NJ Ladder Bail, Close Call

Randolph NJ - Firefighter Allen Bell from Dover Fire Dept. in New Jersey captured this CLOSE CALL video of a firefighter who had to bail out of a 2nd floor window while conducting a search for a missing resident. As conditions worsened, the firefighter made it to a 2nd floor window and called out for a ladder. This put firefighter Bells RIT team into action by grabbing the nearest extension ladder to assist the firefighter. This video shows the firefighter falling from the window to the ground and other firefighters carrying him to the front of the house. This video should be used as a training tool. There are several training classes and videos offered that show proper technique in "ladder bail outs". You and your dept. should learn these techniques so this does not happen to you. His injuries were minor, but he could have suffered worse injuries.

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Comment by Al Williams on February 17, 2010 at 1:14pm: I've read enough comments to even bother. I just question the videos opening credits and advocacy for the use of helmet cams. If anything the title of this vid should have read: "When Is It Time to Turn Off the Helmet Cam?" And that was a good a time as any! I saw a lot of white helmets walking around and no IC. I'm done.

Comment by Chris Owens on February 17, 2010 at 1:12pm: I am puzzled as to why just pure common sense was not used in this situation. Everyone can complain about procedure, etc., but why didn't someone climb the ladder and help that guy down?!

Comment by SteveDeCeuster on February 17, 2010 at 12:40pm: After reading some comments, Where's the IC? No Par, More ladders? Did not notice anybody say WHERE's THE WATER? Going above the fire, without a line? Enough said. I think this video will bring some interesting comments. Helmet Cams!!! For those of us that are paid professionals, If like the man said, " You can watch your career anticipation light go out." Rest assured it will. Make a mistake and be sued ???

Comment by Engine 32 Capt. on February 17, 2010 at 12:09pm: "You and your department should train on the procedures for ladder bailout"??? You and your department shoud train on RIT procedures. Shouldn't have to call for a ladder, it should already be there. This video consists of two things: How to be unsafe and a shameless promotion for helmet cameras.

FFN should take this retarded video off the site.

Comment by Shawn Hope on February 17, 2010 at 12:09pm: If the RIT team was there, know firefighters were searching for a victim, they should have put ladders up first thing. If the search team found the victim, they may have needed that as an exit point. Firefighters need training on Fireground Survival and the RIT team might want to review their training

Comment by Boo Bergeron on February 17, 2010 at 12:06pm: First I would like to say "AMEN" for some of the posts I have already read. Comments about PAR, IC, extra hands on scene equaling more ladders thrown; it shows that we are all thinking out there. And like I also read, it is easy to backseat quarter back this call, but without trying to do that its time to comment more. Let's start with the BASICS of fire ground operations. We all agree, I believe, that more ladders should have been in place, especially for 2nd floor operations. Don't most FF I curriculums teach us to have at least TWO means of egress, and what about the fire/smoke conditions? I wasn't able to tell if the fire vented itself or if that was coming from vertical vent cuts, but either way, there appeared to be heavy fire load and the operation seemed to keep a very offensive means as opposed to transitioning to a defensive attack. Also, going back to ladders, is just me, or was no one heeling any of the ladders on any of the operations shown? Especially in regards to the bail out, the posture of the firefighter showed (in my eyes) exhaustion. As soon as that ladder was thrown, I feel by the appearance of the firefighter, someone should have been up that ladder to meet him as he was coming head first. Now, I know that is not your text book bail out procedure, but nothing in that firefighter's body language showed the full ability to execute a proper bail out. I learned a concept of "big fire equals big water," there again, the structure did not appear to be fully involved from end to end, however the fire load seemed worthy of more than two hand lines. It seems that one of our worst enemies, TUNNEL VISION, took over here. I do hope with the deepest sincerity, that the firefighter is/will be ok and that this department can, as well as all of us, can learn from this video. It is all about going home at the end of the day, and I know we all agree to that or we wouldn't be commenting now. Be safe everybody!

Comment by George Leighlitner on February 17, 2010 at 12:05pm: One of the many fireground operations that had no command structure!!!
NO IC; NO Safety Officer; NO Fire Ground Control; NO Accountability
PISS POOR Communications to say the least. Luckily there were only minor injuries and no fatalities

Comment by Kathy Williams on February 17, 2010 at 11:51am: Bail out is around minute 3:45. I'm glad all are OK.

Comment by ROY KENNEDY on February 17, 2010 at 11:25am: Remind me not to go to work for this dept. No leader ship from what I can see. No I.C. or if there was they wern't doing there job. No safty officer(guys with no helmets). From what I could see there were firefighters inside with no hand lines (that i could see).
Tips for this dept. go back and do a hole lot moro traing including the chiefs....

Comment by Bob Allard on February 17, 2010 at 11:05am: Where the "H" is "IC" and command and control, so many people walking around and does this department only have one ladder, sure there was a ladder close by but the should have been another close by since you are going on to the roof. And yea what about a "PAR", when and did they ever have one. The other thing is there no training on any of this stuff, its been all over this web site and others about window/ladder bailouts, basic firefighting always have another way off the roof, or did I miss something.

Sure hope the firefighter is OK and there were no others inside I hope, NO PAR what in the H is going on.