New York Style Standpipe Folds
By Ray McCormack
The folds are laid out adjacent to each other. The couplings are aligned for a rapid connection.
The couplings are connected and the hose packs are ready for advancement and staging.
The lead length (nozzle) is carried up to the fire floor. The last length is connected to the standpipe.
Tactical Safety – Developing New Categories of Danger
By Ray McCormack
Fighting fires is dangerous - and apparently that is not the only thing that is dangerous. Some dangers are immediate and some are time-lapsed. The closer we examine many new categories of danger brought to us by trend merchants, the more complex our occupation becomes - and the more blurred the lines of distinction become between what is real and what is perceived. You see: not all dangers are created equally, and not all dangers are readily visible. Some dangers bring us off course by a few degrees and are barely noticeable. When they are combined with other developing dangers, you still may not feel the shift, but one day you will finally see how far we have traveled.
When the police attempt to profile citizens they are told to stop; When security agencies develop profiles they keep them under wraps; When the fire service profiles we are told by many that it is prudent. As a firefighter, you improve your survival by wearing your gear and knowing how to operate within a building containing fire. Civilians do not have structural fire gear; they instead depend upon us to bridge the gap of survival for them. They are not aware of the profile some have developed for them. They are not aware of our course change. They are not aware that they will soon be placed into another category by a Public Information Officer (PIO).
What is it that we don’t do anymore? Listen up and you will hear all kinds of things, and reasons to support inaction. Is this where society is going? No, society highly values service companies and altruistic efforts. Is the current generation of firefighters to blame? No, not yet at least. Those that impact service delivery and those who preach fear believe that diminishing our tactical range of effort is commendable due to the fact there was nothing we could do. Inaction is not dangerous to your body; but what about the long range impact? The more “nothing” we do, the more inaction we applaud; the more they were dead already fires events we have, the more the fire service’s mission and principle(s) will digress.
Politicos can do a numbers job on us - but only we can devalue our service - and there are many already busy with that effort. The fire service is different from any other emergency service… so far. When we are not proactive in doing what we can do for our citizens, then the danger of extinction is real. Let’s not put ourselves on the endangered list. Instead, work to improve our service delivery model - do everything you can to save lives, explore all options and stay tactically safe.
Next Tactical Safety – Switching to 2 ½
By Ray McCormack
Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)- that’s the easy one. That’s where we work, so Mask Up!
Who, what, when, where, how, and why do you mask up at an operation?
Who ? All who enter the IDLH.
What? Breathing supplied-air.
When? Just prior to entering the IDLH and throughout your stay while you’re there.
Where ? Where ever the IDLH exists.
How ? Through your self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) facepiece.
Why? So that you will not become a victim due to exposure to the IDLH now or in the future.
Without getting into certain specifics about what constitutes an IDLH, lets consider when you should “mask up.” The obvious time should be obvious to everyone; It is the not so obvious times that need be hashed out. Why are people who are outside the IDLH - and are performing tasks or walking around- or planning on doing something-using their SCBA? Is this necessary? No, and it hinders our capability to get things done.
Some may argue that they are in a “state of readiness” due to mask usage and that might be believable if they were positioned on a charged hoseline-and about to make entry. However, videos and photos often show a different story of firefighters outside the IDLH sucking down air. The problem with this is that when they are needed inside the IDLH, their work time will be severely diminished. So when we choose to mask up outside the IDLH, we should be mindful of what we are accomplishing and our future capabilities.
It is interesting to see how the SCBA is valued by some. It is the most technologically advanced piece of equipment we carry; it sustains life, yet some think it should only be used on special occasions. Its use requires no special occasion except for prolonged health! Wearing your SCBA compliments your lungs quite nicely. Some carry it, and yet use it only sporadically as if the contents of the bottle were some precious, endangered natural resource. In fact, it is a precious resource that should be used with abandon within the IDLH. Use it. Use it all the time you are exposed so that you do not end up sick and wishing you had done so.
A recent video showed firefighters arriving at an attached garage fire without SCBA. How does a firefighter get off the apparatus at a working house fire without his SCBA? They would not be going inside, they will not be rescuing anyone - they are fakes. Their size-up says, “I will be outside; and I will stay outside; I will only be doing some of the work; I am more interested in saying ‘I am a firefighter’ than actually being one.” There are many factors that stop firefighters from entering fires. Firefighters that show up without SCBA hold us back from doing what we should be doing - and their bosses let it happen.
Mask up, get into the game, and stay tactically safe.
Next Tactical Safety – Developing New Categories of Danger
