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Skylights – By Chris Collier

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Using natural openings for vertical ventilation should always be considered prior to cutting a ventilation hole.  Many times skylights are quicker to open and in a perfect location.  Skylights are generally located over hallways or stairwells in multiple dwellings.  Ventilating the hallways and stairwells has several benefits.

Venting the hallway and stairs is beneficial to everyone in the fire building, firefighters and civilians alike.  Allowing the smoke to lift in the hallway and stairs will assist civilians with evacuation and firefighters make their way in.  This will allow the forcible entry team to more easily locate and force the door to the fire area.  Relieving the hallway and stairs of smoke will also make it easier for the engine company to stretch and flake out their line; we all know the benefits of getting the first line into operation quickly.

After opening the skylight by either breaking the glass or hinging the entire assembly open your work is not complete.  The vertical walls that run from the skylight to the ceiling are known as “returns”.  The returns must be opened up with a hook to check for fire extension into the cockloft.  This is critical information not only for the members operating on the roof but the incident commander and interior companies as well.

Opening the returns also gives you a chance to see how the roof is constructed.  As you can see in this picture the roof is parallel chord wood trusses.  That information combined with fire conditions in the cockloft can have a direct impact on the amount of time members spend in the building or on the roof.

Be safe and happy new year from Brotherhood Instructors, LLC!

Posted by on December 26, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, Ladder Company Ops, Roof Ops, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged:

FDNY: Taxpayer Fire Discussion – By Nate DeMarse

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This is a great pre-arrival series of videos shot from an elevated position. It appears that the neighbor shot this from his fire escape on the 4th or 5th floor. Great stuff since we don’t normally get to see this operation.

Here are the links to the Youtube videos, and a few tactical comments:

Video #1

Video #1: Early-arriving footage from prior to the FDs arrival until the first engine arrives. Note how the first-due engine (95) approached slowly and pulled past the building allowing room for the first due ladder company. It is equally important to note that the first due truck (36, an aerial ladder) also stayed out of the way so that a tower ladder (TL-46, 2nd due) could get position in case it was needed later (very common as we know). Keep an eye on smoke conditions, there is not much showing throughout the first video. Note the discoloration (darkened & lack of graffiti) on the top third/top half of the roll-down gates. This is a good indication that the fire is directly behind or is impinging on the roll-down gate. This gate is probably warped from the heat which will make it nearly impossible to roll-up conventionally (as it is designed). If we arrive to this condition, we should think about attacking the gate directly as they did.

Video #2

Video #2: In the beginning of the video, Engine 95 stretches a 2 1/2″ line to the front of the fire store. The engine drops the required amount of hose to cover the fire store, then proceeds to a hydrant. As the Control FF at a taxpayer fire, a quick “trick” is to take the depth of the store and double it. This will account for any fire on the first floor. It will also provide enough hose to reach a fire in the front of a cellar if the access stairs are in the rear.

Video #3

Video #3: On the right store, it appears that they did a modification of an “inverted-V” cut. I am not sure what happened as there is a bit of a skip in the video. After a few seconds they were able to pull the slats and drop the left half of the roll-down gate so water could be put on the fire. Note that the saws working on the store to the right of where the fire is issuing and the gate to the left (same store) are cutting the locks.

Video #4

Video #4: On the left store at the 1 minute mark, it appears that the members are attempting to raise the roll-down gate conventionally. At 2:33 they appear to abandon attempts to raise the roll-up gate and start to directly attack the gate. It appears that the intention of the “Irons” firefighter (on the saw) was to conduct a curtain cut. Members pulled the right side of the gate prior to the completion of his last cut (on the left side). We should always attempt to leave the gate intact until the cutting operation is complete. Note the several methods used to pull/drive the slats from the gate. Many techniques were used:
• At 3:30, they are using the pike of the Halligan to drive a hole in the slat and pull it out. Another member is using the Halligan from the other side to drive the slat out of the door.
• At 3:50, they use the pike of the Halligan to drive a hole in the slat and attempt to pull it out. When possible, put the hole in the slat using the pike of the Halligan prior to cutting the gate to avoid the “waving” action of the gate, shown in the video.
• At 4:00, they are using the Halligan to drive the slats out of the gate, this is complicated by the warping of the gate.
• At 4:25, they are using the pike of the Halligan, placed in a hole then striking the Halligan to drive the slat out of the gate
• At 5:25, and as a last resort, they cut the gate into sections
• At 7:00, on the far left store a member pulls the slats of a gate that is not warped by heat.

