This statement reminded me of a conversation that I was having with my respective bosses, Capt. Chris Garniewicz (my Truck Captain) and Lt. Richard Dollahan (my former Engine Lieutenant).  While solving the Department’s problems (yeah, ours has them too!) we were wondering how we can motivate people to approach the job with the same passion and intensity that we do.  HOW DO YOU TEACH SOMEONE TO “GET IT”?

We discussed all of the key topics such as mentoring, being “the thumb” and other brilliant theories.  The conclusion that we collectively came to was that… YOU CAN’T!

Could it be as simple as, you either GET IT or you DON’T? Maybe it is.

However, we are optimists, so we reorganized our thoughts and that’s when we realized that the three of us were always the ones (respectfully) taking the time to intimately learn our equipment, asking questions in training and having this discussion.

So our new theory is that, if you GET IT, then maybe you need to GIVE IT to other people, even if it means holding their hand, breaking the ice or throwing them a piece of rope or tool in the dayroom and asking them questions about them.

Maybe the problem is that we get so deeply engaged in expanding our own knowledge, experience and brains, that we forget to include others who may be content hanging back.

Drag people into conversations and training and remember, that little nugget of knowledge may save their life or yours.

It’s not me… it’s you!  I get it… and I’m gonna give you to you?

-Thanks and Be Safe-

Throughout their academy, they talk about ATTENTION TO DETAIL and PROFESSIONALISM as well as other traits that seem to be fading away in the “web-based fire training world”.  In my opinion, because these traits are instilled so passionately and relentlessly during their Recruit School, it lays the foundation for the OCFA culture and speaks volumes about the level of service provided to the citizens of Orange County, California.

It is a breath of fresh air to see a department/organization that truly takes its responsibility seriously.  Remember, it is our DUTY to SERVE the public and PROTECT lives and property.  Whether you get a paycheck or not does not matter.  What matters is that when the alarm sounds, and you leave the firehouse, that you are ready to go to work with ATTENTION TO DETAIL and PROFESSIONALISM.

Watch it by yourself or at the firehouse with your crew at www.foxreality.com/theacademy or at hulu.com.

Thanks and Be Safe

The first five minutes of any fire are the most critical. More so, the decisions and actions of the first arriving unit(s) determine the success of the operations.  If your first arriving unit is staffed with three firefighters (because that’s farfetched), their ability to assess the situation, determine what needs to be done and begin doing it will have a greater affect on the outcome than six units on scene with no direction.

If  your department has fewer resources, having the right attitude, leadership and management may establish a culture of superior firefighting that compensates for its lack of size with intelligent decisions and aggressive and properly executed tactics.  Some suburban and rural departments may be fairly strong with their First Alarm assignment but may have extended response times and/or rely on mutual aid beyond that.  In a case like this, even an advanced single family dwelling fire should be easily manageable, however it is vital for the initial units to be able to work together as well as be proficient as individual crews.  This could mean the difference between a solid First Alarm stop and a 2nd Alarm or greater catastrophe.

The late Tom Brennan said,“I don’t want to do anything (task) first. I want to do seven things all at once.” While this should be a the attitude of any firefighter, officer or Incident Commander, with limited resources you may have prioritize those tasks. For example, at a residence fire you have people trapped with fire showing from one window, since you know where the fire is but not the victims, you may choose to remove the problem by extinguishing the fire.  However, if you have people trapped with only smoke showing, since you don’t know where the fire is,  you may opt to prioritize a search and/or ventilation.  Ideally, you want to carry out fire attack, search and ventilation simultaneously. If  you are the first arriving unit with distant or no backup, you may be forced to make some difficult decisions.

When a fire happens, it is not the public’s concern how many firefighters show up.  All they know is that there is a fire with entrapment and they expect us to show up, save lives and put the fire out.  Period.  If we show up and perform proficiently and professionally, we can maintain a positive relationship with the public.  The public want results, not excuses.  When the bell rings, and its time to go to work, remember that size doesn’t matter.

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.

