Tactical Safety: Benchmarks

By Ray McCormack

We use benchmarks on the fireground for determining levels of accomplishment through determining levels of deterioration. Benchmarking progress during fires - and timely accountability of your people - is part of fire extinguishment, and should be easier with today’s technology. There are other benchmarks that tell us a different story: a story of time, and firefighters who went before. Some of the sagest advice you will ever receive will be passed on to you from a senior firefighter and or officer. What time elapsed benchmarks have you collected for your future use?

We had a bench at my firehouse, made from hardwood and cultured over decades of use. It was not particularly comfortable, but it was set near the corner of the kitchen and provided a great vantage point as to what was taking place within the hub of the firehouse. I can remember that one of our senior firefighters loved sitting there, legs crossed, smoking a pipe, and commenting with total clarity on the multiple conversations and things happening in that busy space. Not only was he a very astute observer, he often orchestrated the events of that room through gentle pokes and prodding, and always with an escape clause, “I’m just a blue shirt what do I know”?

We had a hierarchy of seating in that room; that may have seemed crude to some outsiders, but it worked for us, much like the differences in the fire service that unite us - or separate us, now. What works for one place does not always translate into broad acceptance: Bench time was not for the junior members, and it never seemed a problem as some goals in the fire service must be earned - and waited for. Different ideas for different times wear a beach well. We do not want carbon copies of generations as much as some want you to believe. There is no way that all the benchmarks from decades ago will stand the test of time, and that’s fine; what needs to remain will, and these benchmarks are at our core.

Some benchmarks are deeply grooved straight lines while others tend to bend a bit in one direction or another; still others go full circle, proving that everything old is new again, even in the fire service. The arms of that bench seemed to have the deepest wear from where the elbow rested to the forward end, where a hand was placed into the ‘starting blocks’ of a new response. This fixture of the firehouse tells its story in a silent narrative that all can understand and hopefully appreciate. For it is the not only the stories that are important, it is the story tellers’ comfort that bring about the best tales.

Sometimes a cushion would be added to the bench for comfort and sometimes it was taken away to restore its originality. We often hear versions of stories that contain their own cushion for the storyteller; and some that believe that ‘story cushions’ are unnecessary, and only deflect from the true experience. It is up to each of us to find our place on the bench and our comfort level for storytelling. Sit for a bit and share a story that was told to you and has kept you tactically safe.

Next Tactical Safety – Stream Shaper

Justice for my Brothers' Killer

Justice for My Brothers' Killer

By Ray McCormack

The news that Osoma bin Laden was killed was great news - and will remain great news forever. The death of this famed coward who killed 343 members of my department along with thousands of other innocent victims is justice served. This news is the culmination of a pledge made to America and the FDNY that we would not rest until the murders responsible were caught and brought to justice. The news made me especially proud of our military and security forces, happy that justice was finally served, and peaceful that now this monster that has over shadowed our lives does so no more.

America needs to remember the inspiration 343 firefighters provided us on that terrible day. Today is the day America’s promise to itself was fulfilled; and while we all felt sad and confused on 9/11 we can all feel good about this news. One death can have much healing power; those directly affected by loss have one less concern today.

My brothers do not physically walk among us any more, however, what they did and what they stood for on 9/11 inspired the world. Their sacrifice can never be diminished through forgetfulness, neglect or cultural shift. They are heroes who will live on forever in every firefighter that hears their story. God Bless America and the FDNY.

The Fire Department Polio Vaccine

by Ray McCormack

This week marks the anniversary of the distribution of the polio vaccine to American children. The significance of this endeavor was that Polio was virtually eliminated as a debilitating disease: A disease that struck children, the effects of which stayed with them forever. The fire service needs a vaccine as well when it comes to educational intervention and firefighter safety and effectiveness. This “shot-in-the-arm” needs to be bottled and dispensed at every fire academy - and some providers of which need to wrap their heads around some basic principles of firefighting that some have not passed on. Incomplete foundational firefighting principles are being dispensed to a large portion of the fire service and this ‘placebo’ can hurt us.

The other day, I read a statement by a firefighter who stated we should never attack a fire ‘head-on.’ There were further comments that went on to inform this apparently young firefighter that he was mistaken; and other comments stating that he was at least partially mistaken. None of his detractors spoke to the root cause of his confusion. Can we all have an opinion? Of course! Don’t we all come with one already? That is not the issue; the issue is the fact that many do not understand the role of the hoseline. See, once you understand its primary function, it’s positioning follows suit. Unfortunately, this firefighter’s dilemma was that he was taught wrong. Some fire academy instructors apparently do not understand the role of the hoseline either. If they did, operational discord would be quieted, and the voice of confusion would be lessened.

