February Drill Of The Month: Self RIT Bottle

I am putting this out a day early since I have to work in the AM, plus February is a short month so you can take that extra day and use it to train.

A lot of times we find ourselves sitting around the firehouse not doing anything. I am not talking about taking a break, or eating, or even down time sometimes we are just sitting there. This is a GREAT time to get that hour of hands on training in. However sometimes you find yourself all alone while trying to get that training done. The guys on your crew may be in the middle of something else, they may be talking to their families on the phone, or they may simply not want to train. DO NOT LET THIS STOP YOU!!!! There is a ton of things you can do on your own to get that training in and make yourself better. Here is an example:

Self RIT Bottle Drill

All you need is the following:

1 RIT Bag

1 Spare Bottle

1 Air Pack

1 Pair Firefighting gloves

First start with going over the pieces and parts of the RIT bag. Work all of the buckles, zippers, connections, etc. with your firefighting gloves on. Also pull out the mask, and transfill connection and make go over how they connect and make sure they are all in working order.

Next put all of the stuff back in the bag. Start a few feet away and crawl to the airpack. Once you reach the airpack go over your down firefighter assessment procedure. Once you do this make the transfill connection to the URC (Universal RIT Connection) or Transfill valve (whatever you call it). Of course we are doing this with firefighting gloves on.

Repeat this as many times as it takes for you to not fumble around with getting the trans fill hose out of the bag and onto the connection. Once you have got it down you can move on to the next phase in the drill.

For this phase we bring in the spare bottle. Start again with you bag fully zipped up, ans squared away. Begin a few feet away and crawl to the spare bottle. The spare bottle is going to simulate a firefighters face and head. Approach the bottle and perform a down firefighter assessment. SImulate that the mask has been damaged, or dislodged and you have to replace it. Then (of course with firefighting gloves on) pull out the RIT mask and place it on the spare bottle, just as you would a down firefighter.

 

The spar bottle can actually be very challenging as in you gloves it can slip and slide, it is a great simulator for a unconcious fireman as they will usually have no muscle control and be difficult to maneuver.

If you want to increase the difficulty, you can add your full PPE compliment with SCBA, black our your face piece, increase the distance, or of course add a live victim.

This drill may seem simple but being able to replace a mask, or make that connection is truly life and death stuff as when you are asked to do it, you will be performing it under fire conditions, with your brother’s life in the balance. Do not let the fact that it has never happened before in your department make this any less important.

Bottom line is there is NO excuse for not training a minimum of 1 hour every shift, even if you are by yourself. No excuses get to work. So this month get out there and work with that RIT bottle hopefully your crew will join you but if not it is ok because you can do it alone.

Do not forget to keep following me on twitter @averagejakeff and let me know what you’re doing for training in your departments by using the hastag #1hourHOT if you send some pictures I will post them on the site.

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

 

Public Service Announcement Part Deux!!!!

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR IRONS!!!!!!!

With your donation of just 1 hour of hands on training a shift you can prevent Halligans like Harry here from being out on the street looking for random doors to force. Harry started off like any other halligan, but eventually he was forgotten by his fire company, and ended up soliciting his forcible entry talents on the street, eventually getting impounded by the local police for participating in a robbery. Sadly this is the fate that most tools face, as there use on the fireground has steadily decreased.

Now Harry is homeless, with his only true companion Alex the Axe. Lets make sure none of our tools end up like Harry and Alex. Donate just 1 hour of hands on training a shift and prevent Fire Ground Tool Neglect.

This Message brought to you by The Firefighting The Right Way Coalition, and Stop Fireground Tool Neglect Foundation.

Don’t Be A Fool, Grab Some Tools!

Be sure to keep following along on twitter @averagejakeff

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

You gotta really want this job…..

I have been reading some pretty motivational stuff as of late, specifically the “Owning The Job” Series over at www.firecritic.com. It has come at a good time when I am kinda down on my motivation (not personal but departmental). Sometimes it is just hard to do a good job with people who do not care (not any one specific person just an overall feeling) so I am trying to take some of these motivational words to heart and trying to stay motivated even in the face of non caring.

I try to be the change, or better yet the fireman I want to see others become. Sadly and for some reason loving the job, and wanting to be fully immersed in it will not only cause ridicule but down right hate for you when dealing with some people. I am being serious when I say that there are people who absolutely HATE me, all because of my level of involvement with the fire service. They know nothing of me the person, yet they still choose to hate usually from a distance.

So then I came across one fo my favorite motivational speeches from one of my favorite movies “Brotherhood” (it’s a must see). It is short and sweet but it really speaks to me. This job is not given to you, sure you can fake your way through a career but at some point the stuff is gonna hit the fan and your going to get exposed for what you really are. You really have to want this job in order to do it the right way, and if you want it you have to come and get it, it is not going to wait on you.

Bottom line I am still chasing this job, there are things that I need work on, and there are things that I have a great grasp of. I even stepped into a whole new world as a medic to which I am like a rookie all over again. I am not perfect (in any aspect of life especially verbal expression, well at least in diplomatic verbal expression) but I will always be chasing, going after the job. Will you? Or will you let this job take a back seat?

Keep following along on twitter @averagejakeff

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

 

You gotta really want this job, posted with vodpod

American Series 2000 Lock

This is just a short video on how to defeat the American Series 2000 lock AKA “The Hockey Puck Lock”. I was originally taught this method by Capt. Robert Morris of the FDNY at FDIC East in Atlantic City New Jersey, during his 8 hour forcible entry class.

One thing to point out is that there are many imposters out there now a days and using the “Series 2000″ stamp as a land mark may throw you off as it may not exist on the lock. However the locking mechanism on these imposters is usually in the same place. If you aim your Cut 2/3 the way up the lock from the key point you will usually be in the right spot. Another hint is that you know you’re in the right spot when you see sparks. With our abrasive blades the metal used in the series 2000 lock will not spark but the internal locking mechanism will. So you know if you see sparks your cutting the locking mechanism.

Be sure to keep following along on twitter @averagejakeff

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

 

 

 

American Series 2000 Lock, posted with vodpod

Public Service Announcement

It is a shame that in an instructional picture on how to “Kick in a door” that a fireman is used to depict the act. Sadly to many of us are out there kicking doors while perfectly good tools are sitting on the rig waiting to get used.

“Don’t be a fool, grab some tools”

This message provided for you by the Firefighting The Right Way Coalition, and the Stop Fireground Tool Neglect Foundation. Lets make sure that every tool has a home and is cared for. No more homeless halligans or hooks, no more transient irons.

With your donation of just one hands on training hour a shift we can help stop Fireground Tool Neglect and save knees, ankles and feet of fireman everywhere.

Be sure to keep following along on twitter, @averagejakeff

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

We are fatter than everyone else!

According to the study done by the NVFC (National Volunteer Fire Council) that firefighters have a higher percentage of obesity (73-88%) than the average American (33.8%).

Obesity is measure by BMI (Body Mass Index) To calculate BMI you can use this link http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm if your BMI is anything over 30 you are considered obese, and according to most health professionals are at risk for heart disease, certain cancers, etc.

The link tot he study is here :http://www.nvfc.org/files/documents/Obesity_Study.pdf So you can view it for yourself.

After reading it I do have a few thoughts.

1. BMI has some draw backs. On the BMI Calculator site (the link I posted above) even will tell you that BMI may overcalculate people with high muscle mass causing them to have a higher score, and it can undercalculate those with low muscle mass. I do not have to tell you the issue here, its pretty obvious.

2. This thing says I am overweight! No obese but overweight. This is hard to swallow as I have made SIGNIFICANT life changes in the past 2 years. I am not a big guy I am only 5foot9 and right now my weight fluctuates between 175 and 178, in order to get into a “normal” range I would have to get into the 160′s. Sure 2 years ago I was overweight I was 216lbs, scratch that I was not overweight I was FAT! So I changed I changed my eating habits, got in the gym and now 41lbs later I am planning on running the 2013 Disney World Marathon, and have completed 10k’s,5k’s,8′ks, and the Tough Mudder. Yet still according to this nationally recognized system I am still, well fat.

