thehousewatch.com

Fire in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood. First due truck was recently closed due to budget choices. Photo by Gary Porter-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Throughout the Country,  Mayors are lauding their budgetary efforts to curb spending during the dep recession. They claim they are taking the necessary fiscal actions to spur or posture their cities for an economic “recovery.” Boilerplate efforts include: pension payment delays,  refinancing or buying-down debt services payments, spending reductions on capital projects, etc. Many of us do not pay much attention to these aforementioned efforts, however, we do pay attention to certain other ones: Layoffs, brownouts, company closures, bargaining in bad faith for union concessions, etc. Perhaps two of the most common “face-saving” efforts to curb spending with unions  and taxpayers is to opt for brownouts and company closures. Mayors and elected officials relay that no one loses their job or company permanently with the former; however, they rarely relay that we often (historically) lose the very lives who depend not only on these jobs, but the companies those jobs are attached to. I have heard elected officials say such things as, “I guess the blood’s on our hands with these decisions,” regarding them having to make “tough budgetary choices.” What they never seem to say is that they’re willing to accept the burns on their hands too… We often bash Chiefs of Departments and their administrations for cuts, but they are doing as they are told. They know the historical impact of brownouts, et al. No one raises their right hand during the first day of their fire academy and says, “I hope to be in charge of a $100 million budget and layoff firefighters and companies some day!” That’s unfair to believe.  I’m not saying they don’t add to the problem sometimes, I’m just placing the preponderance of blame where it lies, elected-official’s historical naivety. And we all know that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it, just ask: Milwaukee Milwaukee Cincinnati Baltimore Sacramento San Francisco New York

My wife says I’m not a very emotional guy. However, Jason at Firefighter Spot recently put up a tribute video to a 17 year old girl who perished in a Brooklyn fire on Dec. 28. It’s a touching and emotional tribute video, and after watching it, I realized that civilians and firefighters often take differing perspectives on what’s in front of them after a tragic fire. In the video, a neighbor who photographed the aftermath of this tough fire that claimed one life and injured seven, captures the scene, faces, and damage to the building. I have to admit, I too saw a scene replete with fire damage, faces, bystanders, and neighbors as well; however, I also saw: a three-story balloon frame private dwelling; a four-length stretch; razor wire on side 2 (B) making the O.V. consider taking a counter-clockwise jaunt to the rear; scissor gates on the first floor; and a large cockloft/cornice that surely required the chauffeur to pull a lot of lumber with the hook; amongst the other usual fare we look for when looking at fire photos. What we should remind ourselves of, is the fact that civilians don’t give a shit about: what size hose we stretch, the classification-type of fire building, how many guys per rig, whether or not the first-due truck is a spare, etc. They often don’t see it the way we do when things go bad, or when we just couldn’t reach someone in time. However, sometimes we don’t see how others see the aftermath of a fire as well. Perhaps civilian and firefighter perspectives are not so mutually exclusive after all. What is important with both perspectives, however, is that we both know a tragedy when we see one. It is up to us however, to ensure that the broken-down spare we have to ride in, loss of manpower, new locks and security devices, and degradation of mission-oriented thinking doesn’t create more civilian tribute videos. We still need the perspective that we are here to save lives; so others may live. That doesn’t mean doing anything unsafe, to the contrary. It’s everything we do before the fire comes in that keeps us safe. So figure out a way to safely use the spare, get through locks, gates and board-ups, and keep this mission-oriented focus in mind when doing so. That’s a perspective civilians and firefighters will both see in action when a camera snaps a photo at the next fire… This post is dedicated to the young Sofia Olivo and the firefighters who did everything to get her. You could see it captured in their faces…

I’m a Johnny Captain in my job as  I just got promoted to Captain from Lieutenant in early August. I finally got the spot in my new company permanently after a recent jockeying for good spots after a company disbandment, and enjoy my new company; it’s the best company in the City because I’m there. I like to take on this perspective so there is no question where my loyalties lie. I had great companies as a Firefighter too. As such, I’ve always been able to stand on the shoulders of giants for years; and I surely got to where I’m at due to many hands in my career. Undoubtedly, the best hands in anyone’s career is that of the senior man (figuratively of course) in the company and they should act like giants. This position is not necessarily bestowed upon the MOST senior firefighter, it may in fact be one with “juniority” who steps up when others don’t. What’s stepping up? How about becoming the person in the company newcomers have to impress? Trust me, officers can get rid of guys if they want, but the officer always considers what others think of said guys first. With that, my company is the best in the City because my guys are there too….yes, I do try and ensure others’ loyalties lie in the same place as well. That’s why it’s important for the senior firefighter(s) to take stock and responsibility on who gets a spot in the company. Without the vetting that goes in our companies, we  soon develop and foster shit shops… These days, we are asking a lot of our senior firefighters. We are seeing unprecedented decimation of our companies due to the budget axe and subsequent retirements. As a Lieutenant soon up for promotion at my old company, I lost the senior firefighter in my company (my driver) to retirement. He was a great senior man and knew every inch and address in our first due area. He also had almost as much time in the job as I do on the earth and it’s humbling to sit next to people with time like that while commanding the ship; there’s no room for fuck ups because guess who the company will sick on the officer…hope you are doing well Bill, you are missed! I also just lost the senior man in my new company to retirement. He’s been around the company for years and his leadership and wit were definitely noticeable when I got there. It was also noticeable by the heavy-hitters on my job who showed up for his last meal.  That’s refreshing for a new Captain, as having someone to bounce around ideas and getting the lowdown on the company is priceless. I’m not worried about replacing his ’senior man’ position because there are many in the company who already have. That’s the benefit of working in a good shop, and that’s what stepping up is. It’s tough these days to assume this role as we are leaning on these guys even more to keep the company’s spirits and morale in check. Everyone has succumbed to the fact that the fire service and our respective departments will never look the same ever again; It’s next to impossible to get disbanded companies back and to fill empty seats. It’s not impossible, however, to get morale and esprit de corps back. It’s all about perspective, consider the following: My City has been labeled as a dying urban rust belt City for years; no more corporations or businesses moving here; flight to the burbs; rampant crime; etc.; we were also identified in many recent pop-culture sociology and econ books as a place that may never recover socioeconomically from the past two recessions; in other words, we’re doomed to become like a sister City of ours that used to make cars… until. Look, things always get worse and then better. The 70’s gave us the same consequences of similar budget crises: loss of personnel, company disbanding, closed firehouses, etc. We’ve seen this shit before and we recovered and kept the job good. It’s up to us to do it again. Remember, they can’t make us hate the job; It will always be a good gig. I guess the question we should ask ourselves is who is going to step up to ensure it always will be? I know a ton of senior men who definitely did and will again. Perhaps the question we should never have to ask is, “who’s the senior man in the company?” This post is dedicated to Bill and Jon, two great senior men and two great losses to the department. I wish you both the best in your retirements.

“Examining the process of firefighting to see if there is a better and safer way to operate” Tactical Safety – Soldiers in a War That Never Ends By: Ray McCormack Photo by CBSnews.com No date is a good one when it is the anniversary of a firefighter’s death. Recent history and tragic circumstances keep those who have died in the line of duty in our memory. However when time passes so do are memories of past events. We may miss some dates as we go about our lives, and that is only natural. Some dates are too painful to share or make public for some. The need to immortalize dates and events does not always have universal appeal, and we must remember that everyone handles these things differently. The important thing is to have the collective fallen with you. Many line of duty deaths happen quickly, the event a moment in time, with no apparent suffering, while others were a prolonged downhill battle. The effect of any firefighter’s death is a scar that never fully disappears accompanied by long, hard emotional suffering for those left behind. Some line of duty deaths on the fireground are events that can be traced back to poor judgments, some on an individual level, others at higher strategic levels; while some are due to circumstances beyond any control measure we could develop, often just a matter of timing. When the fire service suffers line of duty deaths that even civilians understand, then poor leadership or tactics are usually the culprit. When a tragedy like that occurs we have an even bigger problem to solve; other deaths are framed by less obvious circumstances, which only the fire service can recognize and debate. Line of duty death reports are often strong when it comes to chronological details, answers often seem standardized. Some claim that is because the factors are repetitive, while others believe the edge has been lost, playing to over-simplification for the ease of mass consumption. Even when reasons are finally presented, they often point in vague directions. Not all events are carbon copies of another, although converging tactical events often make it seem that way. We must closely examine the facts and the psychology behind choices while exploring the unwritten problems that are often to painful to expose, while monitoring newly invented factors from becoming vogue. When firefighters make choices that endanger them, they are not trying to increase risk to themselves, rather they are often missing a key puzzle piece which in many cases will not be displayed until it is too late. Can we expect firefighters to recognize and then adapt to conditions? Yes, we expect it; but have firefighters been taught all they need to know? Many times we have not been taught the necessary information and or the educational delivery model used was inadequate. We need to incorporate strong tactical operational guidelines into our operations along with defined performance benchmarks that everyone can understand. We need to incorporate tactical safety into all levels of firefighting skill development and improve educational inclusion methods so firefighting knowledge truly reaches our firefighters. This year the number of line of duty deaths will be below one hundred which has become the sad standard we work against. For this New Year, we need to analyze our operational tactics and make necessary adjustments so that no new anniversaries are created. Next Tactical Safety – Your Two Cents Thank You for your readership and support Tactical Safety will resume again on January 11, 2010 Have a great Holiday Season Sincerely, Ray McCormack

