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Boston’s Ladder Culture

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Why does Boston throw so many ladders?

 

Mainly because it’s better to have them and not need them.

If you ask around Boston Fire you will get 4 common answers.  Most likely after they ask you why a firefighter would even ask a question like that.

1. Why not?

2. It’s a good practice

3. We have to.

4. The Engines can be more aggressive because they know ladders will be in place.

 

The number one answer was no surprise to me.  But I’ll mix 1 & 2 as essentially the same thing.  Why not throw a lot of ladders? It’s good practice.  Throwing ladders at a fire that is under control gives the real world practice that cannot be duplicated on the training ground.  If the fire is not under control there is no Manpower lost bringing a ladder to the building when the crew is already walking up .  The worst outcome would be the ladder gets laid on the ground near the front of the building so the company can go right in to work.  That ladder will be placed as needed later or put away after the fire.  If the building has sustained a good amount of damage, and you have the manpower, there is no reason to leave the portable ladders on the truck.   You can tell good companies from “not-so-good” companies in the actions they take in the support role. Why does the last engine in bring a big line to front door?  If you need it, it’s there and if you don’t need it, it’s good for the practice.  The companies that show up empty handed or say “we’ll grab it if we need it” don’t do as well as the “we do it every time” companies when it’s time to perform.  In Boston the same thing applies to Truck companies.  If a truck consistently shows up without a ladder they are hard pressed to grab one and throw it when needed, granted they will get it done.  One of the main truck company rules is “If you cannot get your aerial into operation you bring a ladder and put it to the building, your company will have a ladder to the building”.

The 3rd answer “We have to” is not as obvious if you have never been to Boston.  The layout of Boston does not lend itself to having aerials wherever you want them.  The roads in Boston are essentially paved cow paths that meander around terrain features and public grazing areas like Boston Common.  Just like many old cities, Boston’s housing stock  averages 100+ years old, and they were built as close to each other as possible.  The result of that are vast neighborhoods where there are only narrow walkways to access tiny backyards.  These houses have large back porches stacked on top of each other for tenants to hang laundry out and enjoy some fresh air.   Just inside the porch on one side or the other is the rear egress, so when the wooden porches would light up, one means of egress would be taken with it.  Another part of this is that no firefighter wants to be in a building with only one way out, throwing many ladders became a necessity.

Many areas of Boston are made of reclaimed land; hills were scraped down and used to fill in low laying sections of the city. This is not unique to Boston and is very common in other parts of the USA.  The first floor in the front is street level and the back is an additional 1-2 floors down.  This was done so the fill they had would go further by not having to bring all the elevation up, just the street level.  That in itself does not make a difference, but Boston decided that more units would be better than having alleyways or access to the rear of the buildings.  So getting to the rear became a real chore for firefighters. I recall an old timer telling me “We would grab the 40’, go 2 doors down and walk through that unit to get to the rear”.  The idea being the fire may be in the exposure unit but hopefully not extended into the 2nd unit down and it would be quicker to walk through someone’s house than trying to found a way around the buildings.

The average street in Boston usually only allows for 2 aerials to make it to the building, many times, less than that.  Not many sections of the city have the electrical utilities underground, there are not many driveways or garages causing vehicles to block corners and congest the street, these are just a couple of things that make successfully placing an aerial difficult in any city but a particular nuisance in the North East because of the narrow roadways.  When more than 2 aerials can be put into operation, the scene looks like an aerial party with every aerial on scene attempting to get their stick to the roof. Even then you will still find extensive ground ladders to the building.

 

As for the final answer “Engines can be more aggressive knowing ladders will be placed”, this contributor is on the fence.  I’m not a gambler.  How would an Incident Commander explain to someone’s family if a firefighter got hurt because a ladder was not in place in time?  How do you explain we USUALLY have ladders up pretty quickly, but THIS time we didn’t?  I’m not against this mentality, and know people who have benefited from and firmly believe in it.  A friend was on the first due truck searching the 3rd floor of what turned into a 4 alarm, 3 building fire when things started to look bad.  The stairway started to look like a less attractive option so his boss said “let’s move to the front windows, there should be a ground ladder up by now”, and there was.  So yes, Boston can be more aggressive knowing the ground ladders are on the way and the engine companies can be bold because they know the trucks will be also.

