AERIAL MANEUVERS
Metro 100 Ladder. Turning corners and turning heads.
Offered exclusively by E-ONE, the all-new Metro 100 is a single axle aluminum ladder with a 100’ vertical reach on a short 220” wheelbase. The 11’ jack spread allows you to easily set up in tight spaces. And, when paired with the Cyclone II aerial cab, the Metro 100 offers an impressively low 10’7” overall travel height. Designed with both the urban and suburban departments in mind, the Metro 100 is a highly maneuverable ladder that’s long on features and short on height.
Industry-leading aerial. Innovative design.
ODoing the right thing
ur cover story this month on skills self-assessment is by Ryan Pennington, who some of you may know on Twitter as @jumpseatviews. We’ve done stories before on competency evaluations for firefighters, but Pennington’s theory that assessing your own skills, keeping a log of strengths and weaknesses, and being responsible for maintaining those skills, is new to me – something I hadn’t considered before.
As Pennington says, it’s one thing to have an officer point out a weakness he observed at an incident and encourage you to brush up or re-train. But it’s another to self-assess – to know that you haven’t practised raising a 24-foot-ladder in a while, or that you struggled with that particular skill at the last call – and take responsibility for improving your capabilities. It’s the honest thing – and right thing – to do.
Which leads me to a media event I attended on June 6 in Vaughan, Ont., at which a local developer announced that the 142 homes it is building in a new subdivision would be sprinklered and have hard-wired heat detectors in the garages – 15 per cent of house fires in Vaughan since 2009 have started in garages.
Automatic residential sprinklers seem to be a logical safety step – they protect residents and firefighters – but in Ontario at least, there has been opposition by home builders to sprinklers because of the perceived installation cost and an anticipated backlash by consumers over perceived higher home prices.
You’ve heard all the counterpoints – the price of automatic residential sprinklers is about 1.5 to three per cent of the cost of the home, or the same as an upgrade to granite counter tops – and, besides, history shows that consumers are likely to embrace enhanced fire-safety measures if they’re marketed properly – consider bicycle helmets and airbags. The home builders are well aware of these facts, but they have continued to push back, which has made politicians reluctant to make sprinklers mandatory lest they alienate a large voter group.
Enter Townwood Homes, the developer in Vaughan. When I asked Townwood’s principals – vice-president Marcello Messersi and president Tony Guglietti – why they decided to put sprinklers in their new, executive-style homes, they looked at each other, paused, and said, simply, it’s the right time.
It was only later when I read a Toronto Star real-estate story about the new, sprinklered subdivision – written by a reporter who obviously knew Guglietti better than I did – that I learned that Guglietti had experienced a house fire; he wasn’t living in the home at the time but lost treasured contents and now understands the value of sprinklers.
Sprinklers do not eliminate the need for a rapid response by well-trained firefighters. But they give occupants and firefighters a greater chance of getting out alive and unhurt.
Which brings me back to Pennington; his message is that for firefighters, sometimes doing the right things is difficult. It’s hard to critique yourself honestly and tackle your weaknesses. But the extra work and humility make things safer for you, your co-workers and the public.
The same applies to Townwood Homes. Leading innovation in a competitive industry is challenging. But sprinklers save lives. It may take years for that to happen in Vaughan, but it will.
Do the right thing.
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High-intensity interval training: it works
Finally, summer is here. Summer is far too short in Canada; you probably have less time to get your workout in, and, if you are anything like me, you’re indulging in barbecues and ice cream. The combination is not so good for our waistlines. I have a great workout for you – it’s quick, but not so easy.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective training technique that provides both time and physical benefits. This training style has been around in different forms since at least the mid-1990s, but it has recently gained popularity. I have already discussed some interval training workouts here, so for some of you this will fall in line with your current training. There are a number of different approaches to this training style and there is plenty of excellent information available should you want to explore more options than those listed here.
Benefits of HIIT
Health researchers report that we effectively burn fat at between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of our maximum heart rate over longer durations of exercise. Just take a look at the charts on your treadmill. HIIT may seem to go against this stream of thought because you won’t burn as many calories per session using this method, but there are some great added benefits to HIIT.
Without getting too technical, your body’s oxygen depletion brought on by high-intensity exercise puts demands on your body to replenish itself long after you finish working out. Your system has to work hard to restore hormone levels, and flush out lactic acids. Studies show that your body can work at an elevated metabolic rate up to 38 hours after HIIT workouts. The higher the intensity of the exercise, the more energy it requires to repair. This is a simplification, but you get the point.
Tabata
week at a lower intensity would be a great start.
The key is to work as hard as you can during each exercise. Use a rate of perceived exertion (RPE) to measure whether you are working hard enough. Your RPE is based on a scale from one to 10, with one being little or no exertion and 10 being as much effort as possible. If you have a heart rate monitor, you can use it to measure your effort. Here are two sample workouts. Don’t say I didn’t warn you: four minutes can be a very long time!
