maisela

Extra Man on Truck

Seth, Count me in for 4

Forks Township (PA) did 564 calls (give or take). Up from 491 in 2006 and the first time over 500 calls.

While we don't have a physical ability testing for entry level firefighters, here in PA we issue skills certification cards to firefighters every year. There is one card for interior firefighter qualification (black stripe) and one for vehicle rescue (blue stripe). Each card contains roughly 20 skills that need to be signed off by an officer before the end of the year or the firefighter's qualifications are revoked. Firefighters are expected to demostrate skills either at drills or calls and are only signed off by their direct supervisors. Additionally, for both black and blue stripes there are required prerequisite courses: PA Firefighter 1 (or equivalent) and PA DOH Vehicle Rescue Technician (or equivalent). The system has its fair share of drawbacks. One of those is little accountability for the line officers, who are also issued cards. The other is that the system is casually enforced and most skills evaluations are crammed into a drill night towards the end of the year. I am a firm believer in physical ability standards and testing for volunteers. Unfortunately, most chief and line officers are elected and are afraid of taking on such a cause for fear of losing votes from the less progressive types. Kudos to anyone with the guts to take on a predominantly unpopular yet extremely essential program.

Always in my POV. Within the past few months, I've been making a conscious effort to wear my seatbelt in the rigs at all times. With our new apparatus, easy access to seatbelts makes life easy. On our older trucks, however, it's easier said than done. Our out-of-town engine has seatbelts that can barely be accessed once in SCBA and our recently required spare engine has one working seatbelt in the crew area. These are things I mentioned to my Chief and Fire Captain and is something I think will be addressed. I've noticed that anytime we roll to a confirmed dwelling or structure fire, the seatbelts are the first thing guys forget about. I think we all need to take a deep breath (including myself) and realize that buckling up doesn't cause for lost time on the fireground. On a more positive note, I've seen that just the mere act of putting my own seatbelt on has caused other guys in the cab to do the same. It's really not just the driver and officer's responsibility, it's everyone's.

We try to offer two drills a month (typically one fire and one vehicle rescue) and optional Saturday drills. When it gets too cold to play outside, indoor walkthroughs are great, especially for jurisdictions with large businesses and industries. From pre-planning businesses, I've found quite a few are more than happy to host a walkthrough of their facility. Search drills are great, especially if you have an acquired structure. I proctored a drill with some of our juniors and probationary firefighters focusing on primary search and used it to set benchmark times for use in later drills. Life-sized baby dolls are a good investment for such drills and they're cheaper than Rescue Randy.

I used to use Shelby's structural glove for firefighting but picked up a pair of Fireman's Shield three weeks ago because the dexterity was much better. As for extrication, my first pair of Ringers didn't hold up well (seams came apart) so I went to Shelby.

Here in PA, we have two Panasonic Toughbooks; one on our first-due engine and one soon to be mounted in our out-of-town engine. We used RAM Toughdocks for the mounts. They also charge the laptop as well. As for data, our chief has designed incident management software tailored specifically for our department. It allows us to keep track of personnel, apparatus, assigned tasks, PAR, etc. The software time-stamps everything and the report can be printed out when the incident is closed. We also have a wireless network set up in the bays. When a call is dispatched, County sends out an email with the address and incident description. It gets sent to our server and the address is plugged into Google Maps. When guys arrive at station, map directions are up on a wall mounted computer and the apparatus laptops. We also have the DOT guidebook, building preplans and CAMEO/MARPLOT/ALOHA on the computers as well.

Here in PA, I joined my department's vehicle extrication team. We have competed twice this year and will be going to Nationals in two weeks. I was wondering if there are any extrication competition teams in Westchester County or if anyone has given thought to forming one (single department or regional) or hosting an event. I know that upstate there are a few (Chili, Brighton) as well as some from Long Island. Personally, I think these competitions are a great training resource and would love to see some events in Weschester County in the near future.

Generally, I think that extrication competitions reinforce objectives we strive to complete at real-world extrication scenes: rapid patient contact (without putting first responders or the patient at risk), thorough stabilization and mitigation of hazards, a large path of egress and a rapid extrication time (without compromising the condition of the patient or the safety of first responders and the public).

A full structural response to an AFA may or may not be necessary, but certain conditions may warrant it. I understand the increased risk with putting additional apparatus on the road responding lights and sirens. One idea that's been tossed around my department is a hot/ cold response. The first out apparatus will respond lights and sirens, while second and third due pieces respond either at a reduced speed or non-emergency. With a 12+ square mile district operating out of one station, having the ladder and second engine halfway to the scene is great, espcecially if updates confirm something more dire than an AFA.

I can understand where some people see the unrealistic side of extrication competitions. At York, PA and Tri-County, NJ (the last two competitions I've attended), there were some scenarios that tended to be on the unrealistic side. However, to completely dismiss these competitions is ridiculous. I'm sure most people on this forum have pulled up on wrecks where you can do nothing but scratch your head and say "How the f%@# did that happen?! Being exposed to incidents that are outside the realm of "run of the mill," especially in a training environment such as extrication competitions allows you to prepare for the unexpected. We're all familiar with Murphy's Law. My thought is that if an extrication scenario can be imagined, chances are it has occurred in real world ops or will happen. I know some teams get rubbed the wrong way and think that the judges have unrealistic sets of standards (some of them do) but at the end of the day the benefits of these competitions from a training perspective outweigh the negatives.

I think AFAs tend to get a mixed response from people in the fire service. They tend to become real nuisance alarms (especially "repeat offenders"). I have been to automatic alarms that have turned into confirmed structure fires, so personally I try not to become complacent or take these calls lightly. What kills me is hearing from some fellow firefighters that they choose not to respond to the BS calls (including fire alarms). My personal opinion is that all automatic fire alarms should receive at least a one engine/one ladder response (two engines for departments without aerials) and perhaps more apparatus depending on the circumstances (limited water source, high occupancy, etc.) Apparatus can always be cancelled based on updates or confirmation from chief officers on scene.

Typically, what's done in competition reflects real world operations. However, their are some things that are done for show. Our team has a team member proficient in the air chisel, though we hardly use it on rescue scenes because not many of our guys are as comfortable with it as she is. I guess the best way to compare it would be to the Firefighter Combat Challenge. Though the stations mimic real-world skills, it's a competition environment, though extrication competitions seem to mimic real world scenarios more often than not. As for expediting the time between setup and competition, the events I've been to typically do 2 pits: Limited and Unlimited. The Limited allows you an air chisel, two Sawz-Alls (one battery, one corded) and one Port-A-Power type tool. The Unlimited includes all that's in the Limited plus a full set of hydraulic tools (manfacturer chosen by each respective team). Usually one pit is prepped immediately after the last team is finished in the other pit. There's only about 20 minutes of down-time.

My NY department typically runs 1-2 engines for vehicle fires, 2 engines and the ladder for MVF with exposure. As for PA, the rescue rolls out first (onboard pump, 500 gallon tank), typically followed by an engine with Class B foam. Personally, I like the rescue running vehicle fires in case it the call requires some sort of extrication. I agree with having more than one apparatus respond, especially on highways. You can always cancel them.

als: I think witnessing the good, bad and the ugly is what makes it a great training resource. Seeing new concepts and tactics is as educational as seeing what not to do? It's not very often that we as firefighters have the chance to watch someone else's incident from start to finish and critique it in an open forum. It's also not very often that we're able to try out new techniques in a (relatively) safe environment without putting patients at risk. Granted, there are many things that are done in rescue competitions that are not meant for real world ops. I do, however think the benefits outweigh the negatives. The competitions that I've attended focused their judging heavily on the IC's plan of action, vehicle stabilization and patient contact. Having the opportunity to try out new extrication tools is also another added perk.

It's the Pontiac Aztek of fire apparatus

On the subject of Google Maps, my department's MDT software plots directions to calls using it. The software takes the address given on the I-page and plots directions from the firehouse accordingly. Last week, however, it decided to direct our units to swim 3,600 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to somewhere in France. Gotta love modern technology.

Most of us on the board understand how firefighting is a calling; it's something that many of us have the utmost dedication to. Looking down the road, I can certainly see how rough it would be if someone told me I'm too old to continue being a firefighter. I think that each individual needs to be evaluated on a case by case basis. That being said, there should be an maximum age for volunteer firefighters. We make decisions in the fire service on our feet. An emergency scene is a very stressful environment, not just for the guys on the line or on the roof but the pump operators and fire police. The last two roles, which in many departments are seen as "retirement" positions, in some cases demand as much focus and quick-thinking as the guy on the knob. Putting older firefighters in those positions, with their judgment and response lessened by age could be a liability. Again, I'm not saying that every 60+ firefighter in the fire service is a liability. On the contrary, the vast experience that many of these "old timers" have can be put to excellent use as safety officers and instructors. As many on this topic have said we should be assessing whether we are help or a liability. This should be done for firefighters regardless of age. How about enacting minimal national standards for physical and age requirements for both career and volunteer firefighters?

One door chock, four sprinkler chocks and a pair of trauma shears.

Date: 2/20/07 Time: 00:59 Location: 19 Byron Lane Frequency: 33.96, 46.26 Units Operating: TMFD E51, E37, L19, R6, Cars 2231, 2232, 2223, LFD R1 (FAST), Car 2222, VMFD L20, LVAC Description Of Incident: Fire in the basement with extension to the upper floors of a 1.5-story ranch frame P/D. Writer: maisela 0105hrs- Original dispatch for a possible structure fire at 17 Byron Place. TMFD units redircted to Byron Lane. Car 2232 on location at 19 Byron with smoke showing, re-dispatched as a confirmed working fire shortly thereafter. 0110hrs- M/A Engine to standby. Mamaroneck Village L-20 to standby in quarters. Larchmont R-1 to scene. 0130- Car 2231 reporting fire in the basement, multiple handlines stretched with first floor collapse, requesting second ladder to the scene. 0137- Command requesting C&O Zone 2 and ConEd Gas/Electric to scene 0138- Mamaroneck Village L-20 to scene. Mamaroneck Village L-21 crew to standby in quarters.

Do I believe that FF1 is sufficient for interior structural firefighting? Absolutely not. Having taken the old Basic Firefighter course and the current NYS FF1, I have to say that some progress has been made. When I took Basic, it was all that was required to be an interior firefighter (at least in my department). At no point did we have any live burn evolutions. The FF1 course has certainly helped; combining Basic and Intermediate together with CFA, Hazmat Ops, etc. But it’s still not sufficient training. As alsfirefighter pointed out, the course is designed to give trainees the essentials to operate under direct supervision. Unfortunately, there have and will be calls when those experienced enough to supervise are few in number or not available at all. The potential for having an initial manpower pool with one company officer and five firefighters with only FF1 is there. Interior firefighters should be able to operate without direct supervision. So I would have to add FF2 to being a basic requirement for interior firefighting. As it stands now, when determining what is enough for an interior qualified firefighter, the burden is currently on the standards of each individual fire department. My department at school has found a good system for doing this. Firefighters are required to go through the State’s Essentials course (about 120 hours). After that, they are considered probationary firefighters. Each firefighter is given a laminated 3” by 5” card with twenty skills on it including nozzleman, backup FF, forcible entry, ladders, hydrants, knots, etc. If the skills are performed to the satisfaction of an officer, the officer will sign them off for that particular skill. Once the card is full and the officers give their approval, the firefighter is given a black stripe indicating he or she is now an interior qualified firefighter. The catch is ALL firefighters and officers (including chiefs) are given a new card each year and are expected to have it completed by the year’s end. Otherwise, their interior status is revoked. We also use a similar system for qualifying personnel for vehicle rescue. On a side note, I think an important component that FF1 is lacking is a unit on “routine” emergencies. Certain instructors have recommended books like Montagna’s but I think it should be part of the curriculum or even a separate class. We’re more likely to respond to CO alarms, wire and transformer fires, utility emergencies, water conditions and the like but FF1 barely touches on these subjects.

While I agree that firefighters should be doing most of their gearing up prior to arrival on scene, I've seen this taken to an extreme. Several times riding to a call, I've noticed some firefighters will mask up before the apparatus arrives on scene. Personally, I think that this is a problem because it does not allow the firefighter to perform his own size-up/ 360 of the incident. I can only assume that people who do this put a great deal of faith in their officer. However, an officer is only as good as his crew and will frequently rely on his team to provide additional size-up information that may have been overlooked.

First off, I think that despite the controversy and frustration threads like these stir up, it's an important one to discuss. To all who have posted, it is nice to see a progressive and tolerant mindset. I am certain that attitudes like those expressed here on EMTBravo will help have a positive effect on the career/volunteer situation as a whole. In particular, I hope the youth among us (myself included) can benefit from what is being said. I have only been in the fire service for 6 years, but being in two departments in different states I have seen that the "bad blood" between career and volunteer firefighters is somewhat blown out of proportion. What I mean by that is most of the nasty accusations and rumors traded across both sides of the aisle are generalized and false. Not all "paid guys" are evil and anti-volunteer. Not all volunteers are undertrained and drunk. Yet these stereotypes still persist. Part of this, like many of you have said, seems to come from the double standard that is held with regards to training hours, etc. I agree that it has to be rectified. But I also think that career and volunteer departments need to step up to the plate and start to foster the idea that we are doing the SAME JOB. There are plenty of departments in Westchester that refuse to call their neighbors for mutual aid simply because they are career or volunteer (or some petty grudge is held between the two). In my opinion, this is the stupidest decision a department can make. I want to see a world where career departments are holding regularly scheduled drills with volunteer ones. We've created a sense of community between the two camps here on EMTBravo. It's time we get it done in the real world. <Steps off soapbox>

I happened to catch a showing of it while home for Thanksgiving and I have to agree that it was a real eye-opener. It really does make you think, all conspiracy theories aside, that the means exist for ballot tampering. It wouldn't be the first time elections have been tampered with. Maybe someone with more knowledge on American history can help me out but I'm pretty sure there were some election abuses in the decades following the Civil War.