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The Glove Friendly RIT Mask

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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

Posted by on November 12, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, line-of-duty, mayday, rescues, RIT, scba, self rescue, situational awareness, Training, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , ,

Command and Size Up “Memory Joggers”

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Here is a great "memory jogger" for Command Functions and Size Up from one of our instructors, Scott Hulsey.

 

Size-up Matrix

 

Command Sequence Cycle

 

 

Click the link for each and feel free to use how you wish. If you have additions and suggestions, please share.

 

Thanks for reading and keep training.

Posted by on October 24, 2012 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership • Tagged: , , , ,

Don’t Forget the Obvious: Basement Self Rescue

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In our classes we spend a lot of time showing firefighters how to stay out of and how to get out of bad situations. Our fire service is seeing an increase in firefighters who are falling through floors into basements or sub-levels.

This is large part due to the engineered flooring systems that do not perform well in fire conditions. Fires are growing more intense much faster than in the past and the structural members of these buildings are under attack before we arrive in some cases. The importance of knowing our response areas, getting an accurate size-up, doing a 360 evaluation of the building and choosing an appropriate tactic are more critical than ever.

We teach different methods of removing ones self from a basement and removing a downed firefighter from basements. There are several techniques for removing a firefighter including using an attic ladder, using the hose, rope, or webbing to lift them out of the hole. We can also cut the floor away from the exterior making a window a door to remove someone. These are just a few examples.

For self rescue we teach using a hand tool as a step or as a recent post by Chris Huston discusses, using the drywall as a ladder to get yourself out. We also teach using webbing as a stepping device with the assistance of firefighters on the outside. All of these techniques are good and and should be practiced. However, we know that if we fall through a floor we may lose our tools and it is going to be very bad down there. Speed is of the essence.

When go over the teaching points of basement rescues, we always talk about things to do to avoid this from happening in the first place. Doing a good 360, sound the floors, descend stairs feet first, know your still area and building construction are good places to start. I also like to point out that the hazards we discuss in regards to basements, junk and clutter, can also be our friend.

If you find yourself in a situation in a basement or an area with a high window for egress, use the stuff in that space as steps. Pile it up under that window and climb out. Don’t forget to use the obvious. I have done training in acquired structures where we put firefighters in the basement and they are free to use whatever is available. You would be surprised how many limit their resources to only what is in their hands or pockets.

Train hard and sometimes thinking outside the box is as simple as looking around at the “stuff” that is right at your feet. Thanks for reading and expect fire! Jason

Posted by on September 25, 2012 • Filed under: buildling construction, engineered lumber, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, rescues, RIT, self rescue, situational awareness, size up • Tagged: , , , ,

Simple Webbing Tips: Storage

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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!

Posted by on June 15, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, mayday, patient-management, rescues, RIT, scba, search, self rescue, situational awareness, size up, Training, training-development, VES • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

VES with Ladder Bail

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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.

Posted by on May 22, 2012 • Filed under: enter, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, forcible entry, ladders, rescues, RIT, scba, search, situational awareness, size up, Training, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, VES • Tagged: , , , ,

Always Preplanning

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This is a blog post by one of our instructors, Andrew Krato.

 

While in Indy at FDIC my first night on the town I was looking out of my hotel window and I came across this building. What I saw was just a reminder of how important it is to get out and do your building preplans in your district.

What I found was a multi story commercial brick building just like many of theothers in down town Indianapolis and so many other s in my district in Missouri.

Like many other building they all have fire escapes, this building was different because it was missing. This building is setup for the escape and if you look closer at the pictures you can see that at one time one was there. The holes from the mounts can still be seen in the brick and the rust marks from over the years of weather have left its impression on the building. Unfortunately, I was unable to make my way into the building and see what it looked like from the inside. What I can see from the outside is each level has a full size door that exits to the platform.

As in the pictures the platforms and stairs are gone but the doors remain there. From the outside nothing is labeled as do not enter, not an exit or is blocked off from the inside no bars or boards as such. I would hope that from the inside it is labeled or marked or at least secured shut.

As we all know in the smoke or dark a door feels like a door and whether or not it goes toanother room or outside and down 10 floors we need to make sure we have control of the doors, andwe sound before we enter into another room.

Thanks and be safe doing your preplans.

Posted by on May 16, 2012 • Filed under: buildling construction, FDIC 2012, firefighter-safety-health, situational awareness, size up • Tagged: , , , , ,

Bailout Hooks–Your Preference?

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Check out this new blog from Frank Lipski of Engine House Training, LLC.  Visti the site and post your responses and to learn more about Engine House Training, LLC.

 

 

A recurring question that comes up during almost every firefighter escape or bailout class is which anchor hook most people use and why. We like to train firefighters with the equipment they have, but the hook debate always seems to cause some passionate opinions on which is best and why. I feel that it is not as important what hook you have, but whichever you are using… be an expert with it. No matter what system you are using you must know how to use it properly in any and all conditions that you may face as a firefighter.