Tabata No. 1
• Five-minute warm-up – light RPE (2-3)
• Exercise 1: Hand-release push-ups. Be sure to take your hands off of the ground each time you lower into the down position.
• Exercise 2: Burpees. Add a push-up and/or a jump for extra effort.
• Exercise 3: Jumping jacks. The deeper you squat, the harder you’re working.
The key to [a Tabata workout] is to work as hard as you can during each exercise.
• Exercise 4: Medicine ball squat with wall throws. Hold the medicine ball at chest height during your squat. When you return to a standing position, throw the ball at a wall, at a 10foot height, catch the ball and squat again
• Repeat exercises 1 to 4.
• Five-minute cool-down – light RPE (2-3)
Tabata No. 2
• Five-minute warm-up – light RPE (2-3)
• Exercise 1: Jog on the spot. Keep your knees high and your arms pumping.
• Exercise 2: Mountain climbers. Maintain good body alignment – no high or low glutes.
• Exercise 3: Split lunge jumps. Lunge with your right leg forward and your hands above head, then jump to switch legs moving your left leg forward.
Tabata was developed by Izumi Tabata, a Japanese researcher and professor, and published in 1996. It involves 20 seconds of all-out effort followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated eight times. Before you jump to conclusions, I’m not suggesting you need to invest only four minutes of exercise to be fit, nor am I suggesting that those four minutes are easy. You will be surprised by just how difficult four minutes can be when you are working close to your maximum effort.
The official Tabata program originally consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, followed by four minutes of 20-second intervals of highintensity work on the bike and 10-second rest intervals. This was done four times a week with one weekly 30-minute session of twominute intervals. The format below is a five-minute warm-up and cool-down with the four-minute intervals between.
Tabata can be used for any form of exercise: running, cycling, swimming and strength training, to name a few. You can adapt the exercises to suit your personal needs, but if you are new to fitness, two sessions per
• Exercise 4: Elbow plank to push-ups. Start in a plank position from your elbows. Transfer your weight, one arm at a time, from your elbows to your hands. You will end up in a push-up position. Then return one arm at a time to an elbow plank.
• Repeat exercises 1 to 4.
• Five-minute cool-down – light RPE (2-3)
Substitute any exercise in this workout. You can simply do a cardio workout – run, bike, elliptical or row in 20-second sets with 10-second rests. If you need more of a challenge, increase the number of intervals or increase the time limit for each set to 30 or 40 seconds.
Have fun, work hard and play safely.
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
Assessing your skills
Self-evaluations help to improve task performance
By Ryan Pennington
You are responding to a fire with a confirmed entrapment: What do you do to prepare for the challenges ahead? Every firefighter who pulls on a pair of boots probably has a different answer.
From Day 1, a career as a firefighter forces us to evaluate our skills. As we age, we gain years of experience, and in many cases we advance up the chain of command, but it is critical that firefighters of all ranks rate their performance on the fire ground and their skills.
Have you evaluated how skilled you are as a firefighter? Evaluation isn’t such a bad term; you are simply analyzing your performance in training, on calls and around the fire hall, and making sure that you keep focused and are always prepared. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips from the jumpseat view – my view – to keep you jumpseat ready as you progress through your career.
Evaluating your performance
Many fire departments conduct evaluations of their firefighters, based on a set of standards. These evaluations can be great tools to help firefighters identify strengths and recognize weaknesses that may need attention. One potential problem with these third-party evaluations is that the superior officer may not be able to provide a completely honest evaluation while remaining politically correct. Often, supervisors cannot drop the hammer.
Firefighters can combat this problem by performing honest selfassessments. Our skills are perishable; if we don’t use them, we lose them. Doing a personal skills assessment will give you an idea of how much you need to refresh or re-learn a certain task. Let’s say that at your last drill, you found it difficult to throw a 24-foot ladder by yourself and, therefore, it took you longer to complete the task. While an officer who recognized that you needed to improve that skill could point out your deficiencies to you, if you are evaluating yourself, you can be brutally honest – Ryan, that is unacceptable! It’s time to practice with the 24-footer until you can do it faster, safer and more efficiently.
Honesty can be the levelling factor when performing a self-evaluation. Constants such as time of day, weather, age and fitness levels should be considered when checking your own skill levels. Maybe it took longer to throw the 24-footer because it was 30 C outside. But while the temperature needs to be considered, only a small allowance should be permitted for those types of circumstances, since we fight fires in all weather conditions and should be prepared to do so.
Doing a personal skills assessment will give firefighters an idea of how much they need to refresh or re-learn a certain task.
your log to help identify areas for improvement. In the days of electronic everything, it doesn’t take much time or effort to make a note on your calendar when you take a class, participate in a drill, introduce a new skill or practice an old one.
