Confined Space Rescue

Pictured below, #3 Platoon practices Confined Space Rescue using the storm grate in front of the firehouse for a scenario based drill.

Drill of the Week #2

Raising the 45' ladder

The 45' ladder is designed to be raised by six firefighters. With firefighters comitted to other tasks, utilizing six firefighters may not be possible. Firefighters can use the four person raise when six firefighters are not available. The key to using this raise, as with any task, is practice before you need to use it. If firefighters do not practice this raise, it is doubtfull that they will be able to raise it during "go time" We don't use this ladder often, but usually it is our only option. Several firefighters were trapped on the roof of a building that needed a 45' and roof ladder. Would your crew be able to raise one in a timely manner. Here is lessons learned from our drill on #1 platoon.

Lessons Learned

Take the ladder out and clean it before you practice with it. This is a good time to go over the different parts.
When raising the ladder, someone needs to be in charge. Communication is the key to success.
When members must move positions (pole people, raise people) only one person should move at a time.
Concentrate on the task at hand, do not go to fast or you will drop the ladder. You only have one shot to raise it, when it falls you are done.
It is difficult to bring the ladder back out to raise it if you are not high enough. Better to be to high than to low, then angle may not be correct but climbable.
There will be a lot of the halyard on the ground after raising. You might take and use this to tie the ladder in place.

Ladder 7 Raising a 45ft.. Ladder

Drill of the Week

Members of Engine Company 26 and Truck Company 15 #1 platoon performed a R.I.T. (Rapid Intervention Team) drill for the drill of the week. Many companies are under the false impression that an accual firefighter down will be easy to handle. Most firefighter down scenerios are labor intensive and exhausting. Many times it may take several well cordinated teams a good amount of time and energy in order to remove the downed firefighter. Practice is the key to making a successful rescue. Drills should be held on a regular basis that will help firefighters to be prepared for any conceivable operation. We have included a few saving our own steps of operations contained in our recruit training manual.