We have students that ask if they must wear structural firefighting gloves when they take our classes. As you can assume our response is always the same, you should practice as you play. We feel like if you cut corners in training scenarios, you will repeat your training performance when under stress. So we encourage students to put themselves in situations that are realistic to what they will face in real situations.

Having said that, I would like to hear from all of you as to what anchor you use and WHY. Please take the time to leave constructive opinion and discussion as to why you prefer a given device. If you have used and like multiple hooks that fine also. Please try to avoid arguments which really don’t help anyone. I am looking for reasonable reviews of the popular anchors so others can more quickly research and develop an opinion on anchors to test when making an equipment purchase.

Thanks, Frank

Posted by on March 22, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, mayday, rescues, RIT, search, self rescue, situational awareness, Training, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Podcasting from Missouri Winter Fire School

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This past weekend we at Engine House Training, LLC had the distinct honor to interview and just talk with some of the leaders of the fire service at the 31st annual Missouri Winter Fire School. We were able to sit down with Billy Goldfeder, Dave Dodson, Forrest Reeder, Doug Cline and John Norman. To say the least, it was a great time. Click on the photo below to hear all of the podcasts. We also sat down with some of the great firefighters that attended. Challenge coins were flashed with two FOOLS guys and stories were told. Check it out and share with your friends. We think we are going to make this a regular thing. Thanks and train hard.

(Photo to come, click here for the Podcasts.)

 

Posted by on February 12, 2012 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Missouri Winter Fire School

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Check us out at Missouri Winter Fire School. We will be podcasting live from Columbia, Missouri on the weekend of February 10th. Listen live and listen for recorded podcasts of your favorite instructors and new and up and coming instructors.

 

Posted by on February 3, 2012 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , ,

Balloon Frame Construction: From the Inside

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This short clip show balloon frame construction from the inside. With Engine House Training, LLC this summer, we had the opportunity to hold a class in this building. It was going to be torn down and the interior wall coverings in most of the house had been removed. That exposed the balloon frame construction characteristics that we so often speak of but seldom have the chance to see.

Use this however you like and share it.  Hopefully, this will help someone to better understand the meaning of balloon frame buildings and to ensure proper tactics are used with these structures.

Keep training and pass on your knowledge to others. Share the gift.

Posted by on November 18, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire stopping, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, self rescue, situational awareness, size up, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses • Tagged: , , , , ,

Engine House Training, LLC

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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:

 

Jason:
  Jason Hoevelmann is a Deputy Chief with the Sullivan Fire Protection District and a firefighter/paramedic with the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District. He has over 20 years of fire service experience and has been an instructor for the last 15 years. He is Instructor Level II and Officer II. He holds a BS in Fire Service Administration from Eastern Oregon University and presents at FDIC and Fire Rescue International as well as other regional conferences.  He has been published in Fire Engineering magazine and OnScene magaizine and writes a monthly column on FireRescue1.com. He is on Missouri Strike Teams 5 and 3.  He is a board member of the ISFSI, a board of director on the IAFC/FLSS and is on NFPA Technical committees for Fire Officer qualifiations and Fire Service Instructor qualifications.
 
 
Gary Graf:
  Gary is a Battalion Chief/Training Officer with the Pacific Fire Protection District. Gary has been in the fire service for over 20 years. Gary helps coordinates training for Tri County Training, Franklin/Jefferson County Task Force 5 and for MUFTRI.  Gary has specialized in all aspects of rescue and firefighter survival.
 
Dave Konys:
Dave is a Captain with the Sullivan Fire Protection District and has been in the fire service for over 10 years. Dave is a fire service instructor 1 and has taught extensively on firefighter safety and survival.
 
Frank Lipski:
 Frank is a firefighter/paramedic with the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District and has been in the fire service for over 15 years.  Frank holds a Bachelors of Science in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. Frank specializes in rope rescue and firefighter safety and survival techniques.  He is a member of St. Louis County Task Force 3 and is a Swiftwater Rescue Technician.
 
Andy Seers:
Andy is a Captain/Paramedic with the Creve Coeur Fire Protection and has been in the fire service for the past twenty one years. He holds an Associates Degree in Fire Protection Technology and is a Level I certified fire service instructor by the State of Missouri. He is a member of the St. Louis County Strike Team 3 and the St. Louis Co Hazardous Material Team.  He has been teaching safety and survival training throughout the State of Missouri for the past ten years. 
 
We appreciate your support and hope to have a long relationship in the fire service with all of you.  If there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.
 
In Training,
Jason, Gary, Dave, Andy and Frank

 

Posted by on June 4, 2011 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fdic 2011, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, MUFRTI, rescues, RIT, scba, search, self rescue, situational awareness, size up, special-operations, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , ,