Acronyms

Ah. Acronyms. Have you noticed that once we adhere to the newest acronym for firefighting it creates a cottage industry in BS. NIMS/ICS, RIT, FAST, Re-Hab etc.

NIMS/ICS now there's a good one. A couple of 8 hour classes to tell me the guy in the white helmet is in charge. No shit! 

RIT/FAST/RIC or whatever you call it. Gee, let me see now, I need to receive special training in how to conduct a search. Head first over a ladder ? Not in this lifetime. What a croc. A retired chief and published author once said to me, alway keep at least one company standing by in case the shit hits the fan. 

Re-Hab whatever happened to an officer or chief just telling you to take a break ? go get some water and cool off.

Hazards

Speaking of windows there's something else to keep in mind when encountering windows.

In the picture you will see what was a window on the landing between the second and third floors of the average three-decker. I don't know the particulars of the situation but I see a window that was taken out leaving a serious fall hazard.

 The window is close to the ground and wide enough for a member to fall right through. A tell tale sign that this window was unnecessarily taken out is the lack of smoke damage around it. Notice the walls are clean of soot.

 To prevent the fall hazard, the member who vented this window could of/should of just took out the top window section.

Venting Windows

Venting windows- when should you break them and when should you just open them.

 A good rule of thumb is something an old-timer told me. If you can stand up without your mask on then just open them. There's no need to break windows that can simply be opened. One part of our job is to limit the amount of damage. There's no reason to cause 50k damage for a 2$ fire.

 On the newer style of windows you can easily take them out without smashing them. Take them out and just put them to side of the opening leaving the homeowner the option of putting the windows back in.

 Time and time again you will see, or rather hear, windows being taken out.There's nothing worse than seeing a window being smashed and no smoke venting out. For me, it's embarrassing and plays to the stereotype that we do extra damage for no reason.

 If you're entering a building from the outside, say over a ladder, you have no other option but to take out the window. This leads to another issue you're seeing more and more.

 When taking out windows TAKE THE WINDOW OUT. Far too many times you will see someone smash a window and move on to the next. If you're going to vent a window clean out the whole window. Do not leave shards of glass in the frame. The remaining glass will present a cut hazard to any members entering or exiting that window.

New Policy ?

I found this on a site geared for Fire Fighters.

Safety Policy

WTF ! 2x.....

 When we take the oath for this job we understand the job is dangerous, dirty, and on occasion deadly. For me it's part of the allure. If I wanted a "Safe" career I would have become a cubicle mouse.

 The new chief is from, you guessed it, a certain large Southwest department who are some "outstanding" jakes. 

That's the problem with the job today. Too many standards & statutes to make the job "safer". I'm all for better equipment but at this rate we'll end up in rated bubble wrap saving chimneys.

Peaked Roof Ops II

 These are some pictures I took of ventilation holes that were performed on an attic fire.

Good size and in a good location. These holes were done using an adz and a flat head axe. 

Remember to control your swing and make sure your footing is secure. 

Bunker Gear Ensemble

Bunker Gear. When I first heard we were going to this set up I was dumbfounded and disappointed in the decision. Safety this, safety that and other alleged factors that contributed to the decision.

 Fast forward to when we received the set up. I put it on and thought the coat fits well, short but comfortable. The pants, well that's another story. Uncomfortable, bulky and definitely poor quality. Certain companies had tried different manufacturers sets and said the pants they tried felt much better, but low-bid is the rule of the job.

 Getting used to them took a while but eventually I did and they were o.k. at best. The first time I had to ascend a ladder with the pants on I knew I would never care for them. Range of motion was limited and the pant legs rode up and over the top of the cheap rubber boots we were also given.

 The couple of things I will say I like are :

 1) Your legs don't get as cold in the winter 

 2) Minor cuts & abrasions are almost eliminated

 3) While advancing a line the extra cushioning of the pants seemed to save your knees 

I can't think of anything else to say positive about the pants.

They say the Bunker Gear is safer but never provide any stats or information to back it up. When we experimented with not wearing them the rate of leg injuries did not rise. I know of 2 leg burn injuries that occurred and both times the members were wearing the pants.

 I wonder sometimes if any of the agencies or groups who think up all these standards for the job are on Planet Reality or are they more concerned with continuing their existence. Helmets, trucks, and other equipment we use are getting bigger and more importantly costlier. I love the job and realize times are changing but at the end of the day it's still about putting the wet stuff on the red stuff. 

