Coffee Table Quick Tips: Vol. 2 - Issue 20

Door Chocks: From the Front Door to the Fire Floor

There are two (2) trains of thought regarding what tools and equipment firefighters should store in their gear and keep on their person. The first belief is that one (1) of every item below the kitchen sink should be maintained at all times and the other belief is to keep it to minimal accessories.

Regardless if your stance leans towards keeping tools and equipment simple and stupid in your gear or if you are literally leaning to one side due to your left pocket being the bunker pant equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, keeping an abundance of door chocks is imperative. 

This week's Coffee Table Quick Tip derives from an Engine Boss I worked under when assigned back-step on an Engine Company in Middlesex, CT. The Lieutenant was a firm advocate and promoter of keeping a complement of door chocks on your person at all times with each having a specific purpose while operating on scene.

For multi-level units (apartment complex, hotels, etc.) you are bound to encounter an abundance of doors starting from the main entrance and up to the fire floor that will needed to be forced, entered and stretched through. His tip of maintaining a minimum of 5-7 door chocks in the pockets of your gear proved to be both effective and efficient when faced with these scenarios for the purpose of chocking the following: 

- The door from the street into the lobby or foyer.

- The door from the lobby or foyer to the interior stairwell.

- The door from the interior stairwell up or down to the passage hallway.

- The entry door to the fire unit involved.

- If applicable, any interior doors encountered within the compartmentalized unit involved.

(any additional chocks could also be implemented with the application of forcing the doors and/or controlling water flow of active sprinkler heads prior to the rise being isolated)

Door chocks are small in nature which allows for them to be carried without increasing your profile or adding additional unwarranted weight. Should they become lost or left behind at a scene, they are inexpensive due to being made from dunnage or comprised of molded plastic and can easily be replaced. In addition to preventing doors from cutting off your egress paths or pinching off water supply to handlines, door chocks are also versatile due to their ability of being utilized for other fireground aspects such as forcible entry and property conservation.

AB Turenne is a 25-year veteran of the fire service and is currently the Captain of Training and Safety with a career department in Middlesex County Connecticut. As a Certified Level III Fire Service Instructor, AB's training curriculum has proven to be conducive with the operational needs of those he teaches and in turn has improved the human capital knowledge of many. A graduate from the Master of Public Administration program at Anna Maria College, AB has continued his efforts in training and education by contributing to the Fire Engineering Training Community.