Pool Rescue

We are deep into summer weather now and people all across the world are taking to their local pools. Some of these pools have life guards but a lot of them do not, and as usual people depend on us to keep them safe, or save them when they are in danger.

When is the last time you have trained on removing victims from a pool?

What is you protocol for patient care in these situations?

Do you know how to shut down a pool drain?

What equipment do you have to effect a pool rescue?

This self assessment is vital to the success of any operation. Now I know we can not know everything about every pool in our district, but the public pools,  the pools in apartment complexes, and gyms (YMCA’s, Golds Gym etc.) we can preplan those, and find out as much as we can about them and the capabilities they have to effect a rescue prior to our arrival.

Take a look at the video below, what would you, or even could you do if faced with this situation? What resources will you need to make this outcome succesful, and how long to get them to mobilize? I know in my department we have a Water Rescue Team, but they tend to specialize more in swift water (on the river) and diving, plus getting them and all of their equipment on scene and then them getting into action will be time-consuming. I’m sure this is a similar circumstance to other departments out there.

Leave you plan of action, or any other feedback or comments below in the comments section, on email, or twitter www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

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

Pool Rescue, posted with vodpod

Low Man Power Operations

This is a problem that is plaguing the fire service all across the country, no this is not a volunteer or career problem this is an US problem.

All across the nation we are trying to do more with less, while the numbers out there show that the more people we have the better job we can do, fire departments are still being met with cuts to staffing. Those cuts range from reduction of firemen on the rig, company brown outs, or even layoffs.

While I belive that we need to continue this fight to ensure that we are getting what we need to do our job, we have to prepare for the fires we are going to fight, and that means training with realistic conditions, and staffing levels.

In the video, you can see two engines arrive on scene one with 2 and the other with 4 for a total of 6 (with only 4 that are actually working). The both begin engine company operations and put a good knock down on a rapidly extending fire. While this is good, we have to remember the other jobs that need to take place on the fire ground. Did anyone search? Did anyone secure utilities? Was a 360 done? While we would like to assume that some one searched off of the hoseline, we know that this will only search from the point of entry to the fire room, and leave a good portion of the residence unsearched. Typically if no one is assigned search, or those other functions they often get forgotten especially when a ladder, or rescue company is not on scene. While engine work is the backbone of the fireground we have to ensure that the other vital tasks are taking place.

Instead of stretching two lines on this fire, perhaps splitting the crews and having 2 stretch the line, and 2 search while the driver of the second engine (since they did not lay out) would not have to pump and could perform outside truck functions.

The point is to seriously asses your response, and staffing and figure out what you can do on the fireground, then train on that until you can not get it wrong.

Thos of you that are faced with similar situations what are you doing? Have you had to “no go” certain tasks due to your staffing? Let us know your plan in the comments section. Also any other feedback is always welcome via email, or twitter at www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

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

Working House Fire At 50 Washington In New Chic…, posted with vodpod

Back up line vs 2nd line: What is the difference?

Thanks to Danny for providing us with another great post. Leave your feedback below in the comments section, email, or twitter at www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

Have you ever pulled on a fire scene as the 2^nd or 3^rd due engine/quint and been told to pull a “backup line” or a “2^nd line”?  Have you ever wondered what exactly the difference is?  Well the answer is actually quite simple but your definition must match up with the Incident commander’s definition.  You must clarify your orders with the IC; this can be done effectively by repeating your orders back to the IC via radio or face to face.

            The engine company is the most vital part of any successful fire operation.  As I was once told by a firefighter who’s smarter and wiser than me that “If you put the fire out all the other problems go away”.  This means that you could have occupants trapped and hanging out of windows and if the fire is put out quickly and efficiently then these problems fix themselves pretty soon after.  Getting attack lines into strategic positions as quickly as possible is the #1 priority for any engine/quint company on the fire ground.  Now if you’re the officer in charge of an incoming engine/quint company and your crew is tasked with providing a “backup line” or a “2^nd line” YOU need to know the difference.  It could be the difference in the fire going out quickly or being on scene with a “Surround and drown”. 

