S.A.F.E. Firefighter » pride

First Due Friday; Bread & Butter House Fire? (Video)

safefirefighter — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:30:40 +0000

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: What would do you do for this heavily involved attached garage fire? Does the split-level layout change your strategies/tactics? Give us the report and your RECEO VS considerations. Have fun!

What is your initial report?
Rescue considerations?
Exposures?
Confinement issues?
Extinguishment strategies and tactics?
Overhaul, what areas will you focus initial searches for extension?
Rig placement?

Click here to view the embedded video.

NOTE: This week’s video was recommended by Bill Carey of www.backstepfirefighter.com. Thanks Bill!

First Due Friday; Heavy Fire on 2 Floors (Videos)

safefirefighter — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:30:04 +0000

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!

What is your initial report?
Offensive or Defensive?
Search type?
What type of attack lines would you use, how many & where would they go?
Ventilation considerations?
How many resources would you have/want for this fire?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Enjoy & Be Safe!

Class Announcement! VES @ SC Fire Academy

safefirefighter — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:20:27 +0000

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.

GOT QUESTIONS? Call us (843) 247-6044 or email us at info@safefirefighter.com

I “Get It”… And I’m Gonna Give It To You

safefirefighter — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:30:46 +0000

A while ago I was having an “All Smoke” with a couple of my mentors, Captains Richard Dollahan and Chris Garniewicz. We were busy solving the Department’s problems (yeah, ours has them too) and started 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 collective conclusion was that YOU CAN’T!

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

We are optimists, so we reorganized our thoughts and 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 while everyone else was in the house enjoying “personal time”.

So our new theory is this… 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 handing them a tool in the dayroom and asking them questions about it.

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. They may be willing to learn but need a nudge or they may too intimidated by the “Type A” macho crap to pipe up and ask. Give it to them, set them up for success, build their confidence and maybe they’ll start to “get it”. Drag people into conversations and training and remember that little nugget of knowledge may save their life or yours.

I love this job. I love my brothers (some more like distant cousins, but family anyhow). Our profession is one of the most intense, interpersonal, technical and risky out there. I understand and appreciate what it takes to have pride and ownership in myself, a crew, a rig and a firehouse and how all that translates to success when the bells ring. I get it… and I’m gonna give it to you?

-Thanks and Be Safe-

Also check out…

“30% Club… Wanna Join? Pay Your Dues”, by Jake Rixner via www. SafeFirefighter.com, April 26, 2011

“Be The Warrior”, Matt McDowell via www.safefirefighter.com, May 25, 2011

“We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident”, Chris Brennan via www.fireservicewarrior.com, December 26, 2010

Your Chance to be the Chief’s Aide (Cool Video)

safefirefighter — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:57:06 +0000

As seen on YouTube and Facebook…

Click here to view the embedded video.

NOTE:

The Command presence
Notice the professionalism of the operating crews
Notice the window A/C unit falling to the street (around :40)
Notice the Outside Vent crew stopping floor below as the Engine starts getting a knock on the fire

Go to the Facebook conversation to get full details, accounts and reactions from brothers in cyberspace as well brother who were at the fire and know the area and operations… http://www.facebook.com/NateDeMarse/posts/292471494132640

Thanks and be safe!

First Due Friday: Row House Fire

safefirefighter — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:30:21 +0000

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.

What is your initial report?
Where is the fire?
Where is it going?
How many lines do you anticipate for this fire?
What size AND length line would you use?
HOW MUCH OF A PRIORITY DO YOU PLACE ON SEARCH?
What search tactics would you use?
What type and where would you vent?
What tactics are a priority?
What are your assignments for YOUR crews?

NOTE: Source of photo unknown

2012 Class and Event Planning In Progress

safefirefighter — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:09:01 +0000

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:

Ventilation, Entry & Search Techniques – Southeastern Fire School @ SC Fire Academy – March 10, 11
SC State Firefighters/ Fire Chiefs Conference – Myrtle Beach, SC June 4-9

In the works we’ve got:

S.A.F.E. Firefighter- Smart, Aggressive, Fundamental, Efficient (Interactive Lecture, 2 Hour) – 2 in January – Dates in the Works
First Due Forcible Entry (Hands-On, 8 Hour) – Early February – Dates in the Works
Ventilation, Entry & Search Techniques (Hands-On, 16 Hour) – Mid February – Dates in the Works
First Due Forcible Entry (Hands-On, 8 Hour) – March- Dates TBD
Fireground Rescue (Advanced RIC) (Hands-On, 16 Hour) – April – Date TBD

This is just the beginning. We still have numerous other ENGINE & TRUCK classes available for to match to YOUR NEEDS!

Let us know if you want to SIGN UP for any of these classes OR SCHEDULE YOUR OWN CUSTOM CLASS!

For more information, call (843) 247-6044 or email info@safefirefighter.com.

First Due Friday: “Big Box” Search

safefirefighter — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:13:57 +0000

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 on duty with your usual crew on your usual rig. You arrive at this working fire in Lowe’s. The fire is in the rear loading dock area and spreading into the store. The manager reports at least 2 employees still inside. They were last seen in the rear (close to but not in the area of the fire). YOU CREW IS ASSIGNED PRIMARY SEARCH FOR THE VICTIMS. Smoke conditions diminish as you go deeper into the building until they are almost zero visibility w/ low to moderate heat. You encounter the typical “big box” layout (as pictured).

What are the known hazards?
What are the unknown hazards?
What resources would your FD assign to accomplish the necessary strategy or tactic?
What tactics would you use to accomplish your assignment?

RIC Refresher Breakdown

safefirefighter — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:39:00 +0000

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:

48 training hours
320 staff hours
320 Maydays called
160 “window bars” cut
160 “slide bolts” cut
80 “padlocks” and chain cut
80 hinges cut
80 doors force w/ the irons
80 windows laddered and vented by 1 firefighter
21 RIC deployments
21 downed firefighters rescued

Everyone’s great attitudes and efforts made the last two weeks a blast and an awesome training environment!

Thanks to everyone who participated, to the BTFD Training Division and Command Staff for their help and support. As always we appreciate the feedback we received from everyone and there’s no doubt that future training will be made better from your ideas and observations.

We would also like to thank our partners, Desert Diamond Industries, Leatherhead Tools and Avon Mfg. Their continued support enables to provide the most realistic training with the best equipment, all made in the USA!

If your department is looking for REALISTIC & INTENSE, HANDS-ON BASED TRAINING, check out our CLASSES PAGE or contact us at INFO@SAFEFIREFIGHTER.COM or (843) 247-6044.

Change the Way You Train

safefirefighter — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:59:13 +0000

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.