Video #5

Video #5: Some overhaul video. Note all of the crap on the sidewalk that is present at the front of these stores. Typically, this stuff is piled into the front windows and display cases for storage as seen at the 2:00 mark. Additionally, any items that are normally sold in the front of the store during normal business hours, will be jammed into the aisles at night, impeding any progress to the rear of the store.

An equally important note is that TL-33 was probably 4th due (or greater) at this box. Regardless of when TL-33 arrived, they were able to get into position and “touch” the building. Responding aerial ladders and engine companies left room for tower ladders as per FDNY protocol at taxpayer fires. The million dollar fire truck does no good if it can’t reach the building. First due Ladder 36 has laddered the roof almost 5 stores away from the main fire building, providing access/egress but remaining out of the way for tower ladders.

An outstanding operation captured on videotape of a typical taxpayer fire that was able to be “stopped”.  Much of the time, this is not the end result of a 99-cent store fire.

Feel free to jump in with any comments, questions or anything that you may have seen in the video that we didn’t point out.  Stay safe!

Posted by on December 21, 2010 • Filed under: Attack Line, command-leadership, Engine Company Ops, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, Forcible Entry, Ladder Company Ops, Ladders, Roof Ops, Search, Stretching, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Ventilation, videos, Water Supply • Tagged:

Roof Operations: The 7-9-8 Ventilation Cut

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Brotherhood Instructors, LLC’s Chris Collier demonstrates safe fireground tactics and procedures to systematically open a flat-roof utilizing a power saw. The same techniques can be used on a slight pitched peaked-roof as well.

The 7-9-8 Ventilation cut provides a preset plan for conducting a cut. Far too often when members cut a roof, they “make each cut up as they go”. This cut will provide a plan-of-attack for each flat-roof that is opened. The design of this cut, and the steps that each cut is performed inherently keeps the firefighter from stepping inside the cut segments, thus increasing safety.

Also note that before the cut is started or between each cut, the blade is stopped on the roof. This increases safety and drastically decreases (nearly eliminates) the potential of a firefighter to be cut by a free-spinning power saw blade. One of our biggest pet peeves of common power saw operations is the firefighter that stands upright between cuts while “gunning” the saw. “Gunning the Saw” is a downright dangerous practice that CAN and WILL cause an injury. If you have to “gun” the saw to keep it running, you should have taken the saw out of service at the morning rig check!

By practicing these techniques and the systematic 7-9-8 ventilation cut, your operation will become more efficient, safer and more professional. This video was shot on a REAL ROOF, and the entire video is only 2 minutes and 18 seconds long (including video stops for slides and the intro and closing).

Posted by on December 19, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, Ladder Company Ops, Ladders, Roof Ops, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Ventilation, videos • Tagged:

Saw Fuel – By Kevin Legacy

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Issues with fuel has been a major concern of manufacturers of two-cycle equipment since I first started using, repairing and teaching on the subject in 1986.  Using old or expired gasoline, improper mix and improper carburetor adjusting have cost manufacturers, equipment owners and operators tremendous amounts of money.  I started researching this topic a few years ago.  Upon talking with industry experts, manufacturers and mechanics, it has been explained that many of our problems stem from additives in gasoline, age of gasoline, fuel mix and the engine’s efficiency.

Gasoline, like anything else ages.  As it ages it becomes less volatile and loses it’s initial octane rating.  When aged fuel is burned in two-cycle machines, it burns erratically, causing carbon build-up (eventually leading to carbon-detonation) which results in engine damage. Additionally, the oxygenators and cleaning agents commonly found in today’s automotive fuels can react negatively to the efficiency of two-cycle mixed fuel.  Remember, the automotive fuel industry does not spend time refining a better gasoline for the two-cycle equipment user.  Pure gasoline, much like aviation fuel is more suited for the two-stroke fuel mix process.

Pay attention to the next automotive gasoline advertisement that you see on the television or in an ad.  The automotive gasoline industry, promotes several detergents that clean or “scrub” the inside of your car’s engine.  Those agents are somewhat beneficial to a car’s gasoline engine as they are designed to separate oil and grease from the surfaces of the engine block and valves.  In layman’s terms, the detergent lifts and separates the oil film from the metal, and carries it off with the flowing oil and exhaust gases.

How do these detergents and today’s gasoline impact our two-cycle equipment?  How does this affect the oil that is mixed with the gasoline to create the two-cycle fuel?  The minute that you pour the mix into your two-cycle gasoline container, the detergents go to work.  They immediately attempt to separate the gasoline and the oil.  Our main issue…We NEED the oil to stay connected with the gasoline so we can conduct operations with the equipment that we must rely on to do our jobs.

Fuels containing alcohol additives are an additional problem with today’s automotive gasoline.  For example, a two-cycle machine is adjusted and is running properly.  The gasoline that was used in the current fuel mix (that you just finished) had little or no ethanol or methanol (both alcohols) added.  Realizing that you are now out of fuel, a fresh can of two-cycle mix must be made up.  You head out to buy fresh gasoline for the mix.  The gasoline found at most pumps contain as much as 10%-15% of alcohol additives.  Due to the addition of the alcohol additives, your two cycle engine will now run at a higher rpm and will idle differently.  A carburetor adjustment will be needed, or you risk causing a permanent problem in a rapidly-wearing engine.

Why the carburetor adjustment? In my research and fact-finding, it has been explained to me that alcohol molecules require a larger hole to pass through than gasoline molecules.  This explaines the “richer” adjustment needed for the fuel containing alcohol.  For an example, we’ll say that your carburetor mixture screw setting is open two turns, and that there is an adequate amount of fuel passing by the adjusting screw.  The “two-turns setting” was perfect for fuel containing pure gasoline.  However, when you add gasoline containing alcohol to the fuel-mix, it does not allow the same volume to pass by the opening, thus the engine receives less fuel at that setting.  Why is this important?  A two-cycle engine receives lubrication from the fuel (oil mixed gasoline).  If you limit the fuel flow, you also limit the lubrication to your engine.  Machines today must be constantly watched to assure they are running properly.  If they are not, and the machine continues to receive inadequate fuel (thus inadequate lubrication), you will have an increase in down-time.  The greater the alcohol percentage in the gasoline, the greater the issue.

In some cases, we have heard that some members add a little extra oil to compensate for the deficiency in lubrication discussed above.  This is also not a good practice, and also detrimental to the engine.  Oil will retain heat, and if not burned cleanly will increase harmful emissions and increase carbon build-up within the engine.  This unburned carbon will cause bearings to skate, piston rings to stick and the scoring of pistons and cylinders.  Again, carburetor adjustment is very important and must be done to maintain the efficiency of the machine.

We must also remember that alcohol is an outstanding solvent.  The presence of alcohol will adversely affect the fuel lines, seals and other rubber parts of our two-cycle machines.  A solvent often softens rubber, causing additional problems.  You may have noticed that the fuel lines on your saw have miraculously transformed from a rigid hose to a collapsible chewing gum consistency.  Additionally, ethanol collects water very efficiently.  This assists in removing moisture from gasoline.  If a two-cycle engine contains water molecules in the fuel, corrosion of the aluminum and magnesium components may occur.

Almost always when conducting our saw operations courses, we discuss carburetor adjustment.  We sometimes receive a word of caution from course organizers, supervisors or department mechanics at those training sessions.  In many cases, they don’t want “just anyone” opening up a saw and adjusting the carburetor.  While we do agree with the statement that IDEALLY only the saw mechanics or members trained in saw maintenance should be performing adjustments, we hear of just as many (if not more) two-cycle machines damaged due to lack of adjustment than from adjustment.  If a two-cycle machine is not adjusted properly, you run the risk of engine damage.  An operator must know when a piece of equipment is out of adjustment.  It is important to the life of the engine, and operator safety.

Short of being the saw mechanic, what can we do to lessen this fuel problem as firefighters?  One of the most important and easiest things that we can do is purchase and utilize a fuel with a higher octane rating (91) or use an octane booster additive.  If multiple two-cycle machines are on your apparatus, sometimes each call for their own (sometimes different) fuel mixtures.  If this is the case, a universal fuel mixture may be beneficial to your department.  While there are several types of universal mixtures commercially available, assure that the one selected states “Good for ALL Air-Cooled Two-Cycle Engines” on the packaging.  Additionally, check to assure that the oil mix can be mixed with gasoline containing ethanol.  Most of the universal mixtures contain a fuel stabilizer.  When utilizing these universal fuel mixtures there is less math to perform, and less chance of an error in fuel ratios.  In short, only one can of fuel mix will be needed on the apparatus (instead of multiple cans), and the fuel will be stabilized as an added benefit.  Several other variations of “pre-mixes” have also become popular.  In our experience, most work very well but are more expensive than mixing your own fuel.  Typically, those pre-mix containers come in small containers (32oz).  Always conduct your own research, and figure out what works for your department and your tools.

Posted by on December 17, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, Forcible Entry, Ladder Company Ops, Roof Ops, special-operations, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Ventilation • Tagged:

The American Series 2000 Padlock – By Nate Demarse

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A new youtube video has been posted to our channel.  Subscribe to us or become friends with us on Youtube.

All videos are also available on our players located throughout this page.

American Series 2000 Padlocks

Posted by on December 14, 2010 • Filed under: firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, Forcible Entry, Ladder Company Ops, RIT or FAST Operations, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, videos • Tagged:

Door Control – By Chris Collier

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Door control is probably the least fun part of forcible entry, but one of the most important.  Lets be honest, most doors we force do not have fire directly behind them.  When forcing a door for a utility emergency, medical run, alarm investigation and the such is door control really that important?  I think so.  If you get in the habit of doing it every time you force a door it will be second nature when it really matters.

We know that each step of our systematic forcible entry process builds upon the previous step to increase the spread between the door and the jamb.  It is imperative to be prepared to control the door at any time during the forcible entry process since any one of the steps could cause the door to release depending on how it is secured.

Many firefighters are taught to control the door with a piece of rope or webbing tied around the door knob.  This does work but is not my preferred method.  Most firefighters put a little thought into the equipment in their pockets and carry things for a specific purpose.  Many of us carry things like rope and webbing for important functions such as bailing out or unconscious firefighter removal.  If you use your webbing for door control are you really going to wrap it back up and put it back in your pocket before you go in or are you just going to leave it hanging on the knob?  I personally carry a piece of utility rope as well for venting top floor windows from the roof or raising equipment.  Why not use that?  There are a few reasons such as it possibly getting in the way and in the case of a two person forcible entry team not having a person to hold the rope.  The biggest disadvantage to this method is the natural tendency of the firefighter holding the rope to immediately pull the door shut when it forces.    Deadbolts, vertical deadbolts, and slide bolts usually break or the receiver breaks when a door is forced.  In most cases a latch will pull out of its keeper but not break.   If the door is equipped with spring loaded latch as most are, it may re-lock.  In the case of a magnetic lock, re-locking is an even greater possibility.  Again, this method does work but I prefer to use the tools already in my hands rather than add this extra step.

The halligan is an excellent tool to control the door with.  Hook the adz end around the leading edge of the door and pull it shut.  Pretty simple right?  If there is fire directly behind the door the firefighter with the halligan can direct the striking firefighter to put down the axe and grab a 6′ hook when the door is almost ready to release.  When the door opens the door can easily be pulled closed with the hook.  This method allows both firefighters to stay low and be protected by the door.  Another advantage of using a tool to control the door is that it cannot close completely.  The tool will keep the door open about 1″ which will prevent any locking devices from reengaging.

In many departments manpower is not as plentiful as we would like it to be.  In some places those two firefighters that just forced the door may now have to go stretch a line.  If you use a tool to control the door the tool can be layed on the ground and it will still hold the door closed but not allow any locks to reengage while the line is being stretched.

Conventional FE Demo Video

Practice makes perfect.  Practice it the right way and you will do it the right way when it counts.  Be safe!

Posted by on December 13, 2010 • Filed under: Attack Line, Engine Company Ops, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, Forcible Entry, Ladder Company Ops, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged:

Newark, New Jersey: Aggressive Engine Company Operations – By Nate DeMarse

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Youtube User Allhandsgoingtowork continues to catch and document outstanding work in New Jersey.  Below is some great early arriving footage of aggressive and professional fireground operations.  We are often asked why we don’t post more “engine stuff”.  I think the main reason is due to the lack of first-arriving or simultaneous arriving video cameras with the first due companies, and of the first-due footage that is available only a fraction of it is usable for teaching aggressive engine operations.  This video is obviously useful to discuss several points, and is an excellent example of an aggressive interior attack.

(for whatever reason, the “embed option” was disabled by the Youtube user.  The photo above is now a link to the Youtube video that will open up in a new window)

The video begins with a coordinated ventilation operation.  The door has been forced and the line is charged and ready to advance on the fire.  We are aware that the member that took the windows is not in full PPE.  Is this correct? Probably not.  Does it happen? It does.  That’s all of the discussion that we will have regarding the lack of PPE in this video.  Any further comments only pertaining to “lack of PPE” will not be posted.  There are plenty more points that were done correctly, and much more can be discussed and learned from those points.

The nozzle firefighter opens the line, and hits the exterior of the house before entry.  This is a very effective tactic for knocking down EXTERIOR FIRE ONLY, especially in the presence of “gasoline siding” or asphalt siding.  Fire can quickly extend to upper floors or expose other buildings when asphalt siding is present.  Keep in mind that asphalt siding may be present under vinyl or aluminum siding, and is just as much of a problem.  Again, it is not a bad move to knock down rapidly extending fire before making entry if the fire is ON THE EXTERIOR.  When the line gets placed inside the window, it defeats the purpose of coordinated ventilation.  Judging by the very brief duration that the nozzle was allowed to flow into the room, I think that it was an error that the stream was aimed in the window.  A firefighter (assuming the engine boss) appears to tell the nozzle firefighter to shut down and move into the building at the 00:12 mark, and the nozzle firefighter follows him in.

This was an OUTSTANDING example of an aggressive interior attack.  As the nozzle team moves into the building, take a look at the fire inside the building.  I was always taught (and we always teach) that just before making entry to put your face to the floor and look for a couple of seconds.  This video allows us to get a glimpse of what we may be looking for.  At 00:14 look under the smoke through the entry door.  You can see the location of the main body of fire, and the most direct route to access it.  You may also see room, hallway or furniture layouts or a victim laying on the floor.  All of these things are incredibly important in their own right, but you cannot see that if you are not on your knees or you don’t take a look.  At 00:30-00:35, the nozzle team makes the fire room, knocking down the main body of fire.  An OUTSTANDING JOB by a very aggressive and professional engine company.

Also take a look at what appears to be an outside vent firefighter taking a look on the 4(d) side around the same time.  He will be noting fire and smoke conditions, possible victims, the presence (or lack thereof) of fire escapes and the routes to VES the fire floor or floors above.  A simple transmission from the OV firefighter, “Engine 1, you still have fire out one window in the rear!” will tell engine 1 that their job is not yet done, and they may have fire behind them at this point.  Remember to communicate your findings.  It appears that the same firefighter comes back to the front of the building, entering the fence to go around to the 2(b) side.  Also note that a second line has been stretched dry to the front of the building for potential use on the second floor or to back-up the first line.  It is a very common practice in this area to the country to stretch a dry line to the front, even if it may not be needed.  This saves tremendous amounts of time over stretching a line from a rig down the street when the line is needed on the second floor NOW!   If it isn’t needed, we’ll repack it!  It’s ok…it’s hose!  It is meant to be pulled and repacked multiple times, even if it won’t be used.  Again, a sign of a professional operation.

A quick side-note:  If for some reason this first floor fire cannot be controlled, and searching firefighters have advanced past the doorway that we see glowing inside the building, the nozzle team CANNOT LEAVE this doorway regardless of conditions until the searching firefighters have either gotten down the stairs or found another way out.  This is where the nozzle team earns it’s respect.  Abandoning this position and withdrawing outside will spell disaster for the members operating above.  Fire will travel out of this doorway and directly up the stairs trapping members above and cutting them off.  There WILL BE firefighters transmitting maydays and potentially bailing out of windows if this happens.  If you are the nozzle firefighter, YOU ARE THE LAST ONE OUT OF THIS FRONT DOOR IF THINGS GO TO HELL.  This is a tough day to be a nozzle firefighter.  Keep the nozzle working (read: move the nozzle fast) on the ceiling in circles just inside the fire room and over your head, if needed get on your back or belly to stay as low as possible.  Consequently, if you are one of the searching firefighters that went above, let the nozzle team know if you found another way out so they are not taking a beating for no reason.

At the end of the video, you can also see that the top floor windows were not broken out.  The members operating above realized that the fire was being knocked down, so only the top pane was dropped down to ventilate.  Believe it or not, when dealing with the energy efficient windows such as these, they are much easier to open without breaking them, than breaking them.  I have on several occasions, used the clips to remove these windows simply because it makes sense and is a more efficient vent than smashing a little hole in the glass, leaving much of the glass intact.

Great job once again to Newark and to Allhandsworking.  Thanks for the great drill material, and a professional operation to use an example!

Posted by on December 2, 2010 • Filed under: Attack Line, Engine Company Ops, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, Forcible Entry, Ladder Company Ops, Search, Stretching, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, videos, Water Supply • Tagged: