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SAFETY, SURVIVAL & TRAINING DOWNLOADS |
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THE TOP 5
GET THESE RIGHT EVERY TIME |
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Engine
1. GO TO THE RIGHT PLACE
2. LAY A SUPPLY LINE
3. PULL AN ATTACK LINE
4. PROTECT MEANS OF EGRESS
5. CONFINE AND EXTINGUISH |
Truck
1. GO TO THE RIGHT PLACE
2. POSITION PROPERLY
3. PROVIDE ACCESS
4. SEARCH FOR VICTIMS
5. LET THE SMOKE OUT
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Ambulance
1. GO TO THE RIGHT PLACE
2. A,B,C'S
3. ASSESS THE PATIENT
4. PROVIDE CARE
5. PACKAGE AND TRANSPORT
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THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES
COURTESY OF THE COLLEGE PARK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT |
Firefighters, Smoke, &
Heart Attacks
Click for a great Powerpoint
The 20 Structural Watch Out Situations
(Click on the bold to link to PDF attached files)
The idea behind establishing the structural watch out situations is to aid the firefighter in recognizing a present or developing hazardous situation that may endanger themselves or others. When these situations start appearing (one may not be a problem, but five or ten sure are) on the incident a change of strategy, tactics, or simply re-evaluating risk versus gain will become obvious, the idea is to recognize them early on.
It is impractical to think that the average firefighter or incident commander is going to reference these 20 situations in the heat of battle, therefore the preferred way of integrating this information is to “pre-load” it. Two easy areas to pre-load the watch outs are in routine trainings and by simply posting them in the day room for discussion. Also think about incorporating these into the after incident review so as to start reinforcing their use.
These are taken from a workshop designed to manage risk created by Quinn MacLeod titled “Risk Management at the Company Level”. Any comments would be appreciated. Reference www.integrated-firesolutions.com
1. 360 view of fire and size up not performed.
2. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, fire conditions, and hazards.
3. Instructions and assignments not clear.
4. The incident is progressing poorly.
5. Transitioning from offensive to defensive or visa versa.
6. The structure has been evacuated by the public and is confirmed.
7. Water supply is unreliable.
8. Searching without a hose line or tag line.
9. Working above or below the fire.
10. Attempting to attack the fire from a ground ladder.
11. Interior building configuration makes escape to safe areas difficult.
12. Upon entering the structure you encounter heavy smoke conditions and / or high heat.
13. Unable to quickly locate the seat of the fire.
14. Unfamiliar with the building and / or its contents.
15. The building has had numerous alterations.
16. Operating on the roof with only one means of egress.
17. 15 minutes have elapsed & the interior fire fight continues.
18. Environmental conditions are extreme.
19. The incident scene is dark.
20. Mentally and / or physically tired.
NOTE: Numerous versions of these structural watch outs exist, therefore these are not all-inclusive.
DO 1st DUE "COMMAND ROLES"
SOMETIMES CONFUSE YOU?
=Did you go to NIMS Class and find yourself "just a bit" more
confused than before?
=Did you only THINK you knew what "plain English" meant before taking the latest NIMS, ICS or COMMAND COURSE?
=Does this whole "ICS THING" have you needing counseling?
PERHAPS WE CAN HELP?
(click on the below FIRE-SUV ! )
IT'S ONLY A CAR FIRE??
DONT BE.......
CLICK THE ABOVE CAR FIRE FOR AN EXCELLENT PDF FROM
THE NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. FIRE SERVICE ACADEMY
GOOD VIDEO TO SHOW HOW YOU CAN EASILY GET HURT
AT SUCH A ROUTINE CALL
Click the image below
DRAMATIC HIGHWAY BLOCKING VIDEO=
APPARATUS STRUCK & TOTALLED
MESQUITE (Texas) FF CLOSE CALL
 All four ffs were transported to the hospital and all were released within 6 hours of the incident. The one ff that got into the cab last has not returned to work as of 8/20/2007 do to the injuries received. He is expected to make a full recovery. The FF that stumbled out of the cab on the driver's side was ok after being checked out at the hospital. Neither of the FFs in the back had time to sit down and get belted into their seats before the collision. The Driver Engineer and the Captain were both belted in their seats at the time of the accident. The crew received another call for service and were preparing to respond when the accident occurred. The A post where the Captain sits was completed detached at the roof line. The Captain jumped out of the front window after the accident to check on the occupants of the semi. No one in the semi was hurt. The pumper has been totaled. As you can see in the video it got bent pretty bad.
