departments executed textbook operation in mall collapse by Laura
Interior attack in hoarding conditions
Extra analysis, vigilance needed to determine if firefighters should go inside by Ryan Pennington
After hundreds of hours of testimony into the collapse of the Algo Centre mall in June 2012, and the emergency response to it, the Elliot Lake inquiry’s recommendations are expected in the fall. As Fire Chief Paul Officer has said, and as Laura King reports, even when you do everything right, things can go wrong. See story page 8. Photo by Laura King
IProud to know Elliot Lake’s finest
’ve written a lot about Elliot Lake, most of it in blogs on our websites (www.firefightingincanada.com and www.firehall.com). But I felt compelled to summarize those tens of thousands of words and add a bit more insight, so that readers can understand the significance of the inquiry into the collapse of the Algo Centre mall and the emergency response to it. You can read all that starting on page 8.
Meantime, here are some inquiry tidbits worth sharing.
I first went to Elliot Lake in late August, just before Fire Chief Paul Officer was scheduled to testify. I was the only trade reporter in the media room – the guy from the local paper had taken up residence at the back table, the CBC’s gaggle of reporters, editors, cameramen and sound technicians showed up, seemingly, when the mood struck (they brought good food, though), the Sudbury CTV affiliate’s upstart reporter wouldn’t have known a pumper from a tanker if either had parked in his driveway, and the Canadian Press wire service scribe had covered most of the first phase of the inquiry (which dealt with the collapse rather than the emergency response) and clearly didn’t find phase II nearly as newsworthy as the often bizarre testimony from the mall owner and others; I was the only one who knew the players, had even heard of the provincial emergency management system, and could keep the acronyms HUSAR and UCRT straight.
So I probably shouldn’t have been surprised when I was asked by the inquiry’s media co-ordinator why a trade magazine editor would want simultaneous transcription (which was available in the court room but not the media room) given that we publish monthly. “I’m somewhat puzzled,” he said, “why a trade mag would need this.”
I explained – patiently – that I was live-tweeting the testimony to my 1,800+ Twitter followers, simultaneously posting on my Facebook page and our Firehall and Fire Fighting in Canada Facebook pages, and at the end of the day, Storifying the tweets into a chronologically ordered diary of events – all of which required multi-tasking talent (watching the screen, listening to the testimony, recalling spellings/names/dates/circumstances/context, cramming complex testimony into riveting and accurate 140-character blocks, working the Hootsuite social networking platform, and consuming vast quantities of caffeine).
Ah, he said. “Maybe someone should do a study on the effects of Twitter on productivity.” Oh my. Having encountered this resistance to social media before, I encouraged him – very nicely – to climb on the social media bandwagon.
All of which was a bit disturbing given that word of the mall collapse spread over social media like wildfire and that considerable misinformation was disseminated over Twitter.
On a brighter note, it’s interesting being immersed in a story such as Elliot Lake: you get to know not only the key players, but also the peripheral characters – the knitting lady, who sat almost daily in the centre of the courtroom, behind the lectern at which lawyers questioned witnesses, ensuring that she was on the televised feed; the members of SAGE – the Seniors Action Group of Elliot Lake or, as it affectionately became known, Seniors Against Government and Everything Else; and the building’s custodian, who graciously opened doors when I tried to balance a camera, laptop, BlackBerry, iPhone, tape recorder and the ever-present caffeine.
Then there were the t-shirts; red, rather than fire-department-issue blue, with the words “Elliot Lake Fire Department, Proud to know them” on the front, and the names of the ELFD members on the back. I wore mine on the opening night of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs conference in September, just as the testimony in Elliot Lake was wrapping up. Because I am, indeed, proud to know them.
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Aphrase I often used to hear, “You are too young to be a fire chief,” is vanishing from today’s fire service. Young chief officers are breaking the mold and challenging tradition. Becoming a chief officer at a young age requires hard work, the right attitude and the willingness to step out of your comfort zone.
New, positive attitudes toward younger chief officers are apparent; attitudes of acceptance and a willingness to cross-train one another are being acknowledged. While, it appears – at least from my experience at provincial and national conferences and training sessions – that most fire chiefs in Canada are between 50 and 60 years old, I am seeing more younger chiefs, assistant chiefs, deputy chiefs and assistant deputies at these events. However, with that shift come some challenges.
I became a chief officer – an assistant chief – at the ripe age of 28. Many of the younger fire chiefs I see today lead small fire departments, which means they must have diverse skill sets and be up to date on training, operations and administration.
Traditionally, promotions in the fire service were based on age and years of service rather than skills, training, education, suitability and experience. However, fire departments and municipalities are recognizing that the best people may not be those who have been around the longest, rather those who have embraced training and leadership and gone above and beyond.
accepted me early on and directed me on my fire-service path.
• Be humble. A mentor of mine once told me to listen twice as much as I talk. I have taken that guidance seriously and work hard to respect my fellow chiefs and senior members. No one respects a cocky young know-it-all chief officer. As a young gun, you have a responsibility to be humble, to listen and to respect those around you. • Over the last decade I have witnessed a change in attitudes as experienced chiefs have begun to see the value that younger chief officers can bring to the service. Young chiefs are full of new ideas and innovative business concepts and have a good grasp on technology. Nextgeneration chiefs have more formal schooling, are comfortable with technology and are hungry for change. Technology has infiltrated pretty much everything we do, so the skill sets that young chiefs offer are important.
ArjunA GeorGe
Young chiefs bring a new perspective to today’s fire service. . .
When I was first promoted to deputy chief in 2009, I found all eyes on me at courses, conferences and meetings, not because I was anything special, but because many wondered how someone so young could be a DC. This was a difficult challenge: the journey to acceptance was full of uncertainty. The road for young chief officers may be bumpy but I discovered that listening, learning, being humble, respecting my peers and doing my job to the best of my ability led to mutual respect and credibility.
Here are some ideas to help current chiefs recognize the wealth of talent in the ranks and help the younger officers on their journeys to becoming chiefs.
• The most important goal is to narrow the gap between senior chiefs and younger chief officers to build connections and form networks. The best way I can think of to do this is for new, young chiefs to join their provincial and national associations, attend conferences, and connect with mentors. As the baby-boomer chiefs hit retirement age, the Canadian fire service will experience a massive transition and young chief officers will have gigantic boots to fill. Young chief officers will not have the fire-ground experience that senior chiefs can offer. Therefore, young chief officers have an important job to do: we need to listen to our senior fire-service leaders, absorb all we can, and take note of areas in which we need to improve. Don’t discredit the knowledge and years of service in the room: we have only a short window of opportunity during which we can learn from these leaders. I owe my career longevity to many of my chief mentors, who
Many of today’s chiefs who rose through the ranks experienced the paramilitary structure and strict command-and-control style of leadership. This is not always the best form of personnel management outside of emergency responses. Young chiefs bring a new perspective to today’s fire service in which fire crews work more collaboratively and the hierarchy is flattened. Don’t get me wrong – structure and hierarchy definitely play important roles in emergency services, but there are times when a more democratic approach works better.
So, how do we survive and excel at gaining experience when our mentors hang up their turnouts? Given that we experience fewer fires than our predecessors did, we will have to use alternatives, for example, simulating command-and-control scenarios through table-top exercises, videos, or digitally. This knowledge gap will be a tough one to manage, but if we prepare now and learn the most we can from our current senior leaders, we will be in a better position to lead.
Being a young chief has enormous benefits and rewards, but do not rush into this role: be an excellent firefighter, an outstanding officer, and then a great chief. Without a great foundation, your transition to chief will be tough. Act wisely and refrain from being greedy in your quest to becoming a chief; consider your longevity and the likelihood of burnout, or worse – plateauing at a young age and becoming stale. Be cautious, once you get to the top, it is much more difficult to turn around and climb down that ladder
It is an honour when a seasoned fire chief asks you for your opinion, your feedback and your help. This is a sign of the times and an example of great mentorship. Together these two generations can do amazing things.
Arjuna George is a 17-year veteran and the deputy fire chief of Operations on Salt Spring Island, B.C. E-mail him at ageorge@saltspringfire.com and follow him on Twitter at @AJGeorgefire
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Elliot Lake analysis
Fire department executed textbook operation in mall collapse
By Laura King
When former premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty called for an inquiry into the collapse of the Algo Centre mall in Elliot Lake, Ont., and the emergency response to it, there was a presumption among residents, reporters, and some politicians and bureaucrats, that things had gone terribly wrong with the rescue-turned-recovery operation.
Eighteen months later, after 39 days of testimony during the rescue and emergency management portion of the inquiry and two days of talks in Ottawa with hand-picked participants to help Commissioner Paul Belanger shape his recommendations –which are expected by October – it is clear that, in fact, very little went wrong.
Indeed, as lawyer John Saunders has said in court and in presentations, Elliot Lake
Fire Chief Paul Officer executed a textbook operation in the small, northern Ontario town where two women died on June 23, 2012, buried under slabs of concrete after the roof-top parking garage collapsed as a result of poor planning and years of neglect by the mall’s owners.
But as Officer told his peers at the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs midterm meeting in November in reference to the incident, the response, the inquiry, the stress, the microscope under which his department’s and the province’s actions were probed, the reaction of townspeople and politicians, and the myriad armchair quarterbacks, “Even though you do things right, they can still go wrong.”
In testimony, several inquiry witnesses from fire – including Officer – the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Ontario’s Ministry of Community Safety and Toronto’s Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) team said communication and command were
issues in Elliot Lake. But for whom?
Certainly – according to the testimony – command was a problem for the OPP; its agency-specific incident-command system didn’t jibe with methods used by the fire department or the HUSAR team, and its members on scene weren’t willing – or able – to adapt.
And it was clear from testimony that communication among agencies at the highest levels would have been better had the OPP’s rescue team, known as UCRT, had a senior officer on scene and in the command tent to liaise with fire and HUSAR; that officer was out of town and there was no one else available or qualified.
(Officer never called UCRT. Indeed, as Saunders said at the mid-term, UCRT self deployed. In fact, Officer didn’t even know the team existed. “The OPP needs to learn to fit into incident command better,” Saunders said. “Sometimes we have silos.”)
As for communication with reporters –
and, by extension, the public – many who sat through the testimony firmly believe that had officials revealed early on that there were just two people in the rubble and that at least one was dead (CBC’s The National reported that there were up to 30 people trapped), the ensuing media frenzy, the townspeople’s frustration, the secondguessing and the inquiry itself would never have happened.
Chief Officer wanted those details disseminated; others in the town’s emergencymanagement hierarchy disagreed.
“If they had done what Paul Officer wanted,” Saunders said, “the inquiry might not have happened.”
As Officer noted, it wasn’t his call.
“I put it on the table, and it went around and the decision was made.”
What will come out of the rescue portion of the inquiry? Was it worth the innumerable hours of lawyers’ time and months of duress for Chief Officer, his family and his fire department?
Commissioner Paul Belanger has 9,915 exhibits, 117 days of testimony, 31 final summations, 20 sets of answers to questions posed before the roundtable talks, and
four days of roundtable discussions to consider before making his recommendations on potential changes to the way agencies in Ontario respond to rescues. (Phase I of the inquiry dealt with the collapse itself and the reasons for it, and Belanger’s recommendations will also address those issues.)
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) wants few changes because, for the most part, it believes the system isn’t broken but needs some modifications, none of which has anything to do with the Elliot Lake Fire Department’s response to or command of the incident.
Mainly, the OAFC wants to ensure that other agencies recognize that in a rescue, the fire chief is the incident commander, and that legislation is amended to remove the Ministry of Labour’s authority to shut down a rescue given that the fire chief is the IC and is keenly aware of all health and safety protocols and the risks to personnel. (There was considerable confusion on scene in Elliot Lake about the MOL’s authority to stop a rescue.)
The OAFC is also concerned that whatever recommendations Belanger makes work for rural, volunteer departments and large, urban centres. That means recom-
FAR LEFT: The Elliot Lake inquiry into the collapse of the Algo Centre mall ran 117 days; there were 125 witnesses and 9,000 exhibits. The centre was levelled and a new mall is being built but is behind schedule.
ABOVE: Signs of support for the people of Elliot Lake and its firefighters appeared during the inquiry.
LEFT: Fire Chief Paul Officer testifies during the rescue portion of the inquiry into the collapse of the Algo Centre mall. Officer was the incident commander for the duration of the rescue effort.
mendations that require municipalities to spend money or add resources will not fly “Not all of those firefighters are going to become rescue specialists,” Saunders told the commissioner in his final summation.
“Not all of the municipalities are going to train, equip and allow their firefighters to develop a level of expertise which will be utilized in every situation, so we need to be practical in terms of what we come up with.”
The province, in its submission (which includes the OPP and the MOL), says it will work to bolster the level of support it provides to municipalities during incidents and will identify communication leads and protocols for critical incidents. It also says it will review the provincial incidentmanagement system with the groups that participated in its development – including the OAFC – to develop a better culture of compliance. (The province said similar things following the ice storm in 1998, the Y2K rollover and the events of post 9-11. Some in emergency management circles say nothing has changed or improved; many of the same problems experienced during the ice storm – particularly command, control and communication – were
Photos by Laura King
encountered in Elliot Lake.)
The province, however, disagrees with the OAFC’s position on the role of the Ministry of Labour. MOL inspectors, it says, can stop a rescue if they believe there are safety risks, and the legislation is clear.
The OAFC has asked Belanger to recommend that:
• it be clearly recognized that the most senior-ranking member of the fire department is the incident commander at a rescue scene
• rescue is the exclusive purview of fire under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (the Police Services Act, it notes, does not mention rescue)
• the Occupational Health & Safety Act (and possibly the FPPA) be amended so that the Ministry of Labour has no authority in a rescue
• the province provide and pay for the necessary training so that all emergency responders are proficient in its incidentmanagement system
• written incident action plans and scribes (to take notes during incidents) not be mandatory (this is in response to recommendations from other agencies that both be required)
• although interoperable communication is an issue of concern among first responders, it is unrealistic to expect municipalities to spend the money necessary to achieve this goal
• during major incidents, the municipality – not the province – control the media and designate a media spokesperson
• Ottawa reinstate its portion of funding for Canada’s HUSAR teams but if that fails, HUSAR funding becomes a provincial responsibility . . .
Officer testified on Day 88 of the inquiry that he was at home on Saturday, June 23, 2012, when he got the call at 2:24 p.m. He arrived on scene six minutes later and took command from Capt. David George, who had responded from Elliot Lake’s lone fire hall, around the corner from the Algo Centre, which was the town’s social and retail hub and housed its only hotel.
The building had been evacuated, all the injured had been taken to hospital and the utilities were being turned off – Officer had worked with the hotel on its fire-safety plan and knew the locations of all the utilities. Officer gathered information about the collapse from George, chief building inspector Bruce Ewald and others on scene. A rapid
intervention team and a safety officer were established.
Officer called for mutual aid to staff the Elliot Lake hall. At 2:47 p.m. he requested an accountability check. At 2:49 p.m. he made a call to activate the town’s emergency control group. At 3 p.m., he called Bob Thorpe with the Office of the Fire Marshal – Thorpe is Officer’s OFM advisor – about activating the HUSAR team (although the two didn’t immediately connect). At 3:01 p.m., Officer sent Capt. John Thomas and two volunteer firefighters into the mall to assess the scene. Shortly thereafter, Officer went into the building with Ewald to get a better grasp of the situation.
Essentially, Officer testified, the size and weight of the debris – beams, chunks of concrete – made it impossible for crews to move anything to search for victims.
“The tools are virtually useless,” Officer testified. “And I was really afraid that that [slab of concrete] was going to cascade down and slide into the vertical material that was hanging off of the escalator. And once a chunk of that size got going, if there [are] legs in the way, it is going to cut them right off.”
Firefighters had been on the pile moving smaller pieces of debris. At 3:04 p.m., firefighter William Elliot reported that rescuers had found one person trapped. At 3:36 p.m., Officer spoke to Thorpe and went through the checklist for activating HUSAR.
By 4:37 p.m., rescuers knew there were two people in the rubble and that at least one was dead. (That information was given to families and reporters at a 5 p.m. press conference the next day.)
Officer testified that, like others, he expected the HUSAR team to swoop in and get the victims out of the rubble. Officer said he was disappointed when, after speaking with HUSAR commander Bill Neadles, he understood the magnitude of the task and the time it would take for the team to establish a safe zone.
“I guess I’m no different than anybody else,” he said. “I had in the back of my mind that this team is coming in. These are the super guys and they are going to get in there and we are going to get things done. And in fact, what you find out is they have policies and procedures that they have to follow…They have to work from good ground to bad ground to protect their workers. And when they went through it all, it made absolutely perfect sense.”
At 5:07 p.m., safety officer Ken Barnes told Officer that crews had done everything they could. “The only thing we are doing from this point forward is risking lives,” Officer said Barnes told him.
“So,” said commission counsel Mark Wallace, “you and your men exhausted all possibilities before pulling out?”
“Everything that we could think of,” Officer testified.
“What was the mood of your forces?” Wallace asked.
“Well, you know, we didn’t achieve what we wanted, obviously. I went in and I pretty much had to grab [Capt.] John [Thomas] by the scruff of the neck to get him out of there. They didn’t want to leave, but there was nothing else we could do.”
The rest of the story unfolded – often sensationally and erroneously – through the national media: the arrival of the HUSAR team and the OPP’s UCRT (a combination of urban search and rescue and CBRNE), frustrated family members who expected superheroes and miracles, the press conference at which Neadles announced that the search had stopped, confusion over who had ordered rescuers out of the building, intervention by former premier Dalton McGuinty, and the removal of the bodies of Doloris Perizzolo and Lucie Aylwin.
Details about timing, policies and protocols, safety, silos, egos and politics came to light during the inquiry, none of which surprised anyone connected with emergency management in Ontario. It was also made clear, though, that the Elliot Lake Fire Department’s nine full-time firefighters and 21 volunteers are well trained, worked professionally with other agencies, called for the necessary help, and worked by the book.
While there are lessons learned from the Elliot Lake mall collapse specific to Ontario’s emergency management structure and, in particular, how agencies can better work together, there’s a bigger message for all fire departments, Officer said at the end of his testimony.
“This being Elliot Lake, this should be a chief officer’s dream job. We are not on a major highway. We do not have railroads. We do not have big industrial plants. Our highest risk is forest fires . . . And if you think these emergencies can’t happen in your back door, they do, and we were unfortunate to have to experience it.”
Ladders Up for the Foundation
We are pleased to announce that we will once again be holding the “Ladders Up for the Foundation” online auction and event in 2014. Over the last 2 years, we have raised over $56,000 for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Last year and this year, every dollar raised will go to fund education bursaries for the children of fallen firefighters. Stay tuned to the website, www.laddersup.ca for more information on the auction. To find out how you can donate items for the auction or get involved with Ladders Up, please contact Mark Prendergast markp@mnlsupply.com, 866 445 3473 or Kip Cosgrove kcosgrove@vfiscanada.com, 800 461 8347 . We look forward to seeing you at the event!
By Tim Llewellyn
Imodifying the single-firefighter ladder raise
n October, we looked at the most effective and efficient way for one firefighter to carry and raise a ladder. Firefighters should know how to modify this technique for different types of structures or situations.
As the firefighter approaches a building, he raises the ladder horizontally from his body and places the spurs into the groundwall corner of the building to securely foot the ladder as it is raised. This technique works great for situations in which a ladder is being raised to a window or a flush balcony. It does not work well when the ladder needs to be put to a roof with a long eave; this would cause the ladder to lean excessively outward, creating an unsafe situation as the ladder is raised to the target. A similar situation would occur if the ladder was raised to an extended balcony or porch.
Modifying the technique involves the footing of the ladder: if the building’s structural features are not helpful, the firefighter must overcome the challenge while relying on basic skills learned in recruit school.
Today’s firefighters have been told repeatedly not to go anywhere on the fire ground without a hand tool (or two) that can help in their mission: here, the ladder is the primary tool. A short pike pole (or steel roof hook) would be a logical secondary tool that could be carried with the ladder along the outside of the upper or lower beam, or hooked to a rung and carried against the body on the inside of the ladder, freeing the hands (see photo 1).
Not only can this tool help with window ventilation, forcible entry and many other fire-ground tasks associated with laddering, it also can be used to help raise a ladder. As the firefighter approaches the balcony, he picks an approximate spot on the ground where the ladder will most likely stand at a safe climbing angle, and places the tool with the hook end on that spot. The shaft of the tool should lie in the direction that the firefighter will travel. The firefighter then places the weight of one foot on the shaft end of the tool to hold it in place and secures the spur of the ladder in the hook of the tool on the ground (see photo 2). By concurrently raising the ladder and walking along the tool, the single firefighter is able to beam raise the ladder to the balcony. This technique works especially well when the ground surface is a seamless concrete pad, such as a sidewalk or patio. It has been adopted as a tactic for use by the aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) industry for situations in which a tall aircraft must be boarded by emergency personnel on the runway or taxiway.
If the firefighter does not carry a pike pole or roof hook, a Haligan bar or axe could be used, but only if the ground surface is made of soil or gravel. Instead of walking along the tool to secure it, the firefighter would bury the head of the axe or the adz of the Haligan bar into the ground and use the end of the handle closest to the buried part as the footing assist.
It is also possible for a single firefighter to extend a ladder that has been raised in this manner. With the ladder upright and balanced, the firefighter stands at the beam of the ladder and places the instep of his outside foot diagonally against the spur on the fly side
of the base section of the ladder. The firefighter then twists toward the building and around the ladder, placing the back of his shoulder against the halyard side of the ladder’s bed section. This manoeu vre will place a firm hold on one beam of the ladder and hold it upright in place while the firefighter pulls on the halyard to extend the ladder to the destination. Once the ladder is placed, it should be checked for a proper climbing angle prior to climbing.
Fire-ground skills need to be practised constantly, especially those that deviate from what we learned in our pre-service days.
A fire-service veteran since 1989, Tim Llewellyn is a firefighter for the Allegheny County Airport Authority in Pittsburgh, Penn. He volunteers for the Adams Area Fire District in Pennsylvania and is an instructor for the PA State Fire Academy, the Allegheny County Fire Academy and the Pittsburgh International Airport fire training facility. E-mail him at llewllyn.fire@gmail.com
Photo 1: A secondary hand tool, such as a pike pole or a steel roof hook, can help you to raise a ladder to a roof with a long eave, for example.
Photo 2: Hold the hook end of the pike pole or roof hook on the spot where you want to ground the ladder. Hold the tool in place with your foot and secure the spur of the ladder in the hook of the tool.
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Extra analysis, vigilance needed to determine if firefighters should go inside
By Ryan Pennington
Attack 1 to command: this is a hoarder house.”
If you heard those words broadcast over the radio, would you immediately pull out all interior firefighters and opt for a defensive attack?
Often when I explain to firefighters that I am studying fires in hoarding conditions, their reply is, “We just don’t go in.” Hearing these words always stirs great conversation about whether or not firefighters can safely attack a fire with hoarding conditions present.
The answer is complicated. What if there is an occupant inside? The presence of hoarding conditions does not automatically exclude an interior fire fight. In some hoarding situations, crews can identify the
hoarding conditions, adjust tactics, and then attack. Successful rescues can happen in hoarding conditions.
Many variables need to be considered when analyzing the potential for an aggressive interior attack in hoarding conditions. Assessing for these variables starts before the alarm is sounded; it starts with an active pre-fire process and continues into your 380-degree size-up (look inside the occupant’s car – generally, hoarders’ vehicles are full of belongings – a sign that you are dealing with a hoarding situation –hence the extra 20 degrees in the size-up).
Let’s look at some of the variables that need to be considered when deciding whether or not to enter a hoarding environment.
Pre-fire planning
Being prepared before the alarm sounds has always been of benefit to firefight-
ers. Knowing the conditions, knowing the layout of the structure and recognizing the potential challenges that the building may present to firefighters before the alarm sounds all offer additional protection. Having different sources or agencies report the presence of hoarding is the best defence against this growing problem. The best time to identify potential hoarding is during medial calls, smoke-alarm installations, inspections of complaints by neighbours, and through drive-by assessments.
Compulsive hoarders typically do not allow people inside their homes. Family members are usually told they cannot enter,
ABOVE: Firefighters practise navigating the so-called goat paths through hoarded items; in this case, the stacks of hoarded belongings collapsed as firefighters entered the house to perform a search.
Photo by r yan P ennington
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Incident commanders should perform a detailed size-up when hoarding conditions are suspected. In particular, check for bulging walls and a deteriorating roof, which are often early warning signs for structural problems.
meaning first responders are often the first people to discover hoarding conditions. Many first responders who find themselves in hoarding conditions fail to note key safety points such as the volume of belongings (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being uninhabitable), blocked doors and windows, spaces that are not filled, and the primary living location – for example, if the occupant sleeps in the living room.
Having a system for recording and sharing information about hoarding conditions translates into an informed decision by officers faced with hoarding situations. These details not only help the incident
commander determine whether or not to go inside, but may also assist in directing firefighters to the proper location to facilitate a rescue or make the push on the fire.
Much like pre-planning a commercial occupancy, departments should lay out the plan to survey all homes or buildings in which hoarding is identified. In this process, attention needs to be directed to:
• Blocked means of entry/egress
• Sleeping areas (may not be bedroom)
• Access issues (large amounts of belongings in yard)
• Occupancy
• Rooms that could offer points of refuge
making the decision
After arriving on the scene of a fire, reading the pre-fire plan and identifying the presence of hoarding, the incident commander must perform the 380-degree size-up while looking for the volume of belongings and structural stability; points of entry should be identified in the size-up.
ICs should look for:
• Bulging walls
• Sagging roofs
• Collections of belongings around the exterior
• Blocked doors
• Signs of rotting structural members
This assessment should not differ much from that in a non-hoarder fire, but more attention should be paid to these details once it is suspected that hoarding is present.
This assessment list was used by the Point Pleasant Fire Department in West Virginia, just minutes after I taught a class on hoarding fires last May. Before arriving back at my home, which is about 45 minutes away by car, I received a call from Capt. Adam Bryant, who said, “You will never believe this,” then explained that the department had been called to hoarding fire, probably before I was even outside city limits.
“It was like reading a script of a movie,” Bryant said. “Everything you said would happen, happened. We decided to not go in because we found the exterior walls were not even attached to the roof.”
A similar fire happened in southern West Virginia one day after the Wyoming County Firefighters Association hosted a hoarding fires class. Its first-arriving firefighters used the 380-degree size-up, determined that there were no occupants inside and chose the defensive posture. This was a great decision because this fire, as crews discovered, contained level 4 hoarding conditions and multiple gasoline cans stacked inside.
These experiences are typical. Because hoarders are reluctant to let people into their homes, necessary maintenance and repairs are often ignored. Over time, water leaks or pressure from contents can cause the roof and walls to deteriorate and the walls to rot and push outward. When hoarding is present it can be difficult to identify these factors because the volume of belongings can hide the effects of water damage or other structural problems.
Without access to the walls and ceilings to inspect for damage, any problems may go unnoticed for days, months
or even years. Even if concerns are identified, hoarders’ compulsion to keep all their belongings, avoid moving them and prevent others from entering the home can lead to deteriorating conditions including structural members becoming rotten, overloaded or detached completely.
Had the firefighters in Point Pleasant and Wyoming County not known to take the extra time and inspect for these dangers they may have mounted an interior attack and risked their lives.
In both cases, firefighters identified, adjusted, then attacked. Crews identified unstable structures with no occupants and opted for exterior fire fights.
Going interior
Should firefighters ever risk going in when hoarding is clearly present? Yes, but extra consideration must be given to certain factors, and a sound risk-versus-reward analysis is needed.
Indications for entry:
• Reports of occupants trapped
• Sound structural size-up
• Accessible entry points
• Acceptable number of on-scene personnel
• Small volume of fire
• Low level of hoarding conditions
The No. 1 reason to enter hoarding conditions is a confirmed report of a trapped occupant from a neighbour or family member. As always, when receiving this information, crews should gather information such as last known location of the occupant(s) or last time the resident(s) were seen. These details can point searching firefighters directly to the room in which the occupant was last seen.
After it has been determined that there is an occupant inside who may be viable if rescued, the next step is to analyze the risk associated with an interior attack: assess the level of hoarding, the size of the fire, and the number of on-scene personnel.
Once the IC has decided that the fire is manageable and there are enough firefighters on scene, it may be necessary to think about the attack strategy: an alternative to the oneand-three-quarter-inch line stretched to the front door may be required. As hoarded belongings are collected, they can block doors; this type of situation may require crews to use windows and other means of entry to attack the fire. Once the best entry point has been determined, firefighters should use the
An offensive attack is OK when hoarding is present only if officers have taken extra precautions and considered variables such as volume of fire and level of hoarding.
so-called goat paths that the occupant has made through the hoarded items to navigate the interior of the home. Firefighters should not crawl or climb over stacks of belongings; the piles may collapse and trap firefighters.
A word of caution to the entering firefighters: these pathways among the hoarded items can mask the effects of a rapidly progressing fire; firefighters can be shielded from the increasing heat, and this can provide a false sense of security to advancing firefighters. Use a thermal imaging camera and/or short-blast (penciling) the ceiling for temperature checks. Interior firefighters use all five senses to assess conditions and recognize when to back out. Hoarding conditions can reduce firefighters’ awareness. Be aware of these risks and use more caution in hoarding conditions.
rapid intervention team
Before making entry into any fire building, a properly trained, equipped and staged rapid intervention team should be in place, and this is even more important in hoarding conditions in which there are greater risks of collapse, entanglement and low-air emergencies. Doubling the normal RIT crew size is recommended for
hoarding environments (if possible depending on the resources in your region).
Can we go inside hoarding conditions to save lives and fight fires? Yes, we can. But it is critical that firefighters and incident commanders prepare in advance for this type of incident through identification, adjustment and training.
Compulsive hoarding disorder is a growing problem worldwide, which means there will be more incidents in which hoarding conditions are present.
Ryan Pennington is a firefighter/paramedic for the Charleston Fire Department in Charleston, W.V. He is assigned to Station 8 and is part of the West Virginia Task Force 1 USAR team. Ryan has more than 15 years of combined fire, rescue and EMS experience. He started with a local volunteer department and continued through EMS to spend five years as a critical care paramedic. Ryan transferred to the career fire service in 2003 and has worked for the City of Charleston since 2007. He is currently a W.V. State Instructor 2, a hazmat technician, and a certified Fire Officer 2. He is very involved teaching EMS and firefighter safety across North America.
injury prevention through exercise selection
The further I take my fitness goals, the more I value staying healthy and injury free. Maybe it’s that older and wiser adage people keep telling me about; it could also be the fact that I’ve suffered a few injuries and am now more aware of the consequences that accompany an injury. Either way, it seems that every major conditioning setback I’ve experienced has been the result of an injury, and nothing is more frustrating than being hurt. Most active people, especially those involved in sports, suffer an injury at some point. I’m not suggesting that we accept the inevitability that we will all become injured: I’m suggesting that we go about our training in a smarter way – that we change our approach to training. Smart training begins with proper and safe exercise selection.
Proceed with caution
I think we’ve all walked through a gym at one point or another and seen someone performing an exercise that was an accident waiting to happen due to an unstable and erratic technique or simply by overloading the weight. In a busy gym, this happens daily. Some of these movements are clearly dangerous and some are more subtle.
your shoulder muscles track freely without the nerve impingement. Also, avoid bringing your elbows above shoulder height. As an easy alternative, consider a bent-over row instead.
Behind the neck lat pull-down
In my opinion, the best machine in the gym is the cable set. Walk by a cable machine and you probably just walked by a lat pull-down of some sort (and likely a few guys wasting the cables with bicep curls, but that’s another issue). The problem with pulling the bar behind your neck has to do with shoulder flexibility. Unless you have extremely flexible shoulders, you’re externally rotating your shoulder and applying pressure with the weight. Very few of us can perform this safely, and the exercise is just as beneficial when you pull the bar in front of you as it is behind your neck.
We’re all built differently, and some movements just may not ever feel comfortable for your build.
If you feel like some of your exercises are hazardous, or you simply don’t feel comfortable with a certain movement, think about whether that particular exercise is necessary to achieve your goals. Is there a safer alternative to this exercise that will yield similar results? Are you uncomfortable with the movement because of the amount of weight? These questions should run through your head whenever you approach an exercise without full confidence, or the first time you try a new exercise. Think of exercise selection as a risk-reward situation – something firefighters are already accustomed to through our line of work.
We’re all built differently, and some movements just may not ever feel comfortable for your build. Here are a few common exercises you should skip for your own safety, as well as an alternative for each.
If you’re unfamiliar with the exercise, search the name of the exercise on Google or YouTube for a full demonstration.
Upright barbell rows
Upright rows were a staple when building the shoulders and are still not an uncommon exercise to find in gyms. Whether or not this exercise is inherently dangerous to you really depends on how your shoulder is built. There is a significant risk that this movement can compress the nerve. If this movement negatively affects your shoulder, there won’t be any immediate pain to warn you; the damage will be gradual and long term if the movement doesn’t agree with your body.
Alternative: I suggest using dumbbells if you insist on performing this lift, as this will free up movement in your shoulder, letting
Alternative: Pull the bar in front of your head right down to the chest, while relaxing your shoulders as much as possible. Try this until you can graduate to pull-ups. At that point, you can leave both these movements in the dust.
weighted jump squats
Jump squats have proven to be a great way to add power and explosiveness. If you choose this exercise, be aware of the risks. You have a loaded barbell, a high-impact exercise, and your spine all coming together. I don’t think I really need to offer a much more detailed explanation as to why this exercise could become dangerous. This is an extremely difficult exercise to perform safely, even for the fittest among us.
Alternative: I’m a big advocate of plyometrics, but adding weight to a jump squat is an unnecessary risk you probably don’t need to take. Remove the weight. You’ll be able to jump higher and train more safely.
The list doesn’t end here; every exercise you perform has an alternative. Take the time with your exercise program and evaluate the movements you’ve chosen. Make sure your time at the gym leaves you fitter and healthier, with minimal risk to your body. As with any workout, make sure your body is warm and ready to train. For any complex movement, go through a short dynamic stretching routine in order to prime your muscles. The five- to 10-minute warm-up at the start of your workout is the best way to prevent injury.
Stay safe and happy training.
Brad Lawrence is a firefighter with the Calgary Fire Department and a certified personal trainer who specializes in training and nutrition for emergency responders. E-mail Brad at bradmlawrence@gmail.com
BrAd LAwrence
By Mark van der Feyst
Trit operations – the Pittsburgh drill
he Pittsburgh drill is a scenario-based drill that incorporates many skills. It also emphasizes teamwork, communication and an effective use of time during the rescue of a downed firefighter.
The drill was developed in Pittsburgh after the Bricelyn Street fire on Feb. 14, 1995, claimed the lives of three firefighters. This fire exposed the need to develop RIT training. Assistant Chief James Crawford, from Midway, S.C., was a firefighter with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire and was a member of the RIT that was sent in to attempt to rescue those three firefighters. He has talked about how difficult it was to, drag, pull and lift the firefighters out. Crawford has also said that he narrowly made it out himself during that operation. After this incident, Crawford developed a formal RIT training program that has spread across North America.
The three main components of the Pittsburgh drill are based on the Bricelyn Street fire: a low profile (under), a ramp type of obstacle (over) and a tunnel (through). The drill requires the fourmember team to work together in an effort to reach the downed firefighter, package him for removal, and then remove him the same way the RIT entered – through an obstacle, over an obstacle and under an obstacle. This must be completed in less than 20 minutes.
This drill tests the limitations of the group and each member in a number of ways – fatigue, stress, communication, timing and critical thinking – and pushes the group to prove its ability to rescue a fellow firefighter. Let’s look at each component of the drill.
First, the team needs to have the proper equipment ready before the drill can start. This includes a set of hand tools, such as a Haligan and an axe, and a rope bag with webbing for the packaging and removal. The team follows a charged hoseline into the structure, which leads team members to the downed firefighter.
Over
Going over an obstacle, as in photo 1, requires team members to ensure that the obstacle – and the floor – is strong enough to hold their weight. The first person to go over the obstacle sounds as he goes, and goes down the other side of the obstacle feet first. Once over, he needs to let the other team members know it is safe for them to move over the obstacle. Once over, the first team member can find the hoseline and continue following it to the downed firefighter.
Under
The under obstacle is set up as a hole in the base of a wall near the floor (see photo 2). The size of the hole can vary from 90 square centimetres (14 square inches) to 154 square centimetres (24 square inches). RIT members may have to low-profile their SCBAs to navigate through the hole. Members should make use of basic firefighter survival skills and go through the hole head first, sound the floor in front of them and maintain a firm grasp of their SCBAs. Once through, members don their SCBAs and continue to the tunnel.
1: When going over an obstacle, RIT members must ensure that the obstacle – and the floor – is strong enough to hold their weight. The first member over the obstacle should proceed feet first, sounding as he goes.
2: Members should make use of basic firefighter survival skills when moving under an obstacle; this includes sounding the floor in front of them and maintaining a firm grasp of their SCBAs, if low-profiling is required.
Photo
Photo
Photo 3: The length of the tunnel for the through obstacle should be about 1.8 metres, and can be constructed of a number of materials.
through
The tunnel size can vary depending upon what you use; for example, you can build a wooden box tunnel with an opening of 154 square centimetres (24 square inches), or you can weld together two 204-litre (45-gallon) drums with an opening of 103 square centimetres (16 square inches). The length of the tunnel should be about 1.8 metres (six feet), as in photo 3. Regardless of the size of opening, RIT members may have to low-profile here as well. Only two team members will go through the tunnel; the other two should be staged at the opening of the tunnel.
Once the first two RIT members locate the downed firefighter, they package him for removal. This is the point at which the webbing comes into play. If low-profiling is required, the downed firefighter’s SCBA can be removed and secured to the webbing that is placed around the downed firefighter’s chest using a girth hitch. Tie an overhand knot on the webbing loop a little bit above the firefighter’s head. The other two RIT members staged at the tunnel opening should have in their hands the ends of the rope that is attached to the webbing piece. This rope, equipped with a carabiner, will snap into the webbing loop.
Once everything is secured, the removal can start. Square the downed firefighter with the openings so that he will travel through the tunnel and the under obstacle with ease, as in photo 4.
Communication is vital so that the two RIT members are not pulling too hard and
5: Communication is vital so that the two RIT members are not pulling the downed firefighter too hard and too quickly, which could pull off his SCBA or cause him more injury.
too fast, pulling off SCBA, or causing more injury to the downed firefighter. As you can see in photo 5, the SCBA was pulled off the downed firefighter in the RIT members’ haste to remove him.
The Pittsburgh drill tests the limitations of the team and of each individual. It is also a fun drill to run as it creates competition among teams.
Mark van der Feyst is a 15-year veteran of the fire service. He works for the City of Woodstock Fire Department in Ontario. Mark instructs in Canada, the United States and India and is a local-level suppression instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and an instructor for the Justice Institute of B.C. Email Mark at Mark@FireStarTraining.com
Photo 4: Before removing the downed firefighter, ensure that his equipment is secured, and square him with the opening so that he will move through the tunnel with ease.
Photo
Exposing the flaws in Alberta’s provincial Ems system
Iwas writing this column in late November when coverage of the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination permeated newscasts. The coverage made me think about the secret service and the roles its members play – protecting the president and performing highrisk, high-pressure work in difficult surroundings. Sound familiar?
In previous columns, I have explained that in Alberta, fire departments are truly all-hazards responders, with most of our calls being medical emergencies. As the Alberta government continues to build its provincial EMS system, fire departments are becoming secret services in the truest sense: we’re protectors who answer all types of calls and we cover for the inadequacies of the new provincial EMS model while remaining an enigma to Alberta Health, which, to my mind, has failed to recognize the role of fire in emergency medical care.
According to a joint IAFF/Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association report in 2011 called Enhancing Emergency Medical Response Through the Fire Service, 90 per cent of fire departments in North America deliver some level of emergency medical care. The report says this makes firefighters the largest group of providers of pre-hospital care in North America.
Often, patients need more than just medical care – they require extrication or specialized protection from hazards. The fire service is uniquely equipped to address all of these needs.
to the hospital often cannot get back to their homes within a reasonable time because that particular ambulance is thrust back into the system and ends up hours away from the home community.
Emergency workers in Alberta have had to adjust to a new delivery model for health care, specifically because EMS care was officially recognized as part of the health-care system. Previously, each community, city or town in Alberta was responsible for managing, funding and supporting its EMS delivery model; Albertans who needed transport to hospital were looked after by a variety of private, municipal, volunteer and dual fire/EMS systems, each of which was customized for its specific regional domains.
When a code-red occurs. . . it is the fire service that steps up and responds to the 911 calls.
Because of Alberta’s new so-called borderless EMS system, ambulances can be sent out of district, often for long periods of time. When a code-red occurs – meaning there are no ambulances available in a particular region – it is the fire service that steps up and responds to the 911 calls. These types of situations are occurring increasingly and are straining volunteer resources, thus creating retention and morale issues in the province’s volunteer fire departments.
A recent discussion paper by Alberta Municipal Affairs noted that training and increasing workloads for fire services that provide medical response are top issues. Despite pressure from fire chiefs, healthcare decision makers have turned a blind eye and denied funding and support for the valuable medical first response that the fire service provides. Recently, a task force was set up to address these issues.
Several groups – the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association, the Urban Municipalities Association of Alberta, and municipal and county districts – have said they are concerned that medical services are being offloaded to municipalities through medical first response. Fire services often bear significant costs for medical first response, including training and supplying equipment; in addition, there is a strain on volunteer responders in small communities.
In my opinion, Alberta Health Services does not fully recognize the extent of the capabilities of medical first response providers in some communities. Firefighters willing to assist with patient transport
In my opinion, Alberta Health’s new EMS system is tightly controlled by a strict mission statement that starts from the desk of the health minister and filters down onto the front-line workers. It appears mandated that a borderless, province-wide system is not to be challenged. The downside of a “We are One” mission statement is that it removes communities’ ability to regulate specific regional needs and response strategies.
Some communities have chosen to stop providing the service: the City of Lacombe, for example, has said it will not dispatch fire units to medical first response calls until the province steps up with assistance such as supplies and training.
Many studies have identified the improved patient outcomes as a result of fire personnel arriving quickly to a scene, but how can we achieve the necessary support for this service? Fire-service leaders across Canada must work with health ministries to build partnerships that put patients first. There must be a clear understanding of which agency is ultimately responsible for medical first response when ambulances are delayed or unable to respond. Alberta Health must support first-responder models and ensure that safe, standardized care is provided to patients. Studies have shown that using fire/medical response saves taxpayers one-third of the cost of adding more ambulance crews into the system. Ultimately, the solution is the provision of financial support to municipalities for medical first response training, equipment and supplies.
It is clear some decision makers believe that EMS within the fire service is unworkable: this could not be further from the truth. All players must open borders, create seamless transitions and realize that conflicting agendas only harm patient outcomes. Failing to use the strength of fire department medical aid truly makes fire a secret service that fails to safeguard those we’ve sworn to protect.
Until next time, advocate for your patients, and be safe.
Lee Sagert is a career paramedic/firefighter with the City of Lethbridge in Alberta and a volunteer lieutenant with Coaldale Emergency Services. Contact him at leesagert@shaw.ca
Lee SAGert
Pushing beyond a plateau
Have you ever felt like you are never going to be able to reach that next level? It may be a target number of pushups, a higher weight for squats, or a longer or faster run. No matter what your goal, it may be easier to achieve than you think. Sometimes pushing past a plateau is a matter of taking a different approach to your workout or using a different method. Let’s take a look at a few options for better success.
change it up
Whether you are aware of it or not, your brain will always try to find the least strenuous way to achieve work. You have to learn to be smarter than your body.
One way to achieve this is to change the way you challenge yourself. As creatures of habit, we often follow the same routines when it comes to our workouts. Constantly grouping the same body parts together, performing the same exercises and executing the same number of repetitions or the same weight every workout can make it easier to work with less effort.
• Link different muscle groups. For instance, if you work pushing muscles together, such as chest and triceps, attempt a push/pull group, such as chest and back, instead.
• Attempt a full-body workout rather than splitting your muscle groups.
• Completely change your exercises. If you have been squatting for a long time, try lunges or split squats.
• Alter the number of repetitions from eight to 12 to 15 to 20 (or higher). You will likely have to reduce your weight, but you will work harder as your body adapts to the endurance.
negative reps
This technique uses the stretch phase of your movement to push your body beyond its capability. The majority of our effort is often during the squeeze phase of our movements. For example, during a pushup the concentric – or squeeze – effort occurs when we raise our body from the floor to arm’s length. When you find yourself unable to complete the next pushup, cheat a little to get up from the floor and then resist the negative, eccentric (stretch) contraction, lowering your body back down to the ground. Repeat it a few times. Your pectorals, delts and triceps should feel the workload because they are already fatigued. You are pushing your muscles beyond the usual workload and should benefit from the extra effort. You will find that this technique will affect subsequent exercises in your routine.
Simply changing your mindset, actively working harder and pushing yourself mentally can help to increase your intensity and results.
• Adjust your type of lifting. Dumbbells can be exchanged for barbells, put your hands close together instead of wide apart on a bar, or use an underhand grip instead of an overhand one. I don’t want to imply that you should change your workout for the sake of change. If you are happy with your results or they suit your lifestyle or goal, then keep doing what you are doing. Often times we get bored, we change our goals or we are at a standstill for extended periods. These are all good reasons to throw something new into your routine. Simply changing your mindset, actively working harder and pushing yourself mentally can help to increase your intensity and results.
Find a partner
Competition and support are great for results. Find someone to help with a forced rep or someone to encourage you to work harder and not give up. Partnerships can be a huge motivator. I’m certainly guilty of being competitive and love the edge that comes with trying to be as good as or better than my partner. It works both ways: remember to be equally motivating for your workmates.
Quality over quantity
I know you have seen the folks in your gym who cheat or whose form is incorrect. There is a time to cheat a rep or use momentum to push through, but I’m talking about bad form leading to bad results. Alter your movements, ensure full range of motion and link your brain to your activity. Mentally picturing your muscle moving through an exercise increases the muscle activity. This could be an easy fix to increase intensity.
Get some rest
Rest and recovery are imperative. Over-training and not listening to what your body is saying can lead to lasting injury and demotivation. I’m not aware of the magic alternative to a good night’s sleep, but resting to repair the cells you have worked hard to break down has a big impact on being able to keep working hard without injury.
Take a day or a few days off every once in a while if you find you are too sore. Don’t feel guilty about it, especially if you work hard regularly. There is a tendency for people to think missing a workout sets you back. Missing many workouts sets you back, but not one or two. Let your body fully recover every once in a while and you may be very surprised at your next workout.
All in all, there are a number of ways you can improve the quality and results of your workouts; these are only a few of them. I welcome your feedback and would love to hear how you get past your plateaus. Work hard and stay safe.
Sherry Dean is a career firefighter/engineer with Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Service. She is an NFPA level 1 instructor with hazmat technician and special rescue certifications. Sherry has more than 20 years of experience in fitness and training including the Scott FireFit Challenge, competitive bodybuilding, team sports and personal training. Contact her at sbdean@eastlink.ca
Sherry deAn
simplify meal prep with a well-stocked pantry
There are occasions in every household and fire hall when stepping into the kitchen to prepare a meal seems like a burden – a mundane daily task filled with questions such as: What should I make? What can I make? And what do I even feel like making? It is usually during these times of doubt that we break down and search for takeout menus. The solution to the burning question “What do I make for dinner?” is easy: keep it simple! It is time to find the simple quality ingredients hiding in the pantry, freezer and refrigerator just waiting for their time to shine.
During the winter months when fresh options have dwindled, it is the pantry that needs to be stocked with nutritious and healthy options in order to cook at home. Here is my Top 10 list of items that are must-haves in the kitchen. These ingredients have excellent shelf lives, are inexpensive and all have the ability to transform a regular meal into an extraordinary dish.
• Garlic: A wonderful super food that not only inhibits infection but also is so versatile that it is found in almost every type of cuisine.
• Canned tomatoes: Tomatoes are the exception to the rule that the fresher it is, the healthier it is. Your body absorbs more of the antioxidant lycopene from cooked tomatoes than it does from fresh ones.
• Stocks and broths: Nothing beats homemade soups during the winter months. Any time you think about using water for cooking, substitute stock to maximize the flavour.
• Whole wheat pasta/rice and grains: A nutritious and satisfying meal is never far off when you have a good base. These items can be used as a side or a main dish, and topped with an endless array of options.
• Baby clams and canned tuna: Baby clams make a great gourmet addition to sauces and casseroles. Tuna is not just for sandwiches; it provides a start for winter comfort food in tuna melts or breaded tuna patties.
Patrick Mathieu is a 15-year veteran of Waterloo Fire Rescue, where he is acting captain. He has won several cooking competitions and has helped raise thousands of dollars for charities by auctioning gourmet dinners at the fire hall. Contact him at stationhousecateringco@yahoo.ca
Linguine with spicy red clam sauce
Ingredients:
• 1 tsp coarse salt
• 1 pound linguine
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp dried oregano leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 6 garlic cloves, slivered
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup dry red wine
• 2 14-ounce cans baby clams, in juice
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest, for garnish
• Grated pecorino cheese, for garnish
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook until al dente.
2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat, then add the olive oil. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme and garlic, and cook for one minute, then add the onion. Raise the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, for three to four minutes, until the onion begins to soften. Add the wine and cook until almost all the liquid is evaporated. Stir in the clams with their juice and the tomatoes, and cook, keeping a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste if needed.
3. Drain the linguine, return it to the pot and add the sauce. Garnish with the pecorino, parsley and a little lemon zest. Enjoy!
• Dried herbs and spices: Spices such as ginger, paprika, turmeric and garam masala are rich antioxidants and are great for your heart. They transform bland ingredients into flavour bombs!
• Nuts: When it comes to nutrition, nuts such as almonds (high in calcium, magnesium and fibre), walnuts (packed with omega-3 fatty acids), pecans (full of vitamins B6 and E), and pine nuts (one of the best sources of protein in the nut family) rank at the top of the list.
• Mustards: I love the flavourful mustards such as Dijon. Try brushing mustard on your favourite meat/fish before cooking.
• Olives: Besides being a source of
healthy fats, olives have an intense flavour that goes a long way.
• Frozen berries: While fresh berries have a better taste, even frozen ones are antioxidant powerhouses. Use berries in smoothies, pancakes and muffins; as salad toppers; in sauces and reductions and, of course, for dessert! By stocking up your kitchen with these nutritious, quality ingredients you will look like a hero at home and in the fire hall by saving time, money, your health and your sanity! The decision about what to make for dinner will soon become simple and you will never sacrifice presentation and great taste. Try these recipes that include my favourite kitchen staples.
Pancetta and rosemary yukon
Gold flatbread
Ingredients:
• 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, left unpeeled and cut into ½-inch-thick rounds
• 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
• Smoked sea salt
• 6 ounces thickly sliced pancetta, diced
• ¼ cup uncooked cornmeal
• 1 eight-ounce ball prepared pizza dough, at room temperature
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
• ½ cup roasted garlic paste
• 1 ½ cups grated Gruyère cheese
• ¼ cup Niçoise olives, drained and pitted
• Leaves from two sprigs fresh rosemary
• Freshly ground black pepper
2. Brush the sliced potatoes with two tablespoons of the oil and season with the smoked sea salt. Place on a parchment-lined baking tray in the oven. Cook for 20 minutes, turning them once. Reserve for topping.
