Clay Magee's Blog – October 2017 Archive (5)

Today we will discuss the Denver Fold and the New York Fold.

 

These two are my favorite folds.  They meet all of the criteria laid out in last weeks article.  They are broken down into 50’ sections, they fold easy, and they flake easy.  The deployment of both is practically the same.  If you want to see how to deploy them, and I recommend that, go to YouTube and search for the Denver Fold.  There are plenty of videos from different departments including Chief McGrail of Denver…

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Do Your Job

 

Those three little words. It's what citizens expect of you and your department. The citizens, that we took an oath for and swore to protect THEIR life and THEIR…

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Departments that have standpipe equipped buildings should put serious thought into choosing a standpipe pack.  The "we've always done it this way" mentality should not be a guiding factor.  There are multiple different options for standpipe packs. Some are good, some are bad.  Even the good ones have their positive and negative attributes.  

 

There are a few attributes you want to consider when deciding what fold to use.

 

1. Lightweight - There is no one size…

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Warning: Firefighting is a dangerous occupation. You will be exposed to low visibility and high heat situations. You will be expected to perform with professional athletic performance at the sound of a bell. No warm up. No do overs. No disappointed fans. This is life or death. “That’s no line man.”

Standard. Noun meaning “a level of quality or attainment”.  

Fire departments across the United States have physical fitness standards that must be met to hire on.…

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I've been blessed to sit through Chief Dave McGrail’s (Denver Fire) class on Engine Company Standpipe Operations and High Rise Command and Control multiple times. During his class, Chief McGrail introduced us to his Categories of Excellence. It is a six level scale. As follows:

1. Total BAD A**! = Frighteningly Awesome!

2. Top Shelf Fireman = Does his job with excellence, and is consistently “into and engaged in the job”

3. Good Guy = Does his job, does it well, may or may not be… Continue