Some questions for a tabletop company drill or tailboard chat in front of a demolition site…

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Here are a few pictures from a recent USAR training at a two story school in Oregon, OH slated for demolition after the first of the year.  Breaching walls and floors, search cam work, and some old fashioned forcible entry included.  See if you can pick up something for discussion at your firehouse.…

What’s your plan for a collision pinning a victim between the hood of a car and the rear-end of a heavy vehicle?  Is this an unlikely scenario?  Whether you are in a small town or big city, commercial vehicles are stopping and going through your jurisdiction daily.  See my previous post on cribbing for heavy vehicles to get an idea of the weights.

It is imperative for us to…

Phil Burden with JD Vasbinder. Two great trainers!

The following post contains…

 We had the opportunity to gain some valuable knowledge from our local electric utility company at a recent training.  They provided answers to questions with professional and expert recommendations.  First, I’ll review some terminology through pictures.  Second, I’ll list a series of questions that were asked of the utility company personnel and their answers.  Lastly, I’ll review several…

Coming in 2012 will be an option from General Motors for liquified petroleum gas (LPG) in Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana cutaway 4500 vans, which are used in Type A school bus applications.  About 2,600 LPG (autogas) fueling stations are scattered around the country with an anticipated increase in the future making this a feasible option.  Read on.

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Here is a basic review of wood cribbing capacities and then some thoughts on how to increase your crews critical thinking before the heavy rescue lifting call.

Are you prepared to lift a heavy vehicle off of an entrapped victim?  Do you have the knowledge, equipment, and cribbing to make the rescue fast and safe?  Fast is a relative term in this case.  Technical rescues are not often fast, but we should strive for expeditious rescue with coordinated and competent techniques.  …

The pictures below were sent to me by PTFD Lt. Bronner while on a road trip.  

After you get done chuckling at the photos below consider the following:

• Are your walk-throughs, inspections, and preplans catching building or content alterations that could potentially place you or the occupants at a disadvantage during a fire?
•  Would the umbrella material melt away and not interfere with sprinkler coverage?…

Many of us in the fire service are getting back to the basics and this post will dive into Sawzall / reciprocating saw operations.  I’ve included a bit of history, pictures, and some tips that will hopefully help contain your emotions prior to throwing this valuable tool to the side.  Don’t be fooled, it takes practice to rip through the side of a bus, rear of a semi-tractor cab, or building construction materials quickly.   

History

I include this…

This information was passed on to me from David Walsh via Deputy Commissioner John Horan (OC Fire Services – NY).  The links below are very graphic pictures of severe effects from mercury exposure.  Of course its a potential hazard in many of our homes, but also on the fireground. 

Here’s a summary of the to-do’s if a CFL light breaks:

• Have people and pets leave the room.
• Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to…

Liquid CO2 is a hazard that is now being found in restaurants.  These systems are decreasing the number of CO2 bottle changes needed, however, many of the hoses are plastic and subject to damage. When a hose develops a crack, the liquid CO2 expands at a high ratio quickly filling the area. Unsuspecting persons may quickly become unconscious as O2 levels decrease rapidly.  Continue…

The social media world is providing instructors with numerous options to pass on knowledge.  As an instructor, I am often wanting more time in the classroom or on the training ground.  Here’s a way to gain valuable class or training time.

By making a video preview of an upcoming lecture or hands-on drill, instructors can increase the knowledge base of their students prior to them even stepping foot in the classroom or on the training ground.  This will allow for greater conversation…

Here’s a piece brother firefighter Charlie Hillman (Norwalk (OH) FD) wrote about a chimney fire last winter.  He brings up several fireground basics that we all should remember.  Pass it on!

On Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 0850 hours the Willard Fire and Rescue department was dispatched to a chimney fire.  The chimney fire was reported in a 1 ½ story wood-framed, single family dwelling, ranch style home.  Upon arrival the supervisor initiated incident command and a…

The following farm rescue options were learned and passed on to a group of about 70 firefighters in Wakeman, Ohio at the 2nd Annual Farm Rescue course hosted by the Northern Ohio Fools & the Ehove…

I’ve been on somewhat of a rant about getting back to the basics with some extrication techniques lately.  Mainly because we sometimes get overzealous in our efforts to use the most fancy electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic tools.  Tunnel vision, maybe.  Remember, you may need two or three options to perform a rescue.  Keep it simple, fast, and safe.

A recent training opportunity allowed the same scenario to be set up 6 times.  The firefighters were told to perform the rescue the first…

Great training with Avon (OH) firefighters of all experience levels.  Thanks for the invite.  Pictures are worth more than words as usual, so the summary will be short.

• What tools are on your rig?  Different haligans, axes, sledgehammers?
• Gap, Set, Force the door!  Repetition is hard to come by, so take advantage of acquired structures and props.
• Know your saw; starting, stopping, changing the blade.  I encourage a little friendly competition.  Who on the crew…

This truck fire appeared routine on arrival.  The driver reported no occupants in the truck and no hazmats in the box.  You’ll see a quick knock down with water and foam, but burning magnesium kept burning through the foam blanket. Usually more H2O will suppress this type of burning metal fire, but sand was used for final extinguishment in this case.

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