FireLink

The Front Bumper Donut Roll Load

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:57:00 -0800

Many of the pumpers manufactured in recent years are equipped with pre-connected handlines mounted in the front bumper. These lines are usually small in size (1” to 1-3/4”) and are most commonly found in lengths ranging from 50’ to 150’. They are very effective for fighting the smaller type fires such as vehicles, grass, rubbish, and dumpsters, etc.

The hose tray for this type of line is usually small and deep, making a flat load somewhat difficult to deploy. The hose sometimes has a tendency to hang up in the hose tray because of its depth. Furthermore, the line must be stretched out to its entire length before it can be charged.

The deployment of this very handy line can be made easier using the concept of the donut roll. The donut roll hose load allows the line to be cleared from the hose tray quickly and stretched out in less distance, with either two or no bends in the hose depending on the length of the line.

The 50’ load consists of a single donut roll placed upright in the hose tray. The female coupling on the hose connects to the discharge, and the male coupling gets the nozzle. To deploy the 50’ line, simply remove the roll from the tray, holding on to the nozzle, and drop the roll on the ground. The line can then be stretched out either by advancing with the nozzle or by pulling back fast on the hose, flaking the line out.

See How It's Done!

The 100’ load consists of two 50’ donut rolls placed upright in the hose tray. The first roll is placed in the tray and connected to the discharge with the female coupling. The male coupling side of the first roll is left with about a 3’ tail hanging to the side. The second 50’ roll is then placed in the tray and connected to the 3’ tail of the first roll by its female coupling. The connection now forms a loop which will be used to stretch the line. The male coupling of the second roll gets the nozzle.

Advancing the 100’ is also very simple. The nozzle is first placed to the side of the tray on the bumper. The firefighter then grabs the looped part of the hose load with one hand, and pulls the rolls and drops them to
the ground with the other hand. From this point the line can be advanced by pulling the loop and holding on to the nozzle. The 100’ line will deploy very easily within 50’ and with only two bends in the hose. At this point the firefighter will have 50’ in hand that can be advanced if needed.

Continue Article

[page]

The 150’ line is a little more complicated to pull than the 100’ line. This line consists of three 50’ donut rolls placed upright in the tray. The first two are joined together with a loop just like the 100’ load. The third roll is connected to the second roll without using a loop, and the nozzle is connected to the male end of it.

The best way to pull this line is to drop the first two rolls to the ground holding on to the loop with one hand. Keeping the third roll in the other hand, advance it and the nozzle with the firefighter until the first 100’ are laid out. At that point the third roll can be dropped and flaked out.

If the front bumper hose tray has a metal or door for it the rolled hose could be sitting too high not allowing the door to close. To eliminate this problem loosely roll the hose which will allow the hose to be compressed. Doing this will lower the top of the roll in the tray thus allowing the door to close.

Remember, it’s all about safety and efficiency. The front bumper donut roll load makes for an easier pull, a hose deployment with fewer or no kinks in it, and a line that can be ready to charge in half the distance of the standard flat load.

Continue Article

[page]

100' Bumper Line: The loop is pulled from the tray and the nozzle is placed on the bumper.

The firefighter places the loop over his shoulder.

Continue Article

[page]

He then picks up both rolls from the tray.

The firefighter drops the rolls to the ground while hanging on to the loop and the nozzle.

Continue Article

[page]

The line can now be advanced in any direction.

The hose is unrolled at the 50’ mark. At this point the line can be charged.

Continue Article

[page]

The line is then fully extended.

The load is made up of donut rolls.

Continue Article

[page]

The first roll is placed in the tray and connected to the discharge. The male end of this hose is laid over the side of the tray.

The second roll is then placed into the tray connecting the female side to the male end of the first roll.

Continue Article

[page]

This becomes the loop. The nozzle is connected to the male end of the second hose.

The loop and nozzle are placed into the tray and the load is completed.

2009 California Station Fire Review & Recommendations

Provided by Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Thanks to the Los Angeles County Fire Department for the use of this review

If you are unable to view the file please download it here

The Worcester Six (A Firefighter Poem)

Top Kenney — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:34:00 -0800

We came to be known as the Worchester Six

But we were just firemen; the ones God had picked

We were called to respond to a fire one night

When we arrived on the scene there was no one in sight

A fire in a warehouse the dispatcher said

We were told it was empty, we thought, victims, instead

A faint wisp of smoke hung in the air

The fire lay waiting deep inside, somewhere

A cold winter's wind cut through the cold

We assume someone's inside no matter what we're told

Engine-men were stretching their hose up the stairs

as Ladder-men gathered tools getting prepared...

...for the task lying before us to search and to vent

This is our responsibility; it's why we're sent.

As we entered the building looking up toward the sky

No windows were visible, we'd have to vent high.

So we climbed up six flights to access the roof

Light smoke in the stairway serving as proof
[page]
That a fire was present not yet too intense

These measures we employ are the proper defense

They allow us more time for search and for rescue

Before the fire gets rolling cutting off our escape route

After we vented the roof we descended one floor

to begin searching for victims entering through a door

We're in a windowless room out lights cut through the haze

From one room to another soon we're lost in a maze

As we're searching for victims and for the exit

The fire suddenly intensifies as oxygen reaches it

In what seems a blink of an eye the smoke's black and thick

We don our masks with urgency; we need to get out quick

Desperately look for the stairs, can't find our way out

Fumble for our radios, "Mayday, Mayday" we shout

Crawling through a labyrinth from room to room

Only twelve minutes of air between us and our doom

We try to relay our location to our brothers outside

In hopes that they'll find us before we have died
[page]
Enveloped in the darkness time seemed to be frozen

Suddenly aware of the risks of this profession we'd chosen

It takes but a moment to realize we may not survive

We're not sharing our air trying to stay alive

Meanwhile desperation outside as we lay dying

A rescue plan put together two brothers are trying

Trying to reach us in time and pull us to safety

But their effort's in vain, it just wasn't to be

They crawl through the darkness and become lost too

Now the rescuers are victims so they start another crew

No shortage of volunteers outside the building

To risk his life for his brothers-every man is willing

The only thing that mattered now was finding their brothers

For it's their unwritten code to depend on each other

As the third crew fell victim to this hellish structure

Whether more crews be sent in was up for conjecture

It was then that the Chief did what had to be done

He pulled everyone out of there, the building had won

It had swallowed our bravest and was not giving them up

In a last act of bravery that night the Chief said, "Enough!"

For more than two weeks following as the world looked on

The city of Worchester, Massachusetts recovered their brave sons

There were funerals and memorials and a Presidential proclamation

The bravery and valor of these men was beyond imagination

God keep you Paul, Tim, Tom, Jeremiah, Joe, & Jay

"I'm a Firefighter" - The Double Standard

Kristen Winters — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:02:00 -0800

We all know being a firefighter has its social perks, especially for guys. I go out with the guys from work often and watch certain phenomenons take place.

For example, my fellow brothers can walk up to a table full of girls, with a wingman in place of course (as I learned all about the importance of wingmen when I began spending time with them) and say something achingly simple.
[photo:135649]
“I am a fireman.”

And it works!

These tables full of girls giggle, twirl their hair, whisper among themselves, and fall for it hook-line-and-sinker.

Now I am not saying the thought of a man in uniform isn’t alluring, but come on…how do you know? He could be lying! But needless to say, the guys usually have a dance partner for the rest of the night.

What would happen if I tried this? Do I get the same benefit? I decided to put this to the test.

A friend of mine became my wingwoman, because every rock star needs a wingwoman, and we sauntered over to a table full of very attractive guys. Now I have to add that I was out with some of my brothers, and they were watching with rapt interest.

I felt confident. I had gained some definition in my arms due to the academy. I had lost 25 pounds. I was wearing a shirt that complimented me perfectly. I was wearing 4-inch heels. I was golden.

[page]
We walked up the table, and stopped next to the most attractive guy.

“Hey guys“, I said. “How is your night going?”

They stared at us, not knowing how to react. So I just dove right in. I leaned into the table a little bit more, lowered my voice some, and said, “Just to let you know, we are firefighters.”

I heard a snicker. Then a snort. Then, all out laughter. The table of really attractive guys was laughing.

Yeah, right! Over my dead body! You have GOT to be kidding me!

Well, I spun on my very cool heels and began to walk away. I paused, looked over my shoulder and retorted “Oh, are you jealous because I have a manlier job then you? Does it offend your delicate sensibilities?”

I, and my wingwoman, continued our walk back to our table with our heads held high. Of course, my brothers found it hilarious. I was able to hear the loud guffaws from across the bar.

After they stopped laughing, they began to get angry for me, which I have to say, made me feel good. They were mad that someone laughed at me when I told them what I do for a living. So sweet…

So my little science experiment didn’t go as planned. In fact, it was an epic failure. I have found that many guys seem intimidated by me being a firefighter. A well-meaning friend once told me to lie about what I do, or at least downgrade it. I dismissed this.

