This week a fire at a construction site.
1.) What size line(s) will be needed for this scenario?
2.) What is the primary hazard to firefighters here?
3.) What thoughts should you have for electrical hazards on a job site like this?
4.) What other job site materials could be stored on site that might present a hazard to your personnel?
5.) During routine responses and district inspections do you stop by construction sites to see what is going on? Maybe you should!
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Guidance vs. micromanaging
I spend an awful lot of my time doing consulting and teaching in some leadership classes and I have found something that I wanted to share today.
Now those folks who are local and know me, know that I went through the ranks way too fast and was an officer way before I should have been. They also know that not unlike others, I was convinced that I knew everything!
Thank God, that with some age there does come some wisdom!
In many leadership classes I am teaching I m hearing young officers and firefighters speak about being allowed to make decisions and not being "micro-managed". Now on this subject I speak with some authority because I am micromanaged in many facets of my life on a regular basis, so while not an expert, I do have some history!
I think that all people generally resist being coached and guided. We all believe that we are comfortable with our job and our ability to handle any given situation, but in reality I think we all need some guidance from time to time, and the benefit of having someone share a previous bad experience.
With that being said, then maybe as leaders we should look at the way we attempt to guide those that we are mentoring to be better officers. If the decision they are attempting to make is not life safety or life changing for them or the other parties involved, allow them to make a simple mistake. They will learn! Then don't run around and say I told you so, but be there to offer possible "options" on how that can be handled "differently" in the future. That is one technique. There are many others.
The other thing I never learned as a young rowdy officer was that I did not even have enough life experience to make some of these personnel decisions. I just simply had not been exposed at that time. I now look at some of these folks who have come into the fire service who maybe have been to paramedic school, been taught about being the sole person responsible for life and death, being taught to operate independently under a protocol, and then jammed into a fire service filled with tradition of team, partner, paramilitary and discipline and procedure, and wonder why we have some bumps grinds and failures. Some of young folks feel they are capable of any decision, but have not been exposed yet.
When we teach in these classes about how to make decisions, we need to teach and focus much more attention on the consequences of decisions. By doing this we truly are offering guidance rather than being micro managers.
We should really strive to be more like mentors, and examples so that people will emulate us, rather than to tell everyone how much better we can do their job instead of them. The old saying is true...People don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care. If you care for your people you will guide them. If you want to show them how much of a genius you think you are you will micro-manage every detail.
See I will give you latitude, you decide which way you want to go.
I truly believe new and young officers can benefit from guidance, and we should be patient with their resistance to our suggestion, but we must continue to guide them rather than to over supervise.
Recent negative experiences in my life have caused me to pause and reflect and be sure that I am a source of guidance, and valued resource, and a place to turn for those that work with me. This whole experience of inner reflection has been good for me.
Try it for yourself,......I promise I won't tell you how to do it !
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Now those folks who are local and know me, know that I went through the ranks way too fast and was an officer way before I should have been. They also know that not unlike others, I was convinced that I knew everything!
Thank God, that with some age there does come some wisdom!
In many leadership classes I am teaching I m hearing young officers and firefighters speak about being allowed to make decisions and not being "micro-managed". Now on this subject I speak with some authority because I am micromanaged in many facets of my life on a regular basis, so while not an expert, I do have some history!
I think that all people generally resist being coached and guided. We all believe that we are comfortable with our job and our ability to handle any given situation, but in reality I think we all need some guidance from time to time, and the benefit of having someone share a previous bad experience.
With that being said, then maybe as leaders we should look at the way we attempt to guide those that we are mentoring to be better officers. If the decision they are attempting to make is not life safety or life changing for them or the other parties involved, allow them to make a simple mistake. They will learn! Then don't run around and say I told you so, but be there to offer possible "options" on how that can be handled "differently" in the future. That is one technique. There are many others.
