This week we will talk about some of the additional basic considerations which must be factored into your decision making when you respond and operate at the scene of an explosion, regardless of the cause.
Sign up for the January training sessions here.
http://petelamb.blogspot.com/2013/12/size-up-training-opportunities.html
Contact us if you would like a speaking engagement in your area.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
60 Second Safety - Radiation Emergencies
This week we talk about incidents that involve radiation. When was the last time you thought about it or discussed it.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Car Dealership Service Area
This week a fire at a car dealership service area.
1.) This is a relatively new building possibly, with a suppression system. Do you see any evidence the system is operating? How would this affect your decision making?
2.) What are the hazards that could be associated with this type of occupancy?
3.) What is your consideration for members operating under air? Do you train with SCBA in large open areas with random obstructions?
4.) What size attack line(s) and where?
5.) How would you tactically deal with roll up doors on both sides of the building? Attack lines from both sides? With openings that large you could maneuver without opposing lines. Is it one for attack, one for clearing smoke? How will opening an overhead roll-up door affect fire behavior?
Stay safe, and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) This is a relatively new building possibly, with a suppression system. Do you see any evidence the system is operating? How would this affect your decision making?
2.) What are the hazards that could be associated with this type of occupancy?
3.) What is your consideration for members operating under air? Do you train with SCBA in large open areas with random obstructions?
4.) What size attack line(s) and where?
5.) How would you tactically deal with roll up doors on both sides of the building? Attack lines from both sides? With openings that large you could maneuver without opposing lines. Is it one for attack, one for clearing smoke? How will opening an overhead roll-up door affect fire behavior?
Stay safe, and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Salvage Training?
Ahhhhhhh,......YAWN!....Stretch....
Salvage training what are you crazy, we don't do that we barely have enough manpower to stretch lines, now you want us to throw covers! I want to throw up!
Wait.........Don't stop reading yet!
Salvage is an often neglected part of our job for those very reasons....we don't do it often enough, and we can barely have the manpower to do everything else we are supposed to do.
This week I have some random disorganzied thoughts about salvage and a couple of interesting ideas for salvage drills.
Like all the stuff on this training page, I am trying to plant the seed for a training and you need to make it grow and do something with it.
Why the hell do we always teach and say Salvage and Overhaul? One doesn't have as much to do with the other as we would believe and before I leave the fire service we might actually separate the two!
Some occupanices might require salvage to become a higher priority: These might include libraries, churches, city and town halls, museums where records and articatcs might in fact be irreplaceable. I am not suggesting that we lose any lives for property under any circumstances but it certainly moves salvage up on the priorities in any of the above mentioned occupancies.
Think about salvage considerations when you are shoveling out people's possessions into the front yard. That couch with the quilt on it is a smoldering wreck and it's in your way, but to the owner that is the quilt that now dead aunt Sadie crocheted by hand.
Salvage drills mostly consist of pulling the apparatus out, showing folds rolls etc., and maybe trying to cover some furniture strategically placed in the day room. While I know most of these are necessary and are recognized as skills we need, I have yet to be able to do the "two man, inflate a throw- balloon method" that they teach in the essentials manuals. Usually I knock over a precious vase and stain and or ruin the eight foot normal ceiling that prevents me from doing that in the first place!
Train on rolls and folds that one or two people can do easily.
Empty the apparatus room / bay. Take a 10 foot step ladder and have someone stand at the top of it with a garden hose. Have other members form teams. Give them a designated task like the following: This is an overhead light fixture or pipe leak and you are unable to shut off the flow: The water must be directed out a side door or window. After the instructions start a gentle flow of water from the garden hose and let the crews make chutes, use ladders, pike poles, and catchalls to direct and divert the flow. When they are done, roughly chalk out the amount of spill that hit the floor. Start the next team as the first and chalk out their puddle. The group with the smallest amount of water on the floor is the winner. Things like this make it interesting challenging and more real life and your personnel will become very creative in their methods.
Take a garden hose, adapt it to a piece of 3/4" copper pipe about 10 feet long. Make an irregular slice in the pipe with a sawzall or make a series of pinholes. Have personnel control water flow. By rotating the pipe in different directions the problem becomes serious.
Use sprinkler props and leaking overhead sprinkler prop pipes for salvage drills.
Using a roscoe smoke machine have two firefighters enter an area that is moderately smoky and return with simulated valuable items they can carry: Have the area stocked with wallets, purse, phtographs, insurance policy documents, business records, leger books etc.and other props that you devise., and then review what areticles they retrieve and discuss them with the group. This gets them operating under a mask as well.
We do still say we protect life and property don't we? Well salvage is the property piece and by a little creative thinking you can do some innovative salvage drills that will make your troops at least think about it and be prepared to act when needed.
And as always if anyone else has any valuable ideas how to do salvage training safely and effectively, let me know and we will share them with others.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Salvage training what are you crazy, we don't do that we barely have enough manpower to stretch lines, now you want us to throw covers! I want to throw up!
Wait.........Don't stop reading yet!
Salvage is an often neglected part of our job for those very reasons....we don't do it often enough, and we can barely have the manpower to do everything else we are supposed to do.
This week I have some random disorganzied thoughts about salvage and a couple of interesting ideas for salvage drills.
Like all the stuff on this training page, I am trying to plant the seed for a training and you need to make it grow and do something with it.
Why the hell do we always teach and say Salvage and Overhaul? One doesn't have as much to do with the other as we would believe and before I leave the fire service we might actually separate the two!
Some occupanices might require salvage to become a higher priority: These might include libraries, churches, city and town halls, museums where records and articatcs might in fact be irreplaceable. I am not suggesting that we lose any lives for property under any circumstances but it certainly moves salvage up on the priorities in any of the above mentioned occupancies.
Think about salvage considerations when you are shoveling out people's possessions into the front yard. That couch with the quilt on it is a smoldering wreck and it's in your way, but to the owner that is the quilt that now dead aunt Sadie crocheted by hand.
Salvage drills mostly consist of pulling the apparatus out, showing folds rolls etc., and maybe trying to cover some furniture strategically placed in the day room. While I know most of these are necessary and are recognized as skills we need, I have yet to be able to do the "two man, inflate a throw- balloon method" that they teach in the essentials manuals. Usually I knock over a precious vase and stain and or ruin the eight foot normal ceiling that prevents me from doing that in the first place!
Train on rolls and folds that one or two people can do easily.
Empty the apparatus room / bay. Take a 10 foot step ladder and have someone stand at the top of it with a garden hose. Have other members form teams. Give them a designated task like the following: This is an overhead light fixture or pipe leak and you are unable to shut off the flow: The water must be directed out a side door or window. After the instructions start a gentle flow of water from the garden hose and let the crews make chutes, use ladders, pike poles, and catchalls to direct and divert the flow. When they are done, roughly chalk out the amount of spill that hit the floor. Start the next team as the first and chalk out their puddle. The group with the smallest amount of water on the floor is the winner. Things like this make it interesting challenging and more real life and your personnel will become very creative in their methods.
Take a garden hose, adapt it to a piece of 3/4" copper pipe about 10 feet long. Make an irregular slice in the pipe with a sawzall or make a series of pinholes. Have personnel control water flow. By rotating the pipe in different directions the problem becomes serious.
Use sprinkler props and leaking overhead sprinkler prop pipes for salvage drills.
Using a roscoe smoke machine have two firefighters enter an area that is moderately smoky and return with simulated valuable items they can carry: Have the area stocked with wallets, purse, phtographs, insurance policy documents, business records, leger books etc.and other props that you devise., and then review what areticles they retrieve and discuss them with the group. This gets them operating under a mask as well.
We do still say we protect life and property don't we? Well salvage is the property piece and by a little creative thinking you can do some innovative salvage drills that will make your troops at least think about it and be prepared to act when needed.
And as always if anyone else has any valuable ideas how to do salvage training safely and effectively, let me know and we will share them with others.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Christmas Greetings and a firefighting "'Twas the night"
A short lighthearted episode this week, with greetings from near and far, thank you to the listeners, and a firefighting version of the poem Twas the night before Christmas!
Reminder of training announcements for January. Details and registration can be found here.
http://petelamb.blogspot.com/2013/12/size-up-training-opportunities.html
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Reminder of training announcements for January. Details and registration can be found here.
http://petelamb.blogspot.com/2013/12/size-up-training-opportunities.html
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety Investigating residential smoke
This week a very common incident of investigating a call for smoke in a residential situation.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Residential
This week a residential fire. The house could be typical of a Southeastern US home.
1.) What size and where does the first line go?
2.) What is the ventilation status right now?
3.) What is the room in the large window on the left of the door?
4.) What is the most likely room in the window on the right side?
5.) Do you locate the pumper in the street or do you put the pumper in the driveway? What is your department's SOP? Is there ever a time to use the driveway?
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What size and where does the first line go?
2.) What is the ventilation status right now?
3.) What is the room in the large window on the left of the door?
4.) What is the most likely room in the window on the right side?
5.) Do you locate the pumper in the street or do you put the pumper in the driveway? What is your department's SOP? Is there ever a time to use the driveway?
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Santa as a fire Officer / Instructor
Santa is an Fire Officer / Instructor !
It is Christmas and I began letting myself think of what makes Santa so magical and wonderful even as adults. As I sat sipping my egg nog (No I am not telling you if it was spiked or not!) I had some interesting thoughts.
I ask you to indulge me for a few minutes and consider the following:
* Santa is looked up to and folks look forward to him coming into their life. Be the kind of person and officer that your personnel are happy to see. Be firm and fair but don't ever let it be said "Boy are we lucky you weren't there Capt." Make your troops believe in you and lead and inspire them to want to work and wait for you.
* Santa brings gifts to everyone. Bring small gifts to your personnel. Give them parts of yourself and your knowledge and experience. Allow them to make small mistakes and give them freedom to make some decisions. These are all gifts you can give.
* Santa has a list of who is naughty and nice. Evaluate your personnel on a regular basis and tell them how they are doing in meeting your expectations. Know and understand what each of your personnel's capabilities are and their level of training.
* Santa has lots of helpers. Make sure you surround yourself with people who will help you. Do not be afraid to delegate responsibility and authority to others. No officer or instructor is an island and when you begin to micro-manage you cause more damage then you can imagine. Have lots of helpers and get out of their way!
* Santa prepares 364 days for one night's work. I hope that you train each and every day, because tonight could be the night that impacts many many lives. It could be positive or negative, but remember.....just like Santa, everyone is counting on you! Be prepared.
* Santa is never seen out of uniform. All right enough said!
* Although there is a "naughty and nice list" everyone gets a present. be sure that you make an attempt to share knowledge opportunities and experiences with all. Even the members of your department you may not be especially close to. Give of yourself to everyone.
* Santa takes cookies and milk from lots of folks. As an officer or instructor take a little something from all of those that you interact with. Do not believe that you are the only one who can give"presents". Lots of folks have lots to give....be sure you don't ever believe you know it all. Learn from others.
* Santa is very good at time management. Hey you don't get all around the world in one night by sitting in the recliner watching TV all night you know! As an officer remember to make your time on duty count for all that it is worth. Not only is Santa watching but so are the rest of the troops and they have really good memories!
* Santa feeds and takes care of the reindeer all year long even when he is not using them. Make sure all of your apparatus and portable equipment is ready to go!
* Santa has kept up with the times. Although the origin of Santa is always debated, Santa has lasted for the ages. Make sure that you remain current with all of the latest and greatest trends in the fire service. Don't get stuck in a time warp and repeat the same year over and over again. Be timeless and ageless. Not everyone really cares "about the way it used to be".
* Santa is most appreciated by the children. never underestimate the power you have on new members of our profession. These "young folks" look at each and every move you make and attitude you foster. Make them all really believe in Santa.
* Santa always make sure he makes it home to Mrs. Claus. Enough said about this one too.
OK, so he is a little overweight and he knows that heart attacks can kill us, and I realize that the beard doesn't meet the NIOSH/OSHA standard for wearing SCBA.......but you gotta admit Santa has some pretty good traits for an officer or instructor, doesn't he?
Stay Safe, take care of one another, appreciate your families and please accept from me my sincerest wishes for a safe and Merry Christmas to all!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
It is Christmas and I began letting myself think of what makes Santa so magical and wonderful even as adults. As I sat sipping my egg nog (No I am not telling you if it was spiked or not!) I had some interesting thoughts.
I ask you to indulge me for a few minutes and consider the following:
* Santa is looked up to and folks look forward to him coming into their life. Be the kind of person and officer that your personnel are happy to see. Be firm and fair but don't ever let it be said "Boy are we lucky you weren't there Capt." Make your troops believe in you and lead and inspire them to want to work and wait for you.
* Santa brings gifts to everyone. Bring small gifts to your personnel. Give them parts of yourself and your knowledge and experience. Allow them to make small mistakes and give them freedom to make some decisions. These are all gifts you can give.
* Santa has a list of who is naughty and nice. Evaluate your personnel on a regular basis and tell them how they are doing in meeting your expectations. Know and understand what each of your personnel's capabilities are and their level of training.
* Santa has lots of helpers. Make sure you surround yourself with people who will help you. Do not be afraid to delegate responsibility and authority to others. No officer or instructor is an island and when you begin to micro-manage you cause more damage then you can imagine. Have lots of helpers and get out of their way!
* Santa prepares 364 days for one night's work. I hope that you train each and every day, because tonight could be the night that impacts many many lives. It could be positive or negative, but remember.....just like Santa, everyone is counting on you! Be prepared.
* Santa is never seen out of uniform. All right enough said!
* Although there is a "naughty and nice list" everyone gets a present. be sure that you make an attempt to share knowledge opportunities and experiences with all. Even the members of your department you may not be especially close to. Give of yourself to everyone.
* Santa takes cookies and milk from lots of folks. As an officer or instructor take a little something from all of those that you interact with. Do not believe that you are the only one who can give"presents". Lots of folks have lots to give....be sure you don't ever believe you know it all. Learn from others.
* Santa is very good at time management. Hey you don't get all around the world in one night by sitting in the recliner watching TV all night you know! As an officer remember to make your time on duty count for all that it is worth. Not only is Santa watching but so are the rest of the troops and they have really good memories!
* Santa feeds and takes care of the reindeer all year long even when he is not using them. Make sure all of your apparatus and portable equipment is ready to go!
* Santa has kept up with the times. Although the origin of Santa is always debated, Santa has lasted for the ages. Make sure that you remain current with all of the latest and greatest trends in the fire service. Don't get stuck in a time warp and repeat the same year over and over again. Be timeless and ageless. Not everyone really cares "about the way it used to be".
* Santa is most appreciated by the children. never underestimate the power you have on new members of our profession. These "young folks" look at each and every move you make and attitude you foster. Make them all really believe in Santa.
* Santa always make sure he makes it home to Mrs. Claus. Enough said about this one too.
OK, so he is a little overweight and he knows that heart attacks can kill us, and I realize that the beard doesn't meet the NIOSH/OSHA standard for wearing SCBA.......but you gotta admit Santa has some pretty good traits for an officer or instructor, doesn't he?
Stay Safe, take care of one another, appreciate your families and please accept from me my sincerest wishes for a safe and Merry Christmas to all!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Size up training opportunities!
TRAINING WEBINAR
Firefighter Training that allows the firefighter to review firefighting concepts, enhance size-up and situational awareness on the fireground.
Some of the topics you will learn about size up, rate of flow, building collapse, electrical hazards, Building construction and much more.
The goal of this training is to make firefighters more alert and safer on the fireground.
This program allows for a small class size that will give the student individual contact and allow for questions and answers, and interaction with the instructor.
See the website at http://www.petelamb.com and click the links for the current blog and the podcast archives.
REGISTER FOR JANUARY 8, 2014 HERE. 7:00 PM Eastern time
REGISTER FOR JANUARY 11,2014 HERE9:00 AM Eastern time
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Firefighter Training that allows the firefighter to review firefighting concepts, enhance size-up and situational awareness on the fireground.
Some of the topics you will learn about size up, rate of flow, building collapse, electrical hazards, Building construction and much more.
The goal of this training is to make firefighters more alert and safer on the fireground.
This program allows for a small class size that will give the student individual contact and allow for questions and answers, and interaction with the instructor.
See the website at http://www.petelamb.com and click the links for the current blog and the podcast archives.
REGISTER FOR JANUARY 8, 2014 HERE. 7:00 PM Eastern time
REGISTER FOR JANUARY 11,2014 HERE9:00 AM Eastern time
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Fire service expectations
This week we talk about expectations and how they affect the fire service and your organization.
We also announce 2 Size up training session webinars for January.
For January 8th, 2014 at 7:00 PM Eastern Click this link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireground-size-up-safety-training-do-you-see-what-i-see-tickets-9802534645
For January 11, 2014 at 9:00 AM Easter Click this link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireground-size-up-safety-training-do-you-see-what-i-see-tickets-9802665035
Listen to this episode here.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
We also announce 2 Size up training session webinars for January.
For January 8th, 2014 at 7:00 PM Eastern Click this link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireground-size-up-safety-training-do-you-see-what-i-see-tickets-9802534645
For January 11, 2014 at 9:00 AM Easter Click this link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireground-size-up-safety-training-do-you-see-what-i-see-tickets-9802665035
Listen to this episode here.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety - Alarm Investigations
Some safety thoughts during an alarm investigations.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Sidewalk, Storefront restaurant.
This week some considerations about a downtown restaurant fire. Take a look.
1.) Daytime and the place is occupied. It suddenly filled with smoke. How will you conduct a primary search? How often do you train on commercial building search? How many people does it take?
2.) In this scenario with a storefront how does that impact your preconnect hose line stretch ? You pull 150' or 200' and you have the width of the sidewalk.....have you practiced? A normal stretch in suburbia might be across a long driveway and front yard.
3.) What size lines and how many and where?
4.) Because you know your district (I hope!) you know there are apartments above. With limited manpower which comes first fire attack or clearing floor 2?
5.) What are your tactical operations for a fire in grease ductwork extended to the roof?
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) Daytime and the place is occupied. It suddenly filled with smoke. How will you conduct a primary search? How often do you train on commercial building search? How many people does it take?
2.) In this scenario with a storefront how does that impact your preconnect hose line stretch ? You pull 150' or 200' and you have the width of the sidewalk.....have you practiced? A normal stretch in suburbia might be across a long driveway and front yard.
3.) What size lines and how many and where?
4.) Because you know your district (I hope!) you know there are apartments above. With limited manpower which comes first fire attack or clearing floor 2?
5.) What are your tactical operations for a fire in grease ductwork extended to the roof?
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
The Fire Service Rumor Mill
I pretty much hate the rumor mill and I truly believe it is detrimental in so many ways to the fire service, but I also know I am not smart enough to figure out how to make it go away. Hey maybe you don't have a rumor mill or grapevine in your department, so this week's commentary might not be for you. (Stop reading right now, I wanna talk about you later on in the piece!) It really doesn't matter what you do to minimize, manage, or deal with it, the rumor mill exists and will continue to exists as long as one person hears a single piece of information prior to someone else, or prior to department administration being able to get it out there. I also acknowledge that while the rumor mill or grapevine will always exist I do submit to you that there are some things you can do to help the situation out in your own department.
Here are some basic thoughts: (Warning these may not get you any birthday presents or nuthin' cause they are not real popular!)
When someone approaches you and says "the rumor mill says...." or "rumor has it...." immediately and directly ask where they heard it. More often then not they will not answer. In that case neither should you.
Try to be open and up front with information if you are an officer or department administrator. This will help to minimize the effects.
If you are an officer or department administrator know your personnel and know who you can have a conversation with, without it being spread throughout the department.
The simplest of all.......Don't spread rumors yourself. Think of a time when you have been injured mentally or emotionally about some of the crap that may have been spread about you.
If the rumor mill is talking about other members, they are talking about you too. Make sure you know what they can say bout you. If you do good stuff and perform well on the job, then only good stuff will be said.
Build your reputation to be able to withstand the rumor mill. Each and every day behave in a positive manner.
What is being said about you at work? When you are out sick, or vacation is the shift happier? When you don't make a meeting or company drill does it go smoother? When you miss a good incident do the personnel say "it's a good thing you were not here cause somebody might have gotten hurt". Are your personnel happy to see you take command?
All of the things I mentioned right here are being said about you today. Your work habits, appearance, and behaviors are all being talked about.
Make sure you behave in a manner that will make your mom proud when she hears the rumor about you!
Make sure you don't get involved in spreading rumors about others. If everyone takes care of their own, then we can help make firehouse and the fire service just a tiny bit better, but each one of us doing the right thing!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Here are some basic thoughts: (Warning these may not get you any birthday presents or nuthin' cause they are not real popular!)
When someone approaches you and says "the rumor mill says...." or "rumor has it...." immediately and directly ask where they heard it. More often then not they will not answer. In that case neither should you.
Try to be open and up front with information if you are an officer or department administrator. This will help to minimize the effects.
If you are an officer or department administrator know your personnel and know who you can have a conversation with, without it being spread throughout the department.
The simplest of all.......Don't spread rumors yourself. Think of a time when you have been injured mentally or emotionally about some of the crap that may have been spread about you.
If the rumor mill is talking about other members, they are talking about you too. Make sure you know what they can say bout you. If you do good stuff and perform well on the job, then only good stuff will be said.
Build your reputation to be able to withstand the rumor mill. Each and every day behave in a positive manner.
What is being said about you at work? When you are out sick, or vacation is the shift happier? When you don't make a meeting or company drill does it go smoother? When you miss a good incident do the personnel say "it's a good thing you were not here cause somebody might have gotten hurt". Are your personnel happy to see you take command?
All of the things I mentioned right here are being said about you today. Your work habits, appearance, and behaviors are all being talked about.
Make sure you behave in a manner that will make your mom proud when she hears the rumor about you!
Make sure you don't get involved in spreading rumors about others. If everyone takes care of their own, then we can help make firehouse and the fire service just a tiny bit better, but each one of us doing the right thing!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast SCBA Basics - Interview with Chief Jim Blanchard
This week a special announcement and request for our Christmas episode, and some serious talk about SCBA basics and training techniques using the Scott breathing apparatus.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety - Outside Fires
We have talked a lot about structures, but this week we switch to outside fires.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Pickup truck carrying explosives.....or not?
This week a vehicle fire that could be a big problem.
1.) When you get dispatched to a vehicle fire, always ask for more information if it is the least bit unclear. If someone says truck fire ask what kind of truck.
2.) How close would you have to be to recognize this? Lines might be stretched and crew dismounted. Now what?
3.) How far back do you evacuate? How do you measure that in the field?
4.) How long will you be on scene?
5.) Think this through; How will this incident ultimately be mitigated?
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) When you get dispatched to a vehicle fire, always ask for more information if it is the least bit unclear. If someone says truck fire ask what kind of truck.
2.) How close would you have to be to recognize this? Lines might be stretched and crew dismounted. Now what?
3.) How far back do you evacuate? How do you measure that in the field?
4.) How long will you be on scene?
5.) Think this through; How will this incident ultimately be mitigated?
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Roof Types and Construction
This week I am speaking about all of the aspects of construction that might relate to roofs. You could take this training idea and use it in any number of ways but we will throw out some suggestions for argument sake.
Make sure your troops know that in many cases the roof of a building is designed to keep the rain out and not much else. Of course it adds stability to the overall building but it is really not designed to take significant weight loads above it's design maximum. Obviously in the Northeast and points where it snows, roofs are designed for snow loading as well.
Framing up a drill for roofs (no pun intended) would go something like this:
* Go to the local building department and determine what weight per square foot residential roofs are supposed to be able to hold in your area.
* Discuss and define the following terms with your personnel: Concentrated Load, Dead Load, Design Load, Undesigned Load, Distributed Load, Live load, impact load.
* Find out from building department what local materials are being used in roof construction in a typical residential.
* Take photos of buildings in your response area during and after construction so you can show your members what the roof support structures really are.
* Review all of the various types of roofs with your personnel and the characteristics of each, how you change your operations for each and any peculiarities which could lead to failure.
*Roof Types: Gable, Gambrel, Hip, Mansard, Shed, Lantern, Butterfly
* Discuss truss construction. Not every type of truss is bad, but primarily prefabricated truss construction materials may be. Truss construction using large substantial members has been used in churches for years. That is not what the fire department has concerns about, but really the engineered truss. Discuss the following bowstring truss, engineered wood truss, open web steel joist.
* Discuss Engineered wooden structural members such as the wooden I beam type.
* Discuss parapet walls as roof attachments and facades and their failure.
* Discuss and review existing roof loads such as HVAC and other machinery.
* Discuss heavy sign loads that may be creating an eccentric load pulling a parapet wall forward.
* Discuss commercial roofing such as membrane roofing that may have to actually cut away to get to subsurface areas. Also discuss the rapid fire spread that may occur with this type of roof covering.
* Discuss fires that have occurred while roof repairs were being made to commercial roofs using hot tar, and liquid propane burners up on the rooftop.
* Talk about the tools and equipment that should be brought to the roof.
* Talk about the dangers of locating the roof edges in heavy smoke conditions.
* Talk about two means of egress for crews operating and a number of other safety tips.
This is not all inclusive but you should have enough material to research in IFSTA or Delmar publications, coupled with your own digital pictures of your own community to create a good drill and get the personnel to focus on just this one aspect of building construction.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Make sure your troops know that in many cases the roof of a building is designed to keep the rain out and not much else. Of course it adds stability to the overall building but it is really not designed to take significant weight loads above it's design maximum. Obviously in the Northeast and points where it snows, roofs are designed for snow loading as well.
Framing up a drill for roofs (no pun intended) would go something like this:
* Go to the local building department and determine what weight per square foot residential roofs are supposed to be able to hold in your area.
* Discuss and define the following terms with your personnel: Concentrated Load, Dead Load, Design Load, Undesigned Load, Distributed Load, Live load, impact load.
* Find out from building department what local materials are being used in roof construction in a typical residential.
* Take photos of buildings in your response area during and after construction so you can show your members what the roof support structures really are.
* Review all of the various types of roofs with your personnel and the characteristics of each, how you change your operations for each and any peculiarities which could lead to failure.
*Roof Types: Gable, Gambrel, Hip, Mansard, Shed, Lantern, Butterfly
* Discuss truss construction. Not every type of truss is bad, but primarily prefabricated truss construction materials may be. Truss construction using large substantial members has been used in churches for years. That is not what the fire department has concerns about, but really the engineered truss. Discuss the following bowstring truss, engineered wood truss, open web steel joist.
* Discuss Engineered wooden structural members such as the wooden I beam type.
* Discuss parapet walls as roof attachments and facades and their failure.
* Discuss and review existing roof loads such as HVAC and other machinery.