For Incident commanders in Boston throwing ladders is not an option, getting water and getting ladders to the building go hand in hand.  Many times at fires in Bostonyou will see a guy rolling a ladder from one window to the next or watch someone else move a ladder from the side of a building to the rear.  Do you know why they could do that?  Because the ladders were already there.  You cannot redeploy something that is still on the truck.  Running down the street to get a ladder that you desperately need now only adds time and potential delays.

I enjoy looking at pictures that were taken at fires and asking questions about what I see.  Not Monday morning quarterbacking, learning from what others did.  Sometimes you will see a roof ladder in a window or to the second floor porch at a very low angle.  Why?  One guy threw it while the rest of his crew was running the line, or it was the only ladder available on the nearest truck.  It may not be perfect but it is a usable and redeployable ladder.

If that is not enough to strengthen the case for excessive ladder use, let’s consider a few other things.  The best RIT crew is the one you never need. Boston’s RIT SOP calls for proactive RIT crews to ladder for secondary egress. How better to get quickly familiar with a building than to walk around and place ladders based on the conditions found in case you or a company inside needs them.  With the big push on flashover awareness how can a department say they are aware and concerned about firefighter’s safety and in the same breath say there are too many ladders to the building?

Construction styles have changed just like construction materials.  It is now not uncommon to find Philly style apartments in Boston (Middle floor of a 3 story shared between 1st and 3rd floor units) where this never used to be the case.  Even recently there was an upper floor fire and the only way to get to the seat of the fire was from an exterior staircase in the rear, a staircase that burned out.  Some homes and buildings just have confusing layouts and odd stairway patterns that cause longer hose lays and further travel distance for egress if needed.  Why not throw more ladders?  If a stairway gives out during a fire you cannot just give up that egress, it’s easy to find and firefighters will be attracted to it, you have to get a ladder in there to prevent firefighters from falling and getting injured.  The closer the ladders are to the point of need the quicker they can be put into use and the potential for injury will be lessened.

I’ve heard people complain about excessive laddering and the drawbacks,  get over it.  The only drawback I can put any stock into is the fear of firefighters getting hurt deploying ladders that will not be used.  If injury is a valid concern on your job then maybe you need to do more training, whether it is physical or ladder operations.

During the Boston Fire Academy recruits will climb over 2,000 stories on ladders, all ladders combined; roof ladders, 24, 35, 40, 50 and aerials.  They will each have to throw the ladders dozens of times and also have to prove to themselves the biggest ladder they can personally deploy on their own.  The recruits will also deploy Pompier ladders individually and as a group in the form of chain Pomps.  With a start like that there is no question about the importance Boston puts on laddering a building.  Recruits that start the fire academy afraid of heights still have a healthy respect for heights after but have no reservations about working from a ladder.

So the bottom line is the same as for everything else on the fire ground; call for the equipment, put it in place, if you don’t need it you can put it away.

I’d rather have it and not need it.

Photos courtesy of The Legendary Billy Noonan  http://www.billnoonanfirefotos.com

Photos courtesy of Stephen Walsh     http://www.box714imaging.com/

 

 

Posted in Aerial Operations, command-leadership, Education/Training, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, Motivation, Training, Truck Tips

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May 8, 2013 • 1 comment

A.C.T now!

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Over the last year, what did you do to increase your emergency services knowledge, skills, and abilities? What supporting educational programs did you complete? What training classes did you attend? Most importantly, what changes in behavior did you implement after attending the programs?

Here’s a three step process to help you further your abilities and provide new information to fellow crewmembers. The process can be remembered using the acronym A.C.T. The letters stand for:

A- Attend a class.

C- Contribute to the classroom conversation.

T- Take-back what you learned to your crew.

Don’t just “ATTEND” any course. When you peruse a course catalog or conference schedule in search of a course to attend, think about topics of interest to you. Remember, the idea is to increase your knowledge about subjects you find interesting and want to learn more about. If you could care less about driving or pumping an apparatus, don’t register for a pump ops course!

“CONTRIBUTING” to the course can occur in a variety of ways. You hear other students with questions about what is being presented but the other students will not ask the instructor? CONTRIBUTE by asking the question for the other student. Trainers love questions! If the instructor asks for assistance with a demonstration or needs some help, volunteer! Your participation will be greatly appreciated.

