• Had a great ODS in Quakertown, PA this weekend. Here's 6 questions an
  IC needs to be able answer at any time… http://fb.me/DUEaGg5r #
• Keeping the loops of your shoulder load OPEN rather than pressed tightly closed will let you quickly and easily… http://fb.me/xTjDtrO7 #
• Wheres the basement? Check out this new post! http://fb.me/FWZs6wdF #

Be sure to checkout this months edition of Fire Engineering magazine for an awesome article on Primary Roof Ventilation Operations at Flat Roof Structures.

One of TT’s instructors, Dan is a 34 year veteran and presently the Captain of DCFD Truck 6. He brings some great tips on size up, ventilation, and more.

Click the image below to view the article, and be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Uh, what the *%#$? Are you flexible enough to get to the stairs, good luck making the push down them to fight fire.

“It’s in the basement” can be a frantic transmission heard on the fireground.  Often, it’s one that heightens our awareness and can trigger the myriad of tactical decisions that are imperative for basement fire success.  Basement fires can be some of the most dangerous and challenging fires we face.  In the residential structure they can be especially dangerous, all you have to do is review many recent “close calls” and several line of duty deaths.

The run-of-the-mill basement fire possesses enough challenges for the Combat Ready Company, day in and day out.  Some of  these challenges include:  the presence of lightweight components (eager to fail and drop you into the basement), the task of finding and maintaining control of the basement door, and the absolutely essential coordination of multiple hoselines to extinguish the fire.

Imagine if you added to the litany of issues in the challenge of finding a basement / cellar door.  How long do you think that we would be searching for the steps that are located behind the storage doors of an entertainment center!

We recently discovered this “cosmetic covering” of a basement stair entrance during a walk-through of a local assisted living residential facility.  This would certainly only add to the complexity of a basement fire in this structure.

As pictured below, the basement entrance appears to be part of the entertainment center.  It only becomes obvious when you open the door.  There are no indicator signs to what is behind the door.  Imagine a firefighter attempting to enter and descend these stairs.  Compounding this downward obstruction is the cheap construction of the open wooden steps that lead down, certain to fail quickly in fire conditions.

To be Combat Ready we must:

• Identify these areas in our response areas.
• Share the information with our fellow firefighters who may respond with us.
• Prepare for how we will overcome this obstacle and do your job – get to the seat of  the fire!

Thanks to the firefighters at Fairfax Firehouse 10 for spotting this during a routine medical local call.

A view down the rickety steps

Looks like an ordinary run of the mill entertainment center....

This is actually the entrance to basement.

• Skylight assemblies can often be pried off as a whole unit, providing
  greater ventilation and avoiding raining glass down on inside crews. #
• Existing openings such as hatches, skylights, and bulkheads should be
  our immediate choice for initial vertical… http://fb.me/Gxnf4B5n #
• New training video & tips from TT's Joe Brown of a house fire with civilian rescue. Pay attention to the… http://fb.me/xm0gLFGS #
• Saturday morning at Officer Development School in Quakertown, PA.
  Chief Ricky Riley speaking about the "combat… http://fb.me/vuh9lN1O #
• Day 2 of Officer Development School, running communication exercises. http://fb.me/udSrjIlK #

TT Instructor Joe Brown created this video of operations at a first floor fire last tour with a civilian rescued from the second floor.  While some of the video is dark, what should be emphasized in this situation is the communication between crews.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYeMhR4-usU

The rescue of a civilian is an exciting event.  Our primary mission is to save lives and when a victim is located it can tend to draw others away from their tasks.  You will notice in this video that when the victim is located, assistacne is given to the victim removal where needed but the other tasks continue, and when the victim is removed everyone get’s back to work. We must remember that a successful fireground results from a coordinated series of events -- everyone has a job to do and must do it.  If someone drops their task, the entire fireground falls apart.

At present, all accounts are that the victim is hospitalized and will make a full recovery.  Job well done to the members of DCFD Engine 30 / Truck 17, Platoon #1!

• Have one last minute spot open for the Office Development School in Quakertown, PA on August 14 & 15… First to… http://fb.me/wBuzLpaz #
• Proud to have inspired this great motivational reminder at the Lititz Fire Company in PA… http://fb.me/DZTMmsj5 #
• Another 100 degree plus day in the Northeast. Remember asphalt can
  soften in extreme temps. Be sure to put your… http://fb.me/wQTbnJ5N #
• Hydra-ram failures & testing your ram… Check your tools daily! Share your past problems and experiences with us… http://fb.me/FwEng6IU #

As many of you know, the hydra-ram is often not my first choice for forcible entry, but it’s definitely a frontline tool with purpose.  And like any mechanical tool, it’s prone to failure…  Last week at while teaching forcible entry at the training academy we had three separate failures of hydra-rams:

1. One was a rupture of the body resulting in complete loss of hydraulic fluid.
2. Another locked in the completely extended position
3. And another would not stay open when pumped because the valve was broken.

The take home point is:  WE HAVE TO TEST OUR TOOLS BEFORE WE GET TO THE FIRE DOOR.  The hydra-ram is one of the tools that needs to be checked daily on the rig, but many problems with hydra-rams are not discovered until the tool is placed under load.  A simple way to test the tool is to find something heavy around the firehouse and put the ram to the test! In this example, I simply used our dumpster out back.  The tool is pumped to full extension, lifting the load, and left to sit for a minute to insure all’s well – then released.  Should any problems arise, we can get a replacement or fix the tool before it’s needed on a job.

These failures should also further remind us of the importance of maintaining your forcible entry skills with the irons – both 1 and 2 firefighter techniques.  Remember – when the door is locked, no interior operations can begin till it’s opened… Everyone’s counting on you, be prepared.

• Checkout this video-tip showing the use of a pair of modified channel-locks for removing and opening a Adams-Rite… http://fb.me/CqMevb91 #

We’ve talked a few times on here about going thru-the-lock on Adams-Rite style locks.  I think this is an important skill as this style of lock is found on almost every glass commercial storefront in the nation, so it’s something found in almost everyone’s first due.  Further, due to various associated challenges we’ve discussed in past posts, I think that going thru-the-lock in this scenario is likely our fastest option and will ultimately provide us with the most egress.  You can see some of the reasons I make this statement in this previous post.

Adams-Rite locks are found on almost any storefront. Remember additional security may also be present.

This video demonstrates using a pair of modified channel locks to remove the lock cylinder and open the lock (click the link to learn how to make your own).  Of course a K-tool, A-tool, or other lock puller could be used to remove the cylinder more quickly as well.

For a picture step-by-step on unlocking these with your key tool or channel locks, check out our previous post here.  And let us know -- what are your experiences and thoughts with this scenario?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpPtmHjSqC8

]]> http://blog.traditionstraining.com/2010/07/thru-the-lock-with-your-channel-locks/feed/ 0 http://blog.traditionstraining.com/2010/07/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-07-26/ http://blog.traditionstraining.com/2010/07/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-07-26/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:00:00 +0000 Nick Martin http://blog.traditionstraining.com/2010/07/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-07-26/

• Just had a great weekend of Engine Ops in West Chester, PA. Checkout this post with some thoughts on engine… http://fb.me/vLiIiFQO #
• Announcing that registration is open for our popular Officer Development School, to be held September 18 & 19 in… http://fb.me/FqSxMSXv #
• The box alarm for this building last tour turned out to be a water
  leak, today it was a working fire on the top… http://fb.me/DC2R8Fgm #