Put the Fire Out

The below video in my opinion reinforces a lot of the concepts we talk about on this blog, and that are being discussed on various fire service blog sites all over the internet.

You will see a fire free burning, and a victim jumping from a window, being caught by firefighters on the exterior. At first glance this may seem like a “good job”. However if you look beyond the rescue and at some of the other things involved in my opinion it shows some room for improvement.

First off I am not discounting the rescue, the guy was ready to jump, and no ladders were present so the fireman did what they had to do and caught the guy. Thats the right thing to do and quite frankly what we signed up to do. However did it have to come to this? Sure we have an advanced fire, but it is obvious that people showed up not ready to work. While this fire is burning out of control guys are kneeling in the front yard putting on their masks while the fire continues to burn out of control. The hose line is already charged and it is not being put to use because no one is ready to go.

Like I have said in several posts I am a “mask up in the truck guy” I feel it avoids situations like this. In fact I have even begun doing some workout routines wearing my mask, and can see the health and operational benefits. If you’re not a “mask up in the truck guy” then you have to be able to put your mask on with your gloves already on and in very short order. The longer it takes you to spring into action, the worse the situation is getting inside.

The second point is that the fire is still burning out of control and the hose line is charged. This tactic has seen its critics and its no appropriate for every fire but, an exterior STRAIGHT, or SOLID stream could be applied from the exterior. No one wants to stand outside, but it is never about what we want to do, and it should be about what is best for the victim. Applying an exterior stream would slow the fire down enough to allow for a ladder to placed at this window, so that the victim could climb down instead of jump. It might even put the fire out! Either way this is better for everyone involved.

Remember a well placed hoseline has provided the rescue of more victims, than the best search team out there. As the late Andy Fredericks said “Put the fire out and everything gets better”.

Remember treat every call as the fire of your life, until you get there and determine it is not. When you show up, show up ready to do your job, whatever your role is that day.

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE. Remember to follow us on twitter @ www.twitter.com/Averagejakeff

Put the Fire Out, posted with vodpod

 

FDIC 2011 Memorial Stair Climb

I posted about the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in my FDIC 2011 Review here: http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/fdic-2011-review/

I actually took some video of it myself, but the attached video is FAR superior and I think it is important to show just how difficult this task really was and the sacrifices needed to complete such a thing. It also represents the brotherhood of the fire service. I definitely want to participate in one of these in the future and I hope they make this a yearly event at FDIC, what a great way to remember our fallen brothers, or to “Never Forget” them.

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE! Do not forget to follow us on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Averagejakeff

FDIC 2011 Memorial STair CLimb, posted with vodpod

 

FDIC 2011 Review

 

Well I am back home from the annual fire service meeting of the minds known as FDIC, and I can honestly say this year was AWESOME! It was definitely a different view of the conference as in the past I have worked it as a volunteer, and have just been a regular attendee. This year however I taught a classroom session on Wednesday and I have definitely seen the different side of the conference coin so to speak.

I will be honest I thought I had a good handle on it, because my wife, and father in law had taught before, but teaching is completely different from just going to the conference.  Here is a picture of my poster, overall the class went very well, especially considering the competition I was up against, I had a great turnout, and really liked the interactiveness of the discussion the class created. I also got several ideas on how to improve the program, and other programs that I feel I can bring to the conference in the future.

 Here is a picture of the Challenge Coin all instructors at the conference received. This is just one of the many little things that FDIC does to ensure anyone who is teaching is well taken care of. From way to nice hotel rooms, speaker rooms, gifts, and a real brotherhood atmosphere no matter how big or small your name is, if your teaching at FDIC you and your needs are important.

Of all of the times I have been to FDIC and all of the classes, and events I have been to I rarely have any regrets when I leave. This year I left with a HUGE regret. The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, was probably one of the best displays of brotherhood, I have ever witnessed. I regret not participating, I watched and was moved by the imagery of the brothers and sisters with pictures of the 343 making the long walk up the Lucas Oil Stadium steps, and I immediately regretted not doing it. I kind of felt like a scum bag. I use FDIC for a lot of things, learning, teaching, and relaxing. I felt selfish for not giving up one night of drinking, or a day of taking it easy to memorialize our fallen brothers. I hear there is one coming to DC, and I hear they may be one coming to other locations close to me. I will definitely be participating in one of them, and I hope FDIC does one again next year so that I can participate.

