OPSGEAR CEO David Burnell shares his story about the Japan Recovery Mission - For the Living or the Dead?

Role playing is a valuable activity that allows firefighters to apply information they have learned or received and deliver that information using their interpersonal skills. Ron Hiraki writes about using role playing in firefighter training.

Lt. Kevin McCrea, a training center instructor and 11-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Fire Department, was burned while setting up a training demonstration on Friday morning, according to a report.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia Southern University (CSU) are pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 CSU scholarships.

After careful review of the many applications submitted, the next True North Firefighter Scholarship has been awarded to the Addison Fire Department from Michigan.

In this day and age, the face of leadership in the fire service appears to be changing. It seems to be getting younger. Why is this?

The International Society of Fire Service Instructors is excited to announce the first successful credential of the Society’s Professional Fire Instructor designation.

SIZEUP IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF OUR FIREground operation and should be conducted by every responding and arriving member of the fire department, officers and firefighters. The officers' sizeup is geared toward information that pertains to their train of thought.

Your engine company arrives first on scene to an occupied twostory residential dwelling fire at 0200 hours. As you read the smoke, you assess that this fire is most likely in the basement.

The FDIC Call for Presentations period is now officially closed.

Fire instructors play a critical role in the development of firefighters. Michael Finney discusses the diverse "helmets" a fire instructor must wear and the responsibilties that come with each.

This highly interactive workshop, which will be held on March 22 at FDIC 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana, will present the ISFSI’s new professional credentialing model and provide orientation and direction on achieving professional credentialing at either the “Master Fire Instructor” or “Professional Fire Instructor” levels.

Because of the potential for creating cantilevered roof deck panels, firefighters must be very cautious when ventilating these types of roof. Greg Havel reviews this aspect of building construction for firefighting operations.

We have all seen it on the fireground: a fire requiring more than one pumper to extinguish. Paul Shapiro describes how firefighting engine companies can use the dual-pumper setup to get additional water to a fire.

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are used in structures around the country, but they are not inherently fire resistive. Greg Havel writes about potential hazards for firefighters with this element of building construction.

It's important for fire officers to stay positive, especially in these dark economic times when fire departments are under attack across the United States. Officers have the opportunity to create a positive or negative work environment, Mike Hennigan writes, and whatever course our leaders take the crew will follow.

Firefighters must take into consideration several factors when operating at older or historic buildings that have been restored or renovated. Gregory Havel reviews size-up at buildings that have undergone renovations.

The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) is proud to announce that past chairman Tim Bradley of the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal has been recognized by the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Training and instructing firefighters are important tasks in every fire department. Tom Kiurski provides a checklist that fire instructors can use to ensure they are planning a successful training class.

Grain storage structures are common throughout North America. Gregory Havel reviews considerations for firefighting and rescue operations at these structures.