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Kitchen Suppression Dump Test and Suggestion

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Some devastating fires have occurred in commercial cooking establishments.  We all know the history of fast food restaurant fires and the toll they can have on a fire department if the fire is not found early.

Kitchen suppression systems are designed to activate to limit the effects of a grease fire in these establishments. It is important to note that when these fires occur and the system is activated, the return air should shut off and the hood vent should activate if it is not already on.

When these systems are designed they are equipment specific. Meaning that the flow points are determined by the type of cooking appliance and its location under the hood and suppression system. Moving or replacing any appliance requires reevaluation of the system and could mean an alteration to keep the system adequate.

As you can see in the picture, the appliance shown has wheels.  This could create a problem in the future when the ownership wants to move things around a bit and could be detrimental to the effectiveness of the system. One suggestion is to adopt a local ordinance that requires these wheels to be removed or locked. I have seen it both ways and it is up to your jurisdiction on how to do that.

Secondly, you want to ensure that the suppression system is hooked into a monitored fire alarm system or on a direct dial alarm system.  We, the fire department, want to know if this system activates.  Even if the system puts the fire out, there is a possibility of fire being pulled into the vent duct. If there are any penetrations or gaps in that duct, fire could smolder above for a long time or it could be burning the uncleaned grease.  We also want to make sure that if that system activates it gets put back in service appropriately and prior to cooking commencing again.

In the video it shows a "dump" test where we make sure that the correct amount of product is being flowed and that all utilities are shut off with the activation.

I know this is not a tactical post, but it gives you a little insight of why these systems are important.  I may not have touched on all of the aspects of these systems, so if you have additional comments or suggestions, please feel free to comment.

Thanks, stay safe and be careful.

Jason

Posted by on March 31, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire codes, fire-prevention-education, firefighting-operations, fires, inspections, kitchen systems, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Diamond X2 Boots

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I am late with this review, but it has just been so busy with everything going on this time of year. But, the delay has given me some extra time to really get familiar with the new Black Diamond X2 boots. I mean, I tried these boots in just about every situation you can imagine.

They tout this new gel insert for comfort, so, I took off in them for a little run thinking they would be great for that.

They protect your feet from water and ice, so I used them during some SCUBA training.

I played basketball in them and even tried that new toe cap protection on the soccer field. I just wasn’t getting the feel for them.

Finally, I had the opportunity to wear them for some live burn training at the academy. During these days the instructors are on our feet all day. There is a rotation in and out of the burn tower, but we are active most of the day and these boots were on my feet the entire time, excluding lunch. img_1882img_1883img_1884img_1885

A short time after that, I had the opportunity to wear them at FDIC 2011 for the HOT class that I attended, Truck Company Essentials with Mike Ciampo and the Brotherhood Instructors. Needless to say, I was on my feet all day again.

Having the opportunity to really wear these boots has given me a very strong opinion about them. By far the best pair of structural firefighting boots I have every worn. And that is no BS!

I am going to give it to you straight here from a firefighters perspective.

First, I ordered a size that is the same as my running shoe. They offer three different widths, I am a medium and was more than pleased. The boot feels like a shoe or duty boot with just a little extra space. The boot doesn’t slip, but when I’m on my feet all day or in the summer, my feet swell a little bit and this boot allows for that or for an extra pair of socks in the winter.

Wearing them all day was like wearing a pair of duty boots. Sure, they are a bit larger and bulkier, but they don’t feel like a pair of bricks are tied to you. I was really surprised how light they were. I do a lot of running and I love light shoes, for what they are built for, firefighting, they are extremely easy to wear.

I really liked that they are easy to pull on and off. The large opening allows easy and fast donning and the canvass back does not irritate my calves when I am on my knees or bending. At first they were a bit stiff, but after breaking them in, they are more flexible than other boots I have worn.

Having done instruction for many years, being in any fire boot can be very hard on your feet. I have come away from very long days in my boots only to have really sore feet when it was all over. This makes the training difficult due to being uncomfortable. I can honestly say that these boots did not provide the same results.

Being on my feet for two 8 hour days had absolutely no adverse affects on my feet. They really got it right with the Ortholite Footbed. As I said, I am used to wearing running shoes on a regular basis and I like soft, light shoes. Now don’t get me wrong, these are not running shoes, but they do provide some comfort right where you stand.

