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The Fire Engineering Advisory Board is comprised of recognized leaders in the U.S. fire service who help maintain the high editorial standards our magazine is known for. In this blog, our board members share their timely insights on issues, trends, and policies in the fire service. Readers are encouraged to submit comments and help move the discussion forward.

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American LaFrance files for bankruptcy

Read about it HERE.

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posted by Peter Prochilo
1/28/2008 05:00:00 PM

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Trussloft Fires

This is a video of a fire that occurred in Toledo several years ago. I was the Operations Deputy and responded to this early morning fire from home about three miles away. The video is by a news crew that arrived prior to the first crews.

The section of footage where a firefighter is busting through a privacy fence is very early into the fire. The fire had entered the exterior stairs and balcony and trapped a wheelchair bound man in the very corner apartment. Without lines (I don't think an engine made it to that side of the fire yet.) a crew entered the one-way in entrance under the stairs to his apartment and took the fence and brought him out.

The reason for the Blog is in reference to a previous Blog (Truckies with Hose lines) and a response that suggested roof trench cuts in instances similar to this. Fire was running the trussloft both with and against the wind.

At this fire I had a battalion chief (Gary Martin) take a crew into a second floor apartment in advance of the fire with a 2 1/2" line. They pulled ceiling the width of the apartment and waited for fire to advance towards them. When it did, they held it to that opening, from a safe position below the fire. There are many walls in these small apartments that will prohibit a general failure and collapse of the ceiling/roof assembly. One thing good about lightweight truss roof assemblies is that they are truly lightweight and each individual member is not very massive. In most cases, in apartments such as these, roof failure will only collapse to the top of the wall assemblies with only a few truss components piercing through to the floor below. Look at the photo to the right. Note the wall assemblies present.

In my opinion and in the case of this fire, attacking from below in a fire involving a trussloft was a sound tactic.

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posted by Skip Coleman
1/27/2008 02:48:00 PM

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What does that mean?

Today, skimming through the firefighter news, I stumbled on a post from the IAFC news. It was titled "Enhancing Safety Cant' Wait". I sure wanted to read that, so I double-clicked my way to a site that explained 12 ways to enhance safety and reduce the number of firefighter fatalities in 2008. All in all, a very lofty and important goal.

Item # 4 caught my eye. It reads:

If we send the correct amount of Firefighters on the 1st alarm (based on pre-plans and what is reported)..

I know what my old departments Pre-plans said. I've seen other departments Pre-Plans. Most provide "realistic" numbers based on minimum (there's the magic word) staffing. FDNY Pre-Plans discuss splitting their SIX person truck companies into two teams and an OVM. That's FDNY. Most Pre-plans discuss splitting the SIX total firefighters that respond into two teams. So! Please authors of this document, tell me what "-If we send the correct amount of Firefighters on the 1st alarm (based on pre-plans and what is reported).." means.

We have been trying to define what the "correct" number of firefighters is for God only knows how long! Wasn't that the rift between the the IAFC and the IAFF that lead NFPA 1710? (we all know how much weight that document has and how that has bolstered staffing in rural and mid-to-small departments across the United States. In the Charleston report, 6 IAFC members call for (no demand) minimum staffing of 4 firefighters in Charleston after the tragic fire in June that killed 9 firefighters. (See the link below:)http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/oct/18/fire_department_report_calls_sweeping_ch19473/

If staffing is the critical issue linked to firefighter fatalities, why can't we legislate (no mandate) FOUR per apparatus and move on and actually address the real reasons why firefighters die?

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posted by Skip Coleman
1/25/2008 04:12:00 PM

3 Comments:

Russ Chapman said...: Chief
It boils down to 1 word.."Budget".
As long as there are fire chiefs, there will be political pundents.
People are going to argue this, but as soon as most Chiefs pin on the 5th bugle, they turn into politicians, and stop being advocates of the guy on the floor. Why should they? As soon as they do, they get threatened with losing their job.
NFPA in general is a waste of time when your state does not recognize it, until.....your in court! By then something bad has happened that could have been prevented. I have a feeling that there were many a brother in Charlston talking 1710 long before that fire.; Wed Jan 30, 12:42:00 PM EST
srmac said...: Response may also depend on the availability of volunteers. It is great to talk about more money for government funded staffed departments. Our department is a non-profit corporation serving an area with no local government. We are a totally volunteer service. Two available responders may save a house with a chimney fire or make a family save after a CO investigation. More unfunded mandates or beyond budget standards will no improve public safety or reduce risks for responders. Responding to an emergency is dangerous. Safety is more a matter of risk management than laws, rules, and SOPS. Sometimes it is just best to slow down, think, evaluate, and know when to back off.

