Basement Fires and Training on Tactical Scenarios
Just search our blog here at Traditions Training and you’ll see how passionate we are about the hazards of basement fires. Basement fires are one of the top contributors to operations line of duty injury and deaths and like most things, we need to talk about our plan before we can expect to successfully execute it.
I was happy to get these pics from a friend this morning, a backstop firemen in Baltimore. Happy first because the topic of a battalion wide drill in the Baltimore City Fire Department was basement fire tactics. Also, this battalion training featured some of the training material from TT’s Nick Martin, as presented in several articles and at FDIC workshops.
Baltimore is no slouch on fire duty and to see them taking initiative to talk shop on basement fires with the crews on the street is both impressive and progressive. It also leaves little excuse as to why we all aren’t taking time to plan for tactical scenarios not just with the Chiefs, but also with the men on the streets. When we all know and understand the plan, we can understand better how we fit into it and ultimately execute our role more effectively.
Does your department pre plan operations for various tactical scenarios? Just another way to contribute to that “slide carousel” you may have heard us talk about….
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Posted by | Posted in Blog | Posted on 28-07-2011
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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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"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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Posted by | Posted in administration-leadership, Blog, Combat Ready, command-leadership, Company News, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, Incident Command, major-incidents, news, Tips & Skills, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics | Posted on 19-11-2010
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Registration Open for Officer Development School: Green Ridge, PA – Nov 13 & 14, 2010
Traditions Training is excited to announce that registration is now open for our “Officer Development School”, to be held November 13 & 14 at the Green Ridge Fire Company in Aston, PA. 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 10/13/10.
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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, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics | Posted on 20-09-2010
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Open Enrollment Class: "Combat Ready Firefighting" in Ashburn, VA
Join us on October 30, 2010 at the Ashburn Vol. Fire Department in Loudon County, VA for an exciting 8-hour program of Combat Ready firefighting! Join Doug Mitchell (FDNY) and Nick Martin (DCFD / Kentland 33) for street-smart tips on engine and truck operations as well as today’s traditions and morale. Please see the flyer below for more information…
Click here to download the flyer!
For registration information for this program, please click here.
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Posted by | Posted in Blog, Combat Ready, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics | Posted on 18-09-2010
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Registration Open for Officer Development School in Barren Hill, PA
Traditions Training is excited to announce that registration is now open for our “Officer Development School”, to be held September 18 & 19 at the Barren Hill Fire Company in Lafayette Hill, PA. 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 a 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 indvidivdual attention and participation, enrollment is limited. Register today! To register, please e-mail info@traidtionstraining.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 8/18/10.
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Posted by | Posted in administration-leadership, Blog, command-leadership, Company News, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, major-incidents, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics | Posted on 22-07-2010
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Tower Ladder Class in Johnston, IA Reinforces Key Point on Knowing Your (and their) Aerial Apparatus!
Last weekend TT instructors Scott Kraut, Mike Stothers, Joe Brown, and Nick Martin headed west to the metro Des Moines area for a Tower Ladder Operations course with the Johnston Fire Department. The two-day program brought attendees from all over Polk County to talk about truck work and the capabilities of various apparatus. All kinds of topics were covered, from forcible entry to ventilation to designing riding assignments. Sunday brought 40 students and 4 different styles of aerial apparatus for an awesome day of hands-on training at a great acquired building.
One of the goals for the weekend was to allow attendees to work with and understand the various capabilities of different aerial apparatus. While many departments only own one style of truck, it’s imperative that departments understand the capabilities and limitations of any style of aerial apparatus that might respond into their town. Rear-mount, mid-mount, tiller, tower, aerial – they all have specifics as to their positioning needs and use in various scenarios. The time to find those things out is NOT the fireground – if you don’t know these things in advance, you can’t POSSIBLY put the rig to the best use when it gets to your fire! It was great to work with a forward-thinking, pro-active group of enthusiastic firefighters. Thanks to the firefighters of Polk County for your hospitality and we’ll look forward to seeing you again!
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Posted by | Posted in administration-leadership, Blog, command-leadership, Company News, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Truck Company | Posted on 05-07-2010
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Registration Open for Officer Development School in Quakertown, PA
Traditions Training is excited to announce that registration is now open for our “Officer Development School”, to be held August 14 & 15 at the West End Fire Company in Quakertown, PA. Learn real-world leadership and street-smart tactics featuring experienced officers from the Kentland VFD, FDNY, and Fairfax County Fire Department.
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.
Click here to download a course flyer!
To insure indvidivdual attention and participation, enrollment is limited. There are presently only 13 spots remaining! Register today! To register, please e-mail info@traidtionstraining.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 7/5/10.
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