“TAKING IT BACK” is the most important thing you do with your new knowledge, skills, and abilities. The department spent money to send you, one person, to the class. Why not help the department get the biggest “bang for the buck” and spread the new material with your co-workers and others?

Grab the fire academy course catalog, thumb through a training conference schedule, or check out your county fire association’s website. Select an interesting class, register, and attend the program. When you come back to the station, share what you learned with your co-workers. Alternately, search the web for a computer basd course, complete the course, and share what you learned with others.

Hurry! A.C.T. now! Operators are standing by!

Posted in administration-leadership, Education/Training, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, Motivation, Thoughts, Training, training-development, Uncategorized

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April 24, 2013 • 1 comment

Setting Up a Hoseline For Success

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You arrived fire showing, Alpha, Bravo Second story .

Often times firefighters miss the opportunity to get it right on the drill ground by failing to work on steps in small segments. In order to be able to gain proficiency we must start at understanding why we are using the hose load we are using and the pros/cons when stretching in your response area. What are the streets like? What are the dwelling sizes? What are the building types? Are you prepared for extended stretch?

Posted in Drills, Engine Tips, training-development

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March 27, 2013 • 1 comment

SCBA Familiarization

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Do you know your SCBA? Really, REALLY know it? I do…mostly, I’m ashamed to admit I could know the numbers and pressure levels a bit better.  My current position as Fire Academy Instructor has really opened my eyes to some of the basic tasks of this calling that I may be lacking adequate skills in. Granted, I could tell the recruits that I could pump water from the East coast to the West coast and they would most likely believe me. But if they challenged me to prove it I would be hard pressed to demonstrate it. I don’t generally talk about things I don’t know or that I cannot demonstrate.

So when one of the recruits challenged me in a race to assemble and don an SCBA, I accepted. The challenge is to mount the bottle, attach the lines, turn on the bottle, don the face piece and start air flow. But of course I had to handicap it in my favor. I told him the only way I would race him is if we put flash hoods on backwards first. I won.

With that in mind today’s drill is SCBA familiarization. This floated to the surface after watching the recruits struggle with the maze confidence course. There is nothing life threatening in there. It is a chance for them to work through a search and negotiate some obstacles. Some obstacles require the removal of the pack, and there are some entanglements but nothing that should be too difficult to work through. The recruits had a difficult time, which is to be expected. We also ran a couple of seasoned guys through during that same time and a couple had SCBA issues that I can only attribute to lack of familiarization with the equipment, but  they did make it through without “dying”.

My opinion is that training should be harder than any expected reality. Anyone can kneel down and assemble a bottle and harness. Try to make it harder.

Start with all necessary equipment laid out in front of you however you like, some guys kneel on their gloves  etc… The standards I used for a successful finished product in this drill are; Mask on flowing air, pack on your back fully opened cylinder with straps adjusted and seatbelt on, 2nd PASS activated, gloved hands in the air.

The levels I had the recruits do are as follows.

1. No restrictions

2. Gloves on

3. Gloves on and a flash hood on backwards.

4. Gloves and reversed hood on, equipment messed with.

For the “Equipment messed with” the instructors would go around and rearrange the layout, randomly tighten straps, buckle the seatbelt, turn the bottle or even the harness around. For the recruits that were really good we would tangle lines and straps.

I wish I had pics, maybe I do….

Good luck to you, and stay safe.

 

Posted in Drills, Education/Training, Training, training-development

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March 12, 2013 • 2 comments

The Test

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The recruits have graduated, they will be moving into their first assignments.  They have a lot of things left to learn but they have the basics of fire behavior and attack to build from.

Towards the end they started asking questions about firehouse life.  Some of the questions had to do with when exactly will they be expected to drive and operate the pump.  That is not a set answer.

 

We still have a patrol desk and a member on “watch” 24hrs a day.  So naturally the Probies are expected to learn that first.  They are supposed to use the pit as their base of operations, whenever they are done with a task they return to the pit. I personally believe the apparatus has priority over everything else.  So my Probie will help check the piece and also their personal equipment first.  Other officers think they should do housework first, I think that is a narrow minded view as I believe that teaches the most important thing in the firehouse if mopping the floor. It’s not.