Since the purpose of my site is to bring up ways to better yourself through various avenues, I would encourage those of you who visit my site to go to the “partners” drop down at the top of the page and wonder through all of the other blogs in the network.  There are some great fire and EMS minds at work and there is a lot of information to be shared.

The more points of view you can see, the closer you’ll get to seeing the whole picture.  Enjoy the new site and enjoy the new network!

FTM-PTB and Be Safe

The City’s Business Administrator justified their actions by saying “the cost of medical claims, not to mention loss of personnel as they recover from those injuries, makes the gyms an expensive liability.”  There are numerous long-term studies that confirm that comprehensive and ongoing health and fitness programs reduce worker comp claim and associated costs.  The collateral benefit is that you also get a healthier, happier and better prepared firefighting force.  The Administrator goes on to say, “Until someone tells us that working out is job-related, you can’t do it”.  Really?!

Perhaps someone should educate them on the  IAFF/IAFC Wellness Fitness initiative or on the “Firefighter Health and Safety Research” project being completed by Indiana University on the effects of physical conditioning and sleep on firefighter health.

Below is a short news clip of the I.U. Research project from WTHR 13 in Indianapolis.  Watch it and share it with your crews, your chiefs and your city officials.

FTM-PTB & Be Safe

1. Thomas Marovich fell during a rappelling training exercise and suffered fatal traumatic injuries.   The cause of the accident is under investigation.
2. Joseph Grace was found unresponsive in the firehouse kitchen after a busy shift.  Medical care was given immediately but he died later in the hospital.
3. David Grass was participating in physical training when he fell ill.  He later died in the hospital of a brain injury.  Exact cause unknown.
4. Ryan Wingard collapsed at the scene of a debris fire.  Just prior to his collapse, he reported that was not feeling well.  CPR was immediately initiated, but he also died in the hospital.  Cause is unknown.
5. Robert Johnson died after a nine month battle with a head injury from unknown circumstances.  During a PR detail, he was found unconscious on the opposite side of the rig after not returning from getting a SCBA.  He was hospitalized but never regained consciousness.
6. Elliott Haddix slumped over at the pump panel during a structure fire and died despite receiving immediate medical attention.  The exact cause of death is still undetermined.

In summary, there were 3 LODD attributed to stress/overexertion, 2 attributed to trauma and 1 attributed to a cerebrovascular accident.

It is difficult, if not impossible to prevent all types of health related deaths.  Some conditions are underlying, hereditary or have sudden onset with an unknown cause.  Sometimes the best we can do is maintain vigilance in participating in annual health physicals, including stress tests, to try to discover the problems before they become life threatening.  The combination of annual physicals and maintaining a healthy diet and routine exercise can be the best prevention of health related LODD.

RFB

FTM-PTB and Be Safe

Though there are countless ways to search a building, a few of the most popular 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 person 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-large area type 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 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 our two-person search crew.  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 ladders
• Member(s) carry search tools AND an appropriate ground ladder(s)
• Systematic room-to-room search
• Member(s) ladders and forces 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 ooms 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 a one-room fire and burning the roof off or the difference between life and death.

Additional Resources:

“VES Size up” from www.vententersearch.com (go to the November 22 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

It hit home for us because a friend of ours works on the first due Truck to that area and we knew that if it was good fire, he’d be in the middle of it.  The feeling that we had was a combination of and denial, disbelief and gut-wrench.  Remembering that feeling actually brings it back and reminds me that what I felt is nothing compared to what those who lost loved ones feel every single day.

That fire is probably one of the most widely critiqued fire that I’ve ever seen (appropriately).  If you’ve read the “Routley Report”, listened to the audio and read the articles, you probably know that there are tremendous lessons to be learned from that fire.

Did you, or your department, learn any lessons from the tragedy in Charleston?  If not, that also is a tragedy.  That fire and the two years that have followed have brought tremendous change to the cfd.  DiD your department use the “Routley Report” as a tool to improve it’s command, Accountability, RIT, radio or daily operations?

The only truly appropriate and adequate way for us as a fire service to honor our fallen Brothers and sisters is to learn from the circumstances and events leading up to, and contributing to, their sacrifice.

FTM-PTB & Be Safe

“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