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
Saturday, November 30, 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
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