The attached vidoe is a very short and simple clip about how teach firefighters to low profile. As we tell firefighters in our classes, removing your SCBA should be a last resort, but a skill that you must be proficient at. Being prepared is as much about mastering the basics as it is about being able to perform in the event that conditions dictate survival skills must be used.
Some quick pointers about low profile SCBA use:
–Know your air supply and that of your partner
–Never lose contact with your SCBA, it is highly suggested that you never lose contact with the SCBA strap that holds your regulator hose.
–Don’t over extend your arm when you push the SCBA ahead of you.
–Sound the floor before you enter the space as best you can
–If you have a hemet light, use it
–Stay in verbal contact with your partner
–If your in a situation that you must low profile or remove your SCBA, your probably in trouble, call the Mayday prior to removing your SCBA and entering a confined area reduced area.
–Conserve air and make sure you can access your radion at all times. Adjust your radio prior to low profiling.
As always, you must train on these techniques. Incorporate them into other SCBA training and become proficient in the capabilities and limitations of your equipment.
Take care and train hard, Jason.
Archives for scba
This is a great drill from a great Brother and friend, Lance Peeples of the Webster Groves Fire Department in St. Louis County. Look for more great material from Lance in the future.
Daily Drill 1: Standpipe Operations
“The Daily Drill” is designed to spark discussion about operational issues in YOUR fire department. To do this we use photographs or videos depicting fire operations in other fire departments. We do not know the exact circumstances in which our Brothers in these fire departments are operating. Photos or videos are not intended to embarrass our BROTHERS and SISTERS but rather are intended to provide US with learning opportunities relevant to OUR specific operational framework. DON’TFOCUSONWHAT THEY’RE DOING…FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WOULD DO! Stay safe!
Watch the video below and answer the following questions:
1. Using the National Fire Academy Fire Flow Formula, what gpm would be required to extinguish a completely involved 500 square foot apartment fire?
How large of an undivided floor area is often found in high rise office buildings and what fire flow would be required there?
2. Under previous editions of NFPA 14 what was the minimum psi required to flow 500 gpm at the most remote riser?
3. What is the target gpm you are attempting to flow from your standpipe hose and nozzle combination? What psi must be available at the standpipe operation to supply that hose and nozzle combination in order to flow your desired attack flow?
4. The operation depicted showed using 4” supply line into the fire department connection. What is the working pressure limit of LDH used in your department? What is the elevation head pressure in a 30 story building? Are standpipe operations usually high flow or high pressure operations? Is using large diameter hose in FD standpipe connections a good idea?
5. What is the diameter of hose used in your standpipe pack? Is it an automatic/constant flow fog/smooth bore tip? What nozzle psi is required for its designed flow?
6. Will rust, scale, and other debris commonly found in standpipe systems pass through an automatic fog nozzle? Will rust, scale and other debris usually pass through an 1 1/8” smooth bore tip?
7. Can fire department pumpers ALWAYS be used to increase available pressure on the fire floor? What about damaged or missing FD connections? Pressure reducing and restricting valves? Missing piping or excessive head pressures?
8. At the One Merdian fire in Philladelphia on February 23, 1991 what was the length, diameter, and nozzle type (including psi/flow requirements) of the standpipe kits used by the fire department? Did this setup work? Why or why not?
9. What were the names of the Brothers that died at One Merdian that tragic day?
This photo shows a way to make an SCBA face piece for your RIT bag/kit glove friendly. You can use a garden hose or any kind of rubber tubing or hose that would be easy to grab with a gloved hand. We used a small bungee cord and ran it through the bonnet and attached both ends to the hose. This allows for easy feeling and grabbing the back of the mask with gloved hands.
We also attached large key rings to the pull tabs for the face piece bonnet to pull it tight. These rings can be any size you want, but make sure they are easily accessed and grabbed with glove hands.
These two methods have worked very well for us and during training evolutions has stood up to the pulling and tugging.
Let us know if you have other methods that work well for your department.
Thanks and keep training hard.
Jason
Here is one of our instructors from Engine House Training,LLC on some simple webbing techniques. He will be running a series on different webbing uses, so stay tuned!
This is a video of a drill we do. It starts as a VES drill with the firefighter ascending the ladder and then clearing a window. The space is smoked up and the fierfighter enters, starting his search for the door. While he’s searching we throw a rug or piece of plywood ontop of them to demonstrate conditions deteriorating and making them exit fast to the window.
