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Train Hard and Be Safe In 2012

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It’s all about training.  From the 6-22′s to the veteran firefighters – if you don’t know ask, never stop learning, and practice more than one option.  When we roll across the door plate,  those in need of help expect our greatest efforts and our families expect us to come home.  Make it happen.

The link below is a great piece from the Chicago Fire Department and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to start your new training year.

Chicago Fire Department – Everyone Goes Home

From my family to yours, have a safe and happy new year.

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Posted by on December 30, 2011 • Filed under: All, Firefighter Training, Instructorship, Leadership

USAR Training Ops

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Here are a few pictures from a recent USAR training at a two story school in Oregon, OH slated for demolition after the first of the year.  Breaching walls and floors, search cam work, and some old fashioned forcible entry included.  See if you can pick up something for discussion at your firehouse.

 

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Posted by on December 21, 2011 • Filed under: All, Firefighter Training, Rescue • Tagged: , ,

FDIC 2012 – School Bus Extrication

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Below is the description for my classroom presentation at FDIC 2012, April 19, 2012 (1530-1715 hours).  Check out the rest of the program options here.

School Bus Extrication 

Imagine arriving on scene to find an overturned school bus with students trapped, injured, and screaming for help. Whether you are in an ambulance or a fire engine, your first priorities will be numerous–initiating the incident command system, determining hazards and the number of patients, triaging, entrapments, and dealing with walking wounded scattered around the scene. This class covers basic to advanced extrication techniques that include window, door, sidewall, roof, and floor breaches; stabilization; and underrides, rollover pinning, driver entrapment, and roof intrusion causing entrapment.

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Posted by on December 21, 2011 • Filed under: All, Firefighter Training, School Bus Extrication, Vehicle Rescue • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Heavy Vehicle Lifting Plans – A, B,C…

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What’s your plan for a collision pinning a victim between the hood of a car and the rear-end of a heavy vehicle?  Is this an unlikely scenario?  Whether you are in a small town or big city, commercial vehicles are stopping and going through your jurisdiction daily.  See my previous post on cribbing for heavy vehicles to get an idea of the weights.

It is imperative for us to have options to mitigate this type of incident and be flexible enough to recognize when another option is necessary.  The equipment on our rigs and mutual aid rigs is certainly going to be plan A and probably B.  How much cribbing do you carry, how many airbags, what are their lift capacities, what about stabilization struts?  Beyond that, outside help may be necessary. (more…)

Posted by on December 17, 2011 • Filed under: All, Company Drills, Firefighter Training, School Bus Extrication, Vehicle Rescue • Tagged: ,

Training – Are You Doing Enough?

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Phil Burden with JD Vasbinder. Two great trainers!

The following post contains some thoughts on training from Firefighter Phil Burden (retired Westerville (OH)).  My conversations, training opportunities, and email correspondence with Phil are motivating to say the least.  Firefighters must gain the insight and knowledge of seasoned veterans, adapt to current day environments, and pass on the traditions and love for the fire service. 

We often have slogans in the fire service that make us sound better than the other departments or houses.  Like Phil’s, Second to None, or the houses up the road; Look Busy Till We Get There, First In Last To Leave – Pride of the Southside, Well Done at Ones, and the list goes on… (more…)

Posted by on December 16, 2011 • Filed under: All, Firefighter Training, Instructorship, Leadership • Tagged: , ,

Electrical Hazard Recognition – Fireground & MVC’s

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We had the opportunity to gain some valuable knowledge from our local electric utility company at a recent training.  They provided answers to questions with professional and expert recommendations.  First, I’ll review some terminology through pictures.  Second, I’ll list a series of questions that were asked of the utility company personnel and their answers.  Lastly, I’ll review several fireground tasks that are controversial or potentially dangerous.  At no point during this post am I giving you fail proof advice and you should always err on the side of caution when dealing with electrical emergencies.  Seek expert consultation from your local utility company when in doubt. (more…)

Posted by on December 8, 2011 • Filed under: All, Firefighter Training

Type A School Buses / LPG / Heavy Lifting

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Coming in 2012 will be an option from General Motors for liquified petroleum gas (LPG) in Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana cutaway 4500 vans, which are used in Type A school bus applications.  About 2,600 LPG (autogas) fueling stations are scattered around the country with an anticipated increase in the future making this a feasible option.

As firefighters, our challenges will become apparent when considering a rear-end under-ride after checking out the picture below.  These tanks may limit lifting options.

School Bus Fleet

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Posted by on December 6, 2011 • Filed under: All, Vehicle Rescue • Tagged: , , ,

Cribbing For Heavy Vehicle Lifting

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Here is a basic review of wood cribbing capacities and then some thoughts on how to increase your crews critical thinking before the heavy rescue lifting call.

Are you prepared to lift a heavy vehicle off of an entrapped victim?  Do you have the knowledge, equipment, and cribbing to make the rescue fast and safe?  Fast is a relative term in this case.  Technical rescues are not often fast, but we should strive for expeditious rescue with coordinated and competent techniques. (more…)

Posted by on December 5, 2011 • Filed under: All, Company Drills, Firefighter Training, Rescue, Vehicle Rescue • Tagged: , , ,

Umbrellas & Sprinklers

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The pictures below were sent to me by PTFD Lt. Bronner while on a road trip.  

After you get done chuckling at the photos below consider the following:

  • Are your walk-throughs, inspections, and preplans catching building or content alterations that could potentially place you or the occupants at a disadvantage during a fire?
  •  Would the umbrella material melt away and not interfere with sprinkler coverage?

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Posted by on December 3, 2011 • Filed under: All, Firefighter Training

Leadership Style Assessment

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I am currently undertaking the most challenging collegiate educational journey of my life in Capella Universities MPA program.  Typically, my post’s are on rescue, extrication, and training, but I plan to throw in fire service relevant leadership and motivation posts from the knowledge I gain.  This post will help you evaluate your personal leadership style, which in turn will help you lead to greater heights in the firehouse and on the fireground. (more…)

Posted by on December 1, 2011 • Filed under: All, Leadership • Tagged:
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