Mike Walker: December 08

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Saturday, 7 December 2019

7 Knots Every Firefighter Must Master

If you haven’t yet attended a fire academy, I assure you will be required to learn different knots. There are 7 knots every firefighter must master early in their career.

This is one of many skills that new firefighters need to learn in the early days of their training to become qualified. Those that are new to the profession will be eager to get their hands on all kinds of fire equipment and learn about fire prevention and suppression.

In this guide, I will explain what these 7 knots are and their importance within the fire service. I will also talk about some of the other related lessons you will learn about knot creation to ensure that each of these 7 knots is perfect. From there, I also want to look at how you can train yourself to make improvements.

7 Knots Every Firefighter Must Master

Overhand Safety Knot
The Half Hitch
The Bowline Knot
The Clove Hitch
Figure 8 On A Bight
The Becket Bend Knot
The Water Knot

Why is knot tying such an essential skill within the fire service?

If you are going to use ropes in the fire service (and I promise you will), you are going to need to know how to tie them correctly for a safe operation. This means learning a wide range of knots for different applications.

You may end up working in rope rescue unit where a strong rope and pulley system could save lives.

On a more general level, you will have to be proficient with ropes that need to be tied correctly in an emergency, your safety ropes and your utility ropes. The right training and practice in the most essential knots are vital.

The 7 most common knots you will use are ones that you will be tested on in order to receive your firefighter 1 and 2 certification. They are:

#1 The Overhand Safety Knot

Let’s start with the simplest and most important of the knots.

The overhand safety knot is used to create a secure end to a line that will stop fraying or any other potential damage. The process is simple. You make a loop at the end of the rope, pull the end through and then tighten it.

You might look at this and say, “but that’s how I always tie a knot at the end of something”.

There is a good chance that you have used this knot for years without knowing that it had a name. However, that doesn’t mean that you can be complacent about learning it.

There are still high standards to abide by. Once you master this, you can move onto the double overhand knot.

#2 The Half Hitch

This next knot is another one that you will have been using for your whole life without thinking about it. Now it has a name and a purpose.

Recruits are encouraged to look at this knot a little like tying an overhand knot around an object instead of creating that secure end.

You take the rope, pass it through a ring or other loop on an object, pass the end around the rope and back through the loop that you created. Then just tighten it up to hitch your rope to the ring.

This is a simple way to secure a rope to loops and will be used often when working with all kinds of equipment in the duties.

The trick here is to make sure that it is secure and clean without being too tight or too difficult to adjust. The written instructions can make it seem more complicated than it really is so take a look at the video.

#3 The Bowline Knot

You might be familiar with the bowline knot if you have experience with fishing or other maritime pastimes. You may have used it in the past with no idea what it was actually called.

A bowline creates a loop on the end of a rope in a secure manner. The correct process is essential here to ensure that it is secure but also easy to adjust as needed.

If you have ever heard stories about knot-tying with rabbits and trees and wondered what that was all about – this is that knot. The video below should make things a little easier to follow without the need for this metaphor.

This knot is important because it is used so often during rope rescue operations and fire suppression.

Creating a loop in a rope gives you the chance to raise other items, or perhaps even people, to safety. It is a practical knot for basic firefighter roles but later becomes even more essential in marine firefighting work, rope rescue or any other search and rescue capacity.

#4 The Clove Hitch

The Clove hitch is an essential knot to master because it can be used in so many situations.

This is a quick hold knot and has a simple process that lets you attach a rope to pole, railing or other support so that it stays in place.

It is one of the simplest to master because of the lack of motion. As you can see from the video below, all you need to do is bring the rope over the railing a few times and tuck it under one of the last wraps to secure it in place.

However, one thing that you do need to be aware of here is that this knot isn’t that secure as it can tend to slip. It is a temporary solution to keep the rope in a secure place.

It is not a good idea to use this if you plan on putting any strain on the knot because there isn’t the strength. You will need a different knot to act as a tie off, such as the figure 8 below.

#5 Figure 8 On A Bight

There are two things that you need to know about the figure 8 knot. The first is how to tie it as a stopper knot.

These are knots that can prevent a rope from traveling too far through a pulley system or from unraveling.

The former is essential for rope access work where you need to lift items and people on inclines. If the rope were to slip, you now have the stopper as a security measure.

