- TT is headed to Ohio! Join us on April 10th in Liberty, OH (Youngstown area) for pumped up program on "COMBAT… http://bit.ly/cYcnu1 #
- Old man winter claims another nozzle. Be sure to check them frequently! Find the potential problem during… http://bit.ly/bBpnKn #
- Rear-Porch Fires…. Check out some quick thoughts from Nick Martin on initial tactics and operations at these… http://bit.ly/aqBQet #
- Rear-Porch Fires…. Check out some quick thoughts from Nick Martin on initial tactics and operations at these… http://bit.ly/9jPlI1 #
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Fires on the rear proches of attached dwellings (rowhouses, townhouses, etc) provide some unique challenges, some of which include:
- Their construciton usually promotes rapid fire growth and spread.
- They have limited access from Side Alpha.
- They will rapidly spread to exposures, especially if a wind condition is present.
Below are some quick thoughts on initial tactics at these fires. Read on, and let us know your thoughts!
- A couple tips & thoughts on forcing padlocks with the Halligan or Duckbill… Stay tuned for more tips on other… http://bit.ly/cpZzRu #
- Check-out some great photos from this past weekend's Forcible Entry Academy! There are some great tips on various… http://bit.ly/95RjzF #
- New post from Joe Brown on making the most of your "routine" runs so that you're COMBAT READY for the real… http://bit.ly/94Y3E4 #
With the ever changing dynamics of the fire service, firefighter’s daily functions are as vast and wide ranging as the great country in which their respective departments lie. With such duties ranging from emergency medical care and patient assists to leaking ceilings and faulty electrical outlets, firefighter’s have become the nations “jack-of-all-trades”. As responsibilities increase and time for focused fire related training shrinks, it is as important as ever to use your time wisely. With a little imagination, we can turn even the most benign public service call into a learning situation…
A routine run here may lead to questions such as: what length attack line? How would we place ladders to the porch? Apparatus Positions? Basement access? Utility cut-offs?
Making the most out of each response often involves little more than opening up your eyes to your surroundings. Calls that gain firefighter’s access to homes and buildings are an excellent opportunity to check out construction features and hazards that may come in handy should a fire occur. Often, homes within the same residential neighborhoods will have very similar layouts and construction types. A home you ran for a public service call last tour could be very similar to the working fire you’re now faced with 2 doors down.
Here are just a few considerations to look for that may help should a fire occur:
- Do these homes have a basement?
- What kind of entrance does it have?
- Where are the interior stairs located?
- Does the front door open in to block the interior stairs?
- Where are the bedrooms located? Do they have windows and how many?
- Does the pipe chase connect to the exposure home or apartment?
- How does the layout of this home compare to its attached neighbor?
- Where are the utility controls located?
- Is the occupant you are currently helping able to escape a possible fire on their own?
The above list is just a small fraction of the many things firefighters should be constantly vigilant for in an effort to prepare for that next job. Involve all members of the company through simple interactions such as “do you know why the pipe chase is located here?” or “how many windows have we passed since we came in?”. Before long members will be asking questions of their own!
Your size-up at non-fire incidents may provide indispensable knowledge at the fire later on...
The window in the picture to the right was located during a run for DCFD Truck 17 to assist a citizen back into bed. The occupant had covered the window with carpet and left a small opening at its base, which was lined with nails to discourage break-ins. This poses an obvious safety issue for the outside vent man as well as criminals. High crime areas often require low income residents to fashion a wide variety of makeshift safety features for their home. These “adaptations” can vary widely from home to home, let alone jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but are not limited to high crime areas.
The senior man right down to the newest probationer has a responsibility to himself as well as their crew to observe and question the area around them. Be prepared on every run to ask the “What if it was on fire?” question and make the most out of your time out in the field. With a little practice you and your crew can perfect “The Art of Seeing”.
Pad locks can be found locking us out of a lot of things: gates, doors, etc. There are a variety of shapes, styles, and types and also various means of attacking these locks. In this post I wanted to cover just one of many available methods -- driving the body off of the shackle.
Halligan Pick / Duckbill Method:
Essentially you are performing a “spreading” motion using what is basically a wedge. This motion needs to spread the shackle VERTICALLY. I have seen firefighters place a duckbill lock-breaker with the width of the wedge perpendicular to the shackle. This will be ineffective -- it must be placed parallel. The idea here is to drive the body of the lock off of the shackle -- NOT to spread the two arms of the shackle apart.