For a firefighter to say that we never attack a fire head on is just plain, well…unbelievable. This firefighter owes his ignorance to some academy staff somewhere. I’m sorry if you disagree or are offended. If you are, then maybe you believe as he did in a strategy that is not only inefficient, but dangerous. If our new firefighters coming into the fire service are not being taught properly - and this has nothing to do with new techniques or scientific studies; this has everything to do with basic fire extinguishment - then we really do have an epidemic of lost, base knowledge. We are still the fire department - and if we poison our recruits with bad information, then not only will our results be shameful to watch, our people will be in danger as they operate under a cloak of confusion.

You see, the primary function of the hoseline is to protect egress. When hoselines are mistakenly placed in areas that do not protect civilian egress, you’re in the wrong spot. Protect life then property. Yes it’s a simple theory, but it’s more than a theory, it’s a fact. Does it vary at times? It can, but that is not the point. The point remains that you need to understand the initial consideration. If you do not know where your hoseline should be placed initially - or your initial placement is backwards - then of course you don’t get it - and you have been taught without foundation. Remember, civilian egress is the first part of egress protection; firefighter egress is also accomplished once the line is where it needs to be; Think direct access and protection of hallways and stairways.

The biggest problem is in the educational delivery: The fire service which differs on just about everything needs some consensus on this front because it is so (basic). Protecting egress affords us the proper use of our greatest life saving tool: a properly positioned hoseline - Fire extinguishment is the bonus.

So if you have the pleasure to instruct new recruits and old veterans alike, get one thing right: the hierarchy of hoseline placement. Let’s eradicate this illness from the fire service once and for all and put our students on the right track. Proper line placement is the key to fireground success for everyone. Now that didn’t hurt did it?

The Aggressees

The Aggressees

by Ray McCormack

Many do not understand the Agressees at all

Prefering to think them a bit outta sync

Some call it old school, with a snicker and scowl

Old school or new, the Agressees adapt

for a 360 is simply a lap

easily done in a snap

for the Agressees, its simple, flat out is the speed

Which is always best tempered by need

Many do not understand the Agressees at all

Who love to kill the enemy, spring, summer, winter and fall

They break things; and move forward to battle the beast

Hit em’ with water to melt em’ away

Some still do not understand the need for a good spray

They look for the hidden, who are hidden indeed

To find them fills our core need

The Agressees are chided for being so bold

But you have to remember, their just doing as told

For them, its simple, kill the beast and go home

And when you save a life, is a treat all its own

Tactical Safety: Popping Doors

Popping Doors

By Ray McCormack

Mysteries abound on the fireground behind doors that need popping. Yes, we can have smoke behind doors in states varying from seeping to pumping, but the mystery is still not solved with a barrier between us and the fire; Getting in also ranges from clumsy kicks to a studied-entry technique for a worthy opponent. To have never faced such a door is a shame, because the great challenge is something all firefighters should experience.

There is a difference between wood and steel. There is a difference between well-lit and smoked-out, but in talented hands, it makes little difference. Knowledge of forcible entry is the corner stone of truck work. Some may find that a debatable point, but without entry, we have no interior fire attack. Our interior launching pad only lifts off when entry is accomplished.

Doors range from moderate to extremely difficult to open: The makings of a tough forcible entry situation are not strictly based upon lock load. Tight spaces that restrict movement may have to be made more user-friendly by taking out the wall covering and creating the room we seek. Angles that cause us to work from a different approach than the norm can give us all pause; however, the biggest obstacle any firefighter will face from a door starts long before they arrive at the welcome mat if their knowledge of technique is as rusty as an ax left out in the rain.

Forcible entry technique needs to be understood from the basic steps through multi-lock doors. Why? Even if you never face a tight door with a few locks, the techniques of tool movement and placement - and leverage - principles are never wasted – and can be utilized for other operational fireground tasks. I worked with a firefighter who not only exuded confidence, he proved it, and feared no door. He relished the challenge and worked his skill-set beyond what others knew so that he could pass on the how-to of the majority forcible entry situations; however, knowledge is not enough: you need skill and a mind-set that aggressively attacks the challenge.

Your knowledge and experience blend together with a positive attitude that says, “I will get through this door,” establishes you as someone who should have this assignment. There are many soft evaluations and considerations that we can fumble through, and the answer we receive can be right or wrong and no one gets hurt - forcible entry is not one of those.

When it comes down to it, and we arrive at the fire building and start operating, the locked door needs to be opened; It needs to be opened quickly and thoroughly – and the people assigned to that task must have the skill-sets necessary to handle what is thrown at them. Their task may be difficult, but their training and determination will see them through their best efforts. Play time is over. It is now time to pop the door and start operations. Knowing your way through doors increases your tactical safety. See you on the other side.

Next Tactical Safety - Benchmarks

Tactical Safety- Urgent Need

By Ray McCormack

To increase our collective efficiency on the fireground, the fire service should investigate the implementation of the “Urgent” message. An “Urgent” is different from a traditional Mayday in that it is a stepped-down transmission of need. Fireground emergency communication is often graded upon need, which is often manifested solely in the requester’s volume and urgency. The need for a standard message prompt in the form of “Urgent” helps classify requests and makes for more orderly fireground communications.

The use of the term “Urgent” prior to announcing the specific request is one form of message transmission. Another is to specifically transmit just “Urgent,” and await a reply from command. Either style will require a command acknowledgement of the message. With the “Urgent,” we are highlighting a request or observation and requesting some form of action - or appraising command of our action in response to the situation.

When an “Urgent” is broadcast over the tactical channel, all must listen up as to the specifics mentioned as well as the response from command. The use of this signal may step on other transmissions and requires normal fireground traffic to cease until this situation has abated. The acknowledgement of any message is always important, as it is a signal of accountability. When messages of an urgent nature are given, accountability must be maintained due to the high probability of repeated communications between at least two parties on a focused topic.

Categorization of “Urgent” messages is also helpful: so that message remain succinct. Rambling messages under the “Urgent” umbrella are all wet. To develop categories of urgent messages, departments must look at common fireground events that place firefighters in danger, but do not reach the level of a “Mayday” transmission.

Common events that endanger firefighters: fire extension, loss of water, and predictable event-triggers, all fall within urgent messages. Sometimes an “Urgent” may be needed just to break through routine traffic: The frustration of the originator to continue to wait in line for their message to simply be heard can lead to an “Urgent” prompt. The message itself may not fall under strict criteria, but if it pings too long under call waiting, then maybe a truer, more formal urgent need will emerge. The point is that we have a form of communication that lies between standard fare and “Mayday.”

You can always upgrade from an urgent to a mayday with some criteria of messaging; however, the Urgent is a less dramatic message prompt to hear than Mayday. With urgent, we know there is a heightened need, and that danger still lurks, but one of the main differences is that we can usually remove ourselves from the area as opposed to being trapped by a situation.

The deployment of a rapid intervention team may or may not be part of your Urgent message deployment package. Response to Urgents, fall under a situation evaluation that may only involve the confirmation of the message to verification of repositioning. All messages on the fireground are not created equal: The grading of messages into set parameters greatly assists all fireground communication when used properly. Let’s not just let the importance of a message get diluted due to a stacked delivery and lack of a prompt. Command the urgent and get heard for increased tactical safety.

Next Tactical Safety – Popping Doors

Anniversary - Erich Roden

By Erich Roden

Publisher and Editor, Urban Firefighter Magazine

Today is Urban Firefighter Magazine’s first Birthday. And yes, presents are mandatory…What began with two minds and a thousand ideas has become a magazine that has seen nearly four million page views in its infancy in just four issues – that’s MILLION. The braggart in us aside, this number proves more humbling to me than it serves as the industry’s benchmark for success. And humbled was I this day last year: I’ll let you in on a little-known fact: Urban Firefighter Magazine was not supposed to launch on February 25, 2010; rather, like every Grand Opening, there were a thousand little things Ray and I wanted to add-remove and stew about before releasing our baby to the public; we actually planned on waiting another week. Furthermore, I was on the back-half of a tour at the firehouse that day when an early-morning fire came in…

We were second-due truck to a private-dwelling and the engine had already started water on the fire as we arrived. We proceeded to the floor above to poke around and dropped-down to the landing below to don our facepieces. As we knelt-down, we saw what looked like two bare feet near a couch on the fire floor, just inside the doorway. We crawled in a few feet and were startled by what we found: a young woman brutally stabbed to death lying on the floor. We radioed the chief of our discovery, let the first-due truck take their grab out (fire floor decorum); and I advised the first-due truck officer that we would finish poking around the fire floor for more victims. What we found in the bathroom was just as unimaginable: two kids murdered in a different fashion; I’ll spare the details. We removed the kids, handed them off to an awaiting ambulance and reported into the chief to discuss the mess we discovered. We were to later find out that this was a robbery-gone-bad-arson-cover-up; at least the bastards were eventually caught.

You can imagine what the ride back to the quarters was like and the thoughts going through everyones’ heads. We backed-in, washed-up and I began packing up my stuff up to head home for the day. That’s when I grabbed my phone…

On it was a thousand text-messages and voicemails. See: while we were witness to the worst of urban life and taking in what should have been a routine fire in my City, our web-designers were busy, early, building the final website on what they thought was the beta site (nerd-speak for: a hidden site used by web-designers to see what the product actually looks like ‘live’). Instead, they mistakenly assembled the magazine on the actual site – and those friends and others who were looking for it were able to see it before Ray and I did (we were the worst-kept secret in the fire service at the time). Perhaps that’s the way it was meant to be, it is your magazine by the way!

I will always remember the roller-coaster of emotions experienced in an instant that morning, vividly. Our urban firefighters needed a voice that detailed their operations, personalities, victories and defeats, specifically. I’d like to think that a simple mistake by our web-designers was needed-proof that – although we had just experienced the worst in our business – there was now something positive out there to tell the story…