After taking a month off due to all of the time-consuming activities Drill of the Month is BACK!
In the above video, we see an Engine company performing EMS on a victim. Every since the advent of Fire Service based EMS response this has become the norm in communities across the country. With the number of ALS providers and the seemingly endless availability of them (in my department there are usually several within a few feet of you on an EMS run) some of our BLS providers may not have the chance to practice their skills as often. There are not many times, but they do exist where we have a completely BLS engine, yet the service expectation by the citizens does not change. If they received advanced care previously then they expect it again.
The solution is to have BLS only drills. Have your BLS providers run a cardiac arrest and play it out without the insertion of an ALS provider. Have them practice their assessment skills on a variety of patients without the presence of advanced care providers, and if your organization allows it, have them take BLS transports while riding their tour on the ambulance.
Additionally you can up there understanding as to what ALS providers do. We call it ALS for BLS and train a majority of our BLS providers how to set up IV’s, acquire 12 leads, set up nebulizer treatments, etc. All of these things only increase the effectiveness of your EMS operations, and improve patient care for the citizens.
There will be a day when your BLS providers are waiting on a medic, will they be prepared? To make sure they are spend some time this month training them to succeed and do BLS skills to perfection. It is true that a good BLS provider can save an ALS provider, I would know I am living proof.
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Toys R Us, or various other chain and brand name stores. No matter the name they go under they all have one thing in common.
THEY ARE HUGE!
They also provide a very difficult fire problem for even the largest and best staffed fire departments in the fire service. In these instances we must abandon our traditional “residential” tactics and deploy more logical approaches to dealing with these large structures. One of the most crucial things we must adjust is our initial on scene 360 survey.
In our ordinary residential setting the first due company officer performs a 360 scene survey on foot, noting building construction, fire conditions, presenting victims, hazards, etc. However in the commercial occupancy environment the 360 is just as important but a more daunting task. Simply put there is no way we can cover the needed ground, noting the important characteristics, fire conditions, and hazards while staying on foot. In a larger department with more resources simply assigning a company to side C could accomplish this task. However in departments that are resource challenged this is not always feasible.
THE MOTORIZED “360″
The Motorized “360″ is simply stated utilizing the apparatus to perform the 360 scene survey. When arriving on scene to a large commercial occupancy stay in the apparatus, and if possible drive around the entire building. While doing this perform your survey as you would any other time noting fire conditions, building construction, hazards, egress points, victims, water supply, etc. Once this is completed you can develop your action plan and assign units accordingly.
The benefits of this are:
1. Faster scene survey
2. More accurate size up of fire and smoke conditions.
3. More eyes on the structure (Even if only staffed with 2, fours eyes looking at the structure is better that just two, more staffing equals more eyes looking and reduction of the chance that something critical will be missed)
4. Location of deployment point options (The front door in these occupancies may not be the best option, a side or rear door may put you closer to the fire limiting your exposure to a dangerous floor plan and fire conditions)
5. Location of on scene hazards in the rear and sides of the structure
6. More accurate victim information. (Not everyone evacuates via the front entrance, especially employees in the storage areas of these occupancies. This will give you a more comprehensive assessment of how many possible victims you are dealing with, their locations, and access points to them)
7. More accurate size up of building construction and current building conditions.
While the 360 scene survey is always important the fact that these occupancy types are daunting alone when not on fire even add more emphasis. As previously stated we must abandon our residential tactic mentality and utilize a methodical approach. Taking the time to do an accurate size up will enable first in company officers to gather critical, life saving information for victims and all firefighters on scene.
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
With all of the things happening in the world today, specifically the LODD’s in West Texas, and the Boston Marathon bombing it can be easy to dwell on the negative things in life. I was even discussing with my wife how I am glad we are done having children because I don’t know if I would want to bring another child into this world full of hate, and danger.
However there is light at the end of the tunnel. Some will look for religion, some will look to family and friends, or even a combination of things. Me? This couldn’t come at a better time because I get to go to the greatest fire service conference in the world FDIC!
FDIC always recharges my fire service batteries and ignites my passion for the fire service. It is a breath of fresh air to be around like-minded fire service brothers for a week. No one goes to FDIC that doesn’t LOVE the fire service. Words can not describe just how awesome FDIC is, but in my attempt here is the 3 part review I posted from last years FDIC
Here is also some videos from FDIC past and previews for this year
If that does not bring a smile to your face then I do not know what else can. Also do not forget the FOOLS party on Wednesday, Courage and Valor 5k on Thursday, Stop Drop and Rock and Roll on Thursday, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Friday afternoon, Local 416 Union Party, and several other meet ups (Fire Service Warrior,ISFSI, etc.) during the week.
I will be heading out to Indy early Sunday morning, and will be there in early afternoon. Monday I will present my 4 hour pre conference workshop “The Medical Mayday” at 8am. Unfortunately I will have to leave before the end of the conference very early Friday morning, so again I will miss out on the Stair Climb, and since my class time will be limited I will for go running this year in the 5k so that I can maximize the classroom session time.
I will be live tweeting the conference on twitter @averagejakeff using the hash tag #FDIC13 (unless FDIC comes up with something different).
So if you are coming out to Indy come on over and see me, if not follow along on twitter, FDIC.com, fireengineering.com, blogs, etc.
As usual thanks for reading spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
Do you ever have the problem on the fireground of not knowing who you are talking to? Sure we all have identifiers, apparatus or station numbers on our helmets, name tails on our coats, or even identifiers on our airpacks. Sometimes they are readily visible other times they are hard to see, and let’s be honest once the face piece goes on we all look very similar, and all sound the same.
Just yesterday I had a firefighter come talk to me at a fire face to face and I knew what company he was from but had no idea who he was until he walked away and I could read his name tail.
How about adding a name identifier to your face piece? I have been doing this for years as just another way to mark my equipment, but never realised the gains it gave me until just a few months ago. Everyone knows it is me when they are talking to me, In the event of a MAYDAY this is one more way to be identified, it enhances communication, enhances accountability, and lets everyone know who’s mask it is.
All of these things with a simple label from a label maker. If there is more than one person with your last name, add the first initial of your first name. The point is that something this simple can create huge dividends in the fog of war. It’s why soldiers wear dog tags, and why before dog tags they would sew identifiers on their uniforms.
It doesnt have to be like Ricky Bobby’s Fig Newtons sign on his car (even though they are delicious), just big enough for someone to read and figure out who they are talking to.
What other things have you done to enhance your fireground? Leave a note in the comments section or on twitter @averagejakeff
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
This is coming a little late in the month, but there is still time to do it! We just had a recruit school graduate at work and my shift was assigned a rookie. I love getting rookies. It really motivates the shift to get out there and train. Even though his first day was a Sunday we needed to get this new guy to hit the ground running, so we went out training focusing specifically on hoseline deployment and management.
Sometimes I think this gets ignored, because it is not sexy, its grunt work, and it can be repetitive. However it is the cornerstone training for an engine company.
Let me be clear….
WE NEED TO BE EXPERTS AT MOVING AND MANAGING HOSELINES! More lives have been saved by a properly placed hoseline than any other tactic every created. It has been said before but if you were going to start a fire department tomorrow and could only buy one piece of apparatus you would buy an engine!
Even if you’re the only one on your shift that wants to train, the above video can give you some tips on how to still train!
So get out there and become an expert on the hoselines on your rig. As always send in pictures and they will be featured on the blog, also comments are always welcome on any of the topics featured here via the comments section or on twitter.
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
Last week I had the chance to go to the EMS Today Conference in Washington DC. While It was only for the day, I got to experience some great things, look at new products and get to see some old friends.
One of the best things about conferences is learning. Sure looking at apparatus and freebies on the exhibit floor are cool, and year that “Aint Skeeeeerd” shirt is well it’s not for me but if it is for you then by all means buy 50 of them, but the main goal of any conference is for you to come back smarter than when you left, or at least have been inspired to think. FDIC, Firehouse EXPO, Firehouse World, state fire and EMS conferences all have things to offer other than t-shirts and beer. However EMS Today is a little bit unique.
They may realize that not everyone can afford a conference package including all of the classroom sessions. Or they realize that maybe people have limited time and want to be able to maximize the one day they may have at the conference. So they offered a unique but not untried tactic.
They offered several 30 min mini classes on the exhibit floor! The classes were varying topics and where all day long. A few years ago FIrehouse EXPO tried something similar offering a few hour-long classes during the exhibits. I personally LOVE this idea. Especially only having one day this allowed me to get some education and some networking/exhibit hall time.
I sat in this class, and while only 30 mins it was top-notch. I learned a lot about new trauma techniques that are being used in the military and may be coming to am ambulance near you very soon. Also learned some new traumatic fluid resuscitation techniques.
Every one of these sessions was packed, every time I looked over there was no seating room available, some people sat for all of the classes, others like me picked the ones they wanted then moved on but usually they were standing room only.
