Think About It...

OK, we talk about the importance of laddering a building. The most important reason for getting this tactic accomplished early and properly is for the emergency exit of members operating on the interior. Take a look at the picture above. IN AN EMERGENCY, which ladders could you use and which one(s) would be a problem making an escape. Remember that if fire is chasing you out of the building, you will NOT be able to get high in a window opening, but will most likely be trying to crawl or slink out staying as low on the window sill as possible. Take a look also at what else should be done at window openings to which ladders are placed.

(Courtesy of Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Coffman)

You Make the Call!

This has generated some great discussions... We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Based on the picture above ask yourselves the following questions:

• Identify the construction features of the building that will help to increase or decrease fire spread.

• List any construction features that may impact the safety of crews operating in or around the building.

• Identify size-up information. What does the situation tell you?

Where will your first line go? How about the second line?

• What is the Benefit to be gained by taking the Risk?

• Is this a Go or No Go situation?

Are there any other considerations to assist our decision to Go or No Go? Is there anything else to add?

Special thanks to Caldwell Clark (FCFD Engine 30) and Fairfax City Medic 33/C for the picture.

Watch the video at end of posting...

THROWING LADDERS. The term we use to place ground ladders in position so we can get in, get out and for us to get trapped civilians out. If we train and train and train on doing that and have enough people to do it-it generally works pretty well on the fire scene. A recent video from Massachusetts shows FF's not doing it as well as could have been...with a civilian trapped. Before we saw the video, we wrote a commentary on how important staffing is when responding to a fire. Staffing on your apparatus or as a part of an automatic mutual aid program for the first alarm assignment-which is reality these days-is critical. Very few small and medium size FD's (and even some bigger ones) can meet the staffing goals of NFPA 1710-but it can be done way better by combining resources as a part of an area or regional 1st alarm assignment. What's the goal? As we have stated for years, to have plenty of FF's to (at minimum) establish water, vent, enter, search/rescue and hit the fire when reports have people are inside....and to attempt to do it simultaneously under a boss (and support functions) in command and in control.

But when we saw that video of the FF's attempting to raise the large ground ladder-we started to think about FD's who ask for more staffing-but then perhaps aren't training the staffing they have to the max. In other words, it could be said by those who oppose more staffing "why do you need more when you aren't training the ones you have to do the job as best as possible when needed" ?

Any FD fighting for more staffing would have trouble arguing the point. By asking the question: What are we doing to train and safely use the current personnel we have...can go a long way in being a key ingredient in justifying more personnel. If aggressive training is happening and companies are operating as "as effectively and as safely as possible" on the fireground with what we have to work with, we can then show "those who decide" how much more good we can do if we were provided more staffing...or given more companies on the 1st alarm assignment. No matter what the staffing-a regularly trained FF is always going to be a better bet than one who has not been training.

FDNY has the best staffing and the best written and trained upon operating procedures we have seen. Of course, like anywhere, it doesn't always work perfectly, but for the most part, they have a good system of operating that a probie is taught from the start. If you are on a truck company and you are assigned to "this" task-that's how you will do that task. If you are on an engine, and are assigned a task-that's how they expect that task to be done. From the Chief to the probie-they all speak the same "operating" language so there is a level of expectation and consistency with time proven outcomes. Companies and the officers of those companies know what is expected and what to do. Chiefs overseeing them expect tasks to be performed automatically-because the members have been trained that way from the start...and the staffing matches the required functions.

There are always going to be some that don't like one FD or another-usually for some pretty dumb reasons like "their trucks are green" or "their Deputy Chief's mustache needs trimming" ...you know what I mean. Of course, there are some who have never even been to NY but don't like how FDNY operates. But like them or not, it is hard to argue that FDNY "gets it" when it comes to staffing and they "get it" when it comes to the functions of a fire company. Take a few seconds and watch this video sent to me by a friend this morning that shows the urgency as well as the efficiency required when people are trapped in a fire and ground ladders are used to make the rescue. Throwing ladders is a basic task taught in probie school-but if we haven't drilled on it or don't have enough companies on the 1st alarm to throw the ladders (no matter what color trucks they arrive in or what town they come from)...the outcome is predictable.
Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugot3sLPTKU
Take Care,
BillyG
The Secret List 12-27-07/1145 hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Use them... Why not?

For those of us that work in a Northern Virginia Fire Department you should be well aware of the NOVA Regional Operations manuals. These are the manuals that provide operating and tactical guidelines for emergency incidents. These manuals are written by a committee of representatives from fire departments in the Northern Virginia area. See below for an excerpt of what their activities entail:
* Develop common incident management and command systems and procedures.
* Develop common operational and response procedures that provide for shared use of special emergency response teams, equipment assets and other regional resources.
* Standardize fire, EMS and emergency service policies, procedures, apparatus and equipment whenever and wherever feasible.

