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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Video Tip: Cutting the Adams-Rite Lock
We’ve done a bunch of talking about the Adams-Rite lock and forcing entry to storefronts, partly because it’s a forcible entry challenged found almost anywhere and everywhere. Like all things firefighting, the key to success is having not just “Plan A” – but multiple plans. Depending on your scenario, one may be preferable than another at one fire and less preferable at the next.
Once option for forcing entry at these fires is of course to cut the throw of the lock. Check out this quick video tip:
- What is your “go to” technique for these doors? Why?
- What circumstances would cause you to move this cutting technique to the top of the list?
Let us know your thoughts, and check out these other related articles on the topic.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Tips & Skills, Truck Company, videos | Posted on 12-03-2011
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HUD Window Thinking and Learning from Past Fires
The term HUD Window refers to the stereotypical wooden board up frequently seen on “vacant” buildings, damaged buildings, and occasionally buildings under construction. It’s not a standardized term – I’m sure there are many regional variations. Just as there are variations in the name, there are variations in the style, construction, and manner of installation. As with all things forcible entry, a “one plan” approach is likely to fail you when the unexpected is encountered.
While out doing some district familiarization and rookie training we stopped at this house, which was the site of a recent fire. How often do you go by the address of fire you ran last tour, or the fire that the other shift went to? Unfortunately, I’ve worked in places where nobody has any interest in visiting the fire we ran last tour, or that the other shifts ran on the days off. That’s a terrible waste of resources. Not only is there a fire with good things to discuss, but it’s a fire that ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN YOUR AREA! Take a minute during the day to top by and see what went down.
In our area it would not be uncommon do go back to an address a second time due to arson or careless squatters. In this case we were able to not only to learn what to expect, and how houses in this area are being secured, but also do some rookie training and talk as a group about different ideas.
Different ideas are exactly what you’ll need for these situations. When I posted a brief pic of this house on our Facebook page the other day we had no less than 5 ideas in a few minutes. Is this something you spend time talking with your crew about, or do you just watch SportCenter all day?
There are many ways to skin this cat, but here are a few of my initial thoughts:
- As you pull up at a fire, don’t blindly run up with the same tools. Look at what you have. For example, as the OV FF here I would be thinking about bringing a chainsaw due to multiple boarded up windows – that’s not a usual tool for me in that position. I would make two cuts – one each as close to the outside of the frame as I could judge.
- I’d also consider a short ladder (10′ or less) to provide me with better access to these shoulder height windows (see this idea in use in Joe Brown’s OV video here). These 2×4 braces were also nailed into the sides of the frames, that may limit the effectiveness of certain removal techniques.
- As the irons FF or officer, i might think to tell my OV to start right away on the windows as we head to the door. Given the lack of an outside 2×4 here, I think we can make a relief strike just below the bolt heads with the 8lbs axe and just drive the bolts through to make access to the front door. Remember that YOU might have a plan and a thought, but the effectiveness of the entire CREW will improve if everyone knows it – COMMUNICATE. Ideally, PLAN AHEAD.
- Be prepared for surprises. You may assume by the presence of the HUD coverings over the door area that there is no additional challenge, however a peak inside allowed us to see that the original security gate was still in place. How strong is it? Who knows, but worth being prepared for.
- Of course being the site of a previous fire, I have to consider the buildings stability. In our area, squatters and vagrants are a distinct likelihood so my intentions are to enter if at all possible. That said, I’m paying extra attention to the floor’s stability as I move ahead. I’m also thinking that overhaul from the previous fire has given the fire a head start into void spaces.
