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Hoarding Conditions - "Outside the Box" Size-Up
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2016-08-07:1219672:BlogPost:631429
2016-08-07T17:26:50.000Z
Will Heiney
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/WillHeiney
<p>Every time your company hits the street whether it's for a fire call, ems run, or training opportunities almost always present themselves to identify potential hazards in your area. This is especially true for hoarding conditions. As discussed in the previous post many size-up indicators of hoarding conditions can be easily found especially with contents that seem to "flow" from the structure. However no two scenes are ever the same, especially in differing urban and suburban environments,…</p>
<p>Every time your company hits the street whether it's for a fire call, ems run, or training opportunities almost always present themselves to identify potential hazards in your area. This is especially true for hoarding conditions. As discussed in the previous post many size-up indicators of hoarding conditions can be easily found especially with contents that seem to "flow" from the structure. However no two scenes are ever the same, especially in differing urban and suburban environments, and the potential for hazards including but not limited to hoarding conditions is limitless. In suburban environments for example a home can be set back from the street well into the property with no curbside view of the home. In urban cases you may only have a small apartment that might present with just a one or two window curbside view in a myriad of possibilities of construction and legality. Combine any scenario with the fact that many occupants go out of their way to hide the mess they have literally built up over the years and you may not have the obvious indicators previously discussed. How about signs of recent occupancy in these cases or a neighbor on scene that states they haven't seen the occupant "in a while"? The use of pre-planning and knowing your first due response area inside and out can pay dividends. Every time you arrive at an incident whether its a working incident, medical or a simple public assist take in everything around. En route, during and after the incident you may observe conditions or hazards that may be worth mentioning or investigating pertaining to the current incident or for pre-planning measures. Being on scene for an incident you may have access to a better view of a neighborhood or piece of property that you might not have otherwise had access to, take a moment to capitalize on that for any potential incidents in the future. </p>
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<p>Although a single photo can only provide a one dimensional view to a multi dimensional scene, the photos below were taken as great examples of some "outside the box" Indicators to present hoarding conditions and signs of a high probability of current occupancy.</p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Photo 1</span>: Common New England inner city "2.5 wood" apartment, side charlie view of the fire escape.</p>
<p>In this photo a few hoarding condition indicators stand out in the rear of this building, however all of them could easily be missed if a thorough 360 size-up is not performed. It takes only a moment and we gather the following from just one brief look at this side of the structure. For a start we see that most if not all of the windows blinds and drapes are closed, even on the rear side of the structure. Obvious random assortments of clutter including luggage and cleaning materials are blocking access and egress to the fire escape, as well as adding to forcible entry concerns. Also just from a one dimensional perspective based on the photo, there are no leaves on the trees, if this is a colder time of year the chances of someone moving out and cleaning the property are minimal. The time of year would be easier to gauge for the actual companies operating on scene but is something to keep in mind. All of the mentioned Indicators and the possibility for present hoarding conditions should be relayed to the companies operating including the IC.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558370612?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558370612?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Photos 2 and 3</span>: Common New England inner city "2.5 wood" apartment alley view</p>
<p>The next two photos show signs of hoarding indicators as well as signs of present occupancy. Whether you're performing your 360, your company is stretching an attack line, or your aggressively throwing ground ladders to the building be on the lookout for indicators such as these. Note the out of season mulch and yard supplies piled next to the structure covered in snow (although not a strong indicator by itself it should get you thinking). The household extension cord is casually being run from the exterior socket up the side of the apartment building and into a window to provide illegal power. It is difficult to see into the windows either from them being blocked off or covered and that several windows are in disrepair. Together these are strong indicators of not only present hoarding conditions but also most likely signs of occupancy as well. Members operating on the exterior need to relay this information to companies operating within the structure and to the IC as soon as they are found. Any time hazardous conditions such as these are found they need to be reported to your Fire Marshals Office or relevant authority as soon as possible to mitigate any life hazard. The use of pre-planning, medical and other non-fire related emergencies are common ways to come into contact with indicators such as these. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558370718?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558370718?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Below: Note the extension cord entering the covered window of the illegal occupancy.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558373764?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558373764?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Photo 4</span>: Suburban neighborhood single family home with known hoarding conditions.</p>
<p>This home had actually suffered severe damage as a result of fire in the early 2000's. Operations were severely hampered by hoarding conditions. After the incident the property underwent a cleanup process, however hoarding conditions were found to be present once again years later on an unrelated emergency. In the photo below we see out of season snow removal shovels and materials as well as clutter on the front step that almost looks path like. The front window is open revealing clutter filling the living room. Working around the side of the house we notice clutter such as trash and random traffic cones stacked near the garage and rear of the home. Vines are also seen growing on the front, side and rear of the home and garage area. Most notably a late model van in disrepair packed full of clutter is parked in the driveway with grass growing around the tires and a ladder leaning against the drivers side indicating that it hasn't been used in a long time and is probably only used for storage. Take the time when arriving on scene to observe vehicles on or leading to the property, if they are packed with clutter, most likely the structure may be as well. </p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558376881?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558376881?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>As discussed the use of pre-planning and training within the communities we serve are some of the best opportunities we have as firefighters to see what awaits us on the street. These opportunities include a larger understanding of the challenges we might face as well as the ability to develop a tactical plan for target hazards within our communities. Target hazards in this case being structures with known hoarding conditions. Take a moment to get out and about in your response district to look for some of these indicators of hoarding conditions for your next company training. Use that time to discuss the individual dangers of each property you might find, discuss a strategy with your crew based on those findings. If possible make a note in your CAD or dispatch for any further incidents with what your crew came up with. This ensures other companies can share in and be made aware of your findings during a future incident and you can refer back to information as time goes on. </p>
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What Is Happening to Firefighter Passion?
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2016-03-04:1219672:BlogPost:626628
2016-03-04T16:35:23.000Z
Adam J. Hansen
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/AdamHansen
<p> As a young kid growing up in suburban America, I like most of you, developed an unexplainable desire to become a firefighter. The sound of the federal blaring down the street would draw me to the front window every time the local engine company went on a run. Firefighters and firefighting was something that seemed bigger than life! When you stop and think about it, it’s crazy so many of us knew exactly what we wanted to be when we grew up; even before we knew how to count to…</p>
<p> As a young kid growing up in suburban America, I like most of you, developed an unexplainable desire to become a firefighter. The sound of the federal blaring down the street would draw me to the front window every time the local engine company went on a run. Firefighters and firefighting was something that seemed bigger than life! When you stop and think about it, it’s crazy so many of us knew exactly what we wanted to be when we grew up; even before we knew how to count to ten. Like most, my mom and dad would tell themselves, “it’s only a phase, he’ll grow out of it”, but obviously they were wrong. With each year that went by, my love for the fire service only grew as I continued to really learn what it meant to be a firefighter.</p>
<p> In my heart of hearts, I truly believe most people who join the fire service, do so with the initial goal of becoming the best firefighters they possibly can. Probie’s speak so passionately about the life they are entering. How they want to dedicate their entire life to becoming the best firefighters imaginable. They use words like tradition, pride, honor, courage, and integrity. I mean come on, have you ever heard a probie on their first day say, “Yeah it’s kind of cool, I’ll try this job out and see if I like it.” Hell no!!! In the probie, you see a reflection of yourself; exactly how you were the day you were hired. When new members come on this job, it’s a very honest and refreshing experience for all of us. We are reminded of how awesome it felt when all of our hopes and dreams finally came true. With one single phone call from the Chief, or whoever had the honor of welcoming you to the fire service, your life was forever changed from that moment forward. When you stop to think about it, we’re really talking about some pretty powerful stuff.</p>
<p> This leads me to a question that’s been bothering me for quite some time. What is happening to so many of our firefighters passion for the job? What happened to the new firefighter who couldn’t wait to go up to the academy; the firefighter who was so excited to see what company they would first be assigned to; the firefighter who used to get to work an hour early; the firefighter who was so proud to wear the uniform that let everyone know the name of their new family; the firefighter who, besides for the birth of their child, just experienced the greatest thing imaginable, an invitation to join the most elite fraternity on earth? </p>
<p> What is happening to the passion of our firefighters? The firefighter who once had the feeling of “just hitting the lottery”, now feels as though his job is only a job, and the fire service somehow owes him/her something for just showing up. To that I say, “That’s a bunch of crap”. If we choose to tolerate those feelings and attitudes and let them become “the norm”, than that is a huge failure of us as individual firefighters, but more importantly a failure of our beloved service.</p>
<p> I am by no means implying this problem applies to all firefighters, not at all. There are many “passionate firefighters” still out there, currently on the line, working day in and day out on fire departments throughout our great country and throughout the world. We all know who these firefighters are. If you are one of these “passionate firefighters”, then this article is especially meant for you. Even more, than the firefighters who have lost his/her desire for the job. It is the “passionate firefighters” we need to be part of this conversation. It is you who needs to assist in finding an answer. It is you we need to help discover a way to prevent our fellow brothers and sisters from abandoning their job. It is you we need to help find a way to preserve this great brotherhood we call the fire service.</p>
<p> At face value, this simple question seems to be one that would demand a simple answer. However, after embarking on this mission, I have found the answer to be anything but. I have proposed this question of “what is happening to firefighter passion”, to members of many departments, spanning all ranks, from private all the way to Chief of the Department.</p>
<p> The answers I have received, which many times were given as a combination of the following: <b> </b></p>
<p><b> “Oh it’s just a generational thing.” T</b>hese young firefighters coming on the job today aren’t made the same as firefighters of generations past. Millennial’s are lazy, spoiled, selfish, and arrogant. In days past, a young firefighter had to work hard to prove themselves in order to gain the respect of their fellow brothers. Young firefighters today feel as though the fire service owes them something, simply for just showing up and wearing the T-Shirt. In other words, it’s the “me generation”.</p>
<p><b> “All the true firefighter’s are gone”</b> Throughout the history of the fire service, senior firefighters were just that, senior firefighters. This was the firefighter who had twenty to thirty years on the job. The firefighters who, not only knew their job and took it seriously, but had the experience to back it up. The firefighter who, if you messed up, would be the first to let you know but then would take you under their wing and show you exactly what you did wrong. The firefighters who was the first one up from the breakfast table to start chores and “set the tone of the day”, and the firefighters who never had a problem putting in the extra time to teach a young probie who had a thousand and one questions. Simply put, the firefighters who led by example. It appears that many, not all, veterans in the fire service today are “SINO’s” (Senior In Name Only). They will be the first to tell you how many years they have on the job and they are the senior firefighter of the station, but will refuse to pass along any knowledge or information they have acquired throughout their tenure. If someone has the time on the job, but refuses to step up and lead, than that does not make them the “Senior Firefighter”. It strictly means they were hired before you, period.</p>
<p> “<b>We don’t get as many fires as we used to”</b> Long ago, the fire department was just that, a “fire” department. The bulk of the calls were fires and we happened to cover those “other calls” when needed. Young firefighters would go to the academy with images in their head of a firefighter being Kurt Russell charging through a doorway with a small child in hand, coat open and all. Don’t lie to yourself; if you’re reading this article, you know you’ve seen the movie at least a few times. Young firefighters would go through the process of getting hired, thinking they were going to be at work every night crawling down a smoky hallway; Mattydale in hand. Only soon to find reality is being crouched to the floor at 2:00 am with a blood pressure cuff in hand, for the third time that tour. To be a good firefighter is much more than charging into a burning building and putting the wet stuff on the red stuff. Being a good firefighter means putting your all into every aspect of the job, no matter how big or small. It means checking your truck just as thorough on the third tour as you did on the first. It means taking pride in your training and stretching lines with your crew as you would at a working fire. It means staying up on recent near misses to avoid tragedy striking you and your crew. And yes, it also means treating nice old Mrs. Smith, who fell from her bed again, just as nicely as you would your own grandmother. The members I’ve seen retire with reputations of being great firefighters wasn’t because they knew how to work a hose line, while extremely important, it was due to the great pride they took day in and day out with all aspects of the job.</p>
<p> <b> It’s everyone else’s fault. </b> It’s the Chiefs fault we have this new S.O.P. which contradicts how we’ve been doing it for the past 50 years. It’s the Commissioner’s fault we haven’t had a raise in two years. It’s the alderman’s fault we have to drive this old pumper that’s scene better days. It’s the public’s fault for not understanding what a “true emergency” is. It’s the other shifts fault for not cleaning out the fridge on the last day trick. It’s everyone else’s fault but our own. When a firefighter first comes on the job, they could care less if they are riding in the oldest truck in the city or the one that was just delivered from the factory. I’m not saying we shouldn’t care about our livelihoods and our safety, not at all. We need to be champions for ourselves. We need to educate our local politicians as to the safety features of our gear, the benefits of different apparatus, and the importance of proper manpower. If we don’t, no one else will. The problem is that many of us don’t harness our concerns properly. Sitting around the kitchen table complaining day in and day out will never solve anything. As like most of you reading this article, I too, have been sucked into these never ending conversations at the coffee table. The conversations that point out a problem but never actually try to solve it. The conversation that simply turns into a session of whining and complaining, without ever actually trying to solve the issue at hand. Eldridge Cleaver said it best, “If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.</p>
<p> <b> It’s no longer a team effort. </b> The fire service was once where everyone worked together in order to accomplish the mission. Today it seems as though many are out for individual glory. After a fire, members will tell you how great they did flaking out the line and running it up to the seat of the fire. While in the same breath, be sure to inform you of how the other firefighter was fumbling around masking up at the front door. When a young firefighter or lower ranking officer comes up with a great idea, which could serve the betterment of the whole department, it immediately gets shot down. Why? Simply put, the idea didn’t come from someone with more bars on their collar. We are so quick to judge and demean others in an attempt to make ourselves look and feel better as individuals. I’ve heard and scene stories of firefighters and even officers screaming at probie’s on the scene of a fire simply because they were “not doing it right”. I say shame on any senior firefighter and especially any officer, for yelling at a new guy, because the task wasn’t preformed up to their expectations. Last time I checked, a firefighter was a direct reflection of their officer. If the firefighter isn’t performing up to the standard, than it is the officer’s fault for not teaching them the proper way. It is up to the senior firefighter and officers to mentor and encourage fresh young minds in the fire service. We need to build their confidence and ensure they will become great firefighters, not yell and shatter all of their self-esteem. Individual companies and entire department’s are only as good as their weakest link. We need to help improve our weakest link in order to make our company and department successful.</p>
<p> While embarking on this fact-finding mission, other explanations of why firefighters were losing their passion did come up, however, it was these five that were continuously being repeated. With every firefighter I spoke with, this list of five was of real concern, and each member felt these issues had serious contributing factors to the overall problem in some way or another.</p>
<p> When you become a firefighter, everyone tells you, you will never be rich, you will miss many of your kid’s baseball games, and you will have many of sleepless nights. But with those drawbacks, come along a thousand and one reasons why it’s the greatest job in the world. The firefighter who helped provide answers to this question, made me realize the answer is anything but simple. On the contrary, it is one that is extremely complex. My intentions are not to solve this problem with one simple article and wrap it up nicely in a bow; that is not my intention at all. My hope is to start a conversation. This concept of firefighter passion may not be as sexy when compared with topics like firefighter safety and survival, or forcible entry, but it is one, which is essential to the basic survival of our beloved fire service. If we lose the drive and love for our job, then all of the training and educating on strategy and tactics will be futile. I think the old saying, “It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle” is extremely important to this conversation. If we allow our beloved fire service to become just another job, then we will be failing all of the generations that came before us. We need those who haven’t lost the love for the job, the “passionate firefighters” to help in finding a way of retaining the pride and integrity of our life style and to our fraternity. We must keep our family together.</p>
The Nob,The Pipe, The Tip, The Nozzle
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-12-27:1219672:BlogPost:623805
2015-12-27T16:27:53.000Z
Douglas Mitchell, Jr.
