- To vent or not to vent? Share your views on SINGLE FAMILY VERTICAL VENTILATION. Taking into consideration,… http://bit.ly/cgezF7 #
- Vesatility and teamwork with engine company operations can get you a long way! Take a look at this new blog post… http://bit.ly/bVbrSP #
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- Back from a great weekend with the Longwood Fire Company doing some truck company ops. Even worked on this new vent… http://bit.ly/4ARhQu #
- For the Forcible Entry Academy coming up in March in Lancaster, SUNDAY HAS FILLED – still have a few spots on… http://bit.ly/8uBbXY #
- New blog on some challenges I had as OVM at a fire last week… Take a look and let me know your thoughts on how… http://bit.ly/7KUcti #
- Both SAT & SUN of or March Forcible Entry Academy in Lancaster have booked up in less than 2 weeks!
We've seen a… http://bit.ly/5k2HuE #
- Use your Facebook login to jump in with your thoughts:
How would you get through this roll-down gate? http://bit.ly/79iyqQ #
- How and how often do you inspect your nozzles? Check out this blog post with a copy of the policy developed by… http://bit.ly/7RE0Xf #
- Check out this updated post about Plywood "I" beams… I am sure that by now we all know that they are out there,… http://bit.ly/5cNNBi #
We updated this post from a few years back. There seem to be consistent tragedy that follow these lightweight plywood “I” beams. From a construction perspective, they are great! They often times hold more weight, are lighter, cheaper and easier to assemble than nominal lumber. For us firefighters, the plywood “I”, when exposed to fire conditions are potential killers. They silently wait for us to put our weight on them… advance our hose-lines over and crawl under them. We are testing thier fire ravaged and weakened strength. As we advance, we often cannot measure what strength is truly left in that “I”.
“How often do you check your last line of defense?”
Most departments have standards on when to check SCBA, saws, apparatus, etc. But how much attention is paid to our nozzles? Remember – the nozzle is what ultimately completes our mission: putting the fire out!
In all things forcible entry there are many means for accomplishing your goal – gaining entry. Not only should we be looking for the FASTEST method, we also need a number of alternate plans in case our first idea doesn’t work.
That being said, what would be your first thought on gaining entry to this gate? What are your alternate ideas? Let us know in the comments below.
Side A
Last week I responded to this fire on the 2nd due truck company. First arriving companies reported fire coming from the roof and subsequently a cockloft fire in a 2-story end rowhouse (flat roof). Riding our “hook” position my first assigned task was to ladder side C and horizontally ventilate.
I quickly sized up my target window. You can see the window I chose in the picture ( below right) – the 2nd floor middle window. My plan was to vent this window and then my ladder would already be in a good place to vent the two adjacent windows. As you can also see, these windows have metal awnings that are securely mounted to the house and come down to about the level of the window sash (middle cross-bar)…
- When rescuing a civilian into a Tower Ladder basket, the doors to the basket should not be opened. There is too… http://bit.ly/5fJ13A #
- When rescuing a civilian into a Tower Ladder basket, the doors to the basket should not be opened. There is too… http://bit.ly/5dyy5o #
- "How to" on making a Key Tool on your channel locks…. Check out the post… http://www.facebook.com/traditionstraining/posts/248644500667 #
- A Halligan can be used to make a anchor for bailout or emergencies. This must be practiced so you can do it… http://bit.ly/5MRZAi #
- Helmet cam footage of a house fire with training tips from TT's Joe Brown as the OVM on DCFD Truck 17.
