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
2 comments:
The issue is the urgency of the vent. I like both ways, but agian is the venting with the ladder needed due to lack of men? In FDNY im sure thats not the case. We teach not to use the stick for that reason, because of the lack of depth perception at long extensions and the operator unable to see if he is into the ceiling, causing undue stress to the stick.(reverse loading) I would use this in our situation (manpower) and the knowledge of trapped occupants. I guess it all depends on the situation as to what to do, just like every call presents itself to us. Good stuff.
LT. 1 LAD
T. Gherman
Roanoke City
In watching the video and reading the commentary, there are a number of things that come up for me.
First, we all have departments we we admire and don't admire, sometimes its our own, sometimes its not. Regardless, however you are, you work for your department and you must work within the guidelines and staffing established, and work hard for positive change where required.
FDNY has great staffing, which means truckies only do truck work, engine ladds only do engine work. In jurisdictions where staffing is not great, personnel are crossed trained in a variety of areas. They move from unit to unit to maintain sufficient staffing. They are expected to do a number of things at any given moment, which means they are likely jacks of all trades, specializing in nothing. A Hazmat Tech. or a Tech. Rescue Tech., because of their specialty is going to look at a situation a little differently than your standard firefighter.
Fewer fires means fire personnel do not get to play as much, so training must be increased to fill the gap. But lets face it, nothing takes the place of the real fire ground.
Specific to the video, the crew could have done a better job throwing the ladder. This task needs to be safe, efficient and effective. Imagine you are the individual in the window waiting for a ladder to let you out. Not to take away credit, they did get the individuals out.
The ladder could have been extended at least one more rung and the ladder angle increased to assist with the rescue. Extending the ladder would have placed it right at the sill, making it easier for the occupants to get a hand hold. The increased angle helps all involved.
The firefighter should have considered a leg lock as he worked to clear the bars. Nice job on bringing a tool. Enough black/brown smoke was pushing out, indicating he should have considered masking up. I realize some of you will say this will obscure visibility, etc. However, with the color and thickness of the smoke, its warranted. If you keep taking in a little smoke at each fire, you will be on the fast train to a nasal canula and 2 litres of O2 in stead of enjoying retirement. Also, with the increase in Hydrogen Cyanide at fires, it is not unreasonable for the firefighter inhale enough smoke to cause problems. The smoke is also sufficient in color to have the potential to light off if given an ignition source and the right air/smoke mixture. Think of smoke as liquid gasoline waiting for an ignition source.
When clearing windows, clear everything, bars, glass, sashes and vertical members on side by side windows, and the occasional A/C unit. Why didn't the firefighter clear the upper glass first? This would have allowed the smoke to begin clearing and rising faster. This would have eased the burden on the occupants and the window opening would have been much larger.
The rescue firefighter loses his helmet in the process and other firefighters are seen with waste straps undone, etc. Come on guys and gals, its a small gesture that goes a long way. Wear the gear the way it was intended! Still surprising that we see this as much as we do.
Provide public education so individuals living in high rise buildings will know how to help themselves more. The bars were probably in place to keep kids from falling out, but were the occupants ever asked what will you do in a fire?
Side by side ladders may have assisted in bringing the individual down the ladder. I know, I know, it took long enough for the first ladder to go up and where do we get the additional people. If you have them and you have the time, consider it. What gets accomplished if the firefighter or occupant falls off the ladder during rescue? Better yet, get the conscious occupant positioned on the ladder so they can climb down themselves. This is safer and the rescuing firefighter can spot and cradle them to the ground. If they go unconscious, they are in a good position with the firefighter protecting them and keeping them secure.
Use an aerial ladder or better yet a tower if circumstances allow. You get the versatility of the tower and can use an aerial to clear windows and bars (cautiously and with a spotter).
When the occupants are brought to the ground, EMS should already have been notified and should be waiting, full equipped to receive the occupants. Firefighters should go back to work once the occupants are safely transfered to EMS providers. Do not take up valuable time admiring your work, there may be others needing rescue.
Regardless of staffing levels, the number of fires you get, or the department you are from, training should be a constant. Think outside the box of what you learned in recruit school. These were your basic fundamentals, which are very important. However, anything can happen on the fire ground. try to anticipate scenarios that will have you thinking outside of the box in order to be prepared.
Be Safe!
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