The other thing I never learned as a young rowdy officer was that I did not even have enough life experience to make some of these personnel decisions. I just simply had not been exposed at that time. I now look at some of these folks who have come into the fire service who maybe have been to paramedic school, been taught about being the sole person responsible for life and death, being taught to operate independently under a protocol, and then jammed into a fire service filled with tradition of team, partner, paramilitary and discipline and procedure, and wonder why we have some bumps grinds and failures. Some of young folks feel they are capable of any decision, but have not been exposed yet.
When we teach in these classes about how to make decisions, we need to teach and focus much more attention on the consequences of decisions. By doing this we truly are offering guidance rather than being micro managers.
We should really strive to be more like mentors, and examples so that people will emulate us, rather than to tell everyone how much better we can do their job instead of them. The old saying is true...People don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care. If you care for your people you will guide them. If you want to show them how much of a genius you think you are you will micro-manage every detail.
See I will give you latitude, you decide which way you want to go.
I truly believe new and young officers can benefit from guidance, and we should be patient with their resistance to our suggestion, but we must continue to guide them rather than to over supervise.
Recent negative experiences in my life have caused me to pause and reflect and be sure that I am a source of guidance, and valued resource, and a place to turn for those that work with me. This whole experience of inner reflection has been good for me.
Try it for yourself,......I promise I won't tell you how to do it !
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
60 Second Safety - "Throwing" Ladders
This week safety message is about using ladders on the fireground.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast # 24 - Commercial Building Fires
This week we talk about commercial building fire issues. Some general thoughts, training ideas, and some pre-fire planning suggestions.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Church Fire
This week the problem is common to every community.....Holy Smoke! It's a church fire. You might have several within your response district. Take a look.
1.) What is your initial report given, and your attack plan?
2.) This happens to be a wood frame building many churches are some form of masonry construction with heavy wooden timbers. Or they can be ultra modern large open structures. Get out there and pre plan these large occupancy structures.
3.) What is your salvage plan? As fire attack is moving forward and if it is safe enough to do so, are there any additional salvage efforts that can be taken for artifacts that may be irreplaceable?
4.) Have you trained to advance a deck gun or ground monitor into a building over one hundred feet and get it aimed into the overhead? Think about this as a possibility and try it during a training exercise in an open parking lot, without any stairs or obstructions.
5.) In the scenario given what is the estimated dimensions of the collapse zone? Try to estimate actual numbers it is good practice.
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What is your initial report given, and your attack plan?
2.) This happens to be a wood frame building many churches are some form of masonry construction with heavy wooden timbers. Or they can be ultra modern large open structures. Get out there and pre plan these large occupancy structures.
3.) What is your salvage plan? As fire attack is moving forward and if it is safe enough to do so, are there any additional salvage efforts that can be taken for artifacts that may be irreplaceable?
4.) Have you trained to advance a deck gun or ground monitor into a building over one hundred feet and get it aimed into the overhead? Think about this as a possibility and try it during a training exercise in an open parking lot, without any stairs or obstructions.
5.) In the scenario given what is the estimated dimensions of the collapse zone? Try to estimate actual numbers it is good practice.
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Some Thoughts on Fireground Communication
Communication is a whole lot more than radios and whether or not they work.
Think about the communication that occurs in your department and then think about the following statement: Will what I am about to say into the radio cause anyone to do anything? We give reports, we do an awful lot of chatter, but are we saying anything? Let's look at a couple of reports and then let's try to make them better.
Engine 2 is on the scene, 2 story wood frame, smoke showing.
OK, that is pretty good and a lot better than what we used to do, but what did it do for me?
Engine 2 is on the scene, 2 story wood, smoke showing, I am advancing an 1 3/4 line into the C side door.
I now have the same information but I know the crew is around the back and advancing the line. I now have some idea about the size of the attack and where my people are and I have used about 1 more second of air time! How much air time gets wasted now?
Five minutes later that crew of engine 2 reports back...
Portable engine 2, (or engine 200) we have a lot of smoke but no heat, still checking.
Not bad, I know the crew is OK, and they have not found the source of the fire yet.