I personally think this adds ALOT to someones exhibit hall only ticket value. Now they have the chance to get education and exhibit viewing all at the same time. I think EVERY conference needs to be trying something like this. Based on what I saw it was obviously a popular place, and a good selling tool for instructors. I know after I was done and talked to my wife about it, she was interested in getting the instructor to come teach at the Virginia EMS symposium. This would allow a conference like FDIC who is heavy on education to give more value to the exhibit hall pass, and still have the primary focus as education. FDIC is so big they could have multiple spots with varying topic tracks in different locations.
For a conference like Firehouse EXPO who places (in my opinion) a little less emphasis on education this could again give more value tot he exhibit hall pass, and put more focus back on educating firefighters.
Needless to say I thought EMS Today was great.It will be back in DC next year but this time in early February, check out www.EMStoday.com for more info. I hope to be attending again and hoping to take even more classes this time.
If you attended let me know what you think in the comments section, or on twitter.
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
I am sure I am not the only one who sees this. For some reason not just in the fire service but in our culture we fear sharing what we know. A lot of people never share what they know so that the people below them will stay exactly that below them.
In some professions this may be acceptable, but NOT in the fire service. We need to be sharing EVERYTHING we know with up and coming firefighters. In order to keep the tradition,culture,passion, and all of the other good things we love about this job we need to share. We need to take every chance we have to impart fireground knowledge, the history of the fire service, the history of our individual departments, and anything we can to ensure our future.
The above picture demonstrates one of the BEST places to share your knowledge, the fire house kitchen table during a meal. Think about it, we meet at the table usually three times a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) this is the time to share stories, new policy updates, etc. What if the rookie was off last shift, and you caught a fire? Don’t just rub it in his face get the audio from dispatch and listen to it while your eating. Hopefully this will spark some discussion on the tactics, and what went right, wrong, etc.
We go on EMS runs EVERYDAY! People, businesses, etc. invite us into their places everyday to take care of them. We should always be looking around for our safety, but take this chance to look at the door you enter, the ceiling, the content load, anything that could hinder you in an emergency, and then after the patient is taken care of point it out to the crew. We just found out on an EMS run that the hallways in a nursing home we frequent are to long for our high-rise pack, so we had to come up with and train on a way to overcome this. A discovery leads to discussion, which leads to a plan, which leads to training that’s what we call a JACKPOT!
This is not just limited to the older guys as well, we have a lot of younger guys coming on the job that have a lot to offer. Maybe the kid with the degree is not the best at running a chainsaw, but he may be a computer wizard, a map genius, or an expert on modern fire behavior. I worked with a guy who was new to Fire and EMS but was fluent in sign language so he taught us some basic phrases in order to communicate with the hearing impaired. In an environment where the rookie is “seen and not heard” this would have never been possible. Now do not get me wrong the rookie should act like a rookie, but take the time to invest in your rookie and find out his/her background. What they know may just surprise you, and benefit you.
The overall point is NO HOARDING OF KNOWLEDGE! Share what you know, encourage and foster an environment of sharing, training, and hoping your people will one day be better than you. If your people end up better than you then the fire service will be better overall.
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
Anyone who watched wrestling growing up is bound to have heard of Mr. Perfect Curt Henning. He did several promo’s about just how perfect he was and how easily he could accomplish the most difficult task. He even when coming out tot the ring would spit his gum out and swat it away (something I spent hours trying to emulate). This guy was absolutely PERFECT. However behind the curtain Curt Henning was far from perfect. He was a steroid user, battled several demons, and eventually died far to young from an over dose from a combination of cocaine and pain killers.
The point? His on air persona was far from reality. His was the picture of perfection to some, but was a normal human subject to desires, bad decisions, etc.
I think this persona, or idea of perfection s sometimes placed on those of us who choose to put ourselves out there in social media, blogs, etc. I have almost three years of posts on this site, written articles for several other website, magazines, tweets, and other outlets and I can not find one time where I mentioned anything about me being perfect. I strive for that as I think all of us should do but I myself am FAR FROM IT! I make mistakes, I made one just last night while acting in charge of the engine company. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in my fire service career was when I attended an 8 hour forcible entry class from FDNY Captain Robert Morris. During this we saw several videos of forcible entry techniques, some times succesful, others not. When asked why he kept the mistakes in the video he said he wanted to show the class that even he and his crew with all their experience in the fire service that they may still make mistakes, and that they learned more from mistakes than from success.
I make mistakes in all aspects of my life, I am a horrible critic on myself some might even say too hard, but as one of my twitter followers said if you’re not hard on yourself then who will be? The name Average Jake was created out of the fact that I consider myself just average. I am the average firefighter, or what I think the average firefighter should be (passionate, dedicated, love for the job) and I try to put those traits out there.
