By Chris Mc Loone
The “Compliant Live Burn Training in Acquired Structures” class at FDIC International is not like and ordinary live burn evolution. In this class, students rotate through NFPA 1403-compliant live fire training in an acquired structure. But this isn’t necessarily a tactical class. Instructors aren’t going to give students a hard time if they raise a ladder using a method that isn’t quite by the book. The main goal here is to take the students through the process of setting up an acquired structure for multiple burn evolutions, lighting the burns, extinguishing them and preparing for the next burn. Staff members monitor students in the roles of instructor-in-charge, fire control, safety, water supply, accountability, and other positions such as attack and backup lines, search, ventilation, and rapid intervention team for each evolution.
I had a chance to speak with Ray Palczynski, assistant lead instructor s out the work that goes into this class before and after the burn. After giving me a tour of the dwelling they are using this year, he explained that this year’s structure was a bit of a challenge. There were knee wall rooms that they want attendees to avoid, yet they still need access to them to heck for extension after the day’s session is through. And, sometimes the unforeseen occurs, in one room this year they lost the riling after one burn and, rendering one room unusable. But, even after the burns and all overhaul is finished, the team will still spend a few hours at the site monitoring for any sections crews may have missed.
The process of preparing an acquired structure does take time, but Palczynski is quick to note that NFPA 1403 is one of the easiest standards to read and very clearly explains what departments need to do to prepare and use an acquired structure for multiple burns.
Once again, the reach of FDIC International was on display as local fire departments provided water supply and hoselines for the class and Scott Safety provided all the SCBA used for the evolutions. Additionally, Motorola provided the two-way radios used by instructors and all a crews on scene.