If a man can’t handle what I do for a living, then they aren’t worth my time. I am proud to be a firefighter!

An Academy's Daunting Challenge

Kristen Winters — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:25:00 -0800

Ladders. It was a word that made my heart race a little.

I am not afraid of heights. Nor, am I afraid of a challenge. But there was something about hanging off the side of a ladder taking out a window with an axe in -20 degree weather when the snow was blowing sideways that sent a chill down my spine. Literally and figuratively.

And did I mention the roof was frozen and had a thick layer of ice on it? For a card-holding klutz, this spelled disaster.

In the academy, we spent a lot of time on ladders. They are an important tool in firefighting. A means of entry and egress. A way to take out a window. So many uses.

We spent days, and I mean days, on ladders. An 8 hour lecture, and many hours of hands on learning. Unfortunately, many of these days were cold, snowy, stormy days.

The first part of the practical was proving you could handle the ladder. I can’t remember the length, 24 or 28 feet…for the sake of the story lets say 24 feet. The 24 foot ladder had 2 fly sections. It was metal, it was older, and it was heavy. 24 feet, doesn’t sound like much…but oh, it is.

I watched the instructor as he demonstrated getting the ladder off of the engine. He carried it on his shoulder to the tower. He planted the butt of the ladder into the ground, placed it against the wall of the tower, then raised the fly section. He turned to the class and informed us that if we could not do what he just did, we would not pass the academy.

I am not a weak person, but I often doubt my strength. I completely doubted my ability to do all of that. I am pretty strong for a woman. I can hold my own against an average guy. Hey, I can even hold my own in a fight…not that I would ever do that…but I doubted myself here. And self doubt has no place in the fire academy.

[page]
I watched most of my peers go. I kept raging an inner battle with my psyche, wanting my confidence to win. No one else had a problem, there was no way I was going to be the first.

I walked over to the engine, and pulled off the ladder. Quite a feat, since I couldn’t feel my hands. I grunted as I put the ladder up on my shoulder. I trudged through the deep snow, got to the tower, and threw that ladder down like it was an ex-boyfriend. I raised the fly section as high as I needed to go, tied my halyard, and gave a triumphant shout. Ladder, zero. Kristen, one.

Moral of the story? I never should have doubted myself. I never would have earned my spot at the academy if the powers-that-be didn’t think I could do it. I tried to keep my self doubt at bay after that. Try to do the same. You will enjoy you probationary period, and learn more, if you do.

Read Kristen's Next Article: "I'm a Firefighter" - The Double Standard

Relay Pump Operations: Who Says It's Just for the Long Lay?

Paul Shapiro — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:08:00 -0700

Producing the required flow to combat a fire is crucial for a successful operation. With the most common fire being the single family residential, water supply from a hydrant system is for the most part not a problem. In fact, it seems like most house fires can be knocked down with the onboard booster tank water.

Then there is the not so often heavy stream fires that we all get at least occasionally. It is this type of fire that requires the mega-water operations to support the big streams required for fire suppression. This is where the water supply officer can get creative.

In past articles I’ve discussed the use of large diameter hose (LDH) for the supply line evolution. We’ve shown how it can be used in both single and multiple supply line operations from either one or two hydrants to bring in maximum flow.

We’ve also learned about relay pump operations. A relay pump operation is used when there is not enough pressure in the water supply to move the water through the supply hose to the pumping apparatus on the fireground. A relay pump operation comes in handy supporting existing pump operations on the fireground with additional water.

It’s been an accepted practice to allow the shorter LDH supply lines to be supplied solely from hydrant pressure. Remember the old saying “laying an LDH supply line is like taking the hydrant to the fire, or like laying and above the ground water main.” In other words, LDH laid from a hydrant, especially on the shorter lays, is going to bring in maximum flow.

It is this type of thinking that can get us in trouble. LDH is great, but can still have its restrictions. LDH must be used in conjunction with everything else on the fireground to its best capability in order to reap its benefits.

Continue Article

[page]

This article is going to present statistics from several flow tests showing the advantage of setting up relay pump operations on short LDH supply line evolutions. By now you are probably thinking why set up this relay pump operation when additional supply lines from additional engines can be laid instead, allowing multiple pumpers to help to assist in delivering the water versus one. There are several reasons that might require a single engine company to produce maximum flows.

It may be that the area the water needs to be delivered from is only big enough for a single engine company to work from such as, a cul-de-sac, a parking lot full of cars, or an alley just to name a few. What if, for whatever reason, additional engine companies are not responding or extremely delayed? Well, guess what, the little engine company that could, is going to have to pump its little heart out. This is where short relay pump operations can be a great benefit.



Sparks Ladder 31 is in the background sitting on a hydrant 500 feet away in a short relay pump operation.		This evolution has dual supply lines, a 5" and a 3". The 3" line brought in an additional 600 GPM.

Some of the tests involved the use of a hydrant relay appliance. The hydrant relay valve (HRV) is a piece of equipment that is connected to the hydrant and the beginning of the supply hose. It allows the initial supply line to be laid and charged, utilizing hydrant pressure only. If more water/pressure is needed, a second engine company can connect into the HRV at the hydrant and switch over a water control valve to the relay pump mode pumping back into the supply line without shutting the hydrant down.

Continue Article

[page]

The use of the HRV, as with any water flow appliance, will have friction loss within itself that will have a direct affect on the flow potential for the operation. There are different designs of HRVs. Some have more pronounced friction loss in the supply line mode (no pump at the hydrant, hydrant pressure only) and others in the relay pump mode (pump at the hydrant to set up in relay), while others have friction loss in both modes.

The flow tests will reveal what I consider to be an insignificant flow loss in the HRVs, which is well worth the trade off when you consider what the HRV allows us to do, which is hooking up to an existing supply line without shutting the hydrant down.



The initial supply line is laid from the hydrant using the Humat valve.

Las Vegas Engine 4 using the Humat valve in a relay pump operation

Continue Article

[page]

The following flow tests were conducted to compare short LDH supply line evolutions supplied from a pressurized hydrant system versus a relay pump operation from the same hydrant to boost the pressure/flow. These tests were conducted with 4” and 5” supply lines, various lengths of supply line up to 500 feet, and weak, average, and strong hydrant systems. Most flows were considered to be at least satisfactory, if not better, for the initial water supply when using hydrant pressure only to move the water.

Flow Test #1

Our first flow test was conducted on what was considered to be a relatively strong hydrant system. 500 feet of 5” LDH SUPPLY HOSE with a maximum operating pressure of 185 psi was used in the evolution stretching from the hydrant to the fireground. The first part of the test used hydrant pressure only to move the water to the receiving engine.

A flow of 1050 GPM was achieved. This is a great start for a large flow water delivery operation, but not enough. Next we placed a second engine at the hydrant to relay pump to the receiving pumper. We more than doubled our flow achieving 2225 GPM. This test is a good example of maximizing a single hydrant and pumper.

Plano, TX engine companies moving 2225 GPM in a 500’ relay

Continue Article

[page]

Flow Test #2

Flow Test #2
This flow test also involved the use of 5” LDH SUPPLY HOSE with a maximum pressure of 185psi. This time the line was 300 feet long. The hydrant system was considered to be poor in volume and pressure. The first
test from hydrant pressure was only able to produce a flow of 485 GPM. It should be noted that the initial static pressure on this hydrant was only 50 psi.

Even 5” hose was not able to produce the big numbers. And now for the relay pump operation. You’ve heard the old saying you can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip, well it’s hard to get big water from a hydrant that doesn’t have it. This is the case with this hydrant system. They had all the big water tools but the waterjust wasn’t in the ground. Setting up the relay was only able to produce 670 GPM, only 185 GPM more than the hydrant only evolution.

If this was the real thing and more water was needed, the IC would have to start looking for a hydrant that has the water to supplement the operations. Hydrants on a different main would be the best choice. Keep in mind that there is a good chance of that hydrant being several hundred feet away, thus requiring a relay pump operation for maximum flow.

Even 5” hose did not make a difference here due to a poor hydrant system.

Continue Article

[page]

Flow Test #3

The hydrant used for flow test #3 is a good example of a high volume system with what I would consider an average system pressure. The static pressure for this system was 60 psi, the hose evolution consisted of 350 feet of 4” LDH ATTACK HOSE with a maximum operating pressure of 275 psi and a AWG HRV.

Note: the system pressure dropped only 2 psi after flowing 910 GPM in the first hose lay. Again 910 GPM is a good start with emphasis on the word start. The HRV has little to no friction loss in the hydrant only mode, in fact, an additional test was conducted from hydrant pressure without a HRV and the results were the same.