3. I do agree that there is a significant “health” issue in the fire service, far to many guys eat too much, and work out not enough. It is proven in the amount of health related LODD’s, injuries, and retirements we see every day.

4. Part of the problem is our lifestyle there have been several studies done to show the correlation of sleep deprivation to heart disease, well there is not to many people more sleep deprived than the American Firefighter. Further more the study done in Indianapolis proved that just the nature of our job causes our heart rate to go to the MAX (kinda like the pump cavitation) just at the dispatch of a call. Further more it showed that the anticipation of the alarm even at busy stations causes your sleep to not enter REM and prevents you from proper recovery. Here is the video link:

http://www.vententersearch.com/?p=361 Here is the link to the full study: http://www.indiana.edu/~firefit/pdf/Final%20Report.pdf

Also found in the study done by the University of Kansas states that firefighters are 300% more likely to contract a cardiovascular disease (heart attack, or stroke) based on uncommon factors such as the particulates in smoke. Add to all of that our poor eating habits and our sedentary lifestyles out side of work and it is a recipe for disaster!

So what is the solution? First and foremost we must change as a service, and as people. We must place an increased emphasis on fitness in order to not only be able to perform on the fireground but to survive our careers and enjoy our retirement. I have said it once and I will say again, I HATE WORKING OUT I get ZERO enjoyment from it, but I know to be the type of firefighter I want to be, and to perform the way I want to perform I have to push aside that hate and get in the gym. I also know that while I may want to eat 2 steaks at dinner one is more than enough. Simply put we have to change our habits, and adjust not only what we eat but how much we eat.

Some of you may not know where to begin so here are some helpful sites to assist you:

www.stickysidedown.wordpress.com

www.fireservicewarrior.com

http://firegroundfitness.blogspot.com/

http://engineco22.net/

http://www.healthy-firefighter.org/

http://firefit.net/workouts.aspx

Additionally you can follow my workouts by following me on twitter @averagejakeff using the hashtag #fswfitness. This is just the tip of the iceberg folks, go out there and find a program that suits you and will get you to your optimum performance. It is not easy but neither is this job, if you do not want to do it for you then do it for your family, and the family of the guys you work with, no excuses just WORK!

As my buddy Rude Boy would say “Firefighters are athletes, TRAIN LIKE IT!”

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

FDIC 2012

90 days….it is just 90 days 12 hours and 29 minuets until FDIC 2012!!! I am starting to get the itch to be back in Indy and to get some of the best training available, from some of the greatest minds in the fire service.

I will also be presenting my class “Engine Company Emergencies”, like I have said before it is quite a humbling experience to be listed as an instructor with some of the best and brightest that the Fire Service has to offer. It is also humbling to know that some of these same experts when evaluating classes for this year thought my class worthy enough to be presented. I really think that my class is going to be better than the one I presented last year and I am looking forward to sharing some of my thoughts, opinions, and solutions with interested individuals who feel the same about the fire service as I do. It is a oppourtunity that would not be possible without Fire Engineering, Penwell, or the FDIC Conference and all of the people who are involved in making it possible.

The video below is from last years opening ceremonies during the first general session, that is always held on the first day of class room session classes. If it does not get you fired up then check your pulse!

Also do not forget to check out all of the other activities that FDIC has to offer from a more social standpoint.

Bottom line is folks if you have never gone, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!!!!! If you are really a fireman, and you “get it” how can you miss a chance to go to something like this. People who just use this job as a paycheck then this probably is not for you, but for true fireman, this is a CAN NOT MISS!!! Be sure to sign up, get your flight, get your hotel room, and do it TODAY!!!!

Be sure to keep following along on twitter, I will be tweeting from the conference, and checking in on Four Square at my locations so if you wanna know what I am doing, meet me for a beer, or get an idea about the conference and are unable to attend you have got to follow along on twitter @averagejakeff

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

 

 

FDIC 2012 , posted with vodpod

WHY AREN’T YOU?