“Examining the process of firefighting to see if there is a better and safer way to operate” Tactical Safety – When Two Lines Are Better Than One By: Ray McCormack Photo by Michael Dick There are several irrevocable facts about the foundation of the initial fire attack that commanders, company officers and firefighters must know, understand and embrace for the best chance of success. All fires should be two-line fires! Successful fire attack for the majority of fires will be accomplished with the initial handline. However, the second line stretched is our insurance policy! At some fires, we will be cashing in that policy! Initial fire attack no matter where you are from, will be judged on your decisions. The hoseline size and the path you choose to get to the fire; choice of attack style;  line support; and building design, are components of every fire attack that we must have a plan for to be successful. The majority of times, a single hoseline and utilization of the common path, will see us through. This is how we operate; we pick the line that will give us the best odds for rapid fire extinguishment within the given parameters. While the back up line remains inactive. There are many fires that require two lines right off the bat such as attached garage fires, basement fires, and exposure protection fires. In those examples, the hoselines were split up and covered distinct areas. However, we also need to realize that some fires should be extinguished with two lines operating from the same entrance point, which is a variation from standard two-line fires. The role of the back up line can quickly escalate from inactivity to life saver under certain conditions. There are fires and building designs that are better suited to having an additional hoseline operating in tandem with the first. That does not always correlate to side by side flows. If side by side flows were required, a larger handline was probably the better choice in most cases. The need to use two lines to suppress a fire develops most times not because of its volume, rather, it is the fire’s route that is most important. Another second line concern is when fire wraps around the nozzle team. Two lines entering a structure from the same doorway requires coordination and a pre-entry huddle as to what each line will be doing. These lines may not enter at the same pace or travel the same depth, but each must be keenly aware of what the other is doing, and intends to do, so that they never end up being pointed at each other. The exception of course, is rapid fire development that endangers one team. We must place a firefighter at the entrance point to monitor conditions and assist with the advance of both hoselines. The design of the fire area impacts extinguishment. Many homes have potential fire wrap around situations due to design elements such as open floor plans and multiple entrance rooms. Open floor design and volume ceilings also contribute to heavy fire conditions in a wide-spread area. The back up line that you stretched, that you thought might just be in readiness, will often be placed into service to handle these fire occurrences. Remember, it’s not that we just have a large body of fire, it is that the fire is coming from multiple directions, and a line is required to handle the volume and direction of fire within the occupancy. When fire wraps around the nozzle team, this is an engine company emergency, and having a second handline available to quickly diminish one fire front affords us protection and aids overall extinguishment. Just because fire ends up behind you does not mean it wrapped around you. Engine company advance within an occupancy must be paced so that “no room is left behind.” Aggressive interior attack is not an excuse. We tend not to miss rooms when we are paying attention to what we are doing. Tandem attack using two lines together in the same area, because the first line is out gunned, can happen in spaces that normally have not required such firepower. Occupancies that have experienced design changes resulting in less compartmentation, adds to the amount of contributable space; and to the fire’s volume and may require a tandem attack. The importance of a charged second line is vital to extinguishment and crew safety. Always get one line stretched before another; however, that second handline needs to be stretched and brought to the entrance of operation. Is it hard work? Yes at times it might be difficult but creative and resourceful firefighters will figure something out BEFORE HAND. It is better to have a difficult task that you have thought about solving, than one that surprises you. Tactical safety is open sourced; it evolves due to tactical need accompanied by a solution. Figure out how you would get that second line in place and improve your tactical safety on all future fires. Next Tactical Safety – Soldiers in a War That Never Ends