            A “backup line” does exactly what it says and backs up the initial fire attack team.  The rule of thumb for deploying a “backup line” is that it should be of the same size or larger than the 1^st line, for example if the 1^st due engine/quint pulled a 1 ¾ but the conditions call for a larger caliber line than the backup line should be a 2 ½.  If conditions do not call for a larger line it should at least be equal size.  Remember the following acronym when deciding what size hose line to deploy in these situations; ADULTS

Advanced fire conditions upon arrival

Defensive operations

Unknown location of the fire

Large structures

Tons of water needed

Standpipe system

If you have one of the above situations than more than likely the 2 ½ should be the line of choice, with a smoothbore nozzle of course but that is a totally separate discussion. Now some doubters will say the 2 ½ is too big, cumbersome, and manpower intensive but the bottom line is that if it is pumped at the right pressure and is trained on regularly the 2 ½ is a very versatile tool to quickly deliver a knockout punch to a rapidly growing fire.

            To summarize the purpose of the “backup line”, it should go in the same direction as the initial attack line and its sole purpose is to protect the fire attack team as they make a push on the fire. 

            The “2^nd line” is another option for the IC.  When asked to deploy a “2^nd line” you as the engine/quint boss should be thinking about where the fire is going next.  The “2^nd lines” purpose is to fight fire where the 1^st line isn’t, its primary duty is to go wherever the fire might be heading.  A good example of this would be a fire on the 2^nd floor of a 2 story residence.  The hose layout would go as follows; 1^st line would go the 2^nd floor to the seat of the fire and is  placing  a hose line in between the fire and any potential victims, backup line would go to the top of the stairs to protect the fire attack team, and lastly the 2^nd line would go to the attic to check for vertical fire extension and also suppress fire along the way.  The same rules apply for the 2^nd line just as they do for the backup line when selecting the proper hose line size.

            In conclusion the very simple task of providing a “backup” or a “2^nd line” can become very confusing if everyone’s vocabulary isn’t on the same page.  It is vital to know exactly what your assignment is when given by the IC.  If your unclear do not be afraid to ask him to clarify what he/she needs done.  The proper placement of all hose lines is in fact a matter of life and death and in the end you be saving your own life.

 

Safety and Survival Week: Final

Sorry for no post yesterday, but I was busy taking my NREMT-I practical exam. I passed by the way.

This is the final post for Safety and Survival week and I want to focus on the core to all of our issues, physical fitness. Now trust me like I have said before I am not a picture of fitness, I will never be on a hot firefighter calendar, and I will never win a fitness competition. However I do workout 3-4 times a week, although it was not always like that. I ballooned up to 216lbs at one point, I was tired all the time, felt sluggish, and the worst thing began to lose the ability to make a bottle last on the fireground. Something had to change so I decided to get back in the gym and get serious today I am 180 and I am running 10Ks, 5ks, and this fall I am going to run the Tough Mudder www.toughmudder.com

Now it is not all working out either, what we eat makes a big difference. I cut out soda, white bread, and a lot of sweets. I was an ice cream every night guy, and now I am an ice cream once a week (or maybe not at all) guy. Also I cut my portions in half. I was usually a 2 serving eater, now I get 1 serving and call it a night, or at a bar I would order 12 wings (or at Hooters 20 wings) now I order half of that. I still drink beer, and eat ice cream but not to the extreme I did. Life is too short to be perfect all of the time but if your eating good most of the time and have a serious work out regimen you will see big time results. The biggest of results has come from fireground performance, I have gained strength, and endurance and I can go like I did when I was 18.

Now my way may not work for you but something out there has to. The video below is just one example of a workout you can do with minimal equipment. While I am a member of a gym, you do not need a gym to get in shape, body weight exercises, and walking/running can give you amazing fitness gains. Chris Brennan and Brian Brush over at www.fireservicewarrior.com also have a fitness program that is broken up into on duty and off duty days if that is more your speed.