I have been thinking about this for a while and after some recent events it has finally boiled over to where I feel the need to write about it.Also I feel I must say this based on past experience, and I am even going to caps and bold it, THIS IS NOT DIRECTED AT ANYONE PERSON THIS IS AN OVERALL GENERAL FEELING I HAVE AFTER 15 YEARS INVOLVED WITH FIRE AND EMS... so now that that’s out-of-the-way here it goes.

This all stems from some work stuff, like I wrote in a previous post a lot of people out there do not like the fact that I have a blog, write articles for Fire Engineering online, write articles for our Training Section Publication, or in general have an opinion that I am passionate about. Now I will take some of the blame here, I am not as articulate as some, I am not a deep person who can string words together like endless melodies and make it always come out sounding right, and I am very passionate about what I do. So sometimes I know I can get a little carried away, I constantly have to remind myself that not everyone LOVES this job the way I do. One thing I am also not is perfect, although that is where I am trying to get I often fall short. I guess that’s why I put so much emphasis on training, learning etc. cause I am not perfect so I feel that there are very few times when I couldn’t be learning something about this job.

The term “he is really into the fire department” or “he really loves his job” used to be a good thing but for some reason now they are used as an insult. It is apparently no longer cool to “care” about this job. Being seen reading a Fire Engineering magazine for example, or looking at a fire service blog like Statter911.com is usually met now with ridicule and the “why the hell you looking at that”.

The big question I have is WHY AREN’T YOU? Why aren’t you writing articles, reading up, drilling? Why don’t you care? I know putting yourself out there for all to critique can be hard, but for me even if one person comes up and says “I really liked your article” then it was all worth it.

I know for me I will continue to care, I will continue to write, I will continue to train, I will continue to teach, I will continue to listen to fires from other departments at the off-chance I may learn something by listening, I will continue to try and be the very best I can be at my job so that I and YOU (not directed at anyone in particular a “royal” you) can go home to our families.

The point is share what you know, even if you feel it is small someone out there may think it is great. Not a lot of people I know personally like what I do, but a ton of people I have never met have sent me many an email, or comment saying they have learned something from my various ramblings on this blog. It is not hard to do what I do, you just have to care and then share. You do not have to write articles, have a blog or anything like that, all it takes is a 30min drill in the firehouse. However in order to do that you gotta put down the paper, and get out on the apparatus floor, or the drill ground.

So as Joe Dirt would say “Keep on keeping on” keep fighting the good fight out there, Capt. Wines over at Ironfiremen.com talks about people who “get it”. People who get it in my opinion LOVE this job, sure they may have other things going on but the fire department is super important and all things involved (working, training, going to events, going to conferences, etc.) are can’t miss things. People who “get it” NEVER FORGET and understand the lessons of our fallen brothers, and honor them every day by training, and learning from their actions so that if mistakes were made they are no repeated. People who “get it” climb 110 stories on a Sunday, and donate to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Bottom line is BE SOMEONE WHO GETS IT! and if you don’t WHY AREN’T/DON’T YOU?

Do not forget that FDIC is closer than you think and also stay tuned for a give away of ICS for EMS http://www.pennwellbooks.com/inmaforems.html

Also keep following along on twitter @averagejakeff

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

 

January Drill Of The Month: Ladder Climbing

 

With the recent injuries, and deaths involving ladders (I know they were aerialladders) I felt that this month it would be a good idea to return to some basic drilling and go over some safe ways to climb ladders.

Lets face it climbing ladders is tough on a normal day, people fall from ladders all of the time and they do not have to wear PPE, SCBA,or carry tools, and rescue victims.

Unfortunately climbing ladders is something I feel we take for granted especially from an engine company perspective. Think the last time your ladder came off the engine? It probably only comes off to check it, or to clean it.

