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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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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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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“Aggressive”
The word “aggressive” is getting a great deal of attention lately. I feel as thought the word has been given the wrong connotation in the fire service. Being an “aggressive” firefighter or an “aggressive” fire company HAS NOTHING TO DO with rushing in carelessly, cowboy antics and operating with reckless abandon. An “aggressive” firefighter or fire company’s foundation is formed thru personal and company level training and a marked state of combat readiness!
Check out Merriam-Websters dictionary, 1b. insert “fire” in the sentence, an “aggressive fire fighter”.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggressive
ag·gres·sive
Take a active role in your fire service, be a sponge….soak it all in, learn and train to be better everyday!
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Posted by | Posted in Combat Ready, Commentary, Engine Company, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, RIT / Survival, Testimonials, Tips & Skills, training-development, Truck Company, Uncategorized | Posted on 12-07-2011
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I Have Five Little Rats
Among other things, at a fire a good truck company makes a lot of additional egress points, searches, and removes any victims. Ok, so the truck has forced multiple doors, placed the aerial, has portbale ladders up, and has made windows into doors. Now we’ve found a victim. How are we bringing that victim out?
“I Have Five Little Rats” is a useful mnemonic for remembering the order of preference in our removal options – under most circumstances.
- I – Interior Stairs. The interior steps under many circumstances are the fastest and safest means of removal. They are often the way we came in and we can’t really fall off of them. However fire conditions, the victims location, or the location of operating members may make the steps less preferable, or impossible, at some fires.
- H – Horizontal Exits. Removing the victim to another wing of the building, into a tower ladder bucket, etc.
- F – Fire Escapes. Fire escapes seem like a great idea until we consider that they have been on the outside of the building for quite a while and we have no idea how well they’ve been maintained – they’re structural integrity could be in question, especially when we add a victim to the FF’s weight. In addition, they’re usually quite narrow, making movement of the FF and victim difficult.
- L – Ladders. Civilians are not good with ladders. Conscious or unconscious, removing a civilian via the aerial or portable ladder will be a difficult and dangerous process for both parties.
- R – Rope. Rope rescues from the roof or an upper floor are extremely dangerous and require immense coordination and practice. In rare scenarios, this may be the only way to save our victim and we should be practice and prepared to execute this skill, but only as a last resort.
This is just another topic that is something our shift/company/crew should discuss BEFORE the fire. Perhaps this concept might need special modification to fit your department’s staffing, operations, or response area. Let us know your thoughts and what YOUR plan is for removing the victim.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Tips & Skills, Truck Company | Posted on 16-06-2011
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Nozzleman’s Creed
Aside from residing in the pantheon of the greatest movies made, Full Metal Jacket introduced the world to the Rifleman’s Creed. The mantra recited each night by the soldiers in boot camp as they lie in bed with their last line of defense, their rifle. The intimate reciting of the creed ingrains the mutually important relationship between operator and tool in completing the mission. This singular tool serves as the separation between success in their job or death at the hands of their enemy.
We draw parallels every day between our occupation and military, whether it is the rank structure, camaraderie, or the daily risking of our lives. The similarities should not stop there, the rifle is their last line of defense, and the nozzle is ours. Therefore, we would be remiss in the not “stealing” this idea and making it part of our Engine Company culture…….god knows we steal plenty of one-liners from the movie!
So when you tuck your probies in bed this evening in the firehouse, have them snuggle up to their last line of defense and in unison recite the nozzleman’s creed. The stark white t-shirt and underwear are optional…..
This verbal commitment to the firefighting nozzle is only the beginning; it must begin with a thorough inspection on a routine basis. Feel free to use the checklist provided in an earlier post to help in creating your nozzle inspection process.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Engine Company | Posted on 14-06-2011
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Video Tip: Tactical Nozzle Tips
In this short video, TT’s Danny Doyle offers some tips on “tactical nozzle” work that will come in handy during challenging fire attack scenarios. Many firefighters assume they will just crawl in on their knees and put out fire just like the pictures in the text book show – this is not always the case. Perhaps these tips and ideas will come in handy at your next tough fire.
Let us know in the comments – what was your most challenging fire as the nozzle firefighter, and what tricks did you use to overcome?
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Engine Company, videos | Posted on 31-05-2011
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T-Shirt Give Away – Show us your COMBAT READY!
“COMBAT READY” is the cornerstone concept and belief behind our mission here at Traditions Training, and we want to see how YOU are taking it to the streets. You’ve got till next Wednesday to show us a picture with explanation or a video of your best “COMBAT READY” concept. We’ll send the top pick from each category a free Traditions Training t-shirt. Here’s the deal:
- Categories are Engine Company, Truck Company, Rapid Intervention, Personal Equipment, and Incident Command.
