Always Preplanning

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Jason

This is a blog post by one of our instructors, Andrew Krato.

 

While in Indy at FDIC my first night on the town I was looking out of my hotel window and I came across this building. What I saw was just a reminder of how important it is to get out and do your building preplans in your district.

What I found was a multi story commercial brick building just like many of theothers in down town Indianapolis and so many other s in my district in Missouri.

Like many other building they all have fire escapes, this building was different because it was missing. This building is setup for the escape and if you look closer at the pictures you can see that at one time one was there. The holes from the mounts can still be seen in the brick and the rust marks from over the years of weather have left its impression on the building. Unfortunately, I was unable to make my way into the building and see what it looked like from the inside. What I can see from the outside is each level has a full size door that exits to the platform.

As in the pictures the platforms and stairs are gone but the doors remain there. From the outside nothing is labeled as do not enter, not an exit or is blocked off from the inside no bars or boards as such. I would hope that from the inside it is labeled or marked or at least secured shut.

As we all know in the smoke or dark a door feels like a door and whether or not it goes toanother room or outside and down 10 floors we need to make sure we have control of the doors, andwe sound before we enter into another room.

Thanks and be safe doing your preplans.

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“Why Do We Need This?”

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Jason

From one of our instructors, Jeff Weffelmeyer.

If anyone has ever taught a bail out class, I am sure you have heard many comments such as: “Do we really need this thing with all of the other safety classes we’ve had?”, “I don’t want to carry around this extra weight”, or my personal favorite “I have been on the job for (insert Number of years here) and never had to jump out of a window”.  As an instructor, how do you handle this situation?  One method I have found useful is to give real life scenarios where firefighters had to bail out of a building.   Two of the stories I use is a close call in 2003 involving the Saint Louis Fire Department and the Black Sunday story.  (in my opinion should be used in every bail out/safety and survival class)

Recently, I started thinking about other dangerous occupations that have some sort of personal escape device. An occupation I came up with is fighter jet pilots and their bail out device called the ejection seat.  The military spends millions of dollars to train their pilots and billions to give them a plane to do their job.   In addition to the years of training, pilots are required to train on the proper ejection seat procedures every six months.  If they fail the training they are grounded until they pass.

Additionally, do you think pilots complain about having to wear the extra weight of the parachute or want to get rid of the ejection seat because they have never had to use it?   I would guarantee you that the answer is no. Do you think they complain about going to training on their ejection seat?  Yep you guessed it, also a big no.  So why do you think some firefighters have a hard time wearing and training on bail out systems?  I don’t understand it either, but I always say it’s because of complacency.  We can go to 20 fires and not need a bail out system and then get comfortable and think we don’t need it.  Then on the 21st fire, guess what, we need it and don’t have it.

After thinking about it for a while, firefighters and fighter pilots are not that different.  They both have access to an emergency escape device that they must stay up to date and train on regularly with the hope of never having to use it.  But it is always nice to know that it is there.  If you’re having a hard time training members of your department, remember that we have had hoods for years and we’re just now seeing everyone use them in every fire.  Thanks for reading and remember get out there and train, train, and train some more.

 

 

Firefighter Jeff Weffelmeyer is a 11 year veteran of the fire service serving the last 3 years with the St. Louis Fire Department were he is assigned to Truck 17C in North St.  Louis.  Jeff is a certified Missouri Fire Service Instructor I, a member of St. Louis Area USAR Strike Team 2, an instructor with Forest Park Highlander Fire Academy and Engine House Training, LLC.  Jeff also serves as a bail out instructor for the St. Louis Fire department.

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The Long Stretch and Push

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Jason

Take a look at the pictures and think about getting water on the fire to the upper floor and/or making rescues.  This building is one that is old and not sprinklered.  It sits off of the road and aerial access is extremely limited, almost ineffective.

When looking at this type of building we need to consider the construction type, occupancy, access and egress points and any special hazards.  What are our initial resources and what should we have coming on the way?

This building is four stories and is a dormartory at a college.  The corridor length is 225 from stairwell to stairwell. As you look at the building in the picture, the stairwell on the right is more remote from a parking surface than the one on the left.  The elevation that you see in the picture from this side is the same on the opposite side.

There is a basement under this building with tunnels that lead to other campus buildings with limited access and egress where kids sneak away to do what kids sneak away to do. There is a great deal of combustible storage in these basements and tunnels.

Type 3 construction is the type of building we are dealing with and the interior has been altered over the years.  There is an automatic alarm system but no standpipes.  Water supply is limited; the closest hydrant is approximately 300 feet from where you would likely place first in companies and that hydrant, if laid from, would severely hinder access by other units because of only one access to the campus.

So, here we go……..what are your tactics and why?  Watch the video and let everyone know what you would do and why.  Use this for discussion purposes and relate it to buildings that you might have in your jurisdiction.  Share your thoughts and ideas.

Train hard and we hope to see most of you at FDIC 2012 next week.

 

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Upcoming Classes–Did I Mention They are Free?

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Jason

Keep an eye on our site and Facebook page for upcoming classes for the next few weeks. I will add classes as we get specifics taken care of. We are limited to 30 students per class, so sign up fast.

