Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head January 8 when an assailant opened fire outside a grocery store during a meeting with constituents, killing six people and wounding 13 others. In the above still captured from TV, she is wheeled to awaiting ambulances.

Digging out survivors: Rescue workers sift through the debris of [...]

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This feature report shows the inside of ambulances different in time and in place. From the squarish ones to the rounder ones, from the ones with just a simple stretcher to those that have every modern equipment inside, each of these ambulances reflect a need, a necessity, and careful, constant use. Enjoy!

A Volkswagen Transporter TDI [...]

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On the 4th of May, 1988, Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded to what became the most devastating high-rise fire in LA history. The 62-story First Interstate Bank, then the tallest structure in the United States west of Chicago, had a fire on the 12th floor and it was rapidly spreading upwards.

As it so happens, [...]

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Special commentary exclusive to Firefighter-EMT.com
Ventura EMS is a private ALS and BLS provider based out of Fort Bend County, Texas. What makes it so exceptional, however, is that it apparently currently runs over 24,000 EMS calls a year. That translates to approximately 65 calls per day - regardless of the amount of ambulances or the [...]

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The exhibits opened at 9:30 this morning, so I had a somewhat late breakfast in time to make it to the opening of the exhibits hall. Following the rush of people towards several booths, I got a hold of a sturdy duffel bag from the folks at Physio, the guys behind LifePak. Above, demonstrating a [...]

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This is yours truly from EMS Today 2009 held at the Baltimore Convention Center. The photo above shows the entrance to the convention on Pratt street.

The day started off with opening ceremonies from the people at JEMS, the Journal of Emergency Medical Services, as well as a person by the name of Suzanne Frey [...]

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by Lou Angeli
Special to Firefighter-EMT.com
(Wilmington, DE) — As weather experts debate the effects Global Warming on North America, the “B” shift members of Wilmington (DE) Rescue 1 don’t really give a damn. Winter is on them, and the simple fact of the matter is it’s as cold as it gets in the mid-Atlantic states.
Cold weather [...]

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While as far as we know there are no international standards for firefighting operations at airports, it is interesting to note how similar they all are - after all, all international airlines landing at United States airports have to be approved as having safe aircraft, and there are several things to note about them: they are big, they carry a lot of people, and ignition is always a likely possibility.

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Part 2 of a series of in-depth reports on fireground tactics.
Report
00:04 - April 27, 2008: Montgomery County fireboard (”county”) dispatches Station 53, Lower Providence Fire Department, to 6007 Shady Wood Circle for a house struck by lightning.
- Neighbors call fire emerging from rear of the house and smoke inside.
- Police report heavy smoke.
- Engine 53 [...]

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Eric Goodman is a photographer for the Metro-Dade firefighters (IAFF Local 1403) in the Miami-Dade area, Florida. Firefighter-EMT had the exclusive opportunity to ask him a few questions:
Could you describe your background a bit?
I am the photographer for Metro-Dade Firefighters, IAFF Local 1403, a title I’ve held since March 2003. I am not a [...]

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