Steve McCombs, Rural Deltana VFD; Wed Jan 30, 01:36:00 PM EST
Bob Elizondo said...: Wow, does Chapman provide the sentiments of most Chiefs? Lets see, lose my job versus lose a firefighter? It takes a real Leader (not all Chiefs fit here) to stand up for what’s right for the organization and advocate change for the future of the community.

During my last job (Retired Flint, MI Chief) I had to adjust to my budget being cut from 18 million to 8 million (City was in Financial Receivership), and still provide safety to firefighters in one of the busiest fire department in the nation (2.6 structure fire per day) per capita.

I would always send the department data (i.e. run volume, injuries) in chronological order, on a weekly basis, to the Financial Manager, Budget Director, etc… to make sure they understood how busy we were as they continued to cut the budget for the City. I also made sure the troops had the PPE they deserved and understood the numbers when they responded. We became an offensive defensive department until the manpower was on the scene. We broke the Union mentality barrier and began utilizing mutual aid more, where today we Chiefs need to advocate automatic aid, especially in smaller departments.

Chiefs do not have to sell their soul for the job, as someone out there has been through more drastic situations. Reach out and absorb what other innovative Chiefs have accomplished, so you can adjust to the political climate your in.; Fri Feb 01, 09:05:00 AM EST

Hotel fire in Vegas

CNN.com has coverage of a fire on the top floors of the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Read more about it here. The report says there were no major injuries.

UPDATE: Got some thoughts from our own Glenn Corbett, who writes:

"It looks like the bulk of the fire involved the decorative EIFS
sheathing (including polystyrene), but with significant extension into
the upper floor. Note how the exterior ledges played a role here -
providing a place for dropping debris to land and then burn into the
building. Perhaps this was an exterior electrical fire (maybe involving
a decorative illumiated sign?) or possibly extension from an interior
room (unlikley with sprinklers inside). This will be fire for
code-writers to study."

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posted by Peter Prochilo
1/25/2008 03:35:00 PM

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Truckies with Hose Lines

Today I was looking on line at some fire photos. One in particular struck me. It showed a fire crew (Almost assuredly a truck crew) on the roof venting roof and one of the firefighters had a hose line in his hands.

I want to spend a little time with concerns that I see (or have seen) on the fire ground. In probably almost every case, these are good firefighters with good intentions. Also, in most cases, they are simply mimicking actions they have observed by other firefighters. Let's get one thing clarified from the beginning. Just because you see another firefighter doing something doesn't mean that it is an acceptable practice. Take for instance, that the picture below.

When this photo was shot, there were crews inside performing rescue. This stream is a waste of a firefighter, a hose line and a stream. All it is accomplishing is pushing fire back into the structure.

In the photo below, someone explain what a truckie ever needs a hoseline for when venting a roof? (I want you to know how un-like me it is to use the word ever, always or never!) There are very few "nevers" in the fire service. But please, what is the world would a truck crew venting a roof need a hose line for?

It, shouldn't be to put out fire. "NEVER" put water down a vent hole. Especially with fire crews or civilians still inside. (Note: If this is a defensive fire - what the heck are they doing on the roof? It's already vented. Who vents a roof at a defensive fire. Let the fire do it.)
It shouldn't be "in case they get cut off by fire". Not if a good experienced officer is up there with them and if they spotted the ground ladder correctly in the first place.
It shouldn't be as a "safety valve" to Slide down if their ladder slips and falls.

I realize that there are text books (You know those big generic "boot" manuals.) that say "never" vent a roof without taking a hose line with you! Well, first, be leery of the word "never". Not everybody is right all the time.

Please - explain to me what the purpose of the hose line is. I'll read your responses and reply to those requiring a reply. If you convince me there is a reason for a line - I'll apologize.

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posted by Skip Coleman
1/24/2008 05:06:00 PM

2 Comments:

Captian John Maguire Middletown NJ said...: Chief: I agree withyour comments. The only time I can think of would be if you had trench cut a flat roof to create a fire break.As Chief Norman notes many also mis-apply that concept, and consider a trench cut a ventilation opening forgetting to cut ventholes on the fire side of the trench. Chief Norman also speaks of attacking some cockloft fires from the roof when they can not be attacked from below the void.; Fri Jan 25, 02:54:00 AM EST
Skip Coleman said...: Capt.
Thanks for the comment. Chief Norman has been to more fires that I could ever imagine and I respect him greatly. I agree with him. I was taught early in my carrier that the first task of a tranch cut is to vent over the fire (as you said " cutting ventholes on the fire side of the trench.") That will buy you time while you cut the trench. If you can't do that safely, let God (or nature) do it for you. I would be very cautious going above a cockloft fire to vent (or attack) with a fire raging to the extent that it can't be hit from below. (It's a "risk-gain" thing.) If you can do it from adjacent roof or from a ladder truck - OK.; Sat Jan 26, 09:48:00 AM EST

New Orleans yet to rebuild any fire stations

Via CNN.com:

New Orleans has yet to rebuild a single fire station more than two years after Katrina destroyed or damaged 22 of the city's 33 firehouses.

Read more HERE.

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posted by Peter Prochilo
1/24/2008 01:11:00 PM

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Indianapolis FD Awards Dinner

We were very lucky to be present at the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) awards dinner this year, and were able to meet the new mayor, Greg Ballard, who is a retired Lt. Col. from the United States Marine Corps.He promised to support the Fire Department "by getting what you what you need to get the job done." Now if you know the Marines, that includes training. He has published a book, "The Ballard Rules: Small Unit Leadership." He is a real gentleman and understands leadership. It looks like more good things ahead for the IFD. We also caught a very moving rendition of "Amazing Grace."

We were able to recognize our good friend Ron Lovett at the FDIC recognition award winner. Look for Ron again this year at the show. Ron is very important to the entire show, but he really makes the main program and all the VIP stuff work perfectly. He is a true example of the reason IFD is world class department that is is.

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posted by Bobby Halton
1/23/2008 11:24:00 PM

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Tactics Club

If you were wondering what Chief Brunacini was doing in retirement--besides his Rules of Engagement back page in Fire Engineering magazine--the answer is that he is still teaching. He has a new class called "The Tactics Club." Here is some video. If you want to bring "The Club" to your town, contact Chief Brunacini or Fire Engineering and we we pass the message on.

The chief is also spending a little time doing a complete restoration of a Phoenix FD 1952 Mack Big Boy. If you have been following the chiefs discussion on colors and tactics here is the theory in action.

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posted by Bobby Halton
1/23/2008 10:56:00 PM

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Photos from our readers: Aerial ladder collapse

Jason W. Meyer from Sacramento sent along this aerial ladder collapse photo.

Says Jason:

This is a picture i took while on duty January 4, 2008 in Sacramento, California.

Member from Sacramento City Fire Department Truck Company No. 7 (Valley Hi Station) noticed that this old Seagrave Aerial Ladder Truck had collapsed. This old truck was being used by a furniture store to fly a large American flag. On the night of the 3rd a massive storm cell swept thru Sacramento with heavy rains and sustained wind gusts in excess of 80mph The aerial ladder was left raised during the storm and buckled due to the excessive stress placed on it.

You can see more incident and memorial photos in our photo gallery section.

Labels: Photos

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posted by Peter Prochilo
1/16/2008 11:02:00 AM

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Letters to the Editor: Training Minutes reactions

We've had some pretty great responses to our new Training Minutes video feature. The latest video features Ray McCormack of the FDNY discussing Engine Co. ops, which you can see by clicking HERE.

Below are some responses we've gotten via e-mail. Feel free to post your reactions or suggestions in the comments.

"...the new free training videos are fantastic!" -- Lt. Christopher Fleming, Portland (ME) Fire Dept.

"Just wanted to drop a note to say thank you for Training Minutes...Though there was only one video on it at the time (The punch technique), I look forward to many more forthcoming. It was concise, practical, easy, and with no membership fees or sign ups. There is a wealth of nuggets and tricks out there and it's wonderful that Fire Engineering is reaching out to share this." -- Firefighter Christopher Braunger, Albemarle County (VA) Fire/Rescue

"OUTSTANDING! This is RIGHT ON as far as instant, right now, 'let's watch this and then lets go practice it training'....excellent!" -- Deputy Fire Chief Billy Goldfeder, Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department

"Just saw the new training video feature on the Web site...If this turns out as good as it appears to be starting, it will be a great aid to instructors and firefighters." -- Firefighter Jamie C. Morelock, Toledo (OH) Fire Department

Labels: Letters to the Editor

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posted by Peter Prochilo
1/15/2008 10:30:00 AM

2 Comments:

Frozenhosehead said...: It's like having the experts come right into your station! Easy and quick way to get great training for companies on the go or limited because of inclement weather.

Thanks Fire Engineering and Chief Halton

Keep up the geat work!

Brad Hoff, North Pole Alaska
Ft. Waingright F.&E.S.; and North Star VFD www.northstarfire.org; Tue Jan 15, 05:15:00 PM EST
Mike Ludwick said...: An excellent tool for watch and go practice training. "The Punch Technique" certainly does conserve energy when opening up. This is one of the best tools in my training toolbos. Thank You!!!; Wed Jan 16, 12:12:00 PM EST

Photos from incident in Manhattan, Jan. 14

Dave Balter of the FDIC classroom team sent us photos from an incident unfolding right now in Manhattan. It is apparently a floor collapse and cement spill from a floor being poured at a building under construction in Soho. FDNY made a crane and bucket rescue. Here's more...

Labels: Photos

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posted by Peter Prochilo
1/14/2008 02:46:00 PM

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Be careful Boys: It couldn't hurt!

Retiring puts a new perspective on you. You look at things differently. In a lot of ways, the pressure is off. You don't need an alarm clock as an example.

I was going to the bank yesterday and as I was walking in, I heard a siren in the background. In my mind, I thought "be careful boys" (I mean no disrespect to the thousands of female firefighters out there that make significant contrabutions to the fire service daily). I didn't think much about it till I was back in the car, driving to the store.

I started thinking about the power of suggestion, God (I am not going to get religious here!) and Firefighting/Emergency services. I watched the news that night and in the greater Cincinnati area, no firefighters were injured that afternoon. I am not naive and I don't think my little "be careful boys" actually protected them, but it didn't hurt.

All right, where am I going? We all know that of the 100 firefighters killed and the 100,000s of firefighters that are killed and injured each year, about 75 percent involve responding and emergency operations, either due to stress or trauma.

We hear sirens all the time. At work, (volunteers included), in church, while laying in bed at home, while driving in the car and on and on. We hear them and may not even see them - but we know they are going somewhere. (I realize that some of the sirens we hear might be our brothers in blue. They can use a little help too!)

Call it the power of suggestion, mental telepathy, a quick prayer or what ever you want, If all of us would simply, every time you hear a siren, think to yourself "be careful boys", perhaps that thought will permeate into their subconscious and maybe--just maybe, they will be careful.

It couldn't hurt!

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posted by Skip Coleman
1/11/2008 09:04:00 AM

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Fire Engineering Training Minutes

Fire Engineering's Training Minutes

We have been paying attention. As Diane and I go around the country, we have heard a lot of firefighters say they need some short, to the point, solid training for morning roll calls and bi-weekly training sessions. We thought about it and came up with a completely original way to help fill this need, Fire Engineering's Training Minutes. These three- to five-minute video presentations represent some of the very best firefighters in the country on the very topic you want to hear from them on.

Each week we will feature a new short video on truck company operations, engine company operations, vehicle extrication, and EMS. Lieutenant Mike Ciampo of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) teaches truck company ops, while FDNY Lieutenant Ray McCormack has engine company. Dave Dalrymple conducts our vehicle extrication training tips, and Fire Engineering EMS Editor Mike McEvoy discusses EMS.

Tune into our Video page every Tuesday for a new video.
http://www.fireengineering.com/videos/index.html

Going forward, we have already started laying the plans to shoot the next sets of videos. We will cover the topics above as our Bread and Butter series, but we also want to know what else you want to see and who you feel could best present it. We are ready to produce video from collapse to hazmat to ventilation to forcible entry and everything else that makes our work challenging. We will bring you the best professional training you have always come to expect from your source for training--Fire Engineering.

We appreciate your support, and we couldn't do this without the support we receive from America's and Canada's very best instructors. We have been where leaders come to train for 131 years, and it is only because Fire Engineering is written by, for, and about the fire service, by firefighters who want to serve not only their home communities but the the entire fire service family as well.

We know you are going to love Fire Engineering's Training Minutes and we know you will help us make it better by your active involvement and participation.

Don't forget to run this months simulation, the fast food restaurant http://www.fireengineering.com/display_article/314571/25/none/none/SIMUL/December-Simulation:-Fast-Food-Restaurant-Fire In this one you can collapse the roof, simulate a backdraft, and several other amazing special effects. Just follow the simple keystroke instructions found here http://downloads.pennnet.com/fe/simulations/1207controlsheet.pdf

Thanks for your support and remember be careful out there.

Bobby

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posted by Bobby Halton
1/07/2008 06:18:00 PM

3 Comments:

Frank Ricci said...: This post has been removed by a blog administrator.; Tue Jan 08, 04:13:00 PM EST
Okc fire said...: Great first video! I couldn't agree with Mr. Ricci anymore when he says FE "is once again ahead of the curve. I've already had it up and playing at the station. It's amazing how the other firefighters are magically drawn towards the computer screen when they start hearing the video play. Champ and Ray are two great picks to lead this off. Looking forward to seeing more in the near future.

Stay safe,
Brian Arnold
Okc F.D.; Thu Jan 10, 12:23:00 AM EST
Frank Ricci said...: Thanks to all that made this happen. Great job and a long time over due. It is nice to see that Fire Engineering is once again ahead of the curve. Firefighters have a short attention span, a kid once said at career day that when he grew up he wanted to be a firefighter, well we all know you can not do both. Keeping things short and sweet is perfect. My hope is this will get the members talking at the kitchen table and hopefully will lend it self to getting the company out to conduct practical operations.

Be Safe,
Frank Ricci
New Haven Fire
Director of Fire Services
ConnectiCOSH; Thu Jan 10, 08:25:00 PM EST

FDNY veteran killed at incident in Brooklyn

Lieutenant John H. Martinson died last night fighting a two-alarm fire on the 14th floor of a 25-story apartment building. Read more about it HERE, courtesy of the Staten Island Advance.

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posted by Peter Prochilo
1/04/2008 09:12:00 AM

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Download a copy of the Charleston report

We've gotten a bunch of requests from readers about the Charleston report after Chief Halton's December editorial, "Be Careful What You Wish For." You can download a copy of the report as a PDF HERE.

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posted by Peter Prochilo
1/03/2008 11:29:00 AM

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President Signs Bill Funding FIRE, SAFER, UASI and SHSGP

President Bush Signs Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

On his way to his Christmas vacation the President signed an omnibus bill which is a bill which packages together several measures into one single bill. This bill was the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Bill which has increased funding for the FIRE Grants and SAFER Grant programs.
The FIRE Grant for 2008 is funded at $560,000,000.00
SAFER Grant for 2008 is funded at $190,000,000.00
United States Fire Administration (USFA is funded at $43,300,000.00 for 2008
State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) increased to $950,000,000.00 for 2008
Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) for 2008 is now at $820,000,000.00
Citizen Corps continues to be funded at $15,000,000.00

The Congress appropriated $560 million for the FIRE Grant program is a $13 million increase over the Fiscal Year 2007. The SAFER Grant is funded at $190 million a $75 million increase. The funding to the United States Fire Administration is reduced because of reorganization and although it is a good sign it is still being funded we still need to lobby for increases to the USFA. Imagine what could be done at the National Fire Academy with double that amount. Imagine someday a Director of the USFA as a cabinet member and the USFA funded as a critical component of our Homeland Security as it should be.

The last thing to do now is to be satisfied; we need several things done with our UASI monies. First a small investment in a comprehensive GIS based accounting and location system could help not only coordinate resources in responses but it would assist us in future grant requests. Second the security of responders should be covered by a comprehensive medical screening program mirroring NFPA 1582 to establish baseline health and potential exposure effects. Third some form of AVL should be supplied for all grant funded mobile assets, so coordination intra and interstate can be facilitated in emergencies.

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posted by Bobby Halton
1/01/2008 08:34:00 PM

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U of M Researchers Discover Fast-Acting Cyanide Antidote

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Center for Drug Design have discovered a new fast-acting antidote to cyanide poisoning. "The antidote has potential to save lives of those who are exposed to the chemical -- namely firefighters, industrial workers, and victims of terrorist attacks."

We know we are being exposed to cyanide at fires and it has been confirmed by leading medical researchers that fire victims are more likely to be killed by cyanide and hydrogen chloride gas than CO. The need to keep informing our medical directors of these studies and new medicines is an important part of our jobs. This could be a significant treatment advance for all smoke inhalation victims civilian and firefighters.
http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/cyanide122607/home.html

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posted by Bobby Halton
1/01/2008 07:37:00 PM

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