The U cut - Pro Active Truck / RIT Ops On Board Ups
Much has been discussed on our job as it relates to pro active operations or softening the building. While this usually focuses on tasks such as throwing ladders, removing window bars, forcing open doors or opening boarded up windows on vacant / abandoned buildings (Yes, we believe they're occupied until our search proves otherwise), often overlooked is the discipline of coordinated ventilation or the prevention of over-ventilating the building unless fire attack crews and search crews are ready for it all while still softening the building!
Just Open The Floor For Discussion...
New construction in single family dwellings. Open floor plans: a floor plan without fully enclosed spaces for distinct rooms. (i.e. living room, dining room, kitchen)
Open Kitchens: kitchens that are not walled off from the living space.
Both of these are a staple in new construction and it's tough these days to find many
Vent, Enter, Search: Turning A Blind "I"...
You don't have to look very far to see the positive aspect of the ongoing discussion of VES and VEIS. The positive is at least people are talking about one of the most dynamic and under-utilized tactics in the fire service.
43 Degrees of Separation: Taking An Angle To Rescue The Working Ladder
Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open. ~ Dalai Lama Want to try an interesting experiment? If you're ever bored just post something to do with ground ladders on a social media site for firefighters and get yourself some popcorn, (insert Michael Jackson "just here for the comments"meme...) I
What is Impossible?: The 35' Engine Company Ladder
It seems that just about everything is up for debate in the fire service. Firefighters are jacks-of-all-trades and that includes the ancient art of debate. We argue about the big things, like safety of roof operations and tactical priorities. We argue the small things, like whether to carry six- or eight-pound axes, and the proper color of fire engines. Wanna sit back and be entertained? Place a combination nozzle and a smooth bore on the kitchen table at shift change. Better than the movies, and the refreshments are cheaper. One thing that seems nearly universally agreed upon is the complement of ground (or portable) ladders for an engine company.
Hit 'em High, Hit 'em Low
The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher. ~ Thomas Henry Huxley It is often stated about ground ladders that they are one of the most underutilized tools in the fire service today. Which is tough to argue because with the aid of modern technologies, anyone, anywhere can watch videos or look at pictures of incidents and the evidence presents itself.
Evolution of A Rescue: How Social Media Had A Hand In Rescuing A Three Year Old In Panama
I wanted to share this story with all of you because it gave me a lift today when I needed it. For the sake of being candid there are definitely days when I tell myself that my time in the fire service is done and I can no longer resist the pull of spending the rest of my days in the Idaho wilderness hunting, fishing and writing.