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/DouglasMitchellJr
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>The Sunday Preach:</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span> </span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>The Nob, The Pipe, The Tip, The Nozzle.</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span> </span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>The 'Nob' requires someone to operate it. Most firefighting nozzles require approximately 8 pounds of force applied to the bale to open the nozzle for water delivery. While obviously this is not a feat of enormity, the nozzle…</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>The Sunday Preach:</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span> </span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>The Nob, The Pipe, The Tip, The Nozzle.</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span> </span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>The 'Nob' requires someone to operate it. Most firefighting nozzles require approximately 8 pounds of force applied to the bale to open the nozzle for water delivery. While obviously this is not a feat of enormity, the nozzle firefighter may however be required to overcome many obstacles in their quest to deliver water to the fire area.</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span> </span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>Here are a few challenges the nozzle firefighter must take into consideration (extrapolated from pg. 152-153)</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span> </span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>~Assess fire conditions and recognize changes (pos and neg)</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>~Utilize the reach and penetration of the hose stream</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>~Maintain enough hose in front of you to be able to maneuver the nozzle in all directions in front and over head</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>~Be creative in finding relief to absorb nozzle reaction (pin line to ground, leg on top/slide advance, pin to hip, use furniture, walls etc). You may not have the luxury of a talented backup firefighter.</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>~Know you companies brand of nozzles, capabilities and limitations.</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>~PUSH IN - Attack the fire and eliminate the problem.</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span> </span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>As a great mentor Lt. Andy Fredericks was quoted to say: "if you put the fire out in the first place, you won't have to jump out windows"</span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span> </span></div>
<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span>While successful fire extinguishment is a team event, only ONE FIREFIGHTER has the nozzle... EVERYONE is counting on you!</span></div>
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<div class="_209g _2vxa"><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367338?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367338?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></div>
Firefighters & EMTs Struck by Vehicles in 2015
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-12-17:1219672:BlogPost:624484
2015-12-17T15:49:52.000Z
Jack Sullivan
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/JackSullivan
<p></p>
<p>2015 has not been a good year for Firefighters and EMTs working at roadway incidents. As of today there have been nine (9) firefighters and/or EMTs struck and killed by vehicles in 2015. That is the highest number of fatalities from struck-by-vehicles that I have tracked over the last 15 years. "D" drivers are hitting our personnel and our fire apparatus with surprising frequency. "D" drivers are distracted, drunk, drugged, drowsy, disgruntled and/or just plain dumb. They outnumber…</p>
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<p>2015 has not been a good year for Firefighters and EMTs working at roadway incidents. As of today there have been nine (9) firefighters and/or EMTs struck and killed by vehicles in 2015. That is the highest number of fatalities from struck-by-vehicles that I have tracked over the last 15 years. "D" drivers are hitting our personnel and our fire apparatus with surprising frequency. "D" drivers are distracted, drunk, drugged, drowsy, disgruntled and/or just plain dumb. They outnumber emergency personnel by a large margin when we are working a roadway incident scene. <br/><br/>The highway is one of the most dangerous places for emergency personnel to work. Crash scenes are especially troublesome. There are things you and your fire department should be doing to reduce the chances of a struck-by-vehicle injury or fatality. Lots of resources and training aids are available (for free!) through <a href="http://www.respondersafety.com">www.respondersafety.com</a>. There is even an online Learning Network with a dozen modules about every aspect of roadway incident safety. Subjects include Blocking Techniques, Advance Warning, PPE, Scene Safety, Special Hazards and several other modules available 24/7 to fit your schedule. <br/><br/>I've been invited back to FDIC 2016 to present a classroom session on this important topic. I'm sharing information and Highway Safety Tips through social media on a regular basis. I've taught classes and interactive workshops nationwide. We have worked hard to get the highway incident safety strategies and tactics out to firefighters and EMS personnel over the past 15 years. We're going to aim some of our efforts in 2016 at the average everyday motorist and the "D" drivers. They are the next piece of the puzzle. What do you suggest we should do to help change the behavior of motorists around emergency incidents? Blocking apparatus with Flashing lights, florescent and reflective chevrons, Hi-viz PPE, cones, flares, signs and arrow devices don't seem to be enough to get the attention of drivers who literally are not even looking out of the windshield in many cases. We're always looking for suggestions and local programs that are working that we can share with others. What is your FD doing to reduce this exposure?</p>
<p>Here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year. Stay Smart and Stay Safe!</p>
<p> <br/>#FDIC2016 class promo about "Roadway Incident Safety - The Hits Keep on Coming" - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zt6mL7MN0I">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zt6mL7MN0I</a></p>
<p>Jack Sullivan</p>
Forcible Entry: Overhead Sectional (Garage) Doors
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-12-14:1219672:BlogPost:624470
2015-12-14T21:58:59.000Z
Chad Menard
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/ChadIanMenard
<p> There are many times throughout the year that we respond to structure fires in both residences, and commercial occupancies that have garage or overhead doors. These doors can challenge crews that are gaining access into them if they’re not familiar with how they work, how they’re made, and what cuts to make. Regardless of whether we’re gaining access for interior operations, defensive operations, or just to open it up for means of egress; we need to know how they operate, how…</p>
<p> There are many times throughout the year that we respond to structure fires in both residences, and commercial occupancies that have garage or overhead doors. These doors can challenge crews that are gaining access into them if they’re not familiar with how they work, how they’re made, and what cuts to make. Regardless of whether we’re gaining access for interior operations, defensive operations, or just to open it up for means of egress; we need to know how they operate, how they’re built, and what tools and cuts work best.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> There are a lot of various styles of overheard doors, what materials they’re constructed of, and their uses. The most common overhead door we face is the residential garage door and those doors are built with a compartmentalized, or paneled, construction. This means there are individual panels (sections) that are held together<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558362899?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558362899?profile=original" width="265"/></a> by hinges. The hinges are secured to the doors stiles (# 3). The stiles (# 3) are heavier duty steel that runs vertically down the door to aid in holding the panels in place and giving the lightweight metal more strength. If you’re dealing with a more modern door you may also see angle iron bracing that runs horizontally that attaches to the stiles for added strength as well. Your standard residential overhead door will have two outer stiles near the garage doors guide tracks and one in the center (See Figure 1). When you’re cutting these doors you will feel when the saw slows down slightly as it goes from the thinner gauged sheet metal and into the stile or horizontal bracing, remember to keep a constant forward pressure and allow the saw and blade to do the work, faster is not always better when it comes to cutting metal. The other forms of overhead doors can be solid corrugated metal that run throughout the length of the door and aren’t individually paneled or even made of wood.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>SIZE-UP and TRY BEFORE YOU PRY</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>So, now that we have a basic knowledge of your stand overhead sectional garage door; let’s look at what options we have before we even begin to cut the overhead door. The size-up is critical. We should start every single <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365645?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365645?profile=original" width="259"/></a>task we are doing with a size-up, and forcing entry into garage doors is no different. We first want to “try before we pry” and indeed make sure the door is locked. If there is a swinging door next to the garage and the conditions allow; it may be best to force it and then go inside and open the garage door properly. If it’s a commercial roll up door on a storage unit; the external padlock may be the best option. You can cut it and then slide the latch bolt over and raise the door. We can cut a smaller hole near the top of the garage door and use a pike pole or other tool to reach in and pull the release linkage on automatic garage doors and then raise the door. It may be necessary to cut a smaller hole near the guide tracks and reach in and feel for a sliding latch bolt and slide it over to unlock the door. You can see there is more than one way to get into these doors and the quickest and easiest avenue should be taken before you commit to cut the door, but it all starts with knowledge of how they work and a size-up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>WHAT SAW and BLADE CHOICE WORKS BEST?</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p> What tools are we going to use to force entry into overhead doors? I know what you’re thinking; rotary saw right? The rotary saw is a great choice, but it’s not your only one and truly the rotary saw has some limitations. The main one being maneuverability when at full RPMs, weight, and size. When it comes to lightweight metal or wood garage doors; a chainsaw with a good carbide-tooth chain can be very effective. It’s very maneuverable when the RPM’s<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365778?profile=original"><img width="285" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365778?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="285"/></a> are high and it has a deeper cut than the circular saw (depending on bar size). A chainsaw with a standard chain may work for you, but it will only get so far before the chain dulls and you’re left with second options. The circular saw is the strongest and most reliable. It can handle the lightest of doors and the heavier enforced commercial doors. I would again recommend a carbide-tipped blade. The segmented carbide will work flawlessly and will more than likely allow you to complete the whole cut, or cut multiple overhead doors, before you need to replace it. The fiber aluminum oxide abrasive discs’ tend to wear down rather quickly when cutting metal doors and could cause you to stop and replace the disk mid-cut.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>THE CUT NAMES and THEIR PATTERNS</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just like in vertical ventilation, we use several different cut patterns for the conditions we’re up against, and overhead sectional doors are no different. The most commonly taught cut pattern is the <i>Triangle Cut</i>. It has other names such as <i>The Inverted “V”</i> and the <i>Tee-Pee Cut.</i> This is the easiest of the two cut patterns we are going to talk about <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365935?profile=original"><img width="283" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365935?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="283"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558370933?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558370933?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"/></a>because it can be completed with only two cuts. When those two cuts are completed the “triangle” can be laid flat on the ground and allow access into the structure. There is a three cut method for this, but it’s not worth showing in my opinion because it creates the same opening shape and size, and requires you to make another cut across the top. You can eliminate that by using the two cut method and overlapping your cuts at the top, just like you overlap your cuts on roofs. The <i>Tee-Pee Cut</i> is an effective way to gain access into overhead sectional doors but it’s not the best option when you want as wide open of space as possible; either for entering or exiting as working crews or when using defensive fire operations. The larger the hole you can make the better, and for that, you can’t go wrong with the <i>Door within a Door</i> cut. The <i>Door within a Door</i> is a pattern requiring four cuts. This cut sequence will allow you to use the uncut side of the garage door as a “hinge” and swing the door wide open, <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558371157?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558371157?profile=original" width="278"/></a>creating a much larger hole than the <i>Tee-Pee Cut.</i> Although it takes slightly more time to complete; the overall more wide open space is more effective for working crews and for fire attack purposes.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Cut 1</b> is a vertical cut down one side of the garage. You will want to inset this cut about 6 inches so you aren’t running the saw straight down a stile the whole way and stop just a few inches before you hit the ground. <span style="color: #008000;"><b>Cut 2</b></span> is an angular <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558371232?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558371232?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"/></a>cut that overlaps <b>Cut 1</b> and goes towards the ground. This creates a small triangle shape. When this cut is complete it is now necessary to take a tool and push or pull the sheet metal in or out to create a small opening. This opening is for the head of the rotary saw to fit into and make <span style="color: #000080;"><b>Cut 3</b></span>. <span style="color: #000080;"><b>Cut 3</b></span> is a cut that will go through the bottom retainer rail and weather stripping. This will allow the door to swing open when once <span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Cut 4</b></span> is complete. If you want to create a small gap at the bottom of the door for this cut just place a Halligan on the ground and run a long pulling tool under the garage doors retainer rail. When you have the tool in place press down on the Halligan with the pulling tool to create leverage and a small gap will be shown; keep cutting until all the way through. <span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Cut 4</b></span> is your final cut. It is the horizontal cut that will overlap <b>Cut 1</b> and run the width of the garage door. When this cut is complete you can now pull from the cut side towards the un-cut side and use the un-cut side as a hinge. This will create the wide open space we call the “<i>Door within a Door</i>”.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558371493?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558371493?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558374590?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558374590?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>I hope this article aids in your knowledge and understanding of overhead sectional doors. There are many ways to gain access into these doors and it all begins with a good scene size-up and training. The next time you go to your local box stores (Lowes and Home Depot) ask them if they have any slightly damaged corrugated metal and use it to build a make shift garage door, sometimes they will even donate a few sheets. When you have the materials in hand and the doors are built put these cut sequences to work. We will only resort back to our highest level of training when we need it the most.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Stay Safe, and Stay Low!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>-First-In FireFighter</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photo 1 (MDFR Crew): Danny Hammontree</p>
<p>Photo 2 (Saws): Brian Zaitz</p>
<p>Photo 3 (Rogersville Structure Fire): Unknown</p>
<p>Photo 4 (Tee Pee Cut/Door): Ted Corporandy</p>
<p>Photo 5/6: Karl Klotz</p>
<p>Photos of Garage Doors with Cut Sequences: Chad Menard</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Evolution of Health and Wellness in North Carolina’s Fire Service
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-12-09:1219672:BlogPost:623837
2015-12-09T16:00:00.000Z
The First Twenty
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/TheFirstTwenty
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font-size-4">Evolution of Health and Wellness in North Carolina’s Fire Service</span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>North Carolina has always strived to deliver the highest quality of fire training to its emergency service family. Year after year, we remain among the top states for offering IFSAC accredited fire and rescue certification programs. The folks at the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (NCOSFM) have worked diligently to provide…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font-size-4">Evolution of Health and Wellness in North Carolina’s Fire Service</span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>North Carolina has always strived to deliver the highest quality of fire training to its emergency service family. Year after year, we remain among the top states for offering IFSAC accredited fire and rescue certification programs. The folks at the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (NCOSFM) have worked diligently to provide exemplary training to the dedicated men and women who protect and care for our communities. Throughout these endeavors, it came to our attention that perh<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558363682?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558363682?profile=original" width="200"/></a>aps we were overlooking something extremely important- protecting and caring for our own.</p>
<p></p>
<p>According to the United States Fire Administration, 1,050 firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty from 2004-2013. Of these fatalities, 45% were attributed to heart attack. 60% of those who suffered these fatal heart attacks were between the ages of 41 and 60. Even more astounding is the fact that 13.8% of heart attack deaths occurred in firefighters under the age of 40. Clearly this is, and has been an issue plaguing our emergency services nationwide for decades. Staff members of the NCOSFM investigated this data a bit further to discover North Carolina held the lamentable rank of 3<sup>rd</sup> in the nation for losing the most firefighters to heart attack over the last 10 years. We decided it was time to quit talking about statistics and take action.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The topic of health and wellness is a very personal issue.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Take one look around your organization and you will more than likely identify at least one individual whose health may be hindering their performance and/or safety. How do you tactfully address this issue? How does a chief officer advise a passionate volunteer member that he or she should seek a doctor’s approval before continuing to provide service in their beloved community? How do you avoid ridicule when offering yoga or stretching to firefighters as a preventive measure for muscle strains and sprains?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Although difficult to imagine now, when the idea of a health and wellness program for firefighters was first pitched to our state fire training administrators, it was vehemently challenged. Time and time again, our requests were met with the idea that “health and wellness is not relevant to the fire service”. Thankfully, our staff is gifted and cursed with tenacity. As with any new business idea, we knew we needed to prove several things:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. A clear need for the training</p>
<p>2. Tangible interest</p>
<p>3. Positive results.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The first item was easy. The fact that North Carolina loses more firefighters to heart attack each year than 94% of the country is rather persuading. The second and third items took a bit of effort; however, once initiated they proved to be the stimulus for major change.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>The Timeline</b></p>
<p><b> </b><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558364004?profile=original"><img width="400" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558364004?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400"/></a></p>
<p><b>2010</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>We introduced health and wellness “Quick Drills” to our online <a href="http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/RPD/PT/Health_Wellness_Intro.aspx">“Pocket Tools Training” resource site.</a> These “drills” were short, informative, downloadable documents offering tips on fitness and nutrition.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>We developed training videos geared towards a popular firehouse topic: cooking. Our “Healthy Cooking” show featured healthy modifications for common firehouse meals. Utilizing YouTube as a host for these videos, we were able to monitor the activity level and number of views. Fortunately, the numbers provided solid evidence of an interest in health and wellness training.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p><b>2011-2013</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>We developed a 4-hour training course titled “Firefighter Health and Wellness”. The basic outline included: physical fitness, nutrition and emotional/mental health. Staff members used items from home to make classroom props that illustrated significant nutritional lessons.</li>
</ul>
<p> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558364099?profile=original"><img width="400" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558364099?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400"/></a></p>
<ul>
<li>We invited the spouses of firefighters to attend the courses in an effort to encourage social support of healthy lifestyle change. (In retrospect, our initial classes weren’t broadly advertised). Word of mouth quickly transformed this grassroots effort into a widely accepted and demanded course. At that time, we only had one staff member providing this specialized instruction for the entire state.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>Grant funding from the National Fire Academy (NFA) was to expand the program to include additional instructors, visual aids and a psychomotor component related to fitness. This funding is intended to offer NFA certification programs to state organizations.</li>
</ul>
<p> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367152?profile=original"><img width="400" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367152?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400"/></a></p>
<ul>
<li>We identified three NFA curricula that directly addressed firefighter wellness: The Incident Safety Officer, Health and Safety Officer and Department Health and Wellness courses. From those, we designed a week-long program dedicated to fire service health and wellness that included nutritional education, physical fitness education, pre-class workouts, stress management education, access to certified personal trainers and a multitude of health, wellness and safety resources for students to take home.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p><b>2014</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>In 2013, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released revised editions of 1001 <i>Professional Qualifications for Firefighter</i> and 1006 <i>Professional Qualifications for the Technical Rescuer</i>. As part of the NFPA revision cycle, NCOSFM staff traditionally works to update existing certification coursework to reflect changes with the respective revised standards. With the concrete evidence of interest and support for health and wellness initiatives from our state’s fire service, we saw this as an opportunity to implement something permanent.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Oftentimes in our business, it is common to see a trend, phase, or fad float through the ranks. In efforts to sidestep this fate for health and wellness training, staff members proposed <b><i>the addition of an official health and wellness course to our existing firefighter and technical rescuer certification programs</i></b>. In vast contrast to the attitudes of previous, our state fire training administrators accepted the proposal unanimously.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As a result, all North Carolina emergency responders seeking certification as a Technical Rescuer or Firefighter must complete the Health and Wellness course. The following modules are included in the eight hour course:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Lesson One: Injury, Death and Disease Trends</p>
<p>Lesson Two: Physical Fitness</p>
<p>Lesson Three: Nutrition</p>
<p>Lesson Four: Behavioral Health</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Conclusion</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nothing has delighted the hearts of our staff more than receiving emails from firefighters who participated in our program. They continue to cite the positive difference it has made in their health, lives and job performances. Age old wisdom suggests that timing is everything. This was certainly true with our quest to require health and wellness training for North Carolina fire and rescue personnel. It is our hope that through this endeavor, our culture will change towards that of health promotion. Much like the evolution of seat belt use, we hope that future generations of firefighters will see maintenance of physical fitness and healthy food choices as the norm instead of the exception.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>This article was written by Firefighter Functional Training Panel guest blogger Heidi Heavner, NC OSFM. Heidi Heavner is a 15-year member of the fire service. She currently works for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal in Research and Program Development. Her specialties include development of new coursework, revision of existing programs and development of online emergency service training. Heavner holds an Associate’s Degree in Health and Fitness Science and is certified as a personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. Heidi is a Level II Fire Instructor, and holds qualifications in the areas of Live Fire, L.P Gas, and Driver Operator. Heidi can be contacted via email at <a href="mailto:Heidi.Heavner@ncdoi.gov">Heidi.Heavner@ncdoi.gov</a> .</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367210?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367210?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a></p>
Has the lack of "Field Experience" ruined the game?