The figure-eight stopper is created by making a loop, twisting it a half-turn and then pulling it back through the loop to create that secure mass.

The other thing that you need to know about this knot is how to secure it on a bight. This is important when working with mid-attachment points.

The bight is a bend in the rope that you can use to attach another rope, and in turn another piece of equipment. These attachment points are helpful when transporting items down a ladder. The process can sound complicated at first, but this video should help.

#6 The Becket Bend/Sheet Bend Knot

This one is a little more complicated because you need two pieces of rope to make this work.

Take your thickest piece of rope and create a bend, or a bight, so there is a strong U bend.

Then, take your thinner rope and pass the end through the bend and then around both arms of the bight. The end of the thin rope then passes under itself and back out level with its other arm.

Pull the arms tight to secure the knot. Again, this can all sound complicated written out like this, but visual diagrams and videos help.

This knot is an important tool for firefighters that need to be creative in a crisis. There is no guarantee that the length of rope in your possession is going to be long enough for your needs in a given situation, but there are sure to be other crew members with rope as well.

Therefore, you can use this bend knot to secure the two lengths together for something much longer. Once you perfect this knot, you will find that it is a secure tool that works with all kinds of rope, cord and webbing.

#7 The Water Knot

Finally, I want to talk about the water knot. This is the last one that you will need to demonstrate for your firefighter 1 and 2 certification.

This is also another knot that you can use to tie two ropes together.

This time, this knot is recommended if you are using two pieces of tougher webbing or nylon and need a secure fastening. This one takes some practice to perfect because of the tension of the knots and length of the excess.

Create a loose overhand knot near the end of the line. Then take your other line and feed it through the knot, tracing the same movements so that the two pieces end up tied together. There will be some excess material which can be used for readjusting the knot at a later point.

You can secure this further with overhand knots as additional safety knots.

This water knot is primarily used for webbing in climbing applications. It can secure pieces together and help when you need to use the material to repel down a slope.

Again, you can take a look at the video below for a clearer idea of how this knot works.

“Dressing” the knot

Don’t forget that you won’t just be assessed on the way that you tie these knots.

Displaying knowledge of the process or quick speed isn’t going to be enough. There are strict rules on how the knots should look and how they should function when tied. Speed is pointless if it leads to complications later on.

Other firefighters that come back to rope won’t appreciate it if they find that the rope is untidy and difficult to untie. The Seattle Fire Department sums this up perfectly in their own guide to knots.

They talk about the myth that knot strength is the most important factor. All knots require just the right amount of tension and a clean approach to the way that the rope is presented.

You may wonder why that matters so much in an emergency. It all comes down to the need for everyone to be able to work with that rope. Those in command need to be able to inspect it with ease to ensure it is safe.

Other crew members will need to be able to adjust it and untie it quickly and efficiently. A rushed, over-tightened knot could be a big problem in a disaster.

How can you make sure that you can tie these perfectly?

If you have limited experience with knot tying, you may find that these first 7 knots are a little complicated at first. They will look more like a tangled mess than anything functional.

You may also find that this is an accurate description of the knots that you end up creating. However, you can improve if you practice, get to know the knots step by step and understand their purpose.

If you know why you are tying the knot and the end goal, it might help you achieve a better appreciation for the different methods. A step-by-step, more methodical approach means that you can understand some of the terminology involved.

Do you know what a bight is? Do you know the difference between the running end and the standing end?

With time, this can all come together to create a wide arsenal of skills. The more you practice the better you will be.

Some firefighters that have been through this training talk about practicing blindfolded or in the dark to get a better feel for the rope. This way you aren’t entirely dependent on sight for the best result in a crisis.

Also, this helps with touch checks when inspecting the knots and ropes of other crew members.

Finally, these 7 knots are just the starting point. Don’t assume that this is the limit when it comes to essential knot tying skills within the fire service. These 7 knots that every firefighter must master are the basics necessary for rope rescue.

You need to be able to handle far more than this because there are so many different applications. These knots are just the starting point for your basic training. Master these and you can then move onto the other, more advanced knots.

The post 7 Knots Every Firefighter Must Master appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/knots/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/12/7-knots-every-firefighter-must-master.html

source https://catherinelee4.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/7-knots-every-firefighter-must-master/

Low Angle vs. High Angle Rope Rescue: A Simple Guide

Technical rescue is a big part of the fire service, and there are surprising differences between low angle and high angle rescue rope rescue.

