Fire Escapes III

Do you want to trust this counterbalance stairway?

Peaked Roof Ops

 Peaked roofs have some different considerations than flat roofs. First and foremost is gaining access to the roof. Ideally ,you will be able to position the apparatus so the aerial ladder will allow the easiest way to the roof. Pulling past or stopping short of the building will sometimes provide the best access. Conduct a size-up as you pull onto the street, location of the fire, presence of wires, and any other obstacle to positioning the apparatus. Remember, you're positioning the turntable and not the cab. Many times members have used the cab to position the apparatus and found out it was in a less than ideal position. Slow down and use your head.

 Once you have positioned the apparatus and are raising the aerial, take a look at the fire or smoke and see which direction the wind (if present) is blowing. This will give you a clue to the best spot to start venting. Bring the right tools with you. We don't use power tools on peaked roofs so make sure you have an axe or adz with you. I prefer a Flathead axe myself, but whichever one you're comfortable with use it.

 After gaining access to the roof and when you have found the ideal spot to vent, begin to vent. If possible, open up on the leeward side of the roof as close as possible to the seat of the fire. Try to open up as many bays as you can. Depending on the slope of the roof, you might be able to make the vent hole as big as 4' x 4' but don't count on it. Never over reach while swinging a tool. You want to have as much control as possible without jeopardizing your footing. I've seen videos where an axe was used to get a foothold and I'm sure it could work. But I wouldn't try it.

 If you can only make it 2' wide then increase the length of the horizontal opening as long as you can. If the attic space is unfinished no other operations are needed. If the space is finished, use your tool or the rake on the aerial and push down on the material with the butt end. Using the butt end of the tool will ensure the tool will not get stuck while you're clearing the way.

 When your done return to the ground for another assignment.

 

Fire Escapes II

 Counterbalanced stairs.Usually located in the rear or side of a building.It provides a means of egress for residents in case of fire or other emergency.It also can provide a means for fire fighters to enter the building to conduct the tasks needed to control the incident.

 A single member with a rake, can pull down on the stairs allowing fire fighters to ascend to whatever floor is needed.

 Some words of caution are needed

• Never stand underneath the stairs.The act of pulling on them can cause the entire stairway to collapse.(in photo 1 the stairs are chained to the balcony rendering it useless as far as we're concerned) 
• Before ascending, test the first step and see if it will support you.(in photo 2 you can see the first step is damaged possibly indicating the entire stairway is in disrepair). I once attempted to use a counterbalance stairway and as I stepped on it the first step completely came off. The stairway went back up, just missing my face, and I decided to find another way to get into the building.
• Remember some of these fire escapes have been there several decades with little or no maintenance performed.Don't wait for the fire to see if there operable, pre-fire the building and notify proper authorities if you find deficiencies.

Once again, always use fire department ladders if you can. As a realist though, I know sometimes that's impossible and you do what you can.

Fire Escapes I

 Fire Escapes, when should you use them and some ideas on using them.A different access point for search & rescue,ventilation ops,advancing additional hose lines, and possibly another way to the roof.

•  Search & Rescue- usually initial lines are getting stretched through the main entrance,occupants are fleeing, creating a logjam.Ladder company members can use fire escapes to enter through the side or rear,depending on location.Clear out the window or force entry to the door you chose and now you have an access point.Now would be a good time to use a personal or search rope.Tie off and go about your search.The rope will assist you if conditions deteriorate and you need assistance in finding the way you entered.
  
•  Ventilation- Venting windows opposite the advancing lines, especially in other than top floor fires.This will greatly help relieve conditions facing the Engines and help improve conditions in the main stairway.
•  Advancing lines- Incident Commanders should consider having later arriving Engine Co's stretch additional lines from different access points.Lines over fire escapes is an option.If you are going to use this option make sure you tie off the line with hose line ropes.This will prevent back pressure from possibly causing members to fall off.
•  Additional means of access to the roof- when other options aren't feasible,building set back,trees in the way, or whatever situation that prevents normal roof access.If the fire escape has an access ladder to the roof, one thing you want to do before ascending is pull on the ladder to see if it's secure.
  

 Realize though, there's NO guarantee that a fire escape is safe.These options are only if the use of department aerials or ground ladders are NOT feasable.Your weight can be the straw that breaks the camels back.Always use department ladders if you can.

 We'll get into different types of fire escapes another time.

Box assignments

 Today's rant is about box assignments and the helter-skelter way companies are moved around.The days of following the card should be a distant memory.Giving certain units city-wide service while others don't respond a mile away is stupid.

 Giving today's computer aided dispatch systems (CADs) and custom programming options I don't see why we don't use a program that will send the closest companies to the fire.Period.

 Now I have benefited & suffered by being on certain companies.Either going by units in quarters to respond or watching them go by us.There's just no justification for this unless the unit is specialized in something that's needed.Tower Ladder, Heavy Rescue etc...

No Tiller!

 Well there goes the Tiller Truck. Rear Mounts only.When I think of fire fighters the first picture that comes to mind is of a tiller truck.The Jake in the back,holding that big wheel, travelling down the serpentine streets of the city.As a young boy I watched fire trucks go by and got excited whenever the tiller went by.Besides school dismissal I can't remember much else that got me all goo-goo eyes over.

 Fast forward a couple of decades later and I realize my dream of joining the brotherhood when I take the oath.I hoped and prayed I would be assigned to one of the few remaining tillers left in the department.But alas, no such luck.

 

 

The Media

 Another day more shit from the local "press".Some of the facts are true but as usual most are skewed to lead people to assume the worst.Blah Blah Blah this Yada Yada that this city this that city that.The word reporter should be changed to rumor spreader and madeupfactoid printer. We have all read the papers or watched the news in our lives and took it for granted that what was reported was fact. Now, if you know what they're doing to us, it makes you wonder about anything else you read or hear. Journalists or whatever you call them, take numbers real or imagined and put it out there in a way to reinforce their agenda or their OPINION.

 Now at the same time you have to look in the mirror and make sure your correct. You can't get mad if your not.The level of professionalism has to improve along with the attitude we have when dealing with the public.Right now a general consensus is that we suck.So what are some of the ways we can improve our image.

 Lets start with the way we look. Stop wearing ratty ass t-shirts.Get a haircut and a shave.Keep your gear clean (also for your own safety).Conduct yourself properly when your in the street.Treat people with respect no matter what their circumstances are.A smile and a genuine concern for your "customer" will go a long way to changing how people think of us.Remember were here for them not the other way around.

 Times have changed,memories are short, people want to see others fail.Knocked off the pedestal.Schadenfreude, it's become the American way.

 

Roof Ops on Three Deckers

OK, no more whining time for serious discussion. 

 Vertical Ventilation- what is it? what are the benefits, when should you NOT do it and why?

  Vertical ventilation is the systematic removal of heat & smoke from the fire building to improve the conditions found within. It allows for fire fighters to enter  the building to conduct search & rescue, advance hose lines and decrease the time needed to control the scene.

 Engine companies and Ladder companies should start their size-up en route to the scene.Some possible thoughts should be- do I know that address? what type of buildings are in the area? is there a building that sticks out? i.e. old mill in a residential area etc. As soon as possible upon arrival stop and take a look at what you got. A quick scan where you're looking for conditions, possible access points, any situation that might preclude the use of the aerial, possible residents at windows and any other thing that could affect the duties  you're to perform.

 Engines and Ladders should coordinate the positioning of the apparatus to allow the Roof member the fastest and easiest way to the roof. This doesn't always mean using the aerial. In the South End, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, North End or anywhere buildings are row houses or even the duplex three Decker in Dorchester where fire is only on one side the structure,you can use the building next door to gain access to the roof , step over any parapet or fire wall and conduct your duties. 

 The average three decker is simple and the same general layout applies to most.On most three deckers the side walls are the bearing walls so the roof joists will run side to side.Upon arriving on the roof make sure you look for a second means of egress in case you need it.Now, where is the fire? Basement, first, second or the easiest, the third floor. Basement,first, or second floor requires some,what I'll call "detective" work. A lot of it is done before you get to the roof. Take a look at the sides of the building.Most wood-frame buildings will have windows at the half-level indicating the presence of the front stairs.Heavy fire and/or smoke conditions will necessitate putting a vent hole over these stairs.Assume balloon frame construction and check around the chimney,soil pipe (generally the biggest chase found) and if there's cock loft vents present. Heavy smoke or a red hot soil pipe indicates the presence of fire.Open up and notify the Incident Commander of what you have.

 A top floor fire is a little easier as far as locating vent holes.You want to put a vent hole as close to directly over the fire as you SAFELY can. Most books,magazines or firefighters will say a 4'x4' hole is perfect. I say make it as big as you can.Sometimes you'll only be able to make an irregular shape hole. Making the cuts are simple and hopefully at this point the roof member from the 2nd truck is up there with you.

 When you access the roof,sound off with your axe or rake to make sure where you step is stable and proceed to the spot you've chosen.When you reach the desired spot get to it. Some fire fighters like to do a quick outline with a tool which also will scrape away some gravel at the same time. I feel this is an unnecessary,time consuming operation.Make sure you have eye protection and use it. It could be the shield attached to the helmet or your own goggles but make sure your eyes are protected. Squinting or looking away is not an option.

 Start the saw and proceed to cut parallel to the side walls.You can make small pull cuts at this time although I have never seen the need for them.Cut the sides until you basically have a square U shape to it.With the old tongue & groove boards you can pull up the roof at this time.With newer roofs the 4th cut will be necessary .Use the rake or halligan and pull toward you. If there's fire in the cock loft obviously you'll be all set unless the need to make the hole bigger or additional holes are warranted.

 The second member on the roof after gaining access, can do the following:

1.  Assist the member with the saw.
   
2. While the member is cutting the ventilation hole, you can reach over the side & start venting windows by breaking them with a rake.Make sure you do it opposite the hoseline.
   

 Roof operations are very important on the fire ground. Every Engine member can attest to the relief given to the members on the line when ventilation is performed. While operating on the roof make sure you are aware of your surroundings. Never blindly walk or operate on the roof. When roof operations are done notify command and get off the roof. 

 Incident Commanders should be aware of the possible need for a hose line on the roof. This is due to the new style of rubber roof coverings being used on roofs today. Roof members have to communicate any possible extension of fire. ICs should look for and note heavy black smoke from the roof as this can indicate fire extension to the roof.

 Another option is to send the full compliment of one of the Ladder Companies on scene to the roof. This will ensure not only having enough members to conduct operations but also a supervisor who can direct operations.

 Feel free to add your own ideas or stories. Maybe you have something to add please do.

 

Leadership

 Leadership- the action of leading a group of people or organization. 

  Pretty simple.

Getting Started

 Getting started is the hardest step.Not caring what others think and pressing forward to satisfy my own personal needs. After reading, subscribing, visiting web sites, I realize how many people are "experts" with theoretical fire fighting,you know the Super Jake who has all the answers. I'm no expert as I know all emergencies are circle jerks and somehow go out or get under control, sometimes in spite of us. Describing my own experiences and thoughts is my only goal.The thoughts and opinions are my own and do not reflect my department. So read, enjoy or disagree but participate.