The intent is to force quick recognition to exit and to perform the ladder bail fast. We do this drill after evolutions of just ladder bail practice. This let’s them put their practice into real life type situations and to do it at full speed.
We have a new YouTube channel and we hope to start posting new videos.
I’ve done it and you’ve done it. It is going to happen again and it’s going to happen soon. With every line of duty death the Monday morning quarterbacks come out and tell us all what they should have or should not have done. We preach and teach to learn from these tragedies by understanding the circumstances surrounding the incident. But, what are we doing to make sure that this doesn’t happen?
Our job is dangerous. Worcester Fire Department is a highly trained department and according to some reports I have gotten, fight these types of fires every year. There are some additional factors like high winds and possibly illegal renovations that compromised the structural integrity of the building. Neither of these two factors can be anticipated or controlled. We have a job to do and when we are told that someone is in a building, we do what we can to get to them. As I write this I have not heard confirmation that there was or was not a victim found.
I have no doubt that we could dissect and scrutinize what happened and we would have done this or that differently. We will hear how simplistic it should have been and others pounding the table that we don’t enter buildings that are compromised. Guess what? As soon as that building catches fire it is compromised!
What frustrates me more is that in the fire service many are real good at solving problems after the fact and few try to identify and solve them before they are actualized. It’s not just judging the YouTube video or a line of duty death, no, it’s many things. “That guy doesn’t know what he’s doing.” “That guideline is outdated and inefficient.” “That small time volunteer fire department doesn’t know what they’re doing.” Of course, most of these “kitchen table experts” have no desire to be proactive or to put themselves out there to take the lead on a project to make a positive change.
Sometimes, and I’m not saying this is the case yet, things are not preventable. Sometimes we are going to lose. We hope not, but we are running into burning, compromised buildings to save lives and property. When someone comes to us and is telling us someone is in the building, if we can make a push, we will and we should. This is what we do and why we are here. There is no time to run down a check list to determine if a certain profile is met. We don’t have time to switch our size up decision making. We have to consider the situation presented to us at the time and use our training and experience to do our best to attempt a rescue.
But, if we do want to be Monday morning quarterbacks I suggest a different approach. Take your expertise and knowledge to some less fortunate departments in regards to resources for training and teach. Share your experience and knowledge with these departments and individuals to keep bad decisions being made on the fire ground. I believe that this is the best way to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for others. Whether there were mistakes or not, we can help to prevent those who don’t have resources to perform appropriately on the fire ground.
We recently did a class in a remote part of our state and had two firefighters arrive with some hand-me down gear and SCBA. Neither had worn the gear before and neither had ever had on an SCBA. They stated they had been fighting fire with self purchased boots, gloves and helmets. That’s it. Nothing more. This is still happening. We had to pull these two firefighters aside and walk them through some basics about gear and SCBA operations. We took extra time with them just to teach them basic firefighter skills. They were more than willing to learn and were eager.
The point is this: let’s put our efforts into training and teaching firefighters to operate safely instead of beating up departments, officers and firefighters after the fact. Can we learn from these tragic events? Absolutely! We should learn lessons in a constructive manner from not just tragic events, but from every call we run. There is always something to learn whether things went well or not so well.
Train, be tolerant and make a difference in a positive way. Stay safe and thanks for reading.
Jason
This is a very simple post but one that I am finding is ever more important. Take a look at the picture and what is the first thing that you think of? What do you see? We've all done this drill or scenario and we have all at one point or another felt the anxiety of being "stuck" in a box, tube or tight spot. Some may have had instructors that guided us through and others may have been screamed at they needed to get out or they were going to die in there.
The main purpose of this post is to find out what we are trying to accomplish. It is more than just getting through the prop. We want to emphasize calm and deliberate actions. I like to point out the small things. Calm breathing and think one step ahead. What is at the other end and how should I prepare my next action accordingly? Is there a drop off? Is there a tighter space? I also like to practice getting to my pockets. Whether I actually need to or not, if I get into a position that I would need them, I have practiced that. I will be confident that I can reach my wire cutters in a tight spot. The same with my flash light; can I turn it on? Do I have an extra one I can get to?
Can I reach my radio? Can I reach my PASS device? I like to feel the space I'm in with one hand and arm to determine what the shape of the space I am in. It may just help me with placing my tank. It's not always on the bottom corners. There could be debris or the opening may be wider at the top. Feel the shapes and contours.
