Masks on or off in the truck?

On a structure fire call, my captain told me to have my mask on but not on air when I get out of the truck. Of course I will follow his directions, but I was wondering if it's better to mask up before making entry. On some calls, captains got off the truck with their mask on, and their inital size up to dispatch was really difficult to understand, their mask was all foggy, and it's hard to understand their directions. That's just my opinion...brothers and sisters, what do you think?

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Permalink Reply by Paul Acosta on April 18, 2009 at 10:27am

Save your air! Have your mask attached to your regulator and when its time to enter, then put it on. Our training captain has pushed that with us for quite a while. We have guys who still forget and have their mask on in the truck and get out all fogged up and can't see. Then when they go on air they always use their purge and waste air to oust the fog.

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Permalink Reply by FETC on April 18, 2009 at 4:27pm

This was debated last year: SEARCH -Questions about mask fogging up. Here was my post back then.

OK I have read this one for a few days... and I must jump in on the responses. I personally can't remember when this last happened to me... oh thats right, probably FF1. Thats when we would put them on and wait around forever for evolutions to start... and the purge valve definately works. But since then, I have seen too many near miss situations related to fog and this exact topic and it needs to be clarified by a behavioral modification, ie. training.

I see alot of newbie's donning their mask while the truck is going down the road. BAD HABIT. Why because by the time you arrive, you can't see because of fog, and this hinders your ability to step off the truck safely, locate your tools and equipment, and more importantly, get a good look at the dwelling that you are making entry on. If an officer does it, it hinders his vision for a sizeup, radio communications sound horrible, and if he actually does a 360, it makes it difficult to speak with the public (outside) asking the locations of the trapped victims inside. The public think they are talking to an idiot behind the fog, hinders the entire conversation, and if you have to shout an order to your crew best of luck to ya...

Some will say what? Fog... Foggy masks are worse if you live/work in a region that has cooler temps, and your warm breath builds condensation on the inside of your mask.

I came out from a fire (first due) and see people in staging who are standing around with their masks on? How do you know your assignment is going to need a mask donned? Wishful thinking I guess... I once came out from a mutual aid fire in '97 carrying a 9 year old who we just found during a search in respiratory arrest. I had people standing in the driveway that had no clue I needed help with the victim because of a foggy mask. Delayed urgent care, I actually carried him all the way to the ambulance. TBH THEY COULDN'T SEE ME or anything else on that fire ground. Just poor habits...

Why do some do it? Habit.... firefighter 1 we trained people to put them on, you check me, I check you, then SO checks you, then there is a problem with lighting the fire and we get into the habit of standing around in them. Here is a thought, FF1 is over.... start training to put your mask on quickly and correctly at the entry door just prior to going in. It should take 15 seconds maxx. This eliminates the trip hazards, lack of communications, and missing any vitally important factors. It also forces you to "slow down" your emotions, adrenaline and actually "see" a good size-up of the dwelling (even as a firefighter) look at the fire conditions, allows better communications with your crew, witnesses and/or victims.

It is amazing what you will pick up while donning the face piece just prior to making entry. Therefore, we use no cleaners, defogger sprays or shaving creams... Fog problem adverted and it was free.

TCSS
FETC

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Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on April 18, 2009 at 4:31pm

Excellent...leave your darn mask off til u need it! Whats the hurry to see a bunch of fog and sweat more!

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Permalink Reply by FETC on April 18, 2009 at 5:01pm

Here is evidence to not wear your mask in the truck. This is a training burn with first due arriving to simulate initial attack, someone in a vest actually opens the rear door for the tail firefighter who is already wearing his SCBA mask inside the truck and when he steps out they bump into eachother. Why? (back it up) and look right at his mask.... all foggy and he cant see the guy infront of him.

The other thing that jumps out at me is everyone is breathing precious air while stretching lines???

http://www.vententersearch.com/?cat=24

OK not to mention the great tactics for ventilation.... oh thats for another forum

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Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on April 18, 2009 at 5:51pm

I SAY NO, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE USING UP VALUABLE AIR BEFORE YOU ENTER, I SAY MACK UP RIGHT BEFORE GOING IN.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Lintz on April 18, 2009 at 5:56pm

I agree Just before entry

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Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on April 18, 2009 at 5:59pm

THANK YOU MIKE

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Permalink Reply by Koa on April 18, 2009 at 7:09pm

Thank you brothers and sisters for all your input, it makes me a more knowledgeable firefighter and hopefully a smart officer one day. Be Safe!!!

Aloha,
Koa

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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on April 18, 2009 at 7:46pm

Just before entry.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Dunbar on April 18, 2009 at 10:11pm

I will respectfully disagree with most here. If responding to what sounds like a job, especially if it is reported with entrapment, the mask goes on while enroute, I have yet to have my mask fog, could be our short response times, breathing control, whatever, it has not been a problem....so with a clear mask and a calm demeanor one has the ability to size up the situation, grab the line and get to work just that much faster, and as we all know seconds count in this job.....I know people who do it both ways and I feel it is personal preference.

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Permalink Reply by Alan on April 18, 2009 at 10:21pm

I agree, I always wait until just before entering the structure before putting my mask on. I can get a better picture of what we have and it helps with getting of the vehicle and insuring I can see if anything may be in my way going up to the scene. But if the Officer says mask up, then I would, but I would have a discussion with them afterwards.