Motivation
On the truck today I have a guy who’s newer on the job and regularly assigned to an engine. After about an hour of drilling on portable ladders and forcible entry he said to me “Sarge, I just don’t wanna let anyone down…” Probably one of the best things I’ve ever heard a fireman say.
I told him “well if you start with that everyday, that will give you motivation and the rest will quickly fall in line with practice”. Sometimes it’s just that simple – his motivation inspired me.
This is a team sport. We’re all counting on you to be in the right spot, with the right stuff, and the right skills, at the right time. We can’t let anyone down.
Combat Ready.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready | Posted on 14-03-2012
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Check your Dance Card… Part 2 “getting closer”
Dance with me?
In part one of “Check your Dance Card” we discussed a few items to take a look at before we enter the fire building and start our dance with the “beauty of fire.” In part 2, we will discuss a few more specifics that we should note as we enter the structure. Make no mistake, a constant review of this Dance Card is a must for all members… take mental notes of what you see. You’re going to want to come home from your latest “dance” and tell all your friends all about this “beauty.”
“Ok, let’s move” the boss said, after what seemed like an eternity to you. The reality, it was only mere seconds. We all know that reality is often suspended when you are out on the dimly lit dance floor. You, you’re an eager beaver, and chomping at the bit to get on with this next . Your Officer is more cautious; he’s been burned by this “beauty” before. He remembers the sting of her touch, especially if you are caught moving too quickly on the dance floor. He is trying to show you the patience required, but you are still rather wet behind the ears and excitable…
This “beauty of fire” doesn’t make it easy; she beckons you closer with her dancing flames and warm lustrous glow. Again, the Officer reels you back in…one more review before we hit the dance floor.
As you enter the fire building…
1. WHAT TYPE OF STAIRS SERVICE THE BUILDNG?
Generally we have 2 types of tread design (on the staircase steps) and 2 types of staircases. They are either “Open” (having no sides, walls or doors at the top or bottom) or “Enclosed” (having sides, walls and doors at the top and bottom). Open tread and open staircases allow the passage of smoke, heat and fire to the floors above and are not friendly to our operation. Enclosed steps and enclosed staircases reduce the chances of fire spread in the building (if the doors are to remain in the closed position). It may be wise to announce the style and type of stairs to other units as they arrive, so that they know what to expect. This is of particular importance when in larger multiple dwellings or garden apartments and there are isolated, wing, or multiple staircases that serve specific lines of apartments (i.e. do not transverse the entire building). “Ladder X to Command; we have enclosed wing stairs, we will be using the A wing stairs to reach the fire apartment.”
2. IS THERE A WELL HOLE TO USE FOR THE STRETCH
The presence of a “Well Hole” the space created between the landing section of the stairs and the run of the steps themselves can be utilized for quick hoseline advancement. It must be rehearsed prior with the Engine Co. to achieve maximum effect. It reduces the amount of hose needed to be humped up the treads of the steps and around each newel post (i.e. 1-50’ length can travel vertically 5 floors in the well versus 1 length per floor if going up and around each set of steps, newel posts and associated landings). “Engine 22 to members, there is a well” should be enough to let the members know.
3. HOW MANY APARTMENTS ON THE FLOOR
A quick stop on the floor below can get you a lay of the land. If you bypassed the lobby and forgot to count mailboxes, count the number and note location of the apartments that you see. Remember that depending of the way the stairs run (scissor, return etc), they may be slight variations in the layout when you get on the fire floor.
4. VERIFY FIRE FLOOR AND APARTMENT NUMBER/LETTER
What may have appeared to be a fire on the 3rd floor from the street may turn out to on the second floor depending on the buildings configuration as it relates to the street level. Some buildings have lobby entrances that are raised above street level, which may change your initial fire floor notifications. Verify the fire floor and announce the apartment number or letter over the air, so that those who may be going above can pinpoint the direction they need to head.