After they learn the pit and get themselves in the watch rotation it’s time for them to start driving back from runs and also practice driving around the district.  We do not have a driver or operator position so everybody takes turns driving.  From the time they are in the watch rotation and driving back from runs map tests will start in earnest.  When they show competency in the district and a few special responses we have then it is time for “The Test”.

Most of the apparatus in our city run a 500 gallon tank.  Not a lot.

We Nose into a hydrant and when the probie says go this is what happens:

1: Open up the deck gun

2: Charge a 100′ section of 2 1/2 so we can play water.

3: Hook up the hydrant and get water into the tank before you run out.

It usually takes a couple of attempts, but after they get it they feel confident in their abilities, and we do too.

Questions? Comments?

Posted in Drills, Engine Tips, Training

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March 6, 2013 • 1 comment

Making the Basics, Basic!

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Is this an acceptable drill for your new engine or truck company?

One of the highlights of my profession is the networking you are allowed to do.  A person I consider a Ture Brother, Mentor, and Friend has always maintained that where we missed the mark in the fire service is to break training down into smaller segments. We must began to recognize that training firefighters does not have to be a clubbing over the head, death by powerpoint, but yet it must meet the requirements of being Realistic, and Relevant. There are a few points when injury or death occurs that can be pointed out an Ineffective command system, and firefighters who were trying to operate outside Basics. I understand that accidents happen as well based off of decisions made by others, but that too can be linked back to a failed understanding of the Basics!

For new and aspiring fire officers remember training does not have to take all day, but has to be effective and have a measurable outcome at the end. Remember to take nothing for granted when training. A great place to start is by taking your policy manuals and ensuring the policies are truly understood and you become amazed it what drill s you can pull just out of them. If you do not have a policy manual then start with your expectations and your desired fire ground performance. The hardest part will be consistancy.

Posted in Drills, Training, training-fire-rescue-topics

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March 4, 2013 • 1 comment

What about the Brother’s Collyer?

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We hear the term “Collyer’s Mansion conditions” thrown around a lot.  As soon as you hear it visions of crap piled floor to ceiling pop into your mind.  With good reason, the Collyer brothers really set the bar in the hoarding game.  If you want to know more about them go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collyer_brothers

This type of hoarding really didn’t start getting properly identified until the turn of this century.  It was mostly thought of as a form of OCD, which most often it is not.  The diagnosis of hoarding is still being determined.  The current diagnostic criteria for hoarding is still just a proposal for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , or DSM-V which is due in May this year.  It is a VERY complicated mental issue, but, that is not our concern.  Our concern as firefighters is the well being of the neighborhood first and the hoarder’s well being second.

There are more ways to classify hoarders than anyone can imagine: Pure Hoarding, Hoarding plus OCD, organized hoarder, Common hoarder, animal hoarder, etc, etc… Just to show that this phenomenon is still not understood.  Either way 3-5% of the population can be diagnosed with some type of hoarding disorder (#1)

When we come across a property that looks like it’s occupied by a hoarder the first thing to remember is that  this is a private residence and it is not up to us to dictate how someone should maintain their home. It is first and foremost a legal minefield that we just stepped into.

DO NOT JUDGE.  The Mayo Clinic says many hoarders have limited social interactions (#2) and we most likely will put them on the defensive right away and reduce any chance of remedying the problem.  The 2 that I have had to deal with I walked through the property and acted like it was normal,  asked them about social interactions and family.  I also asked them if they had smoke detectors and what was their plan to exit in case of a fire.

Asking around the firehouse I’ve come up with 8-10 stories involving hoarders.  Most of them did not end well for the homeowner.  Most of them involved the home owner dying and the neighbor calling because of the smell.  A couple of the stories involved fires, one of them the occupant was not found until a week after the fire, buried under the stuff she had acquired.

If you have to write them up for something remember to not make it an issue about them or the stuff, but make it about the threat to the neighborhood.  Our most recent hoarder lives in a single family home.  We got called to the house because of a repair man he had at the house called 911 to complain.  I advised the homeowner to make sure all exits were easy to use in case he had a medical emergency or if there was a fire.  Honestly there is very little benefit in writing up an 81 year old man for hoarding. mainly because there is no law, and secondly because it will not accomplish anything.  I also reported him to the “Hoarding task force” that the city runs because they are better equipped to handle these things.

