PLEASE NOTE: NEITHER STEVE GREENE OR 5-ALARM TASK FORCE CORP. HAVE ANY FINANCIAL OR COMMERCIAL INTERESTS  REGARDING THE TOOL ADDRESSED BELOW:  
  
It is no secret within the fire service that there are two things we despise the most; namely, the status quo and change. Whether you are a member of a huge, city-based department or you are a member of a small, one-engine, rural firehouse, those feelings seem to echo across the country.
     Of course, we have found ways to accept certain changes and it is good thing too, or else one of the "house duties" would be to clean up the "house dooty" from the horses! Consider the fact that the average engine of a pumper produces 350 horsepower! That would surely be a great deal of dooty to clean up, right? And let's face it, not even the "probie" could be the only one responsible for that sh*t!
     Over the years, we have seen ideas that went from someone's personal perception of a need
for a way to carry out a task, to mock-ups, early models, etc. And some of these ideas came to fruition. How? Why? Because we opened our minds to someone else's idea or thought process. And, for each "idea" that was translated into either a new tactic or tool, it was usually a change for the better.     
     A few years ago, I met a gentleman who had no connection to the fire service, other than his home was protected by the local fire department. This gentleman is a contractor. He builds, demos, adds, subtracts and builds what the client or designer requests.  To carry out his tasks, he has numerous tools. However, while doing some of these demo jobs, he realized that he had to use a couple of tools to accomplish this demo. He'd use one as a lever and a second as a fulcrum point. Sounds good, right? Especially if you're an octopus with eight arms, to be able to hold all the tools at the same time.
     This seemed to be a pain in the butt for this gentleman and his late partner. They agreed there had to be an easier way of using Archimedes' principal of the fulcrum. And thus was born the "Nestorbar." By creating both a lever and a fulcrum one one tool, the job became much easier. Fewer damaged hands and/or fingers. Easier work; getting the job done more quickly with less physical exertion. From the initial prototype, the Nestorbar was created with different lever lengths, widths and thicknesses and different numbers of "rocker" fulcrums. 
     After being in touch by email and phone, I invited this gentleman to be my guest on "5-Alarm Task Force." But this was not by phone or Zoom. He actually came to my home and brought several of the Nestorbars with him. Having been a volunteer in fire and EMS in the late 1970's through the mid-1980's, (Jaws of Life just coming to market) I knew how important good hand tools were in the performance of our tasks. And when I saw this tool, I immediately remembered a number of calls where this tool would have been of great value to us, from extrication to overhaul and demo.
     Below, you will see a couple of photos of versions of the Nestorbar. What do you think?
Interested? Want more info? Email: nestorbarsmark@gmail.com

     Very often, when I am in discussions or interviews with other firefighters, one can be sure that he/she will hear the title words of this post. Sure, we do a lot of crazy and dangerous stuff and we see scenes that could make the biggest director in Hollywood, puke! Nevertheless, we push those images aside and say, "It's who we are and what we do."
     Here at 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., we use that phrase as well, as we explain what our singular aim is, to provide immediate financial assistance to our Brothers and Sisters, and/or their families, when in dire need. 
     Since we launched our nonprofit, we have disbursed over $3,000. While we have assisted three small volunteer departments, the vast majority of our payments went to the families of Brothers and Sisters who either were seriously injured or made the Ultimate Sacrifice. Every disbursement is accompanied by a hand-written note to the family. For on this job, those families are our families, as well.
     The majority of our funds have been generated by our webinars. We had a very successful one last month and we have two more planned for late summer (Building Construction & Sprinkler Systems) and late fall (Volunteers: Retention & Recruitment).
     However, as you can see, there is a fair amount of time between these webinars, but our Brothers and Sisters often cannot wait for us to have a webinar so that we can provide financial assistance to them. To put it bluntly, we need your help!
     We set a goal for 2022, to raise $12,000 for our Foundation. It is the first item you see on our website. And we make so very easy for you to make a donation. One our homepage of this website, you will see a photo of a Federal Signal Q2B siren. Just click on the photo and our Donation Page will pop-up. We are pleased to have the EFT Corporation of Virginia assisting us for all donations. The donation page is encrypted and your privacy is fully guarded.
     On the Donation Page, you are able to choose the destination of your donation, either to our Operating account (pays for our day-to-day operations of any office) or to our Foundation Account (the fund of which are used ONLY to assist our fellow firefighters and/or their families. You are also able to make a one-time, monthly or yearly donation. And, you can use any credit or debit card, as well as an EFT transfer or even an electronic check.
     Though you will probably never see us "trending" on social media, we have nearly 6,000 followers on Twitter and Instagram, with hundreds more on Facebook and Linked In. Now, if only half of that number made a $5.00 donation, that would generate $15,000 for our Foundation.
     We ask you, Heaven forbid, if you or someone in your firefighting family was lost, severely ill, etc., would you not find some comfort knowing that 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., is ready and willing to provide financial assistance?
      Thank you for following us, visiting our website and following us on social media. You cannot understand how much all of you mean to us.
     Stay Safe and God Bless.