If you are in the process of applying to join your local fire department, you may have noticed that they have a specialist division in their operations for rope rescue. Furthermore, you may see this split into two distinct categories of low-angle and high-angle rope access.

If you are unsure what this means, and the difference between the two, don’t worry. This isn’t something that you are expected to know as a rookie in the fire service.

However, new firefighters are encouraged to become certified in both because these skills can be highly valuable. So, what does it all mean?

In this guide, I will look at the differences between low-angle rope access and high-angle rope access. I also want to talk about steep-angle rope access because this is a term you may come across at training centers or in other guides.

I will briefly explain what each version of rescue involves and the situations where you might have to use them.

I will also talk more about the training courses on offer and the different skills that you will learn. By the end, you should see that not only are these courses more comprehensive than you might expect, they really do provide essential certification for a lot of firefighters.

Low Angle vs High Angle Rope Rescue: what’s the difference?

Let’s start with the low angle rope rescue.

This is where there isn’t that much of an angle at all. Typically, this will be classed as an angle of between 15 and 35 degrees. But, there is still a descent that you need to overcome in order to reach victims or to get equipment into place.

Now, obviously, nobody will be measuring the angle of a drop to a precise angle before the get started.

You can get a rough idea when you access the scene and determine the right approach from there.

This is by far the most common type of rope rescue and many firefighters will find themselves using the equipment or part of a rescue mission involving it at some point.

Here rescuers will find anchors for the rope where they can use a form of pulley system or other leverage. The rope system doesn’t do much other than act as a balancing aid or a support system.

There are actually many different situations where you might have to use these skills. A common occurrence is car accidents.

Often firefighters will arrive at an accident when the vehicle has gone off the road and down into a low ditch. This can make things very difficult for crews to not only retrieve victims but also to deal with the wreckage.

Another example is when people fall down a slight incline in the forest or other landscape and can’t get out on their own.

What is high-angle rope rescue?

As you would expect, High angle rescue means an ascent or descent that is much higher and steeper. Generally speaking, this means anything considered to be 60 degrees and higher.

This is incredibly steep by comparison.

While firefighters will be able to ascend and descend slopes in low-angle incidents without the use of ropes, this isn’t going to be the case here. This immediately brings a whole new approach to executing the rescue.

This time you have to be ready to secure the ropes to strong anchors, connect to the ropes in a safe manner and rappel down to reach those in need.

There is also a greater reliance on the hauling and hoisting equipment with a greater distribution of weight onto the system.

These situations are much more dangerous because the rescuer is in almost as much peril as the victim of the accident. Health and safety are essential here.

There are lots of potential applications for this high-angle rope rescue. Those that work in rural or coastal environments will find themselves using these skills on sheer cliff faces and similar drops.

This way firefighters can work with search and rescue teams to retrieve those that have fallen and injured themselves. There are also industrial applications here with work in major structures like a tower, fuel tanks, wind turbines and more.

This is where you will see more than just a 60-degree angle. These incidents may require a direct vertical descent where firefighter have to either climb up or lower themselves down to victims.

High angle rescue skills are also essential in mining incidents. Here there are other risks involved with low visibility and health and safety.

What is steep-angle rope rescue?

The final type of incident is the steep angle rescue. As you may have noticed, there is a bit of a gap between the low-angle and high-angle definitions. Some cases are too extreme and difficult for low-angle strategies because of the steepness of the slope.

But, they aren’t as extreme as that 60 degree or more high-angle situation. This is where you get steep angle rescues. In steep angle rescues, the angle of the slope is closer to 35-45 degrees. The equipment used for steep angle rescues is different as there is more pressure on the rope and you may need to secure patients onto boards to hoist them up.

No firefighter should go into an incident that is at this sort of angle if they have only had training in low-angle solutions.

Those that have gained their high-angle certifications should be able to adapt. However, there are some training centers that will provide courses specifically for steep angle responses.

This can be helpful because it can provide new ideas and methods, potential with different equipment. This can then expand your options when it comes to dealing with the real thing.

How to become certified in rope rescue

There are many training academies and similar facilities that will offer training in rope access, and many fire academies will teach the basics.

The nature of low angle rope access and the incidents that you will deal with means that it is essential that all firefighters take a low-angle course pretty early on in their careers. Failure to do so could mean that you lack many of the essential skills to handle major incidents on the road other basic rope work.

