Fire & Emergency Careers, And Fire Safety Info/Expert Profile


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Dominick G. Kasmauskas

U.S.
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Expertise

Former NFPA Fire Service Section, Director, Executive Board. NJ Certified Firefighter, Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, Haz Mat Instructor. Volunteer Firefighter since 1974, Capt. Lieut. and President. National Fire Academy Fire Officer II certified. Presently a Regional Manager for the Natl Fire Sprinkler Assn and a certified fire protection specialist and a certified code enforcement official in NY State.

Experience in the area

Various awards and citations. My oddest "call" was at my company picnic, in a remote area, when someone at the picnic had heart failure. While trying to perform CPR I was also giving directions to ALS and BLS to get to the scene. Every alarm is an accomplishment.

What do you like about this subject?

The dynamics of firefighting and the progression of fire sprinkler sytems in commercial and residential construction. The progression of these safety devices is making this job safer for firefighters each year.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

My greatest hope is to spread the word of SAFETY and relying on your training. Firefighters cannot and must not take the easy way out or cut any corners. Each "call" you are dealt a hand of cards and you have to play what you are dealt. You can't cheat without putting someone's life in danger in this business. Profess Automatic Fire Sprinklers.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

There are many avenues for free education depending on your State and local statutes. If every building had "competently installed, properly operating fire sprinkler systems" we would rarely ever have a structure fire. How many lives will this save? How many firefighters will still be alive or healthier? "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure."

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

There is a saying in the Fire Service, "200 years of Tradition unimpeded by progress." Fire Sprinklers in all new construction is the way to go. Firefighters, as fast as they are, cannot get to a fire faster than a fire sprinkler. We must learn to accept change in enhancing our education plus writing and following standard ops procedures/guidelines, and following generally accepted practices.

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    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
simon11/03/0910101010 
Lena09/24/0910101010Thank you - that is a start .....
Carlos09/21/09101010It is good to get an outside .....
Eric08/12/0910101010Great tips on where to get started .....
ellen sinaiko07/31/0910101010thanks for the wonderful and really honest .....

Recent Answers from Dominick G. Kasmauskas

2009-11-16 Age requirements:

Greg~ Very noble. Some states and cities have had lawsuits barring age restrictions (usually at 35 at time of application or 35 at time of hire). Succesful lawsuits for cities that are open

2009-10-31 fire alarm - always exit building?:

Simon~ How is a person to know it is a "false alarm"? Having all occupants exiting the building immediately is always in order when the fire alarm activates UNLESS notification ahead of time is made of

2009-09-24 fire safety careers:

Lena~ I'm not sure of differences in pay scales, but there are many areas of fire protection to become involved with. Fire sprinklers, fire alarms, special hazards, etc. If your friend is familiar

2009-09-14 AFFF foam:

My initial opinion is to consult the chemical or chemicals' MSD Sheets to make sure none are reactive to water or water-based fire protection methods. Also, make sure that AFFF is the foam you need. AFFF

2009-08-31 New Fire commissioner:

Carlos~ Sorry in the delay in responding...trying to get some opinions from my network. A proactive website is good for the community and the department. If anyone has ever said, "they don't tell us

 

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