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The Importance Of Sounding The Floor - Basic Skill Set Will Save Your Life!
The importance of situational awareness came to light the other day in a recent fire in a neighboring town. Reports are no firefighters were injured and the safety issue was identified. Reported fire in the basement. The homeowner alledgedly had modified the basement stairs and added a dumb waiter type hoist system to raise books from a basement library. The floor had a large hole at the landing that a firefighter could have easily fallen straight into the basement due to obscured vision.
The use of a thermal camera is great, but the basic technique of sounding the floor with a good old fashion tool, adds to greater situational awareness. Think back to the last time you used a TIC, was a tool sounded or did we move quickly without the use of our other senses like sound and feel.
A short discussion about the importance of sounding the floor around these pictures on the computer will re-enforce this basic firefighter 1 skillset, a technique that can and will prevent future firefighter injuries and/or deaths.
TCSS
FETC
The use of a thermal camera is great, but the basic technique of sounding the floor with a good old fashion tool, adds to greater situational awareness. Think back to the last time you used a TIC, was a tool sounded or did we move quickly without the use of our other senses like sound and feel.
A short discussion about the importance of sounding the floor around these pictures on the computer will re-enforce this basic firefighter 1 skillset, a technique that can and will prevent future firefighter injuries and/or deaths.
TCSS
FETC
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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very cool post... it's the things you can't see in the dark that are the scariest... thanks for sharing this. makes me think about the saying, "when fools rush in...". just taking a moment to factor in floor sounding issues can make or literally BREAK it... falling through an opening in the floor, wearing full PPE and a SCBA usually means that something is going to break, and hopefully, after reading this post, folks won't just 'rush' in.
CBz
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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We pretty much use our TIC for everything, BUT..it is only a secondary tool. Our training is our primary tool. We do sound the floor and physically check walls and ceilings. To us, the TIC is more used for checking for hotspots after the fire is "out", or looking for people.
Don't let the fancy new technology fool you into thinking you don't need common sense or training. Remember, it was made by man and operated by man. And lord knows that "man" is capable of making mistakes.
Great post.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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This video reconfirms the necessity of sounding floors (and paying attention) and also is a good use of the helmet cam for training.
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Permalink Reply by Doug on
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The Importance Of Sounding The Floor, As Well As Roofs - Basic Skill Set Will Save Your Life!
There, fixed. ;)
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Permalink Reply by Station10Capt106 on
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great post and a great reminder. It never cease to amaze me some the "modifications" homeowners make. While these may see a good, cool, unique, clever idea in times of crisis they can become deadly - especially if you are not aware of them.
Taking things slow and safe is kinda like the tortoise and the hare. It may seem that you need to rush to get things done but over the years I've noticed that those that can control their emotions and adrenalin and just work at a nice steady pace are much more proficient and get things done a helluva lot faster than those that are running around like a chicken w/ their heads cut off.
A classic example that I have used in some of my trainings is the simple task of opening a non-rebreather and hooking it up to the O2 tank and placing it on a patient. I have someone new come up and do it. I tell them to treat it as if it was a real call. They are rushing so fast and fumbling around. Dropping the mask, tangling up the cords and so on. While they are doing that I calmly pull one out. Open it and let the tubing fall. Hook it up and turn it on. Afterward we talk about who got it done faster and who instilled more comfort and confidence to the patient and family members looking on.
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