The relay pump operation tests were conducted with and without the use of the HRV with very close results. The numbers speak for themselves. The increase obtained from the relay operation with the HRV over the hydrant lay was 490 GPM with a flow of 1400 GPM. The increase from the relay not using the HRV versus the one with the HRV was 75 GPM reaching a flow of 1475 GPM. There is not much of a gain in flow but compare the engine pressures of the two engines at the hydrants in the two relays.

The evolution using the HRV required an engine pressure of 275 psi to move 1400 GPM while the engine without the HRV had a much lower engine pressure of 195 psi while moving 75 more GPM. Reason being, the HRV being used had a high friction loss in the relay mode. Is this a problem? I say no. Granted the engine pressure was high but if that is what it takes with this HRV to get the required flow then so be it. It’s not a problem as long as the maximum operating pressures for all equipment being used are not exceeded.

Continue Article

[page]

Flow Test #4

Flow test #4 involved the use of hydrant system that was good in all respects having a high volume and high system pressure (120 psi static). The supply line used was 300 feet of 4” LDH SUPPLY HOSE with a maximum operating pressure of 185 psi. Akron and Humat HRVs were also used. All flow tests were done three times, once using each of the HRVs and once without.

The single supply line supplied directly from hydrant pressure was able to deliver 1000 GPM to the pumper. As you can see, after flowing the 1000 GPM there was still a 100 psi hydrant residual pressure. This evolution was repeated two more times using the HRVs with fairly good results. The Akron valve lost 49 GPM with a flow of 951 GPM and a hydrant residual of 95 psi. The Humat lost 55 GPM reaching a flow of 945 GPM also with a hydrant residual of 95 psi. Both valves were considered to be worth the slight loss for the convenience they provided for the operation.

The second portion of the flow tests compared the relay pump operations using the HRVs to the relay operation that did not. The operation using the Akron HRV delivered a flow of 1610 GPM with a hydrant residual of 65 psi. That’s 659 GPM more than the straight hydrant lay gave us. The numbers for the Humat valve were higher moving 1830 GPM with a 50 psi hydrant residual.

The water way in the Humat valve set in the relay mode goes straight through with no bends while the Akron valve has one 90 degree bend, thus the difference in flows. Finally the relay was done without the use of the HRV producing the high flow for this series of tests which was 1856 GPM. There was still more water left in the hydrant which is noted by the 45 psi residual hydrant pressure. The stopping point for this operation was the hose. The maximum allowed operating pressure of 185 psi was reached. To take better advantage of this hydrant a second 4” relay line could have been stretched between the pumpers splitting the flow into two lines which would lower the engine pressure.

See the Setup

[page]

Continue Article

[page]

Flow Test #5

Flow test #5 was set up similar to test #4 in that it involved the use of the same type of hose, a very similar performance from the hydrant, and the comparison tests between the Akron and Humat HRVs. The only thing that was different was that the supply line was 500 feet long. Again, the numbers for the supply line lay from hydrant pressure followed the same path as they did in test #4. The evolution that did not use the HRV had a flow of 797 GPM. The Akron valve reduced the flow to 765 GPM while the Humat moved 775 GPM.

The relay flows were as follows with no valve 1440 GPM, with the Akron valve, 1090 GPM, and with the Humat valve 1128 GPM. The stopping point for the relay operations was a water issue. The pumper at the hydrant ran out of water. Adding a second and sometimes a third line from the hydrant to the source pumper can improve the flows. In this evolution it probably would not have help much but on strong hydrants it could make a big difference.

See the Setup

[page]

Continue Article

[page]

Flow Test #6

The final flow test involved the use of 300 feet of 4” LDH ATTACK HOSE with a maximum allowed operating pressure of 275 psi and an Akron HRV. The hydrant system used was strong in volume and pressure with a 100 psi static pressure. Three tests were done in this operation. The first test was a forward lay using the Akron HRV and supplied from hydrant pressure only. The receiving pumper throttled up until he ran out of water reaching a flow of 1029 GPM while leaving 80 psi hydrant residual pressure. There was plenty of water left.

The second part of the tests was the relay pump operation utilizing the Akron HRV with a single supply line from the valve to the pump and a single relay line between the pumpers. The flow was measured when the receiving pumper ran out of water delivering 1305 GPM. The hydrant still had water left as was noted by the 70 psi hydrant residual pressure.

For the final test we utilized the hydrant to the max by connecting a second 4” line from the hydrant directly to the large intake of the pumper and a second 4” discharge line from the hydrant pumper to the receiving pumper. The engines throttled up until the receiving pumper ran out of water and would you believe we moved 2371 GPM. There was a gain of 1066 GPM by adding a second line to the pumper at the hydrant. The hydrant residual pressure was at 50 psi indicating that there was still water available.

Continue Article

[page]

San Bernardino City Engine 222 taking advantage of a strong hydrant using two supply lines and two discharge lines.

Continue Article

[page]

The pump operations in this article were stand alone operations in that the goal was to get as much water to a single pumper as possible because the fireground conditions required it. There is no other reason. Most departments using LDH would probably not think of using a relay for the short supply lines we used for our flow tests. Well as you can see it can make a difference.

I would like to thank the following agencies for there help in the research for this article:

Arcadia, CA FD

Las Vegas, NV FD

Los Angeles County, CA FD

Mesa, AZ FD

Montebello, CA FD

Plano, TX FD

San Bernardino City, CA FD

Sparks, NV FD

Running: How Do You Find Your Pace?

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:44:00 -0700

As with any cardiovascular activity if you are going to perform for several minutes or even a few hours you need to find a sustainable pace. Here is an email from someone who enjoys running with a group but struggles with running alone:

Hey Stew – When I run with my group of friends, I am always faster than when I run alone. It seems my group pushes me harder than when I run by myself. Do you have any advice on getting better running workout when alone? – Tom

Great question Tom. I have struggled with this one as well so I formed a group locally where we are all constantly challenging each other in one of several arenas – running, swimming, weight lifting, calisthenics. Personally, now I train harder on my own in order to compete with the faster / younger runners. Here is how I do it:

Normally we run the same routes. When we are together running, I make landmarks and time checks to see how my speed is. So usually at a mile marker, I can find out if I am in a sub 7 minute mile pace or not. Usually the group hits this mark repeatedly. So on my own, I go to a track and work on my speed and pace and push myself for 6-6:30 mile pace. For instance:

Repeat 5-6 times

¼ mile run – 90-95 seconds

Cool down jog for 1/8 mile

[page]

Then I see if I can pull it all together with sub 7 mile pace for 2-3 miles. Now this pace maybe too fast or too slow for you depending on your running level and experience, so I recommend running the original route you and your friends like to run and mark off time checks at certain landmarks like intersections, flag poles, someone’s house, etc. Then see if you can push yourself to match those scores the next time you run alone.

I have often used the stop watch as a training guide for a variety of events – especially physical fitness tests. When I do situps, I try to find my goal pace that will get me to 100 situps in 2 minutes. This is 25 in 30 seconds or 50 in 1 minute. I repeat those sets a few times in my PT workouts and compete with no one but myself and my watch.

The same can be done with swimming, biking, and running. Find a pace you like to strive for and divide that distance by a number that makes sense and work several sets of that pace into a workout. Like this:

Swimming a 500m swim – divide the swim into 5 × 100m sets or 10 by 50m sets. If you goal is to swim in the 8 -8:30 mark then shoot for a pace of 50m in 50 seconds. In the end you should be at 500 seconds (8:20) for 500m. Your multiple sets of swimming at that pace will soon be easier and easier to maintain.

Running a 3 mile run – divide the run into ½ miles or mile runs and do a workout called “repeats”. Basically, run 5-6 ½ mile runs at your goal 3 mile run pace or run 3-4 mile runs at your goal 3 mile pace. These workouts will challenge you and you may need to rest in between for a 200-400m walk to catch your breath, but as you practice these run or swim sets, you will find maintaining a faster pace while running gets much easier.

Hang in there and keep practicing to learn or muscle memory a pace. Feel free to email me if you have any questions at stew@stewsmith.com. I will try to answer them all or even create a new article out of them if the question inspires me.

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. If you are interested in starting a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle – check out the FireLink Fitness eBook store

A New Journey: A Female FireMedic's Tale

Kristen Winters — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:21:00 -0700

I remember the exact moment I found out I had to attend the fire academy. It was a year and a half ago.

My knuckles were white from gripping the chair, my palms were clammy, my heart had dropped into my stomach…simply put, I was petrified.

I had spent the last 5 years of my EMS career avoiding that next step. But there I was, sitting in the chief’s office, speechless.

I began my EMS career back in 2003. I enjoyed being a paramedic. It was my first love. I woke up every shift day excited to go to work, knowing I was going to get a chance to help someone, not knowing what the day would bring.

There was one downside to my job, however. I had to drive an hour and a half into the city one way. This became an issue when I received a phone call telling me my son did not get off the school bus. I was in a panic, an hour and a half away, and no one to call for help.

