Where firefighters come to talk training

Out, yet IN

The Sunday Preach:

'OUT'... but maybe in the best spot to be 'IN'?

Utilizing the 2 team approach, (inside and outside) the outside team (or perhaps lone outside FF) can accomplish several tasks simultaneously when communicated and coordinated with the inside team.

The Outside team's 'Top 3':

~Ladders

~Vent

~VEIS

Portable ladders are put into position and placed on the fireground by us, for us. Get into good habits and throw portable ladders at every fire. Place them in this order; at a minimum one to the fire floor, one to the floor above, then to the top floor…then those in between as needed.

Especially in limited manpower situations, we must decide upon who, where, and when to begin our ventilation. These decisions are usually based on the number of personnel initially on the scene. As such, the debate of Vertical vs. Horizontal ventilation will present itself. We find that well placed portable ladders provide access, egress and an excellent platform for coordinated ventilation. While vertical vent has its place, when personnel are limited, we find horizontal to have greater initial advantages.

The technique of “Vent, Enter, Isolate, and Search” (VEIS) does indeed saves lives, yet it comes with inherent risks. VEIS should not be done willy-nilly. It must be done with purpose and based on probability. A well trained and well practiced outside team, may be able to make quick searches in areas of the home based on their immediate access from the exterior.

"Firefighters save lives. It is at the top of the proverbial hierarchy of our duties. We owe it to the civilians who entrust us with their safety..." (pg. 309)

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