Dave McGrail

Profile Information:

Lives in:: Denver, Colorado
Department:: Denver Fire Department
Title/rank:: District Chief
Years of public service:: 26
Agency structure:: Paid fire department
Topics you provide training for:: High-Rise Firefighting
Standpipe Operations
Engine Company Operations
Truck Comapny Operations
Fireground Strategy & Tactics
Command and Control of Fires and other Emergencies
Areas of expertise:: Student of Firefighting... Working to become an expert...
Bio:: Dave McGrail is a 26-year veteran of the fire service and a District Chief with the Denver Fire Department (DFD). As a Captain, Dave served as the company commander of DFD Engine Co. 3, and then Rescue Co. 1, two of the DFD’s busiest fire companies. He instructs internationally on a wide range of fire service topics, specializing in high-rise firefighting and standpipe operations. He is the lead instructor for the engine company (standpipe) hands-on training (HOT) at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, FDIC West, Sacramento and Los Angeles, and FDIC East Atlantic City. He was a keynote speaker on United States high-rise firefighting operations, at the Fire and Emergency Services Asia (FESA) Singapore, 2005. He is a member of the FDIC and FDIC West Educational Advisory Boards and is editorial advisor and contributing editor for Fire Engineering Magazine. He is the author of the new book Firefighting Operations in High-rise and Standpipe Equipped Buildings published by PennWell (Fire Engineering Books and Videos) in 2007. Dave holds two Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Fire Science Technology and two Bachelor of Science Degrees, one in Human Resource Management, and the other in Fire Service Administration.

Comment Wall:

Josh Materi

Thank you for the Great Class at FDIC.

Aug 26, 2008
Mike Walker

Ch. McGrail

I am so pleased you have joined this site. I started a High-Rise group a while back and I would love it if you would add to the discussions and start discussions. I love your book and have used it to help develop the High-Rise SOP in Oklahoma City. I hope to be in one of your classes at some time in the future because High-Rise tactics are fascinating to me. Thanks for your book.

Sep 10, 2008
Erich Roden

Hey Bro,

How's things?

Sep 18, 2008
Dave Anderson

Hi Chief,

Glad to see you joined the sight. What a great high rise class at FDIC this year. With the help of the information you gave me, we are about to transition to 2.5" hose for high rise packs. I purchased your book at FDIC this year and it has been a big hit around the firehouse. Thanks.

Sep 24, 2008
Jeff Parsons

Cheif McGrail, the brothers from Idaho Falls were in Colorado Springs for the Memorial...they tried to look you up but must have missed you. We just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how much we value your training and your efforts. We thoroughly enjoyed the training for the Eastern Idaho Fools last spring, and look forward to seeing you again in the future....thanks again....jeff
Braithre Thar Gach Ni - Fir Na Tine

Sep 28, 2008
Daryl Liggins

Hey Friend, See you next week!

Oct 7, 2008
John Barrett

Hey Chief,

Would you mind taking a look at www.honortheirsacrifices.com and then contacting me?

Thanks,
John

Oct 14, 2008
doug rice

Chief, Thanks for coming out to Modesto last week. That was the third time I've been able to hear you speak and I get more out of it everytime. The after noon of hands on training was some of the best training I've had in a long time and hopefully if you come out again it can be longer. Thanks for all you do. Doug Rice.

Oct 30, 2008
Tom Hofland

Chief,

I see that you will be visiting us in Seattle this winter. I know that you have a busy schedule to keep but the boys and I at Ladder 4 would like to invite you over for dinner at the fire house on the evening of the 10th. I’m sure Captain Gagliano will take care of you but I would like to extend an invitation personally.

Thank you for taking the time to come out to talk and share with us despite the rain.

Tom Hofland
robert.hofland@seattle.gov

Dec 26, 2008
Jimmy Adams

Hey bro good to hear from you as well. Hope everything is good in Denver as well.
Jimmy

Jan 13, 2009
Chris Piepenburg

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

Feb 6, 2009
Bruce Clark

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

Feb 7, 2009
Brett Cartuyvelles

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

Feb 11, 2009
Dave Anderson

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

Feb 24, 2009
Eric

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.

Mar 24, 2009
Eric

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

Apr 23, 2009
MARK MCLEES

Chief Dave-
Wonderful keynote- sorry that I could not hear it in person- the internet is good for somethings! Stay safe

Apr 28, 2009
Mike Walker

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.

May 3, 2009
Art Zern

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

May 3, 2009
Nick Morgan

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

May 4, 2009
Justin Keller

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

May 28, 2009
Joe Meyer

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

Jun 7, 2009
Richard Lafortune

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?

Jun 16, 2009
Todd McKee

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

Jul 23, 2009
Mike Walker

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....:)

Jul 24, 2009
Nick Morgan

Hi Dave,
I'm reading your book on Hi-Rise and Standpipe equipped buildings and really enjoying it. I'm back in a district with numerous older structures such as these, so the timing is perfect. Hopefully I can catch up with you at FDIC in 2010, I'd like to talk with you more about firefighting and preplanning in these structures.

Have a great and safe 2010!
Nick

Jan 1, 2010
Art Zern

Chief,

I'm having trouble locating an elbow with gage, Do you have a supplier or do you use a regular fitting with gage and add the elbow? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Art

Jan 14, 2010
Dave McGrail

Hello Art,

Happy New Year. Great to hear from you...

As for the SP Equipment, I recommend a separate Elbow, Akron Brass, #630 I think that's the #... And a separate SP Inline Pressure Gauge, I recommned Red Head Brass, #125...

I don't know of any Elbow / Gauge combination out there...

Any other questions, e-mail me at dmcgraildenverfd@msn.com

Stay Low Brother,

Dave Mc.

Jan 14, 2010
Mark Sicuso

chief-

hope all is well!! be safe brother!

Jan 18, 2010
Joe Pantaleo

Chief, really enjoyed talking high rise with ya in St. Charles IL the other day. Thanks for coming out! I took alot back home with me. Keep fighting the good fight, brother, and thanks again!

Feb 25, 2010
Ty Clinton Eidam

Chief,
I would like to know which 2.5" nozzles Denver Fire uses and where to purchase them.
Thank you,

Ty

Mar 8, 2010
Greg Wyant

Chief I am looking for a hose pack for 2 1/2 that deploys eazy. I have been talking to some brothers with the F.D.N.Y also just trying to find the best for my dept , it has been a long battle to get them to agree to switch from 1 3/4 with turbojets to the 2 1/2 with solid stream so I want to come up with the best option out there.

Apr 14, 2010
Fred Bramston

Thanks for your quick reply Dave, much appreciated!
The on-line article is below with the relevant section copied and pasted below that.
Actually I can a benefit of having the male inside in that the hose can be fed from the shoulder when dispersing it, making it a faster lay, however having the butt already connected may cause difficulty where it would then be next to, and banging against, some part of the body when placed over one shoulder. This of course can be obviated by having a firm grip on that end of the bundle. Thanks, and sorry my first contact with you is over an "issue". -Fred

http://www.fireengineering.com/index/articles/display/61584/article...
The high-rise hose pack should be assembled in the following manner:
Photos 1,2,3. Starting at the male coupling, measure 32 inches from the outside of the male coupling up the hose. With permanent black ink, mark the 32-inch mark (32"H/R) on both sides of the hose for future use. It is preferable that at least three firefighters be used to assemble the hose pack, to keep it as tight and as compact as possible.
Photo 4. At the 32-inch mark, make your first bend in the hose, and return back down to a point just short of the male coupling. Do not go past the coupling; this will keep the hose pack small and compact. (Going past the coupling with the hose will make the hose pack fat and bulky at the ends.)

Jul 22, 2010
Stephen Savoca

Hi Chief, i had the pleasure of attending FDIC in 2009 , one course i attended was High- Rise Operations which you were the lead instructor. The training i received was eye -opening. Prior to the trip to FDIC my departments High Rise equipment consited of 1 3/4 attack line, and automatic nozzles. Soon after returning to my department we changed all our High Rise attack lines to 2 1/2 with smooth bore nozzles and continue to train in High Rise Operations as i was taught @ FDIC. I am a frequent visitor to firenuggets.com and would like to personally thank you and the training staff for providing the invaluble training i received in Indy. Thanks 2nd Asst.Chief Steve Savoca

Jul 3, 2011