My son was fine, he had decided to join an after school club without telling anyone, but it was a wake-up call. I needed to be closer to home.

I knew being a paramedic was my ace in the hole. All around me are towns that require their employees to be firemedics.

Since receiving my paramedic license, I made the drive to the city because I was adamant about not becoming a firefighter.

Why, on God’s green earth, would I run into a fire when everyone else, including the rats, run out? I had two kids to think about. They needed their mom. No way.

I naively thought I would be able to talk a department into hiring me as just as a medic. I knew there was a shortage of medics, and I was going to capitalize on that.

No such luck. Reality hit, and it hit hard.
[page]
I sat in that chair, facing my new chief. I plastered a smile on my face, put enthusiasm in my voice, and told him I would be thrilled to attend the fire academy. From that moment on, I was officially a probationary member of LFD.

Later that week I met the other probies. I was quick to notice I was the only female. And not only was I the only female, I was the oldest by 6 years. Yes, dear readers, I fought the fire academy for so long, that I was going into it at the ripe old age of 29.

I sought out the other females, all two of them, on the department. I was hoping they would be able to give me some wisdom, words of advice. Be yourself. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you shouldn’t be there. Try your hardest. You will be able to do things the guys can’t, take power in it. Work smarter, not harder.

The academy started in one weeks time. I was apprehensive, excited, scared, nervous, many other emotions I can’t even name.

Could I do this? Could I be what this department needed me to be as a firemedic?
[photo:134311]
But most of all, could I do this for myself? Could I overcome whatever fears that have held me back? Could I keep up with the much younger, much more fit guys? Could I become a great firefighter?

Looking back, it was more fun, and more challenging, then I ever could have imagined. I learned much more about myself during that time then I thought possible. I did overcome fears. I did overcome insecurities. And I am a much better woman because of it.

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you. I hope you can take something from it, expand on it, and make your probationary year the best it can be. You will never get this time back. Enjoy it!

PTSD: A Spouse’s Role

Tom Kenney — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:03:00 -0700

Prior to my being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a few years ago, I felt this affliction was one which only affected weak individuals. I believed it was a sign of fragility. I was wrong.

During a night shift about two years ago, I was transported to the ER from the station suffering shortness of breath, chest pains, numbness, and anxiety. Classic signs of a heart attack – or an anxiety attack. I had experienced these symptoms in the past, but I had always seemed to weather the storm and slip back into my normal routine. This time was different.

I was convinced I was having a heart attack and allowed myself to be transported to the ER. After three days of tests at Miriam Hospital I was released and told by the doctors that they had found no coronary problems. They said it was probably a stress related occurrence. During that hospital stay, no one from HQ’s of the Providence Fire Department so much as inquired about my condition, but that’s a different story for a different time.

I was later referred to a psychological counselor by a member of the Local 799’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). I was extremely reluctant to keep the appointment – feeling that by reaching out for psychological help I was weak, or crazy.

It was my wife, Nancy, who finally convinced me to give it a try. Women always seem to have a better attitude about asking for assistance. Men always seem to believe that they can manage just fine, without any help from anyone. Men, listen to your woman.
[page]
During the initial visit, my doctor asked questions about my particular symptoms and took some basic background information. The hour went by very quickly – and was relatively painless! When he scheduled me for another appointment the following week, I didn’t protest as vigorously as before.

In the weeks to come, he allowed me to talk about whatever was bothering me. Gradually, from one visit to the next, it became easier for me to open up. As I spoke of different traumatic incidents I recalled from my 23 years on the department I felt somehow less burdened by their memories.

I remember thinking that if talking about it was therapeutic; writing it down on paper might be additionally beneficial. Without even realizing it at the time, that’s when I began writing my book. As I would write down my thoughts on an incident (or series of incidents), I would ask Nancy to read them.

She would sit and read, and cry. She’d then ask me questions about how I was feeling at the time it happened. “How do you feel about it now,” she’d then ask. We’d talk about the different aspects of the call, and she’d set me straight when I began blaming myself for the tragic outcome.

She wouldn’t allow me to say, “It was no big deal” or “You just wouldn’t understand”.

“Try me,” she’d say. She would poke and prod until I would tell her what I was really feeling. I believe that she had more to do with helping me back to a healthy state of mind than even the professional help of my doctor.

Once you begin to share your real feelings and fears with your spouse, it relieves you of the burden of always having to seem undaunted by the traumatic things we are exposed to from time to time. It allows you to strip down that wall of invulnerability at home, while still maintaining control while at work.

Home can then be your oasis – your safe haven to recharge your battery. We all need a place where we can drop that ‘tough guy’ persona for a while so we can rejuvenate.
[page]
Firefighters (and policemen also) are very good at keeping their innermost feelings under wraps. We don’t like to wear our hearts on our sleeves, and we don’t like to tell stories about what we see on the city streets – unless it’s in some type of humorously irreverent way.

We seldom let anyone in too close, even our spouses. This is a big mistake. If you share your thoughts with your partner, it will bring you closer together. If you don’t, it will surely drive a wedge between you.

Just witness the ever-increasing divorce rate among firefighters over the last ten years or so. Individuals who don’t deal with stress in a positive manner, such as counseling or sharing with a partner, tend to be at much greater risk of turning to alcohol or drugs as a method of coping

These dependencies have ruined far too many good men over the years. If you need a drink (or other substance) to relax or ‘take the edge off’, you may have a stress related disorder which could lead to serious problems. Get help. Call the Local799-EAP. Talk to your spouse.

Ladies, talk to your man about what’s on his mind. It may take some digging, but the results could save his life – and your marriage. Stress related injuries and illnesses are among the highest killers of firefighters throughout the country.

Many careers are cut short by stress - many times the link between stress and the underlying ailment is never diagnosed. Depression, forgetfulness, irritability, lack of concentration, substance abuse, or dependence are all symptoms of possible stress related issues.The first step you can take, as a wife, is to open up a strong line of communication with your firefighter. I know that this may be easier said than done, but it truly is the best possible way to combat the situation.

I have been approached by many firefighters’ significant others and told how much they enjoyed my book. They tell me that it has given them a new understanding of what their husband has gone through over his years on the department. Many of them tell me that after reading the book they’ve sat down with their husband and have been able to talk about ‘the job’ with a much greater appreciation of what it’s like to be a Providence Firefighter.

It’s important that he feel he has someone he can talk to who understands his feelings. Since my diagnosis, Nancy has been my safety valve. Being able to share things with her has literally saved my career – and possibly my life.
[page]
Don’t let your husband get away with telling you that there is no stress on the job or that they go to work to get away from the stress in their lives – that’s the standard reply from a firefighter.

Over the years the effects of stress will just pile up, one on top of another, without him even noticing, until it begins to take its toll. Memories that seem long forgotten have the ability to linger in your subconscious until triggered by some outside event. When a firefighter is bothered by a fatal fire or shooting, he may be also suffering the delayed effects of three or four prior incidents along with this most recent tragedy.

In conclusion, I’d just like to re-emphasize that job related stress can be a serious health issue for firefighters, and many times the firefighter himself will not even be aware that something is wrong.

Firefighters and those who love him should be aware of the symptoms of PTSD and be ever vigilant for the signs. Open communication with those close to you and having the ability to ‘talk things out’ are the best tools someone can have to combat this condition. Firefighters – don’t be afraid to share your innermost feelings with your spouse.

aww what a Wives – take an active interest in your firefighter’s experiences. You’ll help him to remain healthy, and you may be surprised to find out what an extraordinary partner you have.

Online Incident Command Simulators

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:09:21 -0700

"Disaster Deployment Basics" – Part D, Returning Home

Capt. Ryan Christen - www.FullyInvolvedFire.com — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:07:14 -0700

"Disaster Deployment Basics" – Part D, Returning Home

What you need to know your first time out.

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

More articles, Plus Online Incident Command Simulators!

Part D – Returning home:



            As your mission is brought to a close and you begin the demobilization process you may or may not be ready to go home. You may feel that there is still work left for you and your team. It is however entirely out of your control. Be proud of the work you and your team have done, and look forward to getting back to “your life”. There will however be an adjustment phase upon your return. For weeks after returning from Colorado I was waking up at four in the morning, and could not fall asleep until late at night. I was restless and found myself looking for things to keep as busy as possible during the day. When returning from Hurricane Charley I caught myself driving down the road and “filling in the blanks” so to speak. I had become so accustomed to seeing the devastation that I would look at neighborhoods and shopping centers and imagine what they would like after a hurricane hit (unfortunately shortly after return I did not find myself doing this since we were hit from Ivan). It was strange to see people mowing their lawns and washing their cars, oblivious to what was occurring elsewhere in Florida. Other members told me stories about looking for bottled water around their houses to brush their teeth for days following their return home.

