Comments for Firefighter Basics http://firefighterbasics.com Where Students of the Fire Service Come To Share and Learn Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:42:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on About by safefirefighter http://firefighterbasics.com/about/#comment-7346 safefirefighter Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:42:01 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.fireemsblogs.com/?page_id=2#comment-7346 Marques, Give me a shout back. I'd like to talk to you about co-hosting/sponsoring some training events. Matt McDowell Safe Firefighter, LLC Marques,

Give me a shout back. I’d like to talk to you about co-hosting/sponsoring some training events.

Matt McDowell
Safe Firefighter, LLC

]]> Comment on D.E.R. Deep Environmental Retrofit by Freddie M. Bell http://firefighterbasics.com/2011/11/d-e-r-deep-environmental-retrofit/#comment-6123 Freddie M. Bell Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:39:08 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/?p=1863#comment-6123 Donovan: Glad to see a new posting on the site! Also, nice to see you've been able to identify a potential hazard in your area. The photos you've included really help demonstrate the extent of modifications. Definitely, the building is now "tighter" and doesn't allow as much air in (or out, for that matter). I agree with you that the newly updated and insulated buildings will hold heat better and not allow as much fresh air inside; however, I don't believe these two points are necessarily bad things for firefighters. First, modern homes have been energy efficient for a number of years. The fire service has been succesfully containing and extinguishing fires within these well insulated homes. Companies operating in older sections of some cities may only have these inefficient structures within the response area. It would appear the construction type and inefficiency provides some of the structure ventilation firefighters need. Long time members assigned to these stations may not have had much exposure to burning buildings of the energy efficient type. If so, the companies will have to go "back to the basics" for some "reminder" training in how to remove heat from a building. Secondly, our basic fire suppression training helps with a solution to the heat and fresh air problem: VENTILATE! Also, I recommend ventilating in the quickest, easist method possible: horizontal ventilation. Hey, we're all having to work with fewer firefighters, so we may as well work smarter and not harder. Horizontal venting is an option that works well when you have an aggressive engine company kicking in the door, getting ready to move down the hall, and you're pushed for time. Not trying to throw rocks, just offering some thoughts about the thread in an effort to generate discussion. Cheers! Donovan:

Glad to see a new posting on the site! Also, nice to see you’ve been able to identify a potential hazard in your area. The photos you’ve included really help demonstrate the extent of modifications. Definitely, the building is now “tighter” and doesn’t allow as much air in (or out, for that matter).

I agree with you that the newly updated and insulated buildings will hold heat better and not allow as much fresh air inside; however, I don’t believe these two points are necessarily bad things for firefighters. First, modern homes have been energy efficient for a number of years. The fire service has been succesfully containing and extinguishing fires within these well insulated homes. Companies operating in older sections of some cities may only have these inefficient structures within the response area. It would appear the construction type and inefficiency provides some of the structure ventilation firefighters need. Long time members assigned to these stations may not have had much exposure to burning buildings of the energy efficient type. If so, the companies will have to go “back to the basics” for some “reminder” training in how to remove heat from a building.

Secondly, our basic fire suppression training helps with a solution to the heat and fresh air problem: VENTILATE! Also, I recommend ventilating in the quickest, easist method possible: horizontal ventilation. Hey, we’re all having to work with fewer firefighters, so we may as well work smarter and not harder. Horizontal venting is an option that works well when you have an aggressive engine company kicking in the door, getting ready to move down the hall, and you’re pushed for time.

Not trying to throw rocks, just offering some thoughts about the thread in an effort to generate discussion.

Cheers!

]]> Comment on Rest In Peace Lt. Richard Hamilton – FDNY (RET) by Mark Oxtoby http://firefighterbasics.com/2010/04/rest-in-peace-lt-richard-hamilton-fdny-ret/#comment-5902 Mark Oxtoby Sat, 03 Dec 2011 23:44:54 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/?p=565#comment-5902 I'm a FF from Nottingham, England and 20 000 alarms has just been passed round every bloke on station. I was wondering if anyone could email me any copies of newspaper cut outs or pictures of this incredible brave man. It would be nice to put a picture to the stories we have read! My email is mark_oxtoby@yahoo.co.uk Many thanks I’m a FF from Nottingham, England and 20 000 alarms has just been passed round every bloke on station. I was wondering if anyone could email me any copies of newspaper cut outs or pictures of this incredible brave man. It would be nice to put a picture to the stories we have read! My email is mark_oxtoby@yahoo.co.uk