The unit is a 1998 Quality Spartan 1500 gpm pumper.
WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS
Here's a powerpoint presentation used for situational awareness, w/ the risk management graphic overlayed
on a Cramer Fire picture.
(Click the photo for the PowerPoint Program)
........CNG VEHICLES DRIVING AROUND IN YOUR AREA? ABSOLUTELY!
CLICK THE BELOW LOGO FOR A CLOSE CALL.....
PowerPoint Program Involving a vehicle and CNG
Is Firefighting Hazardous?
Just show this slide program (click below) to the next person
who doesn't "get it" when it comes to the HAZARDS we deal with at just a
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.
FREE DOWNLOAD!
FIREFIGHTERS AND HEART ATTACKS
CLICK BELOW for a presentation that links fire fighting and cardiovascular disease with data from the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality investigations program. This presentation was delivered by NIOSH's Dr. Thomas Hales, MD, MPH at the DHS Office of Grants and Training Meeting on Jan 8, 2007. The findings and conclusion in this presentation have not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and should not be construed to represent agency determination or policy.
WHAT PART OF.....
CIVILIAN DRIVERS DO NOT SEE OR HEAR US RESPONDING......
DO WE NOT UNDERSTAND?
Odd's are-CLOWNS LIKE THE ABOVE DO NOT HEAR US RESPONDING unless they stick their head OUT of the window....because they are simply too busy doing "other stuff" while driving.
SOLUTION
....just frick'n STOP when the light is RED or at a STOP sign...
....and MAKE SURE
"THEY" see us and GIVE US the intersection.
(...and even when we DO have a green light-WATCH OUT!)
"If you THINK an APPARATUS vs CIVILIAN crash is worth the risk...
.....you have never had one"
(CLICK THE STOP SIGN FOR ANOTHER APPARATUS VS CIVILIAN CLOSE CALL VIDEO)
VAN EXPLODES!
Firefighters: BUNKER GEAR AND FULL PPE*
* Why? Ever seen a Firefighter at a vehicle fire that isn't fully protected? Of course you have. IMAGINE if a Firefighter approached this van without FULL PPE?? This was an tremendous explosion at a minivan.
From the State Patrol, driver of 1994 Town & Country minivan was waved to pull over by another car. Upon looking in her rear view mirror she saw smoke/flames. Her and the passenger had to jump over some flames to get clear. Vehicle was well involved when we brought it up on camera. Within a couple of minutes of that, we saw a huge fireball blow out the drivers side of the vehicle, about 30 feet wide and 40-50 feet high. No report of injuries. The semi driving through the fireball was a bit smoked, but didn't catch fire. Appears to be a BLEVE from the fuel tank. I've seen literally hundreds of cars burn, but never seen one "blow up" like this. Certainly a great reminder to wear full bunker gear at car fires. Click here for the video.
incoming......!!!!!
BEWARE THE STRUT!
You may remember a few years ago, in FIREHOUSE MAGAZINE, we did a story of a Firefighter seriously injured by an exploding STRUT from the hood of a car that was on fire.
Below is a message from his Chief, in Windsor Locks, CT.
In this latest clip and CLOSE CALL, a Taurus wagon was fully involved. A couple of minutes after Firefighters got water on it and during overhaul, watch at 07:26:40 and you'll see a smokey item roll across by the median. This was a strut from the lift gate, had shot out just missing a FF in the smoke and bounced off either the Troopers squad or the civilian's before rolling to median. CONSIDER THE FORCE of it going that distance.
