Training
Accountability - Search and Rescue Part 13
The Washington Firefighter printed an excellent article in 1999 by retired Chief Dennis Compton that can be directly applied to accountability in search operations (and for that matter, other fireground operations). Following are selected portions of Chief Compton’s article:
Company Officers
The Most Dangerous Job on the Fireground
Introduction
To paraphrase Webster’s Dictionary, the term search means “to look through in order to find something”
10 Commandments of Truck Company Ops - Part 6
Let’s continue with our look at the relevance of common fireground acronyms and begin with the most popular acronym RECEO
10 Commandments of Truck Company Ops - Part 5
In our last article, we considered the importance of building construction and reading the environment when applied to the commandment of “Determining Available Fireground Time.” Let’s finish this commandment by looking at the fireground clock.
10 Commandments of Truck Company Ops - Part 4
More on the Basics Before Arriving On-Scene
10 Commandments of Truck Company Ops - Part 3
Using the fireground safety rules that were overviewed in Parts 1 and 2 as a foundation, let’s review ten common fireground considerations from a truck company perspective. Although the following list will not be all-inclusive, it will focus on firefighter safety and hopefully provide a starting point for thought and discussion as fireground logistical considerations are slowly being diluted from reduced staffing levels and increased constraints such as 2-in/2-out, RIT teams, and other similar perceived priorities.
CANINE CPR
Recently, Engine 23 and Task Force 69 responded to a structure fire at the home of my cousin. Shortly after the fire was out, my cousin Bill arrived on scene and his first question to the firefighters was, “Are my dogs OK?”
Reading Interior Conditions
After the smoke and/or environment is evaluated prior to entering a structure, it is mandatory for personnel engaged in interior operations to constantly monitor the environment for changes until the fire is extinguished, extension has also been extinguished, and ventilation operations have removed the contaminants. Reading interior smoke should focus on the three basic considerations of the initial company, later arriving companies, and unvented attic fires as follows:
