The World’s Worst Dispatcher

Dispatch is often overlooked despite its critical role in public safety. If fire engines, squad cars, and ambulances are chess pieces and the community is the board, dispatchers are the chess players—strategically observing the larger picture, placing each piece with precision, and anticipating Murphy's next move. Dispatchers are a responder's closest ally when an incident begins to escalate. Firefighters call for police to secure the scene, police request medics when a child is injured, and ambulances call for firefighters when extra hands are needed. All of these crucial decisions are made through radio communications, orchestrated by the chess-masters in dispatch.

A smooth shift often depends on a well-trained, focused dispatcher watching over the scene. Conversely, when operators ask incomplete questions or hastily deploy resources, even a routine shift can devolve into chaos. The solution to this is nearly always better training, provided the dispatcher is committed to doing their job with diligence.

Yet, we often overlook a similar system operating within us. Hidden away in its own black box, the brain acts as our personal dispatch center. It takes in data from our senses—sight, sound, touch, and beyond (proprioception, equilibrioception, and interoception, to name a few)—and uses these inputs to construct a worldview. This system generates our beliefs, impulses, moods, and behaviors, ultimately shaping the person we become.

Most of us go through life unaware of this process, convinced we are the sole authors of our thoughts. But left unchecked, this mental dispatcher can run wild, sending us on endless, unnecessary calls—false alarms and emergencies of our own making. It is as if the world's worst dispatcher lives between our ears. We get dispatched to the past, replaying and rehashing events long since concluded. We respond to the future, anxiously accelerating through worst-case scenarios and imaginary conversations that rarely unfold as we expect. The mind’s dispatch center can become so untethered that we find ourselves responding to problems that don’t exist—while ignoring events right in front of us. For first responders, this can mean staying on duty mentally, physically, and emotionally long after the uniform comes off.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

Mindfulness meditation offers a way to break free from this reactive loop. It teaches us to first notice the mental chaos—to recognize when our inner dispatcher is sounding false alarms. With continued practice, we learn to distinguish between urgent signals and distracting noise, to reset our responses, and to cancel ourselves en route to unnecessary dispatches.

Unlike the immediate duty to act in uniform, we can cultivate the ability to notice which events truly deserve our attention. We can choose our "assignments" with greater freedom, bringing a sense of peace and clarity. Over time, the dispatch center within our minds can quiet down, allowing us to be more present and connected to the things we value most, both on duty and off.

• Josh Grandinetti - Fire Captain & Founder of Foundation Fortified

Fire Dynamics & Situational Awareness for Operational Success on the Fire Ground

Strong decision-making, supported by situational awareness, is indeed the cornerstone of ensuring both operational success and crew safety on the fireground. Let us break down and emphasize the key points of why understanding fire dynamics is critical for situational awareness.

• Timely and Informed Decisions

• Situational Awareness and Its Role in Decision-Making

• Fire Behavior and Building Construction

• Trust and Clarity in Leadership

• The Integration of Knowledge and Action

• Building Trust Through Consistency

Timely and Informed Decisions

Leaders in the fire service are responsible for making critical decisions under intense pressure, often with limited information and time. The ability to gather relevant data quickly, analyze it, and make sound decisions is what separates effective leaders from those who struggle in high-pressure situations. These decisions impact the lives of firefighters and the success of the mission, making the responsibility even more significant.

Situational Awareness and Its Role in Decision-Making

Situational awareness is a dynamic process where leaders continuously assess their environment, understand evolving risks, and predict potential outcomes. This skill allows leaders to make decisions that are not only timely but also anticipate the consequences of their actions. It's not just about reacting to what's happening in the moment, it's about predicting what might come next and making decisions that mitigate risk and enhance safety.

Fire Behavior and Building Construction

A thorough understanding of fire behavior — such as heat, smoke, and gas movement —coupled with knowledge of building construction is critical in making informed decisions on the fireground. Leaders who can read these indicators effectively can assess risks like structural collapse or flashover, which are vital to protecting their crews.

Trust and Clarity in Leadership

Trust is foundational in any leadership role, but in the fire service, it’s life-and-death. When firefighters know that their leader has the knowledge and confidence to make sound decisions, they are more likely to follow orders and work cohesively as a team. The clarity that comes from a leader’s decisions reassures the team and reduces the potential for confusion in high-stress situations.

The Integration of Knowledge and Action

The integration of all this knowledge — fire behavior, situational awareness, building construction — must happen quickly. In a fire environment, things change fast, and decisions must be made with speed and accuracy. Leaders who can combine their understanding of these factors with fast, clear decision-making can maintain control of the scene and navigate unpredictable challenges effectively.

Building Trust Through Consistency

As mentioned, leaders who consistently demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions based on situational awareness and a deep understanding of fire behavior will earn the trust of their team. This trust is crucial because without it, a leader may find their authority undermined, which can have serious consequences during a fireground operation.

In essence, leadership in the fire service is about more than making quick decisions about informed, strategic decisions that safeguard lives and ensure the success of the mission. The leader’s ability to combine their understanding of situational awareness, fire behavior, and building dynamics, while maintaining trust and clarity, will directly impact the safety and effectiveness of their crew. The pressure is immense, but the reward is equally profound ensuring everyone goes home safely and that the mission is successfully carried out. As fire service leaders, decision-making is a key leadership tool and it’s clear that leaders must continually develop these skills to maintain a high level of effectiveness and trust within their teams.

Understanding Forcible Entry at Residential Structure Fires

Firefighters face numerous challenges when responding to residential structure fires, and one of the most critical skills required in such situations is forcible entry. This technique enhances firefighters' safety and increases the chances of saving lives and minimizing property damage. Understanding the methods, tools, and protocols involved in forcible entry can significantly impact the effectiveness of fire response efforts.

The Nature of Residential Fires

Residential fires pose a significant and immediate threat, often igniting with alarming speed and escalating rapidly. A small flame can spread in as little as 30 seconds, creating a more substantial fire and making swift action critical. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that a fire department is dispatched to a house fire every 87 seconds in the United States. This equals out to a little over 358 thousand house fires a year. This constant demand underscores the urgency and prevalence of fire-related emergencies. Given the time-sensitive nature of these situations, firefighters face immense pressure to make rapid and informed decisions upon arrival. One of their first critical tasks is determining the optimal entry point into the burning structure. This assessment should be conducted quickly and effectively, especially when doors or windows are locked, obstructed by debris, or otherwise rendered unable to open through conventional means. Overcoming these obstacles is paramount to rescuing occupants, suppressing the fire, and minimizing property damage. Ultimately, the effectiveness of a firefighter's initial entry significantly impacts the outcome of a residential fire.

The Importance of Forcible Entry

When firefighters arrive at the scene of a structure fire, the situation's urgency dictates their primary objectives. Their foremost tasks are to rescue any occupants trapped within the burning building, effectively extinguish the fire, and prevent it from spreading to adjacent structures, which could complicate the incident. To achieve these critical goals efficiently and effectively, gaining access to the building becomes prominent. Forcible entry into a structure facilitates several crucial operations integral to the overall success of firefighting efforts.

Facilitate Rescue Operations: One of the most pressing concerns in any fire emergency is the safety and well-being of individuals trapped inside. Forcible entry should be performed quickly and efficiently. Quick entry can often make the difference between life and death, as it minimizes the time individuals are exposed to life-threatening smoke, heat, and flames.

Control the Fire: The quicker firefighters engage with the flames, the better they can limit the damage. Forcible entry allows firefighters to attack the fire directly, allowing them to initiate suppression efforts from the structure's interior rather than attacking from the outside and potentially missing fire areas. This proactive approach is crucial in mitigating damage to the structure and its contents and protecting the surrounding areas from catching fire.

Ventilate the Structure: When firefighters gain access through forcible entry, they can establish critical ventilation paths to alleviate the buildup of smoke and heat within the structure. Opening windows and doors or creating specific ventilation points improves the conditions inside. This enhanced airflow not only aids in the rescue effort by making it easier for those trapped to breathe but also increases the effectiveness of fire suppression activities. By controlling smoke movement, firefighters can more easily identify the seat of the fire and effectively extinguish it.

