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Mayday Triggers…

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Let’s say, that in the course of doing what we do, we are as diligent as possible in preparing and delivering our training.   Yet we certainlyfdny12404 can run the fire that flashes over on the crew, the building suffers a partial collapse, God forbid, a brother goes down. We are now faced with a definitive Mayday situation but, have we prepared our personnel for this situation?  Do they call a Mayday for a partial collapse?  Do they know what a Mayday situation is?  Or, are they waiting for someone else to call it?

We all know that you cannot expect compliance out of personnel if there is not standard for them to be held accountable for. Ok, to simplify it: if your members have never been taught what Mayday triggers are, how we can expect they will recognize when to call one?

I think we have all heard, “Oh, I would know when to call a Mayday”.  Is that really accurate?  Are we willing to take that gamble? (more…)

Posted by Dan Shaw on March 30, 2009 • Filed under: Combat Ready, RIT / Survival • Tagged:

Doomsday Training…

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We spend a considerable amount of time in the fire service discussing Rapid Intervention Team training and preparation.  This training is indeed necessary and appropriate to comply with 2-in, 2-out and to review procedures in our operational manuals / S.O.P’s. However, this training should be no different than practicing pulling lines because you ride in an Engine everyday or conducting a primary search drill because you ride a Truck. These basic tasks are an expectation on the fireground every time, as is the assumption of a potential RIT activation.

AnnandaleFire

The caveat is that we do not typically practice pulling lines every time by creating hazards (jamming lines under doors, intentionally kinking hose, or breaking the nozzle) so why should we continue to train RIT and Mayday situations only in this “doomsday” approach.

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Posted by Dan Shaw on March 25, 2009 • Filed under: RIT / Survival

Search-Rope Operations with Claymont FD

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This Tuesday night, TT Instructors Nick Martin and Joe Brown headed to Claymont, DE for a drill-night session with members of the Claymont Fire Company.  Tonight’s topic was “search-rope operations” – having recently acquired a new search-rope system, the leadership of Claymont wanted to give the members some hands-on experience before placing the equipment in service.  Also in attendance was the City of Wilmington Fire Department, Rescue Company 1 and the on-duty shift.

After a brief classroom session discussion the purpose, specifications, and applications for the search-rope system, we headed to the engine bay and split into groups.  Some of the skill stations covered were:

  1. “TIC” Search
  2. “PASS” Search
  3. “T” Pattern Search
  4. “Sweep” Search

Drill was interrupted by a 1st due house fire down the street.  It was a pleasure to watch the members of Claymont rapidly deploy, executing what can only be called an extremely “combat ready” approach that has obviously been well practiced.  Thanks gain to Chief Harris, Caesar and the members of Claymont for another good class!

Posted by Nick Martin on March 24, 2009 • Filed under: Company News, Truck Company • Tagged: , ,

Why did he back us out?!?!

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Sometimes we forget that one of the most important topics in a firefighters mind should always be “building construction”.  However, most of the time, sany0474it’s not the first thing in our minds.  If we are thinking about the type of construction, typically its mentioned quickly and only when responding to a reported fire, in a size up statement.

The first arriving unit throws out the info over the department radio before departing into the darkness.  Is that the first and last time it should be considered?  Should we toss that info aside and get dirty?

ABSOULTY NOT! First of all, its every-one’s job to consider what or where  we are going to go to work.  Building construction can drastically change our tactical approach to this fire.  Whether you’re the Officer leading your crew or the Nozzleman out in front, the building itself will have a huge say in how our fire fight will turn out! (more…)

Posted by danny doyle on March 12, 2009 • Filed under: Combat Ready, Company News, Engine Company, RIT / Survival, Tips & Skills • Tagged:

Truck Company Ops in Lititz, PA

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This 16-hour class focused on the essential duties of a “combat-ready” truck company:

  • Forcible Entry
  • Search & VES
  • Ladders
  • Ventilation

One of our main concepts was that of the “two-team truck” – using an inside & outside teams to simultaneously accomplish the multiple tasks required of a truck company during the “attack phase” of a fire.

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Posted by Nick Martin on March 9, 2009 • Filed under: Company News, Truck Company • Tagged: , , , ,

"Nothing showing" means NOTHING

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You are dispatched for a report of “smoke in the house”.  You’re tired and its around dinner time – so this is probably some BS food on the stove run.  “Engine 1 on scene, 2 story middle of the row, nothing evident” – the size-up of the first due unit confirms your suspicions, another waste of time…

Fast-forward 5 minutes:  Fire is blowing out the top floor windows.  Wincing from pain, you scramble to put on your gloves.   You hadn’t put them on for this “BS” run but when you got off the rig, it was time to advance the attack line and you ripped off your fingernail in the process.  The engine driver is struggling trying to handjack 5″ hose 300 feet back to the hydrant, because since we didn’t SEE anything we didn’t lay a line on the way in.  The engine officer is running back outside to get his SCBA, which he forgot, as the homeowner runs down the block yelling that his child is on the 2nd floor.

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Posted by Nick Martin on March 6, 2009 • Filed under: Combat Ready, Incident Command, Tips & Skills, Uncategorized • Tagged:

Open Enrollment Class: Lancaster, PA Hands-On

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Join us for a day of hands-on skills…

Join us at the Lancaster County Fire Academy in Manheim, PA for a day of hands-on skills evolutions that will challenge your skills and give you tips you can use at your next fire!

Sunday, May 31, 2009, maximum of 60 students – enroll today!

lancaster

Click here to download a flyer.

As of 3/16, CLASS IS FULL – Stay tuned for additional open classes!

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Posted by Nick Martin on March 3, 2009 • Filed under: Company News, Engine Company, RIT / Survival, Truck Company

Officer Development School in Oxford, PA

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This weekend TT instructors Dan Shaw (Fairfax County, VA), Doug Mitchell (FDNY), and Nick Martin(DCFD) travelled to Oxford, PA for an Officer Development School with members of the Union Fire Company, there were 30 students in attendance.  Also in attendance were members from West Grove and Longwood Fire Companies.  This was the first delivery of our recently revised 16-hour Officer Development program.

The class was designed for current or future company and chief-level offficers as a supplement to existing knowledge of ICS and tactics.  We touched on “lessons learned” and best practices to enhance leadership capability and to manage incidents effectively.  During the 16 hour class we discussed:

  • Leadership Essentials and the US Army’s “Be-Know-Do” Principles
  • Establishing “Command Presence” & The “Combat-Ready” Officer
  • Incident Size-Up & On-Scene Reports
  • Tactical Considerations for Engine, Truck, & RIT Operations & Accountability Issues
  • Resource Management & Objective-Based Incident Management Principles
  • Command Posts, Command Documentation, NIMS Essentials, and “Breaking Down” the Incident

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Class on Saturday was mostly lecture & discussion, but on Sunday we moved to a more “interactive & hands-on” format.  Using a variety of multimedia & simulation exercises we put students on the spot to conduct size-ups, act as the incident commander at simulated incidents, and practice command documentation during challenging incidents.

Thanks to the members of Union Fire Company for having us out & we look forward to working with you guys again.  For more information about our Officer Development School, please contact us.

Posted by Nick Martin on March 2, 2009 • Filed under: Company News, Incident Command • Tagged: , ,