Training the fire service. Devoted to the interests of #firefighters and to the job of #firefighting. Shares do not constitute endorsements. #fireengineering
Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Joined April 2009
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WHAT WE LEARNED
Battery Electric Vehicles: The New Reality of Vehicle Transport Fires - ow.ly/eOSc51057B6
The 2025 Tesla car-carrier fire in Sylmar, California, illustrated that dynamic. It also highlighted how battery electric vehicle (BEV) cargo can change the operational profile of what might otherwise be considered a “routine” vehicle hauler fire.
On August 16, 2025, the LAFD responded to a car-carrier truck fire going southbound on Interstate 5, transporting eight Tesla vehicles. The initial dispatch at 5:35 p.m. was for an auto fire, with two engines each from the LAFD and Los Angeles County Fire Department (due to automatic-aid agreements) responding. The first-arriving unit reported a fully involved semitruck cab carrying multiple vehicles, which was quickly updated to include four fully involved Tesla vehicles.
Recognizing the complexity, the incident commander (IC) immediately requested a battalion chief, California Highway Patrol for lane closures, two additional engines, a water tender, and a hazardous materials unit, noting the significant water requirements and possible hazardous materials issues. Access was severely delayed due to heavy traffic and lane closures. The incident location was a challenge because there was no close freeway off ramps or on ramps within five miles. The freeway is also divided by concrete k-railing (heavy sloped concrete barrier, aka Jersey barriers) to prevent traffic from crossing over into oncoming lanes. While the driver was accounted for with no injuries, the toxic gases from the fire necessitated closing all freeway lanes, though initially only two were requested.
Your last alarm doesn't mean the end of service. Many first responders find leadership and teamwork thrive in business ownership—with franchising as a familiar next playbook. Ready for life beyond the firehouse? 🔥 ow.ly/Qvjg5104hHO
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WEBINAR November 23, 1:00 pm ET:
ow.ly/xC275104HZU
Road to FDIC: Leading Through the Staffing Crisis
-with Frank Viscuso, Candice McDonald, Frank Ricci, and Dena Ali
Recruitment is down, turnover is rising, and workforce expectations are changing. How can fire service leaders respond?
In this exclusive Road to FDIC webinar, Frank Viscuso leads a discussion with Frank Ricci, Dr. Candice McDonald, and Dena Ali to explore the biggest challenges facing departments today, from retention and culture to mental wellness and organizational trust.
Discover proven leadership approaches that help build stronger teams and more resilient organizations.
Walk Away With:
-Insights into why firefighters are leaving and the workforce trends driving today’s staffing challenges.
-Proven strategies for recruiting and connecting with the next generation of firefighters.
-Practical ways to build a department culture that fosters engagement, commitment, and trust.
-Leadership approaches that support mental wellness and strengthen organizational resilience.
-Actionable ideas for improving retention and creating an environment where firefighters want to stay and grow.
Don’t miss these real-world lessons and experiences from Fire Engineering Books authors and FDIC instructors leading through these challenges today.
Crews in Fort Lauderdale rushed to extinguish a #fire that tore through a popular nightclub early Monday morning, reportedly causing a "stampede."
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WEBINAR TODAY, 1:00 pm ET:
ow.ly/HJSl5100axc
FET Mobile App Demo: 5 Ways to Close the Training Gap
-with Jeff Schneider and Justin Beamis
Training competes with calls, shift changes and staffing gaps, and too often it falls behind or gets lost on paper. In this live demo, you will see how the Fire Engineering Training mobile app helps departments close the training gap.
Crews can complete courses, check in to drills, log hands-on training and run shift checklists from their phones, whether on shift, between calls or at home. Attendees will see each feature from both sides: what it means for the firefighter and what it gives the training officer.
Division Chief Justin Beamis will also share how Celina (TX) Fire Department uses the app to keep training organized and compliance on track.
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Fire Engineering retweeted
Today marks one year since FDNY Firefighter Patrick Brady of Ladder 120 made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The UFA continues to keep his family, friends, and fellow Firefighters at Ladder 120 in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest in Peace, Patrick. Never Forget.