Open Tread and Open Stairs
Well Hole
Enclosed Stairs
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Company News, Engine Company, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, Tips & Skills, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Truck Company, Uncategorized | Posted on 22-02-2012
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Got Stickers?
Got Stickers?
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, RIT / Survival, Tips & Skills, training-development, Truck Company, Uncategorized | Posted on 14-02-2012
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FDIC 2012: 25 TO SURVIVE (Lecture)
**This week we are featuring a short run-down of each of the programs that our staff will be presenting at this year’s FDIC in Indianapolis**
Tuesday (Pre-Conf Workshop, 130p-530p) – 25 to Survive
25 to Survive
TT’s Lt. Mitchell and Capt. Shaw will co-present thier flagship program, 25 to Survive: The Residential Building Fire. This program highlights 25 critical areas that present themselves to operating forces at the number one fireground killer of civilians and firefighters alike. They will present this engaging, interactive presentation will focus on pre-incident, operations and post incident operations. They will give you street smart tips and take home drills to make yourself and your fire company better prepared at the next residential fire you respond to.
Lieutenant Douglas J.Mitchell Jr., Fire Department of New York and Captain Daniel D. Shaw, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue:
Course Summary: More firefighters are seriously injured and killed while operating at residential building fires than at any other fire we encounter. This dynamic and interactive lecture program will address 25 critical firefighting errors and issues common to the residential building. Learn sound tips and take home practical drills to address and correct errors at residential fires. Topics include combat-ready attitude, leadership techniques, SCBA confidence, overcoming building construction features (setbacks, long stretches), communication failures on the fireground, developing and delivering sound and accurate on-scene reports, coordinated ventilation, and more.
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Posted by | Posted in administration-leadership, Blog, Combat Ready, command-leadership, Company News, Engine Company, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, Incident Command, line-of-duty, RIT / Survival, technology-communications, Tips & Skills, Truck Company, Upcoming Classes | Posted on 08-02-2012
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FDIC 2012: MODERN ENGINE COMPANY ESSENTIALS (Lecture)
**This week we are featuring a short run-down of each of the programs that our staff will be presenting at this year’s FDIC in Indianapolis**
Thursday, 1030-1215pm – MODERN ENGINE COMPANY ESSENTIALS
Join Dan & Doug as they present an engaging and interactive presentation on the most influential unit on the fireground – The Engine Company! As firefighters, we must be able to adapt to the environment we operate in which is changing every day. Some of the practices we employed years, weeks, or days ago may not apply to the fire you encounter tomorrow. Dan & Doug will provide a review of time tested and proven strategies and tactics along with new tips, tools, tactics for the modern firefighting environment.
Modern Engine Company Essentials
Captain Dan Shaw, Fairfax County (VA) Fire & Rescue Department & Lieutenant Douglas Mitchell, Jr., Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
While the ultimate job of getting water to the fire has not changed, building construction, fire behavior, staffing levels, and much of our equipment have. This class will teach sound tactics and techniques for preparing and operating the modern day engine company. Factual hose and nozzle data will enhance the student’s knowledge of the new tools available for the firefighting arsenal. The instructor will provide a comprehensive and definitive blueprint to hoseline/nozzle selection and deployment and discuss the tools, tips, and drills that will work best in your fire department.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Company News, Engine Company, fire-rescue-topics, fires, news, Training Resources, Uncategorized, Upcoming Classes, Upcoming Classes | Posted on 06-02-2012
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FDIC 2012: COMBAT READY Firefighting (lecture)
**This week we are featuring a short run-down of each of the programs that our staff will be presenting at this year’s FDIC in Indianapolis**
Thursday, 130p-315p - COMBAT READY Firefighting
TT’s Nick Martin will be presenting this engaging, interactive presentation on the cornerstone belief of Traditions Training – bringing a combat ready attitude and skill set to the fireground. We’ll talk about things you can do to prepare yourself, your equipment, and your apparatus to be at the top of your game. Full of actionable ideas that you can take back to the firehouse.
