By Billy Wenzel
In 2005, the Wichita Fire Department participated in our first Stand Down for firefighters safety. I was not familiar with the Stand Down concept, (adapted from the military), but very soon I was in total support. Anytime we can slow down the day-to day process and really get firefighters focusing on safety, I am there!
Durng last year’s Stand Down, I stopped by several stations, expecting to find the crews engaged in the training outlined for the day by the training staff. Unfortunately, I found most crews were treating this as a down day: just an extra holiday (without the pay).
As the 2006 Stand Down approached, there was some talk of not even participating. Why develop curriculum and rearrange busy schedules if there is little benefit? This thought process soon evaporated as the potential benefits were discussed; the key was to make the day special, memorable and valuable to every member.
I thought back to the days when I was a Recruit Training Instructor: Each Recruit had 10 weeks of intensive training, reading, written tests, and hands-on
evolutions. When the training period was over, I asked each recruit to evaluate the class. Every member indicated that the best part was the hand-on exercise.
Hands-on training is the key to making a Stand Down day special. Firefighters want to be active and they learn best through participation.
Therefore, this year we used most of the suggested IAFF/IAFC curriculum during our Stand Down, and in the afternoon we introduced an advanced-skill evolution. Because of the limited time and logistics, we could not allow every crew to participate. Battalion Chiefs selected crews from their respective units and instructed them to make up a regular building fire response. All other members not participating were given the following scenario and required to perform some of the skills required in the scenario:
ADVANCED SKILLS EVOLUTION
RIC/Mayday
Overview-
Response is to a building fire. One story, no basement. The building is under renovation and is partly occupied. An acquired structure is best, but a fire station or training facility will work.
Simulation-
For the purpose of this simulation use the current time of day and weather conditions. On arrival heavy smoke is seen from a window (theatrical smoke
or blacked-out face pieces will be used to simulated limited visibility). The property representative is at the door advising that one occupant is missing,unknown location.
Responding Units and Time Delay-
Normal building response for local jurisdiction
Each responding unit checks “on scene” 1-minute apart.
Other units can be requested, but not assigned to perform initial tactical considerations.
Possible Skills to Observe and Assignments-
Establish command
Fire Attack
Search and Rescue
Water supply -engine hookup
RIC- proper position and equipment
Positioning of Aerial Apparatus
Use of mayday communications
RIC functions and deployment
Commanding the Mayday
Saving Your Own- rescue techniques
On-duty chief has the option of taking command to further assess skills or to initiate a function that was overlooked. The chief will also be responsible for situation under control and the end of the scenario. Termination of the scenario will occur generally after the victim and the mayday crew has been recovered.
* A Safety Officer should be assigned to observe overall scenario safety.
Situation: There is 1 victims located in the building. The victim will need assistance exiting the building (this victim will be represented by a 150-lb. dummy) At some point a crew will be place in a Mayday situation from a simulated ceiling collapse (the crew will be selected by the observing training officer. Covering the crew in a snow fence that has been secured to the wall and floor will simulate the collapse). The crew is uninjured, but will assistance in disentangling. They will also need additional breathing air.
End Scenario: When water has been established and victims have been removed.
Critique for all on-scene members.
What a difference a new approach can make! While not all of the comments were positive (they never are), everybody had a comment. Our firefighters were out
there doing and thinking about firefighter safety.
I had calls that night from crews that listened to the scenario from across the City and County, and each had comments and ideas on how to complete the task
of rescuing a down firefighter.
The largest benefit came to our incident command (chief-level officers). How often do we allow our command level officers the benefit of practicing a mayday
scenario? Generally, it is not often enough. When RIC is deployed, are they still RIC or do they become Rescue Group? If you use RIC to rescue your mayday do
you need another RIC? Do we move other operations to another radio channel? If so, how do we keep all crews informed on the progress of the rescue? These
and other questions need to be answered before you are in this situation.
We have done a good job of training our members on the mayday procedure, calling the mayday and Saving Our Own techniques, but the success of the operation
is dependent on the adequate commanding of the mayday. This Stand Down exercise opened some eyes and got everyone’s blood pumping.
Firefighters want to be active and they want to do a good job. Give them the chance and they will get it done. The Firefighter Safety Stand Down is a
wonderful opportunity to get everyone pulling the same direction; everyone’s participation can make it special. Stand Up for Stand Down!
Billy Jack Wenzel is a 25-year veteran of the Wichita Fire Department. He is a past member of the department’s hazardous-materials team and has a hazardous materials technician level certification. He has been a member of the departments technical rescue team for 15 years and is certified in many areas including: high angle, trench, SCUBA, and confined space. Wenzel is an NFA adjunct instructor, an EMI adjunct instructor, a past instructor at FDIC, and an instructor for KUFRTI. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He is also a published author of several fire-related articles including, “Kansas Grain Dust Explosion” in Fire Engineering.
