THE CHANGING FIREGROUND ENVIRONMENT

For a moment, let’s briefly consider three scenarios:

Scenario #1
The first arriving engine company to a reported structure fire finds a fire in a 2-story hotel. A quick size-up indicates a working fire in one of the apartments on the first floor has charged the apartment and first-floor hallway with heat and smoke, resulting in minimal visibility and heat conditions that are steadily increasing. Two firefighters quickly develop an attack line into the hallway. As it is 1960, the firefighters do not have the protection of SCBA and hoods. However, as they slowly and cautiously advance down the hallway toward the seat of the fire, they stay as low as possible and monitor the heat levels with their ears. Reaching the open door to the involved apartment, they stop to the side of the door and deftly direct a spray stream towards the upper portion of the apartment and quickly close the door. After a short period of time, the firefighters open the door and observe the fire has virtually been extinguished. Final extinguishment quickly follows. (more…)

By Paul Stein and Ettore Berardinelli

In previous articles, we have been discussing the fact that everyone is really a teacher in some way, shape, or form and the fact that our actions will always speak louder than our words. Our actions tell people a lot about our integrity, our commitment, and our enthusiasm towards our careers. When we are new in the fire service, we look to others for guidance, whether it is formal instruction or simply observing what appears to be positive and successful performance. We look for a “model of behavior” to follow in order to insure our own success. This is pretty normal in any walk of life, from athletics to politics. And occasionally we may realize at some point that we need to make a change, especially when our role model’s actions do not match up with their words. (more…)

Gordon Graham here again – and thank you for taking the time to read my little corner of this great site – and thank you for your continued efforts in protecting your communities. In the news today as I prepare this piece for the September 1 deadline are the wildland fires around California – growing in terms of number and size – and sadly as I prepare this piece on Sunday evening I have just learned about the tragic death of the two Los Angeles County Firefighters on Mt. Gleason. (more…)

Organizational Values and Competence
By Paul H. Stein and Ettore A. Berardinelli

Our previous article in this series discussed everyone’s opportunity to be a teacher through setting the example and mentoring, and how one person’s example can be such an effective method of imparting valuable principles. Then there are those individuals that are given the opportunity and responsibility to become the formal trainer of departmental personnel. During our combined 60+ years in the Fire Service, both of us have had the privilege of being Training Officers. Yes, we did say privilege! (more…)