Firefighter Survival Training Drill-Lessons Learned

[Remember585 815]

This past Monday night, my Department conducted a "Firefighter Survival" training session. We set up four different stations for the members to complete. It was a simple drill that can be done almost anywhere, so I thought I would share it with all of you in case you might want to try it.

1. Hose line follow. At this station we made the members don full gear and scba w/ blacked out masks. We put them in a random spot, and had them find the line, and find their way out. The one thing we made sure of is that they could feel the coupliong in their gloved hands and figure out which way to go. The line was 150'.

2. SCBA refresher. This station put the members through the reduced-profile and quick-release manuvers. This too was done in full gear.

3. Mayday procedures. The firefighters again were put in full gear, SCBA and black masks. We took them through the building (3 story commercial - old psych hospital) and put them "down" at a random location. We then made them transmit a "mayday" over the radio. We made the members manually activate their PASS, bang their tools, and describe to the best of their ability their last known location & assignment, as well as their surroundings. The key to this station was to stress the importance of staying calm and managing their air supply.

4. Window eascape. This station was the toughest. We had the firefighters make a head-first retreat to an awaiting ground ladder, where they had to pivot themselves and lower themselves to the ground. This prop is already built at the Montrose VA (where we were). A safety line was in place by our resident tech-resq expert. FF's were in gear and SCBA for this as well. **DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING AND SAFETYS IN PLACE!**

Overall, the drill was a success, and every member in attendance walked away with some new found knowledge or skills. I have more info if anyone would like.

[x635 4,066]

Sounds like a cool drill, and one that should be done often and in all FH's.