Mayday Monday: Vertical Ventilation

Mayday Monday Todd Krodle Dallas Fire Rescue

For the second month in a row, we remember a Texas firefighter, Lieutenant Todd Krodle from the Dallas Fire Department (DFD). On August 14, 2011, Lt. Krodle made the supreme sacrifice while fighting a fire at the Ridgecrest Terrace apartment complex. The fire involved a first-floor unit that extended into the attic of the two-story apartment building. Lt. Krodle and another firefighter were assigned to vertically ventilate the building. The two firefighters accessed the roof via ground ladder. Lt. Krodle was the first member on the roof. As he made his way to the peak, he fell into the attic. His partner quickly came to his aid but was unable to reach the lieutenant. Other firefighters were able to locate him from the second floor apartment and rescue the lieutenant. Unfortunately, Lt. Todd Krodle would not survive. You can learn more about this incident in these reports:

One of the lessons learned from this fire is:

Finding 2 – Appropriate tools and tactics for ventilation operations were not utilized.

The Texas Dept. of Insurance report provides this in their investigation:

Roof operations are very dangerous assignments. Those performing operations above a hostile fire should use appropriate tools and tactics to minimize danger to personnel.

Vertical ventilation is a “high-risk” tactic. Most of the risks associated with vertical ventilation have already been identified and minimized with strong guidelines, the right tools, and realistic training. In this incident, there was an added risk that was unknown to the crews: a previous-fire weakened roof. Fire departments successfully perform vertical ventilation operations everyday, including the DFD. We must take every effort to reduce our risk when it comes to this task. Let’s start this month.

This month’s skill/drill is to practice your vertical ventilation techniques in Lt. Krodle’s honor. If you need a plan for a vertical ventilation prop, consider this approach: Start low, on the ground, and then work up to operating from an aerial ladder. Use the CRAWL-WALK-RUN approach to gain comfort, speed, and technique.

Remember, realistic training is a risk management principle. The better we are at a tactic, the less risky it is for us to perform. GET BETTER!! To learn more about Lt. Krodle, his life, the DFD and the fire, please check out the Mayday Monday podcast below.