Common Techniques for Forcible Entry

These methods can generally be categorized into three main types: mechanical entry, hydraulic entry, and thermal entry. Each category encompasses various techniques and tools that firefighters utilize depending on the circumstances they encounter.

1. Mechanical Entry

Mechanical entry is the most common form of forcible entry and primarily involves the use of hand tools. These tools are straightforward but effective, allowing firefighters to create entry points into buildings quickly and efficiently. Several key tools are frequently employed in this category:

• Ax and Sledgehammer: These standard tools are essential for breaking through doors or windows. The ax can be used for chopping and piercing, while the sledgehammer provides the power to deliver forceful blows, shattering barriers that might otherwise impede access.

• Halligan Bar: Known for its versatility, the Halligan bar combines a pry bar, claw, and spike all in one tool. This multifunctional tool allows firefighters to gain leverage and effectively pop open doors, making it invaluable when quick access is necessary.

• Irons: This term generally combines a Halligan bar and a flathead axe. The combination allows firefighters to perform a wide range of forcible entry tasks, from prying open doors to widening gaps for access. Their dual functionality makes irons a staple in the firefighting toolkit.

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2. Hydraulic Entry

Firefighters turn to hydraulic entry techniques when mechanical tools are insufficient or when faced with incredibly sturdy barriers. Hydraulic tools, such as a Rabbit Tool or

"bunny tool," enables firefighters to force entry into doors designed to withstand impact. The bunny tool is not typically necessary for single-family homes, where access is easily managed by the residents. However, it can be a valuable asset for taxpayer buildings or urban apartment complexes with numerous units and complex access requirements. In these environments, the bunny tool could streamline emergency access for first responders. Allowing for quick entry with minimal damage can save time and resources. However, it is crucial to note that the bunny tool is specifically designed for inward-facing doors. Its effectiveness depends entirely on this door orientation and will not function on doors that swing outward.

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3. Thermal Entry

Firefighters may resort to thermal entry techniques in specific scenarios where traditional physical entry tools may prove ineffective or cumbersome. These methods involve the use of heat-based tools to breach barriers. A couple of key techniques that fall under thermal entry include:

• Sawing: Firefighters can employ reciprocating saws fitted with specialized blades that can cut through various materials, including wood, metal, and reinforced structures. This method allows them to create necessary openings in walls or to breach fortified entry points, enabling them to access affected areas swiftly.

• Torching: In some cases, cutting torches are utilized to breach metal doors or barriers. This method is beneficial when other tools fail to provide adequate access, allowing for rapid penetration through rigid materials using a focused and intense heat source.

Challenges of Forcible Entry

Time Constraints: One of the most pressing challenges in forcible entry is the time constraint firefighters operate under. The need for rapid action can lead to rushed decisions, which poses risks not only to the firefighters themselves but also to any victims who may be trapped inside the structure. The pressure heightens the stakes, emphasizing the importance of rapid yet calculated responses.

Structural Integrity: As fire spreads throughout a building, it can significantly compromise its structural integrity. Firefighters need to be aware that the materials that once provided support may weaken under intense heat. Accordingly, they must make judicious assessments about the stability of the structure before breaching entry points. This often requires a keen understanding of architectural design and damage assessment to avoid situations that could lead to partial or complete collapses, putting rescuers and victims at risk.

Access Points: Modern structures increasingly utilize fortified doors, sophisticated locking mechanisms, and advanced security systems to deter unauthorized access. Such innovations pose additional obstacles for firefighters during forcible entry, as traditional methods of breaking down doors or windows may not suffice. Firefighters must be well-versed in various locks, hinges, and security devices.

Training and Preparedness: Given the complexities involved in forcible entry, continuous training on what most would consider a "basic skill" is needed. Fire departments must prioritize regular drills that simulate various forcible entry scenarios under diverse conditions. These training exercises provide firefighters with invaluable experience, enabling them to develop the necessary muscle memory to execute effective forcible entry tactics correctly and safely. This preparation enhances their skills and instills confidence in their ability to handle high-pressure situations.

Conclusion

Forcible entry during structure fires is a vital component of firefighting that necessitates quick decision-making, rigorous physical skill, and thoughtful strategic planning. As building construction evolves, so must the methods and tools available to firefighters. Continuous education, training, and heightened awareness are critical to equipping firefighters to confront the challenges inherent in forcible entry situations. Whether opening a locked door or navigating a smoke-filled corridor, each successful forcible entry contributes to the collective effort to protect and save lives from the effects of fire.

Understanding Flow Path for Engine and Truck Company Operations

Understanding the flow path is crucial for safe and effective fireground decision-making and firefighting during a fire. Firefighters need to understand how and when to alter the flow path in order to perform a safer and more effective fire attack. Furthermore, in order to protect and save lives, it is imperative firefighters understand how to proper size-up the flow path and how it works.

In order to do this, firefighters and fire officers must size-up the structure upon arrival and have a solid understanding of our main firefighting objectives - RECEO_VS (rescue, exposure, confinement, extinguish, overhaul, ventilation and salvage). From this, understanding the building construction along with a solid understanding and working knowledge of fire behavior and reading smoke will allow firefighters to effectively build sound fire ground tactics for fire attack/suppression and search & rescue - both of which are critical to understanding flow path. All of this has been outlined and detailed in my book, "The 5-Tool Firefighter"

To stat this off, what is flow path?

Flow path is the movement of heat, smoke and air from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas inside and outside of a building. When fire starts, it releases heat which increases the pressure near the fire. Since the pressure is mostly nearest to the seat of the fire causing a pressure difference in the atmosphere, the heated gases move upward and outward.

Here is a few examples of flow path:

If the fire is above with no opening for smoke and heat to escape, it will eventually bank down below the floor. When opening the door, the smoke will clear out.

If the fire is below you, the smoke is filling the house at entry level and above. When opening the door, smoke will begin to escape and thin out.

If the fire is on the same floor and there is no exit for smoke, you will end up with a bilateral flow. Smoke will then exit the upper half of the door and clean air will be pulled through the bottom half.

Definition: bilateral flow is smoke and heat moving out of a building through a single ventilation point, with fresh air being drawn in from the bottom.

Engine Companies

As we continually say, "as the line goes, the fire goes" and this is 100% factual when discussing flow path and determining the appropriate line size for the initial fire attack. This is also just as important as to determine the appropriate entry point for the initial attack crew. Even though the initial attack crew, just like the initial search crew, must be quick paced, there are various questions that this crew especially the engine company officer needs to keep in mind.

• Reading smoke. What is the smoke telling me about the conditions in the room?

• Location. From out entry point, how far are we in the structure to the seat of the fire?

• Neutral plane. Where is the neutral plane?

Engine companies must understand the science behind the fire to adequately work within the flow path but should also remain aggressive in the approach to fire suppression.

Truck Companies

Performing the initial search at any fire is like taking one step forward and two steps back. It is quick, aggressive and highly dangerous. However, it is a critical first step to protecting and saving life. Here are a few things to keep in mind when operating in this capacity.

• Where is the last known location or best possible location of the victim in this structure?

• From that location, what is the best route of travel to locating and extricating that victim (quickest route)?

• What if there is no hoseline in place?

Unfortunately, there are times when search crews may need to operate without a hoseline in place or being put into place based on the situation at hand, arrival times and the list goes on. In order to do this, search crews must understand how to operate within the flow path, isolate the search room based on the building and what the smoke and fire are telling you. Without this understanding, the success of the assignment is slim.

To understand all of this takes time, practice and hours of dedication to your craft. Each incident is different no matter how many times you respond to a fire, each fire will behave differently from the others. Fire officers and firefighter must take the time to understand what the incident is telling you and be ready with proactive decision-making in order to respond ahead of the curve and operate safe and efficiently within the parameters of the incident.

Until next time, work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Are You an Asset or a Liability?

There are a few questions many of us as ourselves as we advance in our careers and go through life when leading or directing others:

- Am I an asset or liability to the team?

- As a leader, am I giving more than I am taking or am I taking too much?

- Is this role for me?

Each time we step into the firehouse we have a choice. The choice we have is how we are going to show up for ourselves, our crew, our department and our community. Surely, that is a lot of groups we have to show up for but the choice to do so lies within our own self.

