Share your strategies, tactics and experience! Every Friday we’ll post a picture or video and want to get your take on the situation.
THE SCENARIO: Check out the video and let us know how you would handle it. Ready…Go!
Enjoy & Be Safe!
Safe Firefighter, LLC will be teaching it’s 16-hour “Ventilation, Entry & Search (VES) Techniques” during Southeastern Fire School at the South Carolina Fire Academy.
NOTE: In the catalog, they are calling it “Tools in your Hands: Truck Company Operations” but it’s our VES class. Below is a class description & registration to print out…
This hands-on based class will provide participants with life saving skills needed to effectively force entry, ventilate and search fire buildings using multiple different truck company tactics and skills. Participants will get high repetition training on critical skills using realistic props and scenarios. These skills include: conventional forcible entry, power saw (K12) forcible entry, rope search, vent-enter-search (VES), vertical and horizontal ventilation and advanced ground ladders. Participants can take the skills from this class home and have an immediate impact on fireground safety.
SIGN UP HERE: SoutheasternFireSchool_Registration
GOT QUESTIONS? Call us (843) 247-6044 or email us at info@safefirefighter.com
Posted in Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Emergency Communications, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, News, Rescues, Safety and Health, Special Operations, Strategy and Tactics, Technology & Communications, The Brotherhood, Training, Training & Development
Safe Firefighter, LLC is proud to announce is newest training partner TroxFire Training Solutions, creator and manufacturer of the TruForce forcible entry training system. We are excited to be working with Captain Danny Troxell of the DCFD and look forward to getting the TruForce on the streets down here in the Southeast.
We just took delivery of our TruForce system and will getting in service and road-ready ASAP.
Safe Firefighter, LLC will also be an authorized dealer for the TruForce system. If you have any questions about the TruForce or would like to setup a class or demo please contact us at info@safefirefighter.com or (843) 247-6044.
Share your strategies, tactics and experience! Every Friday we’ll post a picture or video and want to get your take on the situation.
THE SCENARIO: You’re wearing all the hats today! You’re dispatched to a reported “structure” fire. It’s the middle of the week during Christmas vacation and the neighbors don’t know if the kids are there or not.
Posted in Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Dispatch & Communications, Emergency Communications, Fire Dispatch, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Technology & Communications, Training, Training & Development, Uncategorized
Make training, professionalism and pride part of your New Year’s resolution! We’re in the process of building our 2012 calendar with intense, realistic hands-on training, interactive classroom events and good old-fashioned brotherhood. A couple of events already scheduled include:
Share your strategies, tactics and experience! Every Friday we’ll post a picture or video and want to get your take on the situation.
THE SCENARIO: You are the Officer on the 4 person TRUCK company who ARRIVES FIRST at this single-family house fire. Due to other call volume, the FIRST DUE ENGINE is 5 minutes away.
Saws, irons, ladders and rescues were the flavor of week for our brothers in Bluffton, SC. Safe Firefighter, LLC just wrapped up a RIC Refresher for the Bluffton Township Fire District. Training included calling the Mayday, self-rescue, rapid intervention crew assignments and operations and performing proactive RIC tasks.
Luckily, each company was able to train with their own crew which made the training that much better. As a result of their hard work, the BTFD logged the following stats:
Posted in Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Mass Casualty Incident, News, News and New Stuff, Rescues, Special Operations, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized
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
Are you looking for quality, cost-effective Fire Service training options?
I’m excited to be a part of a new training event series that will bring first-rate education and hands-on training to affordable, regional locations. There are two events this fall from Go>Forward Training:
Gateway Midwest in St. Charles, MO, Oct. 21-23
Liberty Regional in King of Prussia, PA, Nov. 4-6
Over the weekend, more than 18 educators will teach 30+ sessions for firefighters, company officers & chiefs. The instructor lineup features a combination of speakers – both big names you’ll recognize and some new faces with fresh perspectives. Pre-conference seminars will start two days before with big fire service names such as Tim Sendelbach, Alan Brunacini, Dennis Rubin and Rich Gasaway.
These unique and fully interactive events will feature hands-on training, conferences and social opportunities all geared towards making you a better firefighter, officer and leader!
The hands-on training includes classes like RIT, Forcible Entry, Man-in-Machine, Engine Co. Officer Development and more – and you can choose two-day progressive classes or combine hands-on and conference sessions. And there’s time for social sessions and 1:1 interaction with peers and instructors, so you can really build your network.