While I do not want to compete for longest blog post of the year I do not want to end on a sad note, now everyone knows that FDIC has some of the largest assembly of apparatus anywhere in the world. However I never expected to see this  The DeLorean from Back to the Future! This is a classic movie car and it was very cool to see.

Well all in all FDIC was a success on multiple levels for me, and I am looking forward to going back next year, I have got a few more pictures to post once I finish downloading them, and I will post them in a subsequent post. I can say if you have never gone to FDIC you are missing out! You do not want to let your Fire Service career go without going. I do warn you though, if you go once you will want to go EVERY YEAR! I also posted the FDIC keynote speech in the post as well if this does not get you fired up then, perhaps you should become a COP….ha ha ha.

One other side note we are now Twittering, Tweeting or however you say it. Go to www.Twitter.com/AverageJakeFF in order to follow us. It’s just getting off the ground so be patient. As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

FDIC 2011 Keynote, posted with vodpod

 

Small FDIC update

Greetings one and all just wanted to put another post out there about FDIC

Things have been going great and as the conference begins to come to a close I am already thinking about getting back home to apply everything I have learned. Here are a few teaser pictures for you but make sure you stay tuned for my big FDIC review. Until then thanks for reading, spread the word, and stay safe!

LIVE FROM FDIC!

Greetings from INDY! I just wanted to take a quick moment to touch base with you on all of the great things going on here @ FDIC.

SO far I have enjoyed some good food, good instruction, and GREAT inspiration from various fire service instructors. Yesterday took a 4 hour workshop with Chief Salka, and Chief Lasky. This morning I took a great Engine Company Essentials class from Dan Shaw (Fairfax County Va) and Doug Mitchell (FDNY).

In about an hour I will be teaching my class “Long Stretch Solutions” I am hoping that the people who show up will get something out of it. Hopefully I will not screw up to bad! After my class Im gonna head down to the yearly Norman and Bruno Unplugged lecture and then to the Metro FOOLS party in front of Ike and Jonsies.

If you are here in Indy then please come and say hi, if you’re not I hope your following along via Facebook, Twitter, and Fireengineering.com.

 I will hopefully have some time to give another update in the next few days, and will be giving a full review when I get back home. Thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE.

Leaving on a Jet Plane…

Tomorrow morning I am heading out to FDIC in Indianapolis Indiana. I’m lucky enough to have been selected to teach a classroom session on Wednesday. I am even luckier to have had the chance to attend FDIC about 7 times, it always is a great time and a great chance to learn, network, and recharge my fire service batteries.

Rhett over at Fire Critic (www.firecritic.com) posted his “guide” to FDIC here: http://firecritic.com/2011/03/the-fire-critics-guide-to-fdic-2011/# I was lucky enough to make the list and I hope my class lives up to the hype. Teaching at FDIC for me is like shooting hoops with Michael Jordan, catching a pass from Joe Theisman, or batting against Steven Strasburg. To even be in the same book listed as instructor next to great fire service names like Ray McCormack, John Salka, Mike Dugan, Mike Ciampo, Rick Lasky, John Norman, etc. is almost overwhelming. I’m nowhere close to the same caliber as those guys but they all started somewhere just like I am getting started.