Many thanks

]]> Comment on Door Chocking by Lance C. Peeples http://firefighterbasics.com/2011/07/door-chocking/#comment-5833 Lance C. Peeples Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:18:56 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/?p=1787#comment-5833 I'm with Nate Q on this one. The notched wedges can be inserted on the highest hinge if not in the immediate fire area....(This prevents unnecessary bending for old men like me.)or over the bottom hinge if in the fire area. (This allows them to be pulled out rapidly if a retreat is necessary.) As for the number to carry: 1. Secured lobby door 2. Stairwell door in lobby. 3. Stairwell door on fire floor. 4. Fire apartment door. The wood chocks can also be used to hold a purchase point when forcing tough doors. I too have often found that the improvided door stops are often removed by tenants. Stay safe Brothers. I’m with Nate Q on this one. The notched wedges can be inserted on the highest hinge if not in the immediate fire area….(This prevents unnecessary bending for old men like me.)or over the bottom hinge if in the fire area. (This allows them to be pulled out rapidly if a retreat is necessary.) As for the number to carry: 1. Secured lobby door 2. Stairwell door in lobby. 3. Stairwell door on fire floor. 4. Fire apartment door. The wood chocks can also be used to hold a purchase point when forcing tough doors. I too have often found that the improvided door stops are often removed by tenants. Stay safe Brothers.

]]> Comment on Rest In Peace Lt. Richard Hamilton – FDNY (RET) by Waler http://firefighterbasics.com/2010/04/rest-in-peace-lt-richard-hamilton-fdny-ret/#comment-5743 Waler Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:49:40 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/?p=565#comment-5743 I wrote to Dick several years ago and sent him my copy of 20,000 Alarms with a request for him to autograph my book. I also sent him an FDNY Rescue 2 t-shirt direct from R2. He signed my book and sent a personal letter along with copies of news paper articles. What a treasure! I was very fortunate to speak with Dick twice and his wife Ginny once. I absolutely enjoyed the conversations. Ginny told me that those were the worst years of her life because she was terrified everytime Dick went to work. She also told me that originally they wanted to make a movie from the book, but that the movie people wanted to change it too much and add a bunch of stuff that was not what Dick was all about, so he would not give his approval. He was a true gentleman and one of my reasons for becoming a firefirghter. Rest In Peace my hero! I wrote to Dick several years ago and sent him my copy of 20,000 Alarms with a request for him to autograph my book. I also sent him an FDNY Rescue 2 t-shirt direct from R2. He signed my book and sent a personal letter along with copies of news paper articles. What a treasure! I was very fortunate to speak with Dick twice and his wife Ginny once. I absolutely enjoyed the conversations. Ginny told me that those were the worst years of her life because she was terrified everytime Dick went to work. She also told me that originally they wanted to make a movie from the book, but that the movie people wanted to change it too much and add a bunch of stuff that was not what Dick was all about, so he would not give his approval. He was a true gentleman and one of my reasons for becoming a firefirghter. Rest In Peace my hero!

]]> Comment on Fire Scenario by csobek http://firefighterbasics.com/2010/05/fire-scenario/#comment-4673 csobek Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:12:46 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/2010/05/28/fire-scenario/#comment-4673 my radio report will be as followed command to qaurters, we have approx. 4 25by50 possibly occupied 2 story lightweight wood frames structures involved in fire,strike me a 3rd alarm and a fast team. seeing on this video, i would have the first arriving engine go to the furthest b exposue and place a deck gun between exposure b1 and b2 alley take a 2 1/2 line and stop fire on exposure b2 make sure primary water supply has been established, my first arriving truck company park just off the first arriving engine to have there turntable just between the original fire structure and the b1 exposure to knock down fire with a supply from the first and possibly the second arriving engines, my second arrivivg engine bring in a secondary water supply and park behind the first arriving truck company between the original fire and d exposure.my third arriving engine find a water supply off a different hydrant grid to supply apparatus as needed.my second arriving truck and third due engine would due my primary search and forcible entry on the exposure at this point of the game,once heavy fire is knock down on the original structure we can do a search in that structure.i would have to make a fast team with a company,third alarm companys i would team up and utilize as needed.i would need a safety officer and accountabilty officer and a staging officer.i would give a progress report to dispatch approx. 20 minutes into the fire and also call for a company par. notify ems and a canteen and air supply vehicle. rehab personal every 30- to 45 minutes. decentralize command to groups and designate a offficer as group leader for each structure. my radio report will be as followed command to qaurters, we have approx. 4 25by50 possibly occupied 2 story lightweight wood frames structures involved in fire,strike me a 3rd alarm and a fast team. seeing on this video, i would have the first arriving engine go to the furthest b exposue and place a deck gun between exposure b1 and b2 alley take a 2 1/2 line and stop fire on exposure b2 make sure primary water supply has been established, my first arriving truck company park just off the first arriving engine to have there turntable just between the original fire structure and the b1 exposure to knock down fire with a supply from the first and possibly the second arriving engines, my second arrivivg engine bring in a secondary water supply and park behind the first arriving truck company between the original fire and d exposure.my third arriving engine find a water supply off a different hydrant grid to supply apparatus as needed.my second arriving truck and third due engine would due my primary search and forcible entry on the exposure at this point of the game,once heavy fire is knock down on the original structure we can do a search in that structure.i would have to make a fast team with a company,third alarm companys i would team up and utilize as needed.i would need a safety officer and accountabilty officer and a staging officer.i would give a progress report to dispatch approx. 20 minutes into the fire and also call for a company par. notify ems and a canteen and air supply vehicle. rehab personal every 30- to 45 minutes. decentralize command to groups and designate a offficer as group leader for each structure.

]]> Comment on The Greedy Ones by firestudent1 http://firefighterbasics.com/2011/06/the-greedy-ones/#comment-4463 firestudent1 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:30:56 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/?p=1730#comment-4463 WOW Freddie thanks! WOW Freddie thanks!

]]> Comment on The Greedy Ones by Freddie M. Bell http://firefighterbasics.com/2011/06/the-greedy-ones/#comment-4451 Freddie M. Bell Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:24:42 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/?p=1730#comment-4451 Firestudent1, don't get all depressed and start crying into your coffee mug. Dry up your tears. Here, have a tissue and wipe your nose. Have a sip of water. Feeling better? You should. Like you, I used to get twisted up and upset when folks didn't seem to "get it" with training. I didn't understand why firefighters didn't show up at the station on training night or didn't appear to have a great attitude during daily shift training sessions. I couldn't believe a firefighter would attend an outside training session and NOT bring something back. Not an idea. Not even a nugget of useful information. Maybe the folks attending the training sessions aren't bringing something back because the firefighter doesn't feel comfortable speaking in public or doesn't know how to present the information to others. There could be lots of reasons why this is occurring. Also, why not take this down period in the level and quality of training programs to rejuvenate yourself? Keeping up with current techniques and trends takes lots of time and effort; publishing these smae things on the internet adds to the tasks you must perform. Come up with some new stuff. Refine your ideas. When the tide turns and firefighters are ready and receptive for additional training, you'll be ready! Chin up, brother. It'will get better! Firestudent1, don’t get all depressed and start crying into your coffee mug. Dry up your tears. Here, have a tissue and wipe your nose. Have a sip of water. Feeling better? You should.

Like you, I used to get twisted up and upset when folks didn’t seem to “get it” with training. I didn’t understand why firefighters didn’t show up at the station on training night or didn’t appear to have a great attitude during daily shift training sessions. I couldn’t believe a firefighter would attend an outside training session and NOT bring something back. Not an idea. Not even a nugget of useful information.

Maybe the folks attending the training sessions aren’t bringing something back because the firefighter doesn’t feel comfortable speaking in public or doesn’t know how to present the information to others. There could be lots of reasons why this is occurring.

Also, why not take this down period in the level and quality of training programs to rejuvenate yourself? Keeping up with current techniques and trends takes lots of time and effort; publishing these smae things on the internet adds to the tasks you must perform.

Come up with some new stuff. Refine your ideas. When the tide turns and firefighters are ready and receptive for additional training, you’ll be ready!

Chin up, brother. It’will get better!

]]> Comment on Door Chocking by Donovan http://firefighterbasics.com/2011/07/door-chocking/#comment-4302 Donovan Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:26:10 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/?p=1787#comment-4302 Nate, love the pics. That Chock chock looks huge, but I like the idea. I can see the resident door/security Nazi at an apartment building staring at that thing trying to figure it out. Going to try that and the spring clamps in the near future. Thanks Nate, love the pics. That Chock chock looks huge, but I like the idea. I can see the resident door/security Nazi at an apartment building staring at that thing trying to figure it out. Going to try that and the spring clamps in the near future.
Thanks

]]> Comment on Door Chocking by Nate Q. http://firefighterbasics.com/2011/07/door-chocking/#comment-4279 Nate Q. Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:34:43 +0000 http://firefighterbasics.com/?p=1787#comment-4279 Donovan, here's some photos of the notched chock and nails. http://www.flickr.com/photos/66285707@N03/ I use these as my go-to's, due to past experiences at a condo complex in my first due, where residents often remove whatever improvised chock we've put used to keep the gates/doors open for the ambo crew ("Now who would put a doormat here? This door should be closed!"). Over time, I've found that the general public has a much harder time figuring out how to remove the notched chock, or even see the nails, and are usually found still staring at the gate confused when we make our way out. It also gives us an opportunity to educate them on why we chocked it open in the first place. Anyway, just my $0.04. Donovan, here’s some photos of the notched chock and nails.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66285707@N03/

I use these as my go-to’s, due to past experiences at a condo complex in my first due, where residents often remove whatever improvised chock we’ve put used to keep the gates/doors open for the ambo crew (“Now who would put a doormat here? This door should be closed!”). Over time, I’ve found that the general public has a much harder time figuring out how to remove the notched chock, or even see the nails, and are usually found still staring at the gate confused when we make our way out. It also gives us an opportunity to educate them on why we chocked it open in the first place. Anyway, just my $0.04.

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