 

Rubber Coats

 Ah... rubber coats. I hear so many people romanticizing rubber coats that I need to add my 2 cents. 

 When new they were extremely uncomfortable but once broken in you got used to them. Easy to get on, a few snaps, the clips and you were all set. When wet they would dry quickly. As long as you weren't somewhere you shouldn't  be, they offered adequate protection. While ascending ladders I never felt encumbered by the coat.

 Now, the other side of the coin.

 They easily ripped and didn't last long. When the liner was removable you could wash it. Later versions came with the liner permanently attached. After a few runs you needed a shower to get rid of the smell of sweat and funk that permeated the liner.

 I'm glad I had the chance to wear rubber coats and I still have one but they belong in the past with a few other things.

 

First Fire or Job for you buffs

  It was an uneventful Saturday night, first "P" tour overtime. Company is 1 & 5  so I'm riding up front in the middle.

  After investigating a central station alarm ,we were returning to the house when a box came in. "Receiving calls for" came over the radio and my heart rate went through the roof.   

   I remember telling myself to remain calm or at least act like I am. The Lieutenant was saying something but all I could think about was it's make or break time. Was all the training and drilling going to pay off ? or was I going to drop the ball. 

  Pulling onto the street we could see 3 windows of fire showing, a line being stretched into the building and the first due Ladders aerial going up to the roof. The chief wanted a couple of members to go to the roof, first in ladder was doing primary searches.

  We ascended the aerial carrying our equipment. I'm trying hard not to stare at the fire and remember everything I was ever told about venting the roof.

 On the roof, the senior man (excuse me, fire fighter) started to sound off on the roof with an axe.

 "O.K., right here" he said, so I put down the saw and started to scrape away gravel. "F*ck that drill school sh*t , just cut". As he told me where to cut I operated the saw. One piece of gravel to the face (cheek) reminded me to use my eye shields. After cutting a nice size hole another member, using the rake pulled up the roof boards, immediately enshrouding us in smoke ,while a third reached over the B side of the building and smashed the windows he could reach.Within seconds the smoke was replaced by fire.

  I asked him what was that noise we were starting to hear from inside the building that sounded like a rumble and he said it was the line advancing into the apartment.

  We cut another hole about 15' to 20' away from the original and I thought we were done. The senior man said time to find the Loo, he might want to show you some things inside.

  After using the penthouse door to go down stairs we found the Lieutenant in the fire apartment. We started overhauling, pulling ceilings, moldings, cleaning out the windows and the like. 

  I remember thinking how tired I was after working for a half hour or so. I did demo work before coming on and thought I was ready for the work load. Wrong. Overhauling was wearing me out. 

  The little orange glows in the smoke blew my mind. Guys smoking in the smoke & debris, busting balls on who did what and who didn't.

  Back at the house I asked the senior man how did he know the hole was 4' x 4', he said he didn't. He tries to make them the biggest he can. I also asked him how did he know where to cut and he replied where he felt the roof was getting a little soft.

  A few things I learned from it was,

     learn to pace yourself,

     wear your eye protection when using tools,

     don't be afraid to ask questions from more experienced members.

  One other thing the senior man said to me, that I'll never forget, was no matter how long you're on you can always learn more. Never think you know it all. From your first tour to 30 plus years later you can always learn something new, don't forget it.

  

     

  

 

Fire Department Connections

Fire Department Connections (FDCs) are located everywhere in the city. Engine company members should familiarize themselves to the locations of the FDCs. Every time you respond to a location take the time before,during, or after the incident to look for them. Learn the proper ones to feed. In many buildings and in particular, High-Rise buildings, they will have different FDCs for each zone. They should be clearly marked and labeled for what zone they feed. Take a look before you connect to see if there is any debris you can reach in and clear. The picture shows one without the proper covers to prevent debris from entering the system. The other is of a Stortz connection, which is not allowed in our city. You will find them all over the place but if you see one in our city, notify Fire Prevention, write an Abatement and follow up. It's a simple conversion.

Fire Escapes V

Another fire escape. This one is in pretty good shape. You'll also see the escape ladder in the left corner. A fire fighter can easily access this building to conduct VES operations (Vent, Enter, & Search).

 I once responded to a fire in a similar building and while enroute we could hear that the 1st in Engine was having difficulty gaining access to the front of the building. We took the rear and stretched a line over the fire escape, into the adjacent apartment, out into the public hallway and into the fire apartment. 

