FIRE ENGINEERING MAGAZINE - ARTICLES WANTED

kye994 · 02-06-2007, 04:19 PM

Hi All:

I have recently become friendly with Bobby Halton, the editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering magazine. I had written to him about some concerns I had about the Fire Service and some issues with the magazine itself. After an exchange of emails and nearly an hour on the phone together, we've started a "firefighter friendship" based on our love for the fire service with a particular focus on training and firefigher safety. He seemed very happy to hear from just a regular plain old firefighter like me.

One of the key elements of our conversation was the need for more basic firefighting articles from and for the "everyday Joe Firefighter" guys like us. Topics that are of interest to us and will help us do our jobs better and safer. He basically wanted me to "spread the word" that they are actively looking for new writters and materials, especially on bread and butter operations. Just because an article on "search" has been done a dozen times doesn't mean it can't be improoved upon or something new added. Plus it's good to constantly reinforce.

So I have accepted his challenge and I am going to try and write some stuff for them and see what happens.

What I need from all of you is this:

Our board is 1,000 strong (that we know about). There is a tremendous amount of knowledge here. If you would like to write an article for submission, please let me know. If you would like to work on an article together, that would also be great. At the very minimum I'm looking for each and every one of you to send me at least 1 idea on what you think we need to see in Fire Engineering magazine.

As Bobby said to me, it's "our" magazine and "our" fire service...he and FE magazine are here to serve us.

Thanks,

KYE994

PS: EMS IS INCLUDED IN THIS ALSO. Fire Engineering views EMS as an integrall part of the fire service and is just as eager to have articles focused on EMS.

Bruce · 02-06-2007, 08:56 PM

An idea that should be put in an article format for a jolly vollie like ourselves, si how vital size-up is while getting to the firehouse, what questions to ask our selves then pass along to others as well as what to talk it up about in the back of the rig before you get there. many articles always tell you about how to size up on the scene but never really gone through detail, or how we can size up in everyday in town driving. also basic set-ups of houses... whats a plit level look like from outside, ranch, splanch, etc many people dont know what style it is and what to assume about the house until they look into buying a house....

im sure i could think of a million more pm me if you need some help on any of this stuff definitely of interest to me....... And look out for Signal 12s novel on a topic..... he'd be good at this...

kye994 · 02-06-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

An idea that should be put in an article format for a jolly vollie like ourselves, si how vital size-up is while getting to the firehouse, what questions to ask our selves then pass along to others as well as what to talk it up about in the back of the rig before you get there. many articles always tell you about how to size up on the scene but never really gone through detail, or how we can size up in everyday in town driving. also basic set-ups of houses... whats a plit level look like from outside, ranch, splanch, etc many people dont know what style it is and what to assume about the house until they look into buying a house....

...

Outstanding Bruce...I like this one and will put it on my list. THANKS!

SPIN_THE_WHEEL · 02-07-2007, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

An idea that should be put in an article format for a jolly vollie like ourselves, si how vital size-up is while getting to the firehouse, what questions to ask our selves then pass along to others as well as what to talk it up about in the back of the rig before you get there. many articles always tell you about how to size up on the scene but never really gone through detail, or how we can size up in everyday in town driving. also basic set-ups of houses... whats a plit level look like from outside, ranch, splanch, etc many people dont know what style it is and what to assume about the house until they look into buying a house....

im sure i could think of a million more pm me if you need some help on any of this stuff definitely of interest to me....... And look out for Signal 12s novel on a topic..... he'd be good at this...

The Building Construction course at the FSA sounds like a perfect class for you, it's loaded with info on things to look for and breaks down the most common wood frame structures you will encounter...the bread and butter of most of our fires...a great class!!

SPIN_THE_WHEEL · 02-07-2007, 02:32 AM

KYE....I know what you mean about Fire Engineering getting "to technical" at times, where almost every article is not for the "back step" Firefighter. A year or so ago I had been working on a "Responding to odor of smoke calls" article, but figured it was to hard to get it published, maybe I will break it out and see if I can complete it. But those are the type of articles that can be used everyday by most of the firefighters I run with.

dawreckingstick · 02-07-2007, 10:56 AM

Some original back to basics articles from new blood would be refreshing to see. I also believe it would be an excellent idea to re-publish past articles from some of the masters i.e. Lt. Andrew Fredericks, FDNY—(RIP), Capt Tom Brennan, FDNY – (RIP), Chief Vincent Dunn, FDNY – (Retired) and the host of others who’ve drilled the basics into us for decades. Everything they’ve written over the years is as applicable today as it was then. Many of today’s writers (along with most of us) have gained quite a bit of their material/knowledge via the tutelage of those who have penned before them.