The courses aren’t just about the practical strategies for using the ropes in rescues. There are other considerations too about the safety of all those at the scene and the terrain.

The more you know, the better able you be to handle situations on-call or as problems develop on-scene.

Later on, once you have mastered the low-angle rope rescue, you can work on getting your certificate in high-angle rope rescue. This isn’t such a priority for many departments because the work isn’t as common.

However, it helps to have these skills under your belt because you don’t know when you might need them.

Furthermore, there will be departments that work in rural or more mountainous areas that see a greater need for this sort of training. If you are stationed near a popular hiking route for instance and you know that many search and rescue or EMT jobs may require additional high-angle rope skills.

Fire departments are also encouraged to send a few of their staff members that have gained this experience with rope rescue to another, more advanced course.

Rope technicians have a higher level of certification and a greater amount of knowledge on the subject. Having a few of these individuals in a department can be a big advantage depending on the volume of calls.

If rope rescue work is common, especially difficult work in cliff rescue or industrial structures, these team members can act as supervisors.

They can take the knowledge learned on their technician course to oversee strategies and help if there are any complications. It is more cost-effective than having the whole team take the course.

But, departments do need to ensure that there are enough of these so-called rope access “gurus” to cover all shifts – just in case.

What will you learn during these rope rescue courses?

There are many aspects to these courses to give firefighters the full spectrum of knowledge on the subject. Those that attend specialist rope rescue training facilities may learn a little more about different systems and considerations.

The first thing that you need to know is how to raise and lower the rope, the types of pulley systems and the best way to secure them. This will vary between low and high-angle rope incidents because of the angle of the drop, the weight distribution of the rescuer and patient and the height.

These systems also require a good knowledge of the right knots for the situation at hand. In another guide on this site, you can see some of the most common knots that all firefighters need to know.

This will prove to be useful in these situations. Those that work in a high-angle situation will also need to learn how to rappel down sheer cliff faces and buildings on the rope to reach people in need.

Understanding the angle and the anchors for the rope also means understanding the terrain of the accident site.

What can you use as an anchor for the ropes, while sturdy parts of the landscape will prove to be of help and what could be a hindrance? Is the nearby tree going to take the strain of the rope and the patient? Is the rock liable to fall and cause damage or injury?

Scene safety assessments are a crucial part of this job. You can’t rush in to try and save the patient in record time if it might put people at risk.

You also have to consider the safety of the rest of the crew and yourself during the incident. This means making sure someone is able to assess the terrain and weather conditions to make the right calls.

Is it too wet and windy for a plan to work? Is snowfall or the snow on the ground a risk factor? You can’t be too cautious or too alert to different variables in this sort of situation.

Safety also means understanding how best to deal with an immobilized patient that needs to be hoisted to safety.

There are correct ways to secure them on the right equipment and lift them without further risk of injury. This is where EMT and Paramedic training can also prove to be useful for a firefighter working in these situations.

Once you reach the scene of the crash or the injured patient on the ground, you have to be able to provide the right first aid and to ease pain, support any broken limbs or damaged necks and then get them on to the board to be hoisted up.

Low-angle and high-angle rope skills are essential

Don’t assume that you won’t have to deal with any of these incidents during your time in the fire service just because you work in a quiet area or in a city.

The truth is that you never know what accidents and disasters will occur in your jurisdiction.

Therefore, you don’t know when this sort of training could prove to be of use. The more skills that you learn as a firefighter during your early years, the more of a commodity you become for the department.

It is always better to have a rich skill-set that is barely used than to come up short when the worst happens.

Low-angle rope access calls really are more common than you might suspect. Make the most of any training opportunities that arise to learn more about this skill so that you can help out in those vehicular accidents and other calls.

The courses will offer so much more than just technical skills. They will help you with your health and safety skills and much more.

From there, take the time to add high-angle rope access certification to your list of goals. If you are in a rural department that deals with more search and rescue incidents than average, make it a priority.

The post Low Angle vs. High Angle Rope Rescue: A Simple Guide appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/rope-rescue/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/12/low-angle-vs-high-angle-rope-rescue.html

source https://catherinelee4.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/low-angle-vs-high-angle-rope-rescue-a-simple-guide/

Fire Department Bugles: A Simple Guide

If you’ve ever seen a firefighters badge you may have noticed what looks like bugles, but what is the history and meaning behind fire department bugles?