Check it… http://bit.ly/8VugZF #
- Helmet cam footage of a house fire with training tips from TT's Joe Brown as the OVM on DCFD Truck 17. Check it… http://bit.ly/7aOK90 #
- Did you know you can get our blog posts in your e-mail for free? Just follow the link to subscribe for regular… http://bit.ly/5d51JS #
- In regards to our post below on the Halligan as an anchor point, there was a request for some video of it. This… http://bit.ly/6bI8V6 #
- Heading out of town this weekend for a Truck Company Operations class with the Longwood Fire Company in PA… See… http://bit.ly/4pIaDH #
- Keep the members of our nations USAR teams in your thoughts and prayers… May the meet stay alert, stay healthy,… http://bit.ly/5eMQBF #
- Keep our nations USAR teams in your thoughts this week… These men and women are doing the best they can in an… http://bit.ly/72niOI #
- CO2 extinguishers make a great tool when trying to gain access to an area that has an agressive dog in it. Both… http://bit.ly/5flzjZ #
“A student identified as Leoni, 29, gets her first drink of water in over 70 hours after being carried from the rubble of University of Port au Prince after being dug out by the Fairfax County Urban Search & Rescue Team, part of USAID, January 15, 2010. Victims are still being found alive after the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Port Au Prince, Haiti. “(Photo from USAID.gov)
To the members of any and all operating USAR Teams in Haiti, in the tragic aftermath of this killer earthquake: Know that you once again are doing what the fire service does best…SAVE LIVES. We know that you will be seeing things and doing things that human beings should not have to see and do, both mentally and physically. Stay Alert, Stay Focused, Stay Safe! Know that you have the support of the brothers and sister firefighters back home.
Return home safely…
A popular tool in firefighter’s pockets is a pair of Channel Locks, useful for a variety of things – turing off gas, water, etc. They are also useful for removing certain lock cylinders, one such lock is an Adams-Rite lock, found on many storefronts. But, once we remove the cylinder, we still have to unlock the lock.
Below… I’ll show you how to easily transform the handles of your Channel Lock Pliers into a Key-Tool that can be used to unlock Adams-Rite, and other type locks.
- When removing window bars with hand tools or saws, try to cut only one side and then use the bars as leverage to… http://bit.ly/5in3bq #
- Remember to inspect saw blades as part of your routine checks. This "bullet" chain shows 2 broken teeth and 1… http://bit.ly/7yiZlD #
- Be careful about taking too much hose into the fire area, it can be just as bad as taking too little. Extra hose… http://bit.ly/8yfjjJ #
- Finishing up some major overhauls to our Blog site and Company web-site… Bear with us over the next day or so and… http://bit.ly/7W3L9j #
- The Traditions Training Blog has a new home! Be sure to check it out and let us know your wishes & thoughts. Be… http://bit.ly/87mn35 #
- Also today, the new TT web-site is up at http://www.TraditionsTraining.com. We are still ironing out some bugs, but stop… http://bit.ly/61oURD #
- Also today, our new web-site is up at http://www.TraditionsTraining.com – be sure to update your bookmarks, subscirbe to… http://bit.ly/7vhgv4 #
- Also today, our new web-site is up at http://www.TraditionsTraining.com – be sure to update your bookmarks, subscirbe to… http://bit.ly/85Aa6g #
- Who HASN'T had to deal with false PASS activations? More than a nuisance – they're a PROBLEM… Check out some… http://bit.ly/7SUKXo #
- "Pistol Grip" nozzles… Here are some thoughts from Dan Shaw. What are your thoughts on the topic?
Do you like… http://bit.ly/7Tpb6i #
- "Pistol Grip" nozzles… Click the link below for some thoughts from Dan Shaw .
What are your thoughts on the… http://bit.ly/6uQNng #
- "Pistol Grip" nozzles… Click the link below for some thoughts from Dan Shaw
What are your thoughts on the… http://bit.ly/7VjVSP #
- Enrollment is now OPEN for our "Forcible Entry Academy" in Lancaster, PA. Two dates available 3/20 or 3/21…… http://bit.ly/92RGIz #
8-hours of high-intensity, hands-on, real-world forcible entry skills!
Searching for victims, getting a line on a fire – all require that we first get inside! Join our experienced instructors for 8-hours of essential information for getting YOU though the door. Firefighters must practice forcible entry to polish their technique. Each attendee will force doors MULTIPLE times to gain this needed experience using their existing and newly acquired skills.