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-12-01:1219672:BlogPost:624311
2015-12-01T19:00:00.000Z
Fire Chief Billy Greenwood
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/FETC
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558363575?profile=original" target="_self"></a>If you were to walk into any firehouse on any given Sunday, most dayroom TV's will probably have the big game on. Firefighters have their share of die hard football fans who rep the team hats, sweatshirts and jackets of their favorite team. It seems the recent turmoil over NFL officiating has soiled the game most of us love. Sports networks and talk radio shows are a buzz over the…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558363575?profile=original" target="_self"></a>If you were to walk into any firehouse on any given Sunday, most dayroom TV's will probably have the big game on. Firefighters have their share of die hard football fans who rep the team hats, sweatshirts and jackets of their favorite team. It seems the recent turmoil over NFL officiating has soiled the game most of us love. Sports networks and talk radio shows are a buzz over the number of just plain incorrect calls. So much so that I feel the game has now been affected. Games have a new pace..... SLOW. There is a record number of "group huddle" decision making, inconsistent or contradicting calls from two different officials and/or the number of video replays. This has all affected the tempo of the game. These constant start and stops have some teams scrambling to get into a rhythm or flow.</p>
<div class="post-body entry-content"> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a style="clear: left; margin-right: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; float: left;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33qnv72bGew/UGHKIWFNThI/AAAAAAAAAJc/MKt1RRtj-5k/s1600/NFL%2BRefs.jpg"><img width="200" height="152" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33qnv72bGew/UGHKIWFNThI/AAAAAAAAAJc/MKt1RRtj-5k/s200/NFL%2BRefs.jpg" border="0"/></a></div>
In the end, whether it is positive or negative outcome, the players and coaches have been told by big brother they are not allowed to speak about the officials. The challenge we as die hard fans have, is we have expectations on how the game is going to be run... being fair. The fire service is no different, Fire Chief's have an expectation on how the day-to-day and emergency operations are going to be run. If your department has a strong officer development program then the transition of a firefighter to a newly promoted officer goes without notice. But without officer development or mentor program, the transition can be brutal. This is exactly why many are upset at the NFL. They have adjusted the rules and modified the game to make it "viewer friendly" (greater scoring) and ultimately made it safer for the players. What we are seeing now is frustrated players adjusting their mindsets to see what they can and can't get away with. It is no different in the fire service. When we appoint a firefighter to acting Lieutenant or Captain, being passed the badge without proper human behavior and physical preparation will lead to a loss of integrity. Just imagine if tomorrow your entire officer staff was told they are no longer supervising and the firefighters who have never taken an officer development class are instantly field promoted...</div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content"><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a style="clear: left; margin-right: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; float: left;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYAeQQnBW8Y/UGHKuGNR5JI/AAAAAAAAAJo/f2piCSlVae8/s1600/IMG-referee-flag.jpg"><img width="200" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYAeQQnBW8Y/UGHKuGNR5JI/AAAAAAAAAJo/f2piCSlVae8/s200/IMG-referee-flag.jpg" border="0"/></a></div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content">Would the department have turmoil? Would the integrity of the mission, like enforcement of policies, procedures and fire ground operations be effected? Absolutely YES, would you see good intentioned people just winging it? I think so.... the difference in what is going on in the NFL and the fire service is far more similar than one would think. Turnover in the Fire Service and the NFL has promoted new people with the lack of real world experience. Here are just a few examples in the past few weeks of watching the NFL: The refs missed a false start that would have negated the Jaguars final play in a 22-20 last second win over the Ravens; The Seahawks illegally batted ball out of the end zone that denied the Lions a shot at the one yard line; The inadvertent whistle in the Patriots / Bills game negating most likely a touchdown; Same game, Same officials ran the clock out on the Bills last play due to the use of a college rule with a runner falling out of bounds; (18) seconds were allowed to run off the clock in the final minute of the Steelers / Chargers game; The Ravens were denied an eligible receiver on a big call when he clearly checked in with the official. </div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content">The NFL has seen a large turnover in the last (2) years with their referees. (23) new officials to be exact and they have swapped out (20) other officials over the past two seasons. There is NO Substitution for Experience! The NFL's use of the instant replay is also killing the sport. Referees are questioning their own personal calls. You can see it on the field. They huddle to inquire what did you see, and then big brother is always watching now back at NFL headquarters. He has the ultimate say on the instant replay calls and that in turn is causing the "on field" officials to second guess their ability to make the call with confidence and without hesitation. How can any of these new hire officials gain any sort of self esteem, if he or she is constantly being micromanaged by big brother? </div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content">If a non-prepared fire officer leads his or her brothers into an ill fated battle (what I like to call a born loser) the outcome will surely be bleak. When a middle linebacker see's the wide receiver coming across the middle for that pass, two trains are going to collide, if the delivery of that hit has a lack of concern over policies, procedures or enforcement one will likely come up injured or possibly worse. There was a reason that over the past decade the NFL has been protecting quarterbacks, the defense-less receiver and now the kick off return receiver. Because "the integrity of the game" requires the safety of these massive players. The business model of the NFL needs these players, coaches, and fans onboard with their mission. Fire Chief's take note, do not fall into the trap of false expectations on the floor. You must send your soon-to-be fire officers to a fire officer school, seek out fire officer professional development and / or hire instructors to come in. Better yet design an in-house fire officer development program so your industrial athletes (our firefighters and future leaders) are prepared for the expectations of their mission. It can be as simple as allowing the current line officer's to mentor future fire officer's while on duty.</div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content"><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a style="clear: left; margin-right: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; float: left;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NtM0pC9qpM/UGHLrx25xvI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/bQL4zUaTph4/s1600/how-to-become-a-fire-chief.jpg"><img width="200" height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NtM0pC9qpM/UGHLrx25xvI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/bQL4zUaTph4/s200/how-to-become-a-fire-chief.jpg" border="0"/></a></div>
There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting promotional candidates ride in the front right seat on the next automatic fire alarm. Getting a feel for the hot seat under the mentorship of the Lieutenant or Captain. Reading the (MDT) mobile data terminal, assisting with clearing the intersections for the chauffeur's blind spot, signing on scene with a nice windshield report and/or establishment of command. I personally think the preparation of the next line officer is not only the responsibility of the head of the department and the training officer, but the promotional candidate's current line officer as well.</div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content">In my absence, the firefighter on the current promotional list is most likely stepping up to informally lead the troops. It is our responsibility to make sure we don't let the acting officer end up looking like the debacle we currently are seeing on any given Sunday. Because the guys in pin stripes are truly struggling...</div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content"><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a style="clear: left; margin-right: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; float: left;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1-CWi5wnIM/UGHMFRjAarI/AAAAAAAAAKA/JUXR7gZrEdY/s1600/TAP.jpg"></a></div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558363575?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="131" height="141" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558363575?profile=original"/></a>Just a quick reminder to check out my other articles on Fire Engineering's Training Blog Network. You can also listen to us on "Tap the Box" with FETC Services.</div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content">FETC Services hosts a talk radio show on Fire Engineering Talk Radio discussing the latest fire training and leadership topics once a month. We would love to hear from you, connect with us on Facebook, search FETC Services. </div>
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<div class="post-body entry-content">We are also looking forward to once again presenting at FDIC-International 2016. Take Care and Stay Safe Brothers.... Train On!</div>
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Hello, it’s me……The Deck Gun
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-11-01:1219672:BlogPost:623015
2015-11-01T15:00:00.000Z
Joseph Pronesti
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/JosephPronesti
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<p class="Publishwithline">The title to you older members can be hummed to the tune of the great Todd Rundgren hit song <i>“Hello it’s me”</i> but in all seriousness this article will focus on an often forgotten tactic the blitz attack, transitional attack, whatever you wish to call it using the apparatus mounted deck pipe or gun.</p>
<p>Like most students of the fire service I study hundreds and hundreds of fire videos every year and then choose from those the best ones to help with a…</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="Publishwithline">The title to you older members can be hummed to the tune of the great Todd Rundgren hit song <i>“Hello it’s me”</i> but in all seriousness this article will focus on an often forgotten tactic the blitz attack, transitional attack, whatever you wish to call it using the apparatus mounted deck pipe or gun.</p>
<p>Like most students of the fire service I study hundreds and hundreds of fire videos every year and then choose from those the best ones to help with a teaching point or to emphasize a specific tactic, the one thing that I find disturbing when looking at these videos is the lack of use of one of the most valuable tools we have especially if you have an understaffed department, the apparatus mounted deck gun. For years it has sat as an underutilized silent sentinel waiting for that block long shoe factory to go up, but if you understand its capabilities and train with it you have a viable weapon that can put a quick knock on the fire and maybe just maybe allow you and your crews the ability to get inside and stop any forward progress of fire.</p>
<p align="center"><b><u>Modern Environment & Tactical Agility</u></b></p>
<p>By now, most firefighters and fire departments are talking about and dealing with what has now been termed “the modern fire environment” plastics, modern furnishings, etc. have heat release rates that dwarf those of our grandparents’ furnishings. Departments are arriving at well-developed rooms and floors and depending on construction, CONSTRUCTION DRIVES TACTICS! Our operational time is very short, fast water is by far the best water and with training the blitz attack tactic is a proven winner regardless of the building we are pulling up on. Fellow Fire Engineering writer and FDIC presenter Jerry Knapp just had a wonderfully insightful article published in the October 2015 Fire Engineering Magazine called <b><i>“Modern House Fires Warrant Tactical Agility”</i></b> I encourage you if you have not already done so to read it and pass it along to others in your fire house, Knapp emphasizes that we as firefighters need to be tactically proficient and have tactical agility which to paraphrase Knapp’s article in its simplest form means making sure our fireground actions—size-up, search, rescue, ventilation, fire suppression, and salvage/overhaul—can safely, efficiently, and effectively defeat the new threats at house fires. The one tool that I believe may be the most underutilized and perhaps the most misunderstood as far as its ability to quickly change conditions for the better is the deck gun. Now I am not advocating the blitz on every fire, of course this does not take the place of efficient hand line stretching, getting the first line into operation is first and foremost of utter importance but when confronted with heavy fire the blitz may get you some breathing room prior to offensive attack and when also achieved simultaneously with stretching a line in preparation for offensive attack.</p>
<p align="center"><b><u>What my mentors say that’s worth sharing</u></b></p>
<p>We have all read the studies and reports that state we as the fire service are responding to fewer fires and the ones we are responding to are most likely the bread and butter room and contents fire in which the single attack line handles the job, many firefighters and incident commanders are forgetting what an effective tool the deck gun and 500-1000 GPM can do, why is this? As I stated previously after watching literally hundreds of hours of fire video I can say from my unscientific research that we as a fire service are simply robotic in our approach to the chemical reaction called fire. In preparation for this article I sent an email to many of my mentors, without revealing their identities in this article I will simply highlight their thoughts on what they too feel is an underutilized method of attack….The blitz with the gun if you will, I asked their feelings towards using the blitz attack (deck gun application prior to established water supply). Here is a brief snippet of some of their responses and it is printed here with the hope of stirring some talk in your firehouse, reflection on your own knowledge skills and abilities with the deck gun and then some training.</p>
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<p><i>“I am an advocate of using the deck gun for large fire situations. One example: One story strip mall (multiple stores) and one occupancy is fully involved. The Engine can stop in front of that occupancy and have one member mount the rig to man the deck gun while the engineer starts water with tank supply. Third member pulls off two hand lines (drop in front of building) to be ready for operation. The engine can proceed up after dumping water to provide room for Ladder unit. Granted Engine that utilizes pre-connects must have enough hose lengths to move up.”</i></p>
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<p><i>“I have found is that there is a true lack of knowledge and understanding of fire dynamics and tactical deployment. Much of the mentality exists that we pull small lines so that we don't waste the water.”</i></p>
<p align="center"><b><u> </u></b></p>
<p><i>“Everyone is afraid to run out of water, but nobody cares if they run out of building!! It makes the engineer work real hard, engine companies have to get their own water but I am a believer.”</i></p>
<p align="center"><b><u> </u></b></p>
<p><i>“I think it is a combination of things, a pre-connect mindset, training, rebellion against UL/NIST exterior push (hit it hard from the yard)”</i></p>
<p align="center"><b><u> </u></b></p>
<p><i>“Anytime you find guys not employing a tactic or procedure. It’s usually a combination of lack of knowledge coupled with lack of skill (i.e. confidence and/or muscle memory). One of the many reasons companies shy away from the deck gun's use is it often requires re-positioning of the apparatus after the initial hit. Even when this is not the case, people need to move around a lot and quickly go from one task to another. Another possibility is having a bad experience or hearing/witnessing another's bad experience. As with all fire streams, angle of attack can be extremely important. If you are using a deck gun off a modern apparatus the tip can be 12 or more feet off the ground. You won't have much success hitting a first floor window of a ranch house 40 feet from the apparatus. Aiming isn't as simple as it might first appear. It all goes back to training and repetition. Another reason that is out there but that guys might be reticent about bringing up is that they are afraid they will have their fire stolen from them by the second due engine.”</i></p>
<p><i>“You might think about approaching the use of the deck gun the way you do VEIS. A team of people need to "know the drill", each being expert in all aspects of the operation, not just the one they are responsible for at the moment. Every piece has to be executed for there to be success. No one (I hope) would pull up on a fire with a report of persons trapped and say, "Hey, let’s try that search venter rent thing we read about last month". Same goes for a deck gun operation as part of initiating an offensive attack.”</i></p>
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<p><i>“In my opinion the use of the deck gun is considered defensive and after all other options have failed. I would consider it way under-utilized especially on developed fires or when a line stretch is taking place. Typically the pump operators are so focused on getting water to the primary line that the last thing on the officer or PO mind is a quick knockdown. We also can't ignore that much/most/some (don't know which fits) of the fire service still believes they will push fire throughout the building and in my scenario they are willing to let the fire grow for 5 mins because of that belief. I don't believe that you can care about civilians and still let a fire grow for 5 mins but they say they aren't flowing because of the civilians. Ultimately it is a training issue, both practical and theoretical.”</i></p>
<p>“How long does it take you to get it in operation? Is it a one-man operation? We got rid of remote control guns and added a hydrant gate on our deck guns so we truly can flow QUICK WATER by just the Engineer. He charges the pump and the gun then hops up quickly to flow water.”</p>
<p align="center"><b><u>Specific Occupancy thoughts and deck gun use…….the strip mall fire</u></b></p>
<p>It is 1900 hours and you are called to a reported fire in a strip mall, you arrive to find heavy fire conditions blowing out of front windows of a once dental office now vacant, you have a three member crew. Your previous knowledge of the building indicates it was constructed in 2002 and has no fire walls between occupancies the involved store is in the middle, you have some smoke in both neighboring exposures to the left and right. Do you………….</p>
<p>A-Lay a line and hit the fire?</p>
<p>B-Spot your apparatus and blitz with the gun while your company stretches a line to use after knock?</p>
<p>Obviously both tactics will work of course as we know water on the fire as soon as possible makes everything better, but does blitzing the fire with gun upon arrival while getting a line laid and an established water supply get more GPM and water on the fire faster? It’s all about training and knowing your crew and capabilities. Next time you are out have your driver stop the apparatus in the parking lot of one of your strip malls and see if your gun’s angle will be effective many of our new apparatus’ guns may be as high as twelve feet off the ground and also come with an extend a gun feature allowing them to rise many feet above their stowed position, now I don’t expect you to flow! But this quick stop and “pre-fire” measurement can assist you in selecting the right course of water application prior to the next worker in your strip malls. The photos below simulate a possible deck gun attack positioning the apparatus on an angle to the fire occupancy. Next time you work a weekend take your apparatus out and take a look, take pictures drawings whatever it takes. Traffic and parking will obviously play a factor but if you don’t train and consider your options you will never know. And as far as the truck company, in a situation like this the front of the strip mall occupancy on fire may not be the most tactically advantageous position, maybe a few stores down might.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366878?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="550" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366878?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
<p> <strong>An option on the strip mall, the blitz, practice and training prior at your malls is the key</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The Ordinary “Main Street” deck gun consideration</u></b></p>
<p>0200 hours on a cold January night, your local police report fire coming from second floor above a cell phone store in your downtown area, this three story ordinary Type III occupancy was built in 1890 and has obviously been refurnished numerous times, upon arrival with your three member engine you find fire blowing out a second floor apartment you know from previous EMS runs that there are apartments on the second and third floor that are usually occupied. Do you………….</p>
<p>A- Lay a line and head upstairs?</p>
<p>B- Spot your apparatus and blitz with gun for 15-30 seconds while you stretch to prepare to go interior?</p>
<p>If you cover ordinary constructed buildings in your district you surely know or should know the difficulties these buildings can pose when involved in fire, one common component is the large single stair run or the large landings/halls located on the upper floors. Stretching can take time and if you are operating alone for a while or respond understaffed and have to wait for mutual aid to get enough staffing the 15-20 second blitz from the gun on the fire may buy you some time and hobble the fire long enough to enable you to rescue, stretch or whatever is needed when arriving at these complicated fortresses. Compare the number of times you have stretched whether in real or training in these types of buildings vs. a residential dwelling. I love to use the analogy I first heard Worcester, Massachusetts Chief Mike McNamee use when discussing the tragic cold storage fire his department experienced, McNamee described how efficient his department was on their bread and butter fires and emphasized the importance of being ready to combat the larger commercial building fires in a different way, he stated, “you cannot put a square peg in a round hole”. You cannot expect to stretch up the stairs and get water on a well involved commercial apartment as quickly as a small residential. 15-20 seconds of blitz vs. 3 minutes HOPEFULLY on a stretch with two people?? We all want to think we have efficient companies but when was the last time you timed a hoseline stretch evolution? Also, these stretches may need more hose than just what’s in your cross lay, time both evolutions (blitz vs. attack line stretch) and see for yourself, it’s like the two minute offense in football, some teams are better at speed and efficiency than others.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366914?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="385" height="534" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366914?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366989?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p><strong>Stretching first-due up in an Ordinary "Main St." building is not the same as a residential, the blitz may buy you some time to stretch upstairs. Its all fire conditions on arrival dependent of course. (photo by author)</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The Residential Hit</u></b></p>
<p>You respond first-due with your two-member engine and two-member squad to a reported house fire, while en-route dispatch notifies you of multiple calls and as you approach you see a column of smoke and as you turn onto the street see heavy fire conditions it looks as if the front porch is well involved. The residential street is in an older section of town and is made up of large 2 ½ story wood frame dwelling built at the turn of the 1900s. Do you…………</p>
<p>A-Lay a large line and hit the fire?</p>
<p>B-Wrap the hydrant, have the squad standby to plug and forward lay to the front and get a blitz attack on the fire with your 750 gallon tank while the supply is being connected?</p>