The bottom line is all of the things that have been talked about this week are great, but if you do not have the fitness level to bail out, search for missing firefighters, or throw ladders it is all for nothing. Fitness is the final key to survival without it you are just educated, and lack the final component to put that knowledge into action.

If you are interested in what I am doing for fitness whenever I workout I post what I did on twitter under the hash tag #FSWFITNESS, but you gotta follow along on twitter www.twitter.com/averagejakeff  in order to see it, and other expanded content!

I hope you all have had a great Safety and Survival Week, as usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!

 

Fitness, posted with vodpod

Safety and Survival Week 5: Skills

During this week we have been looking at a lot of videos and analyzing what we can do in our own departments, and with ourselves to prevent and survive in the event we are faced with MAYDAY situations.

Now that we understand the problems, and trends that are out there we can start to focus on the individual skills, and drills that will aid us bridge the gap between our knowledge base, and real life.

The video below depicts in my opinion one of the easiest and best ways to bail out, the “Rope Slide”. It is my preferred way to “bail out” I wrote about it here:http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/bailout/

The biggest reason I use the rope slide is because other bail out systems and methods require a harness, which unless integrated into your turnout gear takes to long to build in a hostile fire event which requires immediate bail out. The rope slide only requires a bag of rope, and the ability to hook it to an anchor, which can be done with a knot, or carabiner.

However there is the ability to build your own integrated harness using webbing and the type of bunker pants that have snaps. I posted that video here: http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/build-a-harness/

A lot of these videos come from Dale Pekel and his YouTube page here is the link http://www.youtube.com/user/FFDGP

I can say this with confidence that Dale has the most comprehensive videos on the topic of Firefighter Survival anywhere, if you have a “survival skill” need, question, or issue he has probably done a video about it. You should definitely check it out if you have not already.

Also I have written about this topic in several posts on this blog simply look to the left of the main page, and under the categories heading click on Rescue/RIT/EMS that will take you to several of my opinions, more videos, and skills from previous posts.

The most important thing in any training is to make the skill work for you, again you may not have an integrated harness, but you still need to figure out how to get out in an emergency. The same goes for other variables, take them into account and make them work for you not against you.

If you are doing or have done anything interesting this week for training then please share it! Send us video, pictures, or just comments.

Also do not forget to follow along on twitter, www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

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

Rope Slide, posted with vodpod

Safety and Survival Week 4: Randolph FD Mayday, and Rescue

This video depicts a fire in which a crew is inside searching for reported trapped occupants, and gets cut off by fire, disoriented, and low on air. The MAYDAY comes out and guys begin to spring into action trying to rescue the brothers who are in trouble.

The video ends with them locating the missing fireman, and the visibly exhausted fireman attempting a ladder bail, only to miss the transition and fall from the window.

Again the goal of this week is to watch these videos and pick out what you can do to prevent, and survive if ever faced with these situations. So sit down (either alone or with your crew) and find the answers to questions like these:

What could have been done to prevent this MAYDAY?

What do you have with you to bail out of a window with no ladder?

What could the RIT/RIC have done better?

What could the IC have done better?

When is the last time you practiced a ladder bail?

If you were the RIT/RIC team leader, how would you deploy, and what tools and or resources would you take?

The answers you find may save your life or your brothers lives. Any feedback, or comments leave them in the comments section, email, or twitter.

As always you can follow along on my fire service journey at www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

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

Randolph Firefighter CLOSE CALL caught on the F…, posted with vodpod

Safety and Survival Week 3:FDNY “Black Sunday” Bailout

This is our third installment of Safety and Survival Week videos. This video depicts the “Black Sunday” Bail Out were 6 FDNY members were cut off by fire, and had to jump, sadly not all of them made it. This incident lead to the FDNY spending thousands of man hours, and dollars researching and outfitting every member with self rescue devices.

