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Where Goes the Second Line?

We all know that it is easy to fall into a rut when it comes to training and even operating at what is labeled the "routine" call. Especially for those that are in suburban, mostly bedroom communities.

If your like most of the country, you pull past the house to get three sides, stretch a pre-connected hand line and make entry into the front door. Does this sound familiar to anyone? And, more times than not, this works just fine.

However, sometimes the bigger issue becomes where to take the second line? What apparatus does it come from and what size should it be? What about the length?

For most single-family, single story homes, line placement becomes mundane and we get a bit complacent. The second line many times gets pulled from the same rig as the attack line and goes in the same door as the attack line.

Again, I prefer a seconday apparatus for the back up line, but in most house fires the front door is appropriate for the back up line too. Of course, it all depends on what is taking place and many other variables as well.

One of the biggest problems I see quite often is on two story house fires. The first line goes to the fire up stairs and the back up line is at the door. One of the primary concerns is the integrity of those stairs. That second line needs to go to the stairs to protect the egress for the crew operating on the second floor.

The same has to be done if you have an attack team on the first floor and a search team on the second; a line needs to be deployed to the stairs. We must protect that egress point. In addition, note changing conditions to the search team and the attack team. Maybe the fire has spread or can't be found by the attack team and your observations are important.

What are your operational guidelines for the back up line? Share you experiences and thoughts.

As always, stay safe and train hard.

Jason

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Posted by dc802 on April 23, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, rescues, RIT, search, situational awareness, Uncategorized • Tagged: back up line, fire attack, fire operations, fires, protect the stairs, search, search and rescue, secondary line, two story houses

First Impressions

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: What is your first impression?

When I first saw this picture one particular characteristic caught my attention.

In my area, and I am sure it is the same in many other jurisdictions, people are trying to do more with what they have.

We are finding more families living together and they must make some accomodations for those added individuals. What I am referring to is the garage being converted into living space.

I understand that this is not unusual and the practice can make a really nice family room or large master bedroom. The difference we have been seeing is that they still look like garages from the outside. When’s the last time you searched the garage as part of your primary search?

Just be aware and consider this on your next fire. This also is a reason you need to stay familiar with your area. And, the next time your on a “routine” residential fire, you might just want to check the garage.

Stay safe and be careful.

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Posted by dc802 on June 21, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, buildling construction, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, forcible entry, rescues, RIT, search, situational awareness • Tagged: building construction, converted living spaces, familiarization, garages, primary search, search and rescue

Factors to Consider

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What do you notice that could be crucial to your decisions?

We have recently had discussions about size up, so I thought this would be a good picture to post.

If you are the officer pulling up on this one and nobody is out front, what are some immediate “red flags?”

I know this one is easy, but it just drives the point home.

What if this was a vacant house and you noted the same conditions and “red flags?” Would it change how you approach this fire?

What would be your tactics and how much would you risk as the first arriving officer?

Let’s talk fire!

Stay safe and keep training.

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Posted by dc802 on June 1, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, rescues, search, situational awareness, training-fire-rescue-topics, vacant building fires • Tagged: company officer, fire attack, safety, search and rescue, situational awareness, size up

Take the Entire Window

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Here is a short but good video from our friends at Brotherhood Instructors and Urban Firefighter Magazine on taking the window.

Do yourself and those inside a favor, take the entire window.

Train and stay safe.

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Posted by dc802 on May 10, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, enter, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, forceable entry, rescues, RIT, search, situational awareness, vent, VES • Tagged: brotherhood instructors, clear the window, search and rescue, urban firefighter, urban firefighter magazine, VES, windows

FDIC 2010 Large Area Search Video

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Posted by dc802 on April 27, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, rescues, search, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: FDIC 2010, large area search, search and rescue

Breakdown of FDIC 2010 H.O.T. Classes:Large Area Search

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These are pictures of the Large Area Search class that I took at FDIC on Monday of last week.

The class was held at the old airport terminals, which was kind of cool, and created a great opportunity for many crews to operate effectively.

As you can see, there was a lot of use of ropes and knots. Although the knots were simple, tying them with blacked out masks and gloves on is still challenging and gives you an appreciation for this seemingly simple task.

This was a four hour class and could have easily been an eight hour class. It seemed that we were just building on the last evolution with a new skill when we had to break down and load up the bus, with box lunches in hand, to head off to the next class.

The important thing to take away from this class was effective communication and fast, effective search patterns. Both are critical in performing a good search.

The class was led by Bob Athanas from FDNY. The assistant instructors were good to work with and loaded with knowledge. Great class and I would recommend for those of you already planning for next year.

Tomorrow, Personal Harnesses review.

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Posted by dc802 on April 27, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, rescues, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: FDIC 2010, large area search, search and rescue

Training for VES

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How many of you do VES?

How many of you and your organizations routinely perform Vent, Enter and Search Operations?

When discussing this tactic in some circles there is great debate. In fact, I have heard outright intolerance for VES.

It boils down to training and experience. Believe it or not, I have had firefighters actually have to ask what the acronym meant. Obviously, they don’t perform it.

It certainly has it’s place and is something that can be incorporated into the Outside Vent position. Especially in jurisdictions that don’t have dedicated Engines and Trucks, this position is even more critical. In these areas, one fire you may be performing engine company operations while the same day at a different fire you may be the truck company based on the order of your arrival.

I am curious what your policies are and what your training is for this position?

How does your department run in terms of companies and assignments?

Share what you do and how you operate so that we can all learn new ideas and methods to keep us safe.

Take care and train hard and smart.

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Posted by dc802 on April 8, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, RIT, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, vent, ventilation, VES • Tagged: company training, outside vent, outside vent man, search and rescue, VES

Secondary Searches

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Here is a video that emphasizes the practice of a good, thorough secondary search.

We have all been in a fire that we were assigned the task of performing a secondary search. I have also been part of a team that we probably were not taking our task as seriously as we should have because we missed the first in jobs.

But, as we can see from this video it is important and necessary. Be thorough and check every hiding place you can think of. Think about where someone, especially a kid, would hide and check it.

Be safe and remember, every task and assisgnment is important.

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