So, what is the choice?

The choice is simple, we can be the pillar of strength and positivity that leads the team to serve to the best possible potential or it can be the pillar of negativity and defeat that merely goes with the flow just to get through the shift. Either way, that choice of which pillar you take lies solely with you. Ask yourself, what do you as a leader of today's fire service bring to the table? Am I showing up with the energy to positively impact and motivate the room or am I showing up with the energy that drains the room of all potential and drive?

If you're adding impact and motivating the room, you are an asset. If you're draining the room of potential and drive, you are a liability. I get it, we'll never be 100% energized all the time and will naturally have off days. It's common and part of the ebbs and flows of life. However, the long-term goal is what we need to strive for. The impact to leave on others when your time comes to hang it up, is to strive to be the asset and not the liability.

To be the asset or in order words, to be the firefighter you always wanted to look up to is this. Be consistent in your actions. Mentor, train and guide fellow firefighters when the time presents itself and show them you care. Lead by example with everything you do. From cleaning the station, to on-shift training, be the one who steps up and makes it happen without ever making a show out of it. This matters most even when no one is watching.

Think about your mood and the mood you're bringing to the station, to the kitchen table and onto the fire ground. That mood is contagious. Are you prioritizing your health before shift through proper sleep, hydration and recovery the night before? How you take care of your body and mind plays into how your mood and energy show up at the firehouse.

Lastly, encourage those around you, support them and position yourself to be the cornerstone of the team. So go out there continue training hard and striving to become the best version of yourself you could possibly be.

Until next time, work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Tips for Apparatus Driver Safety

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Firefighter Fatality Reports, many firefighters and other emergency responders have died in the line of duty due to vehicle crashes involving emergency service vehicles while responding to and returning from incidents.

In order to effectively serve the communities, we are charged to protect, it is first necessary to ensure firefighters and other first responders’ arrival safely to the incident. As we've been training since day 1 of our fire service career, safety should be the high emphasis for all we do and particularly on vehicle operations safety. Whether it be in department apparatus or privately owned vehicles (POV) - within the scope of your respectively departments duties and responsibilities - all firefighters are expected to comply with all applicable traffic laws, as well as departmental safety policies and procedures (SOPs) at all times.

In the same manner as a fire scene, responsibilities for safety lie amongst all firefighters in the apparatus and not solely on the officer or driver.

Here are a few tips you should follow for safe driving of an apparatus when responding to and from all incidents.

Driver: Outside of firefighting operations once on scene, whether it be pump operations or aerial operations, the drivers first primary function is to safely transport firefighters and equipment to the scene while complying with all traffic laws, as well as department policies and SOPs.

• Ensure you have been trained to properly operate the apparatus you are in-charge of driving. Refer to NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications and NFPA 1451, Standard for a Fire Service Vehicle Operations Training Program for more.

• Prior to moving the vehicle from the bay or streets, ensure all firefighters are safely inside the apparatus and wearing their seat belts. If you're apparatus have the seat sensors, do not leave until the alarm turns off and all firefighters are buckled up in their seat.

• Never assume another vehicle can hear or see you.

• Slower is safer especially during poor road conditions or poor visibility.

• Always stop at intersections. It is only after coming to a complete stop before driving through any intersection or railroad crossing, even if you have the right of way. Again, never assume.

• When approaching an unguarded railroad crossing, it is best practice to stop, look and listen for an oncoming train. Never stop or park across railroad crossings.

• Prior to any firefighters exit the apparatus, ensure the vehicle is completely stopped and the air brake has been engaged.

• Always used a spotter when backing up even in perfect conditions and well-lit areas. Again, never assume anyone will see you or you will see them.

• If you're tired or under medication that limits your ability to drive, do not operate the apparatus.

Officer: The officer in the front right seat (officer-in-charge) is responsible for supervising the driver and firefighter assigned to the apparatus. This includes complying with and obeying all traffic laws, department policies and SOPs. It is also the responsibility of this seat to assist in radio operations and direction navigation while the driver's main focus is to safely operate the vehicle.

Backseat Firefighters: While riding in a fire department vehicle all firefighters riding in the back are required by law to comply with all safety policies and procedures.

These are just some tips for all firefighters and fire officers to be aware of when operating behind the wheel of their apparatus. Take these into consideration any time you are in your department vehicles.

Until next time, work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Somatic Exercises for Movement Therapy in First Responders

In our fast-paced world, we have been become overburdened by many factors that produce stress and tension to the point it is almost impossible to avoid. Studies have shown that 85% of first responders have experienced mental health issues and approximately 1 in every 3 first responders develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over the course of their career, as opposed to the 1 in 5 in the general population.

Many responders (including myself) tend to carry physical and mental burdens around that manifests into our bodies causing pain, stiffness, or discomfort. From the effects of sleep from shift work, running calls, and the physical and mental conditions the job as a whole contains, it will at some point take a toll on your body and mind no matter how much we try and think it won't.

Due to the nature of our work, it is important to "exercise" your body and mind to help rid these tensions to improve overall body awareness. By doing so, it will greatly impact your mental and physical performance on the job and in your everyday life off the job.

With that being said, I want to share a form of movement therapy I have been reading into a bit lately that focuses on internal physical perception called somatic exercises.

Traditionally, exercise routines place emphasis on external gains such as strength, speed or endurance - all integral for on the job performance as first responders. On the other hand, somatic exercises place emphasis on how your body is feeling from with, through slow movements with the intention of paying close attention to your body's senses. This type of exercise is comparable to the martial art, Tai Chi also known as mediation is motion, which is great for reducing stress, improving mood and improving balance. All of which is vitally important for overall well-being as a first responder and everyday life.

Here are some somatic breathing techniques to try out and can be done in 15-20 minutes to help work on balance, mood, stress and anxiety that is seeming to take a toll on your mental and physical wellbeing.

Centering Breath

Time: 2 minutes

Purpose: Connect with your breath and center your body.

How to:

• Sit or lie down comfortably.

• Close your eyes and place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen.

• Inhale deeply through your nose, feeling your abdomen rise.

• Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your abdomen fall.

• Continue this deep breathing for 2 minutes, focusing on the sensation of your breath.

Pelvic Tilt

Time: 3 minutes

Purpose: Release tension in the lower back and improve pelvic mobility.

How to:

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

• Inhale and gently arch your lower back, tilting your pelvis forward.

• Exhale and press your lower back into the floor, tilting your pelvis backward.

• Repeat this motion slowly, coordinating it with your breath, for 3 minutes.

Cat-Cow Stretch

Time: 3 minutes

Purpose: Increase flexibility and mobility in the spine.

How to:

• Start on your hands and knees in a tabletop position.

• Inhale as you arch your back, lifting your head and tailbone toward the ceiling (Cow Pose).

• Exhale as you round your back, tucking your chin to your chest and tailbone under (Cat Pose).

• Move slowly and mindfully between these two positions for 3 minutes.

Shoulder Rolls

Time: 2 minutes

Purpose: Release tension in the shoulders and neck.

How to:

• Sit or stand with your arms relaxed by your sides.

• Inhale and lift your shoulders toward your ears.

• Exhale as you roll your shoulders back and down.

• Continue with slow, controlled shoulder rolls for 1 minute in one direction, then switch to the opposite direction for another minute.

Hip Circles

Time: 2 minutes

Purpose: Increase mobility and release tension in the hips.

How to:

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart.

• Place your hands on your hips.

• Begin making slow circles with your hips, moving clockwise for 1 minute.

• Reverse the direction and move counterclockwise for another minute.

Somatic Stretch

Time: 4 minutes

Purpose: Lengthen and relax the entire body.

How to:

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart.

• Inhale as you reach your arms overhead, stretching your body upward.

• Exhale as you fold forward, keeping your knees soft and allowing your upper body to hang down.

• Stay in this forward fold for a few deep breaths, then slowly roll back up to standing.

• Repeat the stretch a few times, moving with your breath.

Body Scan Relaxation

Time: 5 minutes

Purpose: Deepen relaxation and body awareness.

How to:

• Lie down comfortably on your back with your arms by your sides.

• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.

• Starting at your toes, slowly bring your attention to each part of your body, noticing any tension or sensations.

