This Ain’t The Burn Building

DO WE TRAIN OURSELVES INTO MEDIOCRITY?  It is rare to go to a live burn, fixed building or acquired, that realistically prepares us for the homes and businesses that our duty requires us to enter when they’re on fire.

As much as I would love to search and advance lines into buildings that aren’t packed with furniture, toys, desks, chairs, etc., it’s just not realistic.  I SEE MORE PACK RAT HOUSES THAN “BETTER HOMES & GARDENS” HOUSES.  Which begs the question,   IS THIS THE ROOT OF COMPLACENCY?  Do non-realistic training scenarios generate non-realistic tactics which results in non-realistic muscle memory?  IS THIS HOW BAD HABITS START?

We always talk about ‘”landmarks” when teaching search and tend to apply those principles to advancing hose lines in heavy smoke.  So what happens when the “landmarks” are out of place?  Can we trust ourselves, our crew, training and experience enough to press on despite misleading signals?  Can we identify and overcome obstacles in our path to complete the task at hand?

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT:  The next time you’re training on advancing lines through structures or searching, pile as much junk (pillows, cushions, books, magazines, boxes, toys, etc) into the building.  Acquire or build wooden end tables, night stands, chairs to be knocked over during the advance or search.  PUSH YOUR FIREFIGHTERS!

Also on SAFE Firefighter …

• First Due Friday; A Small Fire In A Strip Mall – May 25, 2012
• First Due Friday; Where Is The Fire? – March 23, 2012
• 2012 Class and Event Planning In Progress – December 19, 2011
• Class Announcement! VES @ SC Fire Academy – January 23, 2012