<p>It’s all about size up and of course a 360 must be conducted but sometimes does becoming directly involved as an officer with the blitz and hopping up on the apparatus to get the deck gun in service more productive in the first few seconds? Yes, a 360 is needed but instead of wasting precious time especially if you have any hope of conducting an offensive attack instead of running a lap around the house get involved with assisting with the blitz attack especially if arriving with an understaffed company. In the same four person arriving scenario (two member squad and two member engine) you as the officer may make more of a difference blitzing the fire WHILE having the remaining three members (driver, 2 squad members) supply and stretch a line in preparation to go offensive if conditions permit after the blitz. We as firefighters have heard many times from the most knowledgeable and engaged members of our profession that no matter how we do it must get enough firefighters on the scene the blitz may buy some time prior to the arrival and mustering of enough resources.</p>
<p><b>Attic Fires</b></p>
<p>Arriving to find heavy fire conditions involving an attic equals a tough fight and with many departments signals the roof burning off and a long night. Sure, construction plays a huge role in what your options are going to be but let’s say you arrive to a large amount of fire involving the attic of a residential dwelling of legacy construction the use of the blitz attic via deck gun through the attic windows may in fact knock down a fair amount of fire and once resources arrive allow an easy attack, many who have not had to stretch to the attic of large 2 ½ story or had to make their own access via pulling tons of lath and plaster have not really felt exhaustion, the blitz should be an option in your engine’s repertoire. The recently released UL/NIST residential attic fire study emphasized wetting sheathing with an eave attack slows attic fire growth; attic construction affects hose stream penetration; consider flowing up instead of down with a master stream and lastly in reference to attic fires the Increased use of plastics in exterior walls will change the situation to which you arrive; If the fire starts on the outside, start fighting it from the outside with the intent of slowing the progress to the attic.</p>
<p><b>What about the Truck getting the front</b></p>
<p>Departments that have a truck company know the value and advantage of getting the truck to the front at all costs, this sometimes gets into the heads of officers as a must do and they quickly dismiss the use of their engine companies’ deck guns for this very reason, and if you haven’t thought about, planned and trained on using the gun buy discussing different apparatus spotting and perhaps yes perhaps hitting the fire from the front and then moving the engine to make room for the truck this tactic will seem so foreign that its possibility will never be considered. Patience and adequately trained apparatus operators can and have applied the tactic of hitting it with the gun and then moving the apparatus with success. Maybe the “reverse lay” could be applied? Just another tool to consider and most importantly practiced and trained upon. Do you protect closely spaced residential dwellings? If you do, I am willing to wager that you also have electric drop lines and poles in the way of getting your aerials up the deck gun is your next best option in these close quarters.</p>
<p><b>The amount of fire needs consideration will your blitz have an effect?</b></p>
<p>A few years back my city faced a rash of arson fires, we arrived to find many dwellings well involved upon arrival. One evening while in command of my shift I arrived first to a large vacant 2 ½ story residential dwelling which had a few months prior experienced a prior fire, I was immediately confronted with a fully and I mean fully involved dwelling with two exposures. I had two engines and a truck responding with only members, I immediately called for mutual aid and had the first engine arriving blitz the fire with their deck gun. While I had every hope and intention of taking a bite out of the fire until ample resources arrived the amount of fire over matched the 750 gallons on-board the first engine and after emptying the tank the fire continued to attack the exposures. I failed as a commander to understand just how much fire I had on arrival and the amount of water it would in fact take to a bite out of the fire. Lesson here to pass on, while the blitz attack is a winner, you also must know just how much fire you indeed have in front of you.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558369785?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="550" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558369785?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="550" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>At this fire I commanded, I failed in sizing up the amount of fire relative to the usefulness of a blitz attack to stop the forward progress of a fire with significant exposure problems. The decision to blitz needs to be the right call based on the amount of fire and tank water available and comes with preparation and training. (Photo by Terry M. Costigan)</p>
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<p align="center"><b><u>Training vs. Reality</u></b></p>
<p>If you are reading this and have recently graduated from a fire academy or even instruct at one like I do, when was the last time during a live burn evolution you led off the evolution with the deck gun utilizing the blitz attack? Dr. Richard Gasaway who has done extensive research on situational awareness and runs a great site <a href="http://www.samatters.com">www. <i>samatters.com</i></a> can be quoted in reference to the lack of blitz attack training on the drill ground as saying: “<i>The decisions and actions we make under stress in training can become our automatic performance at incident scenes. No thought required. If we want to teach officers how to make the right decisions on the fireground we have to teach decision making on the training ground. A decision is defined as a choice among alternatives. If, in training, every evolution is an aggressive interior attack with an 1 3/4" hose line, the action required no decision at all. It was predetermined and automatic.” </i></p>
<p><i><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558369978?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558369978?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-center"/></a></i></p>
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<p><i> </i><strong>The repetitive training we give our officers and firefighters does not as a rule promote the use of the blitz attack. (Photo by Parma,Ohio Fire) </strong></p>
<p><b><u>Officer Decision Making</u></b></p>
<p>Many a fire publication article has focused on the development of fire officers and as Dr. Gasaway indicated in the previous paragraph we as firefighters and officers do what we have been taught, I am by no means diminishing the job of an engine officer but most structure fires are single line fires where the officer steps off the engine the firefighter pulls the pre-connect, the driver pulls the gate open throttles up to the correct pressure now usually taped the discharge gate and the room and contents fire goes out. Not much thought or advance thought needs to be made it can become robotic in my opinion. Now throw the curve of a well involved first floor of a single family dwelling with exposures, people trapped etc. or a well involved middle of the row tavern in a strip mall at 0400 hours and the officer now has to make several decisions and in rapid fashion, he/she basically has to order the following: apparatus placement, blitz attack option, hoseline placement and size, supply considerations and direct other arriving companies. If you don’t give and train your officers the tool of the blitz it will be an afterthought</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b> <u> Simple Training</u></b></p>
<p>A great training can be a scenario in which the engine company is presented with one of two scenarios, arrival at a fire where the blitz is the tactic chosen and the company is “put on the clock” to see how effectively and timely it can place the gun in service while getting its supply, the second scenario is the stop and forward lay as the engine approaches the fire the three or four members are trained and tested in the forward lay blitz attack and then also the ability to also get a handline laid and in operation after the gun is shut down. It takes relatively a small amount of time and if you are worried about getting a run while doing this drill here is an idea utilize extra hose from your stations spare hose rack.</p>
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<p> <b><u>The Sweet Spot</u></b></p>
<p>A common error when placing the deck gun in service is the pump operator pulling the gate open while the gun is moved into position and several gallons perhaps hundreds are wasted as the pressure is not adjusted properly and the water falls harmlessly to the ground several feet from the target, when this happens you have blown the single reason why you are in a blitz mode; to knock the fire down. Each apparatus will most likely be different but let’s say you have a deck gun mounted on your apparatus with smooth bore stacked tips, we know that the starting pressure is 80 psi, take into consideration the friction loss in the piping some say that for each elbow or turn in the piping to the monitor add 10 psi others say 25 psi total many deck guns have a gauge attached which will indicate the psi at the gun, this will take practice and training to see what your particular model needs as far as friction loss. So back to the sweet spot, the sweet spot can be known as the correct pressure that the pump can be throttled up to PRIOR to the operator pulling open or turning open the gate without too much difficulty. When my shift played around with finding the sweet spot we felt that throttling up to 100psi and then opening the gate provided enough pressure where water was not wasted and made an immediate impact on the target. Get out and find your sweet spot.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558373585?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="550" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558373585?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Practice with each of your engines to find the "sweet spot", the right pressure throttled up to PRIOR to the discharge that allows for an easy opening of your gate under pressure and puts water on the target </strong> </p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Training Videos and F.E. Article</u></b></p>
<p>I have added below a few videos for review that can be studied and discussed for possible use of the blitz, discuss with your crews the pros and cons plus most importantly if YOUR department could benefit from the blitz if you encountered the same type of fire in YOUR town. The decision to utilize a blitz attack is a serious one with many repercussions if the decision fails…i.e. you run out of water, you are scrambling for a supply and the fire is not dying down but only getting larger. Good officers and commanders in my opinion however need to remember this tactic especially when arriving with less than adequate personnel, a great fire quote which many have heard and who I do not know who to give original credit to states that <b><i>“sometimes our favorite tactic is not the BEST tactic.”</i></b> The blitz may just be the right tool when called for, familiarize yourself and your crews on its advantages and train don’t let it be a forgotten tune. Be safe.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558376593?profile=original" target="_self"> </a></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558376593?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="550" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558376593?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="550" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><strong>This photo shows the house involved in the video above and a newspaper photo of the aftermath, a great example of the right choice in using the deck gun blitz attack</strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2014/10/master-stream-applications.html" target="_blank">Master Stream Applications</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-157/issue-8/departments/the-engine-company/deck-gun-drills-for-three-member-engine-companies.html" target="_blank">Sitz-3 member training article</a></p>
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Gaining the Readership Edge
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-10-02:1219672:BlogPost:621783
2015-10-02T17:30:00.000Z
Fire Chief Billy Greenwood
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/FETC
<p>Gaining the Readership Edge is not about spending time with your nose in the latest trade journal. Sure they all offer great information, with many great writers who have invested lots of time and effort putting pen to paper to educate others. No what we are talking about in Gaining the Readership Edge is the ability to take that book knowledge and applying it to the real-world.</p>
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<p>We all know that in competitive sports, second place is the first loser. Athletes (amateur or…</p>
<p>Gaining the Readership Edge is not about spending time with your nose in the latest trade journal. Sure they all offer great information, with many great writers who have invested lots of time and effort putting pen to paper to educate others. No what we are talking about in Gaining the Readership Edge is the ability to take that book knowledge and applying it to the real-world.</p>
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<p>We all know that in competitive sports, second place is the first loser. Athletes (amateur or professional) all seek to win the big game. They put in the time, effort and training. The greater the commitment before the game, the better chance you have to be on top of your game! Many great athletes spend countless hours in the playbook or reviewing film of their next opponent. So why should the fire service be any different? </p>
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<p>Our playing field is competitive and on game day it takes a proficient and effective team to mitigate an emergency. Which leads to the point of this article. With the fire ground constantly changing, (lightweight building construction, plastic and synthetic based fuel loads, and the ever so popular limited manpower) have you remained fire ground aggressive?</p>
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<p>Billy Greenwood; owner of FETC Services and multi year presenter at FDIC International conducted an NFPA 1403 live fire training exercise in an acquired structure. Throughout the day we were able to conduct (10) interior firefighter evolutions. On the final evolution we completed a real-world fire behavior, flow path and flame spread evolution. No better place to learn about the enemy than on the battlefield. The battlefield dwelling (training structure) was a 3 bedroom; 2 bath open concept contemporary style, single family residence built in the 80's with an attached garage. The weather was perfect for a training burn; sunny and 54 degrees F with no significant wind. For many of the participants, this training provided valuable insight on how FETC Services feels about why so many firefighters are getting burned during rapid fire increase incidents. </p>
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<p>The following photos are property of K. Horgan and J. Sangermano of the Dublin, NH Fire Department; and they documented some significant fire behavior in relation to (VC) Ventilation Controlled vs. (NVC) Non-Ventilation Controlled flow paths.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558364970?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="635" height="458" class="align-center" style="width: 385px; height: 234px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558364970?profile=original"/></a></p>
<p><strong>Photo 1. (above)</strong> Deputy Chief Sangermano is taking up an interior position in the living room as the kitchen in our test dwelling flashes over. Take note at the time of the kitchen flashover, the side C kitchen window auto-ventilated due to the high heat conditions as seen through the walk-out sliding door.</p>
<p><br/> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365029?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="483" height="447" class="align-center" style="width: 386px; height: 360px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365029?profile=original"/></a></p>
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<p><strong>Photo 2. (above)</strong> The interior crews located in the living room (behind the closed front door) were evacuated approximately 90 seconds after the kitchen flashover occurred. Through the use of FETC (TIR) Thermal Insult Recognition class, members identified that their PPE had reached maximum heat saturation. Special Note: the crews closed the front door post evacuation and the fire becomes ventilation controlled.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365171?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="528" height="485" class="align-center" style="width: 357px; height: 391px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365171?profile=original"/></a><strong>Photo 3. (above)</strong> FETC Services Instructor Billy Greenwood is seen confirming accountability (PAR) of all interior crews and was the last firefighter out of the dwelling as the fire rapidly expands into the living room. The LR quickly became untenable for all participants and took the interior stairwell to the second floor.</p>
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<p><strong> I<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365359?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="478" height="355" class="align-left" style="width: 498px; height: 371px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365359?profile=original"/></a>n Photo 4. (left)</strong> The front door remains closed and intact. "The Box" has become oxygen deficient and ventilation limited. Note the smoke profile from the roof ventilation holes producing VOLUME and VELOCITY. The third factor in the smoke profile would be COLOR. During this NFPA 1403 training evolution the smoke color will not depict real world smoke profiling due to the NFPA Class A fuel source. </p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>FETC NUGGET:</strong></span> Gaining the Readership Edge - By reading the building. In this photo, the box has become clearly oxygen deficient. We know that we have a kitchen fire depicted in (pic 1) At this point, the fire begins to reduce in size and speed of spread decreases due to the box becoming rich from the ventilation limited environment. (door control) As seen in the above picture, the front door remains intact but the small amount of fire above the entry door should be alarming to the "educated" firefighter. This is a red flag warning that the box is waiting for a well intentioned firefighter to enter and create the flow path needed for rapid fire increase. Unlike classic textbook signs of oxygen deficient environments; AKA backdraft conditions (like puffing smoke; or dark stained windows) today's firefighter who makes an aggressive interior attack in these conditions to search for the seat of the fire or potential victims, has a very small window to operate within tenable conditions. Our PPE will provide minimal exposure time protection in these super heated environments. Without a change in fire dynamics (one example being the transitional attack) but if you were to enter; stay low and NOT open the nozzle until you locate the seat of the fire you might create your own untenable conditions..... any delay in getting water on the fire; be it a poor stretch; lack of manpower to move that line efficiently in and through; up or down stairs; or any delay in suppression as the crew is searching from the attack line while advancing (multi-tasking) then firefighters will certainly sustain a rapid fire increase situation as witnessed lately in the news. Don't fall victim the OUR working environment, learn it, understand it, and adjust your tactics so you can ultimately get the job done safely!</p>
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<p><strong>Photo 5. (below)</strong> The front door's full length glass pane window fails due to the heat, smoke and fire gases auto-ventilating the primary door. The box immediately leans out and the rapid inrush of air flow from the new ventilation opening (front door) rapidly increases the fire conditions and flame spread. Note the roof ventilation opening has become lean and touches off the by-product (soot particles, and gases of incomplete combustion). Conditions on Floors 1 and 2 get better for a few short seconds but they flashover as well. Hence the uneducated firefighter operating in today's fire dynamic world can quickly become a victim of his or her fire environment. Once again, once you open that door... any delay in locating the seat of the fire by the nozzle team and the interior fire conditions will rapidly change for the worse!</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365476?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="407" height="447" class="align-center" style="width: 407px; height: 422px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558365476?profile=original"/></a></p>
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<p><strong>In Photo 6.</strong> <strong>(below)</strong> Just <u>three minutes</u> (or 180 seconds) after the front door failed; the fire dynamics have changed throughout the dwelling and now "the box" is within its flammable range and we now have FIRE on Floors 1, 2 and throughout the attic area.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366150?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="398" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366150?profile=original"/></a></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366557?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="413" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366557?profile=original"/></a></strong></p>
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<p><strong>Photo 7. (right)</strong> This picture of Side Delta (the gable end) post flashover on all levels of the dwelling. The plate glass windows on floors 1 and 2 have failed.</p>
<p><br/> Through the use of an ISG Thermal Imaging Camera, we were able to see readings of 1000 degrees F (at the floor) and 1200 degrees F (at the ceiling level)</p>
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<p>Firefighters today must become "Educated-Aggressive" and learn as much as they can about ventilation limited and flow paths. Without knowledge about the newest indicators of predictable rapid fire increases, "Bad things will continue to happen to good firefighters" - FETC. We are not advocating the operational tactic of exterior attack on smoke, but we wanted to show that if you decide to make an interior attack, the timing of ventilation in concert with suppression has never been more critical, without delay so we can continue to operate from the inside... </p>
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<p>We would like to thank Chief Tom Vanderbilt and all of the members of the Dublin Fire Department for allowing FETC to provide real-world training in conditions firefighters are expected to work in.</p>
<p><img width="737" height="451" class="align-full" style="width: 154px; height: 123px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366652?profile=original"/>FETC Services <a title="This external link will open in a new window" href="http://www.fetcservices.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.fetcservices.com</a></p>
<p><br/> Stay Connected, FETC is now on FaceBook <a title="This external link will open in a new window" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/FETC-Services/155716667881773" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/pages/FETC-Services/155716667881773</a></p>
<p><br/> <u><strong><em>"Average Training Breeds an Average Fire Department, Let FETC Help You Achieve Excellence!"</em></strong></u></p>
We are Old School
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-09-28:1219672:BlogPost:621753
2015-09-28T20:20:38.000Z
Jarrod Sergi
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/JarrodSergi
<p align="center"></p>
<p class="paragraph"><span class="font-size-3">Not long ago I posted some videos and pictures on social media that included a tour at my old firehouse. They were pictures of fires, the firehouse, and of the guys in front of the truck after a “good job”. Most of the firefighters on the thread had a good amount of time on the job, or had retired. Some comments were mostly in jest, and meant to just mess with us a little. Although some of the comments were essentially…</span></p>
<p align="center"></p>