So if you’re coming out to the conference come see my class, and to add to the list sign up for the Pre Conference Workshops and go see these two classes

4-Hour Workshops: Monday, March 21, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Emergency Response to Large Events
Frank Cheatham, Health and Medical Emergency Response Team Coordinator, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services
Many departments have large events/gatherings in their response area. With each of these events come a unique set of issues that can quickly impact a department’s day-to-day operations. This workshop will examine several types of large-scale events and help the participants develop an understanding of the unique needs of such events and how to best plan for and meet those needs while also providing for the daily needs of the jurisdiction.
ALL LEVELS

4-Hour Workshops: Monday, March 21, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

EMS and ICS: Where Do I Fit In?
Karen Owens, Emergency Operations Assistant Manager, Virginia Office of EMS
When listening to radio traffic in a jurisdiction, you will frequently hear, “Engine 7 on scene, Engine 7 establishing command.” However, how many times have you heard the following radio traffic? “Ambulance 2 on scene, Ambulance 2 establishing command.” While ICS is an all-hazards approach to incident management, the focus is normally the fire service’s involvement in the establishment and management of the incident command structure. Few, if any programs, offer scenarios and position specific information as they apply to EMS providers. This workshop will discuss the roles of the EMS provider in the incident command structure and present scenarios based on the information provided.
INTERMEDIATE
Or come out and see this class during the classroom sessions

Thursday, March 24, 2011
3:30 PM-5:15 PM

Rehab: Beyond the Water Cooler
Karen C. Owens, Emergency Operations Assistant Manager, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services
A comprehensive look at a vital issue: how to establish an effective rehab sector that allows for expansion and contraction based on incident operations. Also, students will compare effective and ineffective standard operating procedures and explore methods for determining fitness-for-duty standards. The NFPA 1584 standard covering rehabilitation and the relationship between incident rehabilitation and ICS will also be discussed.
INTERMEDIATE
Room 127-128

I promise you will not be disappointed!

I will try to give some updates from FDIC while I am there but will definitely be giving you some pictures, and a full review when I return home. So again if you heading out to the conference stop by and say hey, and if you’re not follow the events on the FDIC coverage page here: http://www.fireengineering.com/index/fdic.html , FDIC facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/FDIC/139410512363 , Fire Engineering facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fire-Engineering/58419320350, Fire Critic facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/FireCritic , or the Firefighter Netcast facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/FirefighterNetcast

Most of those guys also have Twitter so you can follow along with the events as they go! Not as good as the real thing but its better than nothing.

So if you heading to Indy I will see you there, if not you will have a full report when I get back. Until then thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

 

It’s the little things

Things are getting really crazy here in my world. With the countdown to FDIC looming, medic class, part-time work, and the regular family stuff I haven’t had a lot of time to do much else.

A lot of time when you are busy it is the little things that either make you or break you. Much like in fires it is the little things. Now a lot can be said or not said about this video but the thing I wanted to point out is the firefighter with the helmet cam stopped to get a line from under a tire so that it could get into place. While this may be insignificant to some, and it probably did not make or break this fire it could make or break the next one.

Sure Engine work is not always glamorous, especially when you not first due, but supporting that first line and first engine are vital, and if not practiced on the mundane calls will never play out properly on the big ones. So no matter who you are (truck, engine, chief) water still puts out fire and if the first line does not get into place then the incident is going to crumble.

Again hope to see you all come out to FDIC and come see my class Wednesday of the conference at 3:15pm. As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

Apartment Fire , posted with vodpod

 

Culture Change?

People continue to talk about our culture and how it needs changing. Some people argue that we need to be less aggressive and more safety conscious, others argue that we already have enough safety in place, and if operations were done taught, learned, and performed right we would be safe.

I tend to agree with both. We need to do both, we need to learn, and do things right the first time but also we need to have a little more safety in mind dealing with the very dynamic factors the fireground offers.

This below video I think represents a little too much safety, and a lot of improper actions that were no performed the right way. Granted this is just a snap shot in time but it seems a lack of aggressiveness in multiple areas led to this fire becoming more than what it should have been. It also appears that the exterior “truck” company functions are lacking (especially in the window breaking department).

Look no one is perfect, and I make mistakes on fires, but the guys who work and have worked with me know that I beat myself up over the littlest mistake and that I am harder on me than anyone ever could be. Perfection is something we will never attain but when you strive for it you tend to come pretty darn close. The biggest change in culture that I see is the caring about the job or as I call it “the give a S^&*” factor. If people cared just a little bit about their fire ground performance a lot of these problems would take care of themselves.