Course Description: The objective is to motivate firefighters to recognize complacency, how it can cause errors to creep into your operations (“error creep”), and how it can snowball on the fireground and possibly lead to catastrophe. Interactive activities and multimedia presentations illustrate how and why we must combat it. Tips on attitude and readiness will be offered for the engine and truck companies, rapid intervention team, and the incident commander. Scenarios focus on near-miss fireground incidents and show how the presence or absence of a “combat-ready” mindset influenced their outcomes. You will be challenged to rethink what it means to be “ready.”
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Upcoming Classes | Posted on 01-02-2012
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Check your Dance Card….
I admit it, it’s happened to me… and I am sure that it’s happened to you too. Honestly, it’s easy to let happen. You can try to justify it, in your own mind by saying; it’s just that we love what we do and that we want to do it all the time! When fire presents itself, we want to get right in there! While we know all to well the dangers and devastation that fire causes, you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone that rides firetrucks that doesn’t want to go to them. That said, the tendency to rush into action can sometimes make “the job” more challenging. Even the best firefighters and company officers can, at times, be “blinded” by the auditory and visual display that is, the “Beauty of fire.”
Bee-Boop…Engine, Ladder now the adrenaline starts to build, interrupting what had been a rather slow Football Sunday. The cold snap is here, winter, it’s fire season. It’s the middle of the afternoon, a crisp winter chill hit and runs thru you, as the apparatus doors slowly rise open… that arctic air rushing in. Your rigs, your crew and you, gear up… to hit the street.
You are headed to a run for “the house on fire”, another round of adrenaline pops off when we hear the friendly dispatcher announce “We are getting a few calls on this” or “Sounds like you might have something there” or better yet “PD on the scene with fire showing.” Ah, it’s going to be a worker… all the signs are right. As you turn the final corner you see the boss lean back, slide the window open to the crew and tell the backstep “looks like we got a job fellas.” Whether it’s “10-75 the box, k” or ”Strike the Working Fire dispatch” it’s on! Time to go to work, this is what we do best. We have trained ourselves to be a “Combat Ready” “Aggressive” firefighting team… everyone has the prepared, practiced and anticipated for our fire moment… let’s push right in!?!?
Whoa, fellas… the boss says: “one second”… What is he doing you wonder? Before he let’s the team dance with this “Beauty of fire”, he just wants to take one quick look at the dance card.
Before you enter the fire building…
1) IS THIS THE PROPER ADDRESS?
Many times we receive the initial phone call reporting a fire that is: behind, adjacent, across from the address we are responding to. If you arrive and it is different, ANNOUNCE it! Give the remaining companies responding a chance to make adjustments and respond to the right address.
2) HOW MANY STORIES IS IT? COUNT THE FLOORS!
Take a lap for PD’s (Private Dwellings), get reports from outside teams at MD’s (Multiple Dwellings), or reports from units responding from an opposite direction. Note terrain variations making more stories in rear than front or vice versa, the presence of walk out basements, setbacks… etc.
3) IS THERE ANY VISIBLE FIRE? WHAT FLOOR IS THE FIRE ON?
Let the incoming companies know what you see on your arrival. A fire on the top floor IS different than a fire on the first floor (unless it is 1 story) …from many operational and tactical standpoints.
4) ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE SHOWING?
Do occupants have the ability to self evacuate? What type and how many (if any) fire escapes are there? Are the civilians “really” in immediate peril or can we reassure them to shelter them in place? Should we make an internal or external (or both) attempt to rescue them? Remember LIP. Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, Property Conservation.
5) WHERE IS THIS FIRE GOING?
What are your exposures? This means both internal and external.
Internal: Within the fire building/apartment (a quick count mailboxes, doorbells, or a quick scan of the floor below can help here).
External: Outside the fire building. Fire communicating out windows impinging adjacent dwellings or auto exposing to the floor above might indicate a second alarm or additional resources being called for on your arrival.