For this method to be successful, the top of the wedge must hit the top of the shackle and the bottom of the wedge must hit the top of the lock body. In the photo to the right, the pick of the Halligan is being used. You can see that the pick is buried up to it’s widest point and is still not exerting vertical spreading force. In fact, at this point the Halligan was beginning to spread side-to-side, which was not forcing the lock -- continuing to drive it just was getting the tool stuck in the shackle. It’s not that this method doesn’t work -- it’s just that it won’t work on this padlock because the shackle is too long. If the shackle was shorter, the method would have a good chance of success.
This is a quick way for a firefighter to size-up if the pick of the Halligan will be successful before committing to the operation. Simply place the pick into the shackle and look before driving it into place with your striking tool. Does it appear that the shackle is short enough that the pick will wedge/spread the top of the hasp and the top of the body? If yes, proceed. If no, move on to another method…
In this scenario the pick of the Halligan was being used. A “Duckbill Lockbreaker”, if available, might have been a better choice. The duckbill is designed specifically for this technique and it’s wider wedge will fit padlocks with longer hasps, like this one.
The video below shows the duckbill in use and properly positioned -- but why isn’t it working? This lock / chain held a sliding gate closed. The gate was not touching the ground. As such, most of the force didn’t go to breaking the lock each “hit” delivered just caused the gate to bounce. When using the duckbill, or similar methods, we must make sure that our force is being delivered to a stable surface -- so that the force makes it to the lock.
Stay tuned for some tips next time on cutting pad-locks…
- Putting together a blog post on lock-picks for thru-the-lock forcible entry… Want your stuff included? Send me… http://bit.ly/b4COBP #
- Some photos and videos from January's Truck Company Operations classes. Also photos and account of how these… http://bit.ly/cSosiO #
- Some photos and videos from January's Truck Company Operations classes. Also photos and account of how these… http://bit.ly/99G3e9 #
- Some interesting thoughts on methods for forcing Lexan / polycarbonate windows. Out of the DC COG Railroad… http://bit.ly/dhNfPD #
- Off to Fort Washington, PA for a Forcible Entry Academy program tomorrow… Check back – should have some pics of a… http://bit.ly/9qrPzj #
- Some pics from this morning at the Forcible Entry Academy… Sean Sinon works with the guys on some 1 FF inward… http://bit.ly/9PAk92 #
- Mike Stothers shows the guys through-the-lock techniques on various styles of locks. http://bit.ly/cZZFlD #
- Chris Birch discussing tool selection and modifications… http://bit.ly/aNARO3 #
- Need your help – check out this post on "The Knockdown Power of Smaller Lines". In the comments, let us know your… http://bit.ly/daPR57 #
- A Traditions Training Valentines treat! A post about accountability and the differences between "hardware" and… http://bit.ly/asl4NW #
- Getting things together after a great weekend of Truck Ops with the guys from Parkesburg, PA…
Quick thought: … http://bit.ly/b2tKCY #
- Anyone notice any similarities to some "forcible entry" operations you've seen on the fireground? Funny but:
- Another great suburban engine company setup in response to our "Engine Company Versatility" blog post, this one… http://bit.ly/9wVB5i #
- New video with tips for striking the Halligan during forcible entry operations. Check it out and let us know your… http://bit.ly/bA7KxD #
- Quick actions and a "Combat Ready" approach saves 3 children in DC – excellent work by members of Rescue 3 and 3rd… http://bit.ly/9J7cae #
- Quick actions and a "Combat Ready" approach saves 3 children in DC – excellent work by members of Rescue 3 and 3rd… http://bit.ly/celwtY #
- A video tip and some thoughts for operating in difficult weather… How has the blizzard been treating you? Share… http://bit.ly/chM86M #
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…
The Halligan and Axe firefighters must both have strong technique and work together for a fast operation!
A couple weeks ago, TT Instructors Nick Martin, Danny Doyle, and Mike Stothers travelled to Kennett Square, PA for another class with the Longwood Fire Company -- this one focusing on truck company operations. The emphasis of the program was on “two-team” truck company operations, covering both inside and outside tasks simultaneously with small crews.
One of the skills covered was conventional forcible entry for inward and outward opening doors. We talked about having multiple plans and techniques for both a team of 2 and for the lone firefighter. Proper striking technique is just as essential to a quick and effective forcible entry operation as working the Halligan. Check out this video with tips for the striking (axe) firefighter:
There are striking tools other than the axe -- which do you prefer to use, and WHY?? Let us know in the comments…
To learn more about our “Truck Company Operations” or other programs, please contact us or e-mail info@traditionstraining.com.
- 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 #
- 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!
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 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…)
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…)
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…)
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!
Engine Company Versatility & Teamwork
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…)