     As I write this, tears are welling up in my eyes. Using the U.S. Fire Administration website and recent news, it appears that we have lost eleven (11) Brothers and Sisters in the this month of which, there are four more days. Most recently, we lost three colleagues from the City of Baltimore fire Department.
     Line-of-Duty Deaths are nothing new to us. They are too often considered, "part of the job." It is time we change how we look at LODD's. For while we all agree that, no matter career, part-pay, volunteer or WUI, there is a risk in being a firefighter. Then again, there is significant risk for those brave men and women who install huge windmills across the country. There is a huge risk to be on a crab or fishing boat in the Bering Sea. Yet, in my humble opinion, we are sometimes too casual with the phrase, "part of the job."
     Not everyone is cut out to be a firefighter. And many, including myself, who feel the calling in their soul, aren't necessarily in the best shape of their lives. However, both personal exercise and department training can deal with that problem. Our fire academies and training programs teach us a great deal with the numerous topics and tactics we have to learn; especially when and how to use them. Yet, we must concede that no matter the training and the experience of each firefighter, officer and chief, there is still an unknown factor.
     This past week, we have seen, at two different fire departments, a collapse of the second floor of a residential structure which, at this time, resulted in the death of three firefighters and serious injuries to four others.  And even though we are trained to watch for "soft spots" or "spongy floors," events still occur over which we do not have control.
     However, I believe that it is time for a change in our mindset towards LODD's. As we begin the third decade of the 21st century, we can no longer afford to brush aside a LODD as "part of the job." Rather, be must review every aspect of the call, every agency report, each firefighter's recollections of the incident e.g., where they were, what they saw, what they experienced, etc.  Let us do everything we can to learn the how and why of an LODD, as well as what we can do in our effort to prevent this from happening again, if possible.
     May their love for and dedication to, their families and community be an inspiration to all who loved and knew them.
     May their souls be bound up in the Bond of Life.
     May their memories always be for a blessing and may the Rest in Peace.

Firefighters and Mesothelioma: 4 Important Questions to Answer!
Firefighters risk their lives daily to help save others from danger. They bravely run into harm’s way while others move in the opposite direction. This selfless act is the nature of the occupation.
 
Another regular nature — one that isn’t so obvious — is the risk of developing mesothelioma.
 
Almost all buildings — from residential to commercial — built prior to the 1980s were done so using asbestos, which is a fine mineral that is resistant to heat. Firefighters are at risk of exposure to several respiratory toxins that could be released in fires.
 
Asbestos is one of the most in this group, and it’s also one of the most prevalent in burning or collapsing buildings. Asbestos was used for much of the 20th century — and even in the centuries before — to protect flammable objects or building components from fires.
 
Asbestos is also the only known cause of mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that forms in either the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters are twice as likely to develop mesothelioma compared to the general public.
 
These four questions are the most important for firefighters who interact with asbestos on a regular basis.
 
How Does Mesothelioma Form?When asbestos particles flake off, they float in the air due to their microscopic size and light weight. Anyone nearby can breathe in or swallow these fibers, which then travel into the body and lodge into the cells along these linings. The fibers can irritate the cells, which then mutate and become cancerous.
 
Being in the vicinity of loose asbestos particles is nearly impossible for firefighters. Wearing protective gear is one safety measure available, but asbestos sometimes sticks to the clothing and can be inhaled or ingested later.
 
Which Building and Construction Materials Have Asbestos?Many construction materials included asbestos to prevent fires and insulate the building. Some of the most common include:

• Drywall
• Roofing and siding
• Floor tiles
• Electrical wiring
• Insulation in the walls and ceiling
• Pipes
• Household appliances (such as oven mitts, hairdryers, toasters, ovens and electrical sockets)

 
If a house catches fire, the asbestos around any of these items or materials could be released into the air. Thus, any firefighters entering or in the vicinity of the building is in danger.
 
How Do You Know if You Have Mesothelioma?Answering this question is difficult because mesothelioma has a long latency period, which means it takes a while to develop. Most studies suggest that the cancer forms between 20 and 50 years after asbestos fibers lodge into the cells.
 
