This is in reference to “Is Making a Mistake a Crime?” (Editor’s Opinion, June 2010). This is a great opinion column. I especially like the example of the U.S.S. Indianapolis. It is so appropriate. I have read the books and agree that the Navy was at fault; but that’s just like the politicians and the department administrators: When a catastrophe occurs, the people at the top who should take responsibility are always looking for those to blame at the point of impact. There are too many diseased fire department cultures out there that do not enforce safety, do not provide proper training, and do not support the people in the field. They are the blamers and the finger-pointers. The hammers of justice should fall on their heads and force them to provide mechanisms, policies, and other tools to their organization aimed at preventing catastrophes.
I believe that mistakes made should be approached with positive discipline rather than negative. The only mistakes that should be approached from the dark side are those that are made twice (an unlearned lesson or maybe an unaddressed lesson that should have been taken care of) or those caused by the same uncaring attitude often fostered by the organization. Unfortunately, lethargic leadership often leads to the dominoes falling from the top down with the guy at the bottom powerless to stop them, and they often land on his head. Someone told me once, “You can never be better than your boss.” If the boss stinks, it is hard to rise above that.
Anthony Avillo
Deputy Chief
North Hudson Regional (NJ) Fire & Rescue
Why the rescuer should not connect to the downed firefighter
Before I explain my theory, I would like to stress that the rule that I live by is, “Train the way you play, and play the way you train.” As a case in point, I have never heard of finding a firefighter requiring rescue on a clean concrete floor covered with two sheets of plywood. I realize that this is done in training to protect the members’ equipment during the drill, but it gives the members a false sense of security. Instead, cover the floor with a wet carpet, ceiling tiles, and hoseline; add bicycles, boxes, lamps and wires; create a tight space; and then practice the removal. You will find a different outcome.
As a member of the Fire Department of New York Bureau of Training, I have been a part of thousands of drills. When I was the unit leader of tactical training, I was encouraged by firefighters who called me and asked to come to the training academy to show the Division of Training their techniques. I found that what works in a firehouse basement has a different conclusion under fire conditions. Our packaging procedure came to life when we were issued our personal safety system and an upgraded breathing apparatus. Numerous companies created and perfected the evolution; we took a little of this and a little of that. The evolution’s goal was to ascertain whether a firefighter could remove a downed firefighter without any special equipment or special training. The packaging gives you an edge when you begin to move the firefighter.
The following hypothetical scenario illustrates some of the problems with attaching members. You are the best and strongest firefighter. You find your member in the basement. You package the member, attach yourself to him, and off you go. As you perform this evolution, you travel 1,000 yards and then the following happens:
Do you think you can transfer the removal to another member? Will you be able to place the member in the stokes basket or a sked while connected? Do you think you will be able to disengage yourself?
Members come to help you: They grab an arm, a leg … you will be thrown off-balance, and you will fall. Your victim can and will fall on your legs. (During a rescue attempt in which a downed firefighter was being moved up basement stairs, the firefighter at the head fell. His boot became wedged between the riser and the tread of the stairs. The downed firefighter’s head and shoulders were resting on this firefighter’s thighs. The head firefighter was stuck. The members below were pushing, and the members above were pulling, but nobody could move. This also blocked the stairway; nothing could come up or go down. This was an unsuccessful rescue attempt.
You feel that you are using your strongest muscle, your thigh, to help you transport the downed firefighter. This is true, but
1 You cannot take full steps; you will have to shuffle your feet because you are too close to the member.
2 You cannot step over or around an obstacle.
3 Your boot will get caught on something; it can get wedged. How would you free yourself?
4 Your boot will make contact with the member’s head and face piece.
One of my worst fears is that if any of the above scenarios occurs, it would create the most stressful, emotional, and strenuous evolution for removing a firefighter. The toughest decision will be whether to stop and package the member instead of grabbing and running. The truth is, if you package the member first, you will increase the firefighter’s chance of survival. The idea behind packaging the member is that when you begin to move the firefighter to safety, you will be able to conquer any obstacle you encounter—going up stairs, over and around furniture, through a window, lowering or raising by a safety rope, and so on. You will not be able to do this while attached to a member. Removing a downed firefighter will definitely tax your resources; imagine having to remove two attached firefighters! This is the reason I strongly suggest using a tool, webbing, or a short piece of rope attached to the member’s SCBA shoulder straps. This will allow the rescuer to take full steps, transfer the member to another rescuer, and successfully bring the downed firefighter to safety.
Craig Silvino
Captain, Ladder 127
Fire Department of New York
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