Join some of the crew March 8-9 at the South Carolina Fire Academy. Southeastern Fire School is a weekend for firefighters to really come and test there skills. So you think you can Search? Come prove it under some adverse and live fire conditions. Sign up now a few more weekend spots available
Final Southeastern Brochure (2)-1.
Undoubtedly this post will take a lot of heat from the jumpseat heroes who " Just Gotta Get in There ". It appears that while firefighters are working very diligently in keeping the " Culture of Extinguishment " Alive, we continue to encounter another problem. On our Fire Ground today agencies are getting smarter and using more Auto/ Mutual Aid to provide for better staffing on the scene; However our on scene management is one that is going to lead to serious INJURY OR DEATH! Firefighters are continuing to rush into structures seemingly not realizing the potential problems they cause. So let's look at them.
Over Crowding- While operating in a 1200 Sq Ft ranch how many firefighters are needed to search and conduct fire attack? At best 8 firefighters to fulfill interior roles of Attack Line, Back Up Line, Search Group unless you have multiple divisions. So why must the entire 16 out of 20 firefighters " Just Gotta Get IN". In the given scenario if a hostile fire event takes place and firefighters need to retreat what is the likely hood o them all getting out? In dwellings with multiple divisions and even below grade settings, how much weight is being added to the flooring systems?. If using PPV as your ventilation tactic how much air flow are you really getting? Firefighting last I checked is not a reaction profession but yet a thinking and problem solvers profession, that requires common sense and skill. So the next time you " Just Gotta Get In There " Hold Your Position! Think are you benefiting the overall outcome of the operation are you just looking for some " Tactical Entertainment "
How many of you think accountability is about tags and passport systems are in place then you have accountability?
Well, that's a start. First is accounting for your personnel. Whether you are an all volunteer, combination or all paid department, the collection of tags or Velcro names is only the beginning. Establishing good accountability starts with documentation and communication. With documentation you need to have written down somewhere who is doing what. Next should be where they are at. You need communication for this. CAN (conditions, action and needs) reports are essential in establishing effective accountability. Having an idea where your crews are at are no longer acceptable. In the event that you are in a department that works day in and day out, then your communication may vary, due to predetermined assignments or functional tasks. For those departments that are either all volunteer, combination or departments with a diverse mutual aid/automatic aid, then communications are a must. Many say, well our department uses PAR (personnel accountability reports). How often is a PAR conducted? 10, 15 or 20 minutes? How far and/or deep can you go? Does the IC really have a good grasp on the interior crews location? Remembering that battalions that constantly work together may be more efficient and less communication may work better for you. How is this accomplished, you may ask? This is accomplished by having multiple engine & truck companies strategically placed throughout the city that does not rely on mutal/automatic aid. Most of these departments inundate the scene with personnel and apparatus with predetermined assignments. With multiple Chief Officers and aide's on the scenes, the ability to track crews effectiveness is a lot easier and may allow for less communication. This may sound odd or against what the article states, however it works and works quite well.
The reason for communication from the interior to the exterior and from exterior to the interior is when the Command presence has the ability to change on a daily or call-by call basis. This allows for the policy/procedures to easily be followed, benchmarks to annotated and conditions change to be observed and relayed and allowing the operational aspect to flow more freely by using communication. How often do you practice (not routine) normal fireground communications? Just remember, communication will aid in your overall accountability. Fast food restaurants use pictograms to ensure a quality product. This doesn't happen every time, but don't we owe our brother's and sister's the right to get it correct everytime? We don't have the opportunity to take our issue (sandwich) up to the counter and ask for a new one or a re-do. We have to get it right the first time and that starts with accountability, which comes with communication.
Describe your incident's operations
1. Size-Up
2. Line selection and why
3. Building Construction
4. What is the smoke telling you
5. Layout your strategies
The Fires are being used as a training opportunity, and not to bash the agencies or the firefighters in them. If you can't contribute in a positive manner, than you need not comment.
Describe your incident operations
1. Size- Up
2. Building Construction
3. Smoke reading
4. Line selection
Layout your incident operations.
There seems to be a lot of discussion surrounding Positive Pressure Ventilation again. When and When not to use a Fan ( Blower ) well Before we get into all of that let's look at a few other things.
1. Just because you have watched Youtube videos or your neighborig FD's have one or some does not mean you know how to use it.
2. These fans can be a tool of Serious Injury Including Death if not ttaking account of Rule #1
3. The Fan ( Blower is only as good as your people nd their training ) No tool has ever made the firefighter, they make the tool.
4. An Equal or Larger exhaust opening needs to be open and the path for the air flow established prior to starting the Fan.
5. Busting out all the Windows in a strucutre and having no way to control the ventilation opening leaves the Fan ( Blower ) Useless
6. You as the firefighter standing in the Airflow path are limiting the amount of ari really reaching said area ( Get out of the way )
7. The Bigger Fan goes in the door way and the smaller one seals the opening.
8. NPV Fans can not be used as PPV they do not provide enough CFM's
9. The ventilation has to be done in a systematic approach, you can clear every room in a structure at one time.
10. Yes PPV can be used in conjunction with Vertical Ventilation.
11. You should has a good understanding of smoke reading before deploying PPV as a tactic.
Now with all that said the greatest key is actual hands on training which can start at the firehouse with some paper cut into strips to learn how to direct the air flow, and how much air flow your fan ( blower ) can really produce. It's a start.
Contraindications to using a Fan ( Blower ) as Written by Brian Arnold Fire Engineering 2009
A- Attic Fires
E- Exhaust opening too small
I- Imminet rescue ( If you can't control the smoke 100% )
O- Overpressurized Occupancy ( Due to increased interior temperatures )
U- Unable to locate the fire
Also the most basic of principles if you do not have charged handlines ready to deploy DON'T START THE FAN! Fire departments must take the time to conduct evolutions when incorporating PPV and/or PPA into their fire attack. If you are not sure contact your local or state fire academy for assistance. Also as you educate yourself you can use the link below:
www.postivepressuretraining.com
As we take a look back at 2013, the fire service has lost many brothers and sister's in the LODD from responding to calls, medical emergencies, structural collapse, wildland fires and apparatus incidents to name a few. We have lost brother's and sister's to job related cancer. So, let's all take a moment and remember those who were taken from us and honor their sacrifice.
We have seen research and data come to the forefront in the fire service, which of course will bring change to our tactics and strategies, along with Fire Service myths broken. Technology is constantly evolving and changing our toolbox. Our most fundamental firefighting skill and valuable resource still requires hands on aggressive, educated and intelligent firefighters.
So I encourage everyone out there to take classes, read an article, research, network and pass on your knowledge. Honor the past, respect the tradition and be a productive and integral part of the future.
As we go forward into 2014 and being a part of the greatest profession the world has to offer, hone your craft, take pride and pay it forward. Be safe and remember your Firefighter Basics. Happy New Year!
-Training38
With the new year rapidly approaching, I was reminded of my lackluster record of posting lately (You know who you are). Of course, this hasn't been for a lack of great training subjects, but more from a re-focusing of my time into other personal priorities. With that being said, I thought it a great opportunity to ring in the new year with a topic that is near and dear to me, which I feel is worthy of discussion with you fellow brothers and sisters.
Since drill school, we have all had the "Importance of Accountability Speech," and of course are constantly reminded to maintain our accountability of our troops, as officers. We've all heard the recommended span-of-control remains at 3-7 with 5 being optimal. Blah, blah blah… We've also been impressed with such terms as "Level 2", or "Level 3" accountability for certain larger, or more complex incidents.
These are items that I feel most of us would have no problem explaining to a stranger, or before an assessment board for a promotion. Where I want to pick up, is where we reinforce to our subordinates the importance of also accounting for our officers. This sprang out of the last incident which I had the honor and pleasure to respond to. We were the first engine company on the scene of your typical 2 1/2 story wood frame, at about 1:00am, with fire showing from the first floor windows, with smoke coming from the second floor windows. No other sign of fire existed, and nothing else stood out as remarkable. Immediately, after giving my size-up and directing my crew with a few basic strategic orders, I went towards the front of the building, searching for the occupants to hopefully be waiting outside, or maybe hanging in a window, awaiting rescue. Seeing neither of these, and with no indication that the house was unoccupied, I made the decision to make an aggressive attack of the fire, and to get a crew to the upper floor to do a search. My crew, along with the first-in ladder company and second-in engine proceeded to attack the fire, and made great progress on the first floor. Once the heavy fire was knocked down in the front living room, I directed my nozzleman to hold fast and protect the staircase, while I was gonna crawl a little further in, and check with the TIC for any hidden pockets of fire, or possible victims on the first floor. I never made it more than 10 feet from his location, when I feel through a weakened section of floor, which had collapsed under my weight. Unfortunately for me, I didn't go all the way into the basement, and had supported myself halfway-in and halfway-out of the hole. I immediately went through my emergency procedures, declared my MAYDAY, activated my PASS Device and awaited either my nozzleman to come and pull me out, or some company that was working in the area to get me before a RIT would ever get a chance to enter the building. Neither of these things happened, and I was suspended over this hole (which I believed was caused by an un-seen basement fire, so I did NOT want to end up down there) for approximately 5 minutes, before I was able to self-extricate. (In hindsight, there was no fire in the basement, and the glow which I saw was the smoldering floor joists) Now, I am not going to get into Rapid Intervention, Saving Ourselves, or any of those topics, because there are plenty of great posts on this website, and it gives me ammo for another post someday.