How about this?
Basement division to command, lots of smoke but no heat still checking.
I now know that the crew that went into the back door has found the basement stairs and has changed levels. This entire incident could be a furnace incident.
Just by thinking if what you say is going to make someone do something, we can do wonders to improve how we communicate on the emergency scene.
Having a company use the terminology of where they are located in the building aids in our ability to both track where they are and where I may need to send a FAST team (or RIT) to get them if they are in trouble. The problem is that we know that firefighters move throughout the building and they rarely report when they change locations. We
continue to traditionally use portable numbers or identifiers rather than location designations. This has an effect on firefighter, safety, accountability and operations in general.
Spend some time modifying what you say and the way you say it...you might just save somebody's life by doing it!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Think about the communication that occurs in your department and then think about the following statement: Will what I am about to say into the radio cause anyone to do anything? We give reports, we do an awful lot of chatter, but are we saying anything? Let's look at a couple of reports and then let's try to make them better.
Engine 2 is on the scene, 2 story wood frame, smoke showing.
OK, that is pretty good and a lot better than what we used to do, but what did it do for me?
Engine 2 is on the scene, 2 story wood, smoke showing, I am advancing an 1 3/4 line into the C side door.
I now have the same information but I know the crew is around the back and advancing the line. I now have some idea about the size of the attack and where my people are and I have used about 1 more second of air time! How much air time gets wasted now?
Five minutes later that crew of engine 2 reports back...
Portable engine 2, (or engine 200) we have a lot of smoke but no heat, still checking.
Not bad, I know the crew is OK, and they have not found the source of the fire yet.
How about this?
Basement division to command, lots of smoke but no heat still checking.
I now know that the crew that went into the back door has found the basement stairs and has changed levels. This entire incident could be a furnace incident.
Just by thinking if what you say is going to make someone do something, we can do wonders to improve how we communicate on the emergency scene.
Having a company use the terminology of where they are located in the building aids in our ability to both track where they are and where I may need to send a FAST team (or RIT) to get them if they are in trouble. The problem is that we know that firefighters move throughout the building and they rarely report when they change locations. We
continue to traditionally use portable numbers or identifiers rather than location designations. This has an effect on firefighter, safety, accountability and operations in general.
Spend some time modifying what you say and the way you say it...you might just save somebody's life by doing it!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
60 Second Safety - The Sector Officer
This week we talk about sector officers, and operations on the Fireground .
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Emergency Action or "Disaster Plan" for you FD
This week we discuss an emergency action plan for when your fire department has to handle something beyond its normal capabilities and resources such as severe weather emergencies or large scale region wide events.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem -School Bus Crash & Fire
This week a combination problem. Take a look.
1.) How many patients should you expect on a fully loaded school bus?
2.) How many ambulances should be called for initially? Just a random rule of thumb might indicate an initial call for 1 ambulance for each 5 patients. This indicates some will be minor and not need it and some may not need transport at all. ( black tag) It is not a certainty but it gives you a starting point.
3.) When was the last time you trained on school bus stabilization and extrication techniques?
4.) How much does a school bus weigh? How much weight are you trying to move / lift?
5.) Review some of the factors that complicate fire suppression during rescue attempts.
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) How many patients should you expect on a fully loaded school bus?
2.) How many ambulances should be called for initially? Just a random rule of thumb might indicate an initial call for 1 ambulance for each 5 patients. This indicates some will be minor and not need it and some may not need transport at all. ( black tag) It is not a certainty but it gives you a starting point.
3.) When was the last time you trained on school bus stabilization and extrication techniques?
4.) How much does a school bus weigh? How much weight are you trying to move / lift?
5.) Review some of the factors that complicate fire suppression during rescue attempts.
Stay safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Voice, Visual, Touch
This week we will look at Lack of use or failure of accountability.
For review I have listed the five common factors in LODD factors below:
Five major common factors among line of duty deaths are:
Lack of use or participation in Incident Command
Lack of proper risk assessment.
