Before we get into the debatable topics we must address the "new" I in VEIS.
Just because we have inserted the "I" it does not mean that anything has changed. All firefighters who have been taught the right way have been completing the "I" since day 1!
Firefighters have performed the "I" every time they have performed this high risk tactic. The "I" is not new; it's added so no one loses focus of isolating your location and not creating a flow path!
If you are looking for additional information on flow path I urge you to complete the free training modules on UL web site - http://ulfirefightersafety.com/projects_blog/ul-firefighter-safety-...
Debatable V.E.I.S. Tactic #1
Do we take the glass with the ladder or do we climb the ladder then take the glass?
My opinion - if you are ready to go (zipped up, mask on, breathing air, gloves on, etc.) take the window if it’s on the 1st or 2nd story with the ladder.
Break the glass and get up and in the window immediately!
If you are not completely ready don't take the window until you are! If it’s a third story or greater climb ladder and take the window, then make entry.
Debatable Tactic #2
Do we enter the window head first or do we step in and straddle the sill?
My opinion - Climb the ladder sweep the floor before you sound it out. Then enter the window head first.
Once you take the window you have created a flow path. That means the fire, heat, and smoke (which is super heated Un-burned products of combustion that is too rich to burn and just looking for enough oxygen to light off) is coming your way! Is that something you want to sit up on the sill and enter into or do you want to enter below that super heated charged environment?
(see picture #1)
Secondly, when you take the window there will be glass shards left. Do you want to straddle that glass and put some sensitive parts in that predicament?
Lastly, when you enter the window you are in the ready position to quickly move across the room to shut the door.
Also consider this point; we have been teaching the hostile search for many years. This is when you search the fire room by hooking your foot on the door jamb using a tool to probe as deep into the room as you can reach.
(see picture #2)
Remember, Chief Dunn who taught us all about the point of no return? The 5' rule? Well that still stands true today. Entering a window head first puts you in the ready position to perform a hostile search and if you can leave the window in a position to get across the room and shut the door.
Ok brothers and sisters! Do you agree or disagree? Tell me how and why you perform this skill.
Remember, there is no right or wrong as long as you know why you do it the way you do and you have practiced, practiced, practiced!
Picture #1 - VES Entry Position
Picture #2 - The Hostile Search
Comment
As with most things we do there is no right or wrong answer only pros and cons to each tactic that it is our job to understand. When taking the glass with the ladder the ventilation opening will vent longer before entry and isolation because as someone else already mentioned, you still have to finish clearing the window when you get up the ladder. This takes almost the same amount of time as breaking it completely because you have to hit all four corners still and remove the sash, curtains, blinds and remaining glass. Another negative is that a lot of people will leave the tip of the ladder in the window after breaking it. Especially if they have been taught to use the hooks of a roof ladder for this purpose. In reality, any protrusion of the ladder into the window (even just a couple of inches) makes it exponentially more difficult for firefighter egress and victim removal. Things get hung up on the tip of the ladder and any weight you are lifting has to go that much higher. For these reasons I prefer to break the window from the ladder with a tool. It also gives the advantages of witnessing the change of conditions as you vent and possibly seeing a victim or door location before or as you vent. Sometimes however, this may not be possible. If you are throwing a straight ladder than is a little too long, or the footing is slippery like on ice or concrete you may need to use the hooks of the roof ladder in the sill to keep the ladder from sliding out on you. If this is the case it's really important to mask up before you throw the ladder to minimize the delay of entry.
As far as method of entry I prefer to go feet first if I can because it gives me more control on the way in and sets me up for bailout if needed, but again this isn't always possible. If the window is too small or if you happen to be too large for the window it can be very difficult to swing your second leg in. I've seen a lot of bigger firefighters get hung up this way.
So as professionals it's important to know and practice both methods of entry and both methods of breaking glass, as well as there pros and cons and use the best method for the situation you encounter in your size-up.
PJ I agree, everyone who was taught proper VES techniques has been doing the "I" all along. As for the tactics, personally I like to be masked up ready to go on the ground and take the window with the tip of the ladder. If it breaks - great, I have immediate relief started within the room and it gives a trapped civilian just a little more chance for survival. As for entering, I prefer (and teach) going in head first. Going in head first gets me down low and I can immediately start feeling for victims that may be close to the window. Some will argue the few seconds it takes to ascend the ladder and get in the window gives the fire more time to spread toward that vent opening, endangering those we are trying to rescue. I agree that could happen, but then again, if the fire is THAT close to making it in to the room, did we actually have a chance of making a rescue? Probably not.
And more......
Some more great points to VEIS from solid firefighters on my FaceBook pag!
Here are some of the comments and conversations on my Facebook page regarding this post:
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