Every fire crew member has a defined place within the service as part of a strong hierarchy. Each rank has its own badge with different symbols. If you are new to the firefighting profession, or about to apply, you may be interested to know what the different badges mean.

What are those items in the image and why are they called bugles? How many can you wear and where did the image come from?

In this article, I will provide a quick guide on the subject to help clear up some of the confusion over the symbol. Yes, technically, they are trumpets rather than bugles and, yes, we will debate the correct term for a long time to come.

I want to look at the significance of the item, rather than the name, with its role in communications and as a status symbol in the service. From there, I will discuss some of the ways that you’ll be wearing bugles on your uniform.

What is a “bugle” anyway?

First of all, I need to point out that some people do have a problem with the use of the term bugle to describe the instruments used – both those used on-scene and those depicted in the insignia of a firefighter.

If we want to be technical about it, firefighters haven’t ever used bugles in the traditional sense.

Bugles as musical instruments were, and in some cases still are, used in military settings. The items used in the old days of firefighting were actually speaking trumpets.

But, that doesn’t have quite the same impact and grandeur, does it? They are traditionally known as bugles and I will use both terms as is appropriate in this guide.

The history and meaning behind fire department bugles

Communication is essential between firefighters during a major incident. Not only does everyone on scene need their initial instructions, but they all also need to be able to talk to each other during emergencies.

There are a lot of things that could go wrong during an operation in the blink of an eye and everyone needs to adapt in a safe, cohesive manner.

Radios are a good starting point for instructions from superiors to those in the fire or in the trucks. Hand signals are also essential in the fire when it is too noisy.

It is hard to imagine a time without radio communication. Our radio allows us to warn others about dangers in a building, talk strategy and signal in distress.

Two-way radios are a part of every fire truck to gain instructions enroute to an incident and to make sure that all units are on the same page.

In recent decades, this technology has progressed considerably with digital models with less interference. But these devices are a fairly modern idea. Two-way radios only made their way into all stations across the country in the 1950s.

Before that, there was a reliance on telegraph systems instead. Large fireboxes with cables and keys would send out coded messages to stations to alert them about fires and call for assistance.

Stations would train operators to give and receive the messages, but there was no way to communicate with trucks.

This also left no way of communicating between firefighters on the scene of a fire. However, early crews from the 1800s had the right idea.

Previously, those in command had no choice but to shout instructions to firefighters before and during the operation.

The best way to do so was through a speaking trumpet. Think of it a little like an old-fashioned megaphone with no way to amplify the sound of the voice but the shape of the conical structure.

They worked well enough for attracting people to circus events and attractions, so they would be enough to relay instructions to the crew.

It might sound comical to us now to image this occurring at a major fire. However, you have to remember that there wasn’t much else available back in the 1800s.

So, what does this have to do with the bugles on firefighter badges?

It is all about the chain of command. Don’t think about the bugle so much as a communication device these days but as a symbol of superiority and ranks within the fire department. (Click the link for our guide to the ranks and structure of fire departments)

It isn’t about the instrument that was used to amplify those instructions but the rank of the man doing so. The trumpet used during these calls would always stay in possession of the officer in charge.

It was his responsibility and typically hung from his neck alone.

In many ways, it was a symbol of his superior rank. As status symbols go, it does help to have something big and loud that you can show off.

Today, there is a similar chain of command. Every firefighter follows the orders of their lieutenant and makes sure to follow all instructions as they develop at the scene.

That said, there are also stories about fire department speaking trumpets being corked up for used as drinking vessel or used as a makeshift weapon in times of conflict.

But then, this was the 19th century so they probably weren’t as strict on drinking on the job or about their conduct.

Some of these tales may be exaggerated for effect. But, you have to imagine that a large blunt instrument like a speaking trumpet could be useful when dealing with potentially violent members of the public – or potential violent firefighters from competing stations in some cases.

Ceremonial presentation trumpets also emerged.

The significance of the trumpet evolved with time and there were two different types created. There was the plain trumpet that was used for day-to-day work with the service.

There was no point in embellishing this trumpet too much if it was little more than a functional tool and there was the potential for damage.

Then there was a more ornate version referred to as a presentation trumpet with much more intricate detail and designs. These were awarded to personnel like medals of honor to commemorate the duties of that officer.

