Blaze Publications

Preparations are well underway for the 2025 Nebraska Fire School in Grand Island, which will be held May 16-18. This photo was taken at training at the 2024 Fire School by Taylor Anderson.

Jan. 5, 2025: Iowa Firefighters Board meeting, Eldora Fire Station, 9 a.m.

Jan. 8, 2025: Washington’s Annual Pancake Day, Washington, serving 11-1 and 5-7 p.m.

Last month, we explored the concept of reading smoke and focused on one critical attribute: velocity. This month, we study the other three attributes—volume, density, and color—to help you sharpen your situational awareness and decision-making on the fireground.

COLOR

Garage fire

On Dec. 2, at approximately 8:20 p.m. the Red Oak Fire Department, Stanton Fire Department and Elliott Fire Department were dispatched to 108 A Street on a report of a fully engulfed garage fire. Upon arrival, fire crews had a fully engulfed garage with extension beginning to the occupied house.

Making a Positive Impact

By the time you read this, I will have done one of the hardest things a person, let alone a Fire Chief, has done: I delivered a eulogy for a hard-charging young woman named Mia Shea Reynolds. Shortly after I was appointed as the Fire Chief for my hometown of Alliance, I was introduced to Mia and her family.

Leadership program

A little more than 80 firefighters from three states spent a weekend with two fire service legends on November 16 and 17. Chief Rick Lasky and Chief John Salka brought their 5 Alarm Leadership program to Vermillion and spent the two days talking tactics and leadership while sharing stories about their experiences.

On October 26, the Belle Fourche Volunteer Fire Department hosted a Senior Level MLFTU training session. A total of 17 certified instructors participated in the training, 15 of those from west river so that our cache of Senior Lever instructors now statewide. Submitted by Don Ward, VP SDFA.

Upcoming Events

Dec. 5, 2024: 6 p.m. Arrowhead region meeting, location not listed.

Dec. 6-8, 2024: South Dakota Fire Chiefs Annual Leadership Conference, Deadwood.

Dec. 7-8, 2024: Ness City Fire School.

See all the fire and rescue action from the midwest. For just 50 cents a month, you can have access to the latest fire and rescue news from Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and more. See fire stories, photos and video.
Click here to subscribe.

IFA to receive Safer Grant

Sat, 11/30/2024 - 09:10 admin

Greetings Fellow Firefighters - Unfortunately the cold winter months are among us. As we all know flu

Read more about IFA to receive Safer Grant

Car fire

Sat, 11/30/2024 - 09:07 admin

Members of the Alpena and Town and Country Fire Departments responded to a car fire early on October 24. The fire was a result of a car vs. deer collision. No injuries were reported.

Read more about Car fire

Thoughts from your Treasurer

Sat, 11/30/2024 - 09:06 admin

First and most important, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Read more about Thoughts from your Treasurer

States Networking meeting

Sat, 11/30/2024 - 09:03 admin

The annual States Networking meeting was held in Des Moines on Nov. 8-9.

Read more about States Networking meeting

Spring is around the corner!

Sat, 11/30/2024 - 09:00 admin

Well, the year is off and running, it seemed just like yesterday I was running for 2^nd vice president and

Read more about Spring is around the corner!

Decisions to make

Sat, 11/30/2024 - 08:57 admin

The last several months have been busy for the KSFFA executive board.

Read more about Decisions to make

Where There’s Smoke...

Sat, 11/30/2024 - 08:51 admin

Read more about Where There’s Smoke...

Wildfire

Sat, 11/30/2024 - 08:48 admin

After burning 167 acres near Pine City over the course of about two weeks, the Minnesota Incident Command Center lists the Evergreen fire as 100 percent contained.