years assigned to a Fire Preve…
The Evolution of Firefighter Gear
The development of leather helmets and rubber coats marked a turning point. The iconic leather helmet, designed by luggage maker and volunteer firefighter Henry T. Gratacap, became a staple of firefighter identity. It was both practical and symbolic, offering…
Job Talk: June's Story
In 2017, John was a senior in high school and had dreams of moving here to Idalou when he graduated so he could join the Fire Department here with his brother, William. In March he was in an accident and lost his right hand. . .More
The Importance of Humor as a Coping Mechanism
While training prepares us to handle the technical aspects of the job, the emotional toll is a matter kept in the shadows. In the midst of such intensity, humor emerges as one of the most powerful and underrated coping mechanisms we have. It’s more than just c…
Job Talk: May's Story
Back in the late 1990s, a non-emergency call came in to our engine crew to assist a nursing home in lifting a 500–600 pound patient. Upon arrival and entering the front doors of the facility, the three of us were greeted with “Where is the rest of the crew?" T…
The History of the Challenge Coin
Challenge coins, unique tokens that carry deep personal significance, have a long-standing tradition within military circles. This tradition has been adopted by many groups and organizations as time has evolved, including the fire service. Unique to each group…
Job Talk: April's Story
After a year of the brotherhood and family of firefighters, station life, the intensity of fighting fires, I decided this is what God intended for me.More
Traditions: Bagpipes and Irish Roots
Observe major cities and small towns alike near Saint Patrick’s Day and you will see a heavy presence of the firefighter community, whether in the form of parades, ceremonies, or good old revelry. For more than one reason, Saint Patrick’s Day is a celebratory …
Job Talk: March's Story
Capt. Scott A. never thought he'd be on a task force headed to the aftermath of an EF3 tornado in his 21 years as a firefighter. While serving that community, the people he helped and the things he witnessed changed his life.More
Origins: Benjamin Franklin and the Union Fire Company
On the brink of the Industrial Revolution, growing cities like Philadelphia were plagued with disastrous fires on a frequent basis. Often relying on rudimentary methods and little to know system, handling fires in the United States was far from an organized pr…
Job Talk: February's Story
In 1985 I was in the Navy stationed at Naval Air Station Boca Chica Key, Florida. I was also a volunteer firefighter with the Stock Island volunteer fire department.More
A Silent Battle During Winter: Seasonal Depression Among First Responders
Firefighters and first responders are no strangers to danger. Every day, we face high-stress situations, risk our lives, and deal with trauma most people can’t imagine, more frequently than any person naturally should. But there’s another battle many of us fig…