  I have joined my city’s Hoarding Task Force and I’ll have more info shortly.

 

#1 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jclp.20797/abstract

#2 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hoarding/DS00966/DSECTION=symptoms

Posted in fire-rescue-topics, Thoughts, Uncategorized

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February 26, 2013 • 1 comment

“He writes his own headlines”

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What does “Writing his own headlines” mean?  That’s when someone spends so much time thinking about how this is going to look in the news they forget they have to do the work before the story gets written.

Example:

“Hey Lt Can I borrow one of your guys for this medical call?  My guy is cooking supper.”

“Of course, no problem” was my reply.

1/2 hour later both companies get a call for a Central Station Alarm, and the cook shows up on his piece to go.  When we return the cook asks my guy to cover for him again.  I say No.  He says “But how can you let US run short?”

I understand the cook is doing something for the benefit of everyone in the house that’s why I have no problem running short if his boss does have a problem running short.  My guys are not here to fill in so you can cherry pick your calls, either we cover you or we don’t.  So, in order to prevent digressing into an all out rant, let me be a bit more positive.  Or try.  All companies are equally important in the fire service.  If a company was not needed believe me the bean counters would close it.

If you think that chasing the beeping boxes all day downtown makes you a more important firefighter than the firefighter that works in the retirement firehouse in the affluent neighborhood, you are wrong.  It’s just your job, volunteer or paid.  For the paid guys who think they are more important than the vollies ask the residents of Breezy Point about how important their volunteer companies are.

What makes a company more important than another one?  Nothing on a day to day basis. No resident cares as long as someone shows up.

Knowing your job and doing your job when it matters makes you a BETTER company, more PREPARED Company.  I’m sick of hearing about the “Elite” companies that just drew a short straw that one time. EVERY TIME. Wow, the “Elite” company has a straight up figure eight in the feeder….. that IS awesome.

You know what, I’m going to go negative.  It’ll be more fun this way.  Here is a short list of ways to tell if your company is spending more time writing their own headlines then they are making the story worth reading.  Please feel free to add your own.

1. Oh jeez!  I thought Stedman Court was off Stedman Ave, why would it be 3 blocks away?

2. If you can get to the address, but not to the fire.

3. If you can get to the roof, but dog gone it that guy yesterday didn’t fill the saw.

4. If you know what every other Fire Company did at the incident.

5. If you know what every other Fire Company did WRONG at the incident.

6. What the hell is he checking that tool for?  We never use it.  He must be new.

7. I didn’t know they were building this massive apartment complex in my district.  Those lazy Fire Prevention guys should have told us.

8. We don’t need training, they do.

9. Look at them wearing their equipment while investigating.  Are they afraid of fire or something? It’s just an alarm.

10.  Its not our fault the piece is all beat up.  It’s too big for our district, the city should have thought of that.

Maybe you should have a look in the mirror and see what is really there.  You cannot be that unlucky, maybe you just suck at this.  There is hope, and training is the light at the end of the excuse tunnel. If something is going wrong every time you go out and it always seems to be someone else’s fault, um, sorry but it’s not them…it’s you.

Let’s do the Jeff Foxworthy thing; “You might be writing your own headlines if;”….

 

Posted in Motivation, Thoughts

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January 16, 2013 • 1 comment

Are the EMERGENCY EXITS clear??

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With Christmas arriving in the next few days, many retail stores have greatly increased the amount of stock on shelves. Unfortunately, some businesses may go overboard and place products and/or packing materials in emergency exits. Restricted, or blocked, emergency exits have been contributors to great loss of life during fires. When this problem is identified, firefighters must quickly notify the store manager and make sure the problem is immediately corrected. If you’re not 100% sure about fire codes, speak with your company officer about your findings. If the company officer is not sure, NOTIFY THE FIRE MARSHAL or FIRE INSPECTOR and work with him/her to correct the problem!

Here are some photos I’ve taken in various locations around the country. A short explanation accompanies each photo.