I’m excited to be teaching “S.A.F.E. Firefighter: Smart, Aggressive, Fundamental, Efficient” in both locations, and also “Get Your Head In The Game: Size Up for Every Seat” in Pennsylvania.
“S.A.F.E. Firefighter…Your” This class will compare what we learn in the classroom to working on the street. We will talk about that dirty little word; “aggressive”, how it is perceived and how aggressive mentalities should be applied in the fire service. We will also talk about firehouse and fire ground fundamentals. Finally, we will discuss how to bring all of these concepts together, apply them to your daily life as a firefighter and the impact that it will have on your crew and department.
“Get Your Head in the Game…” This “kitchen table” style training will introduce new ideas for performing en route size ups, initial on scene reports and traditional on-going assessments. Participants will be able to interact during open-forum conservations and tabletop scenarios comparing “old school” and “new school” fire conditions, strategies and tactics. Regardless of experience level, everyone will get great feedback, ideas and drills to take home and share.
To check out these events and register, go to www.goforwardtraining.com.
I recently updated the through-the-lock setup that I carry in my gear (see pics below). For years I had used a modified set of locking pliers (ViseGrip style) with separate key tools and shove knife. This setup has proven extremely effective at both alarm runs and working fires.
I’ve decided to change my setup to a modified “Channelok” setup. It’s going to allow me merge 2 tools into 1 and I’ll be able to store it in a smaller pocket. I am actually using an Irwin/ Vise Grip brand plier that slide-locks into place (no more finding the right notch) that is modified to match the Kerry Key from Fire Hooks Unlimited (see pic).
Though I was taught early in my career the importance of door and lock knowledge and “alternate” means of gaining access, it is apparent that this is a lost art in the fire service.
Below are some links to great articles, videos and pics.
Happy training and Be SAFE.
Photo by author
Photo by author
Photo by author
ARTICLES:
“History of Lock Pulling Tools”, www.midwesternfirefighter.com
“Through the Lock Forcible Entry: Key in the Knob Locks”, www.blog.brotherhoodinstructors.com
Video of Brotherhood Instructors, LLC via YouTube
Video of Brotherhood Instructors, LLC via YouTube
Video from Wichita FD via www.VentEnterSearch.com
ARE YOU A WARRIOR? Are you a fire service warrior?
At a recent meeting of FOOLS International, Int’l President Eric Depoto sounded off about the FOOLS niche in the fire service. He compared the FOOLS to some of our “less assertive” brothers on the job. He made an analogy to the above scene from “300″. He compared the FOOLS to the Spartans; a passionate, well trained and focused group who are dedicated to their craft and never lose site of their mission versus the Athenians who fight when its absolutely necessary but would rather occupy their time with other unrelated tasks, resulting in mediocre performance in time of battle. Sound familiar? He closed by passionately encouraging us (the fire service at large and the FOOLS as missionaries) to ”BE THE WARRIOR“.
Fire service warriors (FOOLS) are true practitioners of their craft, and thrive on sharing their passion and knowledge for the job with any and all who will listen. They tell “war stories” at the kitchen table; not because they are bragging, but because there are lessons to be learned from every incident whether it be a large problem or a fine detail that can make a difference at the next run. They understand that trust and brotherhood are forged in sweat and soot.
They may also be found with a tool, grinder, file and paint in their hands (and possibly a cigar clenched in their jaws) because they understand that every aspect of the job is equally as important. The tougher the challenge, the more focused and determined they become. Their unbridled “passion for the profession” is unmistakable. They are the 30 percenters, the go-to guys when something has to get done right the first time.
Are you a Spartan or an Athenian? Are you a Warrior? Are you preparing your crew to be fire service warriors?
I encourage and challenge you to be a leader, be a brother, BE THE WARRIOR!
Related Links:
“It’s Not Me… It’s You!“, SafeFirefighter.com, December 2009
“What It Takes To Be Aggressive”, SafeFirefighter.com, July 2010
“We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident“, FireServiceWarrior.com, December 2010
“Equations or Effectiveness, Have We Become So Smart We’re Stupid”, JustLookingBusy.wordpress.com
30% CLub, SafeFirefighter.com, April 2011
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
Posted in Discussions, News and New Stuff
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