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND BLINDERS OFF! The few seconds you take in the street may make up countless minutes once in the building. Stay Alert.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Engine Company, fire-rescue-topics, Tips & Skills, Truck Company, Uncategorized | Posted on 11-01-2012
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New UL Study Reinforces Sound Old Fire Tactics
I can be a pretty skeptical guy when it comes to new studies and ideas in the fire service. That’s because it seems that lately our profession tries to solve “hands-on problems” with fancy new catch-phrases rather than firefighting skill. So when I read and watched the recently released ”Impact of Ventilation on Fire Behavior in Legacy and Contemporary Residential Construction” released by Underwriter’s Laboratories I was on watch for what “zany solution” they were going to have for our “modern fire problem”. I was pleasantly surprised.
The study was released in December 2010 and I’ve heard quite a bit about it in the background of the fire service. This study has been referenced in a lot of circles recently. One “fire chief” tried to even use it to say we shouldn’t fight fires interior anymore (he must’ve not read the same piece I read). Not wanting to remain uninformed, I took a look… For all those who don’t like reading 400 page reports, I suffered for you. And here’s the FIREMAN’s version:
Summary:
The study compared a series of residential fires in a 50′s-60′s construction style 1-story house of 1,200 square feet with a “modern” 3,200 square foot 2 story house. These are those new houses we hear about being so different in “today’s fires”, referenced by many who advocate we completely change our approach to firefighting.
Now I was not one of the scientists on the study, but I did look at it fairly closely and here are my take home thoughts on what it means for fighting fires in “today’s fires”:
- Coordinate ventilation with hoseline advancement, including forcing doors that feed the fire area.
- Get a hoseline on the seat of the fire quick.
- VES is a great technique.
- Closing interior doors saves civilians and firefighters.
- No smoke showing means NOTHING.
That’s it? Yeah – pretty much, at least from my perspective. Now there’s a lot of “why” that supports those conclusions. But what shocked me there is – did you hear anything NEW? I didn’t. No new safety vests, no blitz-fires, no buzz terms. Coordinate engine & truck work, get a line in place fast, and use good techniques to isolate and rescue. Sounds like the same things the “old school” fire service has preached for decades!
So what’s the problem?
The problem is the same thing I started this article with: these days we’d rather get a new colored vest, or practice taking blood pressures, or use some fancy multi-syllable phrase than do what this study supports: GET GOOD AT OFFENSIVE FIREFIGHTING. What do I mean? Here are some buzz-words I think we ought to be practicing, and this fancy 400-page study supports:
- ”Running Hoselines” – that’s a geographical term in my area for stretching and operating interior attack lines. How often to your firefighters pull lines? I’d bet you many firefighters haven’t pulled a line off in a “non-parking-lot” scenario in the past year. THAT’S A BREAD & BUTTER SKILL! Do they just know the crossly or can they extend and adapt to various scenarios with the precision of a offensive football line under the 2-minute warning? What is your fire department’s benchmark time for: from arrival having to firefighters stretch a 1.75″ line to the front door and be masked up and ready to enter the fire area? Based on a survey of YouTube I don’t think many departments have ANY such benchmark. This study says you have between 100 and 200 seconds to get water on the fire after ventilation occurs. That means you ventilating, or the fire ventilating the windows for you. How good are your back up firefighters? How well do you chase kinks? Poor performance with either of those will drastically delay your fire attack and your flow.
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| You have 100-200 seconds after ventilation to put the fire out or suffer rapid fire growth. |
- ”Coordinated Ventilation” – a concept that many departments struggle with. This was a no-brainer “back in the day”. We need to spend more time training on coordinating the location and timing of ventilation. This study clearly showed the impact of ventilating in the wrong time or in the wrong place. Ventilation should be timed with the knowledge that you only have 100-200 seconds after to get water on the fire before the fire will rapidly grow. The best way we can do this is “run scenarios”. Look at fire pictures with your crew. Where would you ventilate? When? What would be the challenges? How about coordinating with the line? You can just wait and see what happens when you get a fire, or you can take a few minutes to TALK FIRE and PREPARE so you’ll KNOW what’s going to happen.