This 8-hour hands-on program is highly-interactive and dynamic, focusing on giving you multiple options – using different tools, techniques, with or without a partner. Never find yourself out of ideas at the door again!
I don’t think any trade journal, instructional manual, or firefighter in the Country would disagree….the key to putting out fires relies heavily upon the selection, deployment and operation of the initial hoseline. How many times have we heard the late Andrew Frederick’s quote used, “If you put the fire out, you won’t have to jump out the window” in the course of general firehouse conversation. Yet, as a collective Fire Service we occasionally still screw this up. Miscues with the first hoseline do not occur in just one particular phase (selection, deployment or operation), rather there seems to be a random sampling in each. (more…)
Think about your last fire. The thousands of sounds that surround you, there should be one that ALWAYS stands out. It may be a chirp, whistle, bell, or some other form of loud obnoxiousness designed to save your life! Problem being that over time, false activations blend into the typical fireground soundtrack!
The staff here at Traditions Training are excited to move our blog into the FireEMS Blog Network. If you’re a first time visiter, here’s what you can expect:
Lt. Peter B. Lund
Traditions Training was founded in 2002 by Lt. Peter Lund of the FDNY. As he looked toward retirement, Pete wanted to pass on the lessons he had learned on the job, and the things his mentors had shown him. Regretably, Pete was killed in the Line of Duty in 2005 as he continued to volunteer in his hometown on Long Island.
The remaining staff carries on Pete’s legacy by providing no-BS training of fireground-proven techniques. A little over a year ago, we decided to start a blog to share quick thoughts we had, things we saw on the job, etc. What you’ll find here are free firefighting skills, tips, thoughts, and discussion – not the gossip, conjecture, and rumors that have regrettably become so common on so many other firefighting sites. Click here to learn more about us, and more about our staff.
Our goal is to encourage thought on fireground issues and productive discussion of different ideas. Please participate in the discussion here, and on our Facebook Fan Page.
Things went live today, so please forgive any hiccups as we get up and running. Please take a look through some of our past posts, and be sure to contact us and let us know your thoughts and what you’d like to see!
- Are all Halligan modifications good for ALL tasks? Let us know your thoughts…. http://bit.ly/5EzQyU #
- Are all Halligan modifications right for ALL tasks? Let us know your thoughts… http://bit.ly/7sk9Im #
- The next best thing to GOING to a fire is TRAINING for one… What are YOU going to do today??? http://bit.ly/5FhBbq #
- You are running a hose line into this grocery store for a report of fire in the store room. What are your thoughts… http://bit.ly/7TwUvi #
- Quick pic of the "off" switch on the automatic door at the grocery store that we were discussing earlier… When… http://bit.ly/7gOCDs #
- Best wishes for a New Year from all of us at Traditions Training. Next week look for some exciting blog posts &… http://bit.ly/5Epcos #
- On the lighter side for today, a great video from the other side of the city… Show your support! http://bit.ly/7H8AFW #
- http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10433724&l=fca0cb2549&id=114240140570 #
- Breakaway nozzles have become popular because of the ability to use a combination tip or a smooth bore. Just be… http://bit.ly/6hG6Dp #
Engine Company Versatility & Teamwork
View CommentsThere are many scenarios that an engine company may face in any given district. From car fires to smaller SFD’s closer to the curb, long stretches from the engine or into deep buildings, heavy duty operations, standpipes etc… It’s a lot to ask to have our apparatus setup to handle all these different scenarios. All to often you see an engine company setup with no versatility in it’s handline selection – leaving it equipped to handle one type of fire very well, and all other types not so well.
Nevertheless, few departments have a rig with enough room to have a dedicated handline for each sceanario. For the rest us, we need to learn to setup our engine company apparatus to have a versatlie assortment of handlines and train on using that complement of lines in various ways…
(more…)