Therefore, connecting your mesothelioma diagnosis to an exposure occurrence is difficult. Most firefighters who develop mesothelioma are unaware how the cancer formed. They can’t pinpoint exactly which job or building led to their exposure.
 
However, there are medical tips for firefighters. Whether they are currently working in the occupation or retired, they should receive regular check-ups with a doctor to ensure there are no masses forming.
 
Mesothelioma is an aggressive, fast-spreading cancer. Early detection is the most effective way to halt this spreading and attack it with treatment.
 
Safety Tips for Firefighters
The increased risk of asbestos exposure for firefighters means there’s an increased importance to prioritize safety. Once people in this occupation are educated about how asbestos enters the body and causes mesothelioma, they should learn some safety tips to reduce their exposure:

• Wash all clothing and equipment on scene to avoid carrying asbestos into the home or other location (which can put more people at risk of exposure).
• Always wear a self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid inhaling asbestos dust while on the job.
• Wet down all areas that may include asbestos, as this prevents particles from entering the air.
• Learn as much as possible about which products and buildings contain asbestos and also what this mineral looks like.

 
 
 
About the Writer, Devin Golden
Devin Golden is the content writer for Mesothelioma Guide. He produces mesothelioma-related content on various mediums, including the Mesothelioma Guide website and social media channels. Devin's objective is to translate complex information regarding mesothelioma into informative, easily absorbable content to help patients and their loved ones.

     Here we are with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and its deadly path from the shores of Louisiana, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, up through the country, charging into the Northeast with tornadoes, winds and torrential rains that have claimed nearly fifty lives in that area alone. And with every newscast, there was one constant from coast-to-coast: many, many rescues were effected by fire-rescue personnel. Yes, there were police, National Guard and even Coast Guard members performing rescues. Yet, most of the video clips displayed the actions of our braves Brothers and Sisters. Newscasters and reporters often used the words, "heroes" and "brave first responders."
     As I write this entry, we are but six days from observing the twentieth anniversary of the 9|11 tragedy. On that day, we lost the following:
     - 343 FDNY Firefighters
     - 37 Police Officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
     - 23 NYPD Police Officers
     - 8 EMTS & Paramedics from private ambulance services
     - 3 NY State Court Officers
     - 1 Patrolman from the New York Fire Patrol
     Subsequent to the 9|11 tragedy, first responders in general and firefighters in particular, were celebrated for their sacrifices, heroism and bravery. Yet the vast majority of First Responders and, especially firefighters, feel that we are just doing our jobs, whether we are career, volunteer, part-pay or WUI. We do what we do because it is what we choose to do. As one of our true mentors, the late Chief Alan Brunacini said, "Our job is to take care of Mrs. Smith on her worst day. Even if that worst day is because her cat is in a tree!"
     Yet, the public sees us in another light as well - a "tax burden" almost anytime we need to bump our budgets, purchase new apparatus and equipment, negotiate union contracts or raise funds to recruit volunteers or to send members to educational seminars.
     Outside of news stories, the public also sees "represented" on television and film. Many of us in or retired/disabled from the fire service, might say that the "best" TV show about firefighters/paramedics was "Emergency!" and the best movie was, "Backdraft." We were very lucky that the creators and producers of these two examples, were dedicated to an, worked closely with the two departments represented, Los Angeles County Fire Dept. and the Chicago Fire Dept. But, where are we on today's screens and what stories are being told.
     The truth is, we First Responders don't perform our jobs to be on television or in the movies. Would we like to see a well-produced show or movie about us? Sure, why not? However, fame is not the impetus that brought to our chosen field. Rather, it is often other first responders we have seen, in our own communities or on the news, that give us that idea. Moreover, tens of children of those firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9|11, have become members of the FDNY, following in their fathers' footsteps.
     And to me, that's better than any TV show or movie.
    May the love for and dedication to their families and community inspire all those who knew and loved the. May their souls be bound up in the Bond of Life. May their memories always be for a blessing and may they Rest in Peace.