(CLICK "INCOMING" FOR THE VIDEO)
On Sunday November 21, 2004, the Windsor Locks Fire Department responded to a reported car fire. Upon arrival the fire was confined to the engine compartment. During gaining access to the engine compartment, one of my firefighters had just released the hood safety latch when the hood shock strut exploded and fired into my firefighter, striking him in his upper thigh and piercing completely through his leg and bunker pants with the approximate 18 inch long strut.
I wish to make other departments mindful that these struts are gas filled and are common on General Motor products, in particular Buicks that I am aware of. In my 30 plus years on the fire department this is the first
time I had ever heard of one these gas filled struts exploding like this.
Fire Service Operational Safety at Deconstruction and Demolition Sites
(Click the above picture for this EXCELLENT Powerpoint program)
Provided to FireFighterCloseCalls.com by Chris Naum
RECRUIT FF LODD INVESTIGATION REPORT
BALTIMORE CITY LIVE FIRE TRAINING
FEBRUARY 9, 2007
 
This independent investigation into the February death of Baltimore Fire Department recruit Racheal Wilson puts much of the blame on her instructor and other midlevel fire commanders, three of whom have already been fired. In the below report prepared for the Mayor, the investigation concluded Wilson wasn't ready for the training exercise that killed her. She had failed agility tests and entered a burning building wearing old gear that failed to protect her from intense heat. Wilson died after she was trapped in a rowhouse that had been deliberately set on fire. Click below for the report and related documents.
Baltimore Training LODD Final Report 8-23-07
Baltimore Training LODD Final Report Appendices
Temporary Traffic Control Checklist
(Click to enlarge)
FIREFIGHTERS....Saving Our Own:
The Powell Doctrine and Interior Fire Operations
Yours...Mine...and OUR Sacred OBLIGATION.
Submitted by Eric Lamar-a veteran Firefighter with a long career history of working toward Firefighter safety and survival. The Firefighter and Fire Officers job is to protect all of our members by making smart decisions under tough circumstances...that's the challenge....
The General & Firefighting? Firefighter LODD's? Who NEEDS You To Return Home? Read on...
(Click the photo below for the details)
 
KNOW YOUR ENEMY!
FIRES IN SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS!*
*As the Late Frank Brannigan used to say: "THE BUILDING IS YOUR ENEMY.. KNOW YOUR ENEMY!"
Take a look at the video from Loudoun County (VA's) Chief Fire Marshal Keith Brower about a pair of fires that helps illustrate a problem firefighters across the country are dealing with. One of the fires was in an older home. While that fire reached the attic, the house is still standing.
The other fire was in a more modern home. It burned to the ground. Chief Brower says homes built over the last two decades use lighter lumber and connection plates that can easily separate during a fire. He says a combination of faster fire spread and a greater collapse potential often keeps firefighters from getting into the house and stopping the fires. Brower has long been a champion on the issues related to new construction as well as residential sprinklers to save civilians...and FIREFIGHTERS LIVES.
CLICK THE ABOVE PHOTO TO VIEW THE VIDEO COURTESY OF DAVE STATTER www.WUSA9.com
FIREFIGHTER STAFFING, SAFETY &
COMPANY OPERATIONS...
Fire Station Gear Rack
".....BUNKER GEAR IS CRITICAL...BUT IT TAKES FIREFIGHTERS
IN THAT GEAR, AT THE SCENE, TO SAFELY
& EFFECTIVELY DO THIS JOB...."
This is a short film that visually demonstrates the dangers and challenges faced by firefighters during a structure fire. This film serves to educate recruit firefighters, elected officials, city hall dwellers and the public in fire department operations. It demonstrates the need for a safe aggressive interior attack coupled with adequate resources in order to save lives and reduce property loss.
(Click the above photo to view)
FIREFIGHTER SAFETY & SURVIVAL
TRAINING TIME ? ?
Need a little something to "wake up the gang"
at the Firehouse?
(Click the above picture for a great Powerpoint that was submitted to us using some of the photos off our GALLERY Section!)