I have two cons to admit to. One, the ankle protection is very stiff. Over time this started to loosen up, but at certain times the stiffness of the ankle can cause some irritation, especially on the outer part of the ankle.

The second con would be, like Fire Critic stated, it is made in China. I know in my department there is a strong desire and move to buy only American made products. At times this is difficult at best, not just for fire boots but for all our purchasing needs in regards to station wear and PPE. I don’t know if that is a consideration, but I think it would go a long way in the American fire service.

My general opinion is that these boots are well worth the price tag, which is reasonable. I will continue to wear these boots and would have no problem recommending them to friends and colleagues. However, I would not recommend them for running, soccer, basketball or SCUBA diving. But, they are great for fighting fires and operating on emergency scenes.

I also want to thank Black Diamond Boots for the opportunity to review their product.

As always, train hard, stay safe and wear good boots!

Posted by on March 30, 2011 • Filed under: Black Diamond Boots, fdic 2011, Product review, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

A Firefighter’s Own Worst Enemy @ FDIC 2011

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I am finally home from the week that was FDIC 2011. It was a great week and I am going to spend a lot of time in the upcoming week going over what I did and sharing my experiences throughout the week.

As some of you may know, I was fortunate enough to present again this year doing “A Firefighter’s Own Worst Enemy” again. The FDIC staff have been wonderful and very accommodating. They always provide a great classroom and assistance for the instructors. It was a true honor, again, to be a part of FDIC 2011 and many thanks to Bobby Halton, Diane Feldman, Mary Jane Dittmar and Ginger Mendolia.

Now, here is a link that Fire Engineering did to highlight my class which is very much appreciated. Check out all of the overviews and comments about FDIC 2011 and keep checking back here this week to see all of the activities from FDIC 2011.

Posted by on March 26, 2011 • Filed under: fdic 2011

FDIC 2011

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FDIC 2011

Well, it has been a while since I have posted. It has just been crazy and my time has been in short supply.  As we all know, FDIC 2011 is here.  It starts Monday the 21st of March and I plan on being there the entire week.  I just want to make you aware of some of the things that will be going on at this, the greatest fire training conference in the world.

Of course, Monday and Tuesday are the HOT classes.   The HOT, Hands On Training, classes are the great drills and evolutions that every firefighter dreams of.  These are instructed by the the best instructors that the fire service has to offer. At this time, a great many are sold out, but check the listing and get in any of them, you wont regret it.

Tuesday night is the ISFSI social at Howl at the Moon. This event is for ISFSI members to meet, greet and socialize, and to have few drinks together.  It starts at 6:00PM.  If your not a member, get registered and take advantage of the great resources that the ISFSI offers fire service instructors.

Wednesday the classroom sessions begin and run through the rest of the week.  I am going to ask you to try and check out the list below.  These are people I know or have associations with and I believe that these will be some very worth while presentations.  Some have been highly recommended by others.

Interior Benchmarking
Assistant Chief William M. Greenwood, Fire Emergency Training Consultation Services, Keene, NH
“Interior benchmarks” can help firefighters when they encounter a bad situation in an immediately dangerous to life and health atmosphere. Learn how to recognize these benchmarks and how to employ them so they can help you maintain situational awareness should you become disoriented on the fireground. Interior benchmarking questions are discussed in detail.
ALL LEVELS
Room 107-108

The Ready Position
Engineer Christopher Brennan, Harvey (IL) Fire Department
The Ready Position is the point at which the capacity and capabilities of the Fire Service Warrior are in an ideal state of potential energy. Whether sitting in the firehouse at the kitchen table or in the recliner at home with the pager sitting next to you on the table, ideally, you will be ready to spring into action when an alarm sounds. Learn how to master the physical and mental skills of the Fire Service Warrior: Be 100 percent present when you enter into battle; have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to thrive on the fireground; and be prepared for the unfortunate should the worst-case scenario occur at an incident. ALL LEVELS
Room 234-235

Benefits of the Personal Harness and Escape System
Lieutenant Daniel DiRenzo, Cherry Hill (NJ) Fire Department
The focus is on incorporating these systems with personal protective equipment or self-contained breathing apparatus to rescue other firefighters or self-rescue. Students will become acquainted with the techniques for using this device as well as its capabilities.
ALL LEVELS
Room 103-104

Power Saw Operations and Maintenance Tips
Firefighter Kevin J. Legacy, Fire Department of New York
Students will participate in proactive drills that will ensure safety and promote proficiency when operating saws. They will learn how to troubleshoot minor problems that may arise at the incident scene and that can make the difference between a successful or a failed operation. All aspects of saw maintenance are also addressed. ALL LEVELS
Room 236-237

How to Attack a House Fire
Lieutenant Ray McCormack, Fire Department of New York
A primer for extinguishing house fires according to their locations within the house and customizing the fire attack. Learn when, where, and how to apply your hose stream for maximum effectiveness in single and multiroom fires and fires involving stairways, hallways, attics, lofts, kitchens and bathrooms, basements, and garages. Tips on how to stretch up and down stairways, select the best location for the attack line, and combat fire extension. ADVANCED
Room 140-142

Flat-Roof Operations
Firefighter Nate DeMarse, Fire Department of New York
Attendees are shown a systematic plan of attack that will automatically prioritize the important tasks that must be done when operating on a flat-roof building. The skills needed to safely and efficiently perform primary duties on this type of roof are reviewed.
ALL LEVELS
Room 103-104

Social Media: The Fire Service’s Next Big Innovation
Lieutenant Rhett Fleitz, Roanoke (VA) Fire-EMS Department
Learn the “in’s and out’s” of social media for the fire service. Many questions about these media (blogs, twitter, facebook, MySpace, YouTube, skype, podcasting, text messaging, and so on) will be answered. Learn to be proactive by developing a social media standard operating procedure. Become acquainted with some of the ways departments are using these media for recruitment, retention, informing journalists and citizens, and publishing news. The benefits and potential consequences for personal use of these media by employees are also discussed. ALL LEVELS
Room 134-135

The PIO Reporter: Telling Your Story in a World Where “Spin” Doesn’t Work
Dave Statter, Statter911 Communications, LLC
What you do before an image problem occurs may be more important than what you do later. Building reputation equity in your community could be the key to your survival when things go bad. In this “post-media world,” where the public can access news immediately on the Internet, the fire department can easily lose control of the message. Learn how to communicate so that the public knows what you know, when you know it instead of waiting until all the details are in. Learn how to take control, put out the bad news, build trust with the community, and repair your department’s reputation.
INTERMEDIATE
Room 125-126

Leading with Attitude
Eddie Buchanan, President, International Society of Fire Service Instructors
This class is about empowerment–making positive changes in your department and lives. It poses and answers the questions: What can I do about changing those things I don’t like about my job? Do I have to be a “yes” man to be a good “follower”? How do I deal with the officer, the negative guy, the bobblehead, the rookie—and myself? Participate in a rankless and nameless “gut check” that will reveal what you can do to improve yourself, your department, and the fire service today and for future generations.
ALL LEVELS
Room Lucas Oil Stadium Classroom 2

A Firefighter’s Own Worst Enemy
Deputy Chief Jason Hoevelmann, Sullivan (MO) Fire Protection District
A look at how your actions, behaviors, and attitudes can contribute to your problems and those within your organization if you don’t recognize them and control them, and how supervisors’ human dynamics and interactions in the firehouse can transfer to the fireground. Students will be guided in how to ensure that they and their departments can be a fluid, clear, dynamic moving stream as opposed to a stagnant pond sitting in a farm field. INTERMEDIATE
Room 123-124

Understanding and Motivating Today’s Firefighters
Deputy Fire Coordinator Tiger Schmittendorf, Erie County (NY) Department of Emergency Services
Motivating today’s recruits is the focus. Gain insights that can be applied to all types of departments. Learn how to combat the challenges we face in the firehouse with solutions that are readily apparent. Share in the input from X-Box generation firefighters. Tips for attracting and retaining quality firefighters. ALL LEVELS
Room 105-106

Effective Use of Tower Ladders in Tactical Operations
Firefighter Nicholas A. Martin, District of Columbia Fire Department
Proper use of tower ladders in various fireground scenarios is presented. Topics include proper placement and deployment of aerial apparatus; integrating the aerial into the fireground effectively; and using the aerial in various scenarios such as gaining access, rescues, using elevated master streams, and performing technical rescue. Rear-mount and midmount devices and “ladder tower” vs. “tower ladder” are also discussed.
INTERMEDIATE
Room 238-239

Suburban Fire Tactics
Captain Jim Silvernail, Metro West Fire Protection District, St. Louis County, MO
Strategic principles related to the suburban setting are highlighted. Attendees are motivated to develop and establish effective preferred operating methods for structural firefighting. Students will get a glimpse of “how the rest of the country” is dealing with understaffing and adaptive strategic practices to establish consistent operations.
INTERMEDIATE
Room 120-122

Urban Tactics with Quint Fire Apparatus
Firefighter Nicholas Morgan, St. Louis (MO) Fire Department
The differences of applying standard engine and truck company emergency scene tactics with traditional engine and truck companies only, with all-quint companies only, or with a combination of all three types of fire apparatus are analyzed. The session includes a basic discussion about quints and their similarities and dissimilarities to traditional fire apparatus, the reasons some departments replace older apparatus with quints, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of quint apparatus for standard emergency scene operations.
INTERMEDIATE
Room 120-122

Although I recommend these classes, this is by no means the only people and topics you should go see.  I am just asking that you take the time to come see these great instructors while they are available.

Since this post has gotten a little long I will end it with one more request; please register for the Courage and Valor Run.  This is such an important event and cause. Even if you can’t or don’t want to run, your money for the registration goes to the Courage and Valor Foundation.  If you hurry and register you get really cool t-shirt too.

Well, I hope to see you all at one of the many events that will be taking place. I will be at the ISFSI social and the meet up on Friday.

Travel safe and be careful.  See you in Indy!

Posted by on March 18, 2011 • Filed under: fdic 2011, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Release the Ladder Rack!

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As with most departments, and mine is no different,  trying to get guys in the habit of throwing ground ladders takes a lot of work.  We know the benefits of doing this and there is a great article in the most current issue of Urban Firefighter Magazine that gives some great direction on how and when to use these valuable tools.

Typically, those throwing the ladders are the firefighters and officers  riding on the trucks and not those that are driving them. There are some exceptions to this rule depending on how your department operates.  In the area that I work, the apparatus driver is tasked with water supply and support.

Any time we have multiple stories we want ladders thrown. Any time we have people on the roof, we want ladders thrown.  It is an important task and one that must be trained on and made a permanent part of your operations.  However, this post is not about the actual act of throwing the ladder, but how we can make this job easier for those that do.

As apparatus drivers when we pull up to the scene of a working fire we are thinking about charging the appropriate line, getting the right gallons per minute to your interior crews and finding a water supply source before the tank water is exhausted.  That is a lot to do and you normally do it all on your own.  Well, there is one more thing I would like you to add to your list.

Depending on what type of configuration you have on your apparatus, the ladders on today’s engines and trucks are not convenient to get to.  We have them on the top of the truck so that they have to be lowered to get to them. They are placed “through the tank” with an access panel on the rear of the apparatus which if you lay line can make them impossible to remove because they are blocked by charged lines coming off of the truck from a rear discharge.  There aren’t many traditional stowed ladder configurations on apparatus anymore.

As operators we have to keep this mind. The photo I have posted shows the lowering arm that the ladders are stowed on.  This arm is lowered for firefighters to gain access. One of the downfalls to this is that the access to compartment space is limited, but not entirely blocked.

Once we get water to our crew and have established a water supply, take a second to check overhead and on the side for obstructions and lower the ladder arm.  If ladders are needed they are ready for deployment and easy to get to.  The RIT crew can use them for preventative measures by throwing ladders to create an egress point for firefighters and rescue teams can use them to make quick access to upper floors for search and rescue.

What about the compartments?  Before you lower the rack, take out the equipment that is most commonly used that must be deployed fast and have it ready to go.  On this particular truck, the PPV fan, the RIT bag and some spare SCBA bottles would be removed prior to lowering the rack.

Get familiar with your ladders and how they are removed. Know what obstacles you might face in placing the ladders in operation based on your apparatus configuration.  Be prepared and train on these facts.

As always, follow your local guidelines for operating on the fireground.  We must continue to train and do the simple things perfect. Master the basics and don’t forget to use your ground ladders.

Posted by on March 6, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, ladder truck/aerial devices, ladders, rescues, RIT, search, self rescue, situational awareness, size up, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized, vent, ventilation, VES • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,