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1st Due Hydrants….Check ‘em out.

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hydrant 1
hydrant 2

hydrant 3

I was out for a walk with Mrs. Anchorpoint the other day and I saw these hydrants, in a row.  1,800′ of industrial area with these hydrants.  Imagine this.    This is yet another reason to cruise through your district.  Drills don’t have to be labor intensive to be effective.  Knowing this about an area would really help you out in the event you needed a water supply in the area.

We do hydrant inspections every year.  Each work group is assigned a small section (80-100 hydrants) to inspect.  Part of the fun is finding them as you can see in one of these pictures.

Traditionally each group was married to a sub district.   Shift A has the 3 streets near the waterfront down to the park, for ever.  Shift B only does the streets near the business area etc….. My Captain had a great idea; every year we rotate hydrant inspection areas.  Now everybody has to inspect all the hydrants….eventually.

In case you can’t tell by the pictures one hydrant is too close to the walkway to get a feeder on, might work but it’ll be tough.  One of them the bonnet “lost” all it’s bolts.  And the final one is playing hide and seek.

Keep an eye out, you never know what you’ll see.  Be Safe

Posted in Engine Tips, firefighting-operations

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October 27, 2010 • 3 comments

Engaged and Ownership

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What do these two little words mean to you in your life? They have different meanings for all of us I’m sure, but, how much thought do we give to these words in our Professional lives as Firemen and as Brothers

In our everyday lives we are engaged in sports, playing, coaching, watching, etc. We are engaged in our families, by being loving husband or wives, fathers or mothers, watching our children grow into well rounded adults. We own cars, houses, computers, cell phones, you name it, we seem to own it. I’m sure everyone out there could fill the page or pages with more, but what do these two little words mean to us as a Fireman? Look in the mirror and ask yourself, if the same level of engagement and ownership at home, is the same level you put forth, when the bell sounds, if everyone did, this would not have ever been written.

Do you take ownership of the Fire Service? Many of our “brothers” will tell you they do, while they are on that cell phone they own, discussing their secondary job for the next day, in the middle of a light weight building construction class? Think about you and the members you rely on every day. This example is only one of a thousand different examples floating around our Profession.

Is your department, your company, or most importantly you as a Professional Firefighter, regardless, career or volunteer, fully engaged in your Profession for the your tour, however long it might be? Do you train, using relevant training or do or you officers pencil whip it to make everything look in order? Do the officers and the senior members work with the younger, newer members to mentor them, or is that “silly training” we just did a couple months ago? Okay, so what’s your point 

Are we as Fireman fully engaged to the job at hand? I say absolutely not for many of us and to me that is unacceptable. Josh Materi, from the Seattle Fire Department put it best. I hope many of you have seen the quote, if not try using that computer you own to search Facebook for it, instead of checking out prospective dates or local pubs. Pay attention to lessons learned by becoming engaged in the recent events going on in our Profession, the rescues in Lowell Mass, wall collapses injuring our Brothers in Detroit, and many more. Become Engaged in our Job, not the fantasy football team you are going up against next Sunday.

Every tour is a training tour; every tour is a learning tour. Fires happen period. We as true Brothers would take a job every shift, but, it doesn’t work out that way. Every time we get on the rig, is a time for us to shine, because we are not being called just to see our smiling faces. We are being called to mitigate someone’s worst day. For those out there that do not like running calls or feel the strong need to drive extra slow to that alarm activation, because you are sure it’s false or we might get disregarded, consider another line of work! This Profession is about so much more than a paycheck and days off. Our Profession is about saving Lives and Property, it is time for all of the Fire Service to stand up look in the mirror and treat Ownership and Engagement as Priority number 1.

Posted in Drills, Education/Training, Thoughts, training-fire-rescue-topics

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October 26, 2010 • 4 comments

Flashover Friday

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No topic today folks. Just let it rip on issues that you feel are affecting the fire service, you in the fire service. your agency.

Posted in Thoughts

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October 22, 2010 • 1 comment

To Invest or Not to Vest? That is the Question

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We have been fortunate here at Firefighter Basics to make a lot of friends of some very well known talented Brothers and some unknown talented Brothers of which all provide training at some level. Whether it is FDIC on down to the Company level in their firehouse. The topic that always occurs or seems to at least is the fact that firefighter’s talk a great game but never want to show up for practice. Firefighters say that want to be the best and want our Profession respected, but is that really true? Do we ourselves really respect our Profession? Do we really work hard at perfecting our craft or do we allow that word that we use called Tradition to continue to be a crutch. Our actions are not imitating our words. It is said that less than 1 percent of the Firefighters in this country are really seeking to be the best at our Profession. I say that strongly because as a good friend put it, ” This ain’t no game. People die in this job. If you think this is a hobby and not a Profession it is just a matter of time before you get someone killed. ” I see Fire Schools and classes getting canceled all around the country for lack of participation. When will we stop looking for a handout and become accountable for ourselves. Sure I agree the department should be seeking to provide great training, but if it is not the responsibility falls on who?

Firefighters need to start being willing to invest in themselves and do everything possible to make it back home at the end of the tour. We are not babies here time to wake up. As I quote the movie ATL ” This grown folk business here “. I ask you to look inside yourself and decide are you ready to make a commitment to yourself, your family, and your Brothers?

Will you be a professional and prepare yourself for the fight. The Choice is yours.

Posted in Thoughts, training-fire-rescue-topics

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October 21, 2010 • 4 comments

Aiken County Fire School is cancelled October 23-24,2010 More information to follow

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ACFFA Fire School Flyer

Please Click on the above link for the flyer and registration form.

Posted in Education/Training, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics

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October 20, 2010 • 1 comment

Show up Ready to Work.

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httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOeUeKi5hG4

Lowell Massachusetts got quite a surprise the other day.  They showed up for an alarm and ended up taking 7 people out via ladders.  The roof collapsed.  The conditions were so bad 1 person jumped, and 1 fatality.

This is a a sad story but a good lesson for firefighters all over. They showed up at 4AM with nothing showing  and then all hell broke loose.  Lowell did a great job with what they were handed.  I wasn’t there, and I cannot say otherwise.  But the lesson here is Show Up Ready to Work.

I have 5 reasons for you.

1. Lowell Mass.  You DON’T know what’s going on in the building.  If you get upstairs and meet a smoke condition what are you going to do?  Make the residents wait for rescue because you weren’t prepared?  Very unprofessional.

2. It looks professional to the public.  Nothing pisses me off more than when we are in contract negotiation season,or any time for that matter, and guys are going in to investigate alarms carrying a pike pole and wearing a T-shirt.  I understand you are a salty dog with 3 years on, but at least make it look good for the public.  Show them we are ready to work and that we do work hard.

3. It’s in your SOP/SOG.  If something happens to you because you were too lazy to wear your gear your department does not have to cover you.  NFPA, NIOSH the list goes on and on of agencies that will say it was your fault.   Don’t do that to your family.

4.  IT’S YOUR JOB!  If you call AAA for a jump start and they show up without jumper cables what are you going to think of them?  Same thing here.  If you get a call for a fire, alarm, etc..and you come running out to get your gear, what is the public going to think of you?  Are they going to support any activities your department sponsors, support  the city’s purchases of new equipment?

5.  If you treat every alarm like it’s a fire one day you’ll be right and everything will go smooth.  If you treat every alarm like it’s nothing one day you’ll be wrong and it’ll be a nightmare for all involved.

My take:  Show up ready to work, at least put on a show for the locals.  If you need your equipment you’ve got it.  If you do too many runs to do the job right maybe you should go to a slower house.  If the gear is too heavy you should find another line of work.

Good job Lowell, Be safe.

Posted in Thoughts, videos

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October 13, 2010 • 3 comments

Tactics Tuesday

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Posted in Videos

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October 12, 2010 • 1 comment

Communications Lesson: You control the flow of information

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While having a conversation with some veteran Fire Officer’s, the topic of effective communications came up.  I often ponder what folks with these fancy degrees, who take a host of speech and communications classes really take away from them. The worst thing that I see administrations do is leave a firefighter’s mind to wonder and guess what is going on. This even applies for the Company Officer. When you get information share it.  If it is not a personal issue or personnel matter why are we making information top secret.  I do understand that everyone in the fire department does not care to know, but there are many that do.  If you are the administrator for the fire department it is imperative if you want your mission to be complete you communicate it to your members.  Ensure that they understand in which direction you wanna go in and clear up any misunderstandings.  Notice I did not sat they had to agree with it, just understand it and get on board. Most time you will find that if you communicate the information in a logical fashion it will be received very well even if it’s not agreed upon.  Communication like I’m speaking of also gains your members trust, and they need to be able to trust that you are looking out for the best interest.  So how do we get the information out.

  1. Monthly newsletter
  2. Fire Dept Blog site or web based media
  3. Regular and Special departmental meetings

These are just a few suggestions I’m sure more will be added. What you will find when you control the informational flow things will run a lot smoother. If you look  at successful administrations, and company officers they are the one’s who’s member’s are informed, but they are still the one’s controlling the flow.

