By Tom Kiurski
Firefighters must know how to
reduce their profile when a tight space must be entered to reach a destination point, whether that situation entails finding a lost firefighter or looking for a way out of a building. Reduced profile
training is a staple in firefighter self
–survival classes.
reduce their profile when a tight space must be entered to reach a destination point, whether that situation entails finding a lost firefighter or looking for a way out of a building. Reduced profile
training is a staple in firefighter self
–survival classes.
In
Training Day # 2, we ran our firefighters through a small A-frame made up of four wooden
pallets held together with some boards and screws. This would be the first training obstacle our firefighters faced this training session. We had them practice this before with full visibility and with no visibility for a bit more of a challenge. This exercise familiarizes each firefighter with his self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), how to operate the PASS alarm manually, how to remove the SCBA, how to stay on air while moving with the pack, and how to put it back on after the obstruction has been negotiated successfully.
Training Day # 2, we ran our firefighters through a small A-frame made up of four wooden
pallets held together with some boards and screws. This would be the first training obstacle our firefighters faced this training session. We had them practice this before with full visibility and with no visibility for a bit more of a challenge. This exercise familiarizes each firefighter with his self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), how to operate the PASS alarm manually, how to remove the SCBA, how to stay on air while moving with the pack, and how to put it back on after the obstruction has been negotiated successfully.
The next challenge is to take the reduced profile training and give it a different look. We had an older donated home that had an old feature in it–two bedrooms sharing a common closet, each with separate doors. It was perfect for our next training obstacle!
Each firefighter was placed in the
closet–a tight fit with full personal protective equipment. They were then told to negotiate through the closet door into the next bedroom. The closet door opened only a little bit because it was blocked by debris (we had placed a wooden block on the floor and screwed it into place.) The firefighters were told they had to remove their SCBA from their back to work through the tight space. Once the pack was off their back, one hand had to stay in contact with the SCBA so it would not move too far away from the firefighter, which would pull the mask from their face and expose them to the toxic atmosphere in the room.
closet–a tight fit with full personal protective equipment. They were then told to negotiate through the closet door into the next bedroom. The closet door opened only a little bit because it was blocked by debris (we had placed a wooden block on the floor and screwed it into place.) The firefighters were told they had to remove their SCBA from their back to work through the tight space. Once the pack was off their back, one hand had to stay in contact with the SCBA so it would not move too far away from the firefighter, which would pull the mask from their face and expose them to the toxic atmosphere in the room.
This taught them how much “tether” they had from mask to SCBA, how to move successfully within those limitations, and how to put
the SCBA back on afterwards. If they take off the wrong shoulder strap first, they are likely to get hung up on the hose. Similarly, putting on the wrong shoulder strap first after clearing the obstruction can lead to the same situation.
the SCBA back on afterwards. If they take off the wrong shoulder strap first, they are likely to get hung up on the hose. Similarly, putting on the wrong shoulder strap first after clearing the obstruction can lead to the same situation.
Having firefighters use their SCBA in familiar and unfamiliar situations allows them to become confident in their use, no matter
what the situation. They were taught SCBA use in normal training sessions and in extremely adverse situations. Firefighters are a hands-on group, and this type of training is usually right up their alley. It also allows us to know that they have been through simulated hazards so that if the situation were to arise on the fireground, they would have a better chance to successfully overcome it.
what the situation. They were taught SCBA use in normal training sessions and in extremely adverse situations. Firefighters are a hands-on group, and this type of training is usually right up their alley. It also allows us to know that they have been through simulated hazards so that if the situation were to arise on the fireground, they would have a better chance to successfully overcome it.
(1) Firefighters enter our low-profile structure after doffing their SCBA.
(2) It takes practice and a professional attitude to competently work your way through the low-profile prop and get your SCBA back on correctly when you are tired and stressed.
(3) Moving to another reduced profile obstruction; the closet door will only open a little bit.
(4) Taking off your SCBA in a small closet and working through the small opening is a challenge that firefighters seem to enjoy.
Tom Kiurski is training coordinator, a paramedic, and the director of fire safety education for Livonia (MI) Fire & Rescue. His book, Creating a Fire-Safe Community: A Guide for Fire Safety Educators (Fire Engineering, 1999), is a guide for bringing the safety message to all segments of the community efficiently and economically.