I know this sounds simplistic and time consuming. It is! But, if we do it over and over again, we will be better and faster at it. With these drills it's not always about speed. Creating good habits that will be easy to recall in a crisis situation just may save your life.
I understand that all buildings, for various reasons, will not get a 360 performed on it during a fire. But, for those that we do get to job around, we need to understand what we are looking for.
I recently spoke with an acting officer and asked him what he was looking for when performing a 360. His answer was "fire." I asked what else? The answer came, "ways in." We need to make sure we are taking advantage of the information being made available to us while we are circling the building.
This post is going to focus on some basement indicators. The pictures shown below are just examples of things you might see when making the round. Keep in mind that at night you need to take a hand light. For example, the wood behind the basement windows below may not be noticeable with shining a light in the windows on the way around.
We must pay attention to what we are looking for when conduction the 360. As you can see, we may be faced with some very challenging situations. Not only do we need to be aware during the initial arrival, but the RIT will need this information as well.
As always, follow you own operational guidelines and train hard.
This and other topics will be discussed during one of my presentations at Fire Rescue International 2011. I am presenting for the Company Officer Development track and hope to see you there.
Jason
Engine House Training, LLC is a new training group based in St. Louis, MO. We have been doing training together for a long time and finally decided to do something formal with it. As much as we like to train, we are great friends and have a blast with what ever we are doing.
The web site and blog site are not fully operational yet, but blogs should be coming in the next day or so. In the meantime, we have launched our Facebook page and would really like to have you check it out. We have already posted a great deal of material to the page and some of it you have seen before from this site. You can also follow us on Twitter.
The primary mission with Engine House Training, LLC is to give firefighters the tools they need to survive each and every call. Although our curriculum is based on self survival, Mayday, and RIT, we place a heavy emphasis on basic skills that will hopefully keep firefighters from needing to use the techniques that we teach.
Here is a quick list of our instructors and their backgrounds:
Here is a great video of some basement removal techniques. This is another video from Dale Pekel, who looks like he may have gotten a promotion? Dale? Anyway, these props are able to be used for multiple drills and Dale is very generous with how to build them.
These two techniques are great and you can see that one must be comfortable and well trained in the use of the SCBA. Confidence comes from continued use and training. You must master the basics and know your tools like the back of your hand. This allows you to perform the more advanced tasks without worrying about the simple things because they become second nature.
Train hard and stay safe. Thanks Dale for another great video.
Jason
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!
Since the the question of “What’s on Your Stick” was so popular, I decided to follow it up with another on. What’s in your cab?
I have seen and talked to many who do things a differently in regards to tools and implements of destruction in the cab of the truck. As we all know all tools and items are supposed to be secured if it is to ride with us in the cab. (There is my disclaimer, so please don’t point out the obvious.) However, we know this is not always practical and so that is not what this post is about.
Rather, I want to know what tools or items you just can’t live without having close to you whether you are in the “seat” or riding backwards.
So, what is your weapon of choice and why?
What would you like to have that you don’t?
Do you get to pick what you take or do you have specifically assigned tools?
Let us know how you work and any great tips for keeping tools in the cab.
Stay safe and train hard.
I have had this discussion several times with fellow fire service professionals. It is something that is also asked of me in a more indirect manner by friends and family when talking about my job. The fire service professional usually has one answer and my family and friends are shocked that there aren’t any standards.
Personally, I believe that there needs to be, at least at the state level, a system that requires continuing education and minimum job performance evaluations. I have heard that the last thing the fire service needs is more unfunded mandates required by non-firefighting personnel. To that comment, I agree. However, it cannot be overlooked that we are in a time and era of firefighting like we have never seen before. We have all heard someone say that “this ain’t your father’s fire service anymore.”
I have been a paramedic for 17 years and I am required to acquire a certain number of continuing education units over a five year period. In addition, the CEU’s must be in particular categories and areas in order to keep me a well rounded educated paramedic. It works and it is expected by the public. After all, do you want a medic that is keeping up with the profession or one that got his license and then never did another thing in his career working on you or your family?
Well, that is exactly what we have in the fire service. We have what I believe is a majority of our peers getting “in” and never doing anything extra. I know firefighters who are more interested in their side jobs and hobbies than they are in the profession in which so many depend on his skills. I have heard one say that he has no desire to go get any extra training or to read the trade publications because he “just isn’t that in to it.” WTF!
