Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on February 28, 2011 at 7:08pm

the most egregious "unsafe act" is inadequately staffing a fireground.

Well stated!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on February 28, 2011 at 7:13pm

I agree Jack,

The NIST staffing study completed last year backs up what firefighters have been saying for years that staffing is important on the fireground. I also picked up on the capt was going to the roof because the ladder was not on scene. I am willing to bet this was not some freelanced idea, but on order and it does also depend upon what else was going on at the scene. There are many variables to Monday morning QB, but the fact remains someone got injured and the fact remains staffing is needed on a fireground.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julia Miller on February 28, 2011 at 7:30pm

Regardless of the cause, get well soon Capt.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on February 28, 2011 at 9:13pm

I totally agree and eventually it may lead to surround-and-drown tactics on ALL fires. But the public is turning a deaf ear on the unions. Some BCs around here make over $220K. That doesn't look good in print.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by HeightsFF on February 28, 2011 at 11:58pm

true. The media shits on us every day. Fuck it!! If nobody's life is in danger, let the fuckers burn!!! Then Im sure everyone will be crying about how much money loss there is from fires.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by lutan1 on March 1, 2011 at 2:55am

If nobody's life is in danger, let the fuckers burn!!! Then Im sure everyone will be crying about how much money loss there is from fires.

And it's not as silly as it sounds- if we suddenly took a stand and started to stand back a bit more becuase it's a building burning (ie: no life risk) because of staffing, I'm sure eventually someone somewhere will start to make a song and dance about it. Who knows- maybe that dance will lead to more funding, more crews, etc.

It's a ctach 22- we continue to put ourselves at risk, then some smart arse bean counter will keep cutting funds.

Stop putting ourselves at risk for a lump of wood....

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by FETC on March 3, 2011 at 5:05pm

This wasn't the fire listed in this thread but sounds like what the reporter states. Remember concrete and portable ground ladders are a dangerous mix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi5ZsUKxZvM&feature=related

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on March 3, 2011 at 5:38pm

Looks like a 45 degree angle on the ladder placement, to shallow.
Concrete can be slippery (and asphalt and pavers), but sometimes, the ladder gotta be where the ladder gotta be.
(footnote I would never tie off to a garage door, what if someone opens it, it opens by itself or fails as a result of fire within?)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by FETC on March 3, 2011 at 5:44pm

Never say never Jack. Just saying that your other option would be climbing up a ladder not manned on a slippery surface to begin with. Now usually climbing down is at a later time and you can find a person to foot the ladder or confirm the garage door is still there.

We are talking about justifying "getting to the roof" quickly to protect the brothers pushing in when manpower is limited.

Pecentages Jack... It dangerous on the fireground, maybe we should all stay home

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on March 3, 2011 at 6:06pm

FETC,
I'm a huge fan of safety. That being said, over the (many)years I've worked a lot of carpentry. In that time I only saw one ladder go, it went sideways with someone on it because the footer wandered off.

I've been on more roofs as a carpenter than I ever will be as a fireman and I've gone up some hairy ladder placements. Going up ain't bad, but coming off a roof, I almost always want a footer. That's when ladders have the urge to dance.

I think we both agree that one needs to be careful anytime going up or down a ladder. And IF you can get someone to foot the ladder then by all means, anchor him to your ladder. But sometimes we're gonna have to go solo.

It's not me advocating anyone stay home because it can be dangerous. I'm quite the feline (insert common word often times not used in mixed company) when it comes to ladders. But so long as I'm the one that put (or help put) the ladder up, I'm always willing to climb it. If I don't think it's safe then definitely, I'll find a better place. (digging a hole for one foot is always better than propping up the other with 3 pieces of 2x6)
[been there, done that, and some other highly stupid and amazing things]

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page