<p class="paragraph"><span class="font-size-3">Not long ago I posted some videos and pictures on social media that included a tour at my old firehouse. They were pictures of fires, the firehouse, and of the guys in front of the truck after a “good job”. Most of the firefighters on the thread had a good amount of time on the job, or had retired. Some comments were mostly in jest, and meant to just mess with us a little. Although some of the comments were essentially saying, "What do you guys know? Look at them trying to be old school. They have no idea what the real fire service was." </span></p>
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<p class="paragraph"><span class="font-size-3"> I can see their point. Times have changed and the fire service has evolved. Maybe it’s not the same fire service they grew up in. However, I would like to tell those senior firefighters and officers this, I am old school. You had an opportunity to build a generation of fireman, let us build ours. We want to be able to look back as did you, on a career spent with people around us and be proud of our accomplishments. We want others to know we are proud of where we were stationed and the guys we were surrounded with. </span></p>
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<p class="paragraph"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366340?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558366340?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="330" class="align-left" height="281"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558368601?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558368601?profile=original" width="300" class="align-right" height="246"/></a></p>
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<p class="paragraph"><span class="font-size-3">Actually what we need is your help embracing the generations coming after you. We need your help preserving traditions that are slowly getting left behind. Times have changed, but over the course of the fire service lifetime there has always been a sense of pride that comes with the job. We can see it as we look back through old photo albums and get excited about the profession. We are part of a fire service that is so full of rich history. We, as the next generation want to be able to have a place in history's photo album. </span></p>
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<p class="paragraph" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558368792?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558368792?profile=original" width="482" class="align-center" height="338"/></a></p>
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<p class="paragraph"><span class="font-size-3">I know there may be frustration among the senior fireman. I have heard it myself, “Here we go again, snapping more pictures!" I have also seen a senior officer get upset because their crews were taking a picture in front of the rig after a good fire. There is nothing wrong with this. There is something wrong with this if there is still work to be done, and a photo shoot is happening. It all has to be at the right time. Let's not be the one who complains that your fire service is not what it used to be, and then step all over the ones trying to preserve it. Just because there is a generation of firefighters that didn’t ride the tailboard next to you, doesn’t mean they lack passion, thirst, and dedication to keep their profession alive. </span></p>
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<p align="center"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558369754?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="267" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558369754?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="397" class="align-left" height="242"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558372583?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="239" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558372583?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="227" class="align-right" height="241"/></a> </p>
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<p class="paragraph"><span class="font-size-3">So, "Where’s my old school?" We are old school. We are working on it right now. Let’s not forget that a new generation of old school firefighters is being created right now. The fire service photo album is still growing. We have an obligation as individuals and as a fire-service to always remind our members, young, old, and retired that they shared in the continuous growth of this great profession. Go out there and be old school! </span></p>
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<p>All pictures shown are from Norfolk Fire Rescue, Norfolk VA</p>
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<p>Jarrod Sergi</p>
<p>REaL Fire Training LLC</p>
<p><a href="http://www.realfiretraining.net">www.realfiretraining.net</a></p>
BUILD IT
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-09-14:1219672:BlogPost:621245
2015-09-14T19:59:04.000Z
Paul Combs
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/PaulCombs
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558348735?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558348735?profile=original" width="750"></img></a> What will you do when it's your turn to build onto what those who came before us started? Will you make it better? Will you have the courage to say "yes"? <br></br><br></br>Be the leader and build for the next generation to follow and exceed our progress.</p>
<p><br></br><br></br>Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:…<br></br></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558348735?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558348735?profile=original" width="750"/></a>What will you do when it's your turn to build onto what those who came before us started? Will you make it better? Will you have the courage to say "yes"? <br/><br/>Be the leader and build for the next generation to follow and exceed our progress.</p>
<p><br/><br/>Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:<br/> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm">http://www.artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm</a><br/> <br/> .</p>
September Simulation- Tool and Dye Factory
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-09-02:1219672:BlogPost:621022
2015-09-02T14:00:00.000Z
Joseph Pronesti
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/JosephPronesti
<p>Hello, we are back to simulations after a month off, I will attempt to get a couple of sims out a month, again if there is a particular simulation you wish to see send me an email at efdchief3@outlook.com. In this particular simulation you have a fire in a legacy constructed building constructed in early 1900s, I have attached some thoughts to consider and also attached a kitchen table handout with still frame shots of the building to discuss with your members. Some key points again to…</p>
<p>Hello, we are back to simulations after a month off, I will attempt to get a couple of sims out a month, again if there is a particular simulation you wish to see send me an email at efdchief3@outlook.com. In this particular simulation you have a fire in a legacy constructed building constructed in early 1900s, I have attached some thoughts to consider and also attached a kitchen table handout with still frame shots of the building to discuss with your members. Some key points again to consider:</p>
<p>A-Life Safety</p>
<p>B-Construction- S.U.T.E.- Size, Use, Type, Era (Hint... 1901)- Large OPEN AREA, and OLD, what kind of roof supports might this building have??</p>
<p>C-Attack thoughts, Exposures, options</p>
<p>D-Ventilation?</p>
<p>E-Apparatus Placement/Command Post Location?</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0u2X3m2pdQ?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558351563?profile=original" target="_self">9/2/15 F.E. Kitchen Table SImulation .pdf</a></p>
BUGGY RIDE
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-08-31:1219672:BlogPost:620682
2015-08-31T18:46:12.000Z
Paul Combs
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/PaulCombs
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558351501?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558351501?profile=original" width="750"></img></a> <br></br>Sometimes a little pride has to be swallowed to get the job done! <br></br><br></br><br></br>Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:<br></br> <a href="http://www.artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm…</a><br></br> <br></br></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558351501?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558351501?profile=original" width="750"/></a><br/>Sometimes a little pride has to be swallowed to get the job done! <br/><br/><br/>Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:<br/> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm">http://www.artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm</a><br/> <br/> .</p>
EVALUATE, DIAGNOSE, AND PRESCRIBE
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-08-15:1219672:BlogPost:620524
2015-08-15T13:57:11.000Z
Warren Cersley
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/WarrenCersley
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">EVALUATE, DIAGNOSE, AND PRESCRIBE.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">The Fire Service is similar to the patient waiting room at the local doctor’s office. Both are filled with all kinds of people from different places with assorted backgrounds, personalities, exposures, symptoms, complaints and outlooks. The one common denominator is that each person has come seeking a reason and an explanation for why they are feeling whatever it is that they are…</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">EVALUATE, DIAGNOSE, AND PRESCRIBE.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">The Fire Service is similar to the patient waiting room at the local doctor’s office. Both are filled with all kinds of people from different places with assorted backgrounds, personalities, exposures, symptoms, complaints and outlooks. The one common denominator is that each person has come seeking a reason and an explanation for why they are feeling whatever it is that they are feeling and each one is hoping to leave feeling better and to have an understanding why they felt bad to begin with.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">The doctor and fire officer are expected to be professional and to evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe and to make a bad day better, over and over, person after person. They are healers. This constant flow of different challenges, or opportunities, can be very rewarding to the healers and I suspect that it is the most basic reason that each one chose their profession to begin with.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Good healers reach conclusions and they are decisive. That’s why they call them good. You can spot the good ones by looking at their waiting list, who wants to see them, who respects them, who trust them and who wishes to be like them and be with them. The good ones observe the people and their situation, they refer to the person’s history and they know their personal and professional norms. These healers may lean to an early diagnosis from these evaluations but they confirm or change their early diagnosis, before prescribing, by listening to the person’s concerns, feelings, wishes, wants and desires.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">In the fire service we are grouped for accountability, functionality and efficiency. This doesn’t mean that we have to be groupies. We do not have to accept bad medicine that is wrong and damaging to the fire service. We don’t have to conform to a complacent group or to accept a group dynamic that will surely make us sick. </font></font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">All of us are carriers. How we lead, who we choose to follow and what we choose to carry is a career choice that all of us have to make. The decision determines our well being, the well being of our family and the group dynamic that we will be a part of when we are on the job.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">I like to say that fire departments are similar to Amtrak, each has many stops. If you are assigned with a so called healer who has no interest in you or your progress and who keeps prescribing snake oil with harmful side effects, you need to find a new stop and a new healer before they either kill you or permanently derail your well being and your career.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Attitudes and Leadership evolve. Doctors and Fire Officers come out of their certification training with only the basic knowledge and skills. The ones who will develop from basic to exceptional are those who remain conscious of trends and generational changes and who have no fear of decision making. They also find balance and they understand that they are in the people business. The good ones work constantly to develop an effective and professional bed side manner. Between the ears is where this bed side manner originates and it begins with our attitude when our feet hit the floor in the morning. </font></font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Is your firehouse a sick bay or is it a healthy and thriving home away from home that is filled with vitality and a recognized team with a dedicated mission and a positive attitude? Everyone on the outside looking in can spot the difference between the two. Can you? Evaluate, Diagnose, and Prescribe.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Most people don’t complain about feeling too good or spend their day trying to find a way to feel bad.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Your firehouse has an earned reputation, is it infected or infectious?</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">I may become sick of you but I refuse to be sick because of you.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Don’t you have some idea of what is causing you to feel bad before you see the doctor?</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Is your firehouse satisfied with feeling sick or sick of being sick?</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">First, do no harm.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Heal thy self.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Thanks for reading, caring and sharing.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Have a great day – it’s a GREAT day for it.</font></p>
<p></p>
Building Knowledge = Firefighter Safety
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-08-15:1219672:BlogPost:620362
2015-08-15T02:30:00.000Z
Christopher Naum, SFPE
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/ChristopherNaum
As an Officer, I expected the companies to know their buildings and implement adaptive tactics based on the building variables, compartment and fire dynamics and company composition capabilities.<br />
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First and foremost you need to know your buildings, their predicable performance, inherent anatomy and the manner in which fire will affect the building, the company and the occupants.<br />
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If you don't understand the building- how do you expect to be an effective fire suppression force to do your job as…
As an Officer, I expected the companies to know their buildings and implement adaptive tactics based on the building variables, compartment and fire dynamics and company composition capabilities.<br />
<br />
First and foremost you need to know your buildings, their predicable performance, inherent anatomy and the manner in which fire will affect the building, the company and the occupants.<br />
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If you don't understand the building- how do you expect to be an effective fire suppression force to do your job as Firefighers? It's so much more than " just stretching the line" Where do you fall in to this equation?<br />
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FiregroundLeadership.com | Buildingsonfire.com | The FireOfficer.com<br />
Builingsonfire on Facebook Twitter @CommandSafety
What Type of Mentality Do You Have?
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-08-17:1219672:BlogPost:620199
2015-08-17T16:30:00.000Z
Frank Viscuso
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/FrankViscuso
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> This may be the most important blog I have ever posted. In order to make the greatest impact possible I have decided to also keep it short.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> When I was younger my parents never let me quit a sport once the season began. Their philosophy was "Finish what you started. If you quit when things get hard you'll quit anytime you encounter adversity in life." I will forever be grateful for that…</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> This may be the most important blog I have ever posted. In order to make the greatest impact possible I have decided to also keep it short.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> When I was younger my parents never let me quit a sport once the season began. Their philosophy was "Finish what you started. If you quit when things get hard you'll quit anytime you encounter adversity in life." I will forever be grateful for that lesson.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> My parents also taught me about ownership mentality, and this is my definition:</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><b>Ownership Mentality</b>: 1. When a person stops blaming others for their circumstances and begins to take control of their mind, body, and situation. 2. Demonstrating an outstanding work ethic that transcends the norm in society.</font></font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">The opposite of ownership mentality is entitlement mentality. Here is my definition:</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><b>Entitlement Mentality</b>: 1. When a person expects everything but doesn’t want to earn it through effort or hard work. 2. Deadbeat.</font></font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"> In firefighter terms ownership mentality would be the equivalent of an aggressive offensive operation – a hard pushing interior attack. Ownership mentality is what we need in the fire service today. For example, it’s not your organizations tools and equipment that you are using. It’s yours and should be treated with the same care. </font></font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> Entitlement mentality is a disease in our country. It is the adult equivalent to the “everyone gets a trophy” mentality that is plaguing youth sports today. One of the greatest moments of my young life was when I earned the most improved wrestler trophy. The trophy was a result of hard work, dedication, and a concentrated effort, and it felt great to get rewarded for that. I don’t want my kids to think they will receive the same rewards as the hardest working members of their team even if they are lazy and/or behave badly. I want them to know that focus and hard work will bring more rewards than luck ever will. This has been the case in my life. I've had to work for everything and I'm still making that aggressive interior attack every day. Hard work has always trumped luck. In fact, the harder I work the luckier I seem to get. I believe I am not alone when I share my belief that there should be no reward for people who simply refuse to put in the effort and do the work.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"> A recent study focused on the top causes of low morale in the workplace. The number one cause was, “having to drag around dead weight” otherwise known as lazy coworkers that no one will discipline – better known as people with entitlement mentality. </font></font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> Your organization, your community and your family needs for you to be a problem solver. Society in general needs people to step up and take ownership of themselves and their circumstances. We need examples and role models and you have the opportunity to become one. Stop blaming outside influences, other people, your boss, your equipment, or your past for the situation you are in today. Keep in mind that EVERYONE is a self-made person, but only the successful ones are willing to admit it.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"> I don’t want to preach. I simply want to ask you one simple, important question…</font></font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> What type of mentality do YOU have?</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Now I dare you to step up and pass this along to others so we can fix this place before it’s too late.</font></p>
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Training for the Understaffed RIT Company
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-08-20:1219672:BlogPost:620493
2015-08-20T20:17:26.000Z
David Topczynski
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/DavidTopczynski
<p>The topic of short staffed operations is often overlooked, despite it being an issue that many municipalities deal with across the country. Understaffed fireground operations, specifically understaffed rapid intervention team (RIT) operations, is an important topic to address for any fire department. Short staffed operations change the way we operate on the fireground. Understaffed RIT operations directly affect our safety on the fireground. Not being able to rescue a downed firefighter…</p>
<p>The topic of short staffed operations is often overlooked, despite it being an issue that many municipalities deal with across the country. Understaffed fireground operations, specifically understaffed rapid intervention team (RIT) operations, is an important topic to address for any fire department. Short staffed operations change the way we operate on the fireground. Understaffed RIT operations directly affect our safety on the fireground. Not being able to rescue a downed firefighter because the rapid intervention crew was not trained to operate understaffed is unacceptable.</p>
<p>Short staffed RIT operations affect both volunteer and career departments across the country as more and more departments are facing cuts and staffing shortages. A volunteer fire department may find that they have every seat full for a structure fire on a Saturday afternoon, only to have three firefighters responding to a structure fire that comes in on Monday morning. This may actually be a little better then a career department where units are always short staffed. Although they know that they will be short staffed and can train and prepare for understaffed operations, it doesn’t change the fact that they will always have fewer firefighters than they need. Regardless of the type of fire department, every firefighter needs to know how to operate, and most important, how to be successful when operating on a rapid intervention team that is short staffed. We cannot fail to rescue a brother or sister because we were not prepared to operate on an understaffed RIT. </p>
<p>Based on past events, it is recommended that there be at least six members assigned to a RIT. However, most departments do not have the staffing to assign six firefighters to RIT. We’ve also learned that firefighters must absolutely train and prepare for RIT operations. RIT training doesn’t always need to be a complex drill. Since maydays are not planned events, RIT drills shouldn’t always be planned either. Call a mayday during any company drill, regardless of the original topic, just be certain that all the instructors or safety officers are aware of the drill. When a company knows they have a RIT drill coming up they review RIT policies and practice RIT procedures to keep from performing poorly at the drill. Many departments hold annual RIT refresher training, but how are the crews being kept prepared the rest of the year? Calling a mayday during any random drill allows crews to react to the mayday in real time with their normal operations being are interrupted and without time to rehearse what to do.</p>
<p>If you operate short staffed then training also needs to take place with short staffed teams. How often is a training class broken into groups of five when the same firefighters operate in teams of two or three on the street? Does a volunteer department have fifteen or twenty firefighters show up for a weekend drill, then only have three or four respond to the mutual aid fire Tuesday afternoon? Department’s need to train like they are going to operate! If there will be only three firefighters assigned to the RIT then training must be done in teams of three!</p>
<p>A perfect of example of this happens in my own area’s recruit fire academy. While giving this class towards the end of the fire academy the recruits were asked, “When you took the state Mayday/RIT class how many people were in each of your squads?” The recruits answered, “five in each squad and one with six.” This came from a group where they know for sure they’re going to be operating with only three firefighters on RIT once they graduate. When we do not train like we are going to operate we are doing everyone on the fireground a disservice. It is better to be trained and know how to operate successfully with short staffed crews and have to adapt to operating with five or six members on the RIT then to be trained to operate with six firefighters on RIT and find yourself having to adapt to operating with only two or three.</p>