An example of a training log:
• May 1, 2013: Swift-water technician refresher training
• Location: New River
• Need: Boat operation is an area in which I could use more experience and time to train
Another example:
• Jan. 1, 2013: Structure fire
• Location: 123 Main St.
• Need: The Chief assigned us to vertical ventilation and I struggled with saw operations
If you write down your needs, your successes and the areas that could use more practice, you will have a better reference when choosing classes and drills that you should not miss.
How practical is recording your training? That depends on how often you log the information, how detailed you are and whether you are ready for an honest evaluation of your skills. Firefighters all want to think that they can climb 100 flights of stairs and make the grab, but reality has a way of sneaking up on us if we haven’t given the right amount of attention to our skills.
Preparing to lead
Do you have aspirations to become a chief officer? If you are like me, and I bet you are, you want to be a fire-service leader. The process starts the very first day you walk into the fire hall. Using yourself as an experiment will allow you to start preparing to lead. Constantly evaluating, logging and revisiting needed improvements will start you on the road to leadership. Who better to learn from than yourself? You can be brutally honest – no political correctness needed.
Example:
• June 1 – Auto accident: Ryan had trouble stabilizing the vehicle
• Remediation: Schedule a drill for C-shift to review the use of cribbing, jacks and the co-ordination of efforts.
Being a street-level firefighter, or jumpseat rider, can give you the perspective of a
follower and help you understand how your peers would react to your leadership. How would you receive the request and how can you make sure that firefighter Ryan received the refresher training that he needed? How many times have you said, “The chiefs have forgotten where they came from”? If you learn to lead while you are still following, you will have a great sense of how and why to lead, a view that should never be forgotten.
We all would like to think that we could walk up the stairs in full gear, force a door, make the grab and smile when the mayor pins a medal on our chest. But many of us don’t experience the numbers of fires or, in some cases, the amount of training that it takes to
keep up with all that is asked of us. From hazmat to EMS and structural fire fighting, our skills will diminish if we do not give them the attention they need. Taking the time to evaluate your performance, keeping a training log and learning from your time in the jumpseat will make you a well-rounded firefighter and, eventually, an officer, or perhaps a chief. Being fair and honest, and making sure that we can do what is asked of us at all times, will ensure that we all go home safely!
Ryan Pennington is a firefighter/paramedic for the Charleston Fire Department in Charleston, W. Va. He is
ABOVE: While an officer who recognizes that a firefighter needs to improve a skill could point out that deficiency to him, if that firefighter is evaluating himself, he can be brutally honest.
LEFT: By keeping track of what types of training you have participated in, the location of that training, and any needed improvements to those skills, you can better identify areas in which you need improvement.
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 volunteer department and continued through EMS, spending 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 a West Virginia State Instructor 2, a hazmat technician, and a certified Fire Officer 2. He teaches EMS and firefighter safety across North America. Contact him at jumpseatviews@icloud.com and follow him on Twitter @Jumpseatviews
By Randy Schmitz
OThe logic behind cable barrier systems
ver the last few years, the Province of Alberta’s efforts to improve highway safety have included roadway engineering to help drivers keep their cars on the road and to reduce the safety consequences when they fail to do so.
The province has installed rumble strips, improved and straightened curves, widened highway shoulders, upgraded medians and installed median barriers.
Median barriers are generally installed along divided highways to provide a physical barrier between opposing traffic streams with the intention of eliminating cross-median collisions – which have the potential to be severe – by intercepting an errant vehicle before it crosses into opposing traffic.
While no barrier can eliminate the consequences for every driver who runs off the road, cable median barriers have been proven to reduce the number of vehicles that enter into oncoming traffic after crossing a median.
The barrier is designed to minimize the forces on the occupants in a vehicle that hits the barrier, and to provide some capacity to redirect the vehicle in a controlled manner, or bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
Emergency responders need to be made aware of these barrier systems and train for rescue efforts where a vehicle is entwined in a cable barrier. For example, safe cutting procedures need to be defined when they become necessary. Emergency-response agencies should have educational materials that provide responders with clear and concise guidance on when and how to safely disconnect or cut cables when a vehicle is entangled after an impact.
We will focus on high-tension cable barrier systems (HTCBs), their design and function.
Although there are five manufacturers of HTCBs – Gibraltar, Nucore, Safence, Marion and Trinity – Gibraltar is the most commonly installed system in Canada.
overview of HTcB systems
HTCB systems have three or four galvanized steel cables, each measuring 19 millimetres (3/4 inch) in diameter. Each of those cables comprises three seven-piece strands of steel, and is held at the desired height by weak steel posts placed in sleeves in concrete or steel foundations. The cables are individually connected to end terminals, which are also anchored in steel or concrete foundations.
Cables are, in most cases, pre-stretched and post-tensioned after installation to a value depending on ambient temperature – for example, 2,540 kilograms (5,600 pounds) at 21 C. The posts are expected to break away on impact, and the tensioned cables deflect and cushion the force of the hitting vehicle. Cables are typically supplied in 303-metre (994-foot) lengths and are connected by turnbuckles or acorns (see photo 1). The cables are very strong and will normally deflect, but not break, in typical highway crashes.
There are many factors that influence the reaction of a vehicle when traversing sloped terrain. Primary factors include vehicle mass, vehicle speed, angle of departure and the slope of the terrain. Secondary factors include the distribution of vehicle load, the condition of vehicle subsystems (for example, the vehicle’s suspension), the surface conditions, driver control inputs and surface friction.
3: This photo shows the top of a galvanized steel C-post. These posts are set into a 38-centimetre sleeve of steel, called a socket, which is embedded in a concrete footing that measures 30 centimetres wide and 1.2 metres deep.
Photo 1: Cables are typically supplied in 303-metre lengths and are connected by turnbuckles or acorns.
Photo 2: Post spacing has a direct effect on the deflection space created when hit; the farther apart the posts are from each other, the more deflection there will be.
Photo
Photo 4: A 60-centimetre by 19-millimetre threaded rod, attached by acorns to the cable, allows for tensioning and readjustment.
Whatever your needs, Dräger has an SCBA in its portfolio that truly satisfies them. With the expansion of our Sentinel product line — which now includes lightweight, fully integrated, cost-effective options — our SCBA portfolio now allows you to mix and match harness solutions with PASS systems in a way that perfectly suits your department. It’s German engineering at its best. If you’ve been stuck with solutions that offer too much or not enough, Dräger is ready to outfit you with equipment that’s just right. Options that fit your budget
Options that fit your budget today and tomorrow.
Whatever your needs, Dräger has an SCBA in its portfolio that truly satisfies them. With the expansion of our Sentinel product line—which now includes lightweight, fully integrated, cost-effective options—our SCBA portfolio now allows you to mix and match harness solutions with PASS systems in a way that perfectly suits your department. It’s German engineering at its best. If you’ve been stuck with solutions that offer too much or not enough, Dräger is ready to outfit you with equipment that’s just right. for more information visit www.draeger.com/scba
for more information visit www.draeger.com/pssseries
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Benefits of the cable barrier
• The system can sustain hits and still remain effective.
• On average, four to five posts require repair after a crash and repairs take 10 to 30 minutes to complete.
• The number of incidents may increase, but the severity of those incidents is dramatically reduced.
• The system is relatively inexpensive compared to other types of barriers.
Cable barriers also perform better than other barriers when installed on moderately sloping terrain, which is common around many medians.
Types of cable barriers
Low- or non-tensioned post and cable barriers, which are also referred to as generic cable barriers, have been used for vehicle containment on highways since the 1940s. The major drawback is that, after a collision, the cables lose their ability to withstand additional hits until the damaged posts are replaced and the cables are re-attached at the proper heights.
HTCB systems, which are tightened to a specified temperature-dependent tension, retain their tension and cable height even after a hit – and can take additional hits until the posts are replaced. High-tension cable barriers have proven their effectiveness in drastically reducing cross-over collisions on divided (and undivided) highways in Europe and elsewhere. In the United States, several thousand kilometres of high-tension cable barriers have been installed as freeway medians over the last few years.
Appealing HTCB features
• Aesthetic appeal
• Reduced snow drift
• Reduced collision severity
• Low occupant risk/longer deflections
• Reduced installation cost
• Ease of repair
• Ease of inspection
• Ability to provide protection even after impact and prior to repairs
Cost effectiveness
In Calgary in 2007, the cost of the Gibraltar high-tension cable barrier was $92 per metre, which compared to the Alberta provincial average of $125 per metre for a W-beam steel guardrail and $308 per metre for a concrete barrier. The maintenance and repair costs are $4.14 per metre for the hightension cable, compared to $6.74 per metre for W-beam guardrails and $1.72 per metre for concrete barriers.
Safety for repair crews
Repair and maintenance times for cable barriers are far shorter than those for other barrier systems: most repairs take less than three hours and are done on the same day that the barrier is hit. Since cable-barrier repairs take less time to complete, repair crews are not left working in dangerous highway conditions for as long they would be if they were to repair other barrier types. The cable barrier is also visually pleasing and does not impede a driver’s view, unlike beam guardrails or concrete barriers. When hit by a vehicle, the tension maintains the cable’s designed height, even when the posts have been damaged or have broken off.
Western canada (calgary) 1-403-279-5095
Mid-West USa (Detroit, Mi) 1-866-877-6688
Mandatory safety provisions
All HTCB systems are subjected to a testing program called Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features, which is published by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. To date, there are six test levels. TL-1, TL-2 and TL-3 tests are the most
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common, and involve two test vehicles: an 820-kilogram (1,807-pound) car, and a 2,000-kilogram (4,409-pound) pickup truck.
The TL-4 test adds a third vehicle, an 8,000-kilogram (17,637-pound) single-unit truck, while the TL-5 test substitutes a 36,000-kilogram (79,366-pound) tractor/van for the single-unit truck in the TL-4 test. The TL-6 substitutes a 36,000-kilogram (79,366-pound) tractor/tank trailer for the single-unit truck in the TL-4 test.
Currently, no cable barriers are made to the TL-5 and TL-6 levels.
Design, function and operation
Run length of HTCB
The distance between anchor terminals is generally referred to as a cable run or run length. Technically speaking, there are no boundaries to the length of a single, uninterrupted run of cable. However, longer cable runs require more effort to tension and re-tension, and there are more maintenance/replacement problems with long lengths. The presence of overpass structures, at-grade intersections and emergency/maintenance crossovers also dictate run length.
Vehicle deflection distance
The deflection distance of a vehicle, which measures the space into which the vehicle bounces back after it hits a cable barrier, is an important feature and is impacted by many characteristics, including cable tension and post spacing. Compared to other types of barriers, such as concrete or semi-rigid W-beam barriers, cable barriers have much greater deflection distances, which is why cable barriers usually are more tolerant to the impacting vehicle’s passengers.
Regardless, in order for the cable barrier to be safe, there must be
sufficient space beside the barrier that is clear of hazards. If deflections are too large, the impacting vehicle could crash into rigid objects behind the barrier or, worse yet, collide with a vehicle in the opposing lane of traffic on a divided highway.
Post spacing
Post spacing has a direct effect on the deflection space created when hit. A general rule is that the farther apart the posts are from each other, the more deflection there will be (see photos 1 and 2).
Post spacing Deflection space
2.8 metres (9.2 feet) = 9.1 metres (29.9 feet)
2.7 metres (8.9 feet) = 8.5 metres (27.9 feet)
2.4 metres (7.9 feet) = 6.0 metres (19.7 feet)
2.1 metres (6.9 feet) = 3.6 metres (11.8 feet)
Cable tension
The tension in the cables works to redirect the vehicle after a collision. However, cable tension changes with temperature – increasing in cold weather and decreasing in warm weather due to thermal contraction/ expansion. Slight changes in tension do not have a substantial effect on deflection. Lower tensions allow some increase in deflection, but higher tensions apply higher static loads on the end anchors and cable release posts, principally during cold weather. Because of the day-to-day differences in tension due to climactic changes, cable barrier tension can fluctuate by about 992 kilograms (450 pounds). A digital gauge is used to check the tension of the wire.
HTCB system placement
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HTCB systems are generally offset from the very bottom or centre of the median, which often acts as a drainage ditch between two opposing roadways. Thus, saturated soil conditions are quite common, making it difficult to keep line posts upright and intact. The soil will be more stable and predictable if the HTCB system is placed farther up the slope in drier conditions and near level terrain. Another reason is that, as a vehicle enters the cables, its front suspension will be com-
pletely compressed as the front end of the vehicle reaches the deepest part of the ditch. This puts the front end of the vehicle at risk of riding under the bottom cable and getting through the barrier.
Physical makeup of the system
Post construction
Photo 3 shows the top of a galvanized steel C-post, also known as a line post, which measures nine centimetres by six centimetres by 1.6 metres (3.5 inches by 2.4 inches by 5.2 feet). These posts are set into a 38-centimetre (15-inch) sleeve of steel, called a socket. The socket is embedded in a concrete footing that measures 30 centimetres (11.8 inches) wide and 1.2 metres (3.9 feet) deep. If installed without a concrete footing, the post must be driven directly into the ground to a deeper depth, between 1.5 metres and 2.1 metres (4.9 feet and 6.9 feet).
Hair pin
A galvanized round bar, measuring 11 millimetres (0.4 inches) thick, is designed to hold the cable in position and correct the cable’s height to the post. The bar, called a hair pin, can hold all three or four cables at once.
Lock plate
A galvanized steel flat bar, which measures 30 centimetres (11.8 inches) long, three millimetres (0.1 inches) thick and 25 millimetres (one inch) wide, keeps the hair pin in place. Notched slots in the lock plate fit around the hair pins, which adheres it to the post.
Turnbuckle
A 60-centimetre (23.6-inch) by 19-millimetre (0.75-inch) threaded rod, attached by acorns to the cable, allows for tensioning and readjustment (see photo 4).
Cable or steel wire rope
Invented in the 1830s, the cables have a nominal 19-millimetre (0.75-inch) diameter. Each cable consists of three bundles of seven wires each, with a right-hand-lay helical twist. The cables have an 18,000-kilogram (39,683-pound) breaking strength. They also alternate on either side of the post to allow for hits from both directions.
Cable release post
The cable release post comprises two galvanized steel posts (see photo 5), each measuring five centimetres (two inches) by 10 centimetres (four inches) by nine millimetres (0.4 inches). The posts are welded to a 19-millimetre-thick (0.75-inch-thick) steel base plate.
This anchor post rests on a 13-millimetre (0.5-inch) base plate that is welded to a galvanized 76-centimetre-long (29.9-inch-long) tube, which measures 20 centimetres (7.9 inches) by 20 centimetres (7.9 inches) by nine millimetres (0.03 inches). The baseplate is set in a reinforced concrete foundation that is 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) deep and 60 centimetres (23.6 inches) in diameter.
This anchor post is designed to pry the cable ends out of slots in the base plate when it is run into, thus letting go of all cable tension and allowing a vehicle to pass over the terminal with a somewhat stable trajectory.
End anchors
Typically, the point at which the HTCB systems begin and terminate are called end anchors. Anchoring the HTCB is extremely important to ensure that it performs adequately during and after a hit. If the anchoring system is not properly secured in the ground, movement of the system could result in lower tension in the cables, which results in larger deflection of the system. The movement could also lead to the cables sagging, which affects cable height and can also affect the barrier’s ability to capture a
Photo 5: This anchor post is designed to pry the cable ends out of slots in the base plate when it is run into, thus letting go of all cable tension and allowing a vehicle to pass over the terminal with a somewhat stable trajectory.
simplified hose advancement
By Tim Llewellyn
In the April edition of Tim-Bits, I discussed a simple solution to flaking a long fire attack hoseline in a short space by creating piled loops of uncharged hose, starting from the back and ending with the nozzle on top. Upon charging the hoseline, the loops fill virtually kink-free and an easier hose stretch is afforded. Many will argue, however, that this method may create unnecessary hardship for the firefighters. This argument is valid because advancing a charged hoseline from the point of entry to the fire is more difficult than advancing a dry hoseline. So, let’s look at techniques that make the job of advancing a charged hoseline easier and more productive for the nozzle and back-up firefighters, especially in short-staffing situations.
The two main responsibilities of the backup firefighter are to ensure that the nozzle firefighter has enough hose to get to the fire and to keep the entire hose length free of kinks. Often, the back-up firefighter will take a position on a corner inside the building, and will pull the hose around the corner and push it toward the nozzle firefighter. Although effective, it is not the most efficient use of energy. This method can be very taxing on the backup firefighter, potentially rendering him useless if the hose stretch is long and difficult. If the team has used the loop method to flake the hose load, an alternative method involves the back-up firefighter rolling the loops of hose that were formed outside of the house. When the hoseline is charged, the nozzle firefighter advances toward the house approximately seven to 10 metres from the pile of loops created earlier. The back-up firefighter then picks up the top two or three loops of attack hose from the ground and follows the nozzle firefighter into the structure. Once inside the house, the back-up firefighter can stand the hose loops in an upright position, using the wall or other furniture for support. These loops can then be rolled in the direction of the fire area or an advanced hose staging area, ready for deployment. Each loop could contain between five and eight metres of hose. In an average sized residential structure, two loops would offer almost enough hose
direction of the fire area. Each loop can contain between five and eight
to reach an entire floor, if deployed correctly. Another advantage of this type of hose management is that the excess hose is kept up off of the floor, creating less of a tripping hazard for other firefighters who might be working in the area.
Often, the nozzle firefighter will enter the structure and have to immediately advance the hoseline up a stairwell for a second-floor fire. Most often, the firefighter will ascend the stairs with the nozzle in hand, pulling the hose up the stairs behind him while the back-up firefighter feeds hose from below. This task can easily be accomplished by the nozzle firefighter alone, thereby allowing the back-up firefighter to prepare to advance all of the loops at the same time. The nozzle firefighter advances away from the pile of loops toward the bottom of the stairs. Once there, he places the nozzle on the floor at the corner of the wall
and the bottom stair. The nozzle firefighter then places his foot on the nozzle to prevent it from sliding or moving during the next operation. The hose behind the nozzle is then formed into a U shape and is pushed up the stairs until the bottom of the U is at the top of the stairs on the landing. Next, the nozzle firefighter retrieves the nozzle from the floor and advances it up the stairs in a normal manner. This manoeuvre will not only allow the nozzle firefighter to advance up the stairwell with greater ease, but also afford him a workable length of hose to use once at the top of the stairs, while the back-up firefighter prepares to advance the remaining loops of hose from below.
Advancing a charged hoseline can be difficult, but the job can be made a lot easier with the help of continued and realistic training and these simple, tried-and-true techniques.
Tim Llewellyn is a career firefighter for the Allegheny County Airport Authority in Pittsburgh, Penn. A volunteer firefighter since 1989, he currently serves for the Adams Area Fire District in Pennsylvania. He has recently been appointed as a suppression-level instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. He has taught structural firefighting tactics extensively in Canada and the U.S. E-mail him at llewllyn.fire@gmail.com
The backup firefighter can stand the hose loops upright, and the loops can be rolled in the
metres of hose.
unleashing the power of fire-service politics through social media
It was only recently that I that I discovered the power of social media and the Internet when combined with politics. It is far easier today to access and distribute information than at any time in history. This rapid access to data has changed how we speak and how we do business. It has made me wonder how the fire service can use this technology to improve our services, our messages, and our political goals.
Those who have read my previous columns or who follow me on Facebook or Twitter know that I am an advocate for social media. Social media has its place and it can contribute enormously to the successes of our fire services.
Classic, or traditional, media – TV, radio and newsprint – is low on the interactivity scale, and viewer participation is limited. Social media invites and breeds user interaction.
It is easy to start a revolution through social media, to turn the tables or alter political stability in mere seconds. The rate of political reaction has sped up so much that, if you are not involved, you are falling behind.
out on election days.
A Pew Research Center study on social media, released in April and titled Civic Engagement in the Digital Age, found that 43 per cent of the social networking site users who had been surveyed had decided to learn more about a political or social issue because of something they read about on a social media site, and that 18 per cent had decided to take action involving a political or social issue because of something they read on those sites. This is great news for those who embrace social media, and it confirms that social media users have a lot of power that we can use to educate our communities.
arjuna GeorGe
Truths or non-truths can spread like wildfire across the world faster than you can even attempt to respond to the social-media posts. For the fire service, this can be a challenge: How do we manage such a high volume of community voices? With today’s technology, a comment or viewpoint can be shared with thousands of people and can instantly spark a tidal wave of feedback, retweets and shares, many of which may be emotional and reactive. When it comes to politics on social media, clear heads are hard to find – it is so easy to let your passion and emotion cloud your communications and to type out a few negative thoughts, as opposed to verbalizing those thoughts in person at a public meeting. Emotions and politics are a dangerous combination, and when mixed with the power of the Internet, they can be nasty and detrimental to the issues.
Fire services can use social media to express our political voices more easily and more often than ever before.
The change isn’t all bad, though. Fire services can use social media to express our political voices more easily and more often than ever before. We now have a great tool in our hands to promote, brand and share our services’ needs. Large or small departments have a voice, and the capability to influence and educate our communities.
Social media provides us with a better community profile, fleshes out public concerns, and allows people to understand what we do. By fleshing out the community’s issues we can try to answer them more fully and effectively. In this day and age, people want answers!
Another benefit of social media is community engagement. Activity online tends to lead to better offline, real-world participation, such as better attendance at public meetings and higher voter turn-
So, how can fire services improve our political acumen now that we have access to better tools?
1. Have a presence on social media before political agendas or issues arise. Build your audience and earn their trust now. Between the alarms is when we need to build our following. Having a base of followers and an early social media presence give us a solid foundation from which to build once political issues heat up. Think of your social media followers as your backup team: they know what to expect, they have been educated on the issues, they understand the business and they have your back. This can be very helpful when support is needed.
2. Assign one or two people in your organization to manage your department’s social media. Unfortunately, for many departments, social media is not a fixture in anyone’s daily routine. It now belongs front and centre, part of the daily work. These social media specialists need to be well versed in all platforms and must dedicate the time to read, share and respond to everything related to our business. These team players need to have the authority to answer questions and post comments on behalf of the fire department. We need to pay more attention to what people are saying on social media. This is the No. 1 area that we and other businesses need to address so that we don’t fall victim to negative online messages.
3. Stick to the facts! Keep it simple and keep emotions out of it. It’s not personal. This political arena is both exciting and scary, but for us to succeed we must find ways to manage and embrace it.
Social media is here to stay, we just need to understand how to make it work for us.
Arjuna George is a 15-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
Not your ordinary salads
It is that long-awaited time of year when sunshine-filled days and warm breezes notify us all that it is time to step outside of the kitchen, and put our slow cookers and soup pots away. Summer is here, and it’s time to take our cooking and entertaining outside. Even though real Canadians barbecue all year ’round, it does not necessarily mean that we enjoy it! I will gladly embrace the few months of natural barbecue weather, when the sun, not a flashlight, provides the light for my grill, when warmth comes from the summer breeze – not from cozying up next to the grill – and when I don’t have to wear mitts to enjoy my icy-cold beverage.
