I want to send out my thoughts and prayers to the WFD and the family of Jon Davies, who was tragically lost last week in an apartment fire. If you haven't already go over to Statter911.com and catch the audio of the fire. To me it sounded like they faced a bunch of obstacles that were insurmountable in the end. The RIT team did remove one downed Firefighter which is a small victory in a time of such sorrow. Also, I repeat what I have always said, let's not judge, let's learn. Fellow blogger the Backstep Firefighter put it great in his post:
http://backstepfirefighter.com/2011/12/09/too-soon/
So let's not be Captain anonymous and Firefighter Hindsight as he says, let's see what we can learn from the tragedy. Have a great weekend folks......Stay safe and Stay trained.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
New Technology
In firefighting we are always presented with new technology, which claims to make our job safer and easier. Look at TIC's for example, a great piece of technology but only when it works. The point I'm trying to make is that no matter what technology they come out with, we still need to remember the basics of our job. As I looked over one of my favorite websites today, I saw fellow blogger Dave Statter had posted a link to a story on a new firefighter location technology.
Here's the link: http://statter911.com/2011/12/05/video-mfri-trx-systems-demonstrate-tracking-system/
This technology claims to be able to help us locate firefighters inside of buildings even when there is no GPS signal. This is a huge step forward, but many questions still remain like: Where will the equipment mount? How will it hold up to high heat and the abuse of firefighters? How much is it? just to name a few. It appears to work very well in the video, but you never know until the units are in the field and firefighters wearing them. I truly do look forward to this technology advancing and hopefully interfacing into the fire service everywhere.
That brings me to my main point, we can't forget the basics. Even with high tech firefighter locators, you have to understand a primary search, and how to command a mayday or RIT activation. You can't just dump firefighters in a building and say "go get 'em" without some basic understanding of search beyond looking at a computer screen. What will we do if the computer dies (which it will)? What will do if the locator malfunctions (which it will)? Both of the questions show why we must not ever forget the basics even if we are given the latest technology. Our training as firefighters gives us the fundamental knowledge to operate the technology and compensate when it fails. Without a firefighter's knowledge the best technology in the world is crap. Remember the basics, because when technology fails (and it will) you have to be able to finish the mission or assignment you are responsible for no matter what excuses you have.
Until the next one, stay safe and stay trained.
Here's the link: http://statter911.com/2011/12/05/video-mfri-trx-systems-demonstrate-tracking-system/
This technology claims to be able to help us locate firefighters inside of buildings even when there is no GPS signal. This is a huge step forward, but many questions still remain like: Where will the equipment mount? How will it hold up to high heat and the abuse of firefighters? How much is it? just to name a few. It appears to work very well in the video, but you never know until the units are in the field and firefighters wearing them. I truly do look forward to this technology advancing and hopefully interfacing into the fire service everywhere.
That brings me to my main point, we can't forget the basics. Even with high tech firefighter locators, you have to understand a primary search, and how to command a mayday or RIT activation. You can't just dump firefighters in a building and say "go get 'em" without some basic understanding of search beyond looking at a computer screen. What will we do if the computer dies (which it will)? What will do if the locator malfunctions (which it will)? Both of the questions show why we must not ever forget the basics even if we are given the latest technology. Our training as firefighters gives us the fundamental knowledge to operate the technology and compensate when it fails. Without a firefighter's knowledge the best technology in the world is crap. Remember the basics, because when technology fails (and it will) you have to be able to finish the mission or assignment you are responsible for no matter what excuses you have.
Until the next one, stay safe and stay trained.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Worchester 6
Please take a moment out of your day to remember the Worchester 6 who made the ultimate sacrifice 12 years ago. RFB.
Friday, December 2, 2011
3 For 1 Deal
I found this video of a typical suburban America neighborhood....As you notice the fire is well advanced upon arrival of the first officer and well, let's just say it gets alot worse. These guys were up against alot when they got there, but there are some improvements they could have made. Watch the video and think about how you would address this fire. For those of us that work and/or volunteer in this type of area, it is only a bedroom fire away on a windy day from happening to us. As with any post on here, I am not here to sharpshoot others, but to present the situation and to ask what would YOU do not how would you change what they did.
Sit down and address this with your crew as a strategy and Tactics scenario, because its a great one.
These type of fires will become more and more common as building codes are changed to benefit developers attempting to fit as many houses in a development as they can. Well until the next time....Stay Safe and Stay Trained.
Sit down and address this with your crew as a strategy and Tactics scenario, because its a great one.
These type of fires will become more and more common as building codes are changed to benefit developers attempting to fit as many houses in a development as they can. Well until the next time....Stay Safe and Stay Trained.
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