How to Protect Your Turnouts Against Two Common But Dangerous Elements

By F.I.E.R.O. Staff
Published Thursday, January 24, 2013
From www.firefighternation.com

The estimated average price of a set of turnout gear constructed to the recommended high levels of protection is around $1,500. It doesn’t take an accountant to determine that personal protective equipment (PPE) is a major investment for any fire department. As with any major investment, especially one funded by public or donated dollars, it should be protected with the utmost of care. More importantly, that investment protects the department’s most valuable asset—its firefighters.

Despite the protective properties of protective clothing, it has a couple of “kryptonites”: chlorine bleach and light—especially sunlight. Both of these elements will destroy turnout gear, regardless of manufacturer or materials selected.

Remember Your Collapse Zones

Here is a close call where the apparatus was barely outside the collapse zone. Remember that the collapse zone should be at least the height of the building, 1 1/2 times if the building is made of unreinforced masonry. Plan for this collapse when you first arrive, even if nothing is showing. We should always stage as if the building were fully involved because every fire has the potential to end up that way. Once the hoses are pulled and other apparatus arrive it becomes virtually impossible to reposition.

Double Mayday in Delaware

About 16 hours after the floor of a home collapsed in Tioga County, New York, killing Owego Fire Department Captain Matthew Porcari and injuring Lt. Daniel Gavin, two other firefighters found themselves in a similar situation. This time it was in Brandywine Hundred, Delaware and fortunately the outcome was very different.

Click the link below for video, radio transmissions, and a first hand account from one of the injured firefighters.

http://statter911.com/2013/01/23/double-mayday-in-delaware-first-hand-account-from-injured-firefighter-after-floor-collapse-at-brandwine-hundred-house-fire/

LODD Case Study with Computer Modeling

1. How would the results of this study affect your tactics if searching the apartments above the fire?

2. How would the results of this study affect your tactics if you were assigned to initial fire attack?

3. What tactical decisions would you make as the IC at a fire like this?

4. Was vent, enter, search (VES) a good tactic at this fire? Why or why not?

5. If you were assigned to stretch a back-up hoseline at a similar fire, what would your primary objective be?

6. If you were assigned to the RIT at this fire, what proactive measures would you take and what equipment would you stage on the RIT tarp?

Southeastern Fire School

The flyer for this year's Southeastern Fire School has been posted. The dates are March 9-10. The flyer can be found at the link below.

http://www.scfa.state.sc.us/PDF/SouthEasternFireSchool2013.pdf

Obligations

• Posted by Dave LeBlanc on January 6, 2013 at 6:21pm
• View Blog
• Copied from www.backstepfirefighter.com

The Importance of Honesty from Company Officers

By Kevin Milan
Published Monday, January 7, 2013
From www.firefighternation.com

Before earning the first bugle, a fire officer gains vast experience in consuming and delivering firefighter training. Prior to becoming an officer, NFPA 1021: Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications requires that fire and emergency service instructors master the capabilities described in NFPA 1041: Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications. This isn’t a coincidence. Our industry recognizes the most important training officer in the fire service is the company officer; they are the keystones of training, closing the gap between theory and application of knowledge skills, and abilities (KSAs). As such, officers have a great responsibility to the fire service. Most importantly, they must be brutally honest when evaluating the KSAs of their firefighters.