While on a deployment you are surrounded by devastation and quickly become accustomed to it. As emergency workers we are very capable of these adjustments. However we are not as good at taking ourselves out of the situation when it’s over. When you return, take a day or two off. Give your mind a chance to step out of the “disaster mode” you have to put yourself into. Take time to rest, and do everything you can to get back to normal. Go to a movie, take your kids to the mall, or go out on a date. Step back, and let yourself “come out of it”.

            After a few days of relaxing and getting back on track, take a little while to re-supply your travel bags. Re-pack the items that you can. Throw away shampoo, soap, and toothpaste that you used. At a dollar or so each, these items are easily replaceable, and having new un-opened supplies in your bag helps maintain your ready status. Also, take a few minutes to review your journal. Go over the lessons that you learned. Inevitably there will be something you would have liked to have had with you on the deployment, but did not. This notebook will help you remember that, and allow you to make adjustments to your pre-deployment checklists so that your next deployment will be much easier.

            My first deployment to Colorado was a wonderful learning experience. However it was tremendously stressful. I did not know what I needed for preparation, or what the work would be like. I spent most of my travel time worrying about the items I packed. I felt a bit like an outsider because I did not get to know my teammates right off the bat. While working I became tired and started hoping to go home early. The lessons that I learned in Colorado and on following deployments have had a tremendous impact. My latest deployment was a smooth and successful deployment. I was ready. I used my travel time to relax and get ready for the mission. While working I was able to focus clearly on the tasks without stress or becoming tired.

            Deploying to major events is exciting. It teaches lessons that you won’t learn turning wheels on an engine, or truck company. These lessons and experiences make you a stronger, more experienced, and all around better professional in your field. These events can be stressful, but with a little help and preparation you can experience a successful deployment. Take the time to prep your gear, and learn your mission. Get to know your team. Work hard, but take time for yourself. Finally, utilize a day or two for yourself upon return. These few simple things will make a tremendous difference in the overall success of your deployment.

READ THE REST OF THIS ARITCLE:

Part A – Introduction

Part B – Pre Deployment

Part C – Deployment Phase

Part D – Returning Home

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

More articles, Plus Online Incident Command Simulators!

By: Capt. Ryan G. Christen

"Disaster Deployment Basics" – Part C, Deployment Phase

Capt. Ryan Christen - www.FullyInvolvedFire.com — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:04:13 -0700

"Disaster Deployment Basics" – Part C, Deployment Phase

What you need to know your first time out.

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

More articles, Plus Online Incident Command Simulators!

Part B – Deployment Phase

           When you find yourself on a deployment you may not know the other members of your team. When I went out for western fire detail, I met up with 20 other firefighters from Florida whom I had never met. During DMAT missions, the roster of members can differ dramatically, and although we train together on a regular basis there are always new members. The point is, get to know your teammates. You will be living in close proximity to these people for several weeks. Use your travel time with the team to learn their names, and backgrounds. This is a great chance for you to get an idea of what your mission may entail. The members that have experience will be eager to answer your questions. A first deployment will make anyone a little nervous. This is your time to set your mind at ease regarding your mission, before your feet hit the ground.

            Another important item regarding deployments is patience. On my first wildland deployment I was energized, and ready to hit the fire lines. While traveling, we were reassigned to different fires several times. In fact we began calling ourselves the wanderers. Finally on the third day of travel we made it to our new destination, and set up camp. By this point my excitement and energy was greatly diminished. Frustration was quickly taking its place. When I responded to Hurricane Charley our DMAT team spent one night in a hotel staging for a mission assignment. Again, we were ready to work, and frustrated that we were not. We knew there were places we were needed, and did not want to be staging. There is always a tremendous amount of confusion following, and during disaster events. Countless resources are brought in and staged in the best possible locations. But, these teams cannot just be dropped in anywhere. It is critical that they are placed in a location to provide the greatest good for the greatest numbers. This takes time. Overhead teams, and command members must assess the entire situation which often changes before their eyes. It is infinitely better to wait a day or two for a mission that will help hundreds or thousands rather than putting a team to work just for the sake of it. Be prepared to “hurry up and wait”, don’t let it frustrate you. Be patient waiting for a mission where you can make a difference.

            Once on your mission you could be working anywhere from twelve to sixteen hours a day, often for days at a time with very little “down time”. For this reason it is absolutely critical you allow time for yourself when you can. When hiking through the mountains around Pikes Peak on the wildfires we would take lunch breaks on burned out hillsides. My crew boss told us all to rest up and gave us around an hour each day. On the first day, I looked around and saw several of the veterans finding shady trees, pulling their helmets over their eyes, and grabbing a quick power nap. In my own foolishness I did not follow their lead. After several days I was entirely exhausted, and as a result beginning to burn out. The naps were not because they were tired; it was to keep them from becoming so. Equally important is to take yourself away from the mission when allowed. If you are given a night off from whatever the assignment, take it. Go hit your bunk and read. If possible go for a walk. Do anything that does not involve the work. I have been on deployments with DMAT where we worked in shifts. I found myself hanging out at our operations site and helping even though our team commander had given me and others the night off. Although dedication is good, it is very easy to burn out when surrounded by disaster. Take time to step back, and let your mind relax.

            In most cases of being called for a deployment you will know how long you are expected to be gone. DMATs are assigned missions for fourteen days. Wildland firefighting deployments are twenty-one days. These are the maximum lengths of time without being asked to extend. Always plan to be gone the full length of time. Often several days into a mission teams may be advised that they will be going home early. I have seen members become excited about that prospect, and immediately start making plans back home. Then, as the incident changes or new needs arise the team is re-assigned to a new mission, and the early departure cancelled. When you are on a mission do not allow yourself to start making plans back home for an early return until you are on the way home. It is easy to become very excited about going home early, only to be disappointed when re-assigned or extended. This kind of disappointment has a big impact on team morale. Always expect to be there the full length of time.

Finally, while on a mission I highly recommend keeping a journal with you. Use this to write down contact information of team members and other people you meet. Deployments are a tremendous opportunity to make contacts with people you would have otherwise not met. You will want to keep in touch with these folks to trade pictures, etc. A notebook is also a great way to log your experience. Write down things you do and lessons you learn. This notebook will be a great asset when you return home

READ THE REST OF THIS ARITCLE:

Part A – Introduction

Part B – Pre Deployment

Part C – Deployment Phase

Part D – Returning Home

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

More articles, Plus Online Incident Command Simulators!

By: Capt. Ryan G. Christen

"Disaster Deployment Basics" – Part B, Pre Deployment

Capt. Ryan Christen - www.FullyInvolvedFire.com — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:01:51 -0700

"Disaster Deployment Basics" – Part B, Pre Deployment

What you need to know your first time out.

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

More articles, Plus Online Incident Command Simulators!

Part B – Pre-Deployment

            Planning and preparation will have a tremendous impact on the success of your deployment. It is difficult to be entirely prepared and packed since the experience can differ dramatically depending on the type of incident, team, mission, and geographic region. However there are certain steps you can take that are universal.

            The first step towards readiness is your bag and gear. I recommend that once you commit yourself to any team or organization to prep your bag. Some of the items you need will vary depending upon the variables of your deployment. The best way to determine these items is to talk to others who have “been there”. Call your team members with deployment experience, and ask what items you may need to take. If you’re newly red carded for wild land firefighting, you can call your local division of forestry for assistance with pre-deployment preparations. Ask who has been on a fire deployment. The “veterans” in your field are one of your best sources of information.

            Once you know what items to pack, its time to start making checklists. Trust me, without a checklist, you will forget something. I have four checklists in a folder in the top of my bag: one summer and winter checklist for DMAT, and a summer and winter checklist for wildland deployments. These checklists include specific items you will need

that you cannot keep in your bag at all times. It is important to note there are weight restrictions when flying. 65lbs. for summer, and 55lbs for winter (winter is a relative term to geographic regions).

            There are items that can be kept in your bag at all times to minimize your workload when you are called. These items include socks, underwear, and t-shirts. I also have a separate shaving kit that stays in my bag that includes a razor, toothpaste, hand soap, and shampoo. Soap and shampoo may not be available where you are going so be sure to take them with you. You can get small travel sizes at Wal-Mart for around a dollar each. Pack as many items as possible in advance so that you only need the few remaining things on your checklist.

            Make a separate checklist for tasks that you must handle before leaving. You may need someone to pick up your paycheck or drop off a bill. If you have a pet, list several people that may be able to care for it or phone numbers for grooming houses in your area. Some additional items I have include raising or lowering my thermostat, checking all locks, vacation food for my fish, and unplugging computers and the cable. It may sound silly to put such things on a list, but when you’re cutting fire lines on the side of a mountain or treating a patient that lost their home in a hurricane, you don’t want to be wondering whether you locked the back door. Checklists make deployments easier, and take a little stress from of an already difficult task.

            A final item of importance is what I call my “trip bag”. This is a very small bag that can be carried with you on a flight. The items in this bag are immediate use items.