* Discuss heavy sign loads that may be creating an eccentric load pulling a parapet wall forward.
* Discuss commercial roofing such as membrane roofing that may have to actually cut away to get to subsurface areas. Also discuss the rapid fire spread that may occur with this type of roof covering.
* Discuss fires that have occurred while roof repairs were being made to commercial roofs using hot tar, and liquid propane burners up on the rooftop.
* Talk about the tools and equipment that should be brought to the roof.
* Talk about the dangers of locating the roof edges in heavy smoke conditions.
* Talk about two means of egress for crews operating and a number of other safety tips.
This is not all inclusive but you should have enough material to research in IFSTA or Delmar publications, coupled with your own digital pictures of your own community to create a good drill and get the personnel to focus on just this one aspect of building construction.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Fire Service Building Construction - An interview with Chris Naum
Our guest this week is Christopher Naum from the website buildings on fire. Chris is an internationally known expert on the subject and he is carrying on from his mentor Frank Brannigan.
This week we take an overview look of the five types of building construction as defined by NFPA 220, we look at wood frame buildings, and some of the things to be considered.
We also begin a discussion on engineered structural members and how the change the dynamics of what we are currently doing with suppression tactics and discuss how that might have changed from years past. The increase in the ability of these engineered systems allow for increase in the compartment spaces, meaning size and area of the fire compartment and how that has a direct impact on rate of flow.
Buildings On Fire website http://buildingsonfire.com/
NIOSH Website http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/
Command Safety Website http://commandsafety.com/
The Company Officer Website http://thecompanyofficer.com/tag/fire-service-training/
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
This week we take an overview look of the five types of building construction as defined by NFPA 220, we look at wood frame buildings, and some of the things to be considered.
We also begin a discussion on engineered structural members and how the change the dynamics of what we are currently doing with suppression tactics and discuss how that might have changed from years past. The increase in the ability of these engineered systems allow for increase in the compartment spaces, meaning size and area of the fire compartment and how that has a direct impact on rate of flow.
Buildings On Fire website http://buildingsonfire.com/
NIOSH Website http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/
Command Safety Website http://commandsafety.com/
The Company Officer Website http://thecompanyofficer.com/tag/fire-service-training/
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety - Heating Systems
This week a look at safety when responding to heating system emergencies.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - A fire in a lumberyard
Although the standard lumber yard might be less common, often being replaced by the large indoor box stores and home improvement stores, they still represent a significant problem.
For this scenario we will assume a wind condition of 10 MPH sustained with some higher gusts.
1.) What protection systems might be available for outdoor rack storage? Have you checked and preplanned the ones in your area?
2.) What will you do for initial fire attack? Large handlines? Ground monitors?
3.) Did the main building start first or is it now an exposure to the volume of radiant heat?
4.) Do you commit apparatus into the secured yard area, or just attack lines?
5.) How high and how stable are the piles? What other materials can be found here besides just lumber?
Stay Safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
For this scenario we will assume a wind condition of 10 MPH sustained with some higher gusts.
1.) What protection systems might be available for outdoor rack storage? Have you checked and preplanned the ones in your area?
2.) What will you do for initial fire attack? Large handlines? Ground monitors?
3.) Did the main building start first or is it now an exposure to the volume of radiant heat?
4.) Do you commit apparatus into the secured yard area, or just attack lines?
5.) How high and how stable are the piles? What other materials can be found here besides just lumber?
Stay Safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Training As A Road Map to a place called "prepared".
If training is the road map and the basis for making things happen in your department where the hell are you headed? You should be headed for a place called "prepared".
I have been having many discussion with lots of folks and what I am seeing disturbs me. I see that in many departments the training officer might be the junior guy (or gal) who has a lot of zeal and zest but gets put into this position by default.
I see a lot of departments that are "pencil whipping" training programs. That is to say that they have written procedures which require training hours per day or per shift or before riding and they are complying but there is no real meat. I also see "pencil whipping" in the fact that departments today are attempting to train only for the sole purpose of complying with some regulation and conducting a mandatory training will relieve them of some liability or make them comply with some regulation.
In some states there are other benefits to training that become more important than the training itself. In some states firefighters receive EMS re-certification credit for attending fire training. In the last seminar I ran I had a department call me and ask me if there were EMT recert credits being issued. I said no. That department chose not to send anyone to the training. I guess training is only good if it prevents me from having to go to any other training??????
Departments are also becoming too trendy with their training. Please do not mistake me we should be aware of the hazards that surround us and we will certainly be the ones responding on the front line, but should we make this the priority or should we insert it into our training plan or road map as one of our regularly scheduled stops on our trip for knowledge.
We seem to plan our trip for knowledge to our destination a place I will call "prepared" and every other week we keep getting side tracked on this journey.
I believe that sightseeing is good on vacation, and once you arrive at your destination you should take little side journeys, but what I am seeing is all of the sightseeing is going on along the way.
A small department with limited resources should be able to REACT to an incident of terrorism. I m not sure if any fire service agency is going to PREVENT one.
Let us make sure we know what could happen, let us preplan and Targets we have have in our response district and let's do a whole bunch of what ifs.. but also lets us do post incident reviews of our current responses and make sure we are doing what we do every day correctly.
Our road map should start with making sure we know what we are doing in the first place.
Look at your current responses and decide what categories they fall in.
Look at what things and responses you handle really well.
Look at how well your department's sops are being followed on routine emergencies. ( I know I know nothing is routine, don't get hung up on semantics on me now....see you were getting lost again, back to the map now!)
Plan your training to get your members to that place you call prepared and maintain a steady course and a time frame for arrival.
The training officer is the travel agent, and the firefighters are the passengers on a trip booked by the chief.
As the travel agent remember the following:
You won't please every passenger.
You should be well prepared yourself and keep to a schedule.
The journey should be interesting, exciting and involve all.
As the tour director (training officer) fill your own tank frequently and you won't run out of gas. (Make sure you keep going to training yourself so you are current)
Decide what is nice to see and what must be seen.
Never every tour group is ready to climb mount Washington!
(Figure that one out yourself!)
Passenger safety is always important.
Don't keep changing directions it makes the passenger motion sick!
It is OK to change modes of transportation. (Slides, hands on, field trips, PowerPoint, simulation etc.)
Proper preparation prevents time delays and breakdowns.
Training should be the road map that your department follows on it;'s journey to prepared.
There I fueled you about, you are now free to move about the website!
Have a safe trip!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
I have been having many discussion with lots of folks and what I am seeing disturbs me. I see that in many departments the training officer might be the junior guy (or gal) who has a lot of zeal and zest but gets put into this position by default.
I see a lot of departments that are "pencil whipping" training programs. That is to say that they have written procedures which require training hours per day or per shift or before riding and they are complying but there is no real meat. I also see "pencil whipping" in the fact that departments today are attempting to train only for the sole purpose of complying with some regulation and conducting a mandatory training will relieve them of some liability or make them comply with some regulation.
In some states there are other benefits to training that become more important than the training itself. In some states firefighters receive EMS re-certification credit for attending fire training. In the last seminar I ran I had a department call me and ask me if there were EMT recert credits being issued. I said no. That department chose not to send anyone to the training. I guess training is only good if it prevents me from having to go to any other training??????
Departments are also becoming too trendy with their training. Please do not mistake me we should be aware of the hazards that surround us and we will certainly be the ones responding on the front line, but should we make this the priority or should we insert it into our training plan or road map as one of our regularly scheduled stops on our trip for knowledge.
We seem to plan our trip for knowledge to our destination a place I will call "prepared" and every other week we keep getting side tracked on this journey.
I believe that sightseeing is good on vacation, and once you arrive at your destination you should take little side journeys, but what I am seeing is all of the sightseeing is going on along the way.
A small department with limited resources should be able to REACT to an incident of terrorism. I m not sure if any fire service agency is going to PREVENT one.
Let us make sure we know what could happen, let us preplan and Targets we have have in our response district and let's do a whole bunch of what ifs.. but also lets us do post incident reviews of our current responses and make sure we are doing what we do every day correctly.
Our road map should start with making sure we know what we are doing in the first place.
Look at your current responses and decide what categories they fall in.
Look at what things and responses you handle really well.
Look at how well your department's sops are being followed on routine emergencies. ( I know I know nothing is routine, don't get hung up on semantics on me now....see you were getting lost again, back to the map now!)
Plan your training to get your members to that place you call prepared and maintain a steady course and a time frame for arrival.
The training officer is the travel agent, and the firefighters are the passengers on a trip booked by the chief.
As the travel agent remember the following:
You won't please every passenger.
You should be well prepared yourself and keep to a schedule.
The journey should be interesting, exciting and involve all.
As the tour director (training officer) fill your own tank frequently and you won't run out of gas. (Make sure you keep going to training yourself so you are current)
Decide what is nice to see and what must be seen.
Never every tour group is ready to climb mount Washington!
(Figure that one out yourself!)
Passenger safety is always important.
Don't keep changing directions it makes the passenger motion sick!
It is OK to change modes of transportation. (Slides, hands on, field trips, PowerPoint, simulation etc.)
Proper preparation prevents time delays and breakdowns.
Training should be the road map that your department follows on it;'s journey to prepared.
There I fueled you about, you are now free to move about the website!
Have a safe trip!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Interview with Deputy Chief Bill Goldfeder, firefighterclosecalls.com
This week we interview Deputy Chief William Goldfeder from firefighterclosecalls.com.
We get into a general discussion about the site, his work, his background and things for the future. At the end of the episode some real quick and simple tips for staying safe in your own department and protecting your members.
Here are some useful links to supplement this episode.
www.firefighterclosecalls.com
National Fallen Firefighters website http://www.firehero.org/
International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer and combination officers section http://www.iafc.org/micrositeVCOSorg/index.cfm
VFIS Volunteer Firemen's Insurance training http://www.vfis.com/emergency-responder-education-training-consulting.htm
International Association of Firefighters Health and Safety http://www.iaff.org/hs/index.htm
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
We get into a general discussion about the site, his work, his background and things for the future. At the end of the episode some real quick and simple tips for staying safe in your own department and protecting your members.
Here are some useful links to supplement this episode.
www.firefighterclosecalls.com
National Fallen Firefighters website http://www.firehero.org/
International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer and combination officers section http://www.iafc.org/micrositeVCOSorg/index.cfm
VFIS Volunteer Firemen's Insurance training http://www.vfis.com/emergency-responder-education-training-consulting.htm
International Association of Firefighters Health and Safety http://www.iaff.org/hs/index.htm
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety - Outdoor Gas Cooking (Read Turkey Fryer!)
This week 60 second safety is about outdoor gas appliances and propane cylinders.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Large Southwestern U.S. Residential
This week we look at a residence that might be a typical southwestern style.
1.) What are some construction features that might affect fire attack and fire behavior?
2.) Based upon what you see, what size line and how long of a line will you need?
3.) what is the placement of the first line and how many other lines and where?
4.) What problems if any will the roof construction present?
5.) What would be the impact of block and stucco walls on an interior fire attack?
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What are some construction features that might affect fire attack and fire behavior?
2.) Based upon what you see, what size line and how long of a line will you need?
3.) what is the placement of the first line and how many other lines and where?
4.) What problems if any will the roof construction present?
5.) What would be the impact of block and stucco walls on an interior fire attack?
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Reputation Some Fire Service Examples to Ponder
What do we want for our professional reputation? If our reputation is being built each and every day by our actions, what do we want others to think of us?
This question applies to us if we are firefighters, fire officers, fire instructors, people in general as human beings, and the agency we work for. Our personal and professional reputation also breeds the reputations of persons around us and our acceptable culture.
Remember also, your perception of your reputation and what others may think are vastly different.
Let's start at the department or agency level for a minute and think about some reputations...
XYZ department is extremely professional, they look and act smart, and they are very effective in doing their job.
XYZ department looks professional, has great equipment, but boy those guys couldn't fight a fire if it was their own station.
XYZ department is small, has limited equipment, low manpower, but boy do they train every week. I am surprised at how good they perform given the tools that they have.
XYZ department, all those guys are just there because it is their second job.
XYZ department are great firefighters, but they do nothing with inspections and code enforcement.
XYZ department.....What a great bunch of guys.
Now the above were just a bunch of views, and you could probably put names on them all, but the point was if you recognized, your department in there ....are you proud to say that is the one you belong to?
As firefighters....
FF. XYZ is a great "Jake" that really knows his job.
FF. xyz really doesn't give a damn anymore.
FF xyz works his side job while he is on duty.
FF xyz is all smoke and mirrors, he really cannot do the job.
FF xyz would help anybody at any time.
FF xyz is my friend.
FF xyz is a no nonsense level headed person.
Which of those do you want to be known as?
As fire officers....
Lt. xyz forgot where they came from.
Lt. Xyz understands.
Lt. xyz really knows his job and he will never get us hurt.
If you have a technical question, or a personal problem go talk to Lt. xyz you will find help.
Lt. xyz is a sneak and a liar.
Lt. xyz is book smart, studied hard, but cannot do the job.
Lt. xyz hides and shy away from tough problems.
Lt. xyz won't make a decision.
Which of these officers do you want to be?
It applies to training, life in general and all around. After you read this week's column, take a few minutes, sit in a chair and think about how you are being viewed, and think about how your agency is viewed by others.
Heck if you have the least amount of intestinal fortitude, ask your boss, officer, or supervisor how they perceive you, and maybe if you are steering wrong, they might have the nerve to tell you honestly and help and guide you.