Posted in administration-leadership, command-leadership, Thoughts

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October 11, 2010 • 2 comments

Flashover Friday

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For today you can post whatever bothers you or is good bad; or simply just your opinion about things going on in the fire service.

Posted in Thoughts

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October 8, 2010 • No comments

Finally Folks the Ridge Cut

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Posted in training-development, Truck Tips, videos

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October 7, 2010 • 5 comments

Building Inspections

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This inspection post is going to be based on the 1000+ inspections I have done for insurance companies.  Yes I was an insurance monkey, and I learned a lot doing it.  Namely; Don’t trust a home owner to do what’s right. Keep in mind that you will be bound by your local codes and fire prevention division.

I’ll try to keep it brief.

1.  Photos

Some departments frown on photography.  The main reason is because when you go to court they will try to prove that you don’t know how to take pictures.  Been there, done that.  But the fact remains: If you can prove that those pictures were taken at that place AND at that time the defense comes to a screeching halt.  I’ve gone to court to represent land lords and just the fact that I was there with photos ended the case.  Take a picture of the building when you are walking up, then take one of the building number with as much of the building as possible in the picture, this proves where you are.  Make sure your camera is set to record the time with the picture info which is very common, and make sure the time is right.  Now you are timing your inspection.  A lawyer will have a hard time proving that you went somewhere else during the few minutes between pics.  DO NOT edit the pictures.

2. Approach

Get a good look around.  Are there any power lines in the way, are they being pulled off the building?  Is the building straight? Do any questions pop into your mind as you look at it.  Can an engine and truck operate as they need to? If not it’s time to document it.  Is this the most commonly used entrance to the building?

3. Greeting

“Hi I’m Anchorpoint, I need to do a quick walk-through of your building.  Do you have time now or can we make an appointment?”  Remember, nothing is wrong, yet.  Explain about how pre-planning helps everybody including tenants and the fire department.  If we can find the utilities we can shut them down quicker if needed.  If it is an inspection let them know what you will be looking for.  Don’t leave without an appointment.

4.Outside

Now that you have the landlords attention, take a walk around the outside.  You know what to look for; exits, building falling apart, trash piles, fire hazards, etc…

5. Alarm System

Is it in Trouble Mode?  Does it actually function or is it still there from the previous tenant?  What does it protect and are there smoke detectors attached to it?  Maybe it’s a burglar alarm and the tenant doesn’t even know.

6. Interior Hazards

Trash buildup, living in filth is very common.  Hoarders are a HUGE hazard.  This has to be documented and addressed.  Falling ceilings, structural damage, gas tanks in the house, welding operations in the house, poorly made repairs, the list goes on and on.  My advice is don’t waste your time looking at every detail, the issues will probably present themselves, unless of course you are the fire inspector.

7. Utility Locations

You need to know if they are secured, hidden and just where they are so you can find them later.

8. Special Hazards, Special Services Required

Commercial cooking requires a vent hood, and vent hoods require cleaning.  The funny thing here is the law required “cleaning as needed”  but the insurance companies required every 6 months.  There are dozens of things involved with cooking.  Day cares require permits, painting booths require vents and paint storage.  I won’t bore you with that but keep in mind special hazards require special services.

9. All Areas Inspected?

Did you miss anything? What about roof access? Adjoined buildings? Tunnels dating back to the civil war?  Did you look in the crawl spaces?  Open all doors that you are allowed to, make sure they work and where they go, you’ll get a surprise one day.

10. Wrap Up

Tell them what you think.  Tell them what they need to fix.  If you are giving them a break on something you NEED to follow up on it.  File an abatement or call the chief and let him know what’s  going on there, now it’s his problem.  If you don’t document or follow up you can get sued for breech of duty.  If something goes wrong and they have a financial loss they will say the fire department knew about it.

11. Reporting

Tell whoever walked around with you, tell the chief, enter it into the CAD, File an abatement.  Whatever is appropriate to do, you need to do.  Then follow up.

12. Legal

Oh yeah, legal.  If you do what your are supposed to do you won’t have any problems. If you forget to follow up or file the abatement do it NOW.  If you get called into court you can review your notes.  It’s ok. Remember it’s not personal.  Too many people take this personal.  The property owner thinks it’s cheaper to go to court than install a sprinkler system, so what.  You have to do your job, and you also have to look out for the other firefighters.

Posted in Building Construction, fire-prevention-education

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October 6, 2010 • 1 comment

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!!!

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We would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to our friend and crew member Jeff Schwering. Hope you have a great day brother!

Posted in Uncategorized

October 4, 2010 • 1 comment