Hydrogen Safety for First Responders
DOE's Introduction to Hydrogen Safety for First Responders is a Web-based course that provides an "awareness level" overview of hydrogen for fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel. This multimedia tutorial acquaints first responders with hydrogen, its basic properties, and how it compares to other familiar fuels; hydrogen use in fuel cells for transportation and stationary power; potential hazards; initial protective actions should a responder witness an incident; and supplemental resources including videos, supporting documents, and links relevant to hydrogen safety.
FIREFIGHTERS & SEATBELTS VIDEO...it just ain't that tough!!
Thanks to the Neffsville (PA) Fire Company, who takes great pride in their fire prevention program. In one of their programs, they produced a PSA Video that appear in one of the local movie theaters. We thought that our Seat Belt PSA could be of use to fire & EMS members who visit FireFighterCloseCalls.com.
(Click the Image to download the video)
Fire Truck loses Control
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION!
THINK YOU HAVE SEEN IT ALL?
Not Getting Along With The Cops In Your Area?
The Fire and Law Chiefs in Monterey County California have come up with the following guideline for
operating on highways and rural as well as city streets. THANKS for their willingness to share this with us!
(Click Below)
SEAT BELTS?
CAN PREVENT GETTING EJECTED
(CLICK ABOVE FOR THE WILDLAND SEATBELT VIDEO)
2007 New Year’s Resolutions: Sweat the Small Stuff
William Carey for www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
In 2006 104 fire department personnel died in the line of duty. Regarding the always present prescription to the majority of line of duty deaths, all we can say about this proverbial dead horse is:
“Slow both you and your rig down”
“Exercise”
“Eat healthily”
“Have yearly physicals”
Of these 104 deaths, a brief, non scientific collection concluded the following:
- 12 deaths while specifically operating a hoseline.
- 11 deaths while performing suppression operations.
- 8 deaths specifically stating the member was trapped.
- 7 deaths caused by, or related to, building collapse.
- 5 deaths while specifically conducting searches.
- 2 deaths while overhauling, related to building collapse.
- 1 death specifically stating the member was disoriented.
- 1 death involving the incident commander during a working incident.
- 1 death specifically stating the deployment of a rapid intervention crew in the LODD details.
Some of these figures are one in the same, such as where the firefighter operating a hoseline falls into the basement as a result of a floor collapse. The point to come away with is that even if we follow all of the safety procedures regarding driving and health, the fire service will unfortunately still have to deal with the death of brothers on the fireground. The only prescription we have available for this problem is to not make ourselves so safety conscious that we fall back to the days of fog streams through windows on the outside, but to encourage ourselves and the person we’re riding across from, to be better educated about “fighting” fire.
Below are six small, simple tips focused mostly towards the engine company, but beneficial to all of us. When you think about it they are all very simple, so simple that some are taken for granted. Start the New Year being a better firefighter. As a friend has been quoted, “A good firefighter knows how, a better firefighter knows why”.
In addition to these tips, take some time for some reading of the classic “Collapse of Burning Buildings. A Guide to Fireground Safety” (V. Dunn, Fire Engineering 1988) No matter what the day and technology presents us; fire is still destroying the building we are operating in.
Resolution No.1:
“This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.”
Following the U.S. Marine Corps’ Rifle Creed, whether you have a quint, a rescue engine, or just an engine, if you have to stretch a line, the basics don’t change. Make sure your members are familiar with what comes off your engine, how it is packed, how it is used, and how to solve any problems you might have with it. I put together a power point program about the initial stretch, and used the quote “How the first line goes, so goes the fire.” If we can’t get the line from point A to point B properly, then we’re all going to have problems.
Resolution No.2:
Combine Aggressiveness with Discipline.
In the words of Andrew Fredericks, “Good engine companies are aggressive but also disciplined. Disciplined engine companies ‘take the time to make the time.’ They take an extra 30 seconds to properly position the rig and estimate the handline stretch. They chock doors. They chase kinks. They see the big picture. Disciplined engine companies are deliberate, patient and professional. Is your engine company disciplined?”
Resolution No.3:
Be more than just a Driver.