If they seem too timid too answer or evade you....print this column and leave it for them, maybe it will help!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
This question applies to us if we are firefighters, fire officers, fire instructors, people in general as human beings, and the agency we work for. Our personal and professional reputation also breeds the reputations of persons around us and our acceptable culture.
Remember also, your perception of your reputation and what others may think are vastly different.
Let's start at the department or agency level for a minute and think about some reputations...
XYZ department is extremely professional, they look and act smart, and they are very effective in doing their job.
XYZ department looks professional, has great equipment, but boy those guys couldn't fight a fire if it was their own station.
XYZ department is small, has limited equipment, low manpower, but boy do they train every week. I am surprised at how good they perform given the tools that they have.
XYZ department, all those guys are just there because it is their second job.
XYZ department are great firefighters, but they do nothing with inspections and code enforcement.
XYZ department.....What a great bunch of guys.
Now the above were just a bunch of views, and you could probably put names on them all, but the point was if you recognized, your department in there ....are you proud to say that is the one you belong to?
As firefighters....
FF. XYZ is a great "Jake" that really knows his job.
FF. xyz really doesn't give a damn anymore.
FF xyz works his side job while he is on duty.
FF xyz is all smoke and mirrors, he really cannot do the job.
FF xyz would help anybody at any time.
FF xyz is my friend.
FF xyz is a no nonsense level headed person.
Which of those do you want to be known as?
As fire officers....
Lt. xyz forgot where they came from.
Lt. Xyz understands.
Lt. xyz really knows his job and he will never get us hurt.
If you have a technical question, or a personal problem go talk to Lt. xyz you will find help.
Lt. xyz is a sneak and a liar.
Lt. xyz is book smart, studied hard, but cannot do the job.
Lt. xyz hides and shy away from tough problems.
Lt. xyz won't make a decision.
Which of these officers do you want to be?
It applies to training, life in general and all around. After you read this week's column, take a few minutes, sit in a chair and think about how you are being viewed, and think about how your agency is viewed by others.
Heck if you have the least amount of intestinal fortitude, ask your boss, officer, or supervisor how they perceive you, and maybe if you are steering wrong, they might have the nerve to tell you honestly and help and guide you.
If they seem too timid too answer or evade you....print this column and leave it for them, maybe it will help!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Hazardous Materials Incidents
This week some considerations for handling a hazardous material incident. We will approach this from the perspective of firefighters responding to an incident rather than a specialized trained hazardous materials team.
We talk about some very basic material such as how to determine which of the hazardous material incident classifications your department is capable of handling, how to identify the product involved by multiple sources (3-5) and the hazardous material zone system. We also direct you to load the WISER software and app for your smartphone or desktop and learn about that as well.
We discuss that the size, scope, and magnitude of the problem may also dictate your department's capabilities.
Recognize and identify the situation, isolate and deny entry (to civilians as well as firefighters) eliminate all sources of ignition, call for additional resources and develop a mitigation plan.
Please feel free to contact us at pete@petelamb.com by email or by voicemail at 774-987-9414 for information about online hazardous materials training for your department.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
We talk about some very basic material such as how to determine which of the hazardous material incident classifications your department is capable of handling, how to identify the product involved by multiple sources (3-5) and the hazardous material zone system. We also direct you to load the WISER software and app for your smartphone or desktop and learn about that as well.
We discuss that the size, scope, and magnitude of the problem may also dictate your department's capabilities.
Recognize and identify the situation, isolate and deny entry (to civilians as well as firefighters) eliminate all sources of ignition, call for additional resources and develop a mitigation plan.
Please feel free to contact us at pete@petelamb.com by email or by voicemail at 774-987-9414 for information about online hazardous materials training for your department.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety - Understanding Fuel Load
This week we draw your attention to understanding high fuel loads.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Self Storage Unit
This week a common structure that can be found in many communities. The multi unit self storage facility.
1.) In the photo you see a vehicle in one unit. Are there other vehicles? What is actually behind those doors? Do you know? Start with obtaining the rules of storage from the facility. Then anticipate people break the rules.
2.) Are the outside doors connected at the rear of the unit to a common interior hallway?
3.) Each of these units should be considered a residential garage. This means a two and a half inch line as a minimum.
4.) What is the construction? Will the side walls hold fire to the unit? What is the roof construction, how soon will it fail?
5.) What is the access to the building like? Locked gates to enter, narrow alleys between building, where do you park to investigate?
Go out in your response district and take a look at these facilities.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) In the photo you see a vehicle in one unit. Are there other vehicles? What is actually behind those doors? Do you know? Start with obtaining the rules of storage from the facility. Then anticipate people break the rules.
2.) Are the outside doors connected at the rear of the unit to a common interior hallway?
3.) Each of these units should be considered a residential garage. This means a two and a half inch line as a minimum.
4.) What is the construction? Will the side walls hold fire to the unit? What is the roof construction, how soon will it fail?
5.) What is the access to the building like? Locked gates to enter, narrow alleys between building, where do you park to investigate?
Go out in your response district and take a look at these facilities.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Training Records
This week I am suggesting you give the troops a week off, and you, the training officer take some time to get your records in order.
I am not sure what system you are using to keep track of your training events but you should have some similar information available if it is computerized or manual you should make sure your records are up to date. The items below are some items you should have as part of your training record system.
* An individual file on each member containing name, address, contact numbers, usually a social security number or employee number, and current emergency contact information.
* A record of each training session attended at your department and off site at any other professional development seminars they attend.
* Copies of certificates for training they attended.
* A record of a number of hours for each training session.
* Somewhere in a master file you should have a lesson plan with objectives for each training session you have done. This does not have to be in each individual file but you should be able to look at an individuals record and then go back to a lesson plan to see exactly what information was covered.
* Records of any written or practical examinations should be kept with each individual's file. This would include pass and fail both.
Training records are important documents in the case of any injury, or liability questions that might arise within your department. The challenge that " Nobody ever taught me that" should never be raised in your department.
Also you should caution members to operate only within the boundaries of things they have been trained at. We are very good at this from the EMS side, we do not practice beyond our license level, but on the fire side we take a few more chances.
The days of writing one topic on a line and passing around an attendance roster are OK, but make sure you go far enough and have a documented syllabus or lesson plan to back up that attendance sheet.
The simple rule about these records is simple. If it is not written down and can't be validated it didn't happen.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
I am not sure what system you are using to keep track of your training events but you should have some similar information available if it is computerized or manual you should make sure your records are up to date. The items below are some items you should have as part of your training record system.
* An individual file on each member containing name, address, contact numbers, usually a social security number or employee number, and current emergency contact information.
* A record of each training session attended at your department and off site at any other professional development seminars they attend.
* Copies of certificates for training they attended.
* A record of a number of hours for each training session.
* Somewhere in a master file you should have a lesson plan with objectives for each training session you have done. This does not have to be in each individual file but you should be able to look at an individuals record and then go back to a lesson plan to see exactly what information was covered.
* Records of any written or practical examinations should be kept with each individual's file. This would include pass and fail both.
Training records are important documents in the case of any injury, or liability questions that might arise within your department. The challenge that " Nobody ever taught me that" should never be raised in your department.
Also you should caution members to operate only within the boundaries of things they have been trained at. We are very good at this from the EMS side, we do not practice beyond our license level, but on the fire side we take a few more chances.
The days of writing one topic on a line and passing around an attendance roster are OK, but make sure you go far enough and have a documented syllabus or lesson plan to back up that attendance sheet.
The simple rule about these records is simple. If it is not written down and can't be validated it didn't happen.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
The Firefighter Training Podcast - Evaluating your training with NFPA 1410
This week we discuss using the NFPA 1410 Standard to evaluate a variety of water supply and initial attack line deployment. The discussion will review hydrant systems as well as drafting and portable water sources.
We all believe we are doing it correctly but how do we measure that and test ourselves against the minimum standard.
Even if you do not meet the standard the first time you try it, you should use it as an operational goal.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
We all believe we are doing it correctly but how do we measure that and test ourselves against the minimum standard.
Even if you do not meet the standard the first time you try it, you should use it as an operational goal.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Sunday Night live event!
Sunday November 10, 2013 at 8:00 PM Eastern time I will be broadcasting a live discussion of our Firefighting Roundtable discussion.
This week we will be talking about how to start a SWOT analysis on your own organization. (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats)
The event will be able to be viewed on YouTube and folks will be able to comment and interact with the panel.
You will also be able to view it on a special page setup at petelamb.com at 8:00 PM.
Come and take a look and join us if you like!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
This week we will be talking about how to start a SWOT analysis on your own organization. (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats)
The event will be able to be viewed on YouTube and folks will be able to comment and interact with the panel.
You will also be able to view it on a special page setup at petelamb.com at 8:00 PM.
Come and take a look and join us if you like!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Victorian Wood Frame Fire
This week a look at an old Victorian wood frame fire.
1.) What would you estimate the age of the building is? What effect will that have on your strategy and/ or attack?
2.) Is your department's first alarm assignment capable of handling this? How would you deploy your resources and any additional personnel needed?
3.) How many attack lines would you use, where and in what order?
4.) Based upon your vantage point of view how long a line will you need to reach the seat of the fire?
5.) List any other considerations you might have about this incident.
Stay safe, and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What would you estimate the age of the building is? What effect will that have on your strategy and/ or attack?
2.) Is your department's first alarm assignment capable of handling this? How would you deploy your resources and any additional personnel needed?
3.) How many attack lines would you use, where and in what order?
4.) Based upon your vantage point of view how long a line will you need to reach the seat of the fire?
5.) List any other considerations you might have about this incident.
Stay safe, and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Maintaining Realism in Training
A few months back I received an email from a battalion chief who had just witnessed and participated in a large scale disaster mock exercise. His comments were sent to me a while ago but I chose to list them and work with them here today. His comments as submitted are here and highlighted and then I will make some additional comments after.
TRAINING. Are we training for real? Do we train as if it is the real thing or are we training and trying to cover our asses? I think that there are a lot of good training courses out there but when it comes time to be put to the actual test, we are not doing what we would normally do in the real emergency. I think that the time frame is totally lost during a training exercise. Train like you are going to the real thing and then critique yourselves. I think that you will get more out of that then faking the training and pretending that you are doing it properly. I am not against training at all, I just think that there needs to be more realistic time frames in what we do.
The training session and exercise that he witnessed had elaborate times and procedures which really did not make it realistic. Are your training sessions "real" or do you just go through the motions.
There are some significant issues that must be discussed and considered when doing training simulations. Some and many of those may hinder the operation but are absolutely necessary to provide safety to the incident and members participating.
* Paramount is the first thought that must be given when originally designing the exercise. What is your objective? Is it the purpose of this exercise or simulation to teach a procedure? Is it your intention to test a procedure? Those are really two different objectives and often times we confuse our original objectives.
* We should consider all aspects of responder safety as well as spectator and civilian impact. This would include but not be limited to civilian exposure by having apparatus respond vs. being staged close by.
* If live fire, smoke or simulated smoke is used, make sure there is adequate PPE provided.
* Make sure there is a medical EMS provision for the "actors" or participants should there be a real life emergency on scene.
* Make sure that the scenario is complicated enough to get the issues you want surfaced, but realistic enough to be believable. If your personnel don't believe this is a real event they will not participate appropriately and then no learning will take place. It will only be an "act", not a drill.
Think back on all of the "disaster" drill and mock exercises you have participated in. They don't call them disaster drills for nothing!
Lots of planning should go into the mock simulations whether they are tabletop or full scale field drills. The amount of planning and thought that goes in up front will yield the results that come out the other end.
If anyone has any ideas they would like to share with the group about successful ways to provide realistic training, please feel free to submit them and we will share them here.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
TRAINING. Are we training for real? Do we train as if it is the real thing or are we training and trying to cover our asses? I think that there are a lot of good training courses out there but when it comes time to be put to the actual test, we are not doing what we would normally do in the real emergency. I think that the time frame is totally lost during a training exercise. Train like you are going to the real thing and then critique yourselves. I think that you will get more out of that then faking the training and pretending that you are doing it properly. I am not against training at all, I just think that there needs to be more realistic time frames in what we do.
The training session and exercise that he witnessed had elaborate times and procedures which really did not make it realistic. Are your training sessions "real" or do you just go through the motions.
There are some significant issues that must be discussed and considered when doing training simulations. Some and many of those may hinder the operation but are absolutely necessary to provide safety to the incident and members participating.
* Paramount is the first thought that must be given when originally designing the exercise. What is your objective? Is it the purpose of this exercise or simulation to teach a procedure? Is it your intention to test a procedure? Those are really two different objectives and often times we confuse our original objectives.
* We should consider all aspects of responder safety as well as spectator and civilian impact. This would include but not be limited to civilian exposure by having apparatus respond vs. being staged close by.
* If live fire, smoke or simulated smoke is used, make sure there is adequate PPE provided.
* Make sure there is a medical EMS provision for the "actors" or participants should there be a real life emergency on scene.
* Make sure that the scenario is complicated enough to get the issues you want surfaced, but realistic enough to be believable. If your personnel don't believe this is a real event they will not participate appropriately and then no learning will take place. It will only be an "act", not a drill.
Think back on all of the "disaster" drill and mock exercises you have participated in. They don't call them disaster drills for nothing!
Lots of planning should go into the mock simulations whether they are tabletop or full scale field drills. The amount of planning and thought that goes in up front will yield the results that come out the other end.