Photo #1: Blocked exit. Beyond the blocking, these smaller items will become tripping hazards for people exiting the building. Move the trash! (Extra points for you if you noticed the pile of trash impedes access to the fire extinguisher.)

photo by author

Photo #2: Blocked emergency exit. In this photo, an emergency exit has been blocked by store employees. No store employees were present to quickly move the blocking device. This emergency exit is very wide and designed to move large numbers of people to safe areas. Note the items intruding into the exit access.

photo by author

Photo #3: Blocked exit discharge. Emergency exits must lead building evacuees to a safe area. This emergency exit discharge is significantly restricted by the automobile; as evacuees come upon the vehicle, they slow evacuation! (Super-extra points if you noticed this emergency exit is too narrow for code and is a ROLL-UP door!!)

photo by author

Be a proponent of fire safety whenever you are out in the community, whether on, of off, duty. Company officers: share emergency exit information with your crew. Ask the crew if anyone has ever found an obstructed or blocked exit? If so, how did he/she handle the problem? Let your crew know what the departments policy is for blocked emergency exits.

Stay safe! ~EMAGUY

Posted in Building Construction, Education/Training, fire-prevention-education, firefighter-safety-health, Training, training-development

December 20, 2012 • 3 comments

Residential Search Drill Part I

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For this drill you will need

  1. Full turnout gear w/o SCBA
  2. Room setup like a bedroom
  3. Hand tools
  4. Department SOP’s for search

Remember to cover the basics

  1. Check the door for heat before opening
  2. when you enter the room check behind the door. Even though it may not stop there could be a decent pocket for a small person or child
  3. Pick a pattern left or right
  4. Use tool to keep you oriented to wall depending on the search you are doing
  5. Ensure that you are actually finding the windows and doors
  6. Communicate size of room. No point in crowding into a small room

We will provide different illustrations of various techniques. If you are looking for books or videos Fire Engineering and Fire Department Training Network

 

Posted in command-leadership, Drills, Education/Training, firefighting-operations, Training, training-development

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November 12, 2012 • 5 comments

I’m Sorry If It’s Too Loud

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Okay, so I know that it’s been a while since I have last posted, so I thought I’d start with a short one as I dust off my keyboard. This story occured a few months ago, and I have been meaning to share it, but haven’t gotten around to it, until now. One thing that I have always advocated to everyone is the standard morning checks of one’s equipment prior to starting the shift. In addition to the standard SCBA checks of checking the bottle, turning it on and hearing a PASS device arm, I also allow my PASS to alarm after the 30 second time out. Once it alarms, I silence it, then re-activated it by pushing the manual activation button before silencing it for good. Upon completing this ritual, a “senior” firefighter came up to me and said, “You know that’s pretty loud, right?”
Of course, my reponse went something like this, “Well ya, I think it’s supposed to be, right? So when I fall through a floor, someone may hear it and help me, right?”
Thus, he replied, “Well, you don’t have to check it every morning, the things do work, and they are pretty loud in the morning. Do you really think it’s necessary to go that far in your checks, that is why we carry radios, so you can call the Mayday if you need it.”
Well, I had to leave it at that, because I was clearly not going to change this firefighter’s mindset, yet still knowing that I am in the right. I also elaborated to him that there are only 2 things on the fireground that I can control which could save my life: My PASS device and my radio, which was another thing he didn’t seem to understand. I always change my own battery in the morning at shift change, and tell my guys to get in this habit as well. This way, you know you are startign fresh in the morning, and not depending on someone else to do it for you. I know in many departments and companies have a good policy of the chauffer doing this job, but I still recommend taking the additional 30 seconds to make sure yourself that you are ready to go to work. No one else is responsible for your life, but you. Anyways, in closing, take a few extra minutes and really go over the equipment that could mean the difference between being heard and saved versus not working and being dead. We can only hope that this culture of safety will continue, and that we can contiue to lower the LODDs in this country every year we think this way.
-Ladder Jack

Posted in Drills, Education/Training, Engine Tips, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, LODD, Thoughts, Training, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Truck Tips, Uncategorized

October 25, 2012 • 3 comments

MVA- What’s your action plan?

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The photo illustrates significant vehicle body damage. Consequently, emergency responders should expect decesased occupants or serious occupant injuries and a potentially lengthy extrication time. This car was involved in a high speed accident; the car hit two trees and came to rest against a third tree. This photo was taken in a salvage yard.

Photo by author

1. How will you use your resources?

2. What is your plan to make the scene safe?

3. Access the patient(s)?

4. Extricate the patient(s)?

5. Can you think of additional resources requiring “special call”?

Post your response in the Comments section. Let’s hear what you, and others, think about this extrication challenge!

