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Buffalo Grove Fire Department

Buffalo Grove Fire Department. Firefighter Survival & Rapid Intervention Operations. Firefighter Survival Why We Need This !!. Feeling of immunity “This won’t happen to me” Survival training helps prepare Firefighters for unexpected Increases chances of getting out of a “bad situation”

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Buffalo Grove Fire Department

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  1. Buffalo Grove Fire Department Firefighter Survival & Rapid Intervention Operations

  2. Firefighter SurvivalWhy We Need This !! • Feeling of immunity • “This won’t happen to me” • Survival training helps prepare Firefighters for unexpected • Increases chances of getting out of a “bad situation” • Produces instinctive response to situations

  3. Why we need it (cont.) • Complacency • Peer Pressure • “It’s just an AFA” • “Why are you putting all your gear on” • Less fire ground experience • We get less fires every year • Murphy’s Law

  4. Factors that cause problems • Training • Experience • Staffing • Building Construction • Nature and type of fires

  5. Training & Experience • Less fires every year • Fire prevention education is working • Good & Bad • Each generation has less experience than the previous • Attrition • Live fire training is very controlled • Temperature controlled situations • Fuel fed fires • Non-combustible structures

  6. Staffing • Most departments are suffering from: • “Doing more with Less” • Limited companies on a fire • Chicago FD responds with approximately 35 firefighters on an upgraded structure fire (“Still and Box” w/RIT & Squad Co.) • Exposure is much more of a concern for CFD • Age of homes much greater • Sprinkled homes non-existent • Suburban department respond with 12-15 firefighters • 24 on Full Still or Code 4 assignment • Three person companies!! • Numerous tasks • Limited capabilites

  7. Building Construction • Pre-fabricated construction • Lightweight construction • TJI Floor Joists • Engineered lumbers • Trusses • Gusset plates fail after exposure of 800-1000 degrees • Newer structures are less resistant to fire

  8. Nature of fires • Contents and interior finishes • Class A combustibles vs. Synthetics • Polycarbonate fuels • Technology in gear allows firefighters to penetrate deeper into fire situations

  9. What can we do? • Realistic Training • Policy development • RIT & Mayday Policies-Know them!!! • Proper application of ICS • Personnel Accountability • Strategy and Tactics • Firefighter Discipline • Personal Accountability • PHYSICAL FITNESS!!! • Undisclosed medical conditions

  10. Firefighter Survival Skills • These skills are for self-rescue • Firefighter should be able to solve their own emergency situation • Attitude is essential to any self rescue or RIT scenario • It “CAN” happen to you! • Failure of SCBA • Loss of water • Ceiling collapse • Some type of unexpected event • Anticipate that something will go wrong at any moment

  11. Personal Equipment • The responsibility lies upon you to know and maintain your personal equipment • Escape rope • Flashlight(s) • Personal Webbing • Wire cutters • Turnout Gear

  12. Apparatus • You are a member of a Company and are responsible for all functions that Company may perform • What are the capabilities of your apparatus? • Pump capacity for your Engine? • Available water? • Tools available on the vehicle • Hose size and amount? • Truck Co.- What are its capabilities and reach

  13. Know your Crew • We are a team and should function as such • Be familiar with each of the members: • Skill levels • Attitudes • General capabilities • Problems can occur when a member is “not in the game”

  14. Know your District • Familiarize yourself with your response district • Streets • Road construction • Alternate routes • Buildings • Make note of new construction or renovations • Pre-Plan • Hydrants • FD Connections • Hazards • Roof Access • Gas/Electric shut-off • Fire Alarm Panels

  15. Performing Individual Size-Up • Size-Up begins when the call comes and continues until the operation is complete • Perform you own size-up • What are the building characteristics and conditions? • Footprint • Type • Points of entry and egress • Number of stories and additions to structure • Sub-floor, basement • B.A.G. • Where has the fire B-een,where is it A-t and where is it G-oing

  16. Size-Up (Cont’) • Progress of crews working • Location and nature of assignment • Tools needed to complete assignment • Unusual conditions or hazards • Other pertinent information • Consider what you would do if you become compromised • Lose the hose line • Loose your bearings • Fall into basement • Collapse occurs • Firefighter survival training and a good size-up will provide level headed thought processes when faced with an emergency

  17. Size-Up Summary • Are you prepared? • As an Officer or a Firefighter • Know your surroundings • Know what you are getting into • Anticipate that something will go wrong • How will you adapt to the situation? • Did you perform your “360” • When a dire situation occurs, relying on your survival training, size-up, and a “cool head” can determine the outcome

  18. Managing a “Mayday” • What situations do you call a “Mayday” • Lost and can’t find way out • Trapped by collapse • Member of crew is missing • Injury or medical problem • Malfunctioning SCBA or low air • Falling through roof or floor • Crew at risk, regardless of cause • Means of egress is blocked

  19. Mayday (con’t) • Calling a Mayday is a positive event, it is designed help you or another Firefighter • Do not consider it an embarrassment, or being weak • Don’t let your ego get in the way, call for it if you need it!!!

  20. Problem Solving • Take the time to re-organize your thoughts • Check air status • What task were you assigned? • Where were you in the building? • Door? • Window? • Wall? • Floor? • Who were you with and where are they?

  21. Problem Solving (con’t) • Don’t wander • Be systematic in your plan • Some of these tips may help you resolve the situation yourself

  22. Communicate with your Crew • Maintain voice contact throughout entire operation • Stay together if at all possible • If separation occurs: • Make contact though voice or radio • If unable to make contact activate your PASS and emergency button

  23. Notifying Command • Radio Command with a “Mayday” • Signal “Mayday” earlier rather than later • Utilize L-U-N-A-R • Location • Unit • Name • Assignment • Resources need for rescue

  24. “Help is on the way” • Attempt to solve the problem • Remain calm • Re-orient yourself • Remember- Help is on the way!

  25. Help the RI Team • Do what you can to help the team find you • Keep in communication with Command & RIT • Keep your PASS activated • Use a tool and make some noise

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