If anyone has any ideas they would like to share with the group about successful ways to provide realistic training, please feel free to submit them and we will share them here.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
The Firefighter Training Podcast - Fire Officer Problem Solving
This week a look at some information on problem solving and conflict resolution that is not only good in the firehouse but also good in life in general.
The problems and conflict resolution we see in the firehouse are often greater than the challenges we face on the fireground.
One of our greatest commodities is our people but they also bring us some of our greatest challenges in leading an organization and keeping it focused.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
The problems and conflict resolution we see in the firehouse are often greater than the challenges we face on the fireground.
One of our greatest commodities is our people but they also bring us some of our greatest challenges in leading an organization and keeping it focused.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety -Accountability
This week, your participation in your organization's accountability system.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Two Vacant dwellings
This week we have an urban fire problem of two vacant dwellings with some tactical questions.
1.) Consider your department's first alarm response and within the first thee-four minutes 2 pieces of apparatus and a supervisor show up first. How do you deeply them?
2.) Which house gets checked first and why?
3.) What are the hazards that can be found based upon your view of this scenario?
4.) Have you and your department defined for everyone in your department the difference between, vacant, unoccupied ,and abandoned ? Are your procedures any different for the different definitions.
5.) In an urban department this might be routine. In a small suburban department it might not be so common. Train for it, prepare for it, and remember that you might have to conduct a "protected search". I am using the term protected search because the rescue profile exists but it is low, and your crews should be protected by a hose line. The life of your firefighters must be protected.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) Consider your department's first alarm response and within the first thee-four minutes 2 pieces of apparatus and a supervisor show up first. How do you deeply them?
2.) Which house gets checked first and why?
3.) What are the hazards that can be found based upon your view of this scenario?
4.) Have you and your department defined for everyone in your department the difference between, vacant, unoccupied ,and abandoned ? Are your procedures any different for the different definitions.
5.) In an urban department this might be routine. In a small suburban department it might not be so common. Train for it, prepare for it, and remember that you might have to conduct a "protected search". I am using the term protected search because the rescue profile exists but it is low, and your crews should be protected by a hose line. The life of your firefighters must be protected.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Radio Problems and Communication
For several years the Fire Service has been conducting extensive testing to identify the cause of intermittent transmission quality problems. As many of you know at times transmissions are garbled or have static that makes communications difficult if not impossible.
Until the problems are corrected, personnel need to keep in mind some steps that can be taken to maximize the ability to provide clear communications.
Companies shall "Repeat back" tasks assigned via the radio.
In most cases the person sending the transmission will not know the
transmission quality. The person receiving the transmission needs to inform the sending unit their message is " Unreadable ". The sender can then attempt transmission again following the steps outlined below.
Move a few steps in any direction and attempt communication again.
Speak in a normal tone of voice.
Hold microphone 5 to 6 inches from your mouth or ESP.
Keep transmission clear, concise and pertinent.
Re-keying the mike and attempting the transmission again may provide a clearer message.
Keep antennas on portable radios, pointed vertical and away from your body.
If transmitting on a speaker mike, try getting your portable out and away from your body if you are unreadable.
Do not handle radios by antenna.
Keep radios as dry as possible.
Keep batteries fully charged.
Be sure you are on the correct operating frequency before going on shift or committed to work.
If an URGENT CALL FOR HELP or other IMMINENT EMERGENCY RADIO TRANSMISSION is not successful on the assigned OPS channel, any member who hears the transmission should relay it to command or dispatch immediately.
Until we can get reliable commnuications in the hands of every firefighter, make sure you do all that you can to reduce the potential human factors.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Until the problems are corrected, personnel need to keep in mind some steps that can be taken to maximize the ability to provide clear communications.
Companies shall "Repeat back" tasks assigned via the radio.
In most cases the person sending the transmission will not know the
transmission quality. The person receiving the transmission needs to inform the sending unit their message is " Unreadable ". The sender can then attempt transmission again following the steps outlined below.
Move a few steps in any direction and attempt communication again.
Speak in a normal tone of voice.
Hold microphone 5 to 6 inches from your mouth or ESP.
Keep transmission clear, concise and pertinent.
Re-keying the mike and attempting the transmission again may provide a clearer message.
Keep antennas on portable radios, pointed vertical and away from your body.
If transmitting on a speaker mike, try getting your portable out and away from your body if you are unreadable.
Do not handle radios by antenna.
Keep radios as dry as possible.
Keep batteries fully charged.
Be sure you are on the correct operating frequency before going on shift or committed to work.
If an URGENT CALL FOR HELP or other IMMINENT EMERGENCY RADIO TRANSMISSION is not successful on the assigned OPS channel, any member who hears the transmission should relay it to command or dispatch immediately.
Until we can get reliable commnuications in the hands of every firefighter, make sure you do all that you can to reduce the potential human factors.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Online Training Session -Size Up and Safety Thursday November 7, 2013
Sign up and register for a training event on Thursday November 7, 2013! This online training session covers principles of size-up and firefighter safety to make all firefighters, and officers more alert and aware on the fireground.
In addition there will be the ability to interact and live chat with me and have the ability to ask specific questions.
Introductory offer for 2 hour training session of only $ 25.00 per student. Class size is limited for the initial programs.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Fireground Dangerous Conditions
This week a look at a couple of training opportunities, and a serious discussion about fireground dangerous conditions.
Fireground size-up and safety program being held November 2, 2013 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. See more information at this link. http://petelamb.blogspot.com/2013/10/size-up-training-class-do-you-see-what.html
Second program being held at 7:00 PM Eastern on November 7, 2013 See more information and register here: http://petelamb.blogspot.com/2013/10/online-training-session-firefighter.html
For any more information, comments or questions please contact me at 774-987-9414 and leave a voicemail.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
The dangerous conditions we will talk about are below:
Fire behind, below the attack team
Something that just doesn't feel right on the scene
Limited ingress and egress situations
Unprotected openings
Size of the structure - water versus air supply
Been there too long - operations lasting greater than 10-15 minutes
Bad smoke - wrong color, wrong place, wrong movement
Lack of ventilation
If the crew cannot locate the fire
Floor or roof collapse stairway collapse
Collapse potential construction, occupancy, length of burn, lightweight materials, ankle deep water on floors, parallel chord truss, suspension columns, exposed steel
Electrical hazards gas utilities in general
Pressurized containers
Flying material- bouncing bricks
Uneven terrain
Chimneys
Building overhangs
Flashover and backdraft
Conflicting information from multiple sources
The plan isn't working, standard fire attack broken
Commercial is different from residential
Firefighters that are not ready.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Fireground size-up and safety program being held November 2, 2013 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. See more information at this link. http://petelamb.blogspot.com/2013/10/size-up-training-class-do-you-see-what.html
Second program being held at 7:00 PM Eastern on November 7, 2013 See more information and register here: http://petelamb.blogspot.com/2013/10/online-training-session-firefighter.html
For any more information, comments or questions please contact me at 774-987-9414 and leave a voicemail.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
The dangerous conditions we will talk about are below:
Fire behind, below the attack team
Something that just doesn't feel right on the scene
Limited ingress and egress situations
Unprotected openings
Size of the structure - water versus air supply
Been there too long - operations lasting greater than 10-15 minutes
Bad smoke - wrong color, wrong place, wrong movement
Lack of ventilation
If the crew cannot locate the fire
Floor or roof collapse stairway collapse
Collapse potential construction, occupancy, length of burn, lightweight materials, ankle deep water on floors, parallel chord truss, suspension columns, exposed steel
Electrical hazards gas utilities in general
Pressurized containers
Flying material- bouncing bricks
Uneven terrain
Chimneys
Building overhangs
Flashover and backdraft
Conflicting information from multiple sources
The plan isn't working, standard fire attack broken
Commercial is different from residential
Firefighters that are not ready.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Apartment Complex
This week a fire in a garden style apartment complex.
1.) Create a brief initial radio report using the conditions, actions, needs (CAN) format.
2.) The landscape in some of these buildings may not allow apparatus placement as close as you want. What is the length of the stretch for this scenario?
3.) How does your first alarm assignment compare with the apparatus and manpower that will be required to handle this.
4.) Have you preplanned these facilities in your response area? Is there detection? Is there suppression? (Sprinklers) Are there stand pipes available?
5.) What methods will you use to account for all residents that live in the entire building, not just that apartment.
Thanks and stay thinking, and stay safe!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) Create a brief initial radio report using the conditions, actions, needs (CAN) format.
2.) The landscape in some of these buildings may not allow apparatus placement as close as you want. What is the length of the stretch for this scenario?
3.) How does your first alarm assignment compare with the apparatus and manpower that will be required to handle this.
4.) Have you preplanned these facilities in your response area? Is there detection? Is there suppression? (Sprinklers) Are there stand pipes available?
5.) What methods will you use to account for all residents that live in the entire building, not just that apartment.
Thanks and stay thinking, and stay safe!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Understanding Public Perception
My thoughts this week are to shed light on the aspects of public perception of the fire service and my hope is that you can take some of this information and use it within your own department.
Your community's perception, or civilian perception of the fire service in general is based upon a lot of things. The civilian perspective and view of us is one of those external factors that affects us in many ways. The most obvious way is the public funding and support of our department and it's mission. If the public is less than confident in your department or of firefighters in general, then funding and our future can look a lot different.
I think many of us in the fire service would agree that the image of the fire service was high after the events of September 11, 2001. It is my humble opinion that we as a fire service have now probably slipped to a level that we were previous or actually in some cases below that.
My point this week is that if we look at how our perception is formed we might be able to impact this in a positive way.
We are all very familiar with the fire triangle. I am now proposing a discussion on the public relations triangle. This triangle like all others gathers much strength when all the pieces are together but sever any one of the legs and the triangle or image crumbles.
The public Relations triangle is made up of the Department Head (Chief), the individual members, and the union or volunteer organization. The actions of any one of these three will have a positive or negative effect on your department and it;s public perception. Let's take a look at how this works.
The Chief: If the chief is presenting some negative image at meetings at town hall, or within the community somehow, then the folks that have contacted him will have a negative image of the community. If they perceive the chief as distant or aloof then the department could also be cast in that light. Now a fire chief has a fine line to walk, because as a natural course of the performance of their duties they can negatively impact some folks. Take for example a fire chief that attempts to enforce the fire code and inspection procedures, well it is very likely that some business owners may not like him so much and may have adverse thoughts toward the department. I think that this is very different from a fire chief who plays favorites with some business people and some follow the code and others don't. The perceptions are both negative, but one is certainly for a proper and correct reason of enforcing the fire code properly. I ask you to think of local or national things where the fire chief may have negatively impacted their department. Has the chief allowed themselves to be non functional and have they become the weak leg of the triangle?
The individual members: If one of your members has a negative experience either personal or professional it will impact the strength of this triangle. The person on the street as a civilian will say, "Did you see what the firefighter did?" The local newspaper will say " Local Firefighter xyz....Blah Blah" but in any case it will still say firefighter. In one recent case I have seen in the northeast it was actually "Former fighter charged with...." so this leg of the triangle of members might even extend to former or retired members in some cases. If you have large or overweight firefighters, what public perception does that give as it relates to our "readiness". If you have firefighters that may not be there on the department for the right reasons, they may injure your perception by their overt actions or statements in the public.
The Union Local or department organization: When the president of the volunteer organization or the local union president takes actions, those actions become reflective of the entire department. These actions could be and are usually of a public nature to attempt to speak and advocate for the department or the interests of all of the members. It is important to note that most organizations are to look out for the well being of the members, it is very rare that they actually speak for ALL of the members. This results in public statements that might be contrary to the thoughts of individual members, and in may cases adverse to the position of the fire chief. In addition while advocating for their membership, they may be at odds with the public, or the economic realities of the community or area.
What can we do about the public relations triangle? Here are some thoughts. I hate to raise problems without some possible solutions.
First is to be aware that your organization's image has three distinct parts and pieces to it and that any of them are fragile and interdependent so be vigilant of all three to protect your image.
Second if you are a member of an organization or department, remember the old adage, of " Don't embarrass your boss." Your actions on and off duty are scrutinized by the public and the public might not always be fair. It is what it is. Know it and understand it.
If you are a chief and / or a department administrator remember that your individual actions and issues that arise at town hall have an impact on your department. Sometimes as administrators we do not realize that our advocacy for our department can backfire. Life just ain't fair and sometimes politicians will make a "department pay" for the actions of the boss.
If you are the president of the local or the president of the association in a volunteer setting realize that you are not the chief, and the "Us and them" trap is an easy one to fall into. Your actions, statements, and comments will be perceived as coming from the department in general. While your interest is the best for all members, just understand that not every member of your organization will always agree 100% of the time. You may not be speaking for all.
Finally communication is the key to all of the public perception. The member have to know where the boss is going, and the organization or the union has to also be in agreement on the overall department mission. When everyone knows where the bus is headed, it makes the trip go a lot smoother.
Work with all three legs of the public relations triangle to build a strong and unbreakable department image.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Your community's perception, or civilian perception of the fire service in general is based upon a lot of things. The civilian perspective and view of us is one of those external factors that affects us in many ways. The most obvious way is the public funding and support of our department and it's mission. If the public is less than confident in your department or of firefighters in general, then funding and our future can look a lot different.
I think many of us in the fire service would agree that the image of the fire service was high after the events of September 11, 2001. It is my humble opinion that we as a fire service have now probably slipped to a level that we were previous or actually in some cases below that.
My point this week is that if we look at how our perception is formed we might be able to impact this in a positive way.
