This drill is part of the Firefighter Proving Grounds "Size-Up Series". This series is designed for firefighters to drill and train with their departments using their SOP's
Building Information: Non-Fireproof Multiple Dwelling with Single Room Occupancies throughout (SRO)Heavy Clutter on third and fourth floors Note: For this drill the first due engine is connected to a positive water source and is 50 feet from the main entrance This drill is part of the Firefighter Proving Grounds "Size-Up Series". This series is designed for firefighters to drill and train with the
This drill is part of the Firefighter Proving Grounds "Size-Up Series". This series is designed for firefighters to drill and train with their departments using their SOP's
Building Information: 3 Story Peaked Roof Multiple Family Private Dwelling ***There are two entrances with different addresses*** Note: For this drill you are responding to a report of a fire in a private dwelling with people trapped. This drill is part of the Firefighter Proving Grounds "Size-Up Series". This series is designed for firefighters to drill and train with their departmen
Building Information: 6 Story non-fireproof Multiple Dwelling with commercial on the first floor Note: For this drill the first due engine is connected to a positive water source and is 50 feet from the main entrance This drill is part of the Firefighter Proving Grounds "Size-Up Series". This series is designed for firefighters to drill and train with their departments using their SOP
The deadly half-story living space of a 2.5 wood frame private dwelling Those working in areas with numerous 2.5 frames with interior stairs leading to the attic have all seen the living space above. These top floor living spaces are often bedrooms for kids, especially in urban areas. If there is a fire on the floor(s) below these rooms, they can be a death trap for anyone. Being above a fire is an extremely dangerous place to be, especially for kids. Recognizing the 2.5 frame with fire below on-approach is extremely important, especially during sleeping hours when most fatal fires occur. On arrival, the “mind-triggers” registering with the crew should be automatic. Whether the fire is on the first floor to the second, the second to ...
Ladder company chauffeur’s have a lot to consider when responding to a fire. A successful apparatus placement is only attained when the operator is focused and is taking all factors into consideration during response. So how do we set ourselves up for becoming a successful ladder company chauffeur? Achieving a successful aerial placement begins long before the apparatus even leaves the barn. There’s a lot more to being a competent truck driver then driving around, tootin’ the horn and waving to your fans. The operator must have an in-depth understanding of the vehicle and the expectations placed on them when responding. Take a class, learn from, and listen to your senior men and experienced operators. Ask quest...
The DEWALT 4.5-in 20-Volt Cordless Angle Grinder an incredibly lightweight and useful tool that unfortunately gets overlooked more often than not, simply because many don’t understand the full capacity of where and when to apply it. DEWALT 4.5-in 20-Volt Cordless Angle Grinder has become a tremendous addition to the roof or outside vent firefighters complement of tools. Weighing in at only 4lbs yet delivering 8,000-RPM of high-power cutting and grinding fury. This little tool can pack quite the punch on the fireground. Two separate blades can be used with this tool, similar to a partner saw. Diamond-Cut Blade, with up to 70x more life as an abrasive disc. This single blade will outlast as many as 70 abrasive blades providing the...
So, you have a few fires under your belt, and are feeling confident, when the boss finally says, “You got the irons tonight kid.” You think that tonight is the night to prove yourself. This is the moment you've been waiting for since the day you walked into this place. After a busy start to the tour, and a few forcible entry tips from the senior man, you feel like no door in the city could hold you back. For the first time in your career, you truly feel ready to go into battle. It's 2:00 AM, and you receive a second due phone alarm for a fire on the fifth floor of a six-story, non-fireproof, occupied multiple dwelling. Falling back to your training, you've been sizing up this fire from the moment you received the alarm. What time is it...
Engine Company Operations: Solving problems by addressing the basics Benjamin Franklin's first organized volunteer fire department in Philadelphia in 1736 had many commonalities to our fire service today, with one underlying component that may be the most important factor - water delivery. Many things have changed since the first fire department, but the vital component of water delivery may be one thing that has changed the least. Water delivery to the fire area is the heart of the fire service and we must perfect every aspect of it. NIOSH reports on line of duty deaths are filled with investigations, interviews, and recommendations. Far too often the “contributing factors” section is filled with phrases such as “failure to depl...
“Firefighter rescue from a lower grade, confined area, collapse voids, where basement situation can be one of the most difficult rescue efforts to perform. As was revealed in a firefighter fatality incident in Columbus, Ohio involving fire for you John Nance, the difficulty of raising the unconscious weight of a firefighter (approximately 200 to 300 pounds) vertically is extremely difficult and dangerous to both victim and rescuers. The following case study provided humbling experience that awakens the fire service to the need for improved training firefighter rescue and survival -Excerpt from “Firefighter Rescue and Survival” By: Ray Hoff and Bob Kolomay Pg: 195-198 The Story: Saturday, July 25, started out as a routine day for Nance and t...
The primary reason for placing an aerial in any particular place on the fire ground comes down to one thing: EFFECTIVENESS Whether the Ladder is being used for a rescue, access, egress, or for extinguishment, you want to place your piece of equipment in its most effective spot to accomplish the task at hand. Seen here is excellent positioning and “thinking outside the box” by the chauffeur of Ladder 56 at a recent fire in the Bronx. He was able to position his rig to gain access for Ladder 56’s roof firefighter. Low hanging wires are an issue throughout many cities and towns. By doing a quick size-up as a truck Chauffeur you might be able to get your rig into a working position. This skill set takes training and time to learn. But once mast...
Welcome to Firefighter Proving Ground's new website! First, we want to thank each member of our community who follows us on our social platforms. As of today, we have 100,000+ followers on Instagram, 50,000+ followers on Facebook, and 900 followers on Twitter. You followers are the foundation of our community and we can’t thank you enough! Firefighter Proving Grounds, which was started in February 2016, was founded to form a new firefighter community for firefighters and the public that supports them. The material we post is aimed at motivating, inspiring, and teaching the next generation of firefighters, while showing the public the hard work all firefighters put in. Now that we have begun to build a strong community through social me...
The question “how do I prepare for a job in civil service” comes up frequently. There are some people who know from a very early age that they are going to seek a job in civil service, while others may come about this realization later on in life. Upon reflecting on the question, the simplest and most direct answer is nothing more than four simple words “DO THE RIGHT THING.” In a nutshell, that is the best way to prepare yourself to not only get a civil service job, but to succeeded in one as well. We are going to touch on a few points, and expand on them, but this underlying answer will be seen over and over. The first point, and the one that we can control very easily, is to maintain a high level of physical fitnes...