• Gradually move your focus up through your legs, hips, abdomen, chest, shoulders, arms, neck, and head.

• As you scan each area, consciously release any tension and allow your body to relax fully.

• Stay in this relaxed state for a few more minutes before gently bringing yourself back to the present.

The purposes of these exercises are to help improve body awareness (identify areas of tension or imbalance), reduce stress and tension stored in your muscles and joints, enhance mobility and flexibility to help improve posture and reduce pain and discomfort over time and assist with a better mind-body connection to help improve mental clarity and emotional balance.

Each purpose of these exercises is beneficial to being the best well-rounded version of yourself on and off the job. By taking care of yourself before shift or during down time can lead to great improvements in your job overall. We are humans and as Chief Tom Marchiano says the community expects us to be SUPERhumans. The only way to achieve that is to take a step back and take care of ourselves each day.

Until next time, work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Building Systems - You May Know More Than You Think

What do you know about building systems? You may not realize how much you do know. Often times, the systems located in our own homes are great examples for understanding what we may find in a commercial structure.

Residential HVAC Unit

The first picture shown is a typical residential HVAC unit. There's a fan at the bottom, a heating section above the fan, and a cooling section above that. The fan pushes the air through the supply duct and the air is heated or cooled as needed. The fan also draws return air back to the unit where it is filtered and sent back through the system.

Conceptually, this is not really different than a commercial HVAC unit. It's just a much smaller scale, but there will be differences. The unit orientation may be different. The unit may be located on a roof and draw in outside air. Heating and cooling can be accomplished with hot or chilled water instead of electric, natural gas, or refrigeration.

The main intent of HVAC systems is to provide comfort. They may also offer some type of "environmental protection" to occupants or to a process. For example, they may use air pressurization to keep contaminants out of a pharmaceutical manufacturing area or contain biologics in a laboratory. A properly engineered system can also provide protection to firefighters and building occupants by controlling airflow to contain fires and preventing the transmission of smoke containing harmful contaminants. What happens if the system is not engineered, installed, or maintained correctly? A system failure can make a bad situation worse and lead to inefficient use of time on the fireground.

Firefighters should be able to recognize these units and understand how they operate in the event they need to get control of them. In a light commercial structure, this may not be a complicated task. In a more complicated installation, this may not be easy. The units may not be as easy to gain control of and shutting them down could create other issues or concerns. In these situations it is good to have a strong working relationship with building personnel that can help firefighters get control of the equipment and the situation. The units may even be controlled to provide smoke removal in lieu using fans and openings in the buildings.

Air Handling Unit © Wikipedia

If you understand the system in your home you can relate it to a larger system. If you don't understand the system, ask your service technician to explain it to you the next time they come out to do preventative maintenance. For larger more elaborate systems, have a working relationship with the facility to be able to understand and operate these units. We all know that if you can control the air, you can control the fire. The HVAC system can be your control point so it's important for firefighters to understand how the system operates and how to gain control of it.

Be Smart - Stay Safe!

Remembering Firefighter George Jackson

On October 21, 1990, Firefighter George Jackson was assigned to engine company that was dispatched to a report of a stove fire at an occupied two-story brick row house in Camden, NJ. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke showing from the rear of the structure causing the company officer to call for a box assignment at the location. Firefighter Jackson and his crew was shortly thereafter assigned to fire suppression and advanced a handline into the structure and conducted a search of the first floor.

When the ladder company arrived on scene and entered the structure with their crew, Firefighter Jackson split from the engine company and joined the ladder company to the second floor of the structure and began assisting in search. It was at this time that the fire in the kitchen on the first floor had proven too difficult to control along with the pump operate having difficultly opening the fire hydrant in front of the house to establish a water supply. Due to the issue with the hydrant outside, the pump operator of the engine radioed that crews should back of the structure due to water supply issues.  

At this time, the fire in the kitchen had began to spread rapidly prohibiting the firefighters from the ladder company on the second floor to exit the structure due to heat and fire conditions on the stairs. Three of the firefighters retreated back to the second floor and were able to exit the structure through second floor windows however, Firefighter Jackson was overcome by the conditions inside the structure and was unable to exit.  

Later arriving fire companies were able to establish an alternate water supply and suppress the fire that had spread onto the second floor. It was at this time, where firefighter accessing the second floor over ground ladders found Firefighter Jackson just inside the window and was extricated shortly thereafter. He suffered from critical hand and face burns and was transported to a nearby hospital. 

Firefighter George Jackson remained in a coma until his death on March 7, 2006 at the age of 67.

We remember…

Firefighter George Malcolm Jackson, Ladder 2, Camden Fire Department (NJ)

The After Action Review: Post-Incident Size-Up

The size-up is for all intents and purposes, our game plan or battle plan, if you will, against the structure we are working at. The size-up is where firefighters and fire officers gather information in order to make safe, efficient, and effective fire ground decisions. Fire ground decision making, as we know, is meant to be quick, but with an emphasis on safety and ensuring the tactics are done efficiently and effectively.

One aspect we do not stress enough is the fact we do not consider the culmination of the incident. After fire command is terminated and all units are back in quarters and in service. We must remember the pre-planning is not over just because we cleared the incident and everyone is back in the station and safe. This is where the add-value work is put into place and now it is time for the after-action review or post-incident size-up.

During the after-action review (AAR), firefighters and fire officers can discuss and share information obtained from the alarm and also discuss the success and failures they have experienced during the alarm. This is a time to ask a few question:

• What did we expect to happen?

• What actually occurred?

• What went well and why?

• What can we improve upon and how?

The benefit of asking these questions allow for strengths to be easily identifiable making it easier to uncover areas of weakness. By uncovering areas of weakness, you can develop ways to improve them! If you do not identify what went wrong, how could you ever expect to improve? On the contrary, if you do not understand what went right and why, duplicating that same success in the future will not be easy. Ensure necessary changes discussed in the AAR are implemented sooner than later as the longer it is on hold, the greater the likelihood of any changes being implemented diminish.

The size-up as a whole is a valuable step by step process for all firefighters, to obtain knowledge of their response district, riding assignments, and strategy and tactic implementation. By beginning this process formally or informally early on, it will allow for continual growth for each firefighter and fire officer. The key to success as an individual and team is to get ahead of the game and prevent ourselves from being reactive, rather proactive.

Until next time, work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

The History of the Pike Pole

One of the most versatile tools for firefighters along with its long history in the fire service is the pike pole. Next to the axe, the pike pole is one of the most recognizable tools of the fire service. In fact, this tool was used for thousands of years prior to entering itself into the fire service. This tool has been used in fishing, forestry and construction yet originated in the 12th century in Europe as a weapon for soldiers.

Once adapted into the fire service, the pike pole has been used to pull down interior and exterior walls, ceilings and roofs to help stop fire spread, through various phases of an incident.

During the initial fire attack, firefighters use this tool to tear away structural elements of the building in order to prevent the advancement of fire by exposing hidden fire for suppression and by removing upper windows for ventilation.

The pike pole is also used during the overhaul stage of the incident for the same functions previously mentioned in the initial attack stage allowing firefighters to open up to uncover and extinguish any hidden pockets of fire.

The versatility of this tool is not spoke to as much as it was, thanks to the advancements in modern technology with respect to fire service equipment. For years prior, this tool along with another pike or a tool of similar length and a tarp was used in creating makeshift stretchers to remove injured victims or down firefighters.

A typical pike pole normally measures from 4 feet - often referred to as a closet hook for its ability to be used in closets or other confined spaces where longer pikes wouldn't fit - to 12 feet in length and was traditionally made of hardwood. Today, many of these are made from fiberglass and other composite materials which are lighter and easier to maneuver.

The modern version of the pike poll came to the fire service in the 1960s and 1970s In New York City (the War Years). During this time, FDNY Captain Bob Farrell and the New York City Fire Department's Research & Development Division developed their version of the pike pole, often referred to as the New York Hook. This variant of the pike pole has two hooks at the head as opposed to the traditional one hook to help firefighters pull down metal roofing and drywall. An advantage of this tool is also its ability to remove roof cross-boards from joists by sliding the hook along the joist to quickly pop the boards during ventilation. Another thing to note about the New York Style hook is the flathead at the top as opposed to the point on the traditional pike pole. This function has the ability to use the hook as a hammer and hook combined - sounding floors, roofs and purchase points for opening walls.

New York Style Hook

Around this same time, various other fire specific hooks have been developed such as the Chicago Hook, the Denver hook, the San Francisco Hook and the Boston Rake Hook. All developed to efficiently tear apart the type of building construction most often encountered by firefighters in those areas - mainly plaster and lath or tongue and groove.

Above: Denver Hook, Boston Rake Hook & the San Francisco Hook

Nowadays, apparatus riding assignments are used and the pike pole is often paired with two firefighter riding assignments on the truck company, the hook & can firefighter and the outside vent firefighter. Both firefighters are assigned a 6 foot pike pole (most common size used) along with a water can (hook & can) and a halligan (outside vent).

The pike pole, rich is in storied history as a once weapon used by European soldiers, to its uses in fishing and construction is now a go-to versatile tool for the fire service.

Until next time, work hard stay safe & live inspired.

Attacking and Defeating the Hockey Puck Lock

Being a firefighter, we have various challenged consistently thrown at us and as such it is our job to defeat and overcome them.

As businesses and homeowners look to ramp up their security systems with more cameras around the perimeters and such, it is very common for high security locks to be added to various entrance points of the structure. The mindset is to make the structure as different as possible for criminals to enter and this trickles into making it more difficult for firefighters to make entry should an emergency arise that we need to get to.

When we think about gaining entry to a structure, we know it is something we must train on and something we must be proficient in. So, challenge accepted. Since as firefighters, there is no challenge we cannot overcome - or at least think we cannot overcome. The kitchen table is where we solve all the world's problems.

The challenge of this article is to list out various methods of forcible entry in defeating The American 2000 lock also known as "The Hockey Puck Lock".

This lock is found is a variety of places and sometimes may show up when you least expect it. Typically found on roll up doors on commercial occupancies, these locks can also be found on commercial garage doors, basement doors (Bilco doors) and box trucks.

Due to its round shape, this lock puts the keyway and pin & shackle within the body of the lock itself. By this design, it is created to cause difficulties for criminals to cut the shackle and gain entry.

Here are a few ways to attack and overcome the hockey puck lock

Method #1 - Attack the lock (no guard)

The lock could be attached to some kind of heavy-duty door or gate and quickly being able to identify if there is a guard around the lock or not will determine if you will be attack the lock itself or go through other means. For this method, we will go through the lock itself since there is no guard around the lock.

The quickest and most efficient way in attacking the lock is to use a standard pipe wrench (many truck companies have these in the cab or tool compartment of the rig) and get a solid bite on the lock with the wrench. From there, you simply pry downward with the wrench, breaking the hasp eye.

American 2000 (hockey puck) Lock Hasp

Method #2 - Through the Lock (with guard)

Hockey Puck Lock with Guard

Many of these locks will have a guard around them protecting the lock and therefore preventing the use of a wrench or striking down the lock by other means.

In this case, when faced with a guard around the lock, it is best to cut through the lock itself. For this method, it is best to use a rotary saw equipped with a metal blade.

• Locate the keyway

• Cut about three-quarters up the lock, opposite of the keyway

• Cut completely through the lock and guard

This should damage the hasp and enable the lock to be removed from the door or gate.

For those unfamiliar with this type of lock, it could be a daunting task to complete. However, take time during pre-planning and non-fire incidents in occupancies to locate these types of locks and add them to your pre-incident size-up and practice these methods of entry with the crew. A few minutes breaking locks will save precious minutes on the fire ground figuring out how to get through it.

Until next time - work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) - Know What You're Dealing With

Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) is not a new product and has been installed in natural gas systems for quite some time. Although I have always been familiar with it, I've never specified it on project that I have designed. It's primarily used in residential construction and doesn't suit the commercial projects that I work on. I was not aware of any issues with this tubing from the engineering side and was surprised when I became aware of the hazards associated with CSST from the firefighting side.

Brothers Gone Too Soon

Sadly, I became aware of the issues with CSST following two LODD's. Both tragedies took place in a neighboring state and one of the lives lost was known by firefighters that I know from training and/or social media. If you are not familiar with the circumstances around their final calls, I encourage you to honor their memory by reading the reports and educating yourself. Their stories prompted me to do some research as a designer and as a firefighter. I was quite surprised at what I learned.

For those that are not familiar with CSST, it is a flexible, thin wall tubing used to distribute natural gas or propane typically in residential occupancies. Most people associate CSST with yellow, corrugated tubing because that is probably what is most commonly found. The shape and color of the tubing can vary based on the age of the tubing and whether it is meant for distribution or as an appliance connector. It is preferred because it typically results in less joints that can leak and is easier to install than more traditional steel piping. However, it can be damaged easier and is more susceptible to failure from contact with electricity which is a serious liability to firefighters.

Newer versions have a black coating and are provided with arc shielding. The coating does has a flame and smoke spread rating. Although the newest versions are ANSI and Lighting Code rated, there are concerns that the testing is not sufficient because the tested ratings do not reach a high enough current level to match what is experienced in common lighting strikes. This is what has caused the most recent LODD's.

It does seem to be relatively safe if it’s installed properly, but that's the problem. It's only as good as it was installed and it can be installed by the weekend warrior. There is a difference between distribution tubing and appliance connectors which may not be understood. They are not the same and not meant for the same application. There may be improvements to be made in its construction and some companies are proactive. Gastite has been improving its product over the years to make it safer and even tries to work with the fire service to make a safer product. 

The bottom line is that fire departments need to be educated. CSST is not flawless, but it's critical that the correct material is used and installed correctly. Some of the newer products are better, but still need to be improved. Firefighters need to beware of legacy installations as they will be less safe than newer installations and materials. Home owners should be encouraged to update older systems that aren’t as safe as newer systems. Local authorities having jurisdiction should mandate that installers submit certifications with permits to show that they are qualified to the latest standards and are installing the latest material technologies. Making sure that installations and the materials used are the best possible to ensure firefighter safety is crucial.

Resources

•Lightning Fire Research Google Form

•CSST Info

Be Smart - Stay Safe!

Remembering Lt. Arnie (Arnold) Wolff

On Sunday, August 13, 2006, Lieutenant Arnie Wolff, assigned to the ambulance for the shift responded to a call at 438 Edgewood Drive around 12:30 afternoon. Upon arrival Lt. Wolff and his partner were assigned to assist the first due engine with attaching the 5-inch supply line to the engine for water supply. The engine company they were assisting with the supply line was currently conducting an attack on a suspected basement fire, while the ladder company was performing horizontal ventilation of the structure. The Incident Commander had then requested Lt. Wolff and his partner to conduct a primary search of the residence. With a few steps into the residence at around 12:34 PM, while beginning a lefthanded search, it was quickly noted there was near zero visibility with minimal heat conditions. Due to these conditions, the crew knelt down, sounded the ceramic floor and took one crawling step to advance in. Moments later, a large crack was heard just before the floor gave way, sending both firefighters into the basement.

A second alarm was immediately requested by the IC and rescue efforts began. The firefighter with Lt. Wolff fell into a finished portion of the basement and was assisted through a basement window by fellow firefighters. Lt Wolff fell into a room of the basement that did not have windows and his path to an exit was blocked. Due to the advanced fire conditions after the collapse, firefighters were unable to reach Lt. Wolff. His body was recovered 13 hours into the incident and his cause of death was asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.

An autopsy was later performed and it was found that the carboxyhemoglobin level in Lieutenant Wolff's blood was 49.6 percent. The cause of the fire at the time was undetermined but it was concluded that the fire had been burning for some time in the basement prior to its discovery. The trusses that failed were in the area that was most damaged by fire. It is to be noted, the trusses that failed were TGI trusses, an engineered lumber product.

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Report F2006-26 | NIOSH | CDC

Arnie Wolff joined the Green Bay Fire Department in January 1989 and was currently assigned to Engine 451 at Station 5 and was also a paramedic. He was 5 days from receiving his promotion to lieutenant and was awarded it posthumously. Wolff leaves behind his wife and three children.

We remember…

Lt. Arnie (Arnold) Wolff, 55, Engine 451, Green Bay Fire Department

Electric Vehicle Fire Considerations for Second Due Company Response

Due to the nature and potential duration of a fire involving an electric vehicle, the second due company, whether it be a rescue or squad company play a vital role in the strategies and tactics of fire suppression operations.

Here are a few considerations for second due companies in response to an electric car fire.

• Upon arrival and not completed, establish a delineated Hot Zone and ensure all personnel are in full PPE and donned with their SCBA and on air.

• Consider ventilation. The buildup of vapors from an EV are potentially toxic, flammable and explosive. If deemed safe, the second due engine should consider and attempt to open two doors of the vehicle to allow and prevent buildup of vapors.

• Attempt to shut down the high voltage system of the EV, if it is not already on fire.

• Provide access for the suppression team to the location of the battery in order for water to be applied directly on it. This will help cool the battery and prevent thermal runaway.

• Ways to open the vehicle for access to the battery depending its location

• Remove the doors and rear seat top

• Open and remove the trunk lid

• Tilt the vehicle for access to the floor batteries. Consider using air bags, spreaders and cribbing, a comealong or winch to do so.

The main purpose of the second due company for electric vehicle fires is to provide safety for all personnel on scene and work in obtaining access to the EV battery location to help prevent further thermal runaway. Since cooling these batteries could take up to 30 minutes or more, it is vital there is a dedicated company on scene working to identifying and gaining access to this crucial piece of the vehicle.

Key Terms

High Voltage

For automotive applications, any voltage greater than 30 volts alternating current, or AC, or 60 volts direct current, or DC, is considered to be a high or hazardous voltage due to the potential to produce serious injury or death due to electric shock. Electric drive systems on commercial vehicles can operate at voltages as high as 800 volts, both AC and DC, and can produce peak currents as high as 100 amps, which make contact with high voltage components even more dangerous.

High Voltage Cables

Visible orange cables are another indication that a vehicle has a high voltage system. That is because there is a voluntary Society of Automotive Engineers, or SAE, recommended practice that specifies that all high voltage cables have an orange outer covering. While voluntary, this practice has been adopted by virtually all manufacturers.

Until next time, work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

The Benefits of Electrolytes and Why Firefighters Should Drink Them

Hydration is an essential factor for firefighters all around. According to research, hydration is vital for overall health and wellness and your performance, along with recovery. The human body is made up of 66 to 70 percent water; through sweat, breathing, and bodily waste, it will lose around 35 to 90 ounces of water. During normal physical activity, however, the body could lose an additional 8 to 16 ounces of water. Firefighters, on the other hand, lose approximately 50 to 70 ounces of water in only 30 to 45 minutes during firefighting activity, five times higher than normal physical activity. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women. These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages, and food. About 20 percent of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks.

With all of this being said, is this enough for firefighters when performing high intensity work in full PPE in training and on the fire ground?

Let's take a look at the benefits and needs of incorporating electrolytes into your hydration especially when you're on shift at the firehouse.

Our bodies lose electrolytes through sweat, those of which cannot be replenished by water. Yes, you may feel better after a nice bottle of water however you may not be fully recovered due to the loss of important nutrients found in electrolytes.

But what makes electrolytes so essential, you ask? Let's find out.

For starters, electrolytes are essential minerals found in food and fluids, with a few of them being produced by our bodies naturally. Our bodies are designed to dissolve these minerals through blood, sweat and urine turning them into positive or negative charged ions which are vital for us to carry out normal body processes. Of these processes would be regulating our pH levels, maintaining fluid balances, contracting muscles, and conducting nerve impulses that allow your cells to communicate.

There are seven common electrolytes are four essential electrolytes are bodies need in order to function properly.

Seven common electrolytes

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Chloride

• Magnesium

• Bicarbonate

• Calcium

• Phosphate

Four essential electrolytes

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Chloride

• Magnesium

The four essential electrolytes all play a role in proper body functioning from healthy digestion to regulating blood pressure and while they contribute to the same processes in the body function, all have unique properties that play a role in this process.

So, before we can discuss why these four are consider essential, we must first understand what these four are.

Sodium

Sodium play a pivotal role in maintaining the bodies extracellular fluid (ECF) volume and regulating blood pressure. Across our cellular membranes, sodium influences the water movement around these membranes and when the sodium levels change as does our osmotic pressures. This pressure can be thought of as the pressure that would be required to stop water from diffusing through a barrier of osmosis. Basically stating, it is how hard the water will "push" to get through the barrier in order to diffuse to the other side. In other words, "where sodium goes, water flows".

These changes induced by sodium will affect how water moves intra and extracellular compartments, like blood. Therefore resulting in an increase or decrease in plasma volume (part of ECF) and blood volume which can raise or lower blood pressure.

Potassium

Potassium is the partner to the electrolyte mentioned above, sodium. These two work together to maintain fluid volume in and out of your cells. As sodium is found in the extracellular fluid, potassium is found mostly in the intracellular fluid and is one of the most abundant mineral in our body.

The concentration of potassium in the ICF is around 30 times higher than outside your cell forming an electrochemical gradient for potassium and its partner sodium to work together to maintain. The electrochemical gradient is responsible for muscle contractions.

Without the proper levels of potassium in our body, our muscles produce weaker contractions along with possible muscle fatigue or severe muscle cramps.

Magnesium

Every cell in our body has the electrolyte magnesium. In fact, nearly 60% of it lives in our bones, with the rest found in fluids, tissues, and muscles. The importance of magnesium is that it is a help molecule that contributes to over 400 enzymatic reactions throughout our body, such as:

• Converting food into energy

• Regulating muscle and nerve functions

• Contracting muscles

• Regulating blood pressure and blood sugar

• Building proteins

The functions of magnesium may seem repetitive to sodium and potassium but it is important to note, many of the electrolytes will work together to ensure the body is running how it should.

One of the main functions of these electrolytes working together is producing and metabolizing adenosine triphosphate, otherwise known as ATP - the body's primary energy source.

Chloride

Chloride is a negatively charged ion found in both intra cellular (ICF) and extracellular fluids (ECF). It is the second most abundant mineral found in the body. The function of chloride in the body is maintaining acid-base balance also known as  pH balance, aiding in digestion and aiding in water movement between fluid compartments in the body.

Chloride plays a pivotal role in proper digestion. It is a component to stomach acid, also known as hydrochloric acid (HCI). HCI jumpstarts our digestive process by activating gastric enzymes.

Now that we in short, covered the four essential electrolytes. We need to know WHY they are essential.

In the simplest terms, they keep your body in balance - in homeostasis. By having balanced electrolytes, it will help with chemical reactions and maintaining proper hydration along with intracellular and extracellular fluids that protect our cellular function. By keeping these electrolytes in balance we are also doing the following:

• Keeping pH levels balanced

• Transporting nutrients into our cells

• Removing waste from our cells

• Supporting muscle function

• Supporting nervous system function

• Regulating blood pressure

Electrolytes are essential for optimal body functioning and why maintain proper hydration prior to and after training and work on the fire ground. To reestablish a healthy balance in the body, it is important to replenish the nutrient that is lost though our sweat and bodily fluids on the job.

In order to work and perform at your optimal level, it is essential to keep electrolytes in your carry bag when on shift. A dehydrated firefighter is a unless firefighter. 

Until next time, work hard, stay safe & live inspired

Remembering Lieutenant Nathan Flynn

In the early morning of July 23, 2018, at approximately 0200hours, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services was dispatched to lightning-caused structure fire in a single-family residence in Clarksville, Maryland.  

Shortly after arriving on scene, Lieutenant Nathan Flynn and his crew were advancing a hose line into the structure when the floor collapsed.  A Mayday was initiated around 0220hours by Lt. Flynn and another member of the crew. All of the crew members were rescued after about 20 minutes in burning basement at approximately 0245hours. 

Lt. Flynn was transported to the hospital but did not survive his injuries.  The cause of death was multiple injuries. 

He was the first line of duty death in the history of Howard County. 

Incident Location: 7000 Block of Woodscape Road, Clarksville, MD (U.S. National Grid: U.S. National Grid: 18S UJ 34363 39282 (DD: 39.187, -76.918)) 

Lessons Learned as per NIOSH 

• Fire departments should ensure that crew integrity is properly maintained by visual (eye-to-eye), direct (touch), or verbal (voice or radio) contact at all times when operating in an immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) atmosphere. The intent is to prevent firefighters from becoming lost or missing

• Fire departments should ensure incident commanders conduct a detailed scene size-up and risk assessment during initial fireground operations and throughout the incident including Side Charlie

• Fire departments should develop and implement a standard operating procedure/guideline (SOP/SOG) to identify below-grade fires and ensure that appropriate tactical operations are implemented

• Fire departments should ensure that a deployment strategy for low-frequency/high-risk incidents is developed and implemented for large area residential structures with unique architectural features

• Fire departments should ensure that incident commanders develop an incident action plan (IAP) that matches conditions encountered during initial operations and throughout the incident

• Fire departments should ensure that critical incident benchmarks and fire conditions are communicated to incident commanders throughout the incident. This is accomplished with effective fireground communications

• Fire departments should have a procedure to ensure all members operating in the hazard zone have their radios on the designated radio channel

• Fire departments should ensure all members and dispatchers are trained on the safety features of their portable radio, particularly the features useful during a Mayday

• Fire departments should develop a process to prevent task saturation of incident commanders during multi-alarm incidents

• Fire departments should ensure that the member assigned to the resource status and situation status function is not given other duties during an incident

• Fire departments should develop a formal training program that defines the job duties and functions for staff aides, incident command technicians, or staff assistants

• Fire departments should ensure incident commanders maintain control of situation status, resources status, and communications to ensure the completion of tactical objectives

• Fire departments should incorporate the principles of Command Safety into the incident management system during the initial assumption of command. This ensures that strategic-level safety responsibilities are being incorporated into the command functions throughout the incident

• Fire departments should review and/or develop SOG/SOPs to ensure that water supply is established during initial fireground operations, particularly in areas with limited or no hydrants

• Fire departments should ensure adequate staffing and deployment of resources based on the community’s risk assessment

• Fire department should periodically review and, if necessary, revise their SOP/SOG on the deployment of rapid intervention crews (RICs)

• Fire departments should use resources from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), and the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) to develop and revise operational procedures on fireground tactics and provide training in fire dynamics in structures for all firefighting staff

• Fire departments should consider having all members carry a wire cutting tool  

We remember… 

Lieutenant Nathan "Nate" Flynn, 34, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services

Electric Vehicle Fire Considerations for the First Due Engine Company

Automotive technological advancements have evolved drastically over the years. Modern amenities of connectivity are found is every new car being brought onto the market today. Social media apps, real time traffic and weather updates to cameras not just for backing up but also for covering multiple blind spot areas of the car. Although the biggest advancement and great challenge for firefighters is in the invention of electric vehicles (EV).

Firefighters must be aware of the dangers of these vehicles and have steps in place when responding to vehicle fires involving electric vehicles. For purposes of this article, we are going to outline steps to take when responding to an electric vehicle fire as the first arriving engine company.

Secure a Water Supply

As any well-trained engine company, the first thing that must happen is to secure a water supply immediately upon arrival. This is a crucial step in a meaningful knock on the fire. When compared to an internal combustion vehicle (gas fueled), an electric vehicle can take up to ten times the amount of water to cool or extinguish.

Let's think about this. An internal combustion vehicle would normally take 500-1000 gallons of water to cool or extinguish while an EV would take a minimum of 10,0000 gallons of water alone to extinguish or cool the battery. Reports have shown that it has taken 30,000 - 40,000 gallons of water to do such fire suppression on EVs. 

Up to 150 000 liters of water needed to put out a fire in an electric car | CTIF - International Association of Fire Services for Safer Citizens through Skilled Firefighters

Once a water supply is established, the next best option is to treat this like a motor vehicle extrication and if possible, stabilize the car and initiate any victim removes if required. The silent movement of these vehicles could cause them to roll and cause for other hazards putting firefighters at higher risks of injuries from the moving vehicle.

Handline Selection

Due to the naturae of these vehicles and the amount of water needed to either cool or extinguish the fire, it is best to either stretch a 2 1/2-inch handline or if staffing permits, pull multiple 1 3/4-inch handlines. As suppression team(s) approach the  vehicle, it is important to utilize the reach of the straight stream of the nozzle and to take note of the reaction the vehicle is having with the water. The initial application of water may cause a flare up of fire due to the combustibles within the EV.

Locate the Battery

Upon extinguishment of the main body of fire, it is imperative that firefighters quickly locate and identify the location of the battery, and this is important for monitoring signs of thermal runaway using a thermal imaging camera (TIC), including: 

• Identify the heat signature present

• Vapors escaping from the battery pack

• Listen for popping sounds from the battery pack

• Locating visible fire around the battery pack 

*Note, the thermal runaway temperature for lithium-ion batteries is approximately 176 degrees Fahrenheit or 80 degrees Celsius. Beyond this, the risk of chemical reactions leading to thermal runaway increases drastically. The maximum temperature during thermal runaway can reach greater than 300 degrees Celsius or 572 degrees Fahrenheit.

If any of these signs are identified, the battery pack should begin to be cooled and performed in such manner: 

• The stream from the hose line should be directed to one area on the battery pack and applied for 3 to 5 minutes

• After the 3 to 5 minutes, firefighters should assess the battery again for thermal runaway and the items listed above.

• Should the signs of thermal runaway still be presentable or have seemed to be found on a new area of the battery, the stream should be again applied for another 3 to 5 minutes, followed by another assessment of the battery pack.

• This process should be repeated until the pack is no longer showing any elevated temperatures.

Monitor the Battery 

After fire suppression team(s) have cooled the or extinguished the battery and all hot spots on the battery have cooled, it is best for an engine company to remain in place with an established water supply still in place for at least 30 minutes before the EV is moved from the hot zone.

Key definitions to take note of:

Thermal Runaway

Thermal runaway occurs when a lithium-ion battery becomes overheated and is often triggered by overcharging, a short circuit or other cell stress. A chain reaction in the cell that generates gas is triggered by excess heat. This can spread to the rest of the battery pack if not mitigated, which can cause other cells to overheat and then decompose. The runaway causes the release of flammable gasses as it takes hold and the battery cells break down. 

Lithium-ion Battery

A lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is an advanced battery technology that uses lithium ions as a key component of its electrochemistry. During a discharge cycle, lithium atoms in the anode are ionized and separated from their electrons. The lithium-ions move from the anode and pass through the electrolyte until they reach the cathode, where they recombine with their electrons and electrically neutralize.

 As the fire service studies and investigates the complexity of electric vehicles fires, it is imperative that we continue to remain diligent when responding to EV fires and keeping up with the everlasting changes of how to approach and attack fires involving electric vehicles.

Until next time - work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

EV Rescue

https://autorescueapp.com/index.html

NFPA

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/emergency-response/emergency-response-guides#aq=%40culture%3D%22en%22&cq=%40taglistingpage%3D%3D(%22EV%20Guides%22)%20%20&numberOfResults=12&sortCriteria=%40title%20ascending

When to Detach from the Plan

In theory, our strategies and tactics for our incident action plan are developed based on our 360-degree size-up. In reality, our strategies and tactics of our incident action plan are developed based on many variables - the pre-incident size-up, the alarm size-up, the on-scene size-up and the post-incident (after action review) size-up. All these variables are covered in chapter 3 of my book, "The 5-Tool Firefighter" in greater detail. For purposes of this article, I am highlighting them for other purposes.

The pre-incident size-up

 The pre-incident size-up is the first and best place to begin putting our IAP together by collecting as much important and relevant information of the structure as we possibly can and therefore beginning to build our "gameplans" and try them out in training. During this size-up, we can locate and note the following:

1. Construction type

2. Interior space size

3. Containment areas

4. Stairwells and elevators

5. FDC hookups

6. Solar Panels

Note: variables change based on the type of construction and type of occupancy you are pre-planning. These six items are only a sample of what we could look to identify during a pre-planning.

The alarm size-up

During the alarm size-up this is where firefighters and fire officers should start considering the variables taken during the pre-incident size-up. On the way to the alarm, things to look into are as follows:

1. Location of the structure

2. Type of occupancy

3. Current apparatus staffing

4. Weather conditions and time of day (loosely)

5. Apparatus placement (think water supply/aerial operations)

These areas will lead into building the strategies and tactics for our IAP for this particular alarm. Now comes the on-scene.

The on-scene size-up

This is where the pre-planning and alarm size-ups are put to work. All our work identifying key areas of consideration and training are now put to the test. In reality, it is where we are provided with much more information specific to the alarm, confirming our variables during the alarm size-up, such as building construction, type of occupancy and location.

 Here is where more in-depth size-ups will take place not only at the command level but at each company level. Firefighters of truck and engine companies will now begin going inside the structure and taking note of the area under a different light and different conditions and relaying their findings back to the incident commander. This information being done at the company level will now allow the IC (incident commander) to make fire ground decisions that’s are prioritized for a safe and efficient outcome. This process continues until command is terminated.

Post-incident size-up

Once we've returned to the station and cleared up, it is imperative that we begin to discuss what went right and wrong on the incident, no matter the severity of the incident. This helps firefighter and fire officers strive to improve on their strengths and weaknesses of their job and strive to be as successful as possible.

Things to consider:

1. What did we expect to happen?

2. What actually happened?

3. What went well and why?

4. What can we improve upon and how? 

Looking at these four areas of size-up, we need to understand one thing. Our incident action plan that is designed to assist is can also hurt us. Well, how is that possible? We have pre-planned, sized-up on alarms, trained on scenarios for this type of occupancy, we did everything? What would hurt us?

What could hurt us is by sticking to the script of the IAP. What do I mean by that? Unforeseen circumstances and confirmation bias.

The outcome of the incident is initiated in our thought process before we develop any strategies or tactics of the incident. In order to develop strategies and tactics we first must identify our outcome. Makes total sense right? We cannot plan for an outcome we do not have in mind.

Our confirmation bias also agrees but here is the caveat. We cannot identify areas of concern if we simply go off an incident action plan without detaching ourselves from the plan for a moment. Meaning, we use our IAP as a guide but also take the time to look around for key areas that we are predisposed to instantly ignore.

Here is an example. 

We prepare our alarm size-up and look at the time of day. For example, Engine 2 is responding to a fire alarm activation at 234 Sesame Street on a Tuesday at roughly 1400 hours. It is a 2-story residential wood frame structure and normally at this time the family is either working and/or at school. 

Initially we are thinking this could be a faulty smoke detector activation or maybe someone is home and it's burnt food on the stove. However, upon arrival we see no signs of "life" at the residence. There are no cars in the driveway or at the curb and no homeowner waiting for us. Right here, our confirmation has proven correct. No one is home and a faulty detector went off. 

We immediately considered that because of the time of day with no activity at home upon arrival and the lack of cars visible to us, it must appear no one is home. 

Now let's detach from that mindset for a moment. 

We automatically assumed based on the time of day and day of week no one would be home however, that simply cannot be the case. To overcome confirmation bias, we need to loosely take time of day into account and assume every response has occupants on scene. Having a rough idea of who might be home is good to have but it cannot be written in stone and here's why. 

A residential structure could with an attached or detached garage could have the homeowner’s car parked inside (off-day or working from home) or the car could be for all intents and purposes, at a shop getting work done.  

To go further into the example here is more details. The engine company officer decides to DETACH from the initial mindset and dispatch and peak around the exterior of the structure that has a 6-foot privacy fence around the side yard and into the backyard and notices black smoke coming from the basement windows on the "C" side (Charlie side ) of the structure after entering through the fence gate. 

We've identified two areas of concern here. One, we disregarded the confirmation bias of time of day that the potential of no one is home and we identified an unforeseen circumstance based on the initial dispatch of the alarm.  

By detaching from the plan for a moment and taking a step back to question and prove out your initial mindset can oftentimes be the difference between a reactive approach or a proactive approach. The IAP is a great tool to have although we must ensure we are always critically thinking on scene and not simply going through the motions.

Until next time - work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Remembering the Southwest Inn Motel Fire - Houston, TX

May 31, 2013 was the deadliest day in the history of Houston Fire Department. The Southwest Inn fire killed four Houston Fire Department members, injured many others with one additional firefighter who lost his life due to his injuries a few years later.

The Structure

The Southwest Inn Motel which was a well-known motel for many decades in the Houston area was located at 6855 Southwest Freeway in Houston, Texas. The property included the motel itself, with restaurant and bar spanning over 26,000 square feet. The layout consisted of the restaurant and bar being a single-story structure that was interconnected to the two-story structure that housed the motel's lobby, offices, banquet halls and meeting rooms. In addition to this facility, the property also housed seven individual two-story buildings of motel guest rooms, none of which were connected to the main interconnected building where the fire took place.

The motel was constructed of primarily wood-frame construction consisting of lightweight construction materials such as lightweight truss and combustible roof decking. The building did not contain a fire sprinkler or automatic fire alarm system. The one notable characteristic of this structure was the extruded concrete interlocking roof tiles over asphalt shingles used for the front-facing slopes over the banquet and restaurant areas.

The Incident

At 12:07PM, the Houston Fire Department was dispatched to the Southwest Inn for a reported fire. Engine 51 was located less than a mile from the motel and responded moments after the initial dispatch.

During their response in, Engine 51 (E51) officer reported heavy smoke visible and from there an immediate request by the Office of Emergency Communication to dispatch a working fire. Additional units reported dark grey and brown smoke coming from the structure will enroute to the scene.

Three and half minutes later upon arrival, E51 reported heavy smoke showing from the attic of the restaurant and will begin an offensive fire attack with a 2 1/2-inch line. This line was the rear preconnect from E51.

The district chief (D68) arrived on scene moments later and established command. The IC's first order was E51 evacuate the building because the operate of E51 advised the engine was down to a quarter tank of later. Engine 68 then arrived on scene and laid two 4-inch supply lines from E51 to a hydrant east of the structure and E51 from there was able to establish a water supply. E51's crew was then able to re-enter the structure with the back-up crew coming from E68 with another 2 1/2-inch line.

A fourth due engine company - Engine 82 was on scene advancing an 1 3/4-inch hoseline to the front door that was also entered by E51 when the roof collapsed occurred.

Within 12 minutes of Engine 51 (e51) arriving on scene and 15 and a half minutes of the initial dispatch the roof of the restaurant had collapsed. The captain of Engine 51 was at the front door during the collapse and pushed out of the building. The captain of Engine 82 called a "Mayday" and rapid intervention crew operations were initiated by Engine 60.

Due to the initial collapse of the roof and during the RIC operations taking place, a secondary wall collapsed occurred injuring several firefighter of the RIC team. The crew continued their efforts in located and removing the trapped firefighters. The captain of E68 was located and removed from the structure and transported to a local hospital. The engineer of E51 was removed from the structure as well however later died at a local hospital.

The search continued on for the captain of E51 and two remaining firefighters from E68. Approximately two hours had passed after the initial roof collapse and the body of the captain from E51 was located. The captain was found on top of the restaurant roof debris and the two missing firefighters from E68 were discovered underneath the debris. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

Factors

• Unreported fire burning for 3 hours

• Delay in notifying the fire department

• Building construction

• Wind driven fire

• Scene size-up

• Accountability

• Fireground communications

• Lack of fire sprinkler system

Key Recommendations

• Based upon fire department procedures, the strategy and tactics for an occupancy should be defined by the organization for fire-fighting operations. The Incident Commander should ensure that the strategy and tactics match the conditions encountered during initial operations and throughout the incident

• Fire departments should review and update standard operating procedures on wind-driven fires which are incorporated into fireground tactics

• Fire departments should integrate current fire behavior research findings developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Underwriter’s Laboratories (U.L.) into operational procedures by developing standard operating procedures, conducting live fire training, and revising fireground tactics

We Remember…

Captain Matthew Renaud, 35, Engine 51

Engineer Operator Robert Bebee, 41, Engine 58

Firefighter Robert Garner, 29, Engine 68

Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, 24 Engine 68

Captain William "Iron Bill" Dowling, Engine 68, retired after the incident and passed away on March 7, 2017 due to injuries sustained from the incident.