We are all very familiar with the fire triangle. I am now proposing a discussion on the public relations triangle. This triangle like all others gathers much strength when all the pieces are together but sever any one of the legs and the triangle or image crumbles.
The public Relations triangle is made up of the Department Head (Chief), the individual members, and the union or volunteer organization. The actions of any one of these three will have a positive or negative effect on your department and it;s public perception. Let's take a look at how this works.
The Chief: If the chief is presenting some negative image at meetings at town hall, or within the community somehow, then the folks that have contacted him will have a negative image of the community. If they perceive the chief as distant or aloof then the department could also be cast in that light. Now a fire chief has a fine line to walk, because as a natural course of the performance of their duties they can negatively impact some folks. Take for example a fire chief that attempts to enforce the fire code and inspection procedures, well it is very likely that some business owners may not like him so much and may have adverse thoughts toward the department. I think that this is very different from a fire chief who plays favorites with some business people and some follow the code and others don't. The perceptions are both negative, but one is certainly for a proper and correct reason of enforcing the fire code properly. I ask you to think of local or national things where the fire chief may have negatively impacted their department. Has the chief allowed themselves to be non functional and have they become the weak leg of the triangle?
The individual members: If one of your members has a negative experience either personal or professional it will impact the strength of this triangle. The person on the street as a civilian will say, "Did you see what the firefighter did?" The local newspaper will say " Local Firefighter xyz....Blah Blah" but in any case it will still say firefighter. In one recent case I have seen in the northeast it was actually "Former fighter charged with...." so this leg of the triangle of members might even extend to former or retired members in some cases. If you have large or overweight firefighters, what public perception does that give as it relates to our "readiness". If you have firefighters that may not be there on the department for the right reasons, they may injure your perception by their overt actions or statements in the public.
The Union Local or department organization: When the president of the volunteer organization or the local union president takes actions, those actions become reflective of the entire department. These actions could be and are usually of a public nature to attempt to speak and advocate for the department or the interests of all of the members. It is important to note that most organizations are to look out for the well being of the members, it is very rare that they actually speak for ALL of the members. This results in public statements that might be contrary to the thoughts of individual members, and in may cases adverse to the position of the fire chief. In addition while advocating for their membership, they may be at odds with the public, or the economic realities of the community or area.
What can we do about the public relations triangle? Here are some thoughts. I hate to raise problems without some possible solutions.
First is to be aware that your organization's image has three distinct parts and pieces to it and that any of them are fragile and interdependent so be vigilant of all three to protect your image.
Second if you are a member of an organization or department, remember the old adage, of " Don't embarrass your boss." Your actions on and off duty are scrutinized by the public and the public might not always be fair. It is what it is. Know it and understand it.
If you are a chief and / or a department administrator remember that your individual actions and issues that arise at town hall have an impact on your department. Sometimes as administrators we do not realize that our advocacy for our department can backfire. Life just ain't fair and sometimes politicians will make a "department pay" for the actions of the boss.
If you are the president of the local or the president of the association in a volunteer setting realize that you are not the chief, and the "Us and them" trap is an easy one to fall into. Your actions, statements, and comments will be perceived as coming from the department in general. While your interest is the best for all members, just understand that not every member of your organization will always agree 100% of the time. You may not be speaking for all.
Finally communication is the key to all of the public perception. The member have to know where the boss is going, and the organization or the union has to also be in agreement on the overall department mission. When everyone knows where the bus is headed, it makes the trip go a lot smoother.
Work with all three legs of the public relations triangle to build a strong and unbreakable department image.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Second Online Training Session Firefighter Size-up & Safety - Do You See What I See?
Sign up and register for a training event on Thursday November 7, 2013! This online training session covers principles of size-up and firefighter safety to make all firefighters, and officers more alert and aware on the fireground.
In addition there will be the ability to interact and live chat with me and have the ability to ask specific questions.
Introductory offer for 2 hour training session of only $ 25.00 per student. Class size is limited for the initial programs.
Size Up Training Class - Do You See What I See?
Sign up and register for a training event on Saturday November 2, 2013! This online training session covers principles of size-up and firefighter safety to make all firefighters, and officers more alert and aware on the fireground.
In addition there will be the ability to interact and live chat with me and have the ability to ask specific questions.
Introductory offer for 2 hour training session of only $ 25.00 per student. Class size is limited for the initial programs.
Firefighter Training Podcast - Episode 32 - Leadership, Communication, Discipline.
A look at some principles of leadership, communication issues (off the fireground), and a brief overview of discipline with a fresh look.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety - Training
This episode is not about training safety, but the application of your training on the incident scene.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - House fire
This week a fire on floor 2 of an older wood frame residence.
1.) How long will it take you to get a line up to the fire room?
2.) Based upon the possible layout of this home what would that room most likely be?
3.) Where should the second line go?
4.) Could the left side of this house be a separate apartment or in law apartment?
5.) What tactical factors must be considered due to the age and construction of the building?
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) How long will it take you to get a line up to the fire room?
2.) Based upon the possible layout of this home what would that room most likely be?
3.) Where should the second line go?
4.) Could the left side of this house be a separate apartment or in law apartment?
5.) What tactical factors must be considered due to the age and construction of the building?
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Making Decisions
It appears to me that not only in the fire service but in society in general there is an awful lot of decision making that is being put off by indecision. That is no decisions and subsequently no responsibility is being accepted.
We speak about planning and strategic planning and many other management techniques all of which are very valid. The problem that I am witnessing as evidenced by emails received, is that nobody is making any decisions!
We are going to meetings....we are developing plans, but nobody has an lower intentinal fortitude to act on the plans or forge ahead in any direction. Have a meeting, hire a consultant, develop a plan and maybe I will be retired and not havine to deal with it by the time it comes to fruition.
Decisions must be made!
Set a course of action before you plan, don't plan on a course of action.
When you go on vacation, you decide where you want to go, then you plan how to get there.
I am seeing more and more leaders saying, lets develop a plan first then we will choose an option on what to do based upon the plan.
Make decisions, be flexible, not spineless.
Plans will change and must be modified as time goes by but do not be afraid to be flexible although that is extremely dangerous as it requires you to make even more decisions....yikes!
If you make decisions accept the responsibility for your actions.
Enough has been said about this in society in general but let me ask this simple question. Do you accept responsibility for your own actions and errors. Start with yourself the others might get the hint. Nobody is accepting responsibility for anything it is all about deflecting blame onto someone or something else.
Individual firefighters must be responsible for their own safety.
Individual firefighters must be held liable to follow orders.
Lieutenants and supervisors must be responsible and disciplined and accept responsibility that their subordinates are trained and will follow orders.
Chiefs must be responsible for ensuring adequate training and equipment are provided to their personnel.
City managers must provide the departments the resources necessary to fullfill the tasks they ask of their employees.
At each and every one of the levels I just stated, decisions must be made, and there is responsibility to be accepted, not deflected.
Make decisions, accept responsibility for your actions.
This joke floating around the internet drives the point home.
Firefighter's hobbies are playing basketball.
Lieutenants hobbies are bowling.
Captain's hobbies are playing softball.
Battalion Chiefs and deputies play baseball.
Chiefs go golfing.
Therefore, the higher in the organization you go the smaller your balls get!
(I will apologize now for those that feel insulted!)
Lighten up!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
We speak about planning and strategic planning and many other management techniques all of which are very valid. The problem that I am witnessing as evidenced by emails received, is that nobody is making any decisions!
We are going to meetings....we are developing plans, but nobody has an lower intentinal fortitude to act on the plans or forge ahead in any direction. Have a meeting, hire a consultant, develop a plan and maybe I will be retired and not havine to deal with it by the time it comes to fruition.
Decisions must be made!
Set a course of action before you plan, don't plan on a course of action.
When you go on vacation, you decide where you want to go, then you plan how to get there.
I am seeing more and more leaders saying, lets develop a plan first then we will choose an option on what to do based upon the plan.
Make decisions, be flexible, not spineless.
Plans will change and must be modified as time goes by but do not be afraid to be flexible although that is extremely dangerous as it requires you to make even more decisions....yikes!
If you make decisions accept the responsibility for your actions.
Enough has been said about this in society in general but let me ask this simple question. Do you accept responsibility for your own actions and errors. Start with yourself the others might get the hint. Nobody is accepting responsibility for anything it is all about deflecting blame onto someone or something else.
Individual firefighters must be responsible for their own safety.
Individual firefighters must be held liable to follow orders.
Lieutenants and supervisors must be responsible and disciplined and accept responsibility that their subordinates are trained and will follow orders.
Chiefs must be responsible for ensuring adequate training and equipment are provided to their personnel.
City managers must provide the departments the resources necessary to fullfill the tasks they ask of their employees.
At each and every one of the levels I just stated, decisions must be made, and there is responsibility to be accepted, not deflected.
Make decisions, accept responsibility for your actions.
This joke floating around the internet drives the point home.
Firefighter's hobbies are playing basketball.
Lieutenants hobbies are bowling.
Captain's hobbies are playing softball.
Battalion Chiefs and deputies play baseball.
Chiefs go golfing.
Therefore, the higher in the organization you go the smaller your balls get!
(I will apologize now for those that feel insulted!)
Lighten up!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Communications
This week a discussion about communication. We discuss analog and digital, frequency and spectrum, communication flow, and some priority of communications.
We Also revisit the CAN report.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
We Also revisit the CAN report.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety - Mental Focus
This week on 60 Second Safety we discuss mental fitness and focus.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Car Fire Under a carport.
Is it just a car fire single engine company response as it was dispatched or is it something more? Take a look and you decide.
1.) What is your normal response for a reported car fire? When do you upgrade?
2.) What is your strategy here and what do you do with the first attack line?
3.) What challenges will be encountered if the entire carport becomes involved?
4.) is it likely that a structure such as the one shown might be located up a long driveway or a gated residence?
5.) When you are reviewing your response district look at these carport, canopies, and overhangs and imagine a fire underneath. These could be cars, vans, or delivery trucks.
Thanks, stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What is your normal response for a reported car fire? When do you upgrade?
2.) What is your strategy here and what do you do with the first attack line?
3.) What challenges will be encountered if the entire carport becomes involved?
4.) is it likely that a structure such as the one shown might be located up a long driveway or a gated residence?
5.) When you are reviewing your response district look at these carport, canopies, and overhangs and imagine a fire underneath. These could be cars, vans, or delivery trucks.
Thanks, stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Leadership.....Some Assembly Required
I often speak about, and I am often asked about what makes a good leader. One of the programs I offer speaks about this very issue, and I will share some highlights of that program here with you.
I truly believe that we become the sum total of all of the leaders and teachers who have influenced our lives in either a good or a bad way. We might have said "Gee, I want to be like that, or said I hope I never turn out like that!" I think that we all know that we take on the charachteristics of those who have influenced us, but it is how we assemble these traits and truly use them in our everyday decision making process.
In order to begin this thought process of thinking like a leader, I ask each one of you to write down five leaders that have affected you either positive or negatively.
The next step always raises a few eyebrows, but here it is....Write a note or an e-mail to the persons listed thanking them for what they have done. If the person has past on, then write a note to a son or daughter that remains and tell them what legacy their love one has left.
Pretty powerful stuff , Huh? I am certain that only a small percentage of you will actually do this but it is an important dramatic step in your life and it will give you very positive feelings to start your leadership journey.
Of the leaders that you listed, do you see some common traits in all of them. They all have common strengths, but their individual weakness all vary. I want you to now take a look at the above named leaders and identify their one weak point or trait. Sometimes when we view role models we don't see their weaknesses.
Another facet of what a leader has to do involves conflict resolution.
Some basic tips that relate to conflict resolution are:
Separate the people from the problem.
Focus on interests not positions.
Generate a variety of options before deciding.
Seek and use objective standards for your decision making.
Leadership is a multi-faceted concept. Although leadership skills can be taught they are best learned through experience.
If you aspire to become a good leader, pick up traits from the good leaders you know and try to apply them in your everyday dealings with others. When dealing with conflicts use the steps above to get to the real problem facing you, not just the symptom.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Episode 30 - Firefighters Memorial and IAFC Rules of Engagement.
The first Sunday in October is designated as the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Sunday. In this episode we read the honor roll of the 81 Lives lost in 2012 with a small tribute.
The second portion of the episode is a review of the Structural Firefighting Rules of Engagement for firefighters and incident commanders. I felt it was important that in order to properly honor those who have given their lives, that we should review some positive safety actions to insure they have not died in vain.
I have left links to the honor roll and the rules of engagement below.
The National Fallen Firefighter Honor Roll : http://weekend.firehero.org/ROH2013.html
The IAFC Rules of Engagement Poster : http://www.iafcsafety.org/image/ROE_Poster.pdf
The version of Amazing Grace used is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Amazing Grace 2011 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a CC Attribution 3.0.
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100820.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/licenses/
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
The second portion of the episode is a review of the Structural Firefighting Rules of Engagement for firefighters and incident commanders. I felt it was important that in order to properly honor those who have given their lives, that we should review some positive safety actions to insure they have not died in vain.
I have left links to the honor roll and the rules of engagement below.
The National Fallen Firefighter Honor Roll : http://weekend.firehero.org/ROH2013.html
The IAFC Rules of Engagement Poster : http://www.iafcsafety.org/image/ROE_Poster.pdf
The version of Amazing Grace used is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Amazing Grace 2011 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a CC Attribution 3.0.