A few of my thoughts:

1. My resources will be devoted to controlling hazards and determining if there are any survivors.

2. Expect hazardous fluids (gasoline, antifreeze, etc.) to be released in this accident. Are power lines involved? Control the hazards and increase responder safety.

3. Accessing portions of the vehicle to determine if anyone survived (back seat passengers) may be difficult. Tearing and/or cutting away portions of the vehicle may be necessary for access. Also, consider the need to remove the bodies of those not surviving the accident to allow access and/or extrication of survivors.

4. Expect a longer than normal extrication time and more paramedic and patient interaction. The vehicle has extreme body and frame damage. An advanced extrication consideration would be to make selective cuts to the vehicle and allow the frame and body to move, opening up the passenger compartment and allowing for more rapid patient extrication.

5. Special resources I would consider may include persons with advanced extrication knowledge and skills and a tow truck to assist with extrication operations.

Posted in command-leadership, Education/Training, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, patient-management, rescues, special-operations, Training

September 20, 2012 • 4 comments

Charleston and Columbia, SC area responders: NFPA 472 Radiation Technician (8hr) program

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If you are in these areas, this is an awesome opportunity to attend a FREE US Department of Energy Radiation Technician training program. The course uses radiation sources with significant strength; this offers an excellent opportunity to see how radiation instruments react in real radiation fields. Additional course and contact information is in the below, attached PDF (SC TMERRTT).

SC TMERRTT

Posted in Education/Training, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, hazmat, special-operations, Training, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics

September 16, 2012 • No comments

I LOVE YOU, DO YOU LOVE ME? CHECK “YES” OR “NO”.

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No, this isn’t about some sixth grade love note. This is about how well YOU conduct a check-off and inspection of apparatus; about how well you look at your equipment before you place a check on the sheet, indicating the item is present and ready for service. It’s a short story about how a person made a mistake and placed an unsafe piece of equipment on a truck; how two other apparatus operators DID NOT do an adequate check/inspection of equipment and allowed an unsafe piece of life safety equipment to be available for use by firefighters.

A few weeks ago, I was conducting a training class with a hazardous materials team. The class moved from the classroom to the training ground. Time to work on practical skills and conduct fun training evolutions! Then, something weird showed up on the equipment tarp. The item on the tarp was something I hadn’t seen in about 15 years. One of the face pieces on the 4.5 SCBA units was a very old piece not approved for firefighting use. The old, outdated piece has a nylon headnet with only two tightening straps, no nose cup, and…..NO EXHALATION VALVE!! So, this face piece will melt onto your head under high heat conditions, will fog over and obstruct your vision, and (without an exhalation valve) will lift your face seal every time you exhale. Oh boy, I feel safe now!  Here’s what was found:

Here’s what should have been placed on the truck. Note the fire retardant headnet for use in high heat conditions, four tightening straps to assist with maintaining a good face seal, nosecup to prevent fogging, and exhalation valves.

Photo by author

The face piece was inadvertently placed on the truck during an equipment reload after a significant haz mat response. Rather than wait for the usual equipment to dry, someone dug into a box of old masks and pulled this one for use. It was attached to a regulator and the SCBA was returned to the truck. No one noticed the unusual item attached to the SCBA. The next two shifts, the apparatus operators visually confirmed an SCBA was occupying the appropriate space and placed a check in the box. Did the operators verify headnet straps were fully extended and the face piece was clean? Doesn’t appear so. Did they confirm air was in the cylinder? Don’t know.

When conducting daily or weekly apparatus inspections, every item must be properly inspected. If it has an engine, run it. If it contains pressure, inspect it, and record the pressure. If it has straps, verify they’re extended and ready for the next user. Life safety equipment must be given a thorough check! Don’t assume everything is okay because the piece of equipment is in the correct location. The daily or weekly check is conducted to confirm equipment is present and in proper working condition.

Apparatus operators, are you conducting adequate checks on your equipment during periodic inspections? Company officers, are you occasionally checking behind your normal and back-up apparatus operators concerning equipment checks? Do it! The safety of you and your crew depend on it.

