learn to sharpen more than your tools

Leaders at all levels should hone the edges of their followers’ skills so that they can…well, keeping cutting the proverbial mustard.  This article from Leatherhead 109 is one I needed to read, and I think you might like it too.

strip malls, taxpayers, and such

Whatever you call them, these structures present us with unique challenges.  How do you intend to handle them?  Maybe a few of the pointers in this article will help you plan for it.

the morning routine

There are certain habits we need to have ingrained within us; one of those is the process by which we perform our equipment checks.  Establishing a regular order to our first order of business, paying attention to each pertinent detail, and preparing things for the shift ahead — these steps give us the edge we might need out on the street.

While this article is focused towards the truck, the same basic ideas remain true for engine and squad firefighters (though the priority of equipment checked changes a bit based on each company’s mission).

one to cut, one to sound

In most departments and most situations, a two-man crew is suitable for roof operations.  We don’t send two people up there just because one of them might get tired making cuts; they both have work to do.  Read this FSW piece on vertical ventilation, and consider how your department vents the roof.

Fire behavior in modern structures is not the same as we were taught in recruit school, folks…and we unknowingly alter the cycle of fire growth in many cases.  Here’s FSW’s Chris Brennan talking about it.

make good from bad

We’ve all been guilty of skipping steps, of missing things we should have noticed or done.  And we’ll never be perfect, but we must learn from our mistakes.  Those around us, those we serve, those we come home to — they all deserve our best efforts, and that means we need to be critical of ourselves.

I vividly remember a fire I worked where my decisions made things worse.  I made a bad choice based on a dangerous assumption, and while I’m glad no one was hurt in what turned out to be an unoccupied building I still believe we would have saved more of that structure and its contents if I had realized what was best.  In ways it’s still a sore wound, but it’s also taught me something — so I’m a little thankful for that experience.

It’s tough sometimes to admit we’re wrong or that we could’ve done better, but it’s worth it.

finger pointing (one out, three in)

I am imperfect, and sometimes I find myself looking at the faults of others when I should be working on my own.  I bet most of you can say the same if you’re honest about it.  This brief article at Firehouse Zen asks:  what are we gonna do about our deficiencies?  Once we work on ourselves, then we can influence others to achieve positive change.

applying old knowledge to new situations

Another topic we don’t cover enough in fire service training is fire behavior.  This post at Green Maltese gives us a brief refresher in some fire behavior topics, then applies the principles of fire development to modern energy-efficient construction.

Joe Brown from DCFD (or, as some would insist, DC FEMS…ugh) and Traditions Training shares with us another first-hand view of how OVM and roof work is conducted in the District.  Among the things I feel deserve mentioning:

  • Notice how he takes a few peeks overhead as they are arriving on scene.  My guess here is that he’s looking at positioning issues so that the aerial device can be utilized as best possible.  Overhead obstructions require us to give this some thought.
  • Properly staffed ladders allow for the two-team concept:  two or more personnel to interior for search; two or more to exterior for OVM/VES, roof work, ladder support, and other truck functions.
  • Marking the balance point of your ground ladders is a good idea.
  • Notice the smoke conditions on the first floor as he approaches the structure…and compare them with the smoke conditions you see after ventilation has occurred.
  • Low slope roof, so roof ladder not necessary; do your SOPs or SOGs allow for the use of judgment in this?  Or do you have to throw a roof ladder on every peaked roof?
  • Masking up just before entry is a skill everyone needs to practice regularly.  Keeping the gloves on saves time.
  • If a member of the roof team has time to start the saw on the ground, it’s a good idea simply because it warms the saw up.  Then it gets shut off, brought to the roof, and (hopefully) cranks up on the first pull of the rope.
  • This video is an excellent reminder that time is not to be wasted on the roof.  Make the hole and get the hell out!

Watch the recording and see what you get out of it.

Q&A: what do they want from you?

Yesterday I attended a workshop discussing how the fire service trains for and operates in structures assembled using modern building construction techniques, and during that event a much larger question came to mind.  It’s one I’d like for you to consider, and I’d like to hear your answers if you don’t mind…

What do the citizens in your jurisdiction believe your fire department’s duties to be?  To what extent do they expect you to go to protect their lives?  What about their property, or their quality of life?  [If you don’t know for sure, how could you go about finding out?]

Suggestion:  There’s more room to answer if you utilize the Disqus comment feature.

one rung at a time

One of those basic skill sets we must work on regularly is the use of ladders, and yet in many departments this sort of training gets neglected in favor of “sexier” work (or no training at all, in extreme cases).  However, the refinement of our most fundamental tasks — such as climbing ladders — is what gives us the foundation for solid performance.

Give this piece at Average Jake FIrefighter a look and let it inspire you and yours to revisit your old friend, the ladder.

silver bullet

The pressurized water extinguisher (“the can”) certainly doesn’t have the capacity to do what an attack line can, but the abilities of this device combined with its portability make it a useful tool during interior operations.  Generally speaking, personnel operating inside a building without a hose line should have one of these with them — and they should know both its capabilities and limitations.

be fast but don't hurry

Sometimes we get in a rush upon arrival at the scene; adrenalin and excitement get the best of us on occasion.  If we train ourselves to work through a process of taking in information while taking action, following steps such as those mentioned in this piece will provide us with a greater chance of success.