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Type III Construction

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Lately we have been discussing different types of construction. So far we have covered the characterisitics of Type I and Type II construction.  This is some really basic rookie school stuff, but it is so important to be able to identify these different building charaecteristics. We know that fire behavior is directly linked to the type of construction and the fuels invovled.  It also plays a major role in determining our tactics as company officers and firefighters on the fireground.

So, a quick review of what we have covered so far:

Type I or Fire Resistive is protected, non-combustible construction. Typcially steel and concrete with it’s structural components protected with fire resistant materials to meet or exceed two hour fire ratings.

Type II or Non Combustible is just that, non combustible construction. It’s structural components are not protected by fire resistive materials, but can be sprinklered.  These too are usually built with steel and concrete, similar to Type I construction but without the fire resistant protection.

On to Type III construction.  Type III construction is also referred to as Ordinary construction and is very common in a great deal of our older downtown areas.  It is not limited to those areas but this was the primary method of building during the early and middle part of the 20th century.

This type of construction is identified by masonry or brick exterior walls with wood joists and interior structural components.  Type III construction is very rarely protected with sprinklers and they have concealed spaces.  These buildings in many communities have been remodeled and altered due to the age and use of the building, so concealed spaces are a real concern.

During a fire the interior structural components are attacked and failure of these components can cause an exterior wall to fail at the same time.  The joists, for example, will rest in the masonry or brick wall and may be used to support the exterior walls. When these joists fail or burn out, they can compromise the support of the exterior wall it is connected to.

Here are some pictures that show some Type III construction.

Take a look at your area and determine where your different types of construction are. Discuss and plan for fires at those buldings and how you would operate at each one.  What are some different challenges each pose for you as a firefighter or company officer operationally?

Train hard and remember, master the basics.

Posted by on January 27, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, command-leadership, fire sprinklers, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, inspections, situational awareness, size up, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Fire Blog of the Year

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You may or may not know that  A Firefighter’s Own Worst Enemy was nominated for Fire Blog of the Year.  Thank you for the Nomination, you know who you are. We were selected as a finalist and are very humbled for the support.

If you can take some time and vote for your favorite blog on the Fire/EMS Blog Network, we would certainly appreciate the support. Even if we aren’t your favorite, get on there and vote for your favorite place to get information.

For those of you that like to visit the great EMS sites on the Network, you vote for your favorite there too.  Just click on the banner for EMS Blog of the year and vote for your favorite.

Thanks again for all of the support over the last year and stay safe.

Jason

Posted by on January 24, 2011 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , ,

Never Forget, Honor and Learn

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This marks the 6th anniversary of the Black Sunday fire in New York City. Two brothers, Lt. Curtis Meyran and Lt. John Bellew. Four other firefighters were severely injured after jumping out of the fourth floor of an apartment building, Firefighters Jeff Cool, Lt. Joe DiBernardo, Firefighter Eugene Stolowski and Firefighter Brendan Cawley to escape severe fire conditions.

The Story.

These men’s families and own lives have been forever changed and we need to honor their sacrifices and learn from the events that happen at that fire. This fire could happen to any of us. Train hard, honor the fallen and remember the lives and families left behind.

Stay safe and train hard.

Posted by on January 23, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire codes, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, mayday, rescues, RIT, situational awareness, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Events Page–Keep Up With Us

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We have changed our Events page.  We wanted a way to post the events that we will be instructing at.  Most are local, but some will be in different areas and conferences.  We may post other classes for other groups or instructors if appropriate.

It’s hopefully a way to provide you a list of training opportunities for you to take advantage of.  If there are events that you want us to post or add, feel free to provide us the information and we will try to get up in a timely manner.

In addition, if you are interested in what is available in the training arena from us, our core group of classes is attached Class Offerings for 2011.

Thanks for all of your support and stay safe.

Posted by on January 21, 2011 • Filed under: administration-leadership, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , ,

More Forcible Entry

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This video is from Mike Perrone from FDNY Ladder 175. Mike has developed a forcible entry door prop for firefighters and he has a long list of departments and training companies who are using the door.

He has several videos on the Multi-Force door and forcible entry techniques. There is some really great stuff on here that you should share with your crews and department.

Check out the videos and then go see Mike on his site at Firehouse Innovations.

Posted by on January 20, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, firefighting-operations, forcible entry, situational awareness, size up • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Basement Self Rescue

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The importance of having a tool with you can’t be stressed enough.  Besides using it for forcible entry and venting windows or other operational functions, it can save your life.

It should be a habit that every time you come off of the truck for an alarm there should be a tool in your hand.  And take a tool that you can do something with.  Some of the most common tools are the Halligan and a flat head ax. You can take a pick headed ax and/or a sledge hammer, depending on what your function or task is.

One thing that you might want to consider is what are going to do with that tool?  Everyone has their favorite, but can you use each tool on your truck efficiently and successfully if needed? You should.  One tool that I am not a big fan of is the closet hook or a short hook.  We have these on our trucks and they are about 2 1/2 to 3 feet long and have a fiberglass handle.

Your not going to be able to force much with that tool. In addition, if you need to start busting stuff up to save your a#$, it has limited potential.  Choose your tool wisely.

One instance that your tool may become very handy is in a situation that you might get jammed up in a basement.  Several scenarios could play out that finds you in a basement on your own and needing to get out.  For those of you that don’t have basements in your jurisdiction, you may need to get through a wall or debris.

Most of the basement windows in our area are above head level.  The exterior of the window is at ground level.  This creates a challenge for us trying to get out of these windows, which are narrow and rectangular in dimension, in full gear and SCBA.  You can use different techniques and you would want to call for help.  But, your tool selection may be very important during this crisis.

A few months back we held a bailout class that included ladder bailouts, window bailouts with personal harnesses and basement bailouts.  One of our deputy chiefs built a prop for the basement bailout that simulated the need to get yourself out of the basement quickly.  (Thanks to Dale Pekel for assistance with the plans for the prop.)

In this drill the firefighter, wearing full PPE, used a halligan to step on to get purchase to lift himself up to the window and pushing through.  It sounded a lot easier to the guys doing it than what it was.  It is not easy to squeeze that tank and self through the small opening.  We emphasized the use of the tool and having the appropriate one for the job.

Some thought that they would be able to pull themselves up like doing a pull up. Well, it became painfully obvious that even the most fit guy would be lucky to do that with full gear on. Even if he got up to the sill, it was impossible to get through the window without losing your grip.  The tool is crucial.

It was a great learning experience and hit home the point about taking a tool every time.  They understood the different roles and functions that one tool can provide, including saving themselves.

This all boils down to mastering the basics.  Take a tool, take a tool.  It is simple, basic firefighting.  When we master the basics it all becomes habit and we don’t have to think about the basic stuff when we need to use some advanced skills.  It just comes naturally.

Stay safe and train hard!

Posted by on January 17, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, forcible entry, mayday, rescues, RIT, scba, search, self rescue, situational awareness, size up, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Winter Consideration

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As we all have discovered during our careers, the winter can be a tough time to be a firefighter. Freezing conditions can and will make operations difficult by making lines ineffective, freezing up pumps, making walking surfaces impossible to navigate and turning us firefighters into popsicles.

In addition to all of this, the winter also brings about some considerations that we might not have thought about or that are not as obvious.  One of those is the pushing of snow.

In these wintery conditions the plows run up and down the streets and all over the parking lots clearing the snow from the roadways and parking areas. There is little thought about where they are piling the snow except to make sure it isn’t where vehicles are going to be.

Knowing where the fire department connections and hydrants are located prior to them getting covered or blocked by snow is helpful in locating them, but it still doesn’t help in gaining access if they are blocked by tons of snow.

A little pre-planning with the property owner can go a long way. Ask them to communicate with their snow removal company to establish a predetermined place to push the snow to without blocking the FDC or blocking fire lanes.

Photo from Perry Joint Fire District

Be careful and take precautions this winter season.  Stay warm and be prepared.

Posted by on January 12, 2011 • Filed under: fire-prevention-education, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, inspections, situational awareness, size up, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Missouri Winter Fire School

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Every winter for the last 29 years firefighters from all across the state of Missouri have gathered to attend classes by well know state instructors as well as highly regarded national figures in the fire service.  This year, the 30th year, is no different.

The annual Winter Fire School opens with a large exposition and registration on Friday afternoon that lasts into the evening. This is a great time to network, get a look at apparatus, tools and other fire service equipment.  This is usually one of the more popular parts of the weekend besides the drinks and story telling at the local establishments.  (Tiger, you need to get down here sometime and collect a lot of story telling stuff.)

This year’s events begin February 4th and wind down on the 6th.  They even allow me to instruct there, that’s how kind they are and their willingness to throw a guy a bone.

In the past Chief Billy Goldfeder, Chief Alan Brunacini and Dave Dodson have instructed at this conference.  This year’s line up is just as good including Chief I. David Daniels, Chief Smokey Dyer, Lt. Mike Wilbur, Chief Alan Brunacini,  Glenn Gaines, Tim Sendelbach, Chief Clyde Pfisterer and more.

There are webcasts available featuring instructors Chief Richard Gasaway, Chief Forest Reeder and Chief John Mittendorf.

With these lineups the Missouri University Fire Rescue Training Institute offers some of the best classes and instructors from all over the nation.  If your close or looking for something to do, you need to get here to experience the networking and Brotherhood that this conference has to offer.  Look me up, we can get a drink; or two.

Stay safe and we would love to see you in Missouri next month.

Posted by on January 11, 2011 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, MUFRTI, rescues, RIT, situational awareness, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Stories About Firefighting

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Looking for something productive and interesting to do on a Wednesday? Look no further than Firefighter Storytellers.  Tiger Schmittendorf has the program scheduled for January 12th at 9PM EST on Firefighter Netcast with special guest Chief Glenn Usdin.

You can find out more about Tiger’s show by visiting his site at Firefighter Storytellers.  This is a show that tells the stories about how, why, when and every other reason we all became firefighters and how our association with the fire service changed and molded who we are today.

There are some really great stories and always plenty of laughs.  Tomorrow nights show is also dedicated to Bob Newell.

Take some time in your warm confines to listen to stories of the past and present.

Posted by on January 11, 2011 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , ,

Rosie Soul and the Rock and Roll Cowboys

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I don’t normally put this kind of stuff on my blog, but Eddie Buchanan has done so much for the fire service, I feel obligated to give him and his band Rosie Soul and the Rock and Roll Cowboys some well deserved props.

I have never seen them live, but I have listened to their music off of their Facebook page and have been impressed.  They are competing in the Battle of the Bands at FDIC 2011 for a chance to win $20,000.

This is by no means a knock on any of the other bands and you can check them all out at the Battle of the Bands web site for FDIC 2011.  If you like another band better, then by all means vote for them. However, at least give Rosie and the boys a fair shake.

A little about Ed.  He is a division chief with the Hanover Fire Department in Virginia and is the present president of the  International Society of Fire Service Instructors.  Eddie has played a huge role in training all across this country and has a moved the ISFSI into a very positive direction.  He has contributed countless hours of his time to move progressive, meaningful fire service training to the forefront.  He is a true Brother.

Thanks for you time and patience with my little plug here. I have done a little work with Eddie and feel like I at least owed him this for his past support help. And, they ROCK!  If you are in one of the other bands, I wish you the best of luck too.

Stay safe and we’ll see at FDIC 2011.

Posted by on January 11, 2011 • Filed under: fdic 2011 • Tagged: , , , , ,

Challenges on the Roof

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We all know that every roof is different and creates a new challenge. I thought I would post some more obvious challenges for us when we get on the roof.

The first two pictures show a flat roof of a hospital doctors building. This roof is a single story building and is at least 25 years old. As we can see, this roof has a top covering of gravel with an under layer of membrane and tar over metal decking.

This roof provides a challenge for ventilation because of obvious reasons. The built up membrane and tar with the layer of gravel will make this roof difficult to vent. Even if we can easily scrape away the gravel, the tar and membrane will challenge our saw technique and maintenance. If we are not prepared and not using the correct blades our saws will gum up and make cutting impossible.

The next few photos show skylights that we will mostly see on large, open span buildings. They allow natural lighting and are common in the “big box” buildings that we see in home improvement stores and large grocery and retail stores.

In some instances these vents/skylights can blend in with the roof surface and become difficult to distinguish from what it is in regards to the actual roof. These are especially dangerous during darkened and smokey conditions. Use caution and these are another reason for building familiarity.

These are not the only challenges that we face, but we will discuss more at another time in a future post.

Take some time and discuss how you would operate on these roofs with your crews.  Are there some experiences that you might have had on these types of roofs that you can share?

Stay safe, train hard and be careful.

Posted by on January 3, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire codes, firefighting-operations, Uncategorized, vent, ventilation • Tagged: , , , , , , ,