Jason

Firefighter Safety and Survival on the Fireground Boles 2012 Boles Fire Protection District

Firefighter Safety and Survival on the Fireground NCTA North County Training Association

Firefighter Safety and Survival on the Fireground St. Louis City FD 2012 St. Louis City Fire Department

Firefighter Safety and Survival on the Fireground Desoto DeSoto City Fire and Rescue

 

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Apartment Fire Considerations

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Jason

Take a look at the video and let’s have a discussion. It is not a critique of what the video shows, but more of what are our considerations if we pull up to this fire. We all have buildings like this one and depending upon our resources and response area, how would we deploy on this fire? Watch the video and ask and discuss these questions with your crew:

–What type building construction can be suspected?
–As the first arriving company, where and what do we do first?
–What is our primary concern in regards to access?
–What are our life safety considerations and where should we be looking?
–Are exposures a problem?
–What size line are deploying and why?
–Types of ventilation and roof considerations?

These are just few things to talk about. Train hard and share your thoughts.

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Upcoming Classes

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Jason

Classes coming for Missouri firefighters. Look out for information on these upcoming classes.

Safety and Survival Skills on the Fire Ground

April 27 and 28, Boles Fire Protection District
May 3 & 4, North County Training Association
May 15 & 16, St. Louis City FD
May 19 & 20, DeSoto City FD
June 2 & 3, Holts Summit FPD

These are free classes, but you must register with the host department. We and the host agencies will be putting out fliers and more information soon.

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Bailout Window Anchors – What’s your weapon?

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Frank

A recurring question that comes up during almost every firefighter escape or bailout class is which anchor hook most people use and why. We like to train firefighters with the equipment they have, but the hook debate always seems to cause some passionate opinions on which is best and why. I feel that it is not as important what hook you have, but whichever you are using… be an expert with it. No matter what system you are using you must know how to use it properly in any and all conditions that you may face as a firefighter.

We have students that ask if they must wear structural firefighting gloves when they take our classes. As you can assume our response is always the same, you should practice as you play. We feel like if you cut corners in training scenarios, you will repeat your training performance when under stress. So we encourage students to put themselves in situations that are realistic to what they will face in real situations.

Having said that, I would like to hear from all of you as to what anchor you use and WHY. Please take the time to leave constructive opinion and discussion as to why you prefer a given device. If you have used and like multiple hooks that fine also. Please try to avoid arguments which really don’t help anyone. I am looking for reasonable reviews of the popular anchors so others can more quickly research and develop an opinion on anchors to test when making an equipment purchase.

Thanks, Frank

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Vent, Enter, Search Video

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Jason

Here is an excellent video on VES. There are additional techniques for performing VES that are not in the video, but I think these guys did a great job hitting the important factors of VES and the basics.

You must remember that VES must be trained on and it is an assignment, not free lancing. There must be coordination and communication and you can’t be sloppy or slow. Practice and train and expect fire!

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Tools for a Purpose

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Jason

We have taught a lot of classes and trained extensively on numerous firefighter operations. One thing that always interests me is the choice of hand tools by firefighters. Each has their own preference and favorite, but in many cases when challenged as to why that specific tool is their tool of choice, the answer is not clear to them.

Some are bound by the fact that they work on a truck, engine or squad. Some are bound by their riding assignment based on what order they arrive on the scene.  In many cases, however, they just pick what they want and what is convenient or easy to carry.  This is dangerous and we encourage each firefighter to choose their tool with a purpose in mind.

When choosing your tool some things to consider are what your using it for, will it accomplish your tasks, is it durable and reliable and does it complement the tools of other members.

I’m not here to tell you what tool to use, but I have some suggestions for you to consider when picking your tool

–Can you use it for forcible entry or forcible egress?

–Will it get the job your are assigned to do accomplished?

–Will it allow you to perform multiple functions with that tool? Is is versatile?

–Are you familiar and proficient with that tool? Do you train frequently with it?

–Will it complement what your team members are using? This could be especially important for forcible entry and for being a more efficient team.

Take a look at the pictures and discuss the pros and cons of each  tool.  For example, I don’t like seeing guys coming off with a close hook.  It is good for overhaul, but for forcible entry or breaching walls and getting out of a bad place, it’s not very useful.  This is just my opinion. But, I have had firefighters pick that tool because it’s light and easy to carry.

Make the tools that are preferred easy to access and train with them. Clean and inspect them on a regular basis. Take care of those tools.  Get know their capabilities and their limitations.  You have to get your hands on them.

Discuss these options as a crew and/or company and share your thoughts. Take care and expect fire. Train hard!

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Learn the Building

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Jason

Here are some more pictures from my A Shift buddies, Jim, Bob and Dave at Florissant Valley Fire Protection District.  These photos show the challenges of just getting into some of our buildings.  It’s a lot easier to get a good look at the working mechanisms and traits of these obstacles during daylight and in non-emergent situations.

Take time to know what is behind these doors and grates.  What are they protecting and how secure are they? Is just a matter of prying bolts out of the brick and concrete or are they really seated into the building?  Now is the time to find out.

One note, the pic with the bars is actually a smoking lounge for an adjacent bar. Access is made from inside the building but it looks like a different occupancy.  Don’t wait until it’s smokey and dark.

Read the doors and try to identify characteristics that can indicate foricible entry challenges.  Do the doors swing out or in? Are the hinges exposed or protected? Is the jamb protected?

These are also important for RIT operations, to read the building and soften it up for interior crews if a company has not already done so.

Stay alert and get out and look around. You’ll be surprised what you’ll find.

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