Additional Resources (thanks to our Facebook friends!):
- http://www.allenemergency.com/hud_board_up_specs_for_city_boardups.html
- http://cmdfd.blogspot.com/2010/09/some-board-ups.html
- http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/napi4.pdf
Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Commentary, Tips & Skills, Truck Company | Posted on 25-02-2011
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Helmet Cam Training Video: Removing Window Mounted AC Units During Ventilation
Here is the latest in our “Voiceover Training Tips Video Series” straight from the fireground to your computer screen. In this video Traditions Training Instructor Joe Brown takes us through some of his thoughts and actions when approaching a window mounted air conditioning unit during ventilation. The fire is on the second floor of a 2-story brick end-of-the-row home, Joe is part of the Outside Vent Team on DCFD Truck 17 and his actions are in conjunction with the Interior Search Team and Suppression Teams. As you watch the video think about what your actions may have been and how they might vary with different building constructions in your District. Leave us some feedback and open some discussion at your firehouse kitchen table or computer screen. As always, stay safe out there.
Posted by | Posted in Blog, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, Tips & Skills, Training Resources, training-development, Truck Company, videos | Posted on 26-01-2011
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"Standby to Copy…" – Making the Window a Door
Turning the “window into a door” is an important operational and safety concept that we preach every chance we get. A few more seconds at the window can drastically increase ventilation and provide an egress point that will allow a firefighter to get himself out of trouble. In this edition of “Standby to Copy”, Chief Kelleher discusses the need to make the window into a door.
"how am I supposed to get out?"
“Standby to Copy” is an informal newsletter produced by TT instructor Chief Tony Kelleher of the Kentland VFD, providing operational tips to companies that operate in the Prince George’s County Fire Department. While some of these tips reference things that are specific to the operations of PGFD companies, they share some great thoughts that are easily applied to any department. They’re a great quick read and good for a conversation starter around the kitchen table. As such, we’ll be cross-publishing these newsletters here for your enjoyment…
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, command-leadership, Commentary, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, RIT / Survival, Tips & Skills, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Truck Company | Posted on 19-12-2010
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Watch Your Step on the Roof!
Nighttime operations on the rooftop have many inherent dangers. With smoke perhaps even further reducing our visibility, we must use eve more caution. This photo is of the top floor roof area between two rowhomes in DC.
Note the gap between the two houses. Remember that while the fronts are often even, the backs are often staggered. WATCH YOUR STEP. Carry a big light, and have it on. Check the area you’re about to step on with your hook BEFORE you commit your weight to it.
Remember – you can’t un-fall.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Commentary, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, Tips & Skills, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Truck Company | Posted on 17-12-2010
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Challenges of Building Height Differences
Most firemen are familiar with the concept that buildings may be of different heights in the rear than in the front – for example the 2 story house that is 3 stories in the rear because of the walk out basement. This is an important operational issue. It can effect what floor firefighters think they are operating on. Confusion about this and miscommunication can lead to hoseline placement or ventilation in the wrong spot. Many of us have only thought about this situation in terms of the building that is taller in the REAR and shorter in the FRONT. But what about the opposite? A fire the other night highlighted some of these challenges…
A “triple-local” (3E, 1T, BFC) were dispatched to investigate a report of smoke in the area. The first in truck found heavy smoke coming from the 1st floor of a 3 story middle-of-the-row building. The first floor was a church and it appeared that apartments/offices were the upper two floors. Exposure’s B and D were both attached 2 story rowhouses (residential). The box alarm was filled and as the 2nd due truck’s barman (forcible entry FF) my job was to insure that access was available for the 2nd due engine to access the basement from side C. On the way to the fire I had heard the first engine report fire on the first floor of a church. Coming down the rear alley I observed a decent amount of smoke coming up the stairwell (about 10 steps) to the basement. From side C it was 2 stories and all looked like residential rowhouses to me. After donning my mask and forcing the door, I made my way into what I believed was the basement. Smoke was to the floor. I assumed I was in the basement and with that level of smoke that there must be fire in the basement. Then I encountered the officer from the 1st in engine who was looking for the basement. We had some miscommunication because I thought we were IN the basement, which he was still looking for. So now we had to search around and make sure that there wasn’t a basement, so we could verify that the fire had not come from below.
It took a few minutes to establish that we were both on the first floor. What I had descended 10 steps to access from side C had been entered via the street-level on side A – we were all on the first floor, but from the rear it appeared to be the basement. The B & D exposures were both 2 story row’s that sat up on grassy hills. For the fire building, the grassy hill had been dug out and a full extra story built in.