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100820.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/licenses/
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
60 Second Safety - The Pump Operator
This week we discuss the pump operator and pumping operations.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Fire in an Armored Car Delivery Truck
I don't know if you have thought about a fire or an accident involving this type of vehicle. Take a look.
1.) This fire should be a single handline and pretty straight forward, but is the hood a standard hood or is it reinforced more than usual?
2.) Suppose the driver is not with the vehicle.....is there someone locked in the back?
3.) Is this criminal activity and was this a diversion device and something else is involved?
4.) If this was not a fire but in fact an accident are standard extrication techniques going to work? Will your tools (jaws) work?
5,) What other agencies will be involved in this incident and how might your operation have to be altered?
Thanks, stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) This fire should be a single handline and pretty straight forward, but is the hood a standard hood or is it reinforced more than usual?
2.) Suppose the driver is not with the vehicle.....is there someone locked in the back?
3.) Is this criminal activity and was this a diversion device and something else is involved?
4.) If this was not a fire but in fact an accident are standard extrication techniques going to work? Will your tools (jaws) work?
5,) What other agencies will be involved in this incident and how might your operation have to be altered?
Thanks, stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
The Johari Window
This week I am revisiting something that can help you be a good leader, or. A good firefighter.
OK so before you think I have snapped and wonder what the hell I am talking about let me at least get the explanation out before you stop reading!
Many years ago in a book called Managing People (now out of print I believe) , there was a small segment about this and my reference for this week is that and my own twisted opinions.
The simple premise is that everyone's personality has two facets to it. The things you know about yourself and the things that everyone knows about you. Think about that for a minute and re-read it so you see where we are going.
The book then breaks it down a little further and says that the things that you know about yourself and the things others know about you that are common are called the Arena. This is your open personality. These are the features of your personality that you and all others that contact you agree upon.
There are then those things that we know about ourselves that are unknown to others. This area is appropriately called the Facade. Think of this as a house where the blinds are drawn. People know something is going on within you but not exactly what.
The third area deserves some focus and that is what I wished to point out this week, The third area is a blind spot. This is a part of us that others know about us but we have little or no idea of it. You might think you are an excellent communicator, well liked and respected. Others find you pushy, you talk too much and can't be trusted.
The blind spot is an area that you have to try to reflect on more and more so that you will interact better with others.
The last segment is the Unknown. This is an area that you don't know about yourself and others do not know about you. This is a situation when you try a new task or work under severe pressure for the first time, people don't know how you will react or handle anything nor do you for that matter.
The real principle is actually much more simple. The more genuine you are and the more people you allow into your Arena, the more you will be more accepted by others.
Take a look inside yourself this week and try to think how you are perceived by others.
Take a look at the textbook Managing People if you have it. Re-read it if it has been awhile. There is nothing more important than the people who you surround yourself with.
It will do some good!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
OK so before you think I have snapped and wonder what the hell I am talking about let me at least get the explanation out before you stop reading!
Many years ago in a book called Managing People (now out of print I believe) , there was a small segment about this and my reference for this week is that and my own twisted opinions.
The simple premise is that everyone's personality has two facets to it. The things you know about yourself and the things that everyone knows about you. Think about that for a minute and re-read it so you see where we are going.
The book then breaks it down a little further and says that the things that you know about yourself and the things others know about you that are common are called the Arena. This is your open personality. These are the features of your personality that you and all others that contact you agree upon.
There are then those things that we know about ourselves that are unknown to others. This area is appropriately called the Facade. Think of this as a house where the blinds are drawn. People know something is going on within you but not exactly what.
The third area deserves some focus and that is what I wished to point out this week, The third area is a blind spot. This is a part of us that others know about us but we have little or no idea of it. You might think you are an excellent communicator, well liked and respected. Others find you pushy, you talk too much and can't be trusted.
The blind spot is an area that you have to try to reflect on more and more so that you will interact better with others.
The last segment is the Unknown. This is an area that you don't know about yourself and others do not know about you. This is a situation when you try a new task or work under severe pressure for the first time, people don't know how you will react or handle anything nor do you for that matter.
The real principle is actually much more simple. The more genuine you are and the more people you allow into your Arena, the more you will be more accepted by others.
Take a look inside yourself this week and try to think how you are perceived by others.
Take a look at the textbook Managing People if you have it. Re-read it if it has been awhile. There is nothing more important than the people who you surround yourself with.
It will do some good!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Firefighting Roundtable Discussion - Sunday October 6, 2013
This week a little fire prevention talk, and some talk about communications.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
60 Second Safety - Portable Extinguisher
This week training and use of the portable extinguisher.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast Episode #29 - Void Space Fires
This week we talk about recognizing and handling void space fires.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Fire in a downtown movie theatre
This week a fire in an older downtown movie theater. This might be different than the larger free standing megaplex.
1.) What would be your initial report on arrival for this incident?
2.) Do you know the occupancy limits in movie theaters in your response district?
3.) How do you weigh the potential occupancy load with what you see and read from the parking lot? (Is the lot full, half full, what does that mean?)
4.) From what you see in the scenario where is most of the fire located within the building?
5.) Based upon what you answered in number 4, describe the tactics and resources you would use.
Thanks, stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What would be your initial report on arrival for this incident?
2.) Do you know the occupancy limits in movie theaters in your response district?
3.) How do you weigh the potential occupancy load with what you see and read from the parking lot? (Is the lot full, half full, what does that mean?)
4.) From what you see in the scenario where is most of the fire located within the building?
5.) Based upon what you answered in number 4, describe the tactics and resources you would use.
Thanks, stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Fire Service Lite
The other night I was out having a leisurely supper another ridiculous training idea occurred to me.
I had gone to a small family restaurant and although I rarely drink an awful lot I had just ordered a light beer for supper.
I am very serious about trying to get back into some human shape and I am trying to be conscious of calorie intake.
At some point during the meal I realized that I had just ordered a beverage, that is about 87% water in the first place and I asked them to make it "lite". What the hell was I thinking!
I then sort of chuckled to my self and wondered about society in general, the quality of our new recruits and officers, the current school of fire chiefs that are surfacing and said ...gee, what ingredients are we leaving out of these folks that are making them the "lite version".
Society "Lite"
Oh, this was an easy one, we have left out most of the common courtesy, politeness, pride and integrity. But hey you still get your money's worth because we have added so many more artificial ingredients such as phony, condescending, materialistic, impatient, and oh yes you have seen it is always served "cold". We have an awful lot of cold.
Recruit and firefighter "lite"
Ah yes one of my favorite brews. The "what can this job do for me and how many sick days and benefits can I get" variety. The kind that has the contract in their back pocket for easy and quick reference so there is no waiting. What did we take out in this flavor, we took the service out of the word fire service. We removed any reference to duty, commitment and pride and tradition and honor. Hey but it is really full bodied and seems complete though because we took all the ingredients we removed and replaced them with a much more robust "ME" that takes the place of everything we removed. (Hey fires are down anyway, lets just send the lite guys to the small jobs on nice days with no wind and rain, when they are not out on a swap or personal to, That should work OK)
Officer 'Lite"
We will give you the fastest, most inexpensive officer we can. We rush them through production by minimizing the number of years they have to do their job, we give them cookie cutter study materials and traditional testing instead of letting them brew and age into an assessment center process. We have removed the experience, caring compassionate mentoring attitude of those older more traditional types, and we have become task and objective oriented instead of taking care of those silly people that work for us that are really nothing but additives! These officers are also extremely cold when served up to us.
Chief "Lite"
This one could go on for hours, but I can't quite get my finger on what is missing with these new breed of chiefs that I am seeing. I can tell some of what is missing and different but not all of it. I believe the taste I have indicates we have removed most of their memory, lots of their intestinal fortitude, their desire to continue to educate themselves and not rest on their laurels, and the vision and passion they once had when they used to say things like "When I get to be chief I will........". The new taste leaves some of those that contact them bitter and with a strong after taste. A lot of the new taste is caused by some of the attitudes and additives that have replaced the items removed.....There is way too much ego, pompous attitude, self righteousness, and way too little humility and compassion and human skills. I think maybe they advertise too much and way too flashy.
This is my view on whether or not less is better or not. Sometimes it is helpful to be less. Less ego, less pompous, less ME, less attitude, and add a little more of caring and helping and others, and continuing to learn, exploring, and study.
Something is brewing in the fire service today, help make sure it is a good product!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
I had gone to a small family restaurant and although I rarely drink an awful lot I had just ordered a light beer for supper.
I am very serious about trying to get back into some human shape and I am trying to be conscious of calorie intake.
At some point during the meal I realized that I had just ordered a beverage, that is about 87% water in the first place and I asked them to make it "lite". What the hell was I thinking!
I then sort of chuckled to my self and wondered about society in general, the quality of our new recruits and officers, the current school of fire chiefs that are surfacing and said ...gee, what ingredients are we leaving out of these folks that are making them the "lite version".
Society "Lite"
Oh, this was an easy one, we have left out most of the common courtesy, politeness, pride and integrity. But hey you still get your money's worth because we have added so many more artificial ingredients such as phony, condescending, materialistic, impatient, and oh yes you have seen it is always served "cold". We have an awful lot of cold.
Recruit and firefighter "lite"
Ah yes one of my favorite brews. The "what can this job do for me and how many sick days and benefits can I get" variety. The kind that has the contract in their back pocket for easy and quick reference so there is no waiting. What did we take out in this flavor, we took the service out of the word fire service. We removed any reference to duty, commitment and pride and tradition and honor. Hey but it is really full bodied and seems complete though because we took all the ingredients we removed and replaced them with a much more robust "ME" that takes the place of everything we removed. (Hey fires are down anyway, lets just send the lite guys to the small jobs on nice days with no wind and rain, when they are not out on a swap or personal to, That should work OK)
Officer 'Lite"
We will give you the fastest, most inexpensive officer we can. We rush them through production by minimizing the number of years they have to do their job, we give them cookie cutter study materials and traditional testing instead of letting them brew and age into an assessment center process. We have removed the experience, caring compassionate mentoring attitude of those older more traditional types, and we have become task and objective oriented instead of taking care of those silly people that work for us that are really nothing but additives! These officers are also extremely cold when served up to us.
Chief "Lite"
This one could go on for hours, but I can't quite get my finger on what is missing with these new breed of chiefs that I am seeing. I can tell some of what is missing and different but not all of it. I believe the taste I have indicates we have removed most of their memory, lots of their intestinal fortitude, their desire to continue to educate themselves and not rest on their laurels, and the vision and passion they once had when they used to say things like "When I get to be chief I will........". The new taste leaves some of those that contact them bitter and with a strong after taste. A lot of the new taste is caused by some of the attitudes and additives that have replaced the items removed.....There is way too much ego, pompous attitude, self righteousness, and way too little humility and compassion and human skills. I think maybe they advertise too much and way too flashy.
This is my view on whether or not less is better or not. Sometimes it is helpful to be less. Less ego, less pompous, less ME, less attitude, and add a little more of caring and helping and others, and continuing to learn, exploring, and study.
Something is brewing in the fire service today, help make sure it is a good product!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
60 Second Safety - Security
This week we speak about security and firefighter safety.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast Episode 28 - Initial Decision Making -Three Questions
This week we will take a look at the fireground decision making model consisting of the three basic questions: What have I got? Where is it going? What resources do I need to control it?
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Ice Cream Plant Chemical Leak
This week you need to do a little thinking to answer the five questions. This is not a fire but a chemical leak.
1.) What chemical might be used as a refrigerant at an older ice cream plant?
2.) If you have identified the chemical in question #1 look up the basic physical properties of the chemical and make yourself familiar with them.
3.) Does the chemical involved pose any fire or explosion risk? What conditions would have to be present for this to occur.
4.) In your department what should be the actions of the initial first alarm response?
5.) How long will this incident go on, and what other community actions might have to be taken?
Lots of questions in this one and I did not give many answers, if you want feedback send an email to pete@petelamb.com
Stay Safe and Stay Thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What chemical might be used as a refrigerant at an older ice cream plant?
2.) If you have identified the chemical in question #1 look up the basic physical properties of the chemical and make yourself familiar with them.
3.) Does the chemical involved pose any fire or explosion risk? What conditions would have to be present for this to occur.
4.) In your department what should be the actions of the initial first alarm response?
5.) How long will this incident go on, and what other community actions might have to be taken?
Lots of questions in this one and I did not give many answers, if you want feedback send an email to pete@petelamb.com
Stay Safe and Stay Thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Instructor Preparation
One of the most important things that should happen in the delivery of a training program is the preparation phase of the instruction.
Today we see a great emphasis on PowerPoint and flashy classroom techniques that many instructors feel is the base or the backbone of your presentation. The simple fact of the matter is that you are the backbone of your presentation and the audio visual aids are there to support and bolster your presentation.
We now have seen a development of instructors who believe that they are "subject matter experts" in all fields because they can read a lesson plan. Delivering a program from a lesson plan (pre-prepared and commercially developed or prepared by you) does not give the same class as someone who has field experience.
Part of instructor preparation is knowing your own personal limitations. While I personally consider myself a good instructor with some variety of experiences, I cannot teach every subject. How can any person in a small or large department be an expert on every subject. If you do not feel comfortable with a certain subject area, and it is not a skill you can practice readily then the answer is simple...find a competent instructor.
If this subject is not a critical skill and it is a skill that you can practice repeatedly (knot tying, first aid techniques, SCBA donning / doffing) then you should practice it until you are intimately familiar with the techniques. An acquaintance of mine who is a seasoned fire instructor and fire officer often said " You can't return from a place you have never been." How true! How are you going to pass along a skill that you do not have.