Inadequate communication.
Lack or failure of SOPS
Lack of accountability.
Firefighters must stay within Voice, Visual, or Touch Contact.
This week I was told that radio counts as voice contact. I am a ham radio operator. Last week my "partner" was in Lithuania. I was in voice contact with him. I am not sure I could have helped rescue him, and I am not sure of exactly where he was if I had to rescue him, but I guess we were in voice contact, so I must have met the standard.
I show this absurdity because the actual intent is to maintain crew integrity and be able to help if someone is in trouble. Does radio count....sure it does if you are able to immediately come to the aid of someone in trouble. If you will immediately react when they don't answer. If you are in a position to help.
If we are in a medium to large sized room and in actual voice contact, and you yell hey Pete are you OK through your SCBA facepiece and I do not respond within one or two calls you are going to react. If I am on the C side of a building and you call me on the radio and I don't answer, you will try a couple times, curse your radio, check with fire alarm or command, and then maybe walk around the back. I submit it is a little too late.
On a ranch house, this might be fine. A supermarket or warehouse? I think not.
The conditions of voice visual or touch should become more enforced as conditions that you are operating in change.
Alarm investigation, little or no smoke or food on the stove, = voice or visual contact.
Moderate smoke condition, no heat = voice contact visual not available. Not by radio!
Heavy smoke, high heat = Touch contact or able to reach to solve an emergency.
Firefighters must use the system in place in their department.
Officers must enforce and require discipline and mandate participation.
Chiefs must research and provide an adequate system.
On scene duties:
Firefighters must stay as a crew and know where your partners are at all times. You must be in a position that allows to you to immediately assist your partner and correct any life saving issue. Know who you are reporting to.
Officers must know where their crews are operating, that they are in fact intact. Officers must check crew integrity every 15 minutes by some mechanism. Officers should know who they are accountable for and to.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Roundtable discussion on technology including Google Glass
One of our regular members will be discussing and demonstrating google glass and I will be discussing some ipad apps.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
60 Second Safety - Mental Fitness
This week we look at a portion of safety you can control, your mental fitness.
LISTEN HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - The Training Officer
This week we discuss the training officer, some thoughts on duties, capabilities and roles.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Fire in a bowling alley
This week we are looking at an occupancy that is common to much of small town America.
1.) What do we know about these structures in general? (Think large open spans)
2,) What is the potential occupancy number on certain days of the week and league nights?
3,) Is there a restaurant / kitchen facility on site? What potential problems could arise from that?
4.) What is your plan of attack for the scenario shown?
5.) Have you pre planned similar facilities in your area? Have you reviewed machinery on site to talk about rescues of persons with hands in machines?
Stay Safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) What do we know about these structures in general? (Think large open spans)
2,) What is the potential occupancy number on certain days of the week and league nights?
3,) Is there a restaurant / kitchen facility on site? What potential problems could arise from that?
4.) What is your plan of attack for the scenario shown?
5.) Have you pre planned similar facilities in your area? Have you reviewed machinery on site to talk about rescues of persons with hands in machines?
Stay Safe and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Gone Fishin'
This week I am recounting four principles of the workplace that come from a very unlikely source. Can we apply the principles that they made famous to the fire service.
The folks at Pike's Seafood in Seattle WA. These folks at the local fish market did some remarkable things in their own small fish business that have not only made them famous, but have led them to become speakers for major corporations on how to improve the workplace and morale.
Since morale always seems to be an issue in the fire service I feel that we can apply these basic principles to us! Here goes:
Principle # 1 - Play!
Now I fully understand there is no room for horseplay at an emergency scene, I do believe that people should be able to have safe reasonable fun at work, while maintaining productivity. If your personnel want to come to work and genuinely have fun, then that attitude will show when they contact other firefighters, and members of the public.
Principle # 2 - Make Their Day !