These links will allow you to download five documents that are "cheat-sheets" from the following manuals; Single Family, Townhouse, High-Rise, Strip Shopping Centers and Garden Apartments.

These “cheat-sheets” are a great resource to use while preparing for a promotional exam. They are another tool for 5 minute drills with your shift. It is our hope to have these mass produced and laminated in a 5x7 format that can be kept in your rigs if you choose.

I know what some of you are thinking, “these are stupid because the members should know what their assignments are….” We feel these sheets will prove to be helpful whether studying for an promotional exam or responding to a call at 3AM and maybe having a hard time remembering your assignment on a certain call.

If you have any items to add or to make any changes so these can be more user friendly please let us know. As always your feedback is welcome. Ron Kuley 26/A

http://firetactics.org/StripShoppingCenter.pdf

http://firetactics.org/TownHouse.pdf

http://firetactics.org/SingleFamily.pdf

http://firetactics.org/HighRise.pdf

http://firetactics.org/GardenApartments.pdf

Think About It!

A line out of the movie "Top Gun" talked about how the pilots in Vietnam had become too dependent on missiles and had lost their edge that fighter pilots had during WWII and Korea. They had become too dependent on technology!

We have had a lot of great tools come our way due to technological advances as well. One of those tools is the Thermal imaging Camera (TIC). This is an incredibly valuable tool for use in locating hot spots, trapped or lost civilians, and of course trapped or lost firefighters. But we also can't become too dependent on technology.

In spite of how good the cameras work, they are still not the answer to all circumstances when doing searches, either for fire or for people.

Discuss the following:

1. The operation of the camera.
2. When you can use it for finding hot spots and sources of fire extension?
3. Use of it in locating people.
4. What other uses do you have for the TIC?
4. Most of all, circumstances when the camera cannot or should not be used to find fire or people.

Talk also about the need to maintain a high level of search skills in various situations. Include a discussion of the differences in searching a residential occupancy vs. commercial occupancy. If for no other reason, what happens if you are depending on the camera and it does not turn on?

(Courtesy of Deputy Fire Chief Coffman)

You make the call...

Based on the picture above ask yourselves the following questions:

• Identify the construction features of the building that will help to increase or decrease fire spread.

• List any construction features that may impact the safety of crews operating in or around the building.

• Identify size-up information. What does the situation tell you?

• What is the Benefit to be gained by taking the Risk?

• Is this a Go or No Go situation?

Are there any other considerations to assist our decision to Go or No Go? Is there anything else to add?

As always if you have any pictures or ideas to submit please send us an email at rkuley@yahoo.com. Thanks to JJ Walsh (Batt 7/A) for the info above.

Got Command...?

If you're aspiring to be a Command Officer within the fire department then this is a must watch training video.... click here

Those who have watched this video say this is the best approach in dealing with warehouse fires. (see posting below)

Think About It...

We have many buildings that have large open areas. Schools, warehouses, malls, churches, etc.

Discuss three issues in dealing with fires in these areas.

1. Hose or fire stream deployment and operation.
2. Ventilation operations
3. Search or evacuation operations.

Include a review of the hazards associated with operating in these large open areas and what building characteristics may be present that can cause your crew problems.

(Courtesy of Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Coffman)

Warehouse Fires...Think About It!

From the FCFD’s PIO office – “Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a commercial fire at approximately 8:10 a.m., Sunday, December 2, 2007, in the Springfield area of Fairfax County. The commercial building, a warehouse, is located at 7390 Ward Park Lane.
Firefighters reported heavy fire from the front with flames rising more than 50 feet above the roofline of the two-story, 100 by 300 foot warehouse. The warehouse was fully involved with fire causing firefighters to fight the fire from the exterior. The fire was brought under control in approximately 90 minutes. Subsequently, a third alarm was requested bringing over 90 emergency personnel to the scene. There were no reported injuries. The warehouse stored coffee products and housed a woodworking business.
Damage is estimated at $3.7 million.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

This fire went to a 3rd alarm and it was a defensive operation with the use of multiple heavy-caliber streams.

One of the issues at that fire was that of a partial collapse. The building being a warehouse type of occupancy is of Type II construction. This type involves the use of non-combustible structural materials but those building elements are not protected as we find in Type I, Fire resistive construction.

When fire conditions are well advanced in Type II, there are a number of factors that can contribute to the failure of different structural components. Steel beams, steel bar joist, metal lintels over bay doors, columns, and exterior walls are all easily affected but in different ways.

Discuss the issues associated with building collapse and/or failure of building components and what the signs of this problem are. What steps and tactical activities do, or should, we take in addressing the issue of structural compromise?

Courtesy of Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Coffman

You Make the Call!

Based on the picture above ask yourselves the following questions:
• Identify the construction features of the building that will help to increase or decrease fire spread.

• List any construction features that may impact the safety of crews operating in or around the building.

• Identify size-up information. What does the situation tell you?

• What is the Benefit to be gained by taking the Risk?

• Is this a Go or No Go situation?

Are there any other considerations to assist our decision to Go or No Go? Is there anything else to add?

As always if you have any pictures or ideas to submit please send us an email at rkuley@yahoo.com. Thanks to JJ Walsh (Batt 7/A) for the info above.

Think About It...curtain walls

Curtain wall is a term used to describe a building façade which does not carry any dead load from the building other than its own dead load. These loads are transferred to the main building structure through connections at floors or columns of the building. A curtain wall is designed to resist air and water infiltration, wind forces acting on the building, seismic forces, and its own dead load forces.

There are over 300 high-rise buildings in Fairfax County and with new development around future metro stations, there are many more planned. the vast majority of our highrises are built using curtain wall construction.

The first alarm assignment on a high-rise fire is designed to cover the first essential positions with the understanding that a confirmed fire will get at least a 2nd alarm.

The 4th due engine and the 2nd due truck on the 1st alarm are assigned to go to the floor above the fire. Discuss the tactics expected of these two units and why knowing the location of the fire on the fire floor is important to the operations on the floor above as it relates to curtain wall construction. Discuss also just what a curtain wall really is, how the exterior walls are attached, how fire can extend, and where checking for extension needs to occur.

(Courtesy of Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Coffman)

CloseCall and Safety101 - Invaluable!

At the recent Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Annual Safety Forum in Orlando, FL Fairfax Battalion Chief John Gleske (BC02/A) delivered a two part seminar on incident safety. They were titled Safety 101 & Close Call/Hazard Investigation ~ The following topics covered were: Risk Management/Risk Analysis, PPE Inspection, Size-up, Enroute Considerations, Arrival Considerations, Onscene Operations, Communications, Accountability, Rehabilitation, and Post Incident Critiques. The second half of the program discusses how to set up a close call/hazard investigation program with an outline to describe the benefits of the program.

John wanted to share these important programs with our readers with the hopes that YOU will share them with others in your department. These are valuable PowerPoints that can be used for training and review with your folks at any level in your department. Like all of the other posts on this site these programs are designed to make you think!

Click on the titles below to download each program:
(note file size and allow sufficient time for download)

Safety 101 (23mb) --- Close Call/Hazard Investigation (8mb)

Please ensure that John Gleske receives the proper credit for the .ppt programs and mention you found them on FireTactics.net. - Ron Kuley

Close Call? some say "nah"...

Our readers know the intent of this website and we continually try to meet your expectations. Even though the infamous Boston video is now making its way around the Fire Blogs I thought it would be important to post it here as well. I have already received some comments via email and know our readers would find them interesting and want to provide additional comments. As one reader writes, "there is one point that needs to be mentioned. They rescued 11 people from this fire including children." This fact should not be lost in discussing what happened during the roof evacuation. Now it is your turn... Thanks! Ron Kuley ---- Click here or the picture to watch the video.

As with any of our postings take the time to review with your shift and discuss the tactics involved. What if this was your company on that roof? Would you go to the roof next door or climb the ladder down? Who goes first? Ask the tough questions... WE all can learn from these incidents!

(AP Photo/John Cetrino)

Trapped!

No intro is necessary for this posting...

An excerpt of the LA Times article found here - As flames roared up the incline, they opened the nozzle, but found, to their horror, that no water was coming out. The hose had burned through, as had the others they tried.

With no place to escape and the fire about to overtake them, someone gave the order "Deploy your emergency packs" -- metallic, fireproof coverings called "shake 'n' bakes" by the firefighters. The eerie sight of the huddled firefighters was captured in a photo that appeared in Tuesday's edition of The Times. It was the first time the emergency packs had been deployed by firefighters in Orange County.

Click here to view a slideshow and audio of the FF's during this incident. Pay particular attention to the communication.

What am I getting into? THINK!

This week the 123rd Recruit Class will be graduating from the FCFD Academy. Congrats - now it is really time to learn what this profession is about! Scared?

Thanks to Charles Bailey (tinhelmet.com) for use of the article below. We'll be posting some articles pertaining to Fire Tactics from Bailey in the near future.

What Am I Getting Into? -- Keeping things in perspective
Bill Carey for Tinhelmet.com

It’s a little after midnight, and Engine 7 and Ladder 3 are responding to a reported house fire. As the engine briefly stops at the hydrant, and the truck pulls around, the Probie can hear the Ladder 3 officer transmit the working fire over his handie-talkie. The engine pulls up and our Probie runs to the rear, waits a moment while the nozzleman grabs his folds of hoseline and then steps up and grabs his. It’s a short distance up onto the yard and to the front door. While the interior team of the truck is forcing the door, the nozzleman and officer are donning their facepieces. “Start flaking that out” his officer tells him, and the Probie works furiously to make wide bends and get rid of kinks. No sooner is he done, and then he looks at the front door and sees his crew and the crew of Ladder 3 entering.

Hectically he drops to his knees, and fumbles with his facepiece. He has cinched it down tight on his face and after a short inhale, realizes he hasn’t turned his bottle on. Once this is corrected, he pulls up his hood, puts his helmet on, and makes his way inside, crouched down.

He shuffles his way forward, completely unsure of where he is going and what is ahead of him. In a moment, he remembers to follow the line and he drops to his hands and knees and feels around for it. Instantly he feels something hitting him from behind, and then a cursing directed to him to get out of the way. A foot steps on the back of his leg... for the rest of this important article click here.

Helloooo Probie...

Leadership 101: Ignorance

Each day that we come to work, we face a new set of challenges. Building construction is constantly changing to lessen the cost of the building which in turn means inherently less safety for us, new materials for those items being placed in those buildings are changing and inherently more toxic to us, and on a more personal note, our newest personnel are coming to us with less and less life skills, which inherently makes them less likely to “get it” as quick as “we did”.

The newest employees (generalization) do not have the same life skills that the generations before them had. We see this in any number of ways but we do see it. Sometimes we as supervisors view them as “stupid” or “unable to learn” which could not be further from the truth. These new employees often lack the basic life skills because they come from a “microwave” generation—where everything is done for them and they just have to know how to use the microwave or they want it right now. This generation has not had to fix the lawn mover because it was cheaper and easier to buy a new one or they have not had to sharpen an axe because their parents hired someone to cut the tree down.

While I know I am making a number of generalized statements and that we in fact have great people coming to work with us. What I am challenging you to do is to look at HOW you train the “Probie”. These employees come at life from an entirely different perspective than we did and by the way, we came at it from a different perspective than those before us as well. For me (or anyone) to try and give you all the methods on how to reach them would be foolish. This means YOU must do some homework and become a “Student” of your new employee so that you can learn just how to communicate most effectively with them. To simply say B.I.A.T.C. (Because I am the Captain) has limited educational benefits—although at times it will boil down to this.

As I close, if you take a look at your shift, you will notice the Probie gravitating to at least one person. That person will be able to communicate to the Probie more effectively on a learning level than your rank will. You may want to work with that other person to influence the Probie’s attitude towards learning and what you will find is that all three of you will grow professionally.

Not a lecture just a thought.

Larry Everett,
FCFD - Batt. Chief 5/A

Go to Bed...ZZZzzz..Wake UP!

Report of the Week from FireFighterNearMiss.com

"I was working the second half of a 48-hour shift (trade) over the busy Independence Day holiday. We had been running constantly, without significant sleep for over forty hours. Driving the rescue back from an EMS call, I fell asleep at the wheel on a winding, rural road. I awoke as the vehicle drove into the median. I was able to correct and returned to quarters without further incident. I'm not sure that my crew members even realized what had happened." click here for entire report.

The consequences of sleep deprivation are well chronicled in a number of industries. Some studies indicate that for every hour of sleep less than 8 a human misses, the impact on performance equates to one alcoholic drink. Fire departments across the country, regardless of composition, face this dilemma every day. The easy answer is, “Get more sleep.” However, even people not engaged in emergency service work are significantly sleep deprived. The true answer for emergency service workers lies in adopting strategies that balance service delivery with adequate rest and recovery periods.

1. How does your current lifestyle (off-duty activities, commuting distances, etc.) impact getting adequate sleep given your department work schedule or duty requirement?
2. Has your department adopted a more flexible attitude toward firefighters and EMS workers “catching a nap” during “regular” business hours? If not, why?
3. Would adjusting shift start times (e.g., 8 a.m. vs. 6 a.m.) provide for additional rest and recovery?
4. Should there be a limit on the maximum number of hours a firefighter/EMS provider can work consecutively?
5. When was the last time you obtained 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep?

Excellent information can be found here at the National Sleep Foundation.

You Make the Call!

Based on the picture above ask yourselves the following questions: (comments?)
• Identify the construction features of the building that will help to increase or decrease fire spread.

• List any construction features that may impact the safety of crews operating in or around the building.

• Identify size-up information.

What does the situation tell you?

• What is the Benefit to be gained by taking the Risk?

• Is this a Go or No Go situation?
Are there any other considerations to assist our decision to Go or No Go?

What is the destination of first attack hose line?

What is the destination of second hose line?

Where are you going to place ground ladders?

Where is the primary ventilation location?

What is the aerial ladder position?

What is the primary life hazard location?

What is the Interior fire spread problem?

What is the exterior fire spread problem?

Is there a Collapse hazard?

What is the worst case scenario?

As always if you have any pictures or ideas to submit please send us an email at rkuley@yahoo.com. Thanks to JJ Walsh (Batt 7/A) for the info above.

www.FireTactics.net

Due to an overwhelming response and increased popularity to the batt5a.blogspot.com training website we have changed the name to http://www.firetactics.net/. The content and purpose of this site will remain the same except we will now be able to post videos and PowerPoint programs that you can download for review with your shifts.

The following popular postings will now be updated weekly but not limited to:
- “Think about it”
- “You Make the Call”
- Near-Miss Report of the Week
Along with any relevant topics that you choose to submit as well as timely Fire/EMS training.

The mission of this website has been very straightforward… The goals are being met each and every time you take a moment to review a certain posting.
FireTactics.net is pleased to announce that we will soon be joined by various well known fire service instructors and authors from Houston, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, Fairfax, etc to continue to share ideas and encourage discussion.
I very much appreciate your continued support on this project and look forward to improving on this site for all to benefit. As always feel free to send any ideas and feedback to rkuley@yahoo.com.

Think About It!

Aerial ladders and tower ladders make up our compliment of truck companies with a 50-50 split between the two. Both have unique characteristics. We should treat these units as another tool, just as much as a halligan, some sort of hook, Hurst tool, saw, etc. The aerial device is certainly not a hand tool, but a tool just the same. When considering tactical options, the aerial ladder is more suited to stationary functions, while the tower ladder is best suited for tactics requiring mobility of the device. Discuss the different kinds of situations where you would more likely use an aerial, and those where the tower would be best. An example of this is the issue of strip shopping center operations. It is preferable for an aerial to take the rear and a tower takes the front when that is an option. Consider not only the use of the master streams from these units but rather all the different tactical operations for which they might be engaged.
Courtesy of Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Coffman

You Make the Call!

As mentioned earlier there will be a new addition to the blog called... You Make the Call!

Based on the picture above ask yourselves the following questions:

• Identify the construction features of the building that will help to increase or decrease fire spread.
• List any construction features that may impact the safety of crews operating in or around the building.
• Identify size-up information. What does the situation tell you?
• What is the Benefit to be gained by taking the Risk?
• Is this a Go or No Go situation?

Are there any other considerations to assist our decision to Go or No Go? Is there anything else to add? We hope to make this a frequent topic on this blog.

As always if you have any pictures or ideas to submit please send us an email at rkuley@yahoo.com. Thanks to JJ Walsh (Batt 7/A) for the info above.

Think about it.

Your unit has the assignment of RIT at a fire in a 4-story building. The construction type is Type 2 (Non-combustible). It is an older building that was built prior to sprinkler requirements. There is significant active fire on the second floor in the Baker quadrant with some extension to the 3rd floor via a pipe chase.

All hands are working and a second alarm has been transmitted followed by a RIT level II alarm. Only the first alarm units are on the scene.

Discuss what actions should you take as the RIT Company…? Recognizing that there are hazards associated with this building, including the presence of casement windows. There are certain actions the RIT Company should take from a safety standpoint and this should be the basis for your discussion. Make any assumptions you want about the building and fire conditions but assume that the fire is not under control at this point. (courtesy of Deputy Fire Chief Coffman)

Are YOU in or out?

Click on the picture to view an educational PowerPoint. Courtesy of JJ Walsh, BC 7/A.

Too often in our profession we must make the very difficult decision to "Go or No Go" otherwise known as "Risk vs Benefit". This PowerPoint file is a dynamic review in Risk Benefit Analysis which will assist you in establishing your Rules of Engagement. Review with your shift as this will surely create some lively discussion. Watch for weekly postings on this website titled, "You Make The Call!"

excerpt - "We should never take short cuts because we feel it is a nothing “call”. If we habitually lay out supply lines, pull attack lines, wear our PPE properly, carry all the tools, chock the doors open, ladder the windows for firefighter egress, then we will not be caught by surprise if the situation deteriorates."
Where do we fail on the emergency scene?
–Lack of strong and visible command.
–Failure to control the actions at the scene.
–Failure to coordinate the use of resources.
–Breakdown in the communications process.

Thanks again to JJ Walsh (BC 7/A) for sharing this very important file with us. If you are going to use this for training please ensure that this website and B/C Walsh receive credit. Thanks. Ron Kuley

It is what it is...

From Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Coffman - Your unit responds to a local alarm for a building alarm on the 20th floor of a high rise... When you arrive, the maintenance man tells you that kids were throwing fire crackers off the 20th floor and he reset the alarm system. He says the security guard didn't see the kids he just heard the popping noise. A woman approaches you and says she saw fire on the 20th floor on a balcony. You make the call to “fill the box”. The maintenance man again said that it was just fireworks and no fire; he had been there and saw nothing.

What actions should you take in this situation and what are the possibilities of what you might find on the 20th floor? So are we going up? What are we taking with us?

(click on pic for dramatic video - MUST SEE)

Houston fire captain responds to rescue criticism
By Rosanna Ruiz - Houston Chronicle

HOUSTON — Unable to make his way out of a burning building and with his oxygen tank empty, Houston fire Capt. Eric Abbt seemed to be out of options. If he was going to die, he would do it by the book.
The 40-year-old wanted to spare his family the added grief that he was somehow to blame for his own death. He lay prone on the fifth floor of the North Loop building near the two victims he had discovered. Firefighters would have a better chance of recovering all of them if they were together.
But moments later, and still conscious, Abbt realized he might be able to survive. He repeatedly beckoned on his radio for help between gasps for air. He told those listening, including his wife, Melinda Menchaca, who is also a Houston firefighter, that he was on the fifth floor near a window.
Firefighters on the ladder truck below began to break out the windows in their search for their fallen captain. When that proved too slow, they used the ladder as a battering ram.
Once the ladder was close, Abbt leaped from the window, his legs hanging precariously off the end of the ladder. He was saved.
Almost six months after the March 28 fire, Abbt suffers from flashbacks and has trouble sleeping. Locked doors and the dark of night sometimes send him into a tailspin. The 15-year Houston Fire Department veteran also can't seem to shake the feeling that he gave the department a black eye.
The recent release of a 24-page HFD report faulted him for failing to maintain "crew integrity" after Abbt separated from the two firefighters with him and got lost in the pitch-black smoke inside the building.
"We try to keep crews together," Abbt explained in an exclusive interview, "except in a life-or-death situation when you do what you have to do." Please read the rest of this important story... click here.

Whaddya gonna do?

Another in a series from Deputy Fire Chief Coffman-

Your unit is part of the second alarm assignment to a fire in a large shipping center, such as a UPS or FedEx facility. Several vehicles were on fire and the fire extended to a section of offices inside the building. There is still active fire in these areas located along the "D" side of the interior. The building was occupied by at least 50 people when the incident started and there are at this point 8 employees that are unaccounted for. You and two other companies have been given the assignment to work on the primary search. Discuss the issues you must overcome in order to carry out this assignment.

Editor's addition - Do you know where these types of facilities are in your 1st of 2nd due area?

What are the hazards in responding to fires in a UPS/DHL/USPS/FedEx facility?

Is the picture below just another vehicle fire? Do we know what is on board? Does the driver know what he is carrying?

"We're RIT"

Many times while performing RIT duties such as a recon of the structure or staging outside the structure the Rapid Intervention Team are often asked, "who are you with? or what are your assignments? or can you handle a certain task?" It is obvious in the pictures above who is assigned to RIT. If Command or a Division officer can easily I.D. the RIT then any confusion would be eliminated.

For a quick review of the Top 5 Initial RIT Actions

(info below from the Fairfax Fire Dept. RIT Manual)

1. Recon of the structure to take note of building construction, access and egress points. Problems such as bars on windows, etc.

2. Confirm location of all units working in IDLH.

3. Perform the initial actions needed for rapid access/egress i.e. place ladders, force doors, remove window/door bars. (editor's note - The RIT should be able to assist in coordinated exterior ventilation and control of exterior utilities)

4. Establish an appropriate tool cache based on the findings of your recon, occupancy type and construction.

5. Monitor radio traffic. Perform periodic secondary reconnaissance.

Be prepared to go to work!

Is there anything else that you would like to add? Do you agree with the above...? Thanks to Tom Griffin 18/A on his assistance with the above information.

editor's note - The pictures above were taken from a recent fire in Sharon Hill, PA. A FF was critically injured along with two other FFs that suffered non-life threatening injuries. According to various reports units were fighting a garage fire when an exterior wall collapsed trapping the three FF's. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and their families.
Pictures courtesy of Brian Feeney from Feeney Fire Films.

Size it up...read the smoke.

First, what is your initial onscene report?

Based on the conditions you can see - What are the conditions on the top floor of this building?

Borough of Pitcairn, PA - Crews from Pitcairn, Monroeville, FDNV and several other boroughs battles a fire on the top floor of a high rise apartment fire. Crews contained the fire incredibly to the top floor and has minimal damage to the lower floors due to great salvage work. A few firefighters were hurt, but nothing seriously. The fire was truly a sight to be seen at it's peak with the heavy black smoke and fire. (pics and story courtesy of steelvalleyfire.com)

A-B-C easy as C-A-B...

Mastering the C-A-B Method
By Brad Havrilla
(courtesy of firerescue1.com)
Have you ever watched someone who is a master of his or her trade? Take, for example, a top chef. When they get a knife in their hands and start chopping, it’s incredible how fast they move (and that they don’t lose any fingers).
When we think of vehicle extrication, we should strive to be like the chef. There are strategic evolutions we can all master that will improve the outcome of our rescues.
With this in mind, I’d like to discuss one of a few tried-and-true methods for the successful removal of trapped patients from vehicles, this one based on the A-B-C rule.
As you know, the A-B-C rule specifies that we cut the vehicle’s posts in that order: A, B then C. The vehicle roof usually serves as an entry point for rescuers to gain access to the patient. We know the C post is the largest post, and we know if the A and B posts are cut first (as the A-B-C rule tells us), we will have to commit personnel to hold the pillars while the C post is being cut. Furthermore, if a reciprocating saw is used with this approach, the weight of the roof will bind the blade during the cut.
However, there is another method used effectively in both the field and extrication competitions — the C-A-B method. I have spent a lot of time training and participating in vehicle-extrication competitions nationally and worldwide, and I’ve found that C-A-B is the preferred method.
Make the first cut to the C post with a reciprocating saw. Be sure to clear the C post of plastic molding and check for the side impact curtain systems before making the cut. It will be a fast cut — 20 to 30 seconds max. I suggest using a demolition blade with 10 to 14 teeth per inch. Your first cut should be fast and cause no vibration to the car or patient.
Next, move to the other C post and cut it in exactly the same manner. It should be a mirror image of the cut you just made. Have the heavy hydraulic cutters ready on the A post. When the second C post is cut, immediately start the cut on the A post. The reciprocating saw can be set up on the B post farthest from the patient. The move the cutters to the other A post. The last cut is made to the post over the patient with the hydraulic cutters. At this point, you’ll need help removing the roof.

(click here for the rest of the article)

Look...look over here! What? Ouch!

This week's safety message is courtesy of www.firefighternearmiss.com.

“…final evolution of evening vehicle rescue training, the assistant chief conducting the training was standing approximately 15 feet away from firefighters using spreaders to pop a door…door popped and a large bolt flew into the face of the officer hitting him square in the safety glasses. Luckily, he had proper eye protection on, which probably saved his eye…”

There are a number of “signs” in this week’s report that have all the making of an injury report. “Final evolution” and “evening” are two indicators that can be frequent background factors. Personnel tend to begin to relax at the end of a drill and evening drills can be particularly susceptible to producing injuries due to fatigue. This week’s anonymous leader by example reminds all of us that any time we are engaged in fire and rescue operations, we can never let our guard down. After reviewing 07-964 and the referenced reports, consider the following questions to reinforce the lesson:

1. What are the specifications of your issued eye protection?
2. What agencies oversee the standards for manufacture and wearing of eye protection?
3. What is the primary standard that defines eye protection?
4. Can a helmet mounted face shield be a substitute for eye protection?
5. How is your eye protection stored? Does your storage technique keep your eye protection in good condition?

Not JUST a room and contents fire.

There has been much discussion within the FCFD about Cyanide exposures and (possible) poisoning. The HazMat equipment committee is currently researching cyanide detection devices for our HazMat team and Safety Officer's vehicle. Please review the info below on Cyanide poisoning. Since reviewing the info on Cyanide our approach to "JUST a basic room and content fire" should change especially during the overhaul period. Sure we can put the fire out but our exposure to this incredibly toxic gas is present and has a cumalitive effect on our bodies. Below is great info to share with your shift to encourage discussion and further research about Cyanide poisoning. - R. Kuley

For valuable info on Cyanide - click here

Cyanide & Fire Chiefs
By Janet Wilmoth (IChiefs)

How often after a fire or response do you hear firefighters complain of headaches, dizziness or achiness? These symptoms are pretty typical after a long, strenuous physical activity, dehydration or lack of sleep. Recent research indicates, however, that these symptoms could indicate cyanide poisoning, which occurs in firefighters more often than recognized.
Early last year, a firefighter in Providence, R.I., was diagnosed with cyanide poisoning after responding to a building fire. Over a period of 16 hours, seven more firefighters were diagnosed with cyanide poisoning, including one who suffered a heart attack. It was only through a series of coincidences that emergency-room physicians checked that last firefighter for cyanide poisoning.
After the diagnoses, Providence Deputy Asst. Chief Curtis Varone turned his attention to the dangers of cyanide poisoning. He said that quite a bit of research had been done about the effects of cyanide poisoning and possible impact on firefighters, but that research isn’t reaching the mainstream fire service.
According to Varone, blood tests aren’t done routinely for cyanide poisoning, and the nature of the chemical makes it difficult to detect. The half-life of toxic cyanide is one hour. If a firefighter is close to being toxic when he leaves the incident, within an hour his toxicity level has dropped by half. Another hour and it’s half again. It leaves the blood quickly, but continues to cause harmul effects, Varone said.
A second problem with diagnosing cyanide poisoning is that only eight laboratories in the United States can process the proper blood tests. Rhode Island Hospital is one of those eight and it stocks cyanide antidote kits.
Varone has been tracking the link between firefighters and cyanide poisoning and its correlation with firefighter heart attacks. Cyanide affects the organs involved with respiration, the brain and the heart.
Repeated exposure to cyanide can affect the heart, Varone said. “It would be possible for someone to show cardiac arrhythmia for up to two weeks after exposure.” Varone says that we could be underestimating the rist that cyanide exposure causes heart attacks.
Awareness is the important first step to prevention, Varone said. “Wearing the [SCBA] packs goes back to staffing: how many trucks at the fire, how many crews are available so nobody has to take their packs off.” Also using longer-duration bottles allow firefighters to be protected earlier and for longer.
Varone will present more information in “Cyanide: The Tip of the Iceberg” at the Fire Department Safety Officers Association Safety Forum, Oct. 31–Nov. 2 in Orlando, Fla. For details, go to http://www.fdsoa.org/ or call 508-881-3114.