Fire Engineering retweeted
Get ahead on your AFG grant! Prepare specs, project details & budget quotes NOW to craft a strong application when the window opens. Time saved = better proposals. Don’t wait! 🔥 Apply smart: ow.ly/kgxB5104Anm
Fire Engineering retweeted
Check out my latest episode of the @fireengineering Podcast The Training Officer with guest Bobby Salvesen from The HazMat Guys #FireEngineering #thetrainingofficer #TheHazMatGuys
youtu.be/UkVsmHYHC48?is=klKb…
Although the triple play is seldom seen in baseball, firefighters need to execute the three elements of our triple play successfully at each incident to make best use of our resources: establishment of procedures, size-up and performance.
Achieving a high level of performance using solid procedures and while conducting continual incident size-up doesn’t happen by chance. Much of the hard work lies in the planning and vetting of procedures and equipment and training our firefighters for success. Our best fireground performances are not happy accidents, but are the result of preparation, size-up, practice, and execution: ow.ly/f5365103x8m
Fire Engineering retweeted
Today at 9:29 am SFFD firefighters responded to a garbage truck fire that was caused by an improperly discarded battery powered device. Please remember to follow guidelines for disposing of all batteries and battery powered devices.
recology.com/recology-san-fr…
Fire Engineering retweeted
Just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, the FDNY responded to 653 58th Street in Brooklyn for a fire that was reported by nearby residents. Units arrived in approximately three minutes.
Six people died in this fire—four were pronounced dead at the scene and two others died after being transported to area hospitals.
"Upon arrival, we had fire on every floor—cellar, first and second floors—fire blowing out every window, meeting us at the front door," Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said. "Our units moved in very aggressively, getting a hoseline on each one of those floors for a very, very quick knockdown."
FDNY members rescued victims trapped on the first floor in the rear of the home behind window bars. There was also a partial collapse of a staircase inside the home.
Additionally, there were injuries to four other civilians, three firefighters and two police officers. Seventy-four units, totaling 231 fire and EMS personnel, responded to the 3-alarm fire.
The fire was placed under control at about 4:30 a.m. The cause remains under investigation by FDNY Fire Marshals.
Firefighters now have access to PFAS-free turnout gear—protecting you during and after the fire. Are you ready to upgrade your safety standards? Discover your options today. ow.ly/2lXU5104hzE
Fire Engineering retweeted
The Transformational Leadership EquationTM: L = p1 + p2 + (P3 x p4)
Where L is Leadership and
P1 is Possibility
P2 is Performance
P3 is People - multipled by - P4 Potential.
@fireengineering @firenation @tribaleadership @chieflasky @smokedaddy5 @NYfiretraining
Fire Engineering retweeted
We are saddened by the passing of Phoenix Fire Captain Paramedic George McElroy.
For more than 30 years, Captain McElroy proudly served the citizens of Phoenix and the fire service, leaving a lasting impact on the department, his fellow firefighters, and those he mentored.
Lithium-Ion Batteries Caused Boston Fire That Killed Firefighter Robert ‘Bobby’ Kilduff: ow.ly/6Lpr5104aQp
Lithium-ion batteries stored in a third-floor enclosed porch in Dorchester sparked the blaze that killed firefighter Robert “Bobby” Kilduff Jr. in May.
Boston Fire officials said an investigation released Wednesday points to a “thermal runaway” ignited by those batteries.
“Bobby Kilduff gave his life in the line of duty, doing what our firefighters do every day, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect their neighbors in our community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu at Boston Fire headquarters.
Lithium-ion batteries stored in a third-floor enclosed porch in Dorchester sparked the #fire that killed Boston #firefighter Robert “Bobby” Kilduff Jr. in May. #LODD
fireengineering.com/firefigh…
Two women and two men were fatally injured in an overnight #fire in Chicago.
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Six people died in a fire that barreled through a two-story home in #NYC early Thursday and seven others were injured, including three firefighters. #FDNY
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Emergency crews responded Wednesday to an #explosion at a Mississippi chemical plant that sent up a large plume of black smoke.
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