My ‘trip bag’ includes the following: a book, a small notebook and pens, a small headlamp or flashlight, spare batteries, one change of clothes, several snack bars or snack food, a disposable camera, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. These are items that will prove necessary in the event that your main bag is lost or inaccessible upon arrival. On my wild land deployment we arrived late at night and set up our tents on a dark mountainside. This relatively simple task would have been much easier for me with a flashlight or headlamp.

READ THE REST OF THIS ARITCLE:

Part A – Introduction

Part B – Pre Deployment

Part C – Deployment Phase

Part D – Returning Home

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

More articles, Plus Online Incident Command Simulators!

By: Capt. Ryan G. Christen

"Disaster Deployment Basics" – Part A, Introduction

Capt. Ryan Christen - www.FullyInvolvedFire.com — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:57:26 -0700

"Disaster Deployment Basics" – Part A, Introduction

What you need to know your first time out.

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

More articles, Plus Online Incident Command Simulators!

Part A – Introduction:

Disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. Some may be predictable while otherscan occur without any warning. Often these events affecting so many lives that it is beyond the capability of local resources to handle. As members of Fire Department Task Forces, Wild land Firefighter Teams, Urban Search and Rescue Teams, Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, or any other of a number of special teams we are the ones called upon to assist with incident stabilization, or recovery efforts.

While attending EMT school early in my career I had the privilege of responding to Flagler County, Florida for the 1998 wildfires as a student and observer of Florida One Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT). This was my introduction to major event deployments. The team quickly set up a care station for thousands of firefighters operating in and around the camp. In the few days that I was with Fl-1 DMAT I watched as they treated the firefighters working the lines. The food was bad, the climate was unbearably hot, and we slept on government cots with no air conditioning. I was hooked. I knew I wanted to be a part of something like that in my career.

Several years later in my career I got my “Red Card” for wild land fire fighting. In 2002 I got my first “wild land” deployment with 20 other firefighters from around Florida. We were called to work in Colorado on the Hayman Fire. Our team spent twenty days out west and I learned volumes about the deployment world.

In total I have deployed on Two Wild Land Fire Details, Three Hurricane Deployments as a Logistics Co-ordinator for a Disaster Team, one Hurricane Deployment as an Engine Company Officer, and countless short term out of district deployments with a wild land task force.

Although the three hurricane deployments were very different incidents, the

Task Force a different mission, and all different from the wild fire deployment to

Colorado, I did find several similarities. Things I learned at each deployment made the next less stressful. In the event that you may find yourself being deployed to a major event there are certain things you should know before departure, during the mission, and returning home that will ensure a more successful experience.

READ THE REST OF THIS ARITCLE:

Part A – Introduction

Part B – Pre Deployment

Part C – Deployment Phase

Part D – Returning Home

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

More articles, Plus Online Incident Command Simulators!

By: Capt. Ryan G. Christen

"The" Fire vs. "A" Fire - PART TWO

Capt. Ryan Christen - FullyInvolvedFire.com — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:08:18 -0700

"The Fire vs. A Fire " - Part TWO

The lessons you learn could save someone's life!

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

Part Two

           Several years later I responded to another structure call that became a “The Fire” story for me. It was lunchtime, and dispatch reported that the first caller reported heavy smoke coming from the home. While responding dispatch came over the air and advised that they were receiving multiple calls. I had been on the job for a couple of years and was working with a good crew. The structure was a single family dwelling. Our bread and butter type of fire. We arrived on scene and found medium grey laminar smoke coming from the eves of the house. Nothing I hadn’t seen before. I grabbed the pre-connect (the correct one) and met my officer at the front door.

            This is when things began to get complicated. The homeowner ran up to us and began screaming about her baby in the back bedroom. Meanwhile mechanical difficulties with our truck were preventing our driver from engaging the pump. So here we sit with a burning house, a baby inside, and no water in our line. The smoke inside was still a few feet off the floor, and visibility was workable. My Officer and I had fought several fires together and knew each other well. We exchanged only a simple nod and began advancing into the house with our empty hose to find the baby.

            We made it through the living room and just began to turn down the hallway when everything changed. The smoke turned black and drove straight to the floor. Visibility dropped to zero. The heat became significantly more intense. Obviously part of the back bedrooms of the house had flashed. Undoubtedly the rest would very soon. As foolish as it sounds we continued, expecting to get water to our line any second. We had become fixated on finding the trapped baby and allowed ourselves to take life threatening chances.

            Suddenly I could feel our hose line being pulled back from us towards the front door. I could also barely hear someone yelling at us to back out. The individual was making it clear with several four letter words that it was time for us to get out. I guess that was just enough to remind us what the hell we were doing. We started back to the front door, aware of the direness of the situation we were practically running. It was getting hotter faster than I thought possible. Only a step or two from the door, the hallway and living room flashed, and my Officer and I crashed out the doorway from a wall of fire with our gear smoking.

            Seconds later the truck found its way into pump and our line became charged. We regrouped and got after the fire. It turned out it was our Chief that had been at the door frantically trying to get us the hell out of this flashover in the making. Had we not turned back when we did you would probably have read about us several years ago.

            The house was essentially a total loss. And the baby that the homeowner had been screaming about was nothing more than a puppy that had ran out the backdoor of the house. All of those risks for what gain? This is where this story usually ends. Not today. Not anymore.

            We made some poor choices at that fire. First we should never have gone in without a hose line. I know, we thought there was a baby inside and used that as our justification. Many of you reading this would probably have done the same thing.

We should have simply asked the woman a question. “What room is your child’s room?” This alone may have yielded enough information to keep us out until we had water. Since we took a major chance we should also have remained acutely aware of conditions without having become fixated on the baby. Take your pick from the mistakes I have listed, or pick from a few others in that story. Either way, learn something from this.

            These stories bring me back to the point of this article. How can the same fire be an, “a fire”, for one member and a “The Fire” for another? Why would you tell a story like this without explaining it? From now on, when find yourself listening to stories like these ask “What lesson was learned from this experience?” From now on, when you pass on stories like these give your audience the benefit of the lessons you learned. And, from now on make sure you pass these stories farther than across the table. If your experience reduces the number of line of duty deaths by one, then the effort is worth it.

            There are some new trends in the fire service that we should be embracing. There are new reporting systems that allow for the proliferation of these stories on a much wider scale. There are dozens of great websites (www.FullyInvolvedFire.com) with countless pictures, video clips, stories, and safety presentations you and your crew can review. I have several favorites that my crew and I review together each month. The “Near Miss” reporting system is online as well. These stories no longer have to be just another old war tale that you bore your buddies with. Take the time to share your stories with others. Most importantly though, when you find yourself passing on a piece of your past, or listening to that of another, pay close attention for that key description and take the time to explain or ask what lesson was learned.

            There is an expression that I heard recently: “Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.” Start sharing information. Expand the knowledge base for us all. Spare someone else the bad judgment and give them your experience.

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

"The" Fire Vs. "A" Fire

Capt. Ryan Christen - FullyInvolvedFire.com — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:55:59 -0700

"The Fire vs. A Fire " - Part ONE

The lessons you learn could save someone's life!

Original Article By: Ryan Christen

More available at www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

     Whether you’re in a house staffed by volunteers with a 1972 tanker conversion or full a time paid house running a fleet of brand new apparatus the stories are often the same. We pass the time in the evenings and weekends between calls by rousing the other members with chronicles of our experiences. Sometimes it is the veterans teasing the rookies with morsels of “How it was, before your time”. Or it may be the rookie telling of his first fire just last week. The stories can be of massive multiple alarm conflagrations or humorous anecdotes told simply to embarrass another member. They may even just be a trip down memory lane to remember a different time. Over my years in the fire service I have noticed one common thread in all these stories. They are either about “The Fire”, or “a fire” and they all have inherent value.

     It’s difficult to go through a single shift without hearing someone tell a story about a “The Fire”. These stories can differ dramatically but, the one common thread is that for each member that specific incident has had some lasting effect on themselves, career, and / or crew. Regardless of the reason, that fire has embedded itself in their brain as a significant event. It has earned a memory in their minds as “The Fire”. It’s not uncommon for someone to have several “The Fire” stories. But all too often these stories are passed down with a complete lack of conveyance as to why that member labels it as “The” rather than “a” fire. On top of that it seems that these stories rarely make it out of the day room and never bridge the gap from one station to the next, much less one department to the next. Our “war-stories” are the simplest training tool in our arsenal. Yet when we pass on these tidbits something seems to get lost in the translation.

It is time to utilize these stories in a much broader capacity. We need to use the technology at our disposal to maximize the educational potential.

            Before I get too much further into how to “spread the word” about your experience I would like to offer a couple of examples.