So now lets look at some important points when climbing ladders:

1. Always maintain three points of contact with a ladder:  This is accomplished by using the beams instead of the rungs. When your climbing let your hands slide along the beams, this way you always have 1 foot and 2 hands in contact with the ladder at all times, making it easier to catch yourself if you were to slip. This also in my opinion makes the climb smoother. When you use the rungs the ladders tend to bounce a lot due to the shifting of your entire body weight from one side to the other, you really see this in your straight stick aerials and longer extension ladders (35-40 footers). If you slide up the rails if takes some of the bounce out making the climb easier. This also makes victim rescue techniques easier.

2. Slide the tools: This goes along with the above but we should never be empty-handed on the fireground, so we need a way to carry tools up the ladder. With smaller tools like the halligan and axe using the same slide technique as mentioned above works well, and maintains ladder contact. With longer tools like hooks, simply use the length of the tool and hook it on the highest rung you can reach. When you reach the head of the tool repeat until you have reached your destination.

3. Use Rope: Were we really get into trouble is carrying saws to the roof. Saws are heavy, they take a hand away causing us to break contact with the ladder, and they can through us off-balance. In this case rope is the answer. Take a rope bag (I carry a 50 footer on my air pack at all times) tie or clip the rope to the saw, then start climbing (with the bag attached to you of course) while you’re climbing the rope should play out. Once you reach your destination you can then hoist the saw up. Utilizing this method allows for you to climb the ladder safer, more efficient, and faster than having to lug the saw up. It also allows you to carry your hand tools as well.

4.  Aerial Ladders: Climbing Aerial Ladders is a different animal all together. Some of the same techniques work (using the beams when at low angles, and using the hook method for long tools) but all together it is different. If you have a bucket try to utilize it as often as possible. This will reduce fatigue (easier to ride than climb), allow you to carry all of the tools you need, and give you a relatively safe working platform. If you must climb an Aerial ladder then you must be equipped with a ladder belt, or some sort of fall protection device

5. Footing the ladder: It amazes me that people are still getting taught to foot the ladder from the rear. The best place to be is in the front. You can see what is happening to the building, you can see what is happening to the firefighters climbing the ladder, you are in the perfect position for victim rescue (firefighter or civilian), and you can assist in taking the bounce out of the ladder. In addition you can keep an eye what is going on, and avoid falling debris.

Bottom line is climbing ladders is a serious, and dangerous part of our job. It should never be taken for granted, and should be practiced often. Take some time this month to pull the ladders off the rig and climb ladders. You should of course be doing this in full PPE and SCBA in order to get the full effect.

Do not forget to keep following along on twitter @averagejakeff

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

 

 

January Drill Of The Month: Ladder Climbing, posted with vodpod

Hero Rush

There is a new wave of racing craze out there called adventure racing. It takes the endurance of a marathon and combines it with other challenges. These races such as Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, and Warrior Dash offer something different in the way of a physical, and mental challenge that you just can not find by running your regular run of the mill road race or triathlon.

Having completed the Tough Mudder myself I can honestly say this is something that you will have mixed emotions about. While doing it I could not belive that I was putting myself through it, then right after I was done I wanted to do it again next year thinking that my time (we timed ourself) and performance could be better than what it was. It is this same competitive nature that sets firefighters apart from everyone else.

Well now comes an event that lets those that do not get to experience what it is like to be us have a little bit of the taste. HERO RUSH http://www.herorush.com/ is a firefighter themed adventure race. They have yet to hold their first event but they are now taking registration for there 2012 series. The claim to be able to offer unique obstacle experiences such as climbing ladders, searching for victims, and going through windows.

One of the other positive things is that they offer a “343″ wave which costs $10  extra. However that $10 goes to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and is matched by Hero Rush for a $20 donation to the NFFF. Additionally you will wear a commemorative race bib with the name of one of the 343 that were murdered in the World Trade Center Attacks on 9/11. In my opinion that amps it up to a whole new level as with the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs, climbing with one of those guys riding with you makes you push that much harder and makes quitting not an option.

I hope this even succeeds as it seems to offer something similar but different to the other Adventure races already on the market. If any of you out there run one please send in a review and some pictures and I will put it up on the site.

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