Posted in administration-leadership, Education/Training, firefighter-safety-health, Training

September 13, 2012 • 3 comments

We Honor our Fallen Brothers and Those Who Perished On This Day

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We thank you for your service and lives you touched! You will Forever live on in our Hearts

Posted in line-of-duty, Motivation

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September 11, 2012 • 3 comments

Fire Ops

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We want you to Identify basic functions by putting yourself in the position of our brother and sisters in the videos. Remember these are videos and you could be the next week. We want to learn and grow not critcize.

Five basic points to consider.

•Size-Up

•Command

•Hose Lines ( Deployment, Number )

•Truck Functions

•Water Supply

Posted in Building Construction, command-leadership, Dispatch & Communications, firefighting-operations, training-development, videos

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September 10, 2012 • 1 comment

“I hate you, papa.”

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Those were the last words of a dying child, beaten for hours by her mother’s boyfriend. The man beat the child for most of a day; when EMS and law enforcement were finally summoned, the limp child was found in her bed. Hospital staff worked to revive the child; however, she succumbed to her severe injuries. A law enforcement officer in the ER noted the girls last, powerful words in his incident report. Another article told the story of a child beaten to death by both her mother and father. When brought to the hospital, the child was covered in bruises, old and new. X-rays showed current and old broken bones. Neighbors said the child was constantly screaming in that house. The grandparents said they were concerned for the child’s safety. No one, neither family nor neighbor, intervened for these children.

As firefighters, many of us wear our leather helmets with pride and see the fire service as protectors of all people. Without a search warrant, we have unique opportunities to see what other agency representatives rarely get to see: the inside of a home, bared to us without much attempt to whitewash living conditions. Firefighters are in houses for medical calls, public service calls, and fires. We are able to see how people are in their day-to-day lives.

On your next medical call, when examining and caring for a child, will you look a little harder at what you see? Will you assess the child and try to determine his/her wellbeing?

1. Is the child overly dirty and uncared for?
2. Condition of diapers? Changed, as needed?
3. Child look in good physical condition and well fed?
4. Appear to have an exceptional number of bruises and/or other injuries?
5. For age, appear to appropriately respond to stimuli?
6. Living conditions: acceptable or unsafe squalor?

Today, at the kitchen table, discuss this article. Ask if any member has run across anything similar in his/her past work. How was the problem handled? Does your organization have a method to report child and/or elder abuse? If there is not a policy or other method, does your organization need one? What do you think should be in the policy? Until the policy is developed, how will you and your crew handle a call similar to those in the above paragraph?

Children don’t have the necessary skills to communicate in the adult world. It’s up to us, as adults and as firefighters, to speak for those without a voice. Will you have the courage to protect a child and report a situation to social services?

Silence is acceptance; inaction is approval.

Posted in administration-leadership, Education/Training, ems-topics, Motivation, patient-management, Thoughts

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September 7, 2012 • 4 comments

Estimating hose line length tips or drill you make the call

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Often times fire departments will arrive on the scene of a building or dwelling fire and have to over come the obstacle of a long stretch when trying to reach the front door, not even including making it to the fire.

  1. Go out and stretch the lines repeatedly so that you start getting the muscle memory and are able to develop a vision for aprroximate length.
  2. Take a measuring wheel and count it out. This will also be good to add to a pre-plan during those times.

Note: Hose lines should be setup to reflect your response area and departmental policies, and not because that is what we have always done

If any has any drills or tips they use feel

Posted in Drills, Education/Training, Engine Tips, firefighting-operations, training-development

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September 4, 2012 • No comments

Fire Ops

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We want you to Identify basic functions by putting yourself in the position of our brother and sisters in the videos. Remember these are videos and you could be the next week. We want to learn and grow not critcize.

Five basic points to consider.

•Size-Up

•Command

•Hose Lines ( Deployment, Number )

•Truck Functions

•Water Supply

Posted in Building Construction, command-leadership, Dispatch & Communications, Education/Training, firefighting-operations, Training, videos

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September 3, 2012 • 1 comment

Haz Mat Technicians! Here is a GREAT opportunity to increase your response knowledge and skills.

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Click on the link for information about a FREE US Department of Energy Radiation Specialist course. The course will be held in Albuquerque, NM.

Specialist ABQ

Posted in Education/Training, hazmat, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized

August 29, 2012 • 4 comments