- Personal equipment is anything carried on you individually, such as in your PPE. The rest would be on the rig, policies, mounted tools, etc.
- To participate you must “Like” our Facebook page, and sign-up for our mailing list below.
- Post your pic with description or your video directly on the Traditions Training Facebook wall.
On Wednesday we will judge the submissions, choose the winners, and send you your swag!
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Posted by | Posted in Blog | Posted on 26-05-2011
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Forcible Entry Success Story
NOTHING makes what we do more worthwhile than hearing back that information we passed on in our programs was put to use effectively in an operational scenario. There’s a lot of effort behind the scenes in what we do, but a story like this makes every second worthwhile:
“Howdy Fellas,
My name is Johnny Davidson. I work for the Round Rock FD in Texas. Back in April we had pleasure of attending a class put on by Nick and Danny. I’ve been to a lot of rescue course’s in my career and these guys along with Traditions Training stand among the best. So here’s my short story about forcing a door after attending their class.
A few weeks after the class we were called out to a medical alarm for an elderly person who pressed their alert button and the alarm company could not get a response from the victim. On arrival we discovered all the doors & windows were locked. Out of habit I grabbed the door spreader and went to the front door. After two attempts with the door spreader we had no success. I looked at the dead bolt and it hit me like a brick. I advised my firefighter to get the “irons” of our rig. As he was striking the door, I radio our dispatch and advised them we were attempting to force the door again. My firefighter then set Halligan and I began to strike it. It was like a hot knife thru butter. The door opened and we found our patient laying on the bedroom floor semi-conscious.
After checking my run notes it took 13 seconds to get thru the door using a version of the techniques learned from Traditions Training. Thanks for giving me another tool in the tool box of knowledge.
Be safe,
Johnny Davidson
Lieutenant Rsc3/B
Round Rock Fire Department”
Thanks you, Lt. Davidson, for sharing this story with us. And thank you to everyone out there who ever let us share a skill or piece of knowledge with you – PASS IT ALL ON!
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Tips & Skills, Truck Company | Posted on 23-05-2011
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Multiple Options are Key in Forcible Entry
Like many firefighters, I have witnessed someone at the door to the fire building repeatedly trying the same technique over and over with no success. This is frustrating because, with the exception of some public service calls, we were not called to force the door but rather to handle the fire (or other emergency) on the other side of it. All firefighters, regardless of position or assignment must maintain good forcible entry skills, because we can’t do our job until we get inside the door.
Over the years, forcible entry has become a speficic interest of mine. I have had many great mentors on the topic and my own share of fireground screw ups, all of which taught me one very important fact about forcing doors of any kind: YOU MUST HAVE MULTIPLE TECHNIQUES FOR WHEN PLAN “A” FAILS.
As an example, last month Danny Doyle and I were just outside Austin, TX working with the Round Rock Fire Department on truck company operations for the week. Of course one of the skills was forcible entry. Using their department’s door prop, each student forced the door numerous times. Now each student forced the same door prop, which used the same stock of material, and forced it using the same approach. Below is a picture of some of the metal “locks” that they forced. What do you notice? THEY ARE ALL DEFORMED DIFFERENTLY.
Know how you know how the door will respond? AFTER YOU'RE DONE.
It goes to show the point that 2 doors, made by the same company, installed by the same person on the same day, and locked in the same manner, will likely respond differently even when attacked with the same series of techniques. This is just due to subtle variations in angle/placement of attack, force delivered, and probably the inherent slight variations in a piece of metal.
The take home here is that you can’t just have plan A, or just plan A & B. You have to have C,D,E,F,G,H,I, et cetera. Because when YOU’RE the one between the fire and the rest of the box alarm, ALL EYES ARE ON YOU and everyone is WAITING FOR YOU – it’s probably the most stressful spot on the fireground. It means we have to expect the unexpected – we have to be able to recognize when what we are doing is not working, and have another step to move onto.
In our classes we teach “troubleshooting forcible entry”. This video is a brief demonstration of one of the students forcing a troublesome door and working through a variety of steps in order to get the door in a pretty quick timeframe. As a disclaimer, it it not an inclusive discussion of all the skill points and tips for an inward door. I always say that there is a list of techniques and a list of tools, all possibilities to get us through the door. The kicker is that the list is CONSTANTLY RE-ORDERED at each fire based on asking yourself:
- What tools do I have available?
- What manpower do I have available?
- What I have I already tried?
The results of thinking those questions may take what was previously #22 on your list of preferences and move it to #1 for this fire, because for instance you are by yourself and only have a Halligan bar.
Remember forcible entry is NOT AT ALL about force, it’s all about technique.
If you’d like to break some doors, we have a combination Truck Company Ops and Forcible Entry Academy class coming up in Bensalem, PA in August. Click here for information and registration. Or we’d be happy to come to you, just email us.
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