I have seen guys fight and fight to get into the academy. They spend ten weeks learning very basic information that must be continually expanded on and re-learned over years to become proficient. Then they get hired and never do another thing in their career. This leave us open for scrutiny and makes the fire service a dangerous place.
Although I am not a big fan of making government a part of the fire service as we know it, I am fearful that if we don’t fix some of our own problems they will fix them for us. Part of the fix should include requiring recertification, fitness testing and job performance evaluations. Now before some of you have a complete seizure, hear me out.
First, there should a required number of CEU’s that must be obtained in each discipline over a predetermined amount of time. For example, you have to get formal training in ventilation, forcible entry, etc, every three years. Yes, your employment would depend on it, just like my medic license. I want to know that the person crawling down the hall is up to date with our SCBA techniques and rescue drills in the event that something goes bad.
As I said before, I don’t think that this should be regulated by a national standard so much as state oversight. The reason I say this, as much as I would like to see a national standard, is that each state is unique in its needs. If you are a firefighter in California you will need more extensive training in wildland than someone in Missouri. The examples are endless, so I believe each state should meet minimum national requirements and then can adapt their own program.
I think we only hurt ourselves when we don’t train and encourage measurable professional development. We owe it to the people we protect and to our peers and to our families to be highly trained and educated professionals. The only way to be “professional” is to continually train and learn about our profession.
Since day one in the fire service, we have each had that one thing that we always carry in our gear. A screw driver, pliers, wire cutters, rope or webbing. Over the years we might accumulate more or downsize to just what we need.
What do you carry on your person?
I am always curious when I hear some state that they don’t want any extra weight on them, that their gear is heavy enough.
As you can see, we recently were issued the external harnesses. We had members that complained about the weight and extra attention that needed to be paid to getting into the gear. I personally have not had any problems and I will post on these harnesses another time.
The matter at hand is “what’s in your pockets?” I have things that I always carry with me no matter what and there are some items that I would like to add and just haven’t done it yet.
I keep a 30 foot piece of webbing, two cords, wire cutters, (need new ones), regular pliers, screw drivers, a center punch and I wear a flash light on my coat. There are some items that I need to add, but for now this is what I have. For example, I would like to add a 25 and 50 foot section of 8mm rope, wooden wedges and a new pair of spring loaded wire cutters.
Flash light on the coat.
What do you carry and why? Do you have any great stories of needing any of your tools and were glad you had them?
Share your input and give us your recommendations and suggestions on what to carry and why.
Stay safe and be careful out there.
Three days of ball busting training evolutions on acquired structures!
If you missed FDIC, you have to make this training event.
I have had the opportunity to spend some time with Nate and Kevin and they are the real deal.
The training is real and practical. It is stuff you will use in real life, on real calls.
You just can’t afford to miss this. The price is right and the location is in the middle of the country. I just can’t say enough about the classes and teaching style of the Brotherhood Instructors.
Even if you can only make one day, it is worth the travel. But, beware, you will be whooped by the end of the weekend.
Get to the Brotherhood Instructors Facebook page and look at their videos, blogging and pictures for an idea of what they do.
See you soon and train hard with The Brotherhood!
This is a good video from our friends and fellow bloggers at Traditions Training. It shows proper packaging and removal up a stairwell.
Remember, these videos are for reference and information only. You have to drill and practice these skills with an instructor that has the background and experience to ensure proper technique.
Train hard and stay safe.
- SCBA consumption drill.
This is a photo of an air consumption drill that we typically do during our Mayday training. However, we encourage our company officers to use these like pop quizzes every so often to keep our people comfortable and familiar with their SCBA’s.
This is a simple drill that makes the firefighter be “active” for a duration of time that is dictated by how long it takes for their low air alarm to sound.
Crawling for the SCBA drill.
This provides the firefighter with the opportunity to become familiar with how long they have until their low alarm goes off. This is important, especially in larger structures, because we want them exiting prior to that alarm going off if at all possible.
Once the alarm goes off they just walk or stand as if they were conserving air. This provides them with an idea of about how long they can conserve their air if they do get trapped and their low air alarm does activate.
Is this drill perfect? NO! But, it is a good drill and the more often we put our people on air, the more comfortable and confident they get wearing it.
You can add several other little twists and curves to this drill to challenge their SCBA skills. Get creative and keep it fresh. In many instances, the guys and gals doing the drill will think of new ways to perform it.
Train hard and stay safe.
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