Nothing bad happened, so I apologize if this is all anti-climatic. But it highlighted an important point – height discrepancies can be on either side. Most of the time it seems like the rear is taller than the front, but in this case it was the opposite. Had the fire not been more serious, this miscommunication could have resulted in some operational hiccups at least, or much worse…
Get out in your area and look at your buildings. When, like this fire, you encounter something unique – SHARE IT. If you find yourself in a similar situation, make sure that the reality of the situation is CLEARLY RELAYED TO ALL COMPANIES ON THE FIREGROUND. And a great job to those on the box, good stop.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, Commentary, Company News, Engine Company, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, Tips & Skills, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics | Posted on 15-12-2010
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"Standby to Copy…" – Covering the Rear
“Standby to Copy” is an informal newsletter produced by TT instructor Chief Tony Kelleher of the Kentland VFD, providing operational tips to companies that operate in the Prince George’s County Fire Department. While some of these tips reference things that are specific to the operations of PGFD companies, they share some great thoughts that are easily applied to any department. They’re a great quick read and good for a conversation starter around the kitchen table. As such, we’ll be cross-publishing these newsletters here for your enjoyment…
This posts topic is on “covering the rear” of a structure for size-up, engine company, and truck company operations. Grab a cup of coffee, check it out and let us know your thoughts. What are your departments policies on “covering the rear”??
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Posted by | Posted in administration-leadership, Blog, Combat Ready, command-leadership, Company News, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, Incident Command, Tips & Skills, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics | Posted on 10-12-2010
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Progress Reports for the Incident Commander
The Progress Report is a valuable tool to the Incident Commander and the companies working on the fireground. The report should be given at the 20 minute time mark and subsequent time marks at intervals of 20 minutes into the incident (i.e. 40 minute and 60 minute timestamps of the incident).
The report has two good reasons to be delivered:
1. This report will provide all tactically assigned units a painted picture of the incident scene and where the incident stands at that time. This picture can be very helpful to units that may not have the chance to see the big picture, or are involved in tasks that do not let them see the whole incident. Either way the companies are afforded a picture of the scene and the status of the major tactical benchmarks.
2. The progress report is a vital tool to the Incident Commander. This report will make the IC evaluate the incident, write down the findings on the worksheet and then transmit the report over the radio. It is very easy for an Incident Commander to be distracted mitigating an incident by personnel requesting assignments or the incident itself so a report at 20 minutes will force the IC to make sure that their situational awareness is correct for incident. A forced review at 20 minute intervals will ensure that the incident is being constantly evaluated for the correct strategy and tactics and evaluating safety on the fireground.
By making this part of your habit at the command post you will make sure that your situational awareness is always correct for the incident.
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Posted by | Posted in administration-leadership, Blog, Combat Ready, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, Incident Command, technology-communications, Tips & Skills, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, videos | Posted on 29-11-2010
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Registration Open for Officer Development School in Ringwood, NJ – January 2011
There are just a few spots left! Sign up today! Traditions Training is excited to announce that registration is almost full for our “Officer Development School”, to be held January 29th, & 30th 2011 at the Erskine Lakes Fire Company in Ringwood, NJ. Learn real-world leadership and street-smart tactics featuring experienced officers from the Kentland VFD, FDNY, and Fairfax County Fire Department.
Click here to download the flyer!
Featuring hands-on participation with various leadership challenges and tactical scenarios, this program will have you interacting with leaders of other departments and challenging your decision-making as you examine and improve your personal leadership style.
To insure individual attention and participation, enrollment is limited. Register today! To register, please e-mail info@traditionstraining.com with the following information:
- Attendee’s Name.
- Attendee’s E-mail.
- Attendee’s Department Affiliation & Rank.
- Whether paying individually or through department purchase order.
**Please note that due to fixed costs, registration is non-refundable after 12/29/10.
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