If the training session is a practical session, stop, plan, and consider even the wildest options. Consider personnel getting hurt as a part of the drill, consider that a person could fall ill during the drill for some unrelated cause. Consider engine failure, nozzle failure, equipment failure and all the rest. Check double check and recheck and if time permits depending upon the size of the drill have a pre-drill rehearsal.
If the training session is a live fire exercise then follow the NFPA standards for live fire exercises and add some safety factors of your own. NFPA standards are a MINIMUM!
Also, part of your preparation includes knowing the audience. Know what there original capabilities are, know what the culture of your department is and what things are acceptable behavior.
I am writing about this because I am seeing a disturbing trend. I am seeing college level instructors with excellent teaching credentials, but little or no fire service experience, teaching new firefighters and new fire officers. One can only wonder what effect this may have on our future.
The best teacher in the world can't teach brain surgery if they are not a surgeon!
You can never be too prepared to teach a class or give a demonstration.
Your students demand your best - Be Prepared.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Today we see a great emphasis on PowerPoint and flashy classroom techniques that many instructors feel is the base or the backbone of your presentation. The simple fact of the matter is that you are the backbone of your presentation and the audio visual aids are there to support and bolster your presentation.
We now have seen a development of instructors who believe that they are "subject matter experts" in all fields because they can read a lesson plan. Delivering a program from a lesson plan (pre-prepared and commercially developed or prepared by you) does not give the same class as someone who has field experience.
Part of instructor preparation is knowing your own personal limitations. While I personally consider myself a good instructor with some variety of experiences, I cannot teach every subject. How can any person in a small or large department be an expert on every subject. If you do not feel comfortable with a certain subject area, and it is not a skill you can practice readily then the answer is simple...find a competent instructor.
If this subject is not a critical skill and it is a skill that you can practice repeatedly (knot tying, first aid techniques, SCBA donning / doffing) then you should practice it until you are intimately familiar with the techniques. An acquaintance of mine who is a seasoned fire instructor and fire officer often said " You can't return from a place you have never been." How true! How are you going to pass along a skill that you do not have.
If the training session is a practical session, stop, plan, and consider even the wildest options. Consider personnel getting hurt as a part of the drill, consider that a person could fall ill during the drill for some unrelated cause. Consider engine failure, nozzle failure, equipment failure and all the rest. Check double check and recheck and if time permits depending upon the size of the drill have a pre-drill rehearsal.
If the training session is a live fire exercise then follow the NFPA standards for live fire exercises and add some safety factors of your own. NFPA standards are a MINIMUM!
Also, part of your preparation includes knowing the audience. Know what there original capabilities are, know what the culture of your department is and what things are acceptable behavior.
I am writing about this because I am seeing a disturbing trend. I am seeing college level instructors with excellent teaching credentials, but little or no fire service experience, teaching new firefighters and new fire officers. One can only wonder what effect this may have on our future.
The best teacher in the world can't teach brain surgery if they are not a surgeon!
You can never be too prepared to teach a class or give a demonstration.
Your students demand your best - Be Prepared.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Weekly Roundtable Discussion - Sunday September 22, 2013
We are still looking for folks who love "The Job" and want to share ideas and talk informally and share information. We would love to have you join in.
Send an email and I will send you the link right at the time of the event.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Send an email and I will send you the link right at the time of the event.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast # 27 - Kill The Flashover Project, Interview with Joe Starnes
This week I am offering the show as a platform to Joe Starnes from the Kill The Flashover project so he can explain this project and distribute the information to a different audience.
The views represented are Joe's in the form of explanation and data provided.
Kill The Flashover is a three legged stool consisting of Air Flow track, Thermal imaging use, and enhanced water streams (adding an agent)
For more information on this project, photos and videos please go to: http://www.killtheflashover.com
To contact Joe directly send an email to joe@joestarnes.com
Do not attempt any of the techniques discussed here without further research and formalized training in the subject.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
The views represented are Joe's in the form of explanation and data provided.
Kill The Flashover is a three legged stool consisting of Air Flow track, Thermal imaging use, and enhanced water streams (adding an agent)
For more information on this project, photos and videos please go to: http://www.killtheflashover.com
To contact Joe directly send an email to joe@joestarnes.com
Do not attempt any of the techniques discussed here without further research and formalized training in the subject.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Carnival Food Vending Trailer
This week something that you might not normally think of. A fire at an amusement part or local carnival.
1.) What challenges will there be to the apparatus placement and the length of the stretch?
2.) What hazards might be associated with this type of temporary structure?
3.) How do you gain access to rescue the 3 persons inside?
4.) How many lines will you need for this fire and or exposures in a tightly packed midway?
5.) Explain how your manpower would be used if the carnival was in full swing? How do you manage the spectators!
Thanks and until next week stay safe, and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What challenges will there be to the apparatus placement and the length of the stretch?
2.) What hazards might be associated with this type of temporary structure?
3.) How do you gain access to rescue the 3 persons inside?
4.) How many lines will you need for this fire and or exposures in a tightly packed midway?
5.) Explain how your manpower would be used if the carnival was in full swing? How do you manage the spectators!
Thanks and until next week stay safe, and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Integrity, Capability, Passion
Recently I went through a negative life experience. ( How is that for politically correct, Eh?)
As with all of these I reached deep within and found something worth sharing and some positive that I could learn from. I chose to share this thought with some new fire officers just graduating from officer training class and I will share them with you now.
Life and your fire service affiliation will occasionally challenge you in many different ways. You may have to discipline a close friend you may be challenged in some way by a person or a group, you may have suffered negative publicity or some other negative experience. Nothing will fully prepare you for these events but what I offer you today might help a little.
Just imagine and concentrate for a minute on the strength you have in your dominant hand. (Right handed or left handed doesn't really matter) Now as you read this page open your hand palm up, and place into your strongest hand the following items: Your personal integrity, your entire capabilities and talents, and your inner passion and love for your family, friends, and career in the fire service whether paid , call or volunteer. Mentally place all of these items in your hand and close your hand and grip them tightly and place them in your pocket.
This symbolic gesture I just described will do you no good if you never reach into your pocket and pull them back out when you need them. Also because they are in your strongest hand, nobody can take them away from you ever, unless you decide that they will.
Someday you will be faced with an opportunity that will challenge your personal integrity. Maybe someone will question your truthfulness, or ask you to do something you know is wrong. When thrown back on your heels and somewhat taken back by this, think of this blog post, reach into your pocket and look into your open palm and see if all of your integrity is still there. Have you lost any, given any away? Some times you will witness a perceived injustice and the easy way is just to turn away and turn a blind eye. I offer you this analogy, while you are turning a blind eye to a perceived injustice, you may not notice just a little bit of your personal integrity slipping away. If you do that enough times, when you reach in to use your integrity you may find it is all gone, and nobody will believe anything you say, even though you might just be right this time.
Hold onto your personal integrity with all of your might ! Never let it go!
I hope when you put your capabilities in your hand, you included them all and even left room for more. As human beings we are all multidimensional and we have talents at work, we have a variety of human skills, we have varying degrees of education, artistic and creative talent and a myriad of other talents that make up everything that actually defines you as a person. Those capabilities that you hold onto and protect with your dominant hand are very special. They can only be given away and used by others when you allow them to be. Oh, sure people might try to diminish and minimize your capability. They may even challenge your capability. When people do that and your feel bad about it because you have been hurt by someone not recognizing and appreciating your talents and abilities, go to a quiet spot by yourself, open your palm and look at and list all of your personal skills. It can bring a smile to your face when you take personal stock of your value and worth regardless of what anyone says about you. It also is a good time to wonder about yourself if someone did not recognize your capabilities because you did not share any of yourself with others. That is also something to take stock of and decide how much others will know about you.
Take stock of your personal and professional capabilities often and never let anyone diminish or reduce you or your capabilities in any way!
Remember that I asked you to put your passion in your dominant hand as well. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is never to let it go. I do not care what your passion is and whether it is family, friends, and professionally fire service related, never let anyone stand in your way and prevent you from feeling and believing in what you believe in. Do not let anyone, or any set of circumstances take your passion from you or diminish it. You have to examine your passion every once in a while though to see if it is still there, and if it still is for the right reasons.
The second reason for putting your passion in your dominant hand is so that you may have some degree of control over it. You may have days and periods of time when your personal passion escapes your control and becomes a detriment or impediment to what you are trying to control. Do not give up on your passion, do not diminish your passion, but use all of your strength to control and redirect into areas in which you can become more effective.
Your personal passion is the most powerful tool you have. If you have lost it along the years of your career, then try with all of your being to get it back. Because it is the most powerful tool you have it is the first thing that the naysayers and detractors try to attack. Your passion will overwhelm them and in fact diminish those that are really impostors and talk about passion rather than know how to demonstrate.
It has been my practice not to "talk" about how passionate I am about the fire service, I have been told that people know it when I speak to them. I don't have to remind them or prove to them as some impostors need to do.
Keep your passion very close to you and always within reach. Never let anyone diminish reduce, or try to break the passion you have. Keep your passion under control!
The above three tools I have just given you are very important tools. Like any other tools in the fire service they must be maintained, inspected and checked frequently, and they must all be used for the right reasons.
The next time you are having a difficult situation either personally or professionally reach into your pocket, sit in a quiet place, and look into the palm of your hand ....you might just find the right tool to fix the problem.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
As with all of these I reached deep within and found something worth sharing and some positive that I could learn from. I chose to share this thought with some new fire officers just graduating from officer training class and I will share them with you now.
Life and your fire service affiliation will occasionally challenge you in many different ways. You may have to discipline a close friend you may be challenged in some way by a person or a group, you may have suffered negative publicity or some other negative experience. Nothing will fully prepare you for these events but what I offer you today might help a little.
Just imagine and concentrate for a minute on the strength you have in your dominant hand. (Right handed or left handed doesn't really matter) Now as you read this page open your hand palm up, and place into your strongest hand the following items: Your personal integrity, your entire capabilities and talents, and your inner passion and love for your family, friends, and career in the fire service whether paid , call or volunteer. Mentally place all of these items in your hand and close your hand and grip them tightly and place them in your pocket.
This symbolic gesture I just described will do you no good if you never reach into your pocket and pull them back out when you need them. Also because they are in your strongest hand, nobody can take them away from you ever, unless you decide that they will.
Someday you will be faced with an opportunity that will challenge your personal integrity. Maybe someone will question your truthfulness, or ask you to do something you know is wrong. When thrown back on your heels and somewhat taken back by this, think of this blog post, reach into your pocket and look into your open palm and see if all of your integrity is still there. Have you lost any, given any away? Some times you will witness a perceived injustice and the easy way is just to turn away and turn a blind eye. I offer you this analogy, while you are turning a blind eye to a perceived injustice, you may not notice just a little bit of your personal integrity slipping away. If you do that enough times, when you reach in to use your integrity you may find it is all gone, and nobody will believe anything you say, even though you might just be right this time.
Hold onto your personal integrity with all of your might ! Never let it go!
I hope when you put your capabilities in your hand, you included them all and even left room for more. As human beings we are all multidimensional and we have talents at work, we have a variety of human skills, we have varying degrees of education, artistic and creative talent and a myriad of other talents that make up everything that actually defines you as a person. Those capabilities that you hold onto and protect with your dominant hand are very special. They can only be given away and used by others when you allow them to be. Oh, sure people might try to diminish and minimize your capability. They may even challenge your capability. When people do that and your feel bad about it because you have been hurt by someone not recognizing and appreciating your talents and abilities, go to a quiet spot by yourself, open your palm and look at and list all of your personal skills. It can bring a smile to your face when you take personal stock of your value and worth regardless of what anyone says about you. It also is a good time to wonder about yourself if someone did not recognize your capabilities because you did not share any of yourself with others. That is also something to take stock of and decide how much others will know about you.
Take stock of your personal and professional capabilities often and never let anyone diminish or reduce you or your capabilities in any way!
Remember that I asked you to put your passion in your dominant hand as well. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is never to let it go. I do not care what your passion is and whether it is family, friends, and professionally fire service related, never let anyone stand in your way and prevent you from feeling and believing in what you believe in. Do not let anyone, or any set of circumstances take your passion from you or diminish it. You have to examine your passion every once in a while though to see if it is still there, and if it still is for the right reasons.
The second reason for putting your passion in your dominant hand is so that you may have some degree of control over it. You may have days and periods of time when your personal passion escapes your control and becomes a detriment or impediment to what you are trying to control. Do not give up on your passion, do not diminish your passion, but use all of your strength to control and redirect into areas in which you can become more effective.
Your personal passion is the most powerful tool you have. If you have lost it along the years of your career, then try with all of your being to get it back. Because it is the most powerful tool you have it is the first thing that the naysayers and detractors try to attack. Your passion will overwhelm them and in fact diminish those that are really impostors and talk about passion rather than know how to demonstrate.
It has been my practice not to "talk" about how passionate I am about the fire service, I have been told that people know it when I speak to them. I don't have to remind them or prove to them as some impostors need to do.
Keep your passion very close to you and always within reach. Never let anyone diminish reduce, or try to break the passion you have. Keep your passion under control!
The above three tools I have just given you are very important tools. Like any other tools in the fire service they must be maintained, inspected and checked frequently, and they must all be used for the right reasons.
The next time you are having a difficult situation either personally or professionally reach into your pocket, sit in a quiet place, and look into the palm of your hand ....you might just find the right tool to fix the problem.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
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