Summer is also that amazing time of year when fresh produce abounds. Our ingredient options have multiplied dramatically since the winter months and these are the types of food that we definitely want to be putting into our bodies. Fresh, local produce, which is delicious and rich in its health benefits, is part of what makes summer dining so enjoyable – and it encourages us all to eat al fresco.
For this reason, I’ve decided to give summer salads the main stage. Before you let out a big sigh and turn the page, these are no ordinary salads! By combining bright, vibrant seasonal produce with your barbecue staples, you can create some extraordinary results, both for your taste buds and for your body. Lighter fare is on the menu and these summer mains are designed to keep you refreshed, satisfied and light on your feet to enjoy all that our Canadian summers offer us.
Before you start, consider these tips:
• Have everything prepped before you light up;
• Have the right fire for the job and learn the difference between direct grilling and in-direct grilling;
• Keep your grill clean;
• Use a thermometer;
• Let that tasty creation wait at least five minutes after coming off the grill before being devoured so the juices can re-distribute themselves and stay where they belong, in the meat, and not all over your plate.
Enjoy the summer season, brothers and sisters!
Patrick Mathieu is a 13-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
Grilled shrimp and halloumi salad with fennel, avocado and ruby red grapefruit
Ingredients:
• 1 ruby red grapefruit
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large shallot, finely diced (about ¼ cup)
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice; or more, as needed
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp fennel frisée (green leafy sprigs on top of the fennel bulb)
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¾ pound jumbo shrimp (21 to 25 shrimp per pound), peeled and deveined
Directions:
• 1 six-ounce block of halloumi cheese, sliced to quarter-inch thickness and brushed with olive oil
• 1 large head Boston lettuce, washed and torn into bite-size pieces (about 3 cups)
• 1 cup arugula lettuce
• ½ small bulb fresh fennel, cored and sliced thinly
• ½ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 medium-size ripe hass avocado
• Chopped mint for garnish
1. Slice the ends off the grapefruit to expose its flesh. Set the grapefruit on one of its cut ends and slice off the skin in wide strips (try to remove all the bitter white pith). Working over a bowl, cut the segments free from their membranes, letting each segment fall into the bowl as you go. Squeeze the juice from the membrane and strain the juice into a small bowl. Remove any seeds from the segments and cut the segments in half crosswise.
2. Mix the grapefruit juice with the oil, shallot, lime juice, salt, fennel frisée, and pepper in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well.
3. Reserve half a cup of the vinaigrette for dressing the salad and pour the remaining vinaigrette over the shrimp. Toss and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, tossing occasionally.
4. Prepare a grill over medium-high heat. Grill the shrimp until just cooked through, about one-and-ahalf minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and let the shrimp cool slightly. Do the same with the pieces of halloumi (yes, put the cheese on the grill!). Grill for a couple of minutes per side until well marked.
5. Put the lettuce, arugula, sliced fennel and cilantro in a large bowl. Peel and cut the avocado into halfinch chunks. Give the reserved vinaigrette a vigorous shake and drizzle over the salad. Toss the salad gently to combine. The vinaigrette should just coat the leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Divide the salad on chilled dinner plates and top with the grilled shrimp and halloumi. Scatter the chopped mint over top just before serving. Enjoy!
Grilled sourdough and chorizo panzanella salad
Ingredients:
• ½ cup olive oil
• 4 ¾-inch-thick slices sourdough bread
• ½ tsp smoked sweet paprika
• Kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper
• 1 pound fresh chorizo sausage
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 anchovy fillet, rinsed and minced
• 1 large clove of garlic, minced
Directions:
• 4 medium tomatoes, cut into ¾-inch pieces
• 1 medium field cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into ¾-inch pieces
• ½ small red onion, chopped (½ cup)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mixed herbs, such as basil, parsley, cilantro or mint
1. Prepare your grill over medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grill.
2. Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt and fresh-ground pepper. Grill the bread until well marked, about one minute per side. Transfer to a cutting board, cut into three-quarter-inch cubes, and set aside.
3. Next, place the chorizo on the grill, turning occasionally, until just cooked through and well charred on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for five minutes, and then cut into three-quarter-inch slices.
4. In a large bowl, whisk the remaining olive oil and vinegar with the anchovy and garlic. Add the bread, chorizo, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and herbs, and toss well. Season the salad to taste with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
Grilled peaches with cinnamon and honey yogurt
Ingredients:
• 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
• Canola oil
• 1 tbsp cinnamon mixed with sugar
• A pinch of salt
Directions:
• ½ cup Greek honey yogurt
• 4 tbsp liquid clover honey
• ½ cup ginger snaps, crushed
• Mint leaves, for garnish
1. Heat grill to high. Brush peaches with oil, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and a pinch of salt. Grill flesