Safe Firefighter, LLC is proud to announce it’s newest sponsor/ partner Desert Diamond Industries.  DDI began manufacturing cutting blades for the construction industry and has found a new, and growing home, in the fire service.

Their key fire/rescue products include the “Safety Blade”, the new industry standard in multipurpose diamond blades currently in use by some the largest and busiest department’s in the U.S. and endorsed by Brotherhood Instructors.  Some of their other FD products include the 12 and 24 tooth carbide tip blades, the ideal option for  vertical ventilation operations, the multipurpose “Chunk” blade and countless other tools  for rescue/ US&R applications.

Backed by a “Lifetime Operator Error Warranty”… “When lives are on the line, the last thing you need to worry about is your blade!”

To see their full line of products click here: Desert Diamond Industries

You can see these products in action during any of our Truck Company and/or Forcible Entry Classes!

Contact Safe Firefighter, LLC @ info@safefirefighter.com for more information

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Found this 2-part video of a serious fire in Detroit.  This fire originated in the obvious dwelling, then spread to the neighboring duplex.

Some background of this incident and some of the things people will notice:

• According to the description, this was the 9th arson fire in THIS NEIGHBORHOOD in ONE HOUR.
• The minimal use of SCBA.  According to the comments, these crews had run FOUR fires continuously and their was no more air available when this fire was dispatched.
• The Officer at the exposure performing “Das Boot” forcible entry.  Remember, bringing a tool (especially a Halligan or set of irons) can accomplish in one try what his boot took four.  This will hold true in MOST residential setting barring any security “surprises”.

Some of the interesting points about this operation:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here is a terrific and detailed video of ways to accomplish fundamental, yet critical, truck tactics with one firefighter.

I took some classes with Trey (and some other huge, knuckle-dragging guy from 3 Truck) roughly 10 years ago in Indy.  He’s a firemen’s fireman and loves to share ideas (obviously).

Enjoy and Be SAFE!

Regardless of staffing, our primary reason for existence is to find and help those who cannot help themselves… to save lives.  We accomplish this by entering IDLH atmospheres, locating and removing victims.  Victims are not the only reason why we search buildings.  A well-trained and experienced crew should enter the building ahead of the hose line, search for and find the fire. By searching for victims AND fire, we can increase the speed of fire attack and extinguishment which creates a safer fireground for everyone.

Some of the most basic ways to search a building are the Directional Search (Left-hand/Right-hand), Oriented Search and Vent-Enter-Search.  Each of these methods demand an effective size-up of the building and fire conditions as well as consideration of the staffing, training and experience of your crew.

Here are some examples:

A two firefighter search crew could easily search an 1800 sqft, 1-story single-family dwelling (SFD) with two to four bedrooms using a Directional Search.

However, 3 firefighters, or multiple search crews, may be needed to accomplish an oriented search in a 4000 sqft SFD five or more bedrooms.

Now let’s consider a 2000 sqft, 2-story SFD with heavy fire on the first floor.  In this house, the three or four bedrooms are most likely upstairs and passing the fire poses a risk for the search crew.  Also, because one or two handlines may be in operation, the first floor, and front door, may be crowded.  Entering a crowded first floor and having to find the stairs can consume a lot of time and air.  In this case, a vent-enter-search (VES) method may be ideal, particularly with limited resources.  It will allow you to search the “high risk” areas while minimizing time, exposure to the IDLH atmosphere and air consumption.  Now let’s talk about some important factors for completing each type of search.

Directional Search

• Most basic search technique
• Easily performed by two person search crew
• Members search together either in line or spread out side by side, but almost always within reach
• Accountability and progress are easily tracked by IC
• Completed one room at a time

Oriented Search

• Very quick and effective (if trained)
• Ideal for search crews of 3 or more, but can be performed by 2 firefighters
• One person stays at the doorway or on the wall (stays oriented) while the other member(s) search rooms or general areas
• Allows the middle of larger rooms/areas to be searched
• Very beneficial in today’s “open” floor plan homes and commercial occupancies
• Members stay in voice or visual contact
• Members can conserve air by alternating who searches and who is oriented
• With 3-firefighter crew, two members can search different rooms (within voice and/or visual contact of oriented member) enabling a faster search and less time in the building.

Vent-Enter-Search (VES)

• VES is started from the exterior of the building, with search initiated from windows/ ladders
• Member(s) carry search tools AND an appropriate ground ladder(s)
• Systematic room-to-room search
• Member(s) ladders and vents a window, proceeds to the doorway, sweeps the hallway around the door, shuts the door, searches the room, exits the room via ladder and moves the next window
• Great way for crew of limited manpower to access high risk areas quickly
• If the outside or search crew firefighters each carry a couple of ladders, they can ladder as they go, leaving the ladders at the searched rooms for means of egress for interior crews.

Searching is one of the most important tactics on the fireground.  If done safely and aggressively, it can be one of the most beneficial tactics performed in terms of stabilizing the incident and protecting life.  However, only a well-trained crew can accomplish an efficient search.  There is no “one size fits all” search method.  The ability to be flexible without losing speed or effectiveness may be the difference between life and death.

Additional Resources:

“VES Size up” from www.vententersearch.com (go to the November 22,2008 post from Rick Van Sant to get the first hand account of the situation)
“Three Words that Can Save lives- vent-enter-search”, Mike Clumpner
“Vent Enter Search” from Fire engineering TV with DC Anthony Avillo and Frank Ricci

Click here to view the embedded video.

I was always taught that the irons (aka married set) were supposed to be carried by one person and that everyone else still needed to carry their own tool.

This is also my belief, and common practice. However, I see (a lot of) people splitting up the set, carrying the set between two people OR only carrying one or the other. My questions are these:

1) Does your FD have a standard for carrying the irons?
2) If carried together, what are the PROS and CONS?
3) If carried apart, what are the PROS and CONS?
4) Does your FD have a different “standard” forcible entry tool setup instead of the irons?

To answer my own questions… my FD has riding assignments that specify who carries the irons.

For a 4-firefighter Engine Company, the Backup Firefighter carries the irons, the Officer brings a hook and the Nozzle FF brings the line.

For a 3-firefighter Engine Company where NO line is stretched, the Nozzle Firefighter carries the irons and a can and the Officer carries a hook. If a line is stretched, the Nozzle FF brings the line and the Officer has the option of carrying the irons, carrying the hook irons (6′ hook and Halligan) or any one part of those sets depending on occupancy type and construction.

Our Truck is always staffed with four firefighters and the Irons Firefighter (w/ a can) sits behind the Officer. Our other standard positions are the Officer with a Hook, Outside Vent FF with the hook irons (and a ladder) and the Driver equips as needed.

We train on carrying the irons together because of limited manpower and to maintain a universal compliment of tools on the interior. We have a lot of subleased housing with “rooms ” for rent inside existing apartments and houses. These doors, though inside of house/apt are fortified as well, if not more so, than the front door. We also train on using the irons with one firefighter. Carrying a tool in each hand also gives the Irons FF more reach during searches (see picture).

That’s my two cents… I’d love to hear yours, please feel free to share.

Thanks and Be SAFE!

I caught this on vententersearch.com the other day and then was forwarded a link to additional info by LT Derek Franks (BTFD T375).  This door is pretty intense and, if not identified recognized on scene, could waste time and energy should we have to gain entry into a building.

Essentially, they are high security, reinforced steel doors with up to six (6) dead bolts (controlled by a single lock) and dressed to look like standard residential wooden doors.  Though it’s deceiving, shocking the door prior to attempting to force it should help you identify its construction as well as strong, and not-as-strong, points.

After seeing pictures and watching the video, it seems that either a K12 or solid through-the-lock techniques may be the best option if you find yourself up against this door.  Since all of the throws are controlled by one lock, pulling or spinning the lock and using key tools should be pretty quick.

Here are some links to info about the doors and to some tactics for forcible entry:

Residential Security Door – from vententersearch.com

Master Security Doors – Manufacturer’s website

How It’s Made – Master Security Door YouTube Video

Shocking Doors – YouTube video from Brotherhood Instructors

Through-the-Lock – YouTube video from Bellingham Fire Department

The following is an article contributed by Chris Garniewicz, a Truck Captain for the Bluffton Township Fire District.  He was the first due truck officer at the following incident and these are his accounts and lessons learned from that fire:

On September 11^th, 2009 at 2107 hours, Bluffton Fire responded to a reported (building) fire at 154 Bluffton Road.  While companies were enroute, Dispatch advised there were multiple calls for the fire.  The first due company was delayed, so the truck and the second due engine arrived first together with the Battalion Chief.  A thermal column was seen on approach, and on arrival there was heavy smoke pushing from the eaves and doors of a 5000 square foot, 13-unit storage facility.  Apparatus positioning was a challenge, due to very narrow and obstructed driveways, requiring the engine to position on the Alpha side for fire attack while the truck positioned on the Charlie/Delta corner and split crews, establishing two forcible entry teams.

The building was type 2B construction, with no fire stops between units (overhaul revealed an approximately 6” gap at ceiling level, allowing fire and heat to spread between all units).  Due to the mixture of combustibles within the units, the smoke was thick and dark.  First arriving companies identified the unit of origin by the warping and discoloration of the steel doors and metal siding.

The decision was made by the engine officer to aggressively attack the unit of origin, then the units on all sides working out from the fire.  Truck crews were assigned to open all the doors to facilitate attack and overhaul. During forcible entry operations, truck members were met with a few challenging lock configurations and locations.  The number of locks and lock types created a time issue.  As a result, crews decided to cut the door instead of wasting time with removing multiple locks.

In order to access the fire units and exposure units quickly, the truck crew initially made “A” cuts to allow for knockdown, then came back during overhaul and made full height and width horizontal cuts to allow safer operations within the units.  The initial cut into the fire units allowed the engine crew to stop the fire spread rapidly and minimize damage to the other units. In all, 13 overhead doors were cut and/or forced and the fire was extinguished with two handlines. The aggressive tactics and coordinated efforts of the companies allowed for a large

and challenging fire to be contained to the area of origin,

Sizing up commercial building for forcible entry problems gives companies a heads up when faced with a fire like that at Taylor Warehouse.  Crews were able to make decisions that allowed for quick access and a good stop.  Like anything in the fire service, we can’t be proficient at something we don’t practice.  Take out the saws, find something to cut (scrap, old locks, etc.) and know what you are capable of accomplishing prior to the emergency.

Most fire departments, if they are even lucky enough to staff a truck company, often struggle with how to maximize the tasks that the truck can accomplish on the fireground.  Since times are tough and budgets are tougher, increasing staffing is unlikely. Below are some ideas to consider when trying to get the most from your truckies.

Our truck company will be staffed with three: an officer, driver and one firefighter.  We’re going to talk about fundamental truck functions like ladders, gaining entry, search and rescue and ventilation.  This article will focus on Forcible entry techniques.  We’re going to keep it simple and talk about conventional forcible entry and a touch of through the lock.

We can’t talk about forcible entry without talking tools, primarily the irons.  What separates any good crew from another is the mastering of the fundamentals.  What separates one truck company from the others is irons work.  The axe and Halligan are arguably the most versatile and reliable combination of tools available.  Since we can’t fight the fire unless we can get to it, irons work may also be the most important “x-factor” on the fireground.

A growing trend that I’ve seen is splitting up the irons, where the officer will carry the axe and the firefighter carries the halligan (or visa versa).  The problem with this  is that now you’ve taken an already limited crew and given it even fewer options.  The irons are ideal Because they can be married together and carried by ONE Firefighter.  This enables the officer to carry another tool such as a hook or sledge (or whatever) depending on the occupancy and FD SOG’s. Below are some tips for maximizing efficiency when forcing entry.  At the bottom are some videos showing great training ideas and efficient operations.

• You don’t need fancy props to practice your irons work.
• Striking the tool from any position and in any conditions is often the first skill lost. To fix this, get a hold of tow landscape timbers, place them together vertically and ratchet strap them to any immovable object in the firehouse.  Use the seem in between the timbers as your jamb and strike away.
• The other “issue” is that the irons are too cumbersome or heavy to carry.  The best remedy for this is to carry the irons more often.  Carry them together on all Fires, fire alarms, MVA’s, gas leaks, around the firehouse or whatever it takes to get used to it.
• Learn about door construction, lock construction and their strengths and weaknesses.  Half the battle of forcible entry is knowing how and where to begin the operation.
• Shock (a.k.a. sound) the doors by striking them with a tool at all 4 corners, at/around the lock(s).  This will not only indicate door construction, but help to locate additional locks and weaken any hardware that may be secured to the door and door frame.
• Going through-the-lock after spinning the cylinder on commercial mortise locks may be the quickest way to gain entry without a K12.

In the end, a successful forcible entry operation will depend on the crew’s ability to not only use the irons, but size-up, evaluate and adjust with the situation as well.

FTM-PTB and Be Safe

Most fire departments, if they are even lucky enough to staff a truck company, often struggle with how to maximize the tasks that the truck can accomplish on the fireground.  Since times are tough and budgets are tougher, increasing staffing is unlikely. Below are some ideas to consider when trying to get the most from your truckies.

Over the next couple of weeks we’re going to talk about good ol’ fashioned truck work, but with realistic staffing for today’s fire service.  Our truck company will be staffed with three: an officer, driver and one firefighter.  We’re going to talk about fundamental truck functions like gaining entry, search and rescue and ventilation.  We’re going to start with one of the most fundamental, but overlooked, of all truck functions…ladders.

Ironically, ladders are one of the most technical and time-consuming skills learned during initial training.  On the fireground, however, they are routinely overlooked.  Because of modern building construction, fire loads and subsequent fire behavior, both aerial and ground ladders may be more important now than they have been in recent history.  Rapidly changing fire conditions and truss construction have made our ability to get out just as important as getting in.  That being said, the more ladders you can get on a building the better.

• The strategy for ground ladders should be every window of every floor.
• Setting up the aerial is the driver’s job (and only the driver)
• All windows should be laddered for rescue (tip at the sill
• Ground ladders 28’ and shorter can and should be carried and raised by one  firefighter
• 35’ ground ladders may need to be helped off the rig, but can be dragged and raised by one firefighter
• Either 2 roof ladders or 1 roof and a 24’ can be carried (or dragged), bedded together, by one firefighter and raised.
• Start laddering the fire floor (or floor above for first floor fires) and closest to the fire room.  The higher the hazard, the higher the priority.
• Break windows with the tips of the ladders (even the stick if need be).  It will save you time and effort.
• The officer and firefighter, if assigned to the interior, can each throw at least one ladder on their way to the front door.  The added safety is worth the added time.

If you go by the helpful hints above, a crew of 3 can throw a at least 5 ladders at a 2 story single-family dwelling (one for the officer, one for the firefighter, two for the driver plus the aerial) and that’s a pretty good start.

On the Internet, countless videos of civilian rescues and firefighter close calls can be found that better demonstrate the importance of ladders on the fireground.  I hope you found this information to be helpful, but nothing will help more than hands on training.

FTM-PTB and Be Safe

Resources:

• Basic Firefighting: Ground Ladders
• Training & Tactics Talk: Ground Ladders
• Emergency Egress on the Fireground: Ladder Bail