We must plan for how adverse weather effects our firefighting operations BEFORE the fire.
Riding the “hook” position at work yesterday, my duties were primarily that of the OVM (outside vent-man). At a fire -- get ladders up, ventilate horizontally, perhaps VES the upper floor, then head in to search and open-up. Being that we got 19″ of snow in DC yesterday, the idea of anything involving carrying ladders sounded terrible.
If you’re anywhere in the mid-atlantic, you’re likely in the same predicament today. Even now that the snow’s stopped, moving ladders through the deep snow that will remain for weeks will be difficult -- not everyone shovels like they should and the sides and rears of buildings will likely be untouched. Many streets may be impassable for apparatus and all our equipment will have to be lugged to the fire building… It’s easy to slip and fall in these conditions, which is usually harmless unless you have a 24′ ladder on your shoulder when you slip. In this situation we should remember two things:
1) Get ladders off the rig closest to your objective. While I usually take “my” ladders from my own rig, yesterday it was coming off the closest thing I could find to the fire building -- engine company, truck company, whatever… No sense in lugging anything further than necessary.
2) Use a ladder drag! As shown in the video, by simply grabbing the TIP end we can easily drag the ladder to our objective. It’s less work for us and less treacherous in the snow. Further, we can quickly throw a roof ladder (hooks out to snag the extension ladder) and maybe a couple tools (even a saw?) on the ladder and easily drag it to our objective. Even better if your partner throws his stuff on the ladder and helps you drag it. Particularly useful for getting a bunch of equipment down a snowy block without killing ourselves doing it.
Another snow tip? Throw a couple $0.99 hand/toe warmers in the inside pocket of your turnout coat. You never know when a BS run will become an extended incident, and all things are possible with warm hands and feet!
How are things going for you? Share your winter experiences and thoughts below…
Also on TraditionsTraining…
- Vent Challenges with Metal Awnings -- January 19, 2010
- Tower Ladder Class in Johnston, IA Reinforces Key Point on Knowing Your (and their) Aerial Apparatus! -- July 5, 2010
- PLAY LIKE YOU PRACTICE: Part 1 “Introduction to the concept” -- June 10, 2010
- Officer's job on Roll-down gate operations -- September 5, 2009
Here up north snow is half of our year. Not that much, but being part of a small town volunteer department we don't have that many calls (about 60 per year) and guess what they mostly occur when there is a need for heating. We are used to working in that snow.
May I coment only one thing on that video. It works well on hard surface like this. But should you put 24 inches of fresh snow your ladder may sink in it and every step of your ladder may act like a break, getting that task harder than it should. Even more if you add equipments on top of it. Maybe dragging it onthe side could be easier. The side of your ladder acting like a ski.
Other tip: keep in mind the weight of that snow may get the structures more vulnerable. It may also prevent natural vents from working efficently and even, like we saw in a nearby town ,break gas conducts and lead to explosions.
Oh remember, snow is not just bad, maybe after your interventions you will have a great time with your family.
Great thoughts Eric – thanks for the tips. Good points on the
building stability – we have had multiple collapses the past few days
from the snow's weight.
Any tips on what you've found to be the best mehtods for moving
equipment in the deep snow?
——————————————
Nicholas A. Martin
VP – Traditions Training, LLC
(610) 637-8315
*Sent from my wireless device*
No solution is good for every situation. It turned out that the worse to us is getting our portable pumps to the water points. We use a sled to drag this. But even with this, carrying 200+ pounds of equipment is not necessarily easy.
I keep an old SCBA mask bag attached to my coat in the winter. I have an extra pair of gloves, balaclava, thick socks, and a couple handwarmers in it. Even if you have only have old worn out gloves/balaclava, dry stuff still beats sitting in your wet stuff when all you're doing is riding a 2 1/2″ out in the snowy street.
Brian,
That's a great thought! I keep a similar compliment in my “go
bag” (our doomsday CBRN suit we have to carry).
I have seen volunteer companies keep a trash bag of sweatshirts,
gloves, etc on the rigs for similar purpose in cold weather.
Thanks!
——————————————
Nicholas A. Martin
VP – Traditions Training, LLC
(610) 637-8315
*Sent from my wireless device*
I keep an old SCBA mask bag attached to my coat in the winter. I have an extra pair of gloves, balaclava, thick socks, and a couple handwarmers in it. Even if you have only have old worn out gloves/balaclava, dry stuff still beats sitting in your wet stuff when all you're doing is riding a 2 1/2″ out in the snowy street.
Brian,
That's a great thought! I keep a similar compliment in my “go
bag” (our doomsday CBRN suit we have to carry).
I have seen volunteer companies keep a trash bag of sweatshirts,
gloves, etc on the rigs for similar purpose in cold weather.
Thanks!
——————————————
Nicholas A. Martin
VP – Traditions Training, LLC
(610) 637-8315
*Sent from my wireless device*
I keep an old SCBA mask bag attached to my coat in the winter. I have an extra pair of gloves, balaclava, thick socks, and a couple handwarmers in it. Even if you have only have old worn out gloves/balaclava, dry stuff still beats sitting in your wet stuff when all you're doing is riding a 2 1/2″ out in the snowy street.
Brian,
That's a great thought! I keep a similar compliment in my “go
bag” (our doomsday CBRN suit we have to carry).
I have seen volunteer companies keep a trash bag of sweatshirts,
gloves, etc on the rigs for similar purpose in cold weather.
Thanks!
——————————————
Nicholas A. Martin
VP – Traditions Training, LLC
(610) 637-8315
*Sent from my wireless device*