5-Alarm Task Force!

Latest Episodes:

The Use of Enhanced Water/Foam in Firefighting Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

For as long as there have been people, fire and those willing to quench unexpected issues from fire, the basic tenet was “put the wet stuff on the red stuff!” Of course, there were no “classes” given to what was burning until many years later. And to be honest, that premise worked. However, in the last fifty years or so, one of the key issues that has changed is WHAT is burning and what is the safest and most expedient way to snuff these more modern flames.
On this podcast, my guest Chief (ret) Shawn Oke of the Albemarle NC Fire Dept. and a co-founder of the educational effort, “Kill the Flashover.” With nearly thirty years in the fire service, one of Chief Oke’s passion is the use of foam, or for a more accurate description, using “enhanced water streams” for Class A fires, some of which can be utilized when fighting either Class A or Class B fires.*
Tune in as Chief Oke explains the background and development of this relatively modern way of fighting the types of fires we see most of the time and why, your department’s investment in this practice will yield swifter dousing of the flames, less damage to the property and most importantly, the firefighters having exposure time to the dangerous carcinogenic and other toxic particles created in these fires and their heat.
Find us on your favorite podcast platform or on our website, www.dalmatianproductions.tv.
*Class A fires deal with house fires, paper, wood, etc. Class B fires deal with hydrocarbon-based products such as flammable liquids, i.e., gas, oil, kerosene, etc.

Creating a Strategic Vision Plan Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

What direction does your fire, law enforcement or EMS department have for its future? Do you have a timetable for your apparatus, vehicles, equipment, etc.; how long will, what you now have, last and what will you do when it’s time to replace it? Sometimes, it might be similar to how you may have learned to cook spaghetti – throw a few pieces against the wall – if they stick, it’s time to eat!
On this podcast, I welcome my friend, Capt. John Dixon. Capt. Dixon is a well-known instructor on the national, regional and local levels. And, as a former U.S. Marine, John brings a great deal of that experience to his work in the fire service. He discusses the value of creating a Strategic Vision Plan for your department and shares numerous hints that you can follow so that all the members will feel that they not only have had a say in the plan, but the role they will play once the plan is set into motion. Your voice will have a say in the future of your organization.
(You can also visit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s website, https://www.everyonegoeshome.com/2017/11/30/strategic-vision-guide/ to view the Plan’s PDF document for download.)
Follow Capt. Dixon on Twitter @JohnDixon263 and on Instagram @JohnDixon_263 or visit his website, www.instructorjohndixon.com.
Tune in via all the popular podcast platforms or visit our website at www.dalmatianproductions.tv.

EMS - How Do We Be the Providers We Wanted to Be Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

Most of us who became volunteer or career firefighters, paramedics or EMT’s, did so for a specific reason – to help people. As the late Chief “Bruno” taught us, our job is to take of Mrs. Smith on her worst day, even if that day is her cat up a tree. And that lesson, really does cross all the lines of first responders. However, sometimes the people we are supposed to help are not so happy to see us.
My guests on this podcast are Jason Brooks, PM and Kevin Onorevele. Through their company DT4EMS, Inc., they teach across first responders across the country how to avoid certain situations that could become violent, with a patient or family members. If you have not had or seen that experience, consider yourself lucky! It is more common that you probably realize. We hope that this podcast will help you watch for the key signs that your call may “turn south” in a heartbeat.
Tune in on your favorite podcast platform or on our website at www.dalmatianprodutions.tv.

Take a Peek Inside - It Just May Save Your Life! Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Health, wellness and fitness-for-duty. These words ring loudly for any first responder - the firefighter, the law enforcement officer and the paramedic or EMT. Some are careful with what they eat; others exercise on a regular basis. Yet, none of us have the ability to look inside of ourselves to see what might be going on; something that may not be known until it requires immediate and significant treatment and even that, may come too late. Today though, you will learn that the above scenario can be altered and produce a positive outcome.
My guest today is a strong supporter of this podcast and dear friend, Todd LeDuc, former Executive Assistant Chief of the Broward Sheriff’s Office-Fire Rescue Services. Todd retired from that job and quickly was named the Chief Strategy Officer for Lifescan Wellness Sciences. In this relatively brief podcast, Todd with explain to you how medical science has advanced to the point where we can indeed look inside you, using a blood sample, ultrasound and EKG/Stress Test, to determine if there is an unknown or hidden medical condition that needs to be addressed immediately. And if so, they give you all the results to bring to your physician or specialist. That way you can be treated and hopefully, be back on the job in no time at all. This episode could very well save a life!
Tune in on all the popular podcast platforms or visit our website at www.dalmatianproductions.tv.

Mentoring in the Fire Service - It's Who We Are! Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Remember your first day at school? At the fire academy? At your first posting? Those moments are often some of the most difficult in our lives. Yet, for most of us, there was often someone there to guide us on this new journey and that allowed us to calm our nerves. However, it is important to note that learning is almost always a two-way street; there’s the student and there’s the teacher.
My guest on this podcast is Chris Baker, a firefighter in central CA and Chris’ passion is mentoring. He has dedicated himself to promoting mentoring in the fire service and, as he mentions in this podcast, this mentoring is not just for rookies. It is a great way for firefighters who have some time on the job, to reach out to the younger groups, now entering the ranks. Listen, we know there is no way to “learn it all” in the academy! That means we have to reach out to every opportunity that presents itself and take advantage of the wisdom and experience that the other firefighters have gained. And if you have five, ten or more years on the job, you owe it to your department and your community, to help those with less time than you, to hone their skills and learn some of the “tricks of our trade.”
Learning and Teaching – in this job, we can never stop!
Tune in at www.dalmatianproductions.tv or on your favorite podcast platform.