Please no more articles from Brunacini, sorry not a fan of the Chief of Customer Service from Phoenix (JMOP).

Stay Safe

kye994 · 02-07-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPIN_THE_WHEEL

KYE....I know what you mean about Fire Engineering getting "to technical" at times, where almost every article is not for the "back step" Firefighter. A year or so ago I had been working on a "Responding to odor of smoke calls" article, but figured it was to hard to get it published, maybe I will break it out and see if I can complete it. But those are the type of articles that can be used everyday by most of the firefighters I run with.

OUTSTANDING...that is exactly what we need more of and Bobby is well aware. He needs us to write!!! I myself have done the same thing in the past, now all the half written articles I have started working on again.

If you want to team up on yours, let me know...otherwise GET IT DONE!

kye994 · 02-07-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonniedadog

Some original back to basics articles from new blood would be refreshing to see. I also believe it would be an excellent idea to re-publish past articles from some of the masters i.e. Lt. Andrew Fredericks, FDNY—(RIP), Capt Tom Brennan, FDNY – (RIP), Chief Vincent Dunn, FDNY – (Retired) and the host of others who’ve drilled the basics into us for decades. Everything they’ve written over the years is as applicable today as it was then. Many of today’s writers (along with most of us) have gained quite a bit of their material/knowledge via the tutelage of those who have penned before them.

Stay Safe

That exactly what he wants to see. Rather than just re-running the old articles, since we have all learned from these legends, we have adapted our thinking and tactics and modified their teaching for today's fireground.

kye994 · 02-07-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonniedadog

Please no more articles from Brunacini, sorry not a fan of the Chief of Customer Service from Phoenix (JMOP).

That was something I discussed with him at length. I had pretty much made that exact statement to him in my initial e-mail. After speaking to him at length on the phone, I discovered a few things. Tom Brennan was Bobby Halton's best friend. Having Chief Brunacini take over the back page was a decision that was made by Chief Brennan before his passing. He wanted the back page to be about tactics and he wanted Chief Brunacini to do it. So I have certainly gone from a NO on Brunacini to a let's see what he does with it. That's what Bobby Halton wants. That was what Chief Brennan wanted.

dawreckingstick · 02-07-2007, 11:32 AM

Thanks Kye. I appreciate the heads-up and what you're trying to accomplish for the good of the brotherhood. Best of Luck

We'll have to wait and see what happens with the CS Chief. I truly hope I'm proven wrong. Without TB there’s no-one to keep AB in the world of reality.

Stay Safe

Bruce · 03-07-2007, 08:19 PM

kye any progress with this?? still looking for more topics to bring up??

kye994 · 03-08-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

kye any progress with this?? still looking for more topics to bring up??

THANKS!!! I can always use more ideas.

The first article I submitted was on police/fire interaction at the scene. I was told it will be submitted for publishing as a "fire commentary" piece to be published in a future issue.

I submitted a "tricks of the trade" article that I gathered info from on the rant, but they felt it was a little to far ranging. I'm working on revising it and they said it will most likely be a web feature rather than in the magazine.

Also working on a search/truck ops article.

Bruce · 03-15-2007, 06:50 PM

Morale and the Fire Service.... what to and what not to do.... I'll be able to give you some tips on that after elections in april but i think its something taht could be a helpful tool to leaders of companies throughout the country.....

kye994 · 04-02-2007, 11:35 PM

For those of you that have followed along, if you check this months editorial in Fire Engineering, Bobby Halton talks about the "Everyday Joe Firefighter". That my friends is about me and about all of YOU. That was the term that I coined and used in my discussions with him about us regular firefighters out here and where our focus in training needs to be. Bobby remember all of US and honored us by using one of my quotes.

I'm still working on a few things, if you have any more ideas, please post here or PM me.

Thanks.

kye994 · 07-20-2007, 11:04 AM

Thanks to all who gave me ideas and suggestions. My second article (first that is exclusivly on fireground tactics) has passed technical review and is going to be published in the magazine. I'm very excited and consider it an honor to be published in the magazine.

Again, thanks to all who's posts I was able to gather information from and those of you who sent me direct e-mails and PM's. I couldn't have done it without you.