I recently responded to a post on the thinking man’s fire blog “fire(fighter) behavior”.  The post primarily discussed the tremendous training opportunities available at the fire department instructors conference (FDIC) and asked what those who attended FDIC brought back with them to share with their fellow firefighters at home.  Below, is the comment that I left on his blog.

“What I brought back was the reality that you don’t have to attend any of the phenomenal H.O.T. classes, or sit through any of the mind-blowing classroom seminars to get something out of FDIC.

All you have to do to is GO to FDIC! From the Probie or the motivated senior fireman to the comfortable old-timer, anyone who needs or wants to see what the American Fire Service is TRULY about needs to GO to FDIC.

If being surrounded by 30+ thousand of your BROTHERS telling and listening to old war stories while seeing the newest technologies isn’t great enough, go to Ike and Jonesies, stand in the sea of firemen and watch the parade of IFD rigs roll by as the Pipes and Drums echo through downtown Indy ultimately ending up inside the bar with 200 firemen’s drinks raised high in the air out of respect for what it all really represents… that this is the GREATEST PROFESSION IN THE WORLD!

What I brought back from FDIC was that, no matter what the economy does or what the Mutts do, this job is bigger than any one firefighter, or chief, city or state. Don’t do your job because it’s your job, do it because you love it and because society and the firefighters behind you are depending on you to get it done… no matter what and without excuses.”

FTM-PTB and Be SAFE,

Matt “Jeebs” McDowell

A few months ago, a group of Bluffton firefighters was asked to re-evaluate the Bluffton Township Fire District’s “high-Rise Packs”.  They were tasked with creating a standardized and cost-effective portable hose pack system that is user friendly, flexible and meets the current needs and future demands of the ever growing and changing fire district.

The group has been busy discussing, researching and testing many hose and nozzle configurations, holding a couple of dealer demos and having a standpipe prop developed for realistic and mobile standpipe training during both research and throughout implementation and ongoing training.  We have narrowed down the configurations with the following considerations in mind:

Bluffton typically (99.9% of the time) uses hose packs to extend handlines at large-house fires and brush fires

Bluffton has no high rises as defined by building code.  As such,  drastic friction loss is not a major problem and Pressure reducing valves are not used (we still considered reducing nozzle pressures and the limitations of fire pumps)

The Multi-story commercial and hotel occupancies that we do have are all built to current or recent code, well protected and well compartmented (usually with block or metal stud walls and concrete ceilings)

Current (typical) hose packs are cumbersome to store and use as well as not very adaptable to our primary needs.

We need a standard nozzle configuration that is user friendly and versatile.

NOTE: The nozzle we are testing is a Task Force Tips Break-apart nozzle with and 200+ gpm @ 50 psi, 1” smooth bore tip integrated into the shutoff and a 150 gpm @ 75 psi fog tip with a separate integrated twist shutoff.  This offers standard water for our standard uses and bigger water if you need it.  You can also extend the line at the main shutoff and use the fog tip on the extended section.

Recently, the BTFD conducted live fire training and focused on standpipe operations.  the crews were encouraged to used the standpipe packs currently in- service on their rigs.  Once they finished their scenarios, members of the Hose Pack Committee gave a demo of the leading configuration that we are looking at.  Unfortunately some people missed the demo, so the above video is for them and everyone else.  On behalf of the hose pack committee, we appreciate everyone’s feedback and look forward to the implementation phase.

Hopefully, we’ll get some video of the nozzle operating and extending lines and post some pics and video later on.

A special thanks to the Hose Pack Committee (Jason Brahm, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Jeff Laszig and Matt McDowell), Carolina Fire Control for the development and donation of the standpipe prop, the Marine Corps Air Station Fire Department for the use of their burn building and to the members of the Bluffton Township Fire District for your dedication.

FTM-PTB and Be Safe

Video soundtracks: “Lowrider” by War, “Sleep now in the fire” by Rage against the machine & “All My Life” by Foo Fighters

Check out this link!  This is a prototype for a new SCBA design that could significantly improve firefighter safety while operating at building fires and, hopefully, improve firefighter health through stress reduction.

As we all know, the only reason that the world is “wireless” is because all of the wires have been hidden in void spaces in walls and ceilings.  From a technological and convenience standpoint, our wireless lifestyle is great.  However, that all changes when a building in on fire.  It’s not only internet and communication wire, but cable, speaker (gotta have surround sound), integrated fire and burglar alarm and electrical wire as well.  Let’s not forget about HVAC flex-duct (a slinky wrapped in insulation and foil).  All of this stuff poses serious entanglement hazards with our SCBA being the most susceptible piece of equipment we use.  This new SCBA technology may all but eliminate the threat of entanglement (check out the video).

Stress related LODD are still a major issue each year.  Trends in firefighter fitness programs and annual comprehensive physicals (to OSHA and NFPA standards) are a great start.  However, prevention is one thing, but the sudden and often intense physical exertion expended at a fire is still an issue.  With reduced staffing plaguing many departments, members often push themselves to get the job done, often at the expense of their personal health.  This lighter, less rigid SCBA will let us expend less energy to accomplish the same task(s) which will also result in longer working times and more work being done with less stress placed on the body.

A special thanks to Doug Volk who sent me this link.

Related Articles and Links:

• FireRescue1.com: “The Next Generation of SCBA”
• Firehouse.com: “IAFF to Help Create Smaller, Lighter SCBA”