Believing the Lies

For too long now, I have relied on other peoples' opinions to dictate how I operate. Like little devils on my shoulder, there has always been a barrage of voices telling me what is and is not possible. "You have to shut down the nozzle to make any kind of advance with a 2 1/2" line." "You have to have at least two people to carry a 35' ladder." "You don't gear up for an automatic alarm; the dispatcher would have told us if it was on fire."

These voices continually have won out before I even attempted to prove them wrong. Even worse, there have been numerous times that I passed along these false gospels. This only perpetuates the cascade of short-comings. Senior men wonder how the fire service has evolved to what they deem as "weak." It happens when we trade dedicated effort for the comforts of the dayroom.

I am here to admit that I have bought into some of the lies.
With that being said, I am tired of it. Watching how others have managed to put in hard work and push the envelope has proven that, far too often, I have given up too early. That is not acceptable.

The fire service was built by people who were willing to put everything on the line; the same people who saw an opportunity to take an unwanted job for the outcast immigrant, and elevate it to profession of greatness. What right do I have to do things differently?

The digital age of fire service training has seemed to blur a lot of the lines when it comes to finding the truth that I seek. Social media has allowed firefighters to pass along trainings and new techniques unlike any other time before. No longer do we have to wait for annual conferences to hear the latest and greatest. This information is now immediate. Unfortunately, the approach to this mass sharing of knowledge is often taken to one of two extremes.

On one hand, we criticize, deny and negate the feasibility of the things we see. I'll be among the first to admit that not all information is valid just because it goes viral, however, shouldn't we explore the possibility that the information is helpful prior to deciding upon a final verdict? All progress halts when we intentionally disregard what is being shared before any attempts are made to apply, or if needed, tweak and apply.

The other extreme occurs when all things are taken as truth, and then immediate attempts are made to implement them on an incident scene. You will likely hear our profession referred to as a craft. This implies that firefighting requires a calculated, skill-based execution of duties. The majority of the time, we cannot assume that this will be accomplished by watching a video several times. Yes, there are people capable of carrying a set of irons, a hook, and a vent saw while balancing a 28' extension ladder in a high-shoulder carry, but that does not mean that it anyone can replicate it effortlessly.

Where I have failed so often is by not even making an initial attempt. Say, perhaps, that I am one of those people who can carry the entire ladder truck on my shoulders. Yet, instead of doing so, I never try it. What, then, is the outcome when choose to believe the lie that tells me that these people are only an anomaly? No one benefits! My lack of action provides zero opportunity to make a substantial difference. These are the instances where the lies cannot win.

It's on me to test what my capabilities are. It's on me to sort through the garbage, and apply what I find to be true. I'm done believing the lies.

Forcible Entry Basics- The Shove Knife



The shove knife is a simple tool that can be used to gain entry in quick, non-destructive fashion. As lock technologies have progressed, the tool has lost some of its value. It should not be assumed, however, that the shove knife will not work on any door. Proper door size-up will provide the needed insight into the tool's effectiveness on the particular door in question.
 
Two situations must be present in order to gain access through a locked door using only a shove knife:
 
1. The sole locking device engaged in the door must be the slam latch.
 
2. If a tamper pin is present, the pin must be able to be moved into the latch keeper, whether by leaning on the door or otherwise.
 
Should either of these conditions not be met, another means of forcible entry will be required.

The majority of doors that can be defeated by the shove knife will be outward swinging. A gap will need to be created between the rabbet stop and the door jam, allowing access to the latch, in the instances where the door is inward swinging; metal door frames prevent this from occurring as they are constructed as a single unit.



Shove knife position when opening an outward-swinging door

Tips:

• The shove knife can be inserted above or below latch. I found that I am more comfortable with entering below the latch. From this position, it was less likely that my momentum carried the tool beyond the latch after it exited the keeper.

• Placing a foot against bottom of the door will move the latch into a position where it is not resting against the keeper, allowing for a smoother pull. Doing so may also move the tamper pin into the keeper, if a pin is present.

• Twisting the head of the knife into position over the latch assists in gaining entry with greater success than what is achieved by only applying horizontal force. 



• Avoid the urge to pull the door open too early in the process. When a tamper pin is present, the tamper pin has the tendency to exit the keeper and prevent the latch from depressing. 

