Probably the most important element in preparing our firefighters for what they’ll face out on the streets is a solid training program. Of course, we all know that fire academy learning is just the groundwork for what your job is about and that you’re going to learn plenty on the streets and during firehouse drills.
For the instructors, we’re always looking for ways to make the learning informative, meaningful, and creative so we can give all that we can to our students. When we do line up the drill of the day, we have to remember it can be one of the simplest tasks or tactics; it doesn’t always have to be a complex and complicated event. We should also remember that after we’re done operating or if we spot something on a run that would create an impromptu learning session, we should seize the opportunity.
For the students, practicing during training on skill sets, tactics, and tools and equipment is preferable to trying it out the first time under pressure during an emergency. Although you might feel like “everyone is watching me” at times, it’s always better to learn and get comfortable with a tool or technique now. Sure, it might take numerous evolutions to master the skill or comprehend it, but be mindful: Most of us didn’t know it either when we first got on the job.
Drill #1. A quick and simple evolution to simulate a collapse (scaffold collapse, construction accident, or structural collapse) with a victim trapped is to take two picnic tables and stack or interlock them at any direction, angle, or position you desire. Then gather “stuff” (street sign posts, metal wall studs, pipe, rebar, wood studs, C-joists, PVC pipe, wire, doors) you’ve accumulated from dumpsters or through acquired donations. Insert some of the materials in between the two tables. After you have a few items in place, take a manikin and wedge it in between some of the materials and tables. Next, position more of the materials at all angles and directions and on top of the “victim.”
Now, have the members in full personal protective equipment (PPE) use cribbing to shore up the “collapse” with a box method or step or angle chocks. Once they have shored up the collapse, have one member in full PPE and wearing eye protection crawl in under the tables with only a reciprocating saw and begin to cut the various materials apart to gain access to or free the victim. In some situations, have the members lie on their backs and work overhead. In other situations, have them attempt to cut through materials while they lie flat on the ground.
Lesson’s Points: The focus of this drill is to remind members that a secondary collapse can occur even though a victim is trapped. Having the members cut a variety of materials in numerous positions will teach them saw techniques and the differences in speed and difficulty of cutting various objects. As they work with the reciprocating saw, show them how to quickly switch the blade over so it can cut flush to the ground. Also stress the value of using the guard up against the material, which prevents the blade from popping out of the cut and bending.
Drill #2. Pallets and plywood-what more do you need to work on the basics of roof cutting? After setting up the materials, you can discuss the numerous types of roof cuts your department uses or dive right into cutting.
Another option is to examine the saw and how to start it if you flooded it. Think about it: We really don’t practice this because we’re so busy teaching students not to flood the saw. To overcome this situation, hold in the throttle trigger and pull the start cord with the choke in the off position until the saw starts. It sounds difficult, but another instructor taught me to turn around and face the handle with a knee on the saw housing; it makes a world of difference.
Next, ask the students to cut a triangular inspection hole. Many of them will try to cut the perfect three-sided triangle by walking around to make all three cuts, switching hands to use the saw (because if you don’t, your forearm hits your body, limiting your reach), or overstretching with a running saw.
You can fine-tune this by simply cutting in this pattern: Using a boxer’s stance, cut 12 o’clock to the right toe, 12 o’clock to the crotch, and the final cut across the bottom. Remember to overlap all the cuts. With this cut, you won’t have to switch your hand or foot position while cutting. Plus, there’s no overreaching or stretching to make the cut.
The next step is to have the firefighters practice cutting using their nondominant hand on the saw’s trigger. Have them make at least an eight-foot cut so they have to get the feel of the saw and learn a new foot pattern and shuffle backward while cutting. It sounds easy, but it can challenge your best saw operator; and if you see one of them leaning on a hook, grab it from him, bang the head of it into the decking, and show him how to use the hook as a guide so the cutting firefighter doesn’t walk off the roof or into a hole.
Lesson’s Points: The focus of this drill is to go over the saw and cutting techniques and remind members that there will be times when they will have to cut using the opposite hand on the saw’s throttle. It also teaches a quick triangular inspection cut and how to use a hook as a safety brace.
Training is the key to operational success. Keeping it interesting and realistic will make your firefighters sharp, informed, experienced, and ready to perform no matter what they may face.
MICHAEL N. CIAMPO is a 30-year veteran of the fire service and a lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York. Previously, he served with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He is the lead instructor for the FDIC Truck Essentials H.O.T. program. He wrote the Ladder chapter and co-authored the Ventilation chapter for Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II (Fire Engineering, 2009) and is featured in “Training Minutes” truck company videos on www.FireEngineering.com.
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