- “Vent, Enter, Search” – this study also clearly showed that these fires were survivable for civilians who were laying on the floor in just about every room of the house except for the fire room. Closing the door made things even better. Keeping this in mind, along with the rapid growth of fire if water is not supplied, further supports the efficiency of Vent, Enter, Search technique in rescuing civilians. Particularly where a larger square foot home delays searches done with the conventional “left right” patterns. Some advocate it should be “Vent, Enter, Isolate, Search” – maybe, but when I first learned VES, and every time I’ve taught it, closing the door has ALWAYS been the first action after you enter. Maybe some people were just teaching it wrong…
- ”Isolate and flow water” – In trouble? Either get out, isolate yourself (close a door), or flow water. This study supports the tenability of firefighters when we knock down fire with a hoseline or isolate ourselves from the fire until the fire is knocked or we can obtain an exit.
- “Nothing Showing Means Nothing“ - Among others, I’ve said it for years. Three of the worst fires of my career started out as “nothing showing”. That’s when everyone let’s their guard down, doesn’t want to lay lines, leaves their tools behind, and moves slow. When you have fire showing – you know its a fire. When you have nothing showing – THE FIRE WILL CATCH YOU OFF GUARD. This study reinforces that with our modern construction, it is quite likely that a good fire will show nothing to the outside until it is ventilated. KEEP YOUR GUARD UP – IT’S THE FIRE OF YOUR CAREER UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.
In Conclusion:
There’s a lot more to it than that, and if you’ve got about an hour the video on it is worth watching. But the take home here is NOT that we need to re-invent the fire service. It seems to me that often we’d rather float lofty ideas in the air conditioning then get out there and WORK at improving our bread & butter firefighting skills. Not running much fire? The need is even greater. We need to go back to practicing the tried & true skills of coordinated engine/truck work, rapid hoseline advancement, and targeted search. Stop creating fancy buzz terms and get out their and train. Think fire, talk fire, run through scenarios. Stay sharp. Stay COMBAT READY.
Referenced Study information:
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Engine Company, Truck Company | Posted on 29-11-2011
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Saturday March 10, 2012 – Sunday March 11, 2012
| Register
Description:
Traditions Training Presents:
Modern Rapid Intervention Essentials
16 hours of hands on STREET-SMART FIREFIGHTING SKILLS
with a tactical twist will allow you to
“Manage the Mayday with a Real World Skill set!”
Topics and group skill stations include:
Constructing & Deploying the Initial RIT
A principal concern of any RIT deployment is the ability to locate the downed firefighter. This station will focus on several search methods specifically oriented to downed firefighters utilizing a “two-team” approach. Use of a search-rope system for this purpose is also included. Members will overcome challenges to locate the downed firefighter utilizing the search rope as an orientation means as well as a method to identify the downed firefighter’s location for assisting teams.
Packaging & Moving the Downed Firefighter
Students will practice packaging a downed firefighter. Methods will cover the pro’s & con’s of various methods including “DRD” (in coat) devices, the SCBA, webbing, etc. Techniques for moving the downed firefighter will also be covered, including negotiating obstacles and stairs.
Downed Firefighter Air / SCBA Emergencies
Keeping a downed firefighter on air during extrication and critical is a life-or-death matter. This station will teach students to systematically assess a downed firefighter’s SCBA status to identify and correct problems. This includes correction of face-mask emergencies, mechanical malfunctions, and low/out-of-air scenarios. Buddy- breathing will also be included, along with the 3 tiered rule of air change over.
“Out Side the Box” Removal Techniques
Downed firefighter removal from basement windows, upper floors, and roofs using basic equipment found on every firground or even in your pockets!