So take a look at the video, and let me know what you think. Leave some feedback in the comments section. As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

Fire, posted with vodpod

 

Must See Mayday from Bedford Va

The below video is from the Bedford Virginia Fire Department and shows a firefighter down scenario that they recently had. Rhett over at www.firecritic.com has some great coverage of it here: http://firecritic.com/2011/03/raw-video-helmet-cam-footage-of-mayday-in-bedford-virginia/#

While the lessons from the video are obvious I want to thank the Bedford FD for this video. In an age where departments are running scared from things like twitter, Facebook, pictures and video cameras it is nice to see a department that not only allows this but puts the video out so that we can all learn from it. I can promise you that if this happened where I worked there would be no video, no pictures, and it definitely would not be put out for others to learn from. It takes a lot of guts to allow people to critique you but a lot of times it is some of the best feedback you will ever get. A huge BRAVO to the Bedford Fire Department.

One additional thing, attic stairs are dangerous, I have personally seen several people fall and get hurt from them just like this firefighter, with the only exception that they did not fall all the way to the basement. In fact a couple of years ago I was activated to a may day where a firefighter fell from the attic into the floor and was hurt. His feet were actually tangled in the debris from the attic steps. We got him up and out of there but it was very similar to this incident. Again attic steps are dangerous make every effort to back them up with an attic ladder ASAP whenever you are putting people in the attic or on these stairs.

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

Bedford Mayday, posted with vodpod

 

The return of the unknown problem, and other things

If you remember a post back in December when I talked about getting dispatched to unknown problems then you already understand where this is going, if not here it is http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/humbled-and-so-much-to-talk-about/ Flash forward (or backwards since it was yesterday) and yesterday we get dispatched for the unknown problem. Like I said in the post about it we made sure this time we did some good “size up” via the CAD screen and the dispatch information. It sounded like the standard person down in the house can not get to the door call. Typically on these calls we “find a way in” assess the patient and determine if transport is needed. As we were making the block the ALS chase car medic from the Volly Squad was waving at us from the front yard, when we pulled up she said “I think I smell smoke”. So acting accordingly we geared up, packed up and added an extra engine and truck to the response. The boss (lieutenant) mad a lad and when he did he found that the storm door on the front was locked preventing us from rapidly getting to the actual door to the occupancy, he called us to the rear were an easier door presented itself. Sure enough you could smell smoke, see a moderate smoke condition in the occupancy, and see a victim/patient in the living room. We forced entry with the irons, but the drawers near the door were open blocking the door from opening, Thankfully the door had windows so we broke a window and I reached in with a tool and closed them. Once in we yanked the victim/patient out of there turned them over to EMS and did a primary search. The search turned up negative for victims and fire. The house had colliers mansion conditions and the end result ended up being a burner left on the stove with paper piled up on it burning. We were probably about 10 minutes from a major fire.  The moral of the story is expect the unexpected no matter where you work, no matter how busy, or slow your company is.

I know if you read the blog you remember the post from the other day here: http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/what-would-you-do-2/

In short its a video with a lot of debate on hoseline discipline and what you should do if faced with similar situations. I also offered my opinion on what I would do and why. Well this morning after the tour was over my brother from my old company “El Guapo” called to tell me about the second of 2 fires they had yesterday (and people wonder why I miss that place). The second fire he told me was just like the scenario in the above post. He was bossing the rig and saw the fire venting out of the window threatening the exterior soffit. He directed the nozzleman to hit it from the exterior (with a straight stream) then enter once the door was open. He said it worked like a charm, did not push the fire, got a good knock on it, kept the fire from growing, and kept the fire from extending to other rooms and the attic. This may not be the key to every fire but this technique when done right can work for you, especially if there is a delay in forcing the entry door.

Also just a reminder FDIC is right around the corner, and I will be making the trek out there and teaching my class “Long Stretch Solutions” on Wednesday 3:30-5:15 room 134-135. I will be there all week and attending several of the special events and other classes. So if you’re coming out to Indy come see my class, and if you see me out and about come over and say hey.

As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!