So the overall point is no matter if it is me, The Fire Critic, Jumpseatviews, Fire Service Warrior, or some other blogger, writer, oe tweeter NONE OF US are perfect. We strive for it, and attempt it but it is unreachable and we will fail, but trying to get there will make you pretty good. I know it can be difficult to embrace your mistakes, especially in a business where a mistake can mean life or death, but as I tell my oldest son when he doesn’t want to practice with people better than him at sports. You learn nothing from beating the same people over and over, you learn a lot from going against someone better than you. So do not shy away from mistakes. Train to make them reduced during the real thing. I know I learned a valuable lesson last night and plan on following up on that so the mistake is not repeated. Hard work is the only way to accomplish it, we are never done learning and just when we think we might be fate usually has a way to jump up and let us know we need to keep plugging.
Thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
Thats right folks 53 days until the largest, greatest, and most comprehensive fire service conference in the WORLD! I really get geeked up for this time of year. I got to go to FDIC for the first time in college in the year 2001 and it was MIND BLOWING! It really opened my eyes to the entire fire service world. When they had FDIC East in Atlantic City I went, and for the past 5 or 6 years I havent missed one.
Also for the past three years I have had the honor and pleasure of being allowed to teach at FDIC. I have taught 2 classroom sessions, and this year I am honored to get to teach a 4 hour Pre Conference Workshop titled ”The Medical Mayday”. Not to spoil it but the class focuses on the OTHER side of the MAYDAY. Often our RIT/RIC/Firefighter Rescue Training focuses on just the removal of the down firefighter and not the continuation of care. My class will go over why firefighters are unique victims, and how to recognize, prevent, and treat firefighter injuries and illness. There will also be some practical stations that should be real fun and make you think.
Thats the biggest thing I hope to do in my class is get people thinking, in fact I hope to do that in any class. I do not have all the answers, and especially with this class some of the answers have not even been invented yet! So I hope to get people to think about this topic, offer them some hints and then go home and apply this problem to there department and find a solution with their people, equipment, etc. Lets be honest every fire department is different and things that work for me, may not work for other departments, or fireman.
So I hope that in the MULTITUDE of choices you have for preconference and HOT training classes you pick my class.
However the other reason I am going and the reason EVERYONE should eb going to FDIC is to learn! I know I just spent about 3 paragraphs talking about my class, but to be honest I am still very star struck when I go to FDIC. I am a small time player in this game, and names like Norman, CIampo, Dugan, Lasky, Salka, Halton, Brunacini, etc. still get me amped up. I still have SO much to learn in this job even after 16 years of doing it, so I get excited to sit in classes and take home lessons to apply to my department, and for myself.
besides the classes there is a TON of other stuff to do!
The FOOLS BASH on Wednesday
The Courage and Valor 5k Fun Run on Thursday
The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Friday
The Local 416 open house
The Fire Service Warrior Meetup
Firefighter Combat Challenge
AND MUCH MUCH MORE a lot of groups and organizations have hospitality rooms, meet ups, etc.
The point is folks this conference has ALOT to offer and that’s an extreme understatement! There is so much to do you will not be able to fit it all in. I am not gonna be able to do the Stair Climb because I will only be there from Sunday through Thursday. While I know this is an FDIC post if you do not have a Stair Climb in your location make sure you get in on the FDIC stair climb. Im lucky we have one here in my hometown EVERY YEAR! But others do not have that luxury so get involved in the climb!
If you want to come meet me, I will be live tweeting the entire event and checking in my location so follow @averagejakeff on twitter and we can hang out, talk, grab a beverage, etc. If this is not enough to entice you check out my review of last years FDIC
Firehouse innovation has always interested me, especially since I am not the handiest of people. You can go on YOUTUBE and find thousands of home-made props, and within a few hours you can enhance your fire training. I have been lucky in my time to know some pretty handy individuals that can create something out of nothing and the next thing you know we have an awesome training prop. One of those people is my buddy Dave “Rude Boy” Mylum. Rude Boy is a talented a builder as he is a fireman, if we needed something built for training he usually was able to come through. He has built a Pekel Simulator, Saw Skill Station, helped build a home-made forcible entry simulator (with the equally talented Hayden “Rampage” Foster), and now with the inspiration of the above video from the guys over at Irons and Ladders (http://ironsandladders.com/2013/01/31/padlock-forcible-entry-video/) his very own Padlock force entry prop.
