Here is an article on Jackson County Oregon Fire District No. 3 on how they are going to use a safer method to fight fires-PPV. See link: http://kdrv.com/news/local/121891
Permalink Reply by FETC on September 27, 2009 at 9:05pm
The news station interview with the fd on how this tool is going to make interior firefighting safer is less than desirable. IMO - people who think this tool is the end all answer, tend to use it in situations in which it is not appropriate.
Just hope they train alot with the new equipment, with real fire, and understand when used inappropriately is can actually expedite a flashover.
In this case, they were training, so the "training, training, and more training" mantra, while appropriate, doesn't address the problem.
When training, we need to have a set of the directions handy, so that the first time we attempt a new tactic it isn't a trial-and-error episode with live fire. Just "training" isn't adequate, is must be appropriate training, conducted with adequate safety margins, controllable fuel volumes, and adequate water power to make short work of the fire's power.
And...if PPA is spreading the fire uncontrollably, shut down the fan and conduct a conventional attack.
My post was not referring to Art's original post. I was addressing the mistakes made in the second video posted by FETC. View the video and you can see the mistakes that I cited.
On the other hand, just "training" isn't going to fix problems for departments that have training LODDs or near misses. When someone says "Practice makes perfect." I think "Perfect practice makes perfect."
Interesting is that "communications" is the most cited issue under contributing factors in the NIOSH reports.
Getting it right in practice would certainly be a good start.
At least, you stopped it.
I have to wonder how many would even have done that?
TCSS.
Art