     It has been a difficult several weeks here in South Florida and across the country. The terrible tragedy of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South building has, to date, cost 100 lives, with others still missing. As tragic as the situation was/is, words cannot express the dedication, devotion, compassion, professionalism and determination of every single USAR Task Force Team that worked the pile. That applies to our several Florida Task Force Teams, plus colleagues from Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania, as well as those who came from Israel and Mexico. A more dedicated group has not been seen.
     Beyond that incident, we have seen a spike in LODDs in this same period. A couple were Covid-19 related, a few were health issues, another was a firefighting aircraft crash. What bothers me is that I am concerned (and I'm guilty myself of doing this) that we are putting so much effort into our Firefighters' Cancer and Behavioral Initiatives, that we have dropped the proverbial "ball" (today, maybe I should say, "dropped the mic) in emphasizing the basic necessity of firefighters attaining a health level that would classify them as "fit-for-duty."
     The above is becoming more difficult to see work. Yet, we also get to see those brave and stalwart men and women, reach into their own pockets to assure that everyone on the teams gets to eat a decent meal, at least twice a day, even when the largest chain of fast-food restaurants, tells a group of firefighters/Hotshots that they'd be unable to assist the firefighters.
     Whether you are in a rural area with a small volunteer department, or you are in a big, metropolitan city, in a huge career department, to perform our work, our duty; to live by the words of our Oath, "...To save lives and property," means that we must first take care of ourselves so that we can physically take care of the people in our response district. So, if you are unable to correct your "'yaw and pitch," of life, or you disagree with your parents, your friends and your colleagues assessments that you are not meeting the standards of "fit-for-duty," what do you think is going to happen?
     Since many social media platforms have been able to post pictures along with a message, one of the strongest reasons why I even decided to produce a podcast was, seeing in the monthly trades, the obituaries of our Brothers and/or Sisters who lost their lives in the Line of Duty. And I realized, that in career, combo, volunteer and Hotshot departments, we had far too many LODDs attributable to treatable health issues. And by "treatable," I mean by a licensed and accredited MD, PA, PM, RN, etc., not via self-medicating!
     Recently, I saw the photos of several Brothers who had lost their lives, some were LODD and others were not. Nevertheless, there were at least two photos I saw where our Brothers were morbidly obese (unless a more recent photo might have reflected a firefighter who won the "Battle of the Bulge!" Moreover, having worked hard to lose nearly thirty pounds in 2017-2018, I know it is no easy task. However, if this is a true goal we set for ourselves, we can and, will persevere and reach some level of success. And each pound of body fat you lose with proper exercise and a balanced diet that is right for you, brings you that much closer to being fit-for-duty. 
     Better yet, there are firefighters across this great country, who teach via Zoom, recordings or in-person, how to eat and exercise properly; no, not for a competition, but to help you be fit-for-duty!
     And remember, while no shade of Kryptonite will affect you, you don't wear a cape and you are not invulnerable or invincible.
     PLEASE....take care of yourself so that you can indeed, take care of others!
     Stay Safe & Stay Well!

     When we arise each morning, most of us are grateful for that simple act, especially as we age and get older. Hopefully, our past experiences give us the "energy" to face each new day with an open mind, a determination to learn and do our very best. Nevertheless, that is no guaranty that we will have a great day and we are aghast when Life throws us a curve ball.
     In our profession as career, volunteer, part-pay and WUI firefighters, we know from the moment we even consider to be a member of these elite organizations, that this "job" is inherently risky. True, most of us have excellent training and trainers, to teach us what being a firefighter today, is all about. And today in 2021, it's a great deal different that when I, and many other men and women were responding to calls.
     Thankfully, with the knowledge gained over the past 30+ years, the vast majority of firefighters who protect and serve this country, perform heroically and admirably, whether it is rescuing Ms. Smith's cat up a tree, rescuing three people on the second floor of burning home, to racing out onto the lake for a water rescue. Yet, each response above comes with its own peril. And, as well as we may train and carefully carry out our duties on-scene of an emergency, something can indeed "go south," very quickly, changing our lives forever.
     As many of us know all too well, 2020 was a crappy year for us, whether we worked in Public Safety or not. And with all the bitching and moaning regarding the Covid-19 protocols around the country, let us not forget that we have lost over 120 firefighters to Covid-19, plus numerous paramedics & EMT's, as well as dispatchers and call takers.
     So, what happens to the families of those severely injured, disabled or who pay the ultimate price? That is where the 5-Alarm Task Force Corp Foundation comes in. While we will strive to be able to include all first responders, right now, we are focusing on our Brothers and Sisters in the Fire Service. And to do either or both, we need the everyone's help! Think of our efforts as "all hands working!" 
     The first way that you can help is my sharing this link and our social media posts with any colleagues you may have in the three, main branches of Public Safety. Let them see what we are trying to do.
     The second way  that you can help us is by making a donation. Our new, customized Donation Page, provides you with numerous ways to give and choose where you want your donation to go, to either our Operations Account, which is used for our office  and podcast expenses or to the Foundation, which is the key account we sue to disburse our financial assistance.
     Additionally, thanks to our new and good friends at EFT Corporation, you can make a donation from $1 on up. You can use a credit or debit card, a check or an ACH automatic transfer. He can choose to make a single donation or, a weekly, monthly or yearly contribution.
      Currently, we are running a special gift program with our new T-shirts. We have them in three sizes, Medium, Large & Extra Large, as well as 3 colors, Black, Army Green and Deep Blue. 
For a minimum donation of $50.00 you will receive the T-shirt of your choice for FREE!. That's right, absolutely free!
      Please remember that it is not the amount of your donation, since we accept anything from a dollar on up. It is the act that is important.
      We never know what life will bring us on any given day. Just as we train and practice both at home and at the station, depending on where we live, we prepare for encounters with "Mother Earth." Here at 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., we are preparing to help you or your family when you find yourself in dire need.
      Please visit our Homepage or the DONATE tab across the top menu. Then scroll down until you see the photo of a beautiful, chrome "Q" siren and click on the picture. Our donation page will pop up and provide you with your opportunity to reach out and help someone you may never even know or, it could be one of your colleagues or even, your own family.
     Stay Safe & Stay Well!

     If you, our reader, has been in the fire service for a year or so, or more, you have probably seen spectator problems, especially with "rubber-necking" on highway or roadway accidents. On our roads, these deliberate slow-downs often impede our ability to arrive on scene and even perform the necessary tasks to provide the necessary assistance. Add to that the rude replies we receive from numerous drivers and passengers when we politely ask them to, "keep moving," or we divert them with a detour...well you know what I mean.
     Now some of you may think that this attitude is a more recent occurrence due to our society's devolving into the "Me," attitude of today, but you would be wrong. It was 1977 and I had just joined a combo department, just outside Greensboro NC. A section of I-40 cut right through our southern district and, it was an MVC on that highway, that was one of the first calls I was qualified to respond on.
     Luckily, we were responding from the station before the dispatcher even finished announcing the call and the highway was just over a mile down the street from our station. Luckily the two or three involved vehicles were already in the "breakdown lane." Upon arrival in our Squad, my friend and I were detailed to traffic control on I-40. We were wearing orange vests and carried orange directional wands. The Captain and Chief met us and advised us what they needed us to do, namely, keep the traffic moving, slowly and safely past the accident scene.
     "How difficult could that be?" we naively thought!
     It probably took less than five minutes before I was reprimanded by a driver for "upsetting" his travel plans! I was trying to be very polite and explained the issue; over and over again.  No matter what I said, he had already vilified me for upsetting his family's plan to go wherever they were going. And I wasn't alone. He and others like him that afternoon, blamed every difficulty they had ever experienced, as well as the world's geo-political problems on our fire department!  
     Now, nearly 45 years later, one might believe that our society world have evolved since then, right? Wrong! Take a look at social and news media reports of a major, five-alarm fire in Lawrence MA, last night. Lawrence is a mid-sized city, a northwestern suburb of Boston. This morning, I have read or watched multiple articles and videos about how uncooperative people were during this major catastrophe. 
     Even after being advised not to cross fire-tape, come to the neighborhood, etc., dozens of folks decided it was better to watch a major fire that was impacting their own neighbors, then to stay at home. There were multiple reports that the crowds were not allowing needed fire apparatus to get to the scene or their staging assignments. People thought of the tragedy as entertainment and decided to sit or stand and watch from the viewpoint that would best suit them, not our brave Brothers and Sisters, who were contending with active fire in four major structures, cold temperatures and winds gusting to over 25 MPH.
     I have no doubt whatsoever that the Lawrence Police Department, as well as neighboring agencies and the Mass State Police did everything within reason to keep onlookers our of the way of the numerous fire services. Nevertheless, the truth comes out and we can only imagine how difficult that situation was last evening and for the rest of us, as well.
     There is nothing to be gained by being a "rubber-necker" or an uninvited and unwanted spectator at the scene of a major emergency. I know I often wondered, when I got some "lip" from a driver or spectator, how he or she would have felt if it was their emergency and all these people showed up and got in the way of the emergency service people attempting to mitigate their emergency.
     Listen, if we're some of the first on scene before the local fire, EMS or law enforcement teams show up, we know that we'll render aid; that's who we are and what we do. But when a major portion of your neighborhood is burning down and brave men and women are risking their lives to mitigate the emergency, please help us and STAY the F**K away from us! We're NOT the new feature at your neighborhood "drive-in!"
     STAY SAFE & STAY WELL!