Real World Scenarios
The class will conclude with these evolutions that will last 3 hours. Armed with the skills and knowledge gained in the above stations, students will be broken in to teams of 4-6 firefighters and assigned as the RIT at a mock incident. Amidst distractions, obstacles, and other challenges students will be challenged to resolve a realistic RIT scenario. These scenarios will challenge their new and existing skills as well as their teamwork, communication ability, and problem solving under stress.
Click for a Downloadable Flyer
March 10th & 11th, 2012
Hosted By: Lionville Fire Company – Lionville, PA (Philly area)
Registration: $250.00
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, RIT / Survival, Upcoming Classes | Posted on 14-09-2011
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Firemen… and “Never Forget”
Firemen… and “Never Forget”
Lt. Douglas J Mitchell, Jr. FDNY.
September the 11th is later this week and I have found myself writing. I have been writing snippet’s down as they pop in and out of my head, emotions from the events from that day, and its aftermath hereafter.
I just can’t watch TV these last two weeks. I can’t take it, it’s just too much. Caught myself getting upset watching a special such as, (I will make something up here…but you know what I am saying) “FIRST RESPONDER HERO’S” brought to you specially by “All Temperature Cheer.”
I can’t read the papers either, thier writers and publishers, who up until this week, were bashing “Firefighter Pension’s” as cause for the downfall of our economy… and so on…. and so on…
I thought to write a little side story, reflecting back on where I was in my career as a fireman when the events unfolded, but it makes no difference. I am just one of thousands of firemen who spent time at the trade center complex, went home from time to time between funerals, memorials and benefits, and came back to thier careers at the FDNY, getting back “on the job”.
Sometimes I wish I wrote down what I did each day, the 2 years of so after September 11th 2001. Most times, I am glad that I didn’t. For my nation, my city, my fire department, my fire company & my friends, words cannot describe the pain.
I’ll try to let the words tell my thoughts. I have posted a few of them this week in different places, but not all together…
“Never Forget” is a well worn adage attached to the brave members of the FDNY who were killed in the line of duty on September 11th 2001. I know that I will “Never Forget,” I can’t. There are times when I selfishly wish I that I could. “Never Forget,” not one day… I just can’t. “Never Forget” is more than just 2 simple words, they means everything and yet nothing at all… depending who you are.
To some, the “Never Forget” moniker is profitable, exploitable, in merchandise, ratings and to bolster arbitrary political posturing in “I’m right and your wrong.” To me, it’s at times silent internal reflection and at others gut wrenching jolts of emotion. You know, that empty in the pit of your stomach, want to vomit… yet can’t, feeling?
Like all firemen, I know my family at home cares for me greatly. We need the support of family, it’s a tough thing… family home alone: nights, weekends, birth’s, death’s, holidays… times when only a human touch can solve a problem and your just not there, you can’t be there your at work. But, we know fire takes no days off.
As firemen, we try to insulate our families somewhat from what we see and do, day in and day out. They don’t, and can’t really comprehend what it is that we do and why it is that we do it. They can’t, because, they aren’t firemen.
As firemen we must look out for each out for each other on this job. Only we who are firemen, truly know what the job entails.
We must rely heavily on our brothers and sisters on the job for support. That is why we show up and come out for each other in times of need. I saw it in droves after the events in lower Manhattan 10 years ago. Why did you come to NYC to help out? Why, because you are a fireman and that what we do. You saw brothers who needed support and you showed up, it was the right thing to do. I thanked every out of town guy I saw at a funeral or benefit for the support back then, and I thank you again today.
“Never Forget” the great traditions of this job, both in our successes and in our sacrifices.
“Never Forget” how we got to where we are today; in your career, in your fire company, in your fire department.
“Never Forget” the wisdom imparted by those who came before you, for they have laid the path in their sacrifices.
“Never Forget” the love of those around the table with you today, for life is fragile, and they are the present. They will carry that honor forward.
Firemen will “Never Forget” what “Never Forget” means to them, because… well, they are Firemen.
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