Posts Categorized: Usar
Coordinated Ventilation – Part II by Nate DeMarse
I stumbled upon a couple videos that drive home points made in the earlier Coordinated Ventilation post. These videos clearly show answers to previously asked questions, and bring up some new discussion tips as well. This is precisely how we should …
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Changing Saw Blades – Diamonds are a Firemen’s best friend too – By Grant Light
Over the past few years there have been some big changes in the type of circular saw blades used by fire departments across the country. In the past almost all of the metal and concrete cutting was accomplished with fiber wheels made of a…
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Hit, Hit, Hit Part 2 – By: Andrew Brassard
In the last article we talked about ensuring that the striking firefighter has their top hand at least 6" down from the head of the axe. This is to ensure that any missed strikes don't crush the striking firefighters fingers.
Now we are g…
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Hit, Hit, Hit – By: Andrew Brassard
I have been teaching forcible entry for almost 10 years, in that time I have seen a few injuries. It sometimes comes with the territory: bumps, bruises, and the odd black finger nail have happened when both members of the forcible entry…
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Cutting the Locks
Brotherhood Instructors believes in having multiple plans in mind for any forcible entry situation. A back-up plan for forcing an outward opening door can be cutting the locks. We prefer to gap the door away from the frame and cut the throw o…
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Brotherhood Instructors class in Wildwood NJ
Brotherhood Instructors, LLC. will be presenting our 8-hour hands-on "Beyond the Academy: Engine & Ladder Company Operations" class on Thursday September 15, 2011. This course is hosted by the Cape May County Fire Chiefs Assn. - Click…
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Tactical Discussion: Apartment Fire w/ Critical Decisions by: Nate DeMarse
An excellent video surfaced this week that addresses some very critical decisions that must be made in seconds at this early arriving apartment fire in downtown Mamaroneck, New York.
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Why Search That Building – By: Scott Brown
We respond to building fires daily in the fire service and the assignment of primary search has taken a back seat. Primary search is a critical benchmark and essential task to be completed. This task should be simultaneously completed with li…
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Why the Framing Square Sucks – By: Chris Collier
The framing square doesn’t actually suck; it’s a great tool if you are building a house. When it comes to forcible entry, the framing square has no place on the fireground. The fire service has enough trouble with the basics. …
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Restricted Space Forcible Entry
Short Handled Maul
Limited Visibility Forcible Entry
Wide Adz Forcible Entry
Above are a few articles relating to forcible entry in limited visibility and tight spaces. These techniques can be helpful in situations like the door pictured above…
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Building Construction Features – Cornices, By: Andrew Brassard
It amazes me that we teach safety officers to spot a gloveless hand at 100 yards but we spend very little time talking about the hazards of balloon frame buildings, knee walls, fire spread issues, ordinary construction, etc.
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Awesome Grab in Indianapolis! & Bunk-Cribs
IFD arrived and commenced an aggressive search and located both children. The children were found in a crib and under a bed. This story illustrates the importance of a rapid, systematic, thorough search. Here are some previous Brotherhood Instructors blogs about searching:
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Foot Bolts
There are several ways to force these locking devices. One of the quickest is using the power saw to cut the bolt.
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Sprinklered Basement Fire – By: Kevin Legacy
The fire was in the basement (laundry room) of a 3 story attached multiple dwelling. The next report from units in the basement was “searches will be delayed due to poor visibility”.
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Entering a Window for VES – By: Kevin Legacy
If the heat is such that you can’t step in the likelyhood someone is alive in that room severely diminishes.
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Forcible Entry Tool Modifications – By Andrew Brassard
Since the existence of the fire service firefighters have been constantly trying to improve themselves and the tools they work with to adapt to the challenges that their communities present.
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This is no place to come up with a plan!
When people are trapped and fire conditions severe, there is no time for rapidly arriving first alarm companies to formulate an incident action plan, communicate assignments, and evaluate the effect.
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Searching Beds
When searching a residential building and you are in a room that you believe to be bedroom the lack of a bed should come as a surprise. Loft beds are also common in order to maximize the space.
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Searching Beds
Stay tuned, we'll follow this up with a comprehensive bedroom search blog in the next week after everyone has some time to discuss these search points/questions.
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Private Dwelling Operations – Nate DeMarse
As it appears in this video, my first line would probably head to the rear door in an attempt to make a less punishing advance down the interior basement stairs. That is a great move and with minimal manpower to stretch and advance the first line, it is probably the best option
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Private Dwelling Engine Operations
It appears that the forcible entry firefighter is delayed in getting the door. He sticks with it using various 1-firefighter techniques by prying down with what appears to be the adz end and then followed it up with a baseball swing at the 03:00 mark.
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The Wide Adz – By: Andrew Brassard and Kevin Legacy
The widened adz is accomplished adding nearly an inch of material to both sides of the adz. As legend has it, this modification evolved in the quarters of FDNY Rescue #2.
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Video – Forcible Entry: Outward Opening Door With Multiple Locks
This video clip demonstrates conventional forcible entry techniques for outward opening doors. At first glance this door appears to be only locked by a key in the knob lock. The halligan is set approximately 6" above the knob but when the door is p…
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Size Up for a Down Firefighter- By: Andrew Brassard
After locating a downed firefighter the packaging and removal process of the firefighter will be the next step. Packaging and removing a downed firefighter will without question be one of the toughest and most stressful operations that a firefighter will…
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Active RIT: Preventative Maintenance – By: Dusty Dines
Most firefighters have an inherent nature and work ethic that is not conducive to standing in front of the building, and watching everyone else work.
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