<p>RIT drills don’t always have to be a complex drill. The goal of any RIT training should be to challenge crews with as many different types of scenarios as you can create. Not every drill has to be an elaborate scenario with props and mazes. An example of a drill that often throws crews off is calling a mayday for a fall off the roof in the rear or for a firefighter hanging from a window in the rear. A lot of time is spent preparing for entanglements and collapses or performing specific drills, such as the Denver or Columbus Drill, and rightfully so, but many forget that there is a lot of other ways that firefighters can get into trouble on the fireground. Be sure that RIT training is giving students a “total package” that is performing size ups, making entry through different areas, searching for downed firefighters and removing them. Most important, be sure that RIT drills are keeping crews thinking, challenged, and on their toes. Make training challenging and different. How often do you connect the RIT pack to a down firefighter with your hood over your face piece? A lot of firefighters can connect the universal air connection (UAC) pretty fast on the truck bay floor with their hoods on backwards. But isn’t it more realistic to have the down firefighter under a bed with their SCBA against the wall? Now the firefighter making the connection has to lie on their stomach, reach under the bed and make the connection with limited space to work which is not only more challenging, but also more realistic than a down firefighter lying out in the open.</p>
<p> Train now, and train a lot to build your muscle memory of the simply things, like knot typing, harnesses, and air connections so when a fellow firefighter is in trouble you can focus on how you’re going to rescue them and not be focused on trying to remember simple, yet vital tasks like how to tie a harness. </p>
Don’t Be Ashamed of Your Warrior Mentality - by David Rhodes
I was disturbed when I heard a fire service leader state that “we need to get rid of the fire service of the firefighter warrior mentali…
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-07-01:1219672:BlogPost:619043
2015-07-01T14:30:00.000Z
David Rhodes
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/DavidRhodes200
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355921?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355921?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><font face="Calibri" size="3">Don’t Be Ashamed of Your Warrior Mentality - by David Rhodes</font></strong></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I was</font></span> <font face="Calibri" size="3">disturbed when I heard a fire service leader state that “we need to get rid of…</font></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355921?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355921?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><font face="Calibri" size="3">Don’t Be Ashamed of Your Warrior Mentality - by David Rhodes</font></strong></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I was</font></span> <font face="Calibri" size="3">disturbed when I heard a fire service leader state that “we need to get rid of the fire service of the firefighter warrior mentality” and although the context of discussion was interior firefighting and firefighter safety I thought of one of my favorite military quotes:</font></p>
<p><b><i>“Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.”</i></b> <i>– <b>Heraclitus</b></i></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri">The definition of warrior is: “A brave or experienced soldier or fighter” Do we really want to rid ourselves of that?</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri">So if we apply the quote to a fire department we could paraphrase, “Out of every one hundred firefighters, ten should have never been hired, eighty are there to help clean the stations, nine have good situational awareness and know their job and we are lucky to have them, for they put out the fires and make the rescues. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will go beyond knowing his job he will be strong and smart and will bring the others home.”</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri">Why would we not recruit and test for warriors? Maybe it was a bad choice of words and I hope the intent was that we need to rid the fire service of ignorance and not of warriors. When I think of warriors I think of the modern Special Forces. I think of the enormous training programs and challenges that these individuals and units go through to be prepared, adaptable and competent. But before they could get to that warrior status they had to first have the warrior mentality (a form of mental toughness). I also think of specific firefighters and officers who seem to always be prepared, who are constantly drilling and learning and critiquing. Those who take physical fitness seriously and understand that just hanging out at the firehouse and watching Jerry Springer or playing video games is not preparing them for the battles they face.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri">Unfortunately there seems to be an attack on those that are the backbone of most fire ground operations. These are the go-getters, the self-motivated, the ones who are willing to risk a lot to save a life instead of going defensive at the site of flames venting from two windows on a dark night. They know that 9 of the 10 rooms can still be searched. They know that fully involved is different than fire showing. They are constantly learning, studying, reading because they want to have every advantage they can get when it is time to fight.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri">Somehow these fire service warriors have been lumped in with a group of self-proclaimed warriors that haven’t put in the effort learning tactics, strategy, building construction, fire behavior, the capabilities and limits of equipment. They believe that just being tough is enough to gain warrior status. They don’t think, or size up, or plan, or study, or learn, they just charge! This sounds horrible doesn’t it, chiefs? This group has a great love for the job but they just haven’t figured out that it’s about the service and team and not themselves and a good time. This group can be educated, trained, directed, coached and some will become good warriors. Unfortunately, much effort goes into stopping this group while those who do nothing keep on hiding with a blown O ring, equipment malfunctions that always prevent their ability to go in, they do a little house work, stay quiet and just keep on doing nothing. But they are rarely attacked by the decision makers. They are left to enjoy a peaceful career of pay check collecting.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri">The modern day warrior is strong, smart, has heart and courage. They are not always the most popular because they don’t always tell you what you want to hear. The military warrior doesn’t want to take on a machine gunner with a knife and it is not his first choice. But if that is all he has he knows to modify his plan to fit his resources to get the job done. He also knows patience and studies his opponent and the weapons of his opponent.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri">As a battalion chief I would always want to have to hold someone back instead of having to push them in. So let’s stop the assault on the fire warrior and or the warrior mentality. Let’s focus on educating those in the 80 to be as proficient at the basics as possible. Let’s push the 9 to challenge themselves mentally and physically with advanced training and let’s get rid of the 10 that we should have never hired and replace them with candidates that have a warrior mentality. What about the one you ask? Turn them loose and let them do their thing, let them influence the others. Give them encouragement, gratitude, trust and freedom. They will bring the others home! If you can’t do that for them, they will eventually just go home themselves and move on to something else where they feel they can contribute and be appreciated.</font></span></p>
<p><font face="Calibri"><span class="font-size-3">Don’t ever be ashamed or suppress your warrior mentality. The fire service, the citizens and the nation needs you.</span></font></p>
<p></p>
THIS TASTES FUNNY!
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-06-21:1219672:BlogPost:618612
2015-06-21T18:33:23.000Z
Paul Combs
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/PaulCombs
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558354007?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558354007?profile=original" width="750"></img></a> Be safe, be smart, and call for the proper resources when you're over your head!<br></br><br></br><br></br>To see more of my work or to order this print, go to:…<br></br></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558354007?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558354007?profile=original" width="750"/></a>Be safe, be smart, and call for the proper resources when you're over your head!<br/><br/><br/>To see more of my work or to order this print, go to:<br/><a href="http://artstudioseven.com/page-fire-ems-prints2.htm">http://artstudioseven.com/page-fire-ems-prints2.htm</a></p>
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Hump Day SOS How Many Have Sacrificed?
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-05-27:1219672:BlogPost:616878
2015-05-27T23:08:55.000Z
David Rhodes
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/DavidRhodes200
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357238?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357238?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">How Many Sacrificed Lives for Freedom?</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">David Rhodes</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">As we celebrated Memorial Day this past Monday I started wondering how many Americans have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom in wars and…</font></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357238?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357238?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">How Many Sacrificed Lives for Freedom?</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">David Rhodes</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">As we celebrated Memorial Day this past Monday I started wondering how many Americans have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom in wars and conflicts over the years. It is difficult to find two sources with the exact same numbers but they are all relatively close.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> <span class="font-size-3">American Revolution - 4,435</span></font></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri" size="3"> War of 1812- 2,260</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri" size="3"> Mexican War - 13,284</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri" size="3"> Civil War - 618,000</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri" size="3"> Spanish American War - 2,446</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri" size="3"> World War I- 116,516</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Calibri" size="3"> World War II- 405,399</font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> <span class="font-size-2">Korean War - 36,574</span></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> <span class="font-size-2">Vietnam War- 58,220</span></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> <span class="font-size-2">Gulf War- 383</span></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2"> Iraq/Afghanistan- 6,607</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2"><strong><font face="Calibri" size="3">Source: Department of Veteran Affairs as of Jan 1, 2015</font></strong></span></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">This is not inclusive of 64 other conflicts from the Barbary Pirates to the Bay of Pigs to bombing in Beirut that resulted in 1000’s of more deaths. So with the 1,264,123 in declared wars and another 6,300 in other conflicts and operations the total is somewhere around <span class="font-size-4"><strong>1,270,427</strong></span>. We all know that documentation wasn’t very good in the early days of this country so that is a close best guess based on the available information.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">I thank them all for the sacrifice and I thank their families for going on and moving forward to continue the great work of building a great nation built upon these sacrifices!</font></p>
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Smooth Bore Nozzle Advancement
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-05-19:1219672:BlogPost:616929
2015-05-19T20:00:00.000Z
Brian Brush
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/BrianBrush
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355211?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" height="257" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355211?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="194"></img></a> For years nearly every nozzle manufacture has been attempting to bring some type of new and attractive technology to the tried and true smooth bore. In my short career I have seen countless variations of integrated, variable choice, or adjustable diameter tips/nozzles, none of which have gained much traction beyond the exhibition floor.</p>
<p>Some would stop the conversation…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355211?profile=original"><img width="350" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355211?profile=RESIZE_480x480" height="257" width="194"/></a>For years nearly every nozzle manufacture has been attempting to bring some type of new and attractive technology to the tried and true smooth bore. In my short career I have seen countless variations of integrated, variable choice, or adjustable diameter tips/nozzles, none of which have gained much traction beyond the exhibition floor.</p>
<p>Some would stop the conversation right here and say that these failed attempts are proof we should just leave well enough alone. They may claim that the simplicity of the smooth bore is its most desirable attribute, and if it hasn't changed in the hundreds of years of service it should not be changed now.</p>
<p>I agree with these sentiments however, I believe we have seen advancement in smooth bore nozzles and another move forward has just occurred. The reason the masses aren't "seeing" changes in smooth bore nozzles is because the changes are occurring at an evolutionary pace and are physically very subtle but they are occurring. For this piece I will stick with the 2 1/2" attack line and smooth bore nozzles to best demonstrate this steady progression and the most recent step.</p>
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<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355233?profile=original"><img width="217" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355233?profile=RESIZE_320x320" height="178" width="211"/></a>The original, and still to this day most common 2 1/2" smooth bore nozzle is known as the "hydrant" or "ISO" stack. Typically found on the traditional playpipe shut off, these nozzles have been virtually unchanged for over a hundred years. The source of this nozzle was a time where the 2 1/2" hose was the "99% of the time" line for attack, master stream and supply, also most firefighting was done from the exterior or just inside. The reason for the 2 1/2" and this design was that pressure was the greatest challenge of the time for the fire service both in consistence and amount. The 2 1/2" line provided a low friction loss line that was still maneuverable especially when it was pulled around by two firefighters using the handles on the playpipe. The series of tips allowed firefighters to adjust to the various pressures and maintain a good stream; consider it a manual automatic nozzle.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355462?profile=original"><img width="450" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355462?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450"/></a>Over time firefighting operations have certainly changed. The reliability and ability of fire apparatus and infrastructure to provide consistent and quality pressure for firefighting operations has improved 10 fold from the turn of the last century. With SCBA, firefighting operations moved interior and with that the push for 1 1/2" and 1 3/4" hose has given operators more choices. With that tide of transition came a clear adaptation of the smooth bore to the more modern time.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355384?profile=original"><img width="450" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355384?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450"/></a></p>
<p>With the prevalence of the 1 3/4" lines flowing between 150 and 185 GPM it seemed unnecessary to maintain a 1" tip on the much larger 2 1/2" line that only provided between 25 and 60 more GPM. With that many departments pushed for the hydrant stack of three tips to be reduced to two. The two remaining tips (1 1/8" and 1 1/4") remained stacked not to ensure a quality stream through pressure fluctuation, but to provide options in attack power. The 1 1/8" tip could be the "go to" for most 2 1/2" operations by providing 265 GPM and if the training/comfort level of the crew or the amount of fire upon arrival dictates a simple tip removal increases your fire power by almost 25% going up to the 1 1/4" at 328 GPM.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355558?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355558?profile=RESIZE_320x320" height="225" width="225"/></a>The "Indy Stack", as it is now known, is also now commonly found on standard 2 1/2" nozzle shut offs. The size and weight of the playpipe hinders most active and interior firefighting operations. Many of the original design features of the playpipe were for defensive operations and are just not a part of modern day technique. The greatest example of this is the portable master stream. In the "old days" you would see pictures of defensive firegrounds that would be seas of 2 1/2" lines and operators. The reason being is the 2 1/2" was both their attack lines (1" and 1 1/8") and their master streams (1 1/4"). Today's defensive fire grounds are primarily portable and or unmanned master streams (1 3/8" +). These modern master streams are well beyond the flow range of the 2 1/2". Most of these devices are fed by a minimum of 3", two 2 1/2"s or even 5" in some cases. If your department is still consistently equipping your apparatus with these playpipe shut offs you should make sure that there is reasoning behind it to meet a standard, to match training and operations or is it "just because".</p>
<p></p>
<p>Now to discuss the latest advancement of the smooth bore and that is the new bore. In the last year a few nozzle manufactures have tooled up to produce an 1 3/16" tip. The creation of the 1 3/16" tip has been largely driven by the work of Oakland (CA) Fire Department Captain (Ret.) Dennis LeGear. Captain LeGear refers to the 1 3/16" as the "missing" tip because of its absence as an option until recently.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357295?profile=original"><img width="450" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357295?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450"/></a></p>
<p>We often get fixated on a 50 PSI operating pressure for smooth bore nozzles. While 50 PSI creates the optimal stream quality, the smooth bore is like all nozzles and has a functional range between 40 and 60 PSI. As you can see above the functional range of the single 1 3/16" tip covers the GPM flows of the 1 1/8" and 1 1/4" while also providing an optimal stream at an intermediate 296 GPM. The beauty of the 296 GPM at 50 PSI target is that NFPA recommendation and industry common practice for 1 3/4" attack lines is 150 GPM or better for interior fire attack. When you set up your engine companies with a 2 1/2" and 1 3/16" tip you are not only "going with the big line" you are doubling your attack volume with that bigger line. The single tip simplifies hydraulic calculations, communications and variables of two tips. The single tip on a shut off also reduces the total length and weight of the nozzle package resulting in better balance and reduction of nozzle whip when operating.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558359173?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558359173?profile=RESIZE_320x320" height="233" width="233"/></a>Another factor in today's 2 1/2" nozzle selection is the pairing with modern hose. Once again the work of Captain LeGear has made many of us as operators that the internal diameter of our hose has increased over the years. As much as we would like to trust that hose manufactures are reducing friction loss and weight through technological advances in materials, it just isn't the case. The greatest factor in decreasing friction loss and increasing flow is the internal diameter of the hose. As the internal diameter expands friction loss is reduced and more water can be moved through the line.</p>
<p>If pump charts are not adjusted to the specific friction loss characteristics of the hose hose in service and coefficients associated with a true 2 ½” internal diameter are used, the line will be over pumped. This piece of modern hose construction creates even greater support for moving towards an 1 3/16" tip as an attack package.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Below is an example of the 1 3/16” tip when you apply current 2 11/16” friction loss coefficient as compared to the 1 1/8” tip with the traditional 2 1/2" based coefficient.</p>
<ul>
<li>Friction loss per 100’ of 2 ½” hose flowing 265 GPM from a 1 1/8” smooth bore tip using the 2 1/2" coefficient of 2 is 14 psi</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Friction loss per 100’ of 2 ½” hose flowing 296 GPM from a 1 3/16” smooth bore tip using a modern 2 11/16" hose internal diameter coefficient of 1.4 is 12 psi</li>
</ul>
<p>Technically if you are using IFSTA based coefficients and modern 2 ½” hose you could just go replace all the 1 1/8” tips on your attack lines with a 1 3/16” and you would be flowing over 300 GPM or 5 gallons per second from your lines without anyone even knowing.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558360774?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558360774?profile=RESIZE_320x320" height="202" width="202"/></a>The release of a "new" smooth bore will not get many people in the fire service excited, some may not even recognize it and most will possibly never even hear about it. The biggest factor in this is because the smooth bore is not an item that needs replacement. These tips can and do see a hundred years of service without issue but that lack of attention may be resulting in a lack of opportunity for you and your department in operational potential and efficiency.</p>
<p>I would not expect anyone to just up and replace their hydrant stacks or Indy stacks today in favor of the 1 3/16" tip because you and I both know they work just fine. I do believe that there is value in evaluating it as an option for future purchases. Next time a nozzle vendor makes themselves available, or you start to spec out a new apparatus, discuss these smooth bore advancements and find out where your equipment and operations are and where you would like to be.</p>
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Extrication "Quick Tip" #35 (ALTERNATIVE DASH OPTION)
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-05-19:1219672:BlogPost:616831
2015-05-19T11:30:00.000Z
Isaac Frazier
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/IsaacFrazier