           Several years ago when I was a rookie firefighter we caught a late night working fire in a duplex. It was about three a.m. and damn cold. I was just finishing the first half of a double when we were woken up by the tones. Since I was new to the service I was practically jumping out of my skin with anticipation over a working fire. As the engine bay doors opened we could smell the smoke and see the orange glow in the sky just a few blocks away. There was no doubt that this was a working job! We piled on the truck and I began donning my SCBA as fast as I could. I knew we would be on scene in just a few seconds. We soon pulled up to a heavily involved structure. My officer turned to me and yelled out which line I was to pull, and then he bailed off the truck. I jumped out of the truck, grabbed the nozzle and stretched the line to front door. By time I got there my officer was just finishing his 360 of the structure. We crouched down at the door and yelled back to the Engineer to charge the line. As I bled the air from the hose I distinctly remember hearing my Lieutenant blurting out, “What the hell is that? I said pull the two hundred!”

He had been expecting me to have a two hundred foot inch and three quarter pre-connect. Not the two and half inch one hundred and fifty foot pre-connect that was in my hand. Although he was wearing an SCBA mask and it was very smoky I still remember the look in his eyes, and wondering if he was going to beat me with the nozzle right then or after we fought the fire.

            Ultimately we got the fire out, and I never did get beaten with that two and half nozzle. Everything worked out okay in the end, but mistakes had been made. This is where the story usually ends. This is where most stories usually end. Not today. Not anymore. These stories all have a lesson hidden in them, and that must be conveyed to your audience.

           That night, as we pulled up and he barked out his order I only heard, “pull the…two…” I was a rookie and was looking at the biggest fire I had ever seen. I assumed that he thought the same and wanted the larger two and half. In retrospect the fire wasn’t that big, and the extra maneuverability and length on the inch and three quarter would have been perfect.

            I still refer to that fire as “The Main Street Fire” (street name changed to protect the innocent) because I learned an important lesson that night. It is critical that clear orders are given, and that orders are clearly received. If there is a rookie on your truck take an extra two seconds to make sure they get it right. And if you’re the rookie: PAY ATTENTION! Check your excitement. If you don’t understand part of the command DON’T ASSUME YOU DO!

READ PART TWO OF THIS ARTICLE TO LEARN MORE....

or visit us online:

Original Article By: Ryan Christen

More available at www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

Copyright© 2008. FullyInvolvedFire.com. All rights reserved.

The Balancing Act for New Company Officers

Linda Willing — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:02:18 -0700

Should a company officer still be "one of the guys" after getting promoted? Or is it better for officers to be apart from the crew, so they can see the big picture and enforce discipline? Or is there a middle ground between these two extremes? How is it possible to balance roles as an officer in a fire station?

Many new officers say that finding this balance point in relating to the crew is the most difficult part of the new position. In some ways, nothing has changed — you're still living together in the same space, eating meals together, watching TV after hours, and working on projects. In other ways, everything has changed. Now you are responsible — if something goes wrong, it falls back to you whether you’re on an emergency scene or just hanging around in the station.

This sense of responsibility can make some officers overreact. They separate themselves entirely from the crew, holing up in their offices or sleeping quarters, avoiding most social contact. This is a big mistake. Not only is being part of the crew an important aspect of the officer's job but a company officer who is isolated will not know what is going on and cannot react quickly to situations that may be problematic or escalating.

Excessive isolation can also lead to a lack of trust among crew members. Firefighters want to know their officers — they want to understand that person, how he or she thinks and reacts to things. This is different than being friends. Crew members should know each other well as members of the team. Such knowledge makes a crew much more effective on an emergency scene and more comfortable and congenial during non-emergency duties. Friendship is a separate thing that may or may not develop over time.

On the other hand, being too much "one of the guys" can lead to serious problems. Whenever there is a story in the news about firefighters behaving badly as a group, one always has to ask, "what was the officer doing when this was going on?" In nearly every instance, the officer was an active participant, if not a leader of the inappropriate behavior.

Officers that just go along with whatever the crew finds entertaining in the moment are not doing their job. It is the officer's responsibility to keep the crew safe under all circumstances, and this includes preventing the group mentality from getting out of control and involving otherwise decent individuals in inappropriate acts. It is the officer who needs to stand up and say, "all right, that's enough. Time to do something else. This is going too far."

One of the ways that an officer can tread that difficult middle ground is by setting clear expectations from the start. Crew members want to know what is expected of them, not only in terms of emergency response, but also during more casual interaction around the station. What kind of language will not be tolerated? What subjects are dangerous? What lines cannot be crossed? These standards can be put out there by the officer not only in words but primarily through example. The worst thing a company officer can do is live by the "do as I say but not as I do" standard. This example not only undermines the officer’s credibility but also does nothing to set real standards for others.

Some officers are afraid of being the bad guy. They want their crews to like them so they never stand up and set limits. Everyone wants to be liked, but it is far more important as an officer to be respected. Firefighters want officers to set standards — to define desired behavior and to model professionalism. This is what leadership is all about.

Officers who achieve that delicate balance in being one of the crew and also standing apart in a leadership capacity can achieve amazing results. Such officers can take a diverse group and truly make it into a team that is not only highly functional in a technical sense, but is also committed to the success and safety of all others within the crew. Such teams provide great service, are fun to be part of, and only make the news as a credit to their departments and the fire service as a whole. Performance like this is not accidental—it is always a result of good leadership.

Houston's '10 Rules of Survival' after LODDs

FireRescue1 Editor — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:49:29 -0700

HOUSTON — The LODDs of two firefighters while tackling a house fire in April seemed to signal a worrying trend for the Houston Fire Department.

Prior to 2000, and dating back to its inception in 1889, the department had never suffered a fatality during interior operations. But the fire that claimed the lives of Captain James Harlow and Probationary Firefighter Damien Hobbs brought the number to seven since the turn of the millennium.

It prompted high-level discussion within the department, which has culminated with the creation of "The 10 Rules of Survival."

The rules don't herald a shift to a radically new firefighting approach. Instead, they aim to refocus members on the basic strategies — many that have fallen by the wayside since advancements in technology — that can enhance firefighter safety.

"After James Harlow and Damien Hobbs passed away on Easter, we sat down and brainstormed and tried to see if there was any one thing that we were doing that we needed to change," said Houston Assistant Fire Chief Carl Matejka.

"We couldn't come up with any one thing, but instead realized a number of different things were needed, and that has resulted in the Rules of Survival."

Suggest solutions

The process began with bringing 12 district chiefs together to analyze the high rate of fatalities during interior fire attacks and suggest solutions to improve safety during such operations as well as general operations and responses.

"While these rules aren't really about creating anything brand new, they are a way to refocus and kind of get back to basics," Chief Matejka said.

"We ultimately believe that if our members look at and consider these 10 rules, then it will improve firefighter safety."

One of the areas of focus under the rules is PPE and the false sense of security modern turnouts can provide. Advancements in design and technology can enable firefighters to enter further and further into the fire, sometimes to the point of no return.

The 10 Rules of Survival

Seat belt – Use of Seat belts is mandatory any time the vehicle is in motion.

Speed – Obey all traffic laws; obey all HFD policies; Do not bust red lights or intersections; Non-emergency response is acceptable.

PPE – Only HFD issued PPE; No extra layers for insulation; weakest part of PPE ensemble is the SCBA face piece.

Size-up – Perform a 360; accurate arrival reports; Use TIC for temperature reading prior to entry, communicate via radio.

Water before you go – Goal to have an uninterrupted water supply before entry.

Low-Low-Low – On entry; inside; on exit.

Ventilation – Goal of first ladder is ventilation; Release heat and smoke to benefit firefighters and survivable victims.

RIT – RIT on every incident; in place ASAP.

Crew Integrity – Not an option; Critical to incident accountability; Call Mayday early.

Communication – Throughout incident; interior and exterior progress reports.

"Our PPE is better than it ever has been,'' Chief Matejka said, "and like many others, we have had the culture over the past 20 years that if we identified particular areas being more prone to burns such as the elbow or shoulder, then we get the manufacturer to put extra padding or insulation there..

"But we've reached the point where you can't keep doing that anymore."

Catastrophic event

Chief Matejka said the department will be stressing that PPE is designed to allow firefighters to have a better chance of escape from a catastrophic event and not entry into the fire.

"That's not what the advancements are meant to be about, but the attitude is starting to become that if you can't feel the heat then you can simply go in as far as you need to go."

During some of the discussions that led to the creation of The 10 Rules of Survival, Chief Matejka said the committee members looked back at how the department operated when it didn't have any deaths during interior operations.

"When I came into the department, one of the first things that we did at a house or structure was vertical ventilation," said the 35-year veteran. "We simply had to as we couldn't have got in otherwise in many cases.

"But our gear today allows us to walk upright. Back then, we would have to go in low, under the smoke. Today, we can walk through upright because we don't feel the heat."

Truck companies

The department will also be looking at how its truck companies work on the scene. When thermal imagers were first introduced to the department, Chief Matejka said, they were initially only placed on these companies.

"It meant that the ladder truck kind of changed its focus, from ventilation — a normal truck company job — to primary search," he said.

"Now thermal imaging cameras are carried on all our engines, we're refocusing that first-in ladder company from primary search to 'Let's get the atmosphere in that building better for everybody.'"

The department wants captains to take a lead role with the rules, beginning with a simple message of slowing down.

"All of our interior LODDs have involved the first-in apparatus, and they have happened within the first 10 minutes," Chief Matejka said.

"What we want is for the first-in officer to perform a better size-up, to make a 360 around the building if possible so they have a truer idea of the conditions. By slowing down just a little bit, it can allow for a better grasp of what the interior and exterior conditions are."

Study: No deaths in homes with sprinklers

FireRescue1 Staff — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:47:54 -0700

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Over a span of 15 years, no deaths have been recorded in homes with automatic fire sprinkler systems, a recent study conducted in a Maryland county shows.

In the 245 houses protected by sprinklers during fires, only six injuries were reported and property damage costs were 10 times less than in homes without sprinklers, the study in Prince George's County found.

In 1992, the county was the first in the nation to mandate the sprinkler systems in construction of new homes.

Of the 13,217 Fires at dwellings without sprinklers, 101 residents were killed and 328 people were injured over the same time period.

The findings are being touted by supporters of mandatory residential fire sprinkler legislation who hope the data will play a role later this month as the International Code Council meets.

"With the completion of this study, we have the data to prove that we were right. The biggest fact is the fire fatalities. There were no fatalities in homes protected with fire sprinklers," said William Barnard, Maryland State Fire Marshal.

The ICC will decide whether to continue plans to require all new one- and two- family homes built in the U.S. to have fire sprinkler systems starting in 2011.

The study was conducted by the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, in cooperation with the University of Maryland and titled "Prince George's County 15-Year History with its Single-Family Residential Dwelling Fire Sprinkler Ordinance."

Guatemala Mission Bound: The Training Begins

David Pease — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:14:00 -0700

Well, as with anything we do, there is always something that pops up. We had a ticket issue that had to be corrected before departing Raleigh Durham. I did learn that the name that appears on the ticket needs to match the one on your passport. The name you are accustomed to, might not work. That’s what happens when you order ten tickets at the same time and the name thing doesn’t occur to you.

We got the ticket squared away and we boarded the plane for Atlanta. The forty minute flight to Atlanta was uneventful, except for the concern of Luke’s luggage making the flight. Once we reached Atlanta it was a short lay over before we were boarding the plane for Guatemala. The flight was not too long, but our anticipation of the unknown made it seem longer.

Soon we were flying over the beautiful country of jungles and mountains. We were shortly on approach to the airport at Guatemala City and on the ground. The US Embassy website had warned travelers of the crime rate in Guatemala so we were prepared for some of what we may face.
[widget:news__firelinks_best]
We were off the plane and greeted in the terminal by Rodger and Silva, along with several military personnel. Our next step was to clear customs with our bags and additional equipment that we brought. We reluctantly handed our passports to a young Guatemalan who spoke fairly good English, even though you are told never to turn loose of your passport.

The next thing we knew our baggage was cleared and our passports were stamped and given back to us. We proceeded through the terminal as the rest of the passengers looked on as though we were on a fast pass at Disney World. The military loaded our bags in the back of a truck and we all boarded a van for the trip to the base, which was not far away.

We arrived at the base and the first order of business was to check out the truck and all the equipment, to make sure it was all there, and it was. The next thing was to check out our accommodations and get our stuff stowed away. The barracks was old, but clean. The base was built in 1945 by the US as a communications outpost and then later given to Guatemala. There has been little to no improvements since. The bunks were meager, but adequate. Each had a blanket and small pillow. The bathroom and showers allowed no privacy, but we could deal with that. However, having no hot water was a little tough. All in all, we would make it our home for the next week.

We changed into our jumpsuits for the trip to meet the Minister of Defense and the Vice President, and show them the rescue truck and equipment. We piled into a van and we were off, followed by a team of security personnel.
[page]
I will not even try to describe the traffic in Guatemala City. I don’t think I could truly do it justice. Three lanes of road and 5 lanes of traffic, and buses carrying more than you can imagine.

We soon arrived at our destination. We showed off the truck then went to meet the Vice President. He spent 34 years in Texas, spoke very good English, and was a cardiac surgeon. It was clear after he spoke to us that he wants to better his country, knowing they had many obstacles to overcome.

He went out and inspected the truck and was also very appreciative of our mission to train and equip the “Rescate” in basic rescue operations. This was the only rescue truck in the entire country.

The Rescate was a military group that provides rescue around the country and in surrounding countries. The problem, they had little equipment and little training. Something wrought by third world countries, but not realized by those in industrial nations like ours.

The next morning we were up at 5:45am and eating breakfast in the mess hall at 6:15am. The food was cooked on grills made of 55 gallon drums outside, using wood. There were no ovens or stoves. The Rescate went through line and was served, while we sat down and the Guatemalan women served us. We soon realized we were being treated very special.

We then headed over to the courtyard at the military school, also part of the base. We were seated and were welcomed by the commander of the school and then honored by the Guatemala National Anthem and then our National Anthem with an Honor Guard displaying the Guatemala flag and the US flag. We were extremely honored; it was a welcome that we would not soon forget.

Now, it was time to meet our students and put a training plan into action. We had about 50 Rescate to train, so I decided to put them into 5 groups of 10. Each group also had a translator as well. Then we had to explain to them that they would be rotating each day to a different station.

I felt the best way to pull this off, was to set up five stations, two rope stations and three vehicle rescue stations.

We had requested, and were told, we would have 22 vehicles to train on and destroy, but soon found that would probably not happen. We had hoped to have everything close by in order to make things run smoother and easier. That was not going to be the case. The rope stations were set up in a field on base, and we hoped that we could set up the other three stations on base as well, as they did have a bus sitting on a ravine for us to use.
[page]
After some deliberation, they understood we needed some cars to work on. We proceeded to another base fairly close by where they worked on equipment. The equipment at this base was all 1960 to 1970 vintage. I have actually seen newer equipment at Federal Surplus that can be purchased by public safety agencies.

We were able to nail down three vehicles to at least begin our first day. We got a Jeep SUV at the front area of the base and then a van and car in two other areas. It was not the best set up, but it would have to do for this first day. We could now begin.

The basic ropes station was headed up by Joe Mancos and Jamie Smith, while the basket rigging and lowers was taught by Shannon Orndorff. The vehicle lifting and stabilizing station Instructors were Chuck Webb and Mike Arnold. Craig Salvesen handles the hand tools, with some assistance from Luke Steele and myself, and Cory Strange along with Mike Allen worked with their group using hydraulic power tools. Even though we got a late start, we were now underway. Bruce Pearce took pictures and assisted with logistics.

Cory and Mike worked with the groups on understanding basic hydraulic tools, although we only had a combination tool and small cutter. They explained how to connect the tools to the power unit and some basic maintenance. Once covering the basics of the tools, it was on to teaching them how to use them in basic vehicle extrication.

Even with the language barrier, the group picked up on things quickly. They were excellent students. At Craig’s station he was explaining the hand tools and few power tools, like the reciprocating saw and impact wrench to everyone. Then came the task of removing the roof and doors with the hand tools. His eager group made quick work of things and before the end of the day, had completed all of the tasks required. Chuck and Mike Arnold were hard at work teaching their students the fundamentals of stabilizing and lifting.

They used plastic cribbing furnished by Turtle Plastics for the basic stabilization, and then used the Rescue Jack struts for a little more advanced stabilization and lifting. During their training they would work with the vehicle on its side, and then have them roll it over and practice some more techniques. Ropes was going pretty well back at the other base with Shannon going over mechanical advantage systems and using capture prusiks on the line. This was something they had neither had in the past or knew how to do. Joe and Jamie were working with the other group on reviewing and teaching them some new knots and anchor systems. This was something they learned real quickly.
[page]
We have to keep in mind that their resources were pretty slim, as they had no extrication equipment, and only some stranded rope and non locking carabiners to use for rope rescue.

The rescue truck that went down had equipment on it they had never seen as well as kernmantle lifelines, some pulleys and hardware. This first day was a challenge, but everything turned out well and all of our objectives were met. It was then back to the base and time to get cleaned up. Oh, did I mention the fact there was no hot water! Showers were short, but effective. Once we got cleaned up, it was off to one of the restaurants to grab a bite to eat.

Since the crime rate in Guatemala is rather high, we were escorted with armed guards most of the time. They were going to make sure nothing happened to us. We enjoyed our dinner and it was back to base and soon to get some much needed rest. Next time I will take you through some more training and some of the other activities they had for us.

Stay tuned for part 3