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Different Halligans, Different Jobs…

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Which Halligan would you prefer to have with you? Why?

Which Halligan would you prefer to have with you? Why?

You are assigned the forcible entry position on the truck and your job will be to gain entry and search. Which Halligan would you prefer to have with you? Why? Would you want the same Halligan if you were assigned to perform roof ventilation? Why?

A common modification to the Halligan is to add a chain link to the fork, as shown above on the right. The primary use of this is to perform “floor above” ventilation or to ventilate from the roof. A rope or Halligan hook can be attached to the chain link, allowing the Halligan to be swung to lower floors to ventilate the windows.

This is a great option is that Halligan bar is going to the roof, but what if you’re forcing doors? Is it a help or a hinderance? (more…)

Posted by Nick Martin on December 28, 2009 • Filed under: Combat Ready, Tips & Skills, Truck Company • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Twitter Thoughts from @TTraining for 2009-12-27…

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Posted by Nick Martin on December 27, 2009 • Filed under: Company News • Tagged: , , , , ,

Panic Hardware Made Easy…

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IMG00174

The "J-Hook" and "L-Hook" are easily made and may make forcing entry that much easier.

You pull up on the 8 story apartment building for the reported fire.  While there’s nothing showing from the outside, you make your way to the lobby door.  It’s a double aluminum tubular style door with panic hardware on the inside of it.  Nobody seems to be buzzing you in and there is no lock box…  It’s an old trick that been around for a while…  The ” J- tool ” Out of the two tools in the picture to the right.  The J tool is on the left…  Made cheaply out of smaller diameter steel bent into place.  Just make sure the steel will hold up to the 15lbs pressure need to trigger the panic hardware.

Insert the the J end of the tool upright through the weather stripping.   You may have to jockey the tool through and pull on the door slightly depending on how tight the doors are together.  Once the tool is far enough passed the panic hardware, twist and pull lightly until the hardware releases the latch!  Simple as that… (more…)

Posted by danny doyle on December 24, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized

Wyes and Wall Cabinets

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Would your gated wye fit in this cabinet?

Many companies use a wye on their standpipe rack, but this will be too large for most “wall cabinet” style connections. Such was the case at this fire in an apartment building.

In such case, use of a standard reducer, used here, will be required. Another option is to carry a small “pony” section of 2.5″ that can be connected directly to the connection, allowing the larger wye to sit outside the cabinet.

The presence of this style standpipe connection in your district is yet another thing that the “Combat Ready” firefighter should know through proper district familiarization.

The hallway of the fire building would be a terrible time to discover that your wye doesn’t fit and you are without a reducer! Any delay in getting water on the fire in a occupied apartment building could have tragic consequences. Many engine company firefighters in areas with lots of standpipes carry a reducer in their pocket just in case…

Stay safe & Happy Holidays from the staff here at Traditions Training!

Posted by Nick Martin on December 20, 2009 • Filed under: Combat Ready, Engine Company • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Twitter Thoughts from @TTraining for 2009-12-20…

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Posted by Nick Martin on December 20, 2009 • Filed under: Company News • Tagged: , , , , ,

Brick…

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largebrick

Ever get hit in the head with a brick?

Ever get hit in the head with a brick?  I did, and boy did it hurt….  Got stitches in-fact.  When I was about 8 years old, my neighbors father was having a retaining wall installed at his house.  Needless to say, once the workers left for the day…hmmm:  kids, piles of bricks…  Lets have some fun!  Who can throw a brick the furthest?

Well, while I was out “measuring” my throw and collecting my prize winning brick, whamo!  You guessed it, my neighbor threw his.  I guess his throw was at least as good as mine (in terms of distance), but there were no winners, I went to the emergency room. (more…)

Posted by Doug Mitchell on December 16, 2009 • Filed under: Combat Ready, Tips & Skills, Training Resources • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Twitter Thoughts from @TTraining for 2009-12-13…

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  • Thanks to everyone who made this past weekend's Officer Development School a great time for both instructors &… http://bit.ly/7HesyW #
  • An excellent homemade tool modification for any truck or rescue company… http://bit.ly/5m2MmJ #
  • Hydraulic Ventilation is fast & effective, particularly for room & contents fires. Often, a fan won't even be… http://bit.ly/7PXg8a #
  • Words to live by, found on a local firehouse bulletin board.

    If it is necessary to wear your SCBA mask behind the… http://bit.ly/5GH2rQ #

  • If you use a fog nozzle…you MUST check the pattern of the stream before you enter the fire area!

    To adjust the… http://bit.ly/7j2zqA #

  • Smooth Engine Company operations are all about well coordinated teamwork. Be Combat Ready, don't be the one who… http://bit.ly/5rrw28 #
Posted by Nick Martin on December 13, 2009 • Filed under: Company News • Tagged: , , , , ,

The Vulcan Hook

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The Vulcan Hook is named for Lt. Pete Lund of FDNY R-2 who was affectionately called “Lt Vulcan” (after the mythical god of fire). Pete was the founder of Traditions Training and died in the line of duty in 2005.

The Vulcan Hook is one of several useful tool modifications to come out of the workshop of Rescue 2. Essentially it is a Halligan Hook with the pry end replaced by the fork from a Halligan bar. The result is a heavier tool with increased versatility and leverage.

It’s uses are limited only by your creativity. Personally I have had great success with the Vulcan Hook in opening flat roofs, where the leverage of the fork is great in opening built-up roofs after a cut. It is also quite handy in prying security bars off of windows.

This simple tool modification should remind us that almost every tool on our rigs was created by a FIREMAN out of experience, and that the next great tool could perhaps come out of YOUR head. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and when you find that next great thing – share it!

Posted by Nick Martin on December 8, 2009 • Filed under: Tips & Skills, Truck Company • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Officer Development School in Claymont, DE a Great Success!

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This weekend, Traditions Training traveled back to the Claymont Fire Company of Delaware for a 16-hour Officer Development School.  In attendance were 43 students from Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.  The class included current and past Chief Officers, Company Officers, and aspiring officers.  Over the course of the weekend the instructors shared their real-world experiences on isses that AREN’T discussed in “routine” training academy classes.   Some of the material included:

  • “So You Want to be an Officer…” – real world trials & tribulations from Chief Ricky Riley’s career.
  • Fire Service Leadership – featuring Capt. Kraut’s training from West Point.
  • Size-up & Decision-making.
  • On-scene, Situation, and Updated Reports.
  • Tactical Considerations for Fire Officers & Accountability.
  • Resource Management and Managing by Objectives.
  • Incident Documentation & MAYDAY Essentials.

SDC11758 SDC11759

The class included group and practical exercieses throughout the program, requring students to work together to solve tactical or management issues.  We used audio, video, and photos from actual incidents to apply concepts to actual incidents.  It was an excellent weekend for both the students and instructors!

Did you miss this weekend?  If you are interested in hosting an Officer Development School at your firehouse or training academy, please contact us at info@traditionstraining.com.

Check-out the Course Flyer for this Program!

Posted by Nick Martin on December 7, 2009 • Filed under: Company News, Incident Command • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Twitter Thoughts from @TTraining for 2009-12-06…

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Posted by Nick Martin on December 6, 2009 • Filed under: Company News • Tagged: , , , , ,

Pro's & Con's of Depth Guards…

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IMG_0637Depth guards have become a common addition to fire service chainsaws.  Their primary purpose is to prevent a firefighter from cutting too deeply and through roof joists.  In an ideal situation, the firefighter makes a quick plunge cut to set the depth of the guard to cut only the roofing material and planking.  He can then perform the remainder of the cut without having to worry about cutting the joists… So ends theory.

So is this the solution to our problems?  What are the pro’s & con’s of “depth guards”?  Do you use them, and if so what have been you’re experiences?

Read on for a few thoughts…

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Posted by Nick Martin on December 4, 2009 • Filed under: Tips & Skills, Truck Company • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,