 
Attached is a video that covers the specific use of the shove knife in greater detail.

*Credit for the video tip of using the shove knife in the initial door size-up goes to Task Force 1, Inc.

 



Salt is Salty, Not Bitter

A letter to seasoned firefighters.

You have years behind you. As each passes, it seems like life at the station moves further and further from the way it was when you first came in. Regardless of whether the changes are positive or negative, it is not difficult to recognize their impact. Changes in what is acceptable, how the tasks are completed, the time spent together as a crew, the manner in which services are provided, the attention that is given to traditions, etc. all equate to a whole new fire service.

Being firefighters, it just seems natural then to find the source of the change and attempt to "stop the bleeding." This type of thinking is what we are best at. Problem solving is why people call the fire department in the first place, right?

The Servant Leader

"It is amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit." - Harry Truman

 I recently listened to a podcast interview with man who I consider to be a fire service hero. I refer to him as such because he has been at the forefront of leadership, travels both nationally and internationally championing the cause of the firefighting, and serves as the head of multiple organizations that disseminate fire service information to the masses. Upon concluding the interview, he described his desire to be available to anyone who may need him. He then went on to give out his personal cell phone number.

Up to this point, I found it acceptable to hide behind the anonymity of a general email address. It seemed like it would be okay for someone like him to have his people get in-touch with you. Obviously, this guy is far too busy to answer anyone and everyone. Admittedly, I initially went as far as thinking, "that was a dumb move. Doesn't he know that people who are undeserving of his time will be contacting him now?"

Those thoughts could not have been further from the truth for this man.

Proactive Ladder Usage- Part Three

For several posts now, I have discussed the need for aggressive deployment of our ground ladders. Ground ladder usage often gets a lot of push-back, despite being proven in their effectiveness. Hopefully, we can explore some ways to overcome the desire to just leave the ladders on the rig.

How do we make the shift towards being more proactive with our ladders?

The biggest push-back to throwing ladders is almost always a "lack of manpower." While I understand that many departments are handicapped in the number of personnel available, we can find ways to overcome this common issue.

Proactive Ladder Usage- Part Two

Our ladders are being left in their cradles on our engines and trucks. This is even the case on fire scenes. In far too many instances, we are not being aggressive in the deployment of ground ladders. It could be that these issues are only found within the scope of my own experience, but I do believe that a general lack of aggressive ladder work is more universal. Hopefully, recognition of the fact that we can do better will help bring about some positive changes. In the first post, we discussed the who, what, and when of ground ladder usage. Please take some time and read part one, if you haven't already. Next, we will dive into answering two more basic questions regarding this topic.  

Where do we need deploy our ladders?

There is much that can be said in regard to the specifics of ground ladder placement. Instead of going through the in's and out's of placement for window rescue vs window ventilation vs roof ventilation, this discussion is more geographic in nature.

Our ultimate goal in proactive ladder deployment is to establish a secondary means of egress. As was noted in part one, egress points can quickly be overcome by a growth in fire conditions. Fire does not discriminate between interior and exterior exits either; both can be compromised. 

Proactive Ladder Usage- Part One

Regardless of which side you fall on in the debate of truckie vs. engine firefighter, it should be noted that both may have a fire ground responsibility to throw ladders. This does not seem to be widely put into practice, however. Especially for those arriving on an engine, the tunnel vision of only stretching hose lines must be overcome. Ground ladder usage cannot die on the chalkboard.

Aggressive interior operations need to be supported by aggressive exterior operations.

I hope that by asking simple questions, we can come up with simple answers to remedy a general lack of proactive ground ladder usage. This will take place over the course of my next three posts.

Orienting Better Searches

The performance of a rapid, efficient search is vital on any fire where interior operations are taking place. This is, perhaps, the number one way firefighters achieve the goal of making life safety our ultimate priority. Despite the attention that completing a quality search receives, poor search tactics are still prevalent. Much of the shortfall can be blamed on either the mentality that "this is how we have always done it" or the handicapping of state requirements for certification. I challenge you to consider your own ways of performing search, and ask the question, "can it be done better?"

In the Time of Need

 With Father's Day approaching, I was reminded earlier this week of just how great of a privilege it is to be a father. Daily I have the opportunity to watch my daughters grow, and do so with joy on their faces.  It was, however, when my youngest fell off of a couch onto a hardwood floor, that I was given an entirely new perspective on what it means to be their dad.
 