In addition to watching the video the radio traffic is worth a listen as well here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXo25xL01MM&feature=related

Again the theme of this week is to listen watch and hopefully gain some insight into what you could do to prevent, or survive these situations.

What do you have to bail out with? What could have been done to prevent this MAYDAY? Was the MAYDAY clear, concise, and informative? Take some time to sit down and answer these questions either alone or with your crew. The answers you find may save your life or the life of a fellow brother fireman.

As for me I am back on shift tomorrow so I will try to get video 4 up, but if not I will do another double post on Friday. If you have any comments of feedback then please leave it in the comments section, in an email, or via twitter.

Speaking of twitter its the place to go for extra Average Jake content that may or may not get posted on the blog, but it is always something good! Follow along with my fire service journey at www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

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

FDNY “Black Sunday” Bailout, posted with vodpod

Safety and Survival Week 2

First off apologies for not getting this up yesterday, it was a busy day at the firehouse (unfortunately not call wise) and I had my second to last ALS class in the evening so I was strapped for time.

Anyway here is the second “Safety and Survival Week” video I am sure a lot of you have seen this one as it has been featured and sold on www.thebravestonline.com

In it depicts a large commercial occupancy (which in my area we would call a high-rise). During the interior operations a Captain becomes lost, disoriented, and runs out of air.

Again like the last video the point of this week is to analyze the situation and to figure out how we can survive if faced with similar situations, or prevent them from happening in the first place.

So sit down today (alone or with your crew) and ask What could have been done to prevent this MAYDAY? Was the MAYDAY given enough information? If you were the IC what would your actions have been? If you were the RIT/RIC team leader what would your actions be (include equipment)?

Please feel free to leave any feedback, and or comments in the comments section, email, or twitter. The blog is fun, but even more fun when we get a good conversation going. If there was ever a week were we should be talking this is it.

Do not forget to watch part two here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmj4Xh7LNGA&feature=related

Also do not forget to follow along on twitter www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

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

Houston Firefighter Mayday 1 of 2 TheBravestOn…, posted with vodpod

2011 Safety and Survival Week

For most Safety and Survival Week starts today (I know the week starts on Sunday but most firehouses around the country Sunday is a day of rest). The theme this year is “Surviving the Fireground”. The focus is preventing the MAYDAY, Calling the MAYDAY, and Self Survival Operations. I am hoping to post a video everyday this week related to the topic.

The first video is from my home state. It shows a firefighter falling from the attic all the way into the basement.

The goal of this week is to analyze what you would, and can do in these situations to survive.

Could this have been prevented? What actions should have been taken to prevent it? Was a proper MAYDAY given? Was proper response/attention given to the MAYDAY? Imagine you’re the RIT/RIC leader or crew member, how would you respond, locate, and remove this victim? What tools would you bring?

Sit down today with your crews or just with yourself and get the answers to these questions, the answers may save one of our own.

Do not forget to follow along on Twitter www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

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

Bedford Mayday, posted with vodpod

Richmond Beat The Heat 5k Results!

So today I ran the Richmond Fire Department Beat The Heat 5K! Overall it was a great event that raised money for the Richmond Firefighters Scholarship Fund which provide educational monies to children and spouses of current Richmond City Firefighters.

 

 Here I am coming to the finish line, overall my run was ok. I was coming off a slight knee injury.

Officially I finished in 30 mins and 6secs which placed me 131 out of 311 overall and 32 out of 50 in my age bracket. The only issue I have is that the time is measured by 1 clock that starts at one time. So when the clock started I had still not crossed the starting line which affected my overall time as there was time running while I was not. I know it is all in fun but I am competitive and want to go as fast as I possibly can.

The real story however was during the Kids “Fun Race”

 Here I am with the third place finisher in the Kids “Fun Race”. He made his daddy very proud, and all you kids take notice, next year he is gonna train and he is coming for first place!

Over all this was a great event and it supported a very good cause. Make sure you do not miss next years!

Do not forget to follow along on twitter www.twitter.com/averagejakeff

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