FDIC 2013!!!!

JUST 53 DAYS UNTIL FDIC 2013!!!!!!!!

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

http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/fdic-2012-review-part-1/

http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/fdic-2012-review-part-2/

http://averagejakeff.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/fdic-review-part-3/

So sign up for FDIC TODAY!

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

 

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!

 

Updates and FDIC 2012

Well folks it has been super busy here! Work, life, hobbies it is all taking up so much time that sleep has become that relative that comes to visit every so often and never tends to stay long. Some cool things have been happening though and I want to tell you about them.

First some of you may or may not know that my wife Karen has started a blog (www.stickysidedown.wordpress.com) it focuses on the EMS and Emergency Management side of things since that is her expertise. One thing that she has started is posting exercises for EMS providers. A lot of times career EMS providers do not have a home, they are constantly posting (staging in a strategic location) in order to provide rapid response. So unlike firefighters and firefighter medics they seldom get a chance to workout on duty. Also she noticed there is very little tracking of EMS LODD deaths and what information there is not great. So in order to try to make a difference she has been posting EMS Fitness excercise every Monday. These exercises are typically body weight exercises that can be done anywhere with very little equipment. If your lucky enough to have a station or gym access then it will only enhance them. Be sure to go on over and check them out or share them with people who could use them.

In other news about my wife she just gave me some very exciting news about a year ago (give or take a bit) she had been writing EMS articles for Fire Engineering Magazine, and had taught at FDIC East, and FDIC (oh yea she was first, and I can fully admit it). She was asked if she had ever though about writing a book. Well that original conversation after some hard work and long hours is VERY close to being a reality! She just told me that the final product is being shipped here to our home for her final approval. The book as already been in pre sale for a few months and you can get your copy here: http://www.pennwellbooks.com/inmaforems.html I am super proud of all of her hard work, if there is such a thing as an EMS Warrior then she sure fits the bill!

In other news did you know that FDIC 2012 is only 187 days away? Did you know that you can register already? Well if not then WAKE UP 187 days will go by super fast, so DO NOT  let going to FDIC 2012 pass you by. Ask anyone who has ever been this is the greatest fire service experience of your life. Hands on Training, Workshops, Classes, Exhibits, Vendors, Fire Trucks, Parties, Athletic Events! WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT!!! I went for the first time while I was in college and have tried not to miss one since. The experience I liken FDIC to is like getting to catch a pass from Joe Montana, or play hoops with Jordan those guys are superstars well FDIC is full of fire service SUPERSTARS! Guys who blog, write articles, produce videos, etc. are all in one location and not only can you meet them, they want to meet you and give you the knowledge that you crave and need to do this job.

I am humbled to say that I have once again been selected to teach a 1 hour 45 minute classroom session. Last year I taught my class “Long Stretch Solutions” this year my class will be entitled “Engine Company Emergencies”

Engine Company Emergencies

Master Firefighter Robert Owens, Henrico (VA) Fire          

What to do in emergencies other than those involving Maydays and the need for rescue is the focus of this class. Four engine company emergencies are presented. Students discuss the problems and offer solutions. Scenarios include a trapped hoseline under a door, an initial attack line that is short of its objective, the loss of water for the attack handline at a hostile fire, and hostile fire events such as flashover. Students will understand the importance of situational awareness and its role in the successful outcome of engine company emergencies.

The funny thing is the class has already evolved even before I have taught it! I had an epiphany the other day that lead to the “Do you have a play for this” post and I am going to add some of those thoughts and things that I have gathered since the post in the class. I think it will be really good and I hope if you’re coming that you come see it!

Also you remember that wonderful lady I was talking about earlier? Well not to be outdone she got accepted to teach again as well keeping her streak alive.

Beyond the Water Cooler: EMS Role in Rehab

Emergency Operations Assistant Manager Karen Owens, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services

Incident rehab is normally an easily overlooked aspect of emergency response. Many agencies rely on personnel or on-scene officers to make the decision about whether rehab is necessary and how extensive to create the rehab sector. However, rehab should be a priority for all responders. It provides time for recovery of vital signs to a normal level and can significantly decrease the negative health impacts of the job. Topics include the all-inclusive definition of rehabilitation, the National Fire Protection Association standard covering rehab, the relationship between incident rehabilitation and the incident command system, and the need for a standard operating guideline for rehab and how to develop an effective one

Additionally my father in law is has been involved in EMS and Emergency Management longer than I have been alive will be presenting his signature class

Emergency Responders vs. Electrical Hazards

HMERT Coordinator Frank Cheatham, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services    

When is the last time your department examined its procedures for responding to incidents involving utility hazards? Many departments are still approaching utility hazards as they have been doing for years. Yet, the rate at which society uses electricity is increasing by leaps and bounds, creating more hazards. This class examines, from the perspectives of the fire service and the electric utility, what steps to take to reduce emergency responders’ contacts with electrical utilities. Students will learn of a training program available to the fire service and will be shown recommended response procedures

In addition to his EMS experience he spent 33 years working as a lineman, and Supervisor for Dominion Va Power and is an absolute expert when it comes to dealing with electricity, and its interaction with public safety providers. This class will answer all your questions about dealing with electrical utility and how to better interact with your utility company.

Well as you can see it has been exciting times here, and it just keeps getting better, stay on the look out for more great things, and be sure to follow along on twitter (@averagejakeff, and for the Sticky Side Down blog @stickysidedwn)

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

Do You Have a Play for This?

Fast forward the video to about 1:56 in it you will see an exterior fire attack being performed. During this fire attack the firefighter on the nozzle goes down (unknown reason) and is experiencing some sort of medical emergency.

After a few minutes a sort of Mayday is called stating that a firefighter is down and they need the Paramedics for medical assistance. Now I’m sure we could focus all day on the improper Mayday call, and even the tactics themselves for this fire but the real question here is Do you have a play for this?

I use the word play interchangeable with plan. At my old company we had an Engine Company play book that laid out all the various type of scenarios that we responded to and our actions according to riding position. This gave us an avenue to focus our training and to have maximum efficiency on the fireground/emergency scene. I can tell you with honesty we had NO PLAY for the on scene firefighter medical emergency.

Taking one look at the USFA LODD Annual report will show you that our fireman are dying on scene from medical emergencies, usually not on the interior of fire buildings. Yet we have ZERO training, drills, or even plans for how to deal with the Firefighter on scene medical emergency in the middle of an emergency. Sure we train on RIT/RIC but that focuses more on removing firefighters, bailing out, wall breaching, buddy breathing, etc. It NEVER focuses on how to treat, or handle the exterior or even interior medical emergency.

Sure we have great training, and plans if the medical emergency happens interior to get the firefighter out, but then what? Just hand them off to the medic unit, What if it’s not there. In my department we do not send a medic until it is a confirmed working fire, so that is a lot of lag time between the arrival of the first in companies and the arrival of the medic, a lot can happen in that amount of time, so whats your plan for treating that sudden cardiac arrest?

Like everything in this job we have to adapt our plans, and evolve to meet the current needs and emergencies we are facing, for years we have been experiencing medical emergencies on the fireground, and still there is nothing out there to deal with these instances. If we are our best chance of survival then perhaps we should begin to adapt our Firefighter survival training to more realistic events that have actually happened.

If you are doing anything like this in your department, then please drop me a line in the comments section, twitter @averagejakeff, or on email.

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

Do You Have a Play for This?, posted with vodpod