While I am so often able to swoop in prior to impact, instead of catching my youngest as she took a tumble off our living room couch, I found myself picking my daughter up from the floor. It's not the first time she has experienced the inevitable crash-and-burn, likely not the last either, but everything about this fall was different from before. When tears should have been rolling, she only gave a gasp. She arched he back. Then, nothing. My baby slipped into unresponsiveness. 

Fresh Take on Aerial Ops Training

Coming up with ways to keep trainings fresh and exciting can be difficult. While throwing ladders or advancing a hand-line are vitals skills that should be continuously reviewed, it may not always evoke jubilation when these trainings are announced.  In an effort to avoid monotony, seek new ways to stay up on the basics. It was in this spirit that we decided upon a way to incorporate some fun into aerial ops.
 
Start by grabbing some utility rope and tying off an inverted pike pole to the tip of your aerial (I am assigned to a tower, but this drill works the same with a straight stick ladder as well). The pike pole should hang below the aerial's tip several feet. You will find that the greater the distance below the tip that it hangs, the more difficult the drill becomes.

Escape- A Quick Guide to Self-Survival

Self-survival is one of the many topics in our profession that cannot be glanced over. Though most of us will never be caught in a Mayday scenario, it does not mean that we should not come up with a plan before it happens. While I cannot take credit for the ESCAPE acronym below, it would be a dis-service for me to keep it to myself. I truly believe that the information it represents gives firefighters a fighting chance when they encounter a number of Mayday scenarios.  

Defeating a Gated Entry

There are numerous obstacles that firemen will encounter on daily basis that can leave us feeling frustrated, or even defeated. Among them are locked doors and gates that stand between us and the people we are trying to get to in a hurry. Unfortunately, working in a city with thousands of gated residences, both single-family and multi-family occupancies, has the tendency to bring up this feeling often. We can do our best to log gate codes and carry a universal key, Knox or otherwise, but the fact remains that these efforts do not guarantee simple access. Firefighters aren't the type to admit defeat. We will find a way in. 

We're Bringing it On Ourselves: The Downside of Social Media

How many times a day does something on social media leave you thinking, "why would you post that?" Depending on the people you follow, you may have that thought quite often. What I am sure of is that it is not at all an uncommon scenario for each one of us. There are any number of posts that have left me shaking my head. Take for example: Bro taking his daily shirtless selfie in the mirror #madgains #protein. The 100th video showing a kitten chasing a laser pointer. The random plate of food #VEGAN #paleo???. I have also come to absolutely loath game requests and their accompanying "accomplishments." More recently, however, I am finding that the posts that leave me wanting to beg the creator to take them down are in some way fire service related.

Let me be more specific because, obviously, I am in favor of seeing fire related content in social media. What I do not want to see is firefighters creating their own negative publicity.

We're Fighting More than Flames on the Fire Ground

Approaching the topic of cancer prevention in the fire service seems to be a lot like purchasing life insurance or writing a will; it is something we recognize the need for, and yet cringe at the thought of having to do something about it. To be completely honest, I had little desire on my own to dig deeper into the subject. It took my wife expressing her concerns before I took a serious look at how my daily practices could be affecting not only my own of risk of a cancer diagnosis, but exposing my family to harmful agents as well. I owe it to both my wife and two daughters to consider how I approach this topic.

The IAFF recently hosted a webinar highlighting several studies that have shown firefighters are at a greater risk for numerous cancers than that of the general population. In the case of testicular cancer, it is upwards of two times greater. This probably isn't breaking news for you. It is something that most in the fire service have been told for some time. The difference is that we now have have supporting studies with specific evidences. 

Two In, Two Out

In recent years, safety has been pushed like never before. With this came new phrases that serve as the foundations of what we pass along to others in the fire service. Over and over again, you will hear fire service mantras such as have the "courage to stay safe," "everybody goes home," and "we risk a lot to save a lot; we risk little to save little." 

This constant push towards a safer work environment is a positive thing. I have no doubt that lives have been, and will continue to be, saved as a result. It is important to recognize that each of these campaigns towards a safer work environment were started because of a catastrophic loss.