Sometime companies would also use them as prizes in competitions with other departments. You may see some of these items in cases in your fire department if they are great historical or sentimental significance.

The development of the iconic bugle for firefighters

In time, that symbol of superiority would go to be used on the badges of firefighters to signify their rank within the department.

The strict hierarchy of the fire service, with all its different ranks, means that firefighters on each level can showcase their position with their own badge or insignia on their uniform.

When you get promoted through the ranks, it is an honor to earn a new badge that depicts this achieve and to wear it with pride.

Firefighter:

If you think that you are going to get to wear a bugle on your uniform once you become a fully qualified firefighter, then you’re out of luck.

Some probationary firefighters may hope that they will get to have one as a symbol of their graduation into full service. But, this isn’t the case.

You see, firefighters don’t historically have any need for a bugle. They were the tools of commanding officers only. So, it makes sense that you would need to be promoted further to earn that badge.

Lieutenant:

You don’t actually get to wear a bugle on your uniform until you reach the role of lieutenant.

As you rise through the ranks as a firefighter, you gain more trumpets on your badge. In some ways, this single bugle on the uniform of the lieutenant is perhaps the most significant as it best reflects the original speaking trumpet.

The lieutenant has much the same role, guiding his crew and giving instructions on how to deal with the situation at hand. A real speaking trumpet would be highly impractical these days, so it is nice to have one stitched into the fabric as a reminder of this duty.

Captain:

A captain has two bugles side by side like gold bars.

This shows a simple progression in the system where you get an extra image on your badge to signal your promotion. At this point, it all makes a lot of sense. But, from there, it can get a bit confusing.

Battalion Chief:

Some battalion chiefs will have three bugles, this time crossed over in a star-like shape. Others will have two crossed bugles instead.

The design depends on the hierarchy in the department and the number of other officers between them and the fire chief. If there are still other assistant chiefs and other, higher roles than the two crossed bugles will be used.

This means that you don’t have the same number of bugles as your superior. But, the crossed design shows that you have progressed above Captain.

If there is no-one between the chief and the battalion chief, then the battalion chief could have up to four crossed bugles.

This will all make sense within a department but can look odd when you see battalion chiefs from different departments side-by-side.

Fire Chief:

The fire chief is the last one in the ranks and therefore has the most bugles on their uniform.

The chief will have five bugles, and this is the absolute maximum, which is probably just as well as five crossed bugles look more like a star than a series of bugles.

On that note, some personnel may not wear fire department bugles at all, they may get stars instead.

Not all firefighters wear bugles

The use of stars means is that you may not get to wear a bugle until much later. Or, chiefs may decide that lower ranks get bugles and higher ranks get stars.

Also, in some department’s stars are used to depict years of service. Where I work, the stars are stitched onto the sleeve of your class A uniform and each star indicates 5 years of service.

There has also been another interesting debate in recent times about the direction of bugles on the badge.

It seems that some captains have handed out badges with the bugles horizontal and many firefighters cannot understand why that would be the case. They should point straight down.

In most cases, these badges are sewn into the uniforms of firefighters. It is safer and more cost-effective to have these fabric badges and it also allows departments to spell out the rank of the firefighter in clear letters.

This is better for those on-scene that might not be familiar with the crew and need to locate the right people in a hurry.

There are some cases where firefighters will get to wear a badge that is a more formal pin. This is where we see those decorative shapes with the bugles molded into brass. They look much nicer and are most often used on dress uniforms.

Finally, the significance of the fire department bugle for you as a firefighter or hopeful will depend on your aspirations within the fire service and the approach of the department you work for.

You may be in a department that is proud of the tradition of the bugle, still uses that name and awards them on promotion right through the ranks. They may even have the real thing on display somewhere.

Or, you may be part of a department that discarded the term bugle long ago and focuses more on stars on their badges. If it is the latter, you could soon find yourself in line for a promotion where you get to proudly wear one of these bugles/speaking trumpets on your uniform.

Whatever the current viewpoints of your department regarding bugle and your potential for wearing them, you have to admit that the history of the bugle in the fire service is interesting.

Not only do we have an antique tool that led to the evolution of communication devices, but that simple trumpet also became an iconic symbol for the fire service.

The captains of the 19th century probably would never have guessed that in the 21st century we would be casting fire department bugles in bronze and arguing over their name.