How do you run your 2 1/2" lines?

What types of nozzles?

Pre-connect or static?

Length?

What is your preference and why?

This is a valuable weapon when deployed correctly. However, some are of the opinion that it's just to big and heavy to use for an initial attack or with just one person. What are your experiences with handling the big line?…

We all know that getting water on the fire as quickly as possible is the best way to avoid bad situations. We also know that some of the best in the business have been confronted with situations beyond their control even after doing all the right things and were forced to make very tough decisions for survival.

Our, (Engine House Training, LLC), class is not an excuse for a lack of training in fundamental…

Since the end of 2014, I have been reading and listening to year end thoughts and data related to the fire service. There has been discussion on types of calls, near misses and, of course, line of duty deaths. Numbers are broken down and categorized for each type of injury or death that is fire service related and then scrutinized. In many cases these are supposed to be used as lessons and to determine the effectiveness of different messages from different mediums about the prevention of…

Many times we pass on opportunities to train or learn something although many situations lend themselves to doing so. Look for ways to incorporate the situation or circumstance that you are dealing with into a learning moment. The pictures below are of a company training on aerial ops with a candidate operator.

It was a call for an alarm sounding at a medical building after hours. After looking in the windows and doors and seeing no signs of smoke or fire and with the lock box key not…

In recent weeks I have had the opportunity to be involved in both sides of the promotional process: as a participant and as an interviewer.  Both are stressful and will challenge you.  You must be able to pull from your training, education, experience and coaching in both circumstances to arrive at a positive decision and hopefully with a successful outcome.

This post is going to focus on  being the participant in these processes.  In my classes on officer development I try to hammer…

As progressive, engaged and enthusiastic firefighters, we all took classes, trained hard and created an image of the way we would be when we got promoted. We would do this and we would do that, damn the consequences and those we might piss off. But, when we got there, it may not have all gone as planned. Hmmm…..did you ever wonder why?

I have seen this happen over the years and it has happened to me during my first years as a young company officer and later on as a chief officer, the…

Drill of the week from Engine House Training, LLC

Kinked Line

Here is a quick drill for figuring out hose stretches for larger complexes or properties with long set backs. The key is to get out and figure this out long before the call comes in. Share and add your own information to it.

Company Drill for EHT Hose Stretch…

Here is a look at an explanation of the webbing video we showed last week to escape from a basement. Of course, size of windows will dictate the level of difficulty, but the technique will work on smaller windows if practiced with.  

This video is one we did a couple of years ago when we had an opportunity to get inside a home that was scheduled for demolition. The house was a balloon frame constructed house and we were able to get some great pictures of the interior structural components.

Use it for you training or as an addition for your building construction classes and thanks for viewing.

Here is a quick video on setting up and storing your webbing. If you have other methods please share them!

Setting Up and Storing Webbing Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEtZcHy6Oxc

Here is a post with an attached company drill on perimeter search.

Perimeter Search from Engine House Training, LLC

We had an incredible response to the post on wearing your seat belt and donning your SCBA that Instructor and Captain, Steve Heidbreder has shared a video showing not only wearing your seat belt, but also wearing your radio protected under your turn out coat in a strap. Share and use at your departments!…

Many times we pass on opportunities to train or learn something although many situations lend themselves to doing so. Look for ways to incorporate the situation or circumstance that you are dealing with into a learning moment. The pictures below are of a company training on aerial ops with a candidate operator.

It was a call for an alarm sounding at a medical building after hours. After looking in the windows and doors and seeing no signs of smoke or fire and with the lock box key not…

I started a new video series and am presenting a new class at FDIC 2015 called “10 Commandments for the Company Officer: A Guide for Success off the Fireground.” The class touches on 10 things for the new company officer to consider for success in the firehouse and dealing with his members.

In the first section, or the “1st Commandment” we discuss preparation. Without getting to long in a blog post, there are some very basic steps that one…

Don't forget the simple things; what's in your pockets? Don't forget also to use the "stuff" in the basement to climb on to escape too. Keep it simple!

I started a new video series and am presenting a new class at FDIC 2015 called "10 Commandments for the Company Officer: A Guide for Success off the Fireground." The class touches on 10 things for the new company officer to consider for success in the firehouse and dealing with his members.

In the first section, or the "1st Commandment" we discuss preparation. Without getting to long in a blog post, there are some very basic…

First Due Rural Engine: Laying the Line