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Accountability hardware systems: TAGS, RINGS, CLIPS, VESTS, BOARDS, VELCRO, PAPER LISTS, MAGNETS, COMPUTER CHIPS… they come in all shapes and sizes, limited usually only by your budget. Your department can use a pre-made “canned one”…off the fire-salesman’s shelf, copy and adapt one that works for department nearby or dream up your own….but in reality….
The “HARDWARE” part of an accountability system is rather immaterial. (more…)
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”.
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…)
On September 11th, 2001 343 brothers from the FDNY made the supreme sacrifice rescuing others…..We shall never forget them. We, as a collective fire service, will never forget any of our fallen members.
Only we fully understand the work we do…and the sacrifices that we make…
We at Traditions Training, will take today to reflect on all the great traditions of this profession and the memory of those we have lost. Life is indeed a fragile thing, may God bless you and your families.
As Nick Martin showed us in the previous post, there is a myriad of tasks that must be completed quickly and efficiently to gain entry through the roll-down door.
Often, as demonstrated in this photo, fire is waiting to eagerly meet you when you make the appropriate cuts and introduce that influx of oxygen the fire is starving to get.
While the members are working to apply the halligan or operate the saw, the Officer must fight the urge to jump in and help the fellas out. (more…)
The Metal Halligan Hook: 
Doug Mitchell
The steel halligan roof hook is one of the most versatile hooks used in the fire service today. This hook has many uses on the fire-ground, from opening walls and ceilings, pulling up floor and roof boards and opening up molding and casings. As is written in some sales catalogues, “it will assist you in the rapid removal of wood, lath, plaster, tin, sheet metal, plasterboard, fiberboard, sheetrock”, blah blah blah….I am sure you get it, this tool works! While primarily a push pull type of tool, its uses are almost limitless. It has obvious applications in ventilation, forcible entry, and even firefighter removal.
I received an email from a Chief for whom Traditions Training had done some work with in the past. He was having problem and wondered if we could help. They, the “old school” firemen, and some of his “new school” firefighters, were having a disagreement as to the importance of and perhaps even the relevance of the SCBA waist strap. He asked me my opinion on the SCBA waist strap and its importance in relation to the safety of his members….. (more…)
Ode to the Hydrant:
For those of you who feel the job of an Engine Company Chauffeur is nothing more than the person tasked to just drive you to the next job… Here is a look at some water supply issues ok, just interesting/strange hydrants that I stumbled upon. Some give new meaning to the phrase, “hooking up.” You just never know!
New Building Construction Elements:
Structural Insulated Panels
B.C. Al Mullins
Setting the Scene:
Several months ago, as I was in my office working on staffing issues, I received a call from firefighters at Fire Station 19 in Lorton. Station 19 is in the south east corner of Fairfax County; it has seen a great deal of growth in recent years and has become a veritable boom town. We had discussed doing a walk thru of the new homes under construction, but the firefighters had been out on district familiarization and had come upon something very unique. I was able to work my way out of our staffing program and drove down to the Laurel Hill subdivision, which is located directly off of I95. These are new homes that are in 4000 square feet range and incorporate many of the current trends in building construction seen throughout the country. Until the recent housing market down-turn these homes were going for close to one million dollars. (more…)
Fire Department Operations Using Elevators: Part II
Battalion Chief Al Mullins
High Rise Operations:
You are the first due company at a fire in a high rise and because the fire is on an upper floor you make a critical decision to take the elevator. Good choice, but you need to insure things are working properly.
Fire Department Operations Using Elevators
Part One:
Battalion Chief Al Mullins
Every day we respond to calls in high-rise buildings where we need and choose to use building elevators. Of course, if you run a fire alarm or GOD forbid an actual fire in a high-rise building using elevators will make our job much easier. The use of elevators in high-rise buildings during fire conditions is also a risky operation and should be done very carefully. I am going to review some of the basic things we need to know if we are going to use elevators.
Whatever you call it on your fire-ground; the “Charlie Sector”, “Side 3″, “the rear”, “out-back”….it does not matter to me. And, to the point of this post, it really doesn’t matter at all (this isnt a NIMS exercise). What does matter is that someone, must get to the rear.
Because we normally operate with our rigs, hose, and personnel coming from the street side of most buildings, the rear is usually not given a high priority. Often it is not addressed until much later into the fire operation. Many times however, what is…. or is not…. going on in the rear will have a major impact on operations.
Left and Right Pockets
We use tools to get jobs done. We are always taught, from day one in probie school, always carry a tool in your hands. We are also taught to never give up your tool. We have a multitude of tools that we can get from the rig depending on the task at hand, but we can’t bring everything, every time….
Our pockets allow us to have a place to bring some important tools with us on EACH run. Selecting tools and equipment that you carry with you in your pockets, knowing where everything is, and verifying it each tour is extremely important. On the blog, we have shared with you some of what we carry and why…Here is what I have with me. My turnout gear has only 2 pockets on the outside of the coat, so I am sure like many of you, space is at a premium. Ok here we go…
It’s been seven long years since that unforgettable blue sky morning in September 2001. Many of our lives changed forever on that 11th day. It cut deep into all of us, whether an FDNY fireman or not….the emotions were there…
To all those who we lost: We will never forget you or your families left behind. We will carry on the great traditions of the job that you instilled in us, and promise to pass them along to the next brother thru the door. Rest easy brothers, we know you are here with us….
September 11th 2008
Especially those members of my company:
TL-13: Capt Walter Hynes, Fr. Tom Sabella, Fr. Gregory Stajk, Fr. Thomas Hetzel, Fr. Dennis McHugh
E-22: Fr. Martin McWilliams, Fr. Vincent Kane, Fr. Mike Elferis, Fr. Tom Casoria
In an ever changing dynamic world, we must continue to look out for one another, on the fireground and at the kitchen table. No one cares more for us…… than us. Be your brothers keeper, stay safe, God bless the brothers and God bless America.
Report of a fire in apartment 3F. Your crew is in position, they are combat ready, they are forcing the apartment door. HIT, HIT, HIT!!! The crew pops the deadbolt and opens an inch or two, the door belches black smoke. But alas, the door will not spring open!
What’s holding us back now?
Security Chain
If you notice this little guy engaged when you are forcing a door, what’s it mean to you? Well, its simple….unless there is a secondary means of escape, you are going to find someone in the apartment. You got da chain, good chance you got da people in there…
While I prefer the work of a Truck Co, there is no better sound to hear when doing an aggressive primary search, than the sound of flowing water. Hearing the Engine Co pushing in with the line is pure magic. As much as I would like to say that we truckie’s can stomp out the flames ourselves, one good job makes you appreciate the little fellas, human door chocks, ah…the engine!
While on vacation, chasing my kids through this nicely landscaped garden, I noted something red. What was hidden here?
Obviously this is something that all first alarm responding engine company chauffeur’s and officers need to be aware of. This should occur in multiple layers, in pre-planning, be announced over the air in a “Critical Dispatch Information”, and again while on the fireground. You can only imagine a relocated/fill in/transfer company responding in and attempting to find this hydrant, the delay could prove difficult and/or deadly.
Pre-planning and communicating water supply difficulties and “odd ball” water supply issues are paramount. Knowing your districts buildings and your nearest source of water will result in getting that all important positive water supply faster. Mastering these will create a safer work environment for our members and the citizens we protect.
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USAR…
View Comments“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…