3. Meanwhile, heat a heavy sauté pan over medium-high heat. Fry the pancetta, stirring until crisp. Reserve for topping.
4. Sprinkle your work surface with the cornmeal. Place the dough in the middle of the surface. You can roll out the dough with a rolling pin, stretch it out with your hands or press it out from the centre against the work surface. Ideally, you want a 12-inch, organically shaped piece of dough, preferably rectangular and about ¼-inch thick. Brush both sides generously with the remaining olive oil. Bake for about 10 minutes, just until the dough starts to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven.
5. Spread the entire surface of the dough with the garlic paste and sprinkle with half of the cheese. Cover with the potato slices, placing them edge to edge. Sprinkle with the pancetta and the remaining cheese. Artfully arrange the olives and rosemary over the top. Finish baking the flatbread for another 10 minutes. Remove the pizza from the oven and season with salt and pepper. Slice and serve immediately. Enjoy with an ice-cold beer!
From flood to fire
By Rob Evans
On Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7:18 p.m., Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES) was called out to a report of a house fire southwest of Bragg Creek, Alta., where June flooding had decimated a large portion of the hamlet.
The description of the location placed the house in the response area of the neighbouring Priddis’ fire station but crews from RMES did not delay the response as they continued to the scene. Priddis is part of the Municipal District of Foothills Fire Department (FFD) and its crew were confirmed as responding with Engine 6 and Tender 6.
During RMES’ response, dispatch consistently updated RMES Engine 120 that multiple calls were now reporting the home on fire. Dispatched by Calgary’s Public Safety Communications, RMES is station 120 in the area dispatch plan. While still en route to the fire – an eight-minute response – a glow in the sky was quite apparent to the RMES crew and, in addition to the Priddis station response, Engine 120 requested the Heritage Pointe station from
ABOVE: When Redwood Meadows Emergency Services arrived at the scene of this house fire near Bragg Creek, Alta., it was immediately determined that the operation would be defensive.
Foothills to respond with Engine 9 and Tender 9.
Still a couple of minutes away from the fire, the Engine 120 crew began to determine what each member on the truck would be tasked with upon arrival. As the truck arrived on scene, it was determined right away that the operation would be defensive.
Contractors on scene reported that nobody was in the home. Engine 120 pulled up the narrow driveway to the home and stretched a 44-millimetre (mm) line to protect an exposure of a workshop on the Alpha/Delta (A/D) corner
The fire had travelled throughout the home and heavy fire was pushing out of the Bravo side, with heavy smoke pushing out of the eaves around the entire structure. By the time the line was stretched, heavy fire was blowing out all of the windows and the entire roof had self-ventilated. It was
now necessary to reposition the engine, which was backed about 30 metres down the driveway. The line was quickly charged and crews got to work protecting the workshop exposure. They were also able to turn off the natural gas line into the house at the meter before fire took hold of the A/D corner.
Engine 120, a 5,000-litres-per-minute pumper with a 5,000-litre booster tank, had enough water and was used with Class-A foam to protect the workshop and a nearby forest with a second 44 mm line that had been pulled. Crews were able to save the workshop as well as a minivan on the A/D side; just a small number of trees in the forest exposure on the Charlie side were lost before the second line was deployed.
Within 10 minutes of Engine 120’s arrival, Engine 6 and Tender 6 had arrived
redwood meadows Emergency services
• 1 station
• 37 members (almost 100 per cent have some type of medical training)
• 2 engines, 1 tender, 1 rescue, 2 brush trucks, 1 rescue support trailer that carries a Polaris Ranger 6x6 utility transport vehicle
• Services an area of more than 1,000 square kilometres that includes the Townsite of Redwood Meadows, Tsuu T’ina First Nation, Rocky View County and Kananaskis Improvement District
• Population of more than 6,500 people, increasing during the summer to more than 12,000 at times
on scene. Capt. Luc LeBlanc from Engine 6 reported to Engine 120 for an update. Given a report of actions taken so far, LeBlanc was asked to complete a 360 of the structure. Once complete, command was transferred to LeBlanc. Engine 9 and Tender 9 had arrived and it was decided to start putting water on the fire building, as there was now a supply of water. The water tender from RMES, Tender 120, had arrived on scene also. With more than 40,000 litres of water available, crews made short work of what was left of the fire building.
RMES responds to fewer than a dozen structure fire calls each year. Most structure fire responses for RMES are small and are handled quickly. The last structure fire of this magnitude occurred in January 2012 when a local gas station caught fire.
At the height of this house fire, three engines, three water tenders and two brush trucks with approximately 20 firefighters were on scene to tackle the blaze. Tenders had to travel back and forth from Redwood Meadows, a round trip of 24 kilometres, to fill up because of the remote location of the property. More than 10 people have been left homeless but, thankfully, nobody was injured. The cause of the fire was still under investigation at press time.
Lessons learned
• Although RMES had radios that could communicate with incoming Foothills crews, there is still a need for more radio interoperability. Communication always seems to be an area in which operations can improve regardless of the size and scope of the incident.
• Although we all know each other and work very well together, it was recognized that both departments can do better with joint training, particularly with tanker-shuttle and rural water-supply operations.
Rob Evans is the chief fire officer for Redwood Meadows Emergency Services, 25 kilometres west of Calgary. Evans attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 1989 and studied photojournalism. In 1992, he joined RMES after taking pictures of an interface fire and making prints for the department. He has his NFPA 1001 level II certification, NFPA 472 Operations and Awareness (hazmat), NFPA 1041 level I (fire service instructor), Dalhousie University Certificate in Fire Service Leadership and Certificate in Fire Service Administration and is a registered Emergency Medical Responder with the Alberta College of Paramedics. He lives in Redwood Meadows with his wife, a captain/ EMT with RMES, and three children. Follow him on Twitter at @redwoodwoof
rmEs cALLs BY cAtEGOrY 2012
multi-purpose rescue tool reduces time at mVcs
By Randy Schmitz
When it comes to the golden hour, any process, method or tool that helps to reduce that critical time frame for patient rescue is a clear benefit.
With all of today’s new vehicle technology and the high-strength steel products that have extended the time it takes for rescuers to extricate patients from vehicles, shaving a few minutes off the 20-minute benchmark for patient disentanglement can make a big difference.
One item that can help rescuers be more effective is the X-trication Tomahawk, or XT.
This unique, multi-purpose tool is the latest piece of equipment from Chris Burdyshaw and Jeff Pugh of PXT – Puyallup Extrication Team. Innovators in their own right, these two gentlemen stay on the cutting edge of extrication teaching and use their expertise to make the rescuers’ jobs more effective. Their first innovation was the FRJ or First Responder Jack by High Lift (see my columns from October 2012 and January 2013); the second was the recently released extrication command board specific to rescue. The XT is truly a time saver as it replaces many single-use tools and brings them all together in one handheld unit. The XT is cost effective, relatively compact and lightweight, which makes it user friendly and effective. The well thoughtout design gives the user the sense of a systematic approach to “soften” the vehicle to prepare it for extrication, while also performing the necessary basic initial functions that are required at any extrication scene. Tools need to be easily accessible and readily at hand and this tool (see photo 1) does the job.
One of the first orders of business following the initial surveys, hazard assessments and other standard protocols is stabilization of the vehicle. Once the cribbing is in place, tap it with the curved claw end of the Tomahawk to ensure a snug fit and take the weight off the vehicle (see photo 2). An alternative to cribbing alone is to transfer the weight directly to the ground by removing the suspension and taking it out of play; this is done by removing the air from the tires. The tee end of the tool – with its thin, bevelled edge – is designed to remove hubcaps easily (see photo 3). Once the hubcap is removed, the same end of the tool can be used to remove the tire’s valve stem; insert that end into the round hole, use the tool’s leverage against the rim, then the stem will easily pop off (see photo 4). Stainless-steel valve stems used with tire pressure monitoring technology are difficult to break off; instead, the side wall of the tire can be punctured with the pointed end of the Tomahawk (see photo 5); this will settle the vehicle onto the cribbing making it rock solid.
The next step is to gain access to the patient for medical assessment: try before you pry is a must but if no doors or windows open then they must be breached. The same pointed end of the Tomahawk can make short work of the side glass; choose a spot as far away as possible from the patient then give the window a tap and it should shatter (see photo 6). Note: if possible, use Packexe first to control the glass; see the August 2011 issue of Fire Fighting in Canada for more information on Packexe). Use the outer edge of the tool to clean out the remaining
Photo 1: The X-trication Tomahawk replaces many single-use tools and brings them all together in one handheld unit. It is cost effective, relatively compact and lightweight, which makes it user friendly and effective.
Photo 2: Once the cribbing is in place, take the weight off the vehicle by tapping the cribbing tight with the curved claw end of the Tomahawk.
Photo 3: The tee end of the tool – with its thin, bevelled edge – is designed to remove hubcaps easily.
Photos by r an D y s chmitz
glass left in the window frame (see photo 7); never use your gloved hand to remove glass fragments as you could transfer the particles to your patient upon removal. Another alternative is to break glass inside of a door panel for easier glass-fragment containment. If the window can be rolled down halfway into the door, use the notched portion of the Tomahawk to break the glass and most of it will fall inside (see photo 8). The next step is to gain access to the doors, which may require
Photo 4: The same end of the tool that is used to remove the vehicle’s hubcap can also be used to remove the tire’s valve stem.
Photo 5: If the vehicle has stainless-steel valve stems, which are difficult to break off, use the pointed end of the Tomahawk to puncture the side wall of the tire.
Photo 6: To break the glass using the Tomahawk, choose a spot as far away from the patient as possible; then give the window a tap and it should shatter.
rescuers to find a purchase point. If a purchase point has not been created as a result of the collision, the curved-claw end of the Tomahawk can be inserted into the door seam. Insert the claw and work the tool up and down to create a space large enough to allow for hydraulic spreader tips (see photo 9).
The electrical shut down of the 12-volt battery is a crucial part of the operation. Again, use of the claw portion of the tool to make a purchase point if the battery is located in the engine compartment.
The tool also has a small hook-like feature for removing the rubber weather seal gaskets around the vehicle body where the door seats itself when closed. It is sometimes helpful to remove this seal if you are going to cut the vehicle body with hydraulic shears or reciprocating saws, so that you can see a clear path for your cut (see photo 10). Once again the bevelled edge of the tool can be used to expose the plastic trim that is hiding the supplemental restraint systems or to remove inside door panels if needed to disengage the lock mechanism (see photo 11).
Have you ever been poked in the face by the vehicle’s antenna when working on the wreckage? Well the notched end of the tool
Photo 7: Use the outer edge of the tool – not your gloved hand – to clean out the remaining glass left in the frame after the window has been broken.
Photo 9: If a purchase point has not been created as a result of the collision, the curvedclaw end of the Tomahawk can be inserted into the door seam and worked to create a space large enough for hydraulic spreader tips.
Photo 8: If the window can be rolled down halfway into the door, use the notched portion of the Tomahawk to break the glass and most of it will fall inside.
Photo 10: The tool also has a small hook-like feature for removing the rubber weather seal gaskets around the vehicle body. It is sometimes helpful to remove this seal so that you can see a clear path for your cut.
Photo 12: The notched end of the tool can accommodate the hexagon antenna nut so that the antenna can be removed for safety
can accommodate the hexagon antenna nut so that the antenna can be removed for safety (see photo 12).
What about removing the windshield? The edge of the tool is also a glass cutter that will produce large chunks rather than fine powder, which will simply drop down rather create a fine glass powder that will float around in the air (see photo 13); the teeth can be sharpened with a round and flat file if they become dull from many windshield removals. Lastly, the claw end can be used to remove the socket end of lift struts that hold up trunk or hatch lids.
In most MVC responses, there is not enough manpower and, frankly, firefighters don’t want to lose their position in the extrication to go look for tools. In some accident scenarios patients and firefighters are put at greater risk of injury due to the fact that they do not have the proper hand tools.
The X-trication Tomahawk, which is available from Ajax Rescue Tools (www.ajaxrescuetools.com). The XT is
Photo 11: The bevelled edge of the tool can be used to expose the plastic trim that is hiding the supplemental restraint systems or to remove inside door panels if needed to disengage the lock mechanism.
Photo 13: The edge of the tool is also a glass cutter that will produce large chunks, which will simply drop down, rather than create a fine glass powder that will float around in the air.
designed to prompt the user though a systematic approach to auto extrication – stabilization, glass management and trim removal. From my experience, the reason these three basic tasks are not completed at many accident scenes is time: firefighters simply do not want to look for tools or return to the rig to retrieve the specific tools they need.
Randy Schmitz is a Calgary firefighter who has been extensively involved in the extrication field for 21 years. He is an extrication instructor and has competed internationally. He is the education chair for Transport Emergency Rescue Committee (T.E.R.C.) in Canada, a T.E.R.C. & WRO International extrication judge and a tester and evaluator for manufactured prototype products for extrication equipment. He can be reached at rwschmitz@shaw.ca. Follow him on Twitter at @firedog7
why you should find a fire-service mentor
Because what’s inside matters.
I saw that line recently in an ad for bunker gear and my first thought was, “Yes, the people inside the gear matter. Good slogan.” My next thought was, “What’s inside the people who are inside the bunker gear matters too.” It matters a great deal.
I believe all firefighters have several things in common regardless of whether they are full time or volunteer – the desire to help others, to give back to their communities, and to make a difference in the lives of others, both outside and inside the fire service. We all do the same job to one degree or another, and in some cases, we even train together. Even the courses we take – in Ontario at the Ontario Fire College, at FDIC Atlantic in Nova Scotia, at Training in Paradise on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia – there is often a mix of career and volunteer members, firefighters, officers and, in some cases, chiefs.
Although we all have common goals and values, all firefighters are not the same. Take a moment and think of the people in your own fire hall or department: who comes to mind when I use the word leader or mentor?
Fire departments are made up of myriad people who have different personalities, backgrounds and strengths. Diversity is what makes the fire service what it is, and strong leadership from the people who inspire us is what makes the teams within it so effective.
While I was writing this, I was contemplating working with a fire-service mentor to help me build my skills and knowledge base, and work toward advancing my fire-service career. Anyone can be a mentor; often, all it takes is asking.
Of course, a sense of humour goes a long way too, and I find that it’s always a quality found in charismatic members of the fire service. The fire service is serious business, but fostering an environment in which one feels relaxed and open to learning is vitally important to success. Genuineness: There is a lot to be said for the people you would describe as genuine or the real deal. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving fire-service environment, finding someone to mentor you who is genuine in manner and offers heartfelt advice is a necessity. The genuine ones are most concerned with helping others bring out their best; they recognize that when we are at our personal best we are able to perform at our professional best.
JeNNifer Mabee
Take a moment and think of the people in your own fire hall or department: who comes to mind when I use the word leader?
Knowledge and experience: Those who have been involved in the fire service for a number of years have likely experienced a lot; however, this doesn’t guarantee that they’ve learned a lot or know a lot. It won’t take long to figure out if someone has the knowledge and expertise that you’re looking for in a mentor. The fire service is full of members who have knowledge and training in all facets of the job, and who would more than likely be happy to share what they know with you. There is a wealth of information out there and there is much to be learned from the experiences of others. Sharing information and learning from others is also a huge part of the tradition of the fire service (not to mention the stories from the good ol’ days of what not to do.)
Charismatic/magnetic personality: If you find yourself drawn to certain people in the fire service, they are likely to be good mentors. Not all personalities are the same, but there are many of the same personalities as yours out there. You may follow these people on Twitter or Facebook, read their columns/blogs, or meet them on courses or at conferences. If you find that you can relate to them, what they are saying, and how they are saying it, chances are they are a good match.
Respect: Whom do you respect and for whom do you have the utmost respect? Are these the same people? The fire service command structure dictates that at the very least we are to respect the position, if not the person. I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, but there are indeed some among us for whom we carry a higher level of respect, and it’s not necessarily dependent on rank. I took a fire-prevention course at the Ontario Fire College in the summer at which one of the students was a fire chief. I have a lot of respect for that person, simply because he was there. However, he wasn’t just there, he was learning just as the rest of us were – together. As a chief, you’ve already made it to the top. As a person, the fact that this chief was in the class alongside firefighters, officers, plans examiners and a member of the Office of the Fire Marshal speaks volumes about that individual.
Passion: Is everyone you know in the fire service passionate about his or her job? There’s a difference between those who clearly have a passion for what they do – whether it’s responding to the calls, training firefighters, performing inspections, teaching students or providing public education to schools and community groups – and those who are simply putting in time. People who have a passion for what they do reflect that in how they do what they do and why they do it. Their enthusiasm is contagious and it makes you want to strive to be a better firefighter. Is mentoring for you? Whether you are looking for someone to mentor you, or you are in a position to mentor others, having someone with whom you can share ideals and ideas, ask questions without feeling foolish, and be inspired to do and be your best, can be as important to your growth in the fire service as regular training.
You will meet all kinds of people in the fire service but not everyone will inspire you to learn, grow and achieve. Surround yourself with those who do.
Jennifer Mabee-Grigg has been a volunteer with the Township of Georgian Bay Fire Department in Ontario since 1997. E-mail her at jhook0312@yahoo.ca and follow her on Twitter at @jenmabee
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