What happened to me is more common that one might think. Firefighters are always taught that their officers will always watch over them, and not to run-off or freelance. As officers, we are all taught to watch over our guys like they were our little children. (And if not, maybe we should). The biggest issue is that reciprocal "watching over the other guy," mentality that we have to instill in everyone who's working on the fireground. We can sector a building or a fire off, and maintain that span-of-control and have that direct accountability to a senior officer. Actually, if we follow the purest form of ICS, this is what we should be doing; and establishing "Divisions," for this same reason of accountability on the fireground.
When I spoke to my nozzleman after this incident; first he had an overwhelming feeling of guilt that he had for losing me, and not being able to help. After comforting him, and telling him that it was not his fault, I explained to him my deficiency for not training my crew in keeping accountability of everyone (Including me!) and also went into a small discussion on Crew Resource Management (CRM). Another great topic of discussion. I mentioned to him that when I tapped him, and told him that I was going to do my search that he had given me a positive acknowledgement, so that was why I went forward. He believes that he may have gotten caught up in the moment, or believed that I had already returned. Either way, we need to instill in our firefighters the urgency in making sure that messages are communicated clearly, and should be repeated for clarification; along with everyone needs to be expected to keep an eye on everyone.
The job of an officer is challenging enough, but maintaining their crew is by far the most important, in my opinion. Firefighters have to feel comfortable that their superiors have their needs at the forefront while conducting dangerous operations, and that they will not lose them. On the flip side, we as officers need to also remind our crews that they need to watch our back and keep us in mind as well. When you pin on you bugles, you don't magically become fireproof, or invincible; we still need the help of our most precious resource…our crews. So, please chew on that for a little bit, and let me know what you think. Thanks again, and may all of you have a happy and safe New Year!!
As most at this point in the year start really taking inventory of their lives, what to be thankful for, New Years Resolutions. Have you taken the time to do a Fire Life Inventory? Fire Life Inventory yes! Does not matter if you are Paid or Volunteer are you happy with your career? Where do you want to be? Do you have the drive to achieve it? Do you have what it takes to fulfill the duties of the role?
Too often in the Fire Service I hear the excuse of this person or that person is holding me back, when the truth is the only person holding you back is YOU! The realization is that you have to put in more than you wanting back. More and more I hear firefighters say I just do my 24 and go home. How is that professional? When a doctor has a tough case that they are trying to solve, do you think they just go home a do nothing? This is the difference maker in being where you are and where you want to be. The firefighter that beat you out for that promotion is not always because they are in the right crowd, its because they wanted it more. While you were sleeping or wasting time they were studying, training,or getting drilled on the skills necessary for the next level. Being a Firefighter is the Greatest title any of us could ever have, and with that said; Have you taken inventory of what that really means? I encourage everyone to inventory their Fire Life to see where you are and decide where you want to be.
Now the most important part of our Fire Life is giving back. Give back to someone newer than you. If you are the newest person prepare yourself to give back what you have been given. Be proud of your department,company, and yourself. Starting now instead of finding reasons not too, find reasons too. My hope for all is that this year kicks off and unprecedented year of training in the Fire Service that is so overwhelming we can't keep up with the opportunities.
Remember Brothers/Sisters that training is your responsibility! Your department is going to most likely give you what's required and maybe something new, but you have to make that commitment to yourself, family, company, and community to be the best you can be. I look forward to your postings of your Success and God Bless you all in 2014. Nozzles and Hooks up! Remember too Keep it Basic.
When you ask someone what does "bread and butter" mean, you usually get a reply into what type of structure you normally respond to. We train or simulate training around these types of calls. How many times have you witnessed the deployment of the pre-connect/crosslay get totally screwed up on these so called " Bread and Butter" incidents? Improper postioning? Poor ground ladder handling? Water Supply? The lack of forward thinking? So the the question I am asking is your career "Bread and Butter"? Career, why you ask did I mention career, there are those that we surround ourselves when we want to have a good firehouse discussions. There are those who will get up and walk out of the room. These are typically the same ones who give 50% in training and 110% in fantasy football. They invest 50% into their careers and 110% into a hobby or counting down the clock until their shift ends. They are the ones who stray away from from "street smart" tactics and hold onto antiquated methods. So are they buttering our bread? Are they training as if their life depended on it? Probably not. So be careful on those "Bread & Butter" incidents and train harder, sweat more, pass on what you know and engage those who are 50%'ers. Make those individuals uncomfortable in training and make them competent in those areas they shy away from. They deserve it, their family deserves it and so does you and your family deserve it.
Firefighter Basics is a dedicated group of firefighters who strive everyday to practice what they preach about Training, Safety, and Tradition.