Get Hooked

From my first day on the engine, it was drilled into my head that I should never get off the rig without a tool in my hand. Sometimes the decision on what to grab is obvious. Medical calls always require the EMS jump bag. Car wrecks call for a high-visibility vest. Fires will need hose.

The issues come when that decision is not so obvious. As experience in a specific call type grows, it will become second nature what the go-to tool cache should be. There is no doubt that our effectiveness on an incident scene is dramatically impacted by the tools and equipment that we choose to bring with us from the apparatus.


Unfortunately, it was not until the last couple of years that I was introduced to a tool that has been on the market for some time, the New York Hook. Bob Farrell, of Fire Hooks Unlimited, was the first to take this tool to market after being developed through his vast experience while serving with the FDNY. The New York Hook is greatly under-utilized in fire service as a whole. I have found this to be especially true in many western states. Here is why it needs to be added to the tools your department carries on its apparatuses: 

While the pike pole has long been used for pulling ceilings, it does have its drawbacks with the modern use of drywall. The penetration that the pike pole provides through older materials like lathe-and-plaster is almost a downfall on drywall. Instead of instantly pulling large sections of ceiling, it often leaves a hole no bigger than the tool itself. This is where the hook's blunt edges make a world of difference. The shape of the head allows for the tool to grab, rather than puncture, when pulling. Also, little is lost in terms of penetration as the top edge of the tool is tapered. As with any tool, technique is still required, but in terms of general effectiveness, go to the hook first when drywall is encountered.

 There are numerous applications where the hook is effective as a prying tool. It was originally created for roof operations and has no issue in pulling hatches, skylights, and the levers created by our saws during vertical ventilation. Unlike the pike pole, the hook has been incorporated into the realm of forcible entry as well. When married with a halligan, the leverage created is well beyond that of what even two firefighters are able to create with conventional irons work. The tool will generally make quick-work of many burglar bars that are encountered. (I do need to stress that the tool must have a steel handle if it is going to be used to pry. Fiberglass versions of tool will likely fail when subjected to large amounts of force. Skip the fiberglass handles whenever possible.)

For those with influence on your department's purchasing decisions, I would highly suggest adding a few hooks to your apparatuses. Bonus points for those who purchase one out of their own pocket. 

We should be continually reviewing why we do what we do. Part of that process includes figuring out whether there is a more effective way to accomplish these tasks. Sometimes all it takes is a slight change in tools we are using. 

The internet is full of videos highlighting the various uses of the New York Hook. For more info, check out firehooksunlimited.net. Our brothers at the Fire Service Warrior also produced a great article on the many uses of the tool. Check it out at http://www.fireservicewarrior.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/NY-Roof-Hook-Final.pdf.

American Hero

It usually takes significant events for us to reflect on the daily sacrifices that are being made on our behalf. Perhaps it is a plane crashing into a building. It might be the celebration of Memorial or Veteran's Day. In recent weeks, a newly released movie has been able to raise awareness on a similar level.

I first heard of Chris Kyle when he released his book, American Sniper. When I finally had the chance to read it myself, the words on the pages left me captivated. He truly carried himself in a manor worthy of the title of "The Legend."

Through the Lock

Forcible entry training is a staple in many departments. In fact, it is often one of the more exciting trainings that firefighters are involved in. It's quite captivating to have the green light to break something. My own experience in these trainings is that the stars of the show are the halligan and the axe, and very little is discussed outside of using these tools. 

The Rookie Mentality

At some point, all of us walked into the fire station for the first time as a firefighter.  For most, this was a nerve-filled, highly anticipated moment when they finally saw some pretty big dreams come true. From that first moment we stepped through the door, we all had to gauge what it was going to take to impress the others, and find out what our role was going to be. The vast majority of firefighters would tell you that they did whatever it took to break through to the other side; the land of being full-fledged, one-of-the-guys. This meant showing up an hour before they had to, scrubbing the station on hands and knees, devouring food in seconds like a starved animal so that no one else could get to the dishes first, being the first to volunteer (even after hours of grueling hands-on training); literally, whatever it took. That is the "rookie mentality!"

For most of us, it was only a matter of minutes before we were known to the crew simply as “Rookie.” While both endearing and derogatory all at the same time, it truly is a badge of honor for each one of us. It means we were accepted into the greatest profession on the planet.