Fire Engineering Editor in Chief David Rhodes

Life Lesson from Baseball: When Your Hero Lets You Down

It’s often said that you really don’t want to meet your heroes because you will usually be disappointed. As a leader, are you too busy to say hello?
Chicago firefighters respond to a fire on the seventh floor of a 16-story high-rise building

Shelter in Place vs. Evacuate: Tactical Considerations

The difficult decision of whether to keep occupants inside a structure or to evacuate can fundamentally change the outcome for many people.
Firefighter talking to a ghost

Drawn by Fire: January 2025

See the January 2025 Fire Engineering magazine illustration from Paul Combs.
Firefighters with hoseline on back

Designing a High-Rise Policy for Small to Mid-Sized Suburban Fire Departments

Christopher Rymut breaks down how teamwork can make or break a high-rise firefighting operation.
Debris field

An Unusual Carbon Monoxide Call

Kayla Wilson recounts her department's response to a seemingly routine carbon monoxide incident and its implications for firefighters' response protocol.
Twelve units, one bedroom each

Building Comprehension for the Fire Service: Understanding Garden Apartments

Go out into your response areas and examine your garden apartment complexes. Jeff Lattz discusses firefighting concerns in these buildings.
Exterior at Twin Parks fire in the Bronx

Implement ‘Smoke Skills’ Before ‘Smoke Kills’

When staffing and equipment are available, the fire service must implement a plan of action for smoke management.