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Dave McGrail's Comments

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At 4:45pm on October 21, 2009, Jeremy Williams said…: We are currently revamping our departments High Rise SOG. Long story short during training of stretching hose in an uncompromised stairwell we were reinforcing looping your nozzle section up the stairwell above the fire floor. During this we have come across an officer who states that "we never stretch an uncharged hose line above the fire floor." Of course I am not an officer and I happened to be doing the training the date this statement was made, lucky me. I am pretty up on my knowledge and took in the comment and tried to refer him to your book and articles primarily the 'stairwell stretch', but was un successful. He insisted that no matter what the situation, even in an uncompromised stairwell, we never stretch and uncharged hose line above the fire floor. I agree with the officer in certain situations his statement is true, but not in this one. I was looking for you opinion/view if you get a chance. Thanks.
jeremy.williams@norfolk.gov

At 9:31am on October 20, 2009, Chad Powell said…: I read your book on ops in standpipe-equipped bldgs. Great book. I am seeking your opinion about standpipes to help settle a debate. NFPA 14 indicates there are 3 classes of standpipes. In your book you have a fourth class listed. Do you feel there really are four classes or were you simply indicating that a class 4 standpipe is simply a misnomer?
Chad Powell
DAHC@juno.com

At 6:30pm on July 24, 2009, Mike Walker said…: Okay big problems in OKC...
The officer whom you had convinced to try smoothbores has decided to take them off his rig because he and his crew are now convinced it is because they put the smoothbores on their Engine is the reason they don't make fires anymore....:)

At 2:49am on July 23, 2009, Todd McKee said…: Hi Dave!
Could you contact me regarding coming to my firehouse and speak? My email is toddcmckee@yahoo.com. We are located in Central Ohio. I spoke to you the night before my class at FDIC at the FE booth. Thank you
Todd McKee

At 8:03pm on June 16, 2009, Richard Lafortune said…: Hi Dave,

One of my friends from MontrealFD is looking for SOP's about Highrise firefighting. He's been at the FDNY highrise symposium rhis year and he realised that we are far away from other FD about operations, As an example, as soon as we get in a highrise our first goal is to evacuate ALL the building, i mean ALL.
So we're trying to review all our method and adated it to new approch.

My first questions is would it be possible to get a few SOP's to evaluate methods from other FD?

Thanks for your help!

Another question, can he get in touch with you?

At 10:20am on June 7, 2009, Joe Meyer said…: Chief,
Just finished reading your book,reaaly enjoyed it !
Also seen your speech by web at FDIC wish I could have seen you in person !
I' m intrested in your work out program using highrise buildings.
Do you have a set program ? Do you complete it in turn out gear or gym clothing ? On air or off air .
What type of excercises do you add with the program ( as in the book. push ups btw floors )
I also agreed with and enjoyed your ideas on using 2 1/2 hose.
My department still believes 1 3/4 can be used for everything ! You know the salesman from Task Force tips says we get 225 gpm with 1 3/4 hose and a task force tip ( Yea Right)
We use have 2 1/2 ' hose now only 1 3/4 for handlines 3 " and 5 " for supply lines!
What do I know,I;m a lowly Captain !
Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon !
Joe Meyer gobucks6@juno.com

At 9:36pm on May 28, 2009, Justin Keller said…: Hi. I watched a FDIC online class that I think you taught on High rise fires. You showed test your department did to prove the use of the 2.5" handline. It was presented in a chart form. I was wondering If I could get that information. I am having a hard time convincing the higher ups we should really consider this. Thanks for your time, hope to hear from you. This was the only way I could find to contact you. Thanks again. Justin Keller jkvette719@sbcglobal.net

At 3:05pm on May 8, 2009, Brian Arnold said…: Hey Chief,
Great speech in Indy! You look like your having waaaayyy too much fun doing it though. I thought all chiefs were supposed to be grumpy! lol I'll be blowing into town on the 19th-23rd for the god son and his sister's graduation in breck. Really wanted to try and get a ride along in but don't think I can swing it this trip. Can I get a Rain Check?
Stay safe brother,
Brian
PS-try and keep Scotty in line, would ya?

At 11:08am on May 4, 2009, Nick Morgan said…: Hey Chief,
Great presentation at FDIC. I bought your book, can't wait to read it. Lot's of similarities between our two FD's.

Stay safe!

Nick

At 10:46pm on May 3, 2009, Art Zern said…: Chief,

Thank you for your dedication, insight and willingness to give back to the service. I really enjoyed both your keynote and small venue talks at the FDIC. Your willingness to speak about incidents at home without dragging your colors through the mud was refreshing and important.

Your continued discussion regarding complacency, laziness and the belief that it won't happen today really hit home with me. I have been on the same track for some time and with your additional insight, I have continued to have this discussion while teaching the Fire Officer series in Illinois.

Thank you for your continuing contribution.

Art

At 9:52pm on May 3, 2009, Mike Walker said…: I listened to your Keynote on the web. Great job brother. Hope all is well with you and yours. We'll finish the department's High-Rise training next week. You will never know how much I appriciate what you and your guys did to help.

At 8:34am on April 28, 2009, MARK MCLEES said…: Chief Dave-
Wonderful keynote- sorry that I could not hear it in person- the internet is good for somethings! Stay safe

At 8:07pm on April 23, 2009, Eric said…: Hello chief, I am still trying to gather information of the LODD of Mark Langvardt. I was hoping to get the Fire Engineering article and also a photo of him. Please email me if you can help. Thanks again.
kirbyshag@aol.com

At 8:53pm on March 24, 2009, Eric said…: Hello Chief, I am in a Fire Science class in Providence Rhode Island and need some information on the LODD of Lt. Mark Langvardt, more specificly details about the fire itself. I was hoping you could help me out. I can be reached at the following email address. Kirbyshag@aol.com
Thank you in advance for you time.

At 12:32am on March 11, 2009, Lou Wilde said…: I look forward to seeing you again in Maple Ridge in May. I hope you had some success with the jig for packaging your HR packs.

Lou

At 8:46pm on February 24, 2009, Dave Anderson said…: Chief McGrail,

I can't wait to hear your keynote at FDIC! I agree that training is the best way to keep away from complacency. I purchased your book last year after taking your standpipe class and we find ourselves going through the book almost every shift. It has helped our attitudes and our readiness to fight high rise fires. I look forward to seeing you at FDIC this year. Take Care.

Dave

At 6:17pm on February 12, 2009, Kristopher Holien said…: I was in your class in Seattle yesterday. Your messages, not only about High Rise Fires, but about the Fire Service are RIGHT ON! Thanks for the great class and the insight.

Stay Safe Brother!

At 10:17pm on February 11, 2009, Brett Cartuyvelles said…: Chief McGrail,
Our city is getting our first true high rise buildings and have been using your book as a guide for equipment and tactics. We are putting standpipe packs together and are having a difficult time finding the straps that were used in Denver. What do you use? Where can we get them? Any other suggestions for a Department just starting down this road would be appreciated.

Brett

At 10:17am on February 7, 2009, Bruce Clark said…: Dave,
Nice job with the FDIC Online lecture. I've attended your classes at FDIC and have your book, but I still seem to pick up information each time I hear your lectures.

Be safe,
Bruce Clark
PBCFR 33

At 1:44pm on February 6, 2009, Chris Piepenburg said…: Hey Chief, I caught your lecture yesterday on standpipe ops, great information as usual! I have seen the new Elkhart PRVs in the Landmark Residential Building in our district. Thanks for the info and am always looking for more!

Chris

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