 In the lower right corner you'll see another example of a Party Balcony. I tried to get a better picture of it but a Meter Maid threatened to ticket me if I didn't move. 

Fire Escapes IV

Here's an example of a Party Balcony. Designed to enable residents to evacuate from an untenable place to a tenable position during a fire. A fire wall or fire partition separates the different areas. Usually found in the rear but look for them on all sides of the structure. You'll probably find most people on the balcony awaiting Fire Fighters assistance. Use department ladders and throw the ladder to the wall adjacent to the balcony, a couple of rungs above the height of the balcony. This will allow residents to easily step over onto the ladder. It will also avoid the posibility of causing an Impact Load, which can be the straw that breaks the camels back, causing the Party Balcony to fail.

Illegal Apartments III

This window is from an occupied unit that had a family living there. Notice the garbage bag for a window. The owner told me it provided access to the party balcony for escape!

This picture isn't the best but double click and you can see a little clearer  of what I'm saying.

Illegal Apartments II

This is a "Means of Egress". These conditions were found by an astute Captain while operating at an EMS call. Two views . Once again, follow all department procedures in mitigating these conditions.

 How would you like to respond, to find this in smoke and heat. Who would think to find this, preforming a primary search or stretching a line and falling into this "stairway". 

Illegal Apartments I

Illegal apartments, unfortunately, are a real and serious hazard. They are found all over the city and in any conceivable location. Do not think that just because your stationed in an affluent section you're immune to this problem.

 Without getting into the reasons behind them, let's get into recognizing and taking the proper steps to mitigate there presence.

 Most of these "apartments" will be found while responding to the usual incidents. The Central Station Alarms, medicals, and the like. 

 If in your normal operations you notice that maybe this place might be an illegal apartment, TAKE the appropriate steps to notify the proper authorities to there presence. First step should be to notify the Chief to respond and also the cities inspections section, building department et al. Try to get the owners name, information ( number, address etc.)and  if possible to get them to respond to the location. I, myself, if I'm able to talk to the owner, will just tell them of the need for their presence to clarify some issues. 

 If you don't have Abatement's on you, start writing down all you see. So when you return to the firehouse you can look up the proper codes for the violations that are found. Leave no stone unturned while in the building. Also remember the need to stay on scene until the arrival of the proper authorities.  Leaving the scene before the ball is rolling will cause the need for permission and/or a warrant to enter at a later date. 

 Remember that although you are basically kicking some person or family from their "home" safety and liability should overrule any reservations you may harbor. The last thing you want is to leave without doing anything. Don't forget we have a Duty to Act and failure to do so can lead to malfeasance charges.

 If at all possible, take pictures. This will help in correcting the problems and exclude the owner from denying the conditions that were found. Document, Document, Document. Did I say Document. At all times do what you have to do. Do Not overlook anything or allow some sob story deter you from doing your job. 

 In the future I'll post some pictures and stories to show some of the conditions myself and others have found.

 

Radios

 Radio Communications are extremely important on the fire ground and as such fire fighters should know everything about their particular model.

 At the start of each tour take a few minutes and go over the radio. Check to see if the battery is charged, clean from debris, and if all the knobs and  other equipment are there and operable.

 Conduct a radio check with Fire Alarm, if possible, to see if your radio is transmitting and receiving properly. Only then can you consider one part of your pre-tour equipment check done.

 I once responded to a fire right at shift change and in the rush to get on the rig and respond I didn't check the radio. While conducting a primary search of the first floor, I stepped into a hole cut to vent the basement from a previous fire. This building had two fires in the last month.

 After falling into the hole, I found getting free difficult, in other words I was stuck. At this point I realized the radio wasn't transmitting and an excessive amount of expletives wasn't going to free me.

 I could see the glow from the fire getting bigger and the room was heating up. I remember thinking that I was going to die because I was too lazy to check my equipment, not even a quick check while responding.

 Fortunately, a member of another truck heard me yelling for help and was able to help me free myself. 

 I vowed right then and there to never skip checking all my equipment before getting on the rig. To make sure all of it was there and working. No more cheaters too. But that's another story.

 Know your radio, what channel your suppose to be on, how to use the emergency button, how to use the departments mayday procedures and how to give as much information as you can as to your location in the building.

 All members have radios now. The days of only the officer and a few others having one are long gone. Like any tool it's only as good as the member using it.