Your engine at your paid job might only require you to push a button. What do you do when you’re not working? (Or vice versa) Take time to show an upcoming driver how to pump; practice odd situations; work out all of the “what if’s”.
Resolution No.4:
Practice taking a deep breath and THINKING.
In some circles, the train of thought is that we can’t enter a commercial occupancy unless we have a search line, even if we are advancing a handline. Take some time to go through your large commercial occupancies and find the trick/tips that will help you out if you do become disoriented. Remember the preplans in the wagon aren’t much help when you’re inside. In the above photograph, if you feel ladders or skids of drywall, what side/quadrant are you nearest when inside the College Park Home Depot, for example?
Resolution No.5: Skip the Salty Look for the Experienced, Mature Look
Yeah, you’re Burkes are warped, but other than that, what did you learn? And, just as important, what did you teach to others? A lot of impressions are made on younger firefighters while at training evolutions. Just like your own children (if you have any) they are always watching you.
Resolution No. 6: Be Calm
Of course it’s a fire, why do you think they called you? We might wonder why heart attacks are one of the leading killers among us, and yet we still run at break neck speed out of the dayroom to the rig as soon as the printer and signboard speak up. “Engine __ to Communications, I have a column of smoke showing!!” Well, thanks for that, but is it really necessary? Will you forget to tell me your layout instructions because you’re so excited? Will I even understand your radio transmissions due to you yelling? It is a proven medical fact that the part of our brain that produces anxiety and the fight/flight sequences floods the frontal lobe, which is responsible for having us do things in an orderly, task oriented manner. Take a breath, take a second, and focus.
“The garbage man doesn’t get excited when he turns the corner and sees trash, and you shouldn’t get excited when you turn the corner and see fire.
You should expect fire on every run.” 
Andrew Fredericks
DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS POSTER BY CLICKING IT !
In Cooperation with the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation & FireFighterCloseCalls.Com
RESPONDING ACROSS RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS?
STOP....Always...NO EXCUSES....remember CATLETT, VA.
 
CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE REPORT:
EVER GET EJECTED? IT SUCKS! SEAT BELTS PREVENT EJECTIONS.....
CLICK THE ABOVE LOGO FOR ONE MORE REASON WHY SEATBELTS ARE NO LONGER AN OPTION! (Civilian Ejected From Moving Car)
DO YOU REALLY KNOW THE ENEMY??
Thanks to AN Omaha, NE Firefighter, here is an excellent BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FOR FIREFIGHTERS PowerPoint program that can be used by any fire department....click below!
STILL can't convince your firefighters to wear seatbelts?
This may be the most dramatic clip we've posted yet. Take a look: (click here)
...for additional, go to our SAFETY & SURVIVAL DOWNLOADS PAGE. (click here for that page)
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR EMERGENCY SCENES
Click here
FIREFIGHTERS....BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON TRUSS CONSTRUCTION
Daniel’s Block Fire-BACKDRAFT Video
(VIDEO BELOW)
394 Railroad Street
St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Submitted to FFCC By Fire Chief Troy Ruggles
Date: January 28, 2000 Temperature: -30 F
Time of Alarm: 00:59 Number of Alarms: 7 3- civilian fatalities
Type of Occupancy: Mixed Occupancy-Apartments over Mercantile
Building Construction Type: Type 3 Ordinary- Balloon Frame
Building Size: 90 x 100 5 stories- 4 in front 5 in rear
Building protection: No sprinkler or alarm system. Local smokes in apartments only.
Exposures: Side A- Street, Side B- 3 story wood frame, Side C-2 Story Wood Frame Side C1- 6 Story Grain Mill Heavy Timber & Side D 5 Story Ordinary Construction Sprinkled.
00:59 Fire Alarm Office receives 911 call reporting a fire on #2 FLOOR IN Apt. 4
01:01 Engine 3 (2 personnel) Arrives on Scene Nothing visible from exterior- Reports to floor 2 and encounters a light to moderate smoke condition on floor 2. They report to apartment 4 and begin search- Nothing found Eng-3 Personnel begin evacuating people.
Occupancy at the time was 27 People in the building.
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