MINIMUM MANNING LEVELS ARE JUST THAT!
EDITOR’S OPINION
In the “burn-baby-burn” days of the ’60s the ladder companies of New York City’s strife-torn areas arrived at fire scenes with seven or eight firefighters. There was no duplication of effort. One was assigned to the roof and the others to the many primary duties that are needed “all at once” in fast-burning, occupied dwellings. Over the years, because of budget constraints and our lack of marketing what we do, these optimum levels have been cut and cut. Then, the other night, a ladder unit arrived at a fire building with four firefighters and an officer. According to some critiques the unit was unable to assign a member to the “real rescue” area of the building—the rear of the fire. A fatality was suffered there.
On reflection, I thought of America’s manning levels—certainly less than these. America’s ladder company response is three persons, and that usually includes the officer. How long and why must we put up with this? I’ve also heard, painfully, how halfmillion-dollar fire trucks are assigned only a driver. “My God,” I thought, “what poor risk analysis for the equipment. Why not take a 50-cent bus?”
Two years ago 1 was asked to prepare a four-hour instructional course on ladder company operations for a three-person response. My first comment was, “We’ll call it Welcome to Lourdes’ and fill tank compartments with holy water.” But we set up more than one area of responsibility for each responding firefighter based on sound size-up for different types of structures. Each would know and understand what he should do first, second…fifth, and even sixth.
The lack of firefighting knowledge was made obvious when one officer jumped up and shouted, “None of my firefighters can break any windows without a direct order from me!” just before storming out of the session. Geez, I thought, with that attitude, what am I doing here? What’s the difference to him if no one showed up to do truck work?
I guess the problem “at home” (FDNY) sparked me to finally express what I really think on paper. You must be able to put at least six firefighters to work immediately in extinguishment support functions—and then support those tasks soon after with more manpower. If you can’t, you’re going to have sacrifices in the real sense of the word. It’s never going to change unless we summon the courage to call it like it is on the fireground sifter preventable disasters that can be pinned on manning levels occur. I know it will be a most traumatic thing to do, but some of us must realize that we are not there just for the salary—we’re responsible!
Again. I urge you to take a look at NEPA 1500, especially the appendix. It may give you legal and ethical “bullets” to eventually gain proper, effective, and safe manning levels.