BANG - BOOM - KABOOM!

Don’t Fight Explosives Fires!

from Bill Schumm at Firegeezer.com - editors note - Bill is a retired Captain from Fairfax County. He opened Firehouse 26..."Guardians of the Slab"

We have had many close calls here in Fairfax County. Great info below!

One of the headline-makers yesterday was the truck fire and resulting explosion in a trailer carrying a mining explosive, ANFO - ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel oil. The explosion killed dozens of people gathered around to look at the wreck along with some rescue workers. It is not yet known if the driver informed anyone at the time about his cargo.

Firefighters know (as least, you should know!!) that once you have explosives involved in a fire, then you have an irreversible process ongoing that will result in a catastrophic explosion. That’s why your haz-mat instructors keep preaching to you: “Don’t fight explosives fires!”
Yesterday’s incident brought back to mind a similar event that took place in Kansas City, Mo. 19 years ago. It was on November 29, 1988 that fire dispatch received a call at 0340 hrs. from a construction site security guard reporting a pickup truck on fire at the job site.

Pumper 41 was dispatched and while en route was told by the dispatcher: “Pumper 41, use caution on your call. There’s information there may be explosives. It’s in a construction area …” Upon arrival 6 minutes later, P-41 reported that there was a second fire in a 40-ft. trailer several hundred yards away and requested a 2nd engine company. Pumper 30 was dispatched to assist.

The two engine companies had a total of 6 men on them, 2 captains and 4 firefighters. Four of the six had completed field training on haz-mat identifications and procedures. There were two trailers at the fire scene, one of which was burning, but it is not known if they were placarded. They were being used as storage magazines for ANFO. The one that was burning contained 25,000 lbs. of product and the 2nd trailer held another 30,000 lbs.

Twenty-two minutes after the first company arrived on scene, at 0408 hrs., the burning trailer detonated. The blast had five times the force of the Oklahoma City bombing and immediately killed all six firefighters and destroyed the pumpers. The battalion chief who was responding immediately pulled back, established a remote command post and set up an exclusion zone keeping everybody far away from the blast site. Forty minutes after the first blast, the second trailer detonated.

The first explosion literally vaporized the six firefighters. No single trace of them was ever found. Not so much as a fiber. The two fire engines were blown into bits. The exemplary size-up and tactical decision of the battalion chief to maintain the extended quarantine of the site undoubtedly saved untold others from perishing when the 2nd blast occurred.

The explosions were heard 45 miles away. Think about that for a moment…. Pick a place that is 45 miles from where you are right now and try to imagine hearing something taking place there. And never forget:
Don’t fight explosives fires!

Take a moment to review explosive placards...take some extra time to review all DOT placards. Discuss what the differences are between the hazard classes. What do the small numbers mean? How would you respond to each? 15-20 minutes for this review.

Size it up...!

Your the first due Engine and have arrived on the scene.

What is your initial onscene report? What are your actions? Where will your crew take the first line?

Your on the first arriving ladder company. Now what...?

Surely this would take you less then 10 minutes to discuss with your crew.

What a Cluster ...!

Another in a series from Deputy Fire Chief Coffman..

In prioritizing our operations, we talk about the protection of exposures. This can mean both interior as well as exterior exposures.

Cluster homes are showing up in new communities all over the county. These are home of various sizes but some are quite large. The homes are built with very similar floor plans, extremely close to one another and often have windows facing each other on the B and D sides of the homes.

Assume you are a later arriving engine company and units are already working on the inside of the building of fire origin. Fire is out of two windows on the B side facing the next door home. Discuss all the possibilities for fire extension and what tactics you might have to employ if given the assignment to protect the exposures.

Take the time with members of your shift to discuss the above.. C'mon you have ten minutes to spare.