Drones in Public Safety with Chief Charles Werner Aug 16, 2019

Show notes

Seen any UAS’s recently? No….not UFO’s – I said, “UAS,” an Unmanned Aerial System. And no, we’re talking about renegade blimps or hot-air balloons. UAS is another term for a drone, those relatively small aerial devices that do everything from shoot film or video to deliver a package your ordered online! For the buying public, they began as small toys advertised all over television. The drones we’re talking about is not even close to the ones used today, especially in public safety.
My guest on this podcast, Chief (ret) Charles Werner is considered the leading expert in the country on drone use for public safety. Always one to keep up with the latest technology to assist the fire service in particular and all public safety in general, Chief Werner has recently been named Director of Drone Responders.org. This organization is the fastest growing non-profit program supporting Public Safety UAS.
In this podcast, Chief Werner will discuss the explosive growth in both the popularity and use of UAS in all aspects of public safety, including all manner of firefighting, law enforcement, EMS, emergency ops and more. As you will hear, drones can and do make a big difference in what we can do today for public safety

We're Back for Season 4! Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

We hope you're all having a safe and enjoyable summer.
We're back in the studio and preparing for our 4th season!
This mini-cast will tell you about some of the guests and projects we have coming up.
Watch for our first episode on Friday, August 17th, with Chief Charles Werner.
Stay Safe & Stay Well!

"Tactics on Tap" at the 2018 GReat Florida Fire School Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

What happens when a bunch of firefighters get together? They “shoot the sh*t” is what most would say, and the 2018 Great Florida Fire School is no different. Sponsored by the FSFA (Florida State Firefighters Association, the School provides an opportunity for firefighters from Florida and anywhere else in the country, to attend excellent classes taught by some of the best local and nation fire instructors.
“Tactics on Tap,” provides firefighters to come together with a panel of several of those instructors. Attendees can ask any question they may have about firefighting, from training to promotion and education to tactics. No question is turned down and the answers are as true as the sky is blue.
The discussion has been recorded as an episode of “5-Alarm Task Force.”
================================================================================
PLEASE BE ADVISED:
1. Adult language is used.
2. Due to audio problems with the mics, the volume of numerous participants was very low. We have reviewed and edited the audio to provide you with the best listening experience. However, there are frequent spots of unequal audio sections.

NJ NFFF Efforts & the Behavioral Health initiative Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

While many podcasts and all-over social media, we hear and see a great deal of discussion on tactics, strategies, equipment and more. And it makes sense, as those topics are the “sexy” ones regarding firefighting. However, there’s a great deal more that needs to be discussed just as openly as the subjects mentioned above, but are all too often left alone because, well, they’re just too personal.
On “5-Alarm Task Force,” we embrace ALL the issues that we face as first responders, even the “ugly” ones, such as dealing with a Line of Duty Death and behavioral health issues. For this episode, I am proud to welcome back my friend, David Wiklanski. David, based in New Jersey, is one of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s state advocates.
As David mentions, while we do very well with the funeral of a fallen comrade, we need to learn how to actually deal with this tragic issue, through education and preparation. And not only must we learn how to be prepared, we must also assure that our families are prepared, as well. No, it is not an easy topic to think about or bring up, but it is necessary.
David also shares some of the positive news regarding the behavioral health initiative, as well as some outrageous comments by a chief, when a member advises him that he is dealing with behavioral issues and is seeking help. Sadly, this is not as uncommon as we may think. There are those chief officers who either just do not know how to deal with these issues properly or sadly, just do not care!
Tune in on our website, www.dalmatianproductions.tv or your favorite podcast platform!
Stay Safe & Stay Well!

HAZMAT - 1st Due & Starting a Hazmat Team May 29, 2019

Show notes

“HAZMAT” – that’s a word that excites one group of firefighters and scares others right down to the bone. And rightly, it should scare everyone…at least a little bit! Hazmat situations very greatly by community, county and state. In one area, an overturned jug of chlorine on a pool-cleaner’s trailer is quickly treated by a single engine company. Yet in another locale, the same spill with require a full Hazmat team response, even if it is part of a regional, as opposed to local, Hazmat team. Many will ask, “Why?”
My guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,” is Bill Miller who is an Engineer/Paramedic and Deputy Special Ops Coordinator for the Ft. Myers Fire Department. Bill heads up the Hazmat team and explains two key points in this podcast:
1. Most often, the first due/arriving apparatus at a Hazmat call will NOT be the Hazmat Unit, whether it’s local or regional! What can that first apparatus do?
2. How to start a Hazmat team in more than name only!
Bill addresses these two points and explains just how helpful that first due crew can be, as long as they know what to do and what not to do. In the second segment, Bill provides basic information if you are thinking of creating a Hazmat unit, whether within your own department or on a regional/auto-aid basis.
For many of us, today’s firefighting situations are nothing like we faced in our day. Yet, we have great firefighters, instructors, leaders, etc., who understand exactly what we face today and keep abreast of the best means to mitigate these issues. A specialty team like Hazmat is integral to today’s fire service and Bill helps you through some of the initial steps that you must consider when putting a team together!
Stay Safe & Stay Well!

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