It should be your prupose to attempt to "make the day" of all those you contact. This also includes co-workers, and members of the public. In our profession it is very difficult to make someone's day after some terrible circumstance such as a fire and or medical emergency. Now, while these are difficult, they should be our goal. In addition, there are many folks we meet in the course of a day, during a routine non-emergency transport, fire inspection, and other contacts where this works just fine. Would'nt it be nice if people looked forward to dealing with you as opposed to dreading having to talk with you.
Principle # 3 - Be There
Really connect and be present when you deal with others. Be an active participant, team player, that everyone knows "is there." We have all spoken to people who appear that they are merely existing, and we seem to be bothering by our very presence. Be present, enthusiastic, and a valuable member of the team!
Principle # 4 - Choose Your Attitude
I saved the best and most important for last. Each morning before work, choose the attitude that you will present to others for that day. While life's circumstances effect us all, choosing the attitude you present to others, is solely your responsibility. Attitudes are contagious as well. If all we do is sit around and complain, then those around us will complain, and pretty soon we say, "see everybody feels that way, it's not just me". The question is, did it start with you? Wouldn't you like to be the cause of positive morale and good performance on your job?
Don't blame anyone else for your attitude.
For four guys in a fish market these four principles really make some sense, huh?
There is a book called FISH that you may want to pick up that further explains this whole concept in much greater detail, and there is a web site also called Fishphilosophy.
Check it out, and then you will know why I am now "gone fishin" for a new way of doing business!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Firefighter Training Podcast - Water Supply & Delivery
This week a discussion on water supply & delivery for firefighting
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
The Final Exam (Repost from previous)
The class was over, and though it was tough,
They continued to teach us as it were never enough.
Some had said the final was not the last,
They spoke as if they knew this from their very own past.
They spoke of a jake, who thought he was done,
When training was over he could begin to have some fun.
It was late at night, some five years from then,
The jake was startled from sleep, by a still for engine 10.
It's always been false, and I'll be right back
He put on most gear, but not an airpack.
As 10 rounded the corner, the Lou said fire showin', fill out the box,
The jake was not ready, he had no tools for the locks.
The people were screaming, screams he won't forget,
It's that he was not ready, is what he regrets.
The people were lost, in this tragic fire
He was burned pretty badly, and had to retire.
He doesn't sleep well, his nightmares are great
He hope new recruits will listen before it's too late.
Never stop learning, try to do more,
You don't know what will greet you when you leave the bay door.
The learning doesn't end, until you retire
Make sure you are ready for your next fire.
Your training was tough, and pushed you , your instructors were fair
After years on your job, you might wish you were back there.
Stay safe, stay healthy, look out for one other
It wasn't your last exam, I'm sure there will be another,
Be prepared, stay sharp, for you, your family and your sisters & brothers.
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
Tactical Fire Problem - Parking Garage
This week we take a look at some of the challenges of fires in parking garages.
1.) Have you pre planned these type of facilities in your area. Use ropes to gather measurements for hose stretch length.
2.) Does the garage have standpipes? Are you familiar with the system? Is there a fire pump?
3.) If you are dispatched to a vehicle fire, what should you realistically expect on arrival? If you answered anything less than 3 vehicles involved you might be underestimating it.
4.) Have you trained on extending hand lines over your aerial, or putting a water thief on the end of the aerial to advance attack lines?
5.) Although there are many openings, what is your plan for exhausting smoke during and post fire attack?
Stay safe, and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
1.) Have you pre planned these type of facilities in your area. Use ropes to gather measurements for hose stretch length.
2.) Does the garage have standpipes? Are you familiar with the system? Is there a fire pump?
3.) If you are dispatched to a vehicle fire, what should you realistically expect on arrival? If you answered anything less than 3 vehicles involved you might be underestimating it.
4.) Have you trained on extending hand lines over your aerial, or putting a water thief on the end of the aerial to advance attack lines?
5.) Although there are many openings, what is your plan for exhausting smoke during and post fire attack?
Stay safe, and stay thinking!
Pete Lamb
Copyright 2013
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