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Displacing vehicle dash assemblies can be a challenging task at times. Many options are available when a vehicle is sitting upright. However, displacement options can quickly diminish when vehicle orientation changes or the involved vehicle is pinned against various objects. Todays "Quick Tip" will show an alternative technique that is quick, and many times can provide enough displacement to free trapped patients. I have used this method many times when a…</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">Displacing vehicle dash assemblies can be a challenging task at times. Many options are available when a vehicle is sitting upright. However, displacement options can quickly diminish when vehicle orientation changes or the involved vehicle is pinned against various objects. Todays "Quick Tip" will show an alternative technique that is quick, and many times can provide enough displacement to free trapped patients. I have used this method many times when a vehicle is oriented on its side and the patient is trapped by the dash. The pictures shown for this technique (although one was rotated for a better view) were completed on a side resting vehicle. However, this technique can be used in multiple situations. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><span class="font-size-3"><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558356668?profile=original" target="_self"></a></span></span></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558358468?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="480" height="558" class="align-left" style="width: 292px; height: 403px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558358468?profile=original"/></a><strong>Stabilization and roof flap completed to gain needed access.</strong></span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Dash strapping is exposed and cut. See <span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://community.fireengineering.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1219672%3ABlogPost%3A596752" target="_self"><font size="2">Extrication "Quick Tip" #7 (Dash Strapping)</font></a></span></span></strong></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Hydraulic spreader is placed in area of console and transmission column.</span></strong></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Spreader is engaged until contact is made with the dash support (crossbeam).</span></strong></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Patient must be supported on side resting vehicles, to support them prior to lift.</span></strong></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Dash is displaced from the center.</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558358594?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="640" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558358594?profile=original"/></a><font face="Calibri"><font size="2"><span class="font-size-4"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><span class="font-size-4"><span class="font-size-4" style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="font-size-2"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558327811?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="128" height="129" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558327811?profile=RESIZE_320x320"/></a></span></span></span></span></span></font></span>ISAAC FRAZIER is a Special Operations Lieutenant with St. Johns County <span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="font-size-4"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558331040?profile=original" target="_self"></a></span></span>Florida’s Heavy Rescue “Squad 4”. First due to the deadliest stretch of roadway in the nation, Frazier teaches from personal street experience providing tried and true tactics. Frazier is the owner of Tactical Advantage Training and creator of the course Tactical Extrication. Frazier travels nationally sharing his passion teaching fire and extrication courses. Frazier is a Fire Officer II, FL Paramedic, Special Operations Officer, Florida State Instructor, FLUSAR Tech, Diver, and FL Hazmat Tech. </font></font> <a href="http://www.traintacticaladvantage.com/" rel="nofollow"><font face="Calibri" size="2">www.TrainTacticalAdvantage.com</font></a></p>
Kelly Jacobson; I Drive With My Lights On For Safety - Episode #5
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-05-12:1219672:BlogPost:615962
2015-05-12T04:49:23.000Z
Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/ArtGoodrich
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355303?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://undefined" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357102?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357102?profile=original" width="640"></img></a></p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558355303?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://undefined" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357102?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="640" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558357102?profile=original"/></a></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">As the tones sounded for a structural fire at</span> 1542 S. Division Street<span class="font-size-3"><span class="font-size-4">,</span> Chief Harold (Diesel) Forrester came out into the hallway to see who was yelling.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">Vinnie was standing outside of Jake’s office yelling, “What’ll I do; what’ll I do?”</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Jake snapped back, “Grab your gear and catch a ride, dumb ass”.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Vinnie pivots and runs into Jimmy Mac again!</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">“Dammit, kid”, was all Jimmy could get out before Vinnie bolted by him.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Chief Forrester yelled to Jake, “Jake; remember that Cappaletti is the FNG!”</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Jake shot over his shoulder, “Yeah; FNG!”</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Vinnie was running through the station like a monkey on fire, thinking that he would be the first one in the rig. When he got in, his spirit and his mouth dropped. Sitting comfortably in their places were FAE Kelly (KJ) Jacobson behind the steering wheel, Jake in the captain’s seat, Jimmy Mac in the seat behind KJ and now Vinnie. As Vinnie was gasping for air, Jake asked him, “What; you stop off to take a piss or something?” KJ let out a howl, revved the engine, gave the air horn cord a tug and eased the engine out through the bay door.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Vinnie’s got his first fire as a member of the Grandview Fire Department!</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Kelly (KJ) Jacobson is a 43-year-old veteran of the fire department. He took the scenic route from</span> Phelpsburg, Maryland<span class="font-size-3">. Phelpsburg was a poster child for “</span>Small Town, USA<span class="font-size-3">”. It was home to a small college, but most of the townsfolk worked in one of the four factories. Everybody knew each other. The town was proud of its high school football and basketball teams; perennial powerhouses. Summer little league baseball was huge and a team made it to the Little League World Series in 1972.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">KJ was of Irish/German descent. Though discipline was a priority, so was having a good time. His father was an ARFF firefighter in the Marines, but never had the time for the local volunteer fire department. If he couldn’t give something his total commitment, he wouldn’t do it. He dedicated himself to teaching at the high school. Though KJ had but one older sister, he had several cousins. He grew up Catholic while his mom helped to re-model their house that was built in the late 1800s.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">After graduating high school in the top 10, KJ grabbed a scholarship for college, graduated from there with honors and was immediately unemployed! Recessions will do that.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">In the meantime, he hooked up with the local ambulance and waited for an opening on the fire department; his engineering degree hanging on the wall; his career hanging in the balance!</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">After falling in love and then falling out of love, KJ got an engineering job with the state highway administration, but that ended quicker than the oil embargo. Out of money and out of options, he moved to the big city and moved in with his sister to make ends meet until his next career opportunity came along. He joined a volunteer fire company in 1983, earning his FFI and FFII certs. He also managed to complete EMT training and cardiac rescue. Things were looking up for KJ! Work was going great and down time could find him playing softball, drinking an occasional brewski and listening to others relate the details of their failed love lives.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">KJ decided that it was time to get his own digs, figured out that he had hit the ceiling where he worked, met the love of his life while playing in a recreational volleyball league and was burning the candle at both ends. It was time for a break.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">He was working for an engineering firm when an old fire buddy of his came into his office for an annual inspection. They got to talking about the old days and the next thing KJ knew, he was applying for the Grandview Fire Department. He was hired on the spot, because of his extensive background in FFI, FFII, Technical Rescue, Structural Collapse and HazMat. If that wasn’t enough, KJ got married and soon had a daughter, Karin and a son, John. Though KJ was more than qualified to perform the daily firefighter functions, he preferred teaching and mentoring the young firefighters and driving the rigs. But KJ wasn’t above putting on his gear, throwing on an air pack and mixing it up with the fiery demon, either!</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">KJ took great pride in making the leap from volunteer to career. He wanted to be the example to others and would help them in any way he could.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">As KJ turned the corner from</span> Washington Avenue <span class="font-size-3">onto</span> South Division Street<span class="font-size-3">, he could smell the smoke that was in the air. His adrenaline started to boil! <i>This is going to be a GOOD one</i>!</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">“Going to hook the hydrant?” he asked Jake.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">“Naw; next due’s got it”, came Jake’s reply. “We’ll go off tank water; help is on the way”.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Things were about to get interesting…</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><b><i>The Adventures of Jake and</i></b> <b>Vinnie©</b> is a fictional literary work. It is protected by federal copyright. The article is published under <b><i>The Adventures of Jake and</i> Vinnie©</b> umbrella and is the intellectual property of Art Goodrich a.k.a. ChiefReason. It cannot be re-printed in any form.</span></p>
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Milwaukee, Louver, Rochester Peak, Syracuse, Tee Pee Cut. What is right for us?
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-05-03:1219672:BlogPost:615708
2015-05-03T23:16:49.000Z
Lou Comenale
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/LouComenale
<p><strong>Milwaukee, Louver, Rochester Peak, Syracuse, Tee Pee Cut.</strong></p>
<p><strong>What is right for us?</strong></p>
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<p>I had the opportunity to attend FDIC the past month and was fortunate enough to take the eight hour HOT class Urban Essentials. If you ever get the chance to go to Indianapolis for FDIC take Urban Essentials, lots of skills that you can take back to your home department and implement. At Urban Essentials one of Milwaukee’s finest truck companies…</p>
<p><strong>Milwaukee, Louver, Rochester Peak, Syracuse, Tee Pee Cut.</strong></p>
<p><strong>What is right for us?</strong></p>
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<p>I had the opportunity to attend FDIC the past month and was fortunate enough to take the eight hour HOT class Urban Essentials. If you ever get the chance to go to Indianapolis for FDIC take Urban Essentials, lots of skills that you can take back to your home department and implement. At Urban Essentials one of Milwaukee’s finest truck companies demonstrated the Milwaukee Cut method for performing vertical ventilation on peaked roofs, after the demonstration we broke off into groups and practiced the skills for that cut. It is a great, safe and quick method of getting a large ventilation opening, IF YOU TRAIN ON IT.</p>
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<p>One of the questions asked before the demonstration was, “Who here cuts peaked roofs and how?” I raised my hand and answer the question to the best of my knowledge and the answer simply was, “Yes we do, and it depends on who is working.” <em>(This is not an discussion about weather or not to vertically vent, if you have questions about that I suggest you talk to Chief Jim Walsh of vententersearch.com, amazing speaker and has a great presentation)</em> This isn’t right and it isn’t wrong in my mind, some people are more comfortable with one type of method over another. </p>
<p>Here in Upstate, NY vertically venting a peaked roof is not a four letter word, it is very common practice, most of the roofs in Upstate are peaked due to the snow. I have been lucky to learn quite a few ways to open up a roof in my career. The method I learned was in FF1, the Louver Cut. This cut at the time was performed working off a roof ladder but we were “tethered” to the ladder with what is known in the area as a “Wydra Belt.” A “Wydra Belt” is simply a Lineman’s Belt. The belt had a wire rope, six feet in length. On each end of the wire rope was a carabiner and sliding along the wire rope was a very large carabiner. We would clip the large carabiner to the top rung of the roof ladder and unclip one small carabiner, this would act as a stopper knot, and we were able to “swing” off the ladder and preform the cut. In my home department this went by the wayside because of NFPA standards. We still preform the louver cut but not on peaked roofs that we need to work off a roof ladder.</p>
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<p><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558350928?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558350947?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558350947?profile=original" width="600" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>Above Pictures are the Lineman Belt and the Six foot wire rope tether. Missing on the wire rope is a large carabiner that would slide along the wire rope. The two small carabiners would be attached to the side attachment points on the belt. Depending on which side of the roof ladder we were working off would dictate what side would be our attachment point. If we worked off the right side of the ladder the left side carabiner would stay attached and the right side would slide up and lock in the large carabiner which would be clipped onto the top rung of the roof ladder.</p>
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<p>The second cut that I learned was the Rochester Peak Cut. Here it is know as just the Peak cut. All cuts are done while straddling the Peak of the roof. Another caveat about Upstate NY, we have a lot of legacy construction with dimensional lumber roofs built with ridge boards and rafters. The firefighter can gain access to the peak of the roof by either Aerial Ladder or Ground and Roof Ladders. Once on the roof and the location is determined for the vent opening, the firefighter makes numerous vertical cuts, starting low and pulling the saw back towards the peak (I was taught to use the box vents to gauge where to cut, roofers do not instal box vents over a roof rafter, if there are not box vents but ridge vent, pull up some ridge vent to expose where the rafters are), the more vertical cuts the easier the hole is made. Once all the vertical cuts are complete the firefighter can either stretch and make a diagonal cut across all the vertical cuts or take a cut across the peak overlapping all the vertical cuts. Once the saw work is complete a second firefighter finishes off the opening with and axe or a maul.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558363111?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558363111?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full" height="484"/></a></p>
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<p>Above is the Peak Cut method.( Sorry for the diagram, my hand drawing skills are a lot better than my computer drawing skills)</p>
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<p>The third cut is more of a myth, I think, but we have trained on it in my home department. While I was in my Recruit Fire Academy at the NYS Fire Academy, an instructor mentioned a cut called the “Syracuse Cut.” I apologize to any Syracuse Firefighters that read this, I have no verification that this is truly how the City of Syracuse vents peaked roofs. I only refer to it as the Syracuse Cut because an Instructor (who will remain nameless) called it the Syracuse Cut while explaining the method. The way it was explained and the way we train on it is in simplistic terms, is a Milwaukee cut preformed off of one roof ladder. The saw firefighter starts at the top of the roof (peak) and makes horizontal cuts every two feet or so, about eight to ten feet down the ladder, four to six cuts. After the horizontal cuts are finished the firefighter makes a vertical cut by running the saw along the edge of the roof ladder overlapping all the horizontal cuts. Once all the cuts are finished a second firefighter finishes off the opening with and axe or maul.</p>
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<p>The third, fourth and etc cuts, like the Milwaukee, TeePee and Box are all cuts we watched on a video or read about in a magazine and went out an did actual hands on training for it. I won’t do the methods any justice by describing them. </p>
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<p>The point I am trying to make is there are 100 ways to skin a cat we all know this in the fire service. Milwaukee does their cut because they have done it and trained with it for 100 years and are very good at it. The City of Rochester preforms the Peak cut very efficiently. When I answered the question at FDIC “Yes we do and it depends on who is working” is a great answer. My department trains on a variety of methods because we face a variety of roofs. If we come across an older home that still has a tongue-in-grove decking we can use the TeePee, Milwaukee or Box. If we have an older home but with a newer roof on it using either half inch plywood or half inch OSB, we can use the Peak Cut ore Louver Cut. New construction with light weight trusses we most likely will perform a cut from the safety of the roof ladder such as the “Syracuse Cut” or the Milwaukee Cut. </p>
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<p>Some of these ventilation methods are more geared towards departments that are able to get an aerial apparatus in place such as the Peak Cut, not saying it cannot be accompished with ground ladders. Some cuts are great from an aerial device (bucket or straight stick) as in the TeePee, and some are strictly from ground and roof ladders. If we were to have an SOG that stated we will preform ‘x’ cut method for vertically venting peaked roofs, we would kinda be handcuffed to some extent. Giving the Company Officer options is a great fireground tool, you just need to know when to use said tool, very cliche I know. Not one cut is right. Get out there and train and see what works for you. </p>
Main Street Fire Escapes Need Review Too!
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-04-02:1219672:BlogPost:614507
2015-04-02T17:05:23.000Z
Joseph Pronesti
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/JosephPronesti
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558344311?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361683?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361839?profile=original" target="_self"></a></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558344311?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361683?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361839?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558362210?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558364837?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367322?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367632?profile=original" target="_self"></a>Do not neglect these when doing building familiarization</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">By: Joe Pronesti</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">As we slowly approach spring and I do mean SLOWLY, the nicer weather is allowing companies the ability to get out and do some outside training and building familiarization. One item that can be overlooked on our site visits, inspections, etc. are fire escapes.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">In many older downtowns or “Main Street” areas these life safety devices were part of the original construction and just like parapet walls for example can deteriorate and weaken causing issues on the fire ground. They are also most likely “hidden away” on the C-side which can be in a narrow, little accessed alley or drive, making them quite unmemorable even to their building owners/ care takers.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Failure is likely to occur at the connections between the metal parts of the fire escape and the fire escape and the building, landings and steps may be rusted through or ready to pull apart from a gust of wind or the weight of a firefighter or civilian escaping a fire or simply going to the parking lot. Firefighters use fire escapes to gain access to upper floors more often than occupants of buildings use them to escape a fire. Consequently, firefighters are injured by fire escape mishaps than the occupants, this might be even more pronounced if your “Main Street” or downtown has many vacant buildings.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">As most departments are at bare bones levels and those divisions responsible for Fire Prevention/Inspections have an already full plate it can be quite easy to place inspection of fire escapes on the backburner. If you are an officer leading an inspection make sure you walk out onto the escapes or at the very least make a good visual when on site, take photos, and on weekends or holidays a great training is to go out and set up your aerial on your Main Street buildings, this training provides multiple training lessons and points, first, you get excellent practice aerial placement and positioning and you can also check out your fire escapes from a relatively safe lofty perch of the aerial basket or ladder.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">A tragic reminder of the dangers of fire escape collapse occurred on July 22, 1975 in Boston, a 19-year-old and her 2-year-old god-daughter were trapped in a burning building. A firefighter, Robert O’Neill, shielded them from the flames as a fire ladder inched closer. As the firefighter climbed on the ladder, the fire escape collapsed. Although the woman died from her injuries, the infant survived. See photos below.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">A good rule of thumb for your pre-fire plans/inspections, etc. is if you find little or no maintenance e.g. paint, consider the fire escape unsafe. I have attached a great video that reviews fire escape inspections and I also would encourage all Brothers and Sisters to review retired FDNY Chief Vincent Dunn’s book, <b><i>Safety and Survival on the Fire Ground</i></b> for more detailed information on fire escape safety for firefighters.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Get out and check out your Main Street Fire Escapes! Be Safe.</font></p>
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<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NNNTIDXkKK8?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558344311?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558344311?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558344311?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361683?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361839?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361839?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558344311?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361683?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361839?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558362210?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" height="561" class="align-left" style="width: 349px; height: 216px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558362210?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
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<p>When installed a century ago in my district this party balcony fire escape was not intended for its current use. Noting these often forgotten subtleties can make a difference on the fire ground</p>
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<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558344311?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361683?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558361839?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558362210?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558364837?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367322?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367632?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" height="772" class="align-left" style="width: 397px; height: 355px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558367632?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
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<p>Can you find the fire escape through the Ivy? This is a hidden away escape in a rear alley, don't neglect the C side on building familiarizations</p>
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Social Media Blogs are Like Opinions: Everybody’s Got One!
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-04-01:1219672:BlogPost:614920
2015-04-01T23:30:00.000Z
Eddie Buchanan
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/EddieBuchanan
<p>There is plenty of change going on the world these days, and the fire service is no different. We are looking into the science of our business and debating how to apply it, wrestling with generational issues, technology, etc., but one of the most striking changes to come along in the last ten years or so has been the way we get our information. And it is important to recognize these changes and how they influence our industry. Our younger members may not have the experience to recognize…</p>
<p>There is plenty of change going on the world these days, and the fire service is no different. We are looking into the science of our business and debating how to apply it, wrestling with generational issues, technology, etc., but one of the most striking changes to come along in the last ten years or so has been the way we get our information. And it is important to recognize these changes and how they influence our industry. Our younger members may not have the experience to recognize the difference between a technical article and blog, which could easily lead them astray in the absence of good leadership. </p>
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<p>Ten years ago, we waited for the hard copy of Fire Engineering to arrive. Fire Engineering is known for it’s technical integrity and what you see printed there is reliable information. It is important to understand how that editorial process works. The magazine content goes through a peer review process where technical experts in a specific area review an article to ensure that it is accurate and relevant. Then the editors work their magic to ensure it meets literary standards. And before anything hits the news stand or mailbox, it is reviewed again by the Editor in Chief to ensure everything is accurate and true. And if an article challenges the current thinking, the “Letters to the Editor” section is sure to light up with comments, to which the author will often respond. </p>
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<p>If you monitor social media at all today, you’ll see that blogs are becoming more popular. Blogs allow virtually anyone to post content and then share it through various social media outlets. This is both good and bad, depending on which blog you read. Some blogs use editors and technical advisors to ensure accuracy, but they are certainly the minority. There are some that are awesome because the author is awesome. But many of the blogs I see in my newsfeed (my stuff included) are simply opinion, which may or may not be technically sound. This creates a situation where we must carefully evaluate the blog content and draw our own conclusions on the value of the work. If I read a blog and think, “Yeah, me too!,” that doesn’t necessarily make the author or me technically accurate. Sometimes, it’s more similar to, “Here, hold my drink.” </p>
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<p>As with most everything we read in the media today, critical thinking skills are essential to make sure we carefully evaluate the information presented. We have to consider the standard critical-thinking criteria, such as who, what, when and where. We also must consider the author’s point of view, their background and experience, their training, and any agendas they may attempting to move forward. Occasionally, emotion plays a large roll in the content, as well. And much like we must evaluate what they <strong><i>did</i></strong> say, we must also consider what they <strong><i>didn’t</i></strong> say. What key elements did they avoid that seem to skirt logic? </p>
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<p>So I think it is important that we carefully evaluate the information we see through the various media outlets today. There is a big difference between an article in the magazine that has been technically reviewed and a rant on little Johnny’s webpage. We should greet everything we read with some skepticism to ensure the ideas and concepts are factual. Sure, a great blog can be fantastic entertainment, but remember it’s just that…entertainment. </p>
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<p>So I encourage you to challenge what is presented to you. Is the information factual? Do we have all of the information? Is the story being spun to support a particular agenda? If you want to practice, just watch the various news networks and how they cover the same event. But when considering what you read on social media regarding the fire service, use a critical eye. Some of the information out there is great, some is opinion, and some is just plain ignorant or misguided. You have the do the work of deciding what you feed your brain and sorting valuable information from fire service entertainment.</p>
The Benefits of the Low Prop in Firefighter Bailout Training
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-03-25:1219672:BlogPost:614646
2015-03-25T03:33:07.000Z
Jason Hoevelmann
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/JasonHoevelmann
<p>We have the distinct honor and pleasure to offer our <a href="http://www.fdic.com/content/fdic/en/articles/instruction/2015/hots/4hr/firefighter-bailout-techniques.html">Firefighter Bailout class at FDIC 2015 </a>this year as one of the HOT classes. We feel, like most, that we should train and drill constantly on the basics like engine company operations, search, ventilation, fire behavior, ladder work, forcible and the list goes on, to prevent the need for a firefighter to have to exit an…</p>
<p>We have the distinct honor and pleasure to offer our <a href="http://www.fdic.com/content/fdic/en/articles/instruction/2015/hots/4hr/firefighter-bailout-techniques.html">Firefighter Bailout class at FDIC 2015 </a>this year as one of the HOT classes. We feel, like most, that we should train and drill constantly on the basics like engine company operations, search, ventilation, fire behavior, ladder work, forcible and the list goes on, to prevent the need for a firefighter to have to exit an upper floor window. However, the reality is that we can do everything correct and still find ourselves in a situation that we have no control over and there are many factors that determine that. We believe it's rare, but it is something that can happen and we must be prepared.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.enginehousetraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/bailout-prop-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-557" src="http://www.enginehousetraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/bailout-prop-2-225x300.jpg" alt="bailout prop 2" width="225" height="300"/></a></p>
<p>Our philosophy for firefighter bailout is not about how high the window is or how fast you can do it, but it's about creating good technique, muscle memory and building trust in the equipment. When we train this is primarily done on a low prop. It's a version of the low prop that you might see others use for basement drills. There are some very good reasons to use the low prop regularly when training and practicing bailout techniques.</p>
<p>Not everybody has a tower or building with elevated floors to train in. This should not prevent you from being proficient with your <a href="http://community.fireengineering.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1219672:BlogPost:612953">bailout system, no matter what you choose to use</a>. Bailout proficiency is not acquired from height, but rather from multiple repetitions. The low prop allows any department or training agency to get as many reps as you want with minimal cost and it can be done safely in the engine bay or basement of the engine house.</p>
<p>We have found that students learn better when they are comfortable with their environment and skills. There are obvious benefits to high stress training, but for bailout proficiency we have to build to that level over time and with multiple reps to create and maintain good technique. Starting firefighters on the low prop allows for increased familiarity with their system, perfecting techniques, all with minimal risk. This builds confidence for when they do get to the elevated windows.</p>
<p>The low prop also creates a better learning experience to fix small, but critical issues that are hard to do on the elevated window. Little things like hooking the leg, hand placement on the hook and the rope, staying low and hanging are critical for the successful bailout. With the low prop we can easily see the more intricate skills and slow down the process with the instructor right with them. There is time and space to make those corrections without the need for a safety line and the anxiety that can come with the elevated window.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.enginehousetraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMG_0003_2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-558" src="http://www.enginehousetraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMG_0003_2-225x300.jpg" alt="IMG_0003_2" width="225" height="300"/></a></p>
<p>Finally, the low prop allows for maximum repetitions and that is what is critical for mastering this skill. When using the elevated window, whether in a training tower, a hose tower or an acquired structure it is a much larger production just due to the safety aspects. We have to have edge protection, safety lines, a window instructor, and all of that takes time to set up, run and break down. Additionally, firefighters are not able to get as many reps in the same amount of time that they could with the low prop.</p>
<p>That is not say that the elevated window should be eliminated, it should not! It is still a critical component of firefighter bailout training. The low prop just offers firefighters and officers the opportunity to get maximum reps with low risk, low cost and in a much shorter time.</p>
<p>In the video you will see a firefighter's leg get hung up a little and some other small issues that are common in bailout classes. Captain Andy Seers of <a href="http://www.enginehousetraining.com/" target="_blank">Engine House Training, LLC</a>is able to easily make the instruction personal for each firefighter and make those corrections quickly and easily with very low risk.</p>
<p>I hope this helps you in your training for bailout and offers some insight into the role that the low prop plays in firefighter bailout training. We get a lot of comments from firefighters that come through our classes about how they don't have a tower or facility to train on. This is our answer.</p>
<p>The first video is on a standard 8 foot window prop. The second is a new prop we just built and will be using at FDIC 2015 that is 10 feet that works perfect for bailout training and basement drills.</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/YMBUgItj9RA">Low Prop Video 1</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://youtu.be/yU9RjGh-5WQ">Low Prop Video 2</a></p>
Four Simple Rules for the Company Officer
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-03-18:1219672:BlogPost:614427
2015-03-18T18:15:26.000Z
Jason Hoevelmann
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/JasonHoevelmann
<p>I talk a great deal about the role of the company officers and how they influence the members of your department. When teaching officer development we hit hard on setting and establishing expectations and ensuring that there is follow-through with those expectations. I was recently asked about expectations for my company officers. They aren't too different from what I expected from my crew members when I was a company officer.</p>
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<div>When I sit down with my crew and…</div>
<p>I talk a great deal about the role of the company officers and how they influence the members of your department. When teaching officer development we hit hard on setting and establishing expectations and ensuring that there is follow-through with those expectations. I was recently asked about expectations for my company officers. They aren't too different from what I expected from my crew members when I was a company officer.</p>
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<div>When I sit down with my crew and officers, I have a list of items that vary from small reminders to issues that need to be changed, so to offer a list of my specific expectations is difficult because they are specific to my organization, my crew and my officers. I did come up with four non-negotiable rules that apply to all members, but I depend on my officers to demonstrate on a regular basis. These four rules have many related examples of how to accomplish them.</div>
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<div>Feel free to use and add your own twists to the Four Rules for Company Officers.</div>
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<div><strong>Rule 1: Be Generous.</strong></div>
<div> This applies to all facets and situations while on duty and is encouraged when off duty. Be generous with the community by attending events voluntarily, stop and hand out stickers or just check on kids in the neighborhood. I liked to stop at the local ice cream stand in the summer and visit with the families getting a treat. You can even, on occasion, pick up the tab. Be generous with your knowledge and experiences. Don't be stingy with what you know, don't wait to be asked, give it freely and frequently. As the officer, be generous with helping your members and community whenever you can, whatever that may be. Finally, help when it's not expected. Maybe it's giving a person broke down a few bucks for gas or a cab. Be generous!</div>
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<div><strong>Rule 2: Be Constructive.</strong></div>
<div> Being constructive is a must for all members, but especially so for the company officer. This is how the officer develops his crew members. The officer will no doubt have times when members make mistakes and the officer needs to understand how to make those learning experiences and to change the behavior. Demeaning and negative responses should not be the first choice of responses. Don't confuse being constructive with discipline for habitual, negligent and insubordination. Being constructive is seeing or noticing that your firefighter is struggling with pulling the static line. Instead of yelling and screaming, drill and train to make the improvement. This is a rule that requires the officer to understand the his crew is a direct reflection of the his crew.</div>
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<div><strong>Rule 3: Be Productive.</strong></div>
<div> This is what makes the crew go! I don't believe in busy work and don't assign it. But, I do expect that my officers stay productive at all times and it's as simple as getting done what needs to get done when it needs to be done. I explain it like this: we would never walk past a kink on the fire ground because it could have a direct impact on the success of the crews on the inside. The firehouse and training ground is no different. Don't walk past kinks in your daily like and routine. It doesn't matter who left it at that moment, you found it and now it's yours. It sets the tone for the crew and its members and actually had become a source of pride with some crews.</div>
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<div><strong>Rule 4: Be Aggressive!</strong></div>
<div> Yes, I said be aggressive! I expect my crews and officers to be aggressive on the fire ground. I expect them to use their experience, knowledge and training to aggressively attack all incidents that they respond to. This includes making interior fire attacks, searching without a hose line if dictated and performing VES when indicated. It also means that they need use patience and decision making to not be reckless. I also expect them to aggressively check smoke detectors and CO detectors on medical and service calls. I expect them to aggressively take actions on their own to make a difference in our community. I want them thinking and taking action at all times to solve the problems of our citizens and our members.</div>
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<div>I hope you find these useful and thanks for reading.</div>
Disappear
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-03-11:1219672:BlogPost:614377
2015-03-11T13:43:02.000Z
Mark vonAppen
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/MarkvonAppen
<div><p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558339891?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558339891?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500"></img></a> By: Mark vonAppen</font></font></p>
<p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><br></br></font></font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">A well-intentioned co-worker took me aside as I…</font></font></p>
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<div><p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558339891?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558339891?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-right"/></a>By: Mark vonAppen</font></font></p>
<p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><br/></font></font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">A well-intentioned co-worker took me aside as I prepared for a promotional exam, placed his hand on my shoulder and asked, “What’s your deal?”</font></font></p>
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<div><p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">In return I offered a puzzled look as the conversation stumbled awkwardly down a familiar path.</font></font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font>He continued, “You need to tone it down. People are saying you're a bit over the top.<font> </font>If you want to get promoted, you need to disappear."</font></font></p>
<p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font><br/></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font><i>Disappear?</i></font></font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font>I stiffened inside as I listened to his words. What was wrong with me that doing things my way went against what was socially graceful, safe, or right? It was the part of myself that I despised, but I had always seemed unable, or unwilling, to change it. What had made me such a misfit, living my life with my head lowered, so dead-set on testing limits, permanently at odds with the world around me? Why was I forever pushing upwind, uphill, and upstream?</font></font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font> </font></font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font><i>Disappear?</i></font></font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font> </font></font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">I began to consider what I was being asked to do. Was I wrong? <i>Was it me? </i>I realized then that I was being asked to compromise what I felt was right</font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">, to realign my true north,</font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"> and my heels dug in once again as they had from the moment I was born. I was being asked to do what was easy as opposed to what I knew was right. It wasn't me, quit had never been in my vocabulary, but fight and adaptation were always part of my life. History has proven that wars are won by those who are students of battle stories, those who press on despite the best efforts of those who try to hold them back. </font></p>
<p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><br/></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">A wide, satisfied grin spread across my face. </font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"> </font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font>Oh, <i>sorry.</i></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><i> </i></font></p>
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<div><p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">Wait a minute, I'm not sorry.</font></font></p>
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<div><p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"> </font></font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><i>I will not disappear. I won't be put in a box.</i></font></p>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><br/></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif"><font color="#FF0000" size="6"><b>A big part of what it means to lead is having the courage to disobey. </b></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif"><b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#FF0000" size="6">The path of most resistance is where the biggest change occurs.</font></b></font></p>
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<div><p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">I not so subtly rolled my eyes and my inner monologue went something like this, <i>"Here we go again..."</i></font></font></p>
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<div><p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">I had heard it all of my life, so I took a deep breath, counted to five and let the words permeate.</font></font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font> </font></font></p>
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<div><p><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">
I offered an even, biting retort. </font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><i><font>"Good. That's the point. </font></i><font>I'm fired up. I love this job and I'm not sorry about it. No apologies, no excuses. Not then, not now, not ever. </font></font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">Excuses are useless to me, my friends don't need them, and nobody else will believe them. I will strive to be at my best everyday. For me, it’s not about appeasing the masses. It's about improved performance. My job is to make my crew as safe and effective as we can possibly be. It's not about checking boxes. I'll let my crew's performance do the talking. </font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">What's your deal?"</font></p>
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<div><p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font><br/></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font>If you have no ideas then you can't be a nuisance. A big part of what it means to lead is having the courage to disobey, not in a sophomorish revolt against the establishment for the sake of conflict, but because you feel that there is a better way to be found through independent thought, innovation, communication, and teamwork. </font></font></p>
<p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><font><br/></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">The path of most resistance is where the biggest change occurs. Are you going to do what's easy or what's right?</font></p>
<p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><br/><i>Disappear?</i> </font></p>
<p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><br/></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">No, thanks. I'm not going out quietly.</font></p>
<p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"><br/></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5">Don't like it? Tough.</font></p>
<p><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif" size="5"> </font></p>
</div>
GOING TO FDIC?
tag:community.fireengineering.com,2015-03-06:1219672:BlogPost:613944
2015-03-06T14:51:47.000Z
Paul Combs
https://community.fireengineering.com/profile/PaulCombs
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558346037?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558346037?profile=original" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p>It's only a little more than a month away and I'm starting to get excited! I'm presenting for the first time and I'm hoping to see each of you there. Mark you calenders for Thursday, April 23rd, 3:30 p.m. - Rooms 109-110, for Drawn By Fire: A Decade Of Fired Up' Toons.</p>
<p>____</p>
<p>Drawn by Fire: A Decade of Fired Up 'Toons…<span class="text_exposed_show"><br></br></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558346037?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1558346037?profile=original" width="750"/></a></p>
<p>It's only a little more than a month away and I'm starting to get excited! I'm presenting for the first time and I'm hoping to see each of you there. Mark you calenders for Thursday, April 23rd, 3:30 p.m. - Rooms 109-110, for Drawn By Fire: A Decade Of Fired Up' Toons.</p>
<p>____</p>
<p>Drawn by Fire: A Decade of Fired Up 'Toons<span class="text_exposed_show"><br/> Fire Engineering Cartoonist Paul Combs</span></p>
<p>Paul Combs has been creating fire service editorial cartoons for more than a decade and has the stories, successes, failures, and backlash scars to show for it! Students accompany him on his visual journey and get an inside look at his creative process and what makes his zany cartoons come to life. He displays a selection of work that has made a difference in his career and shares the cartoons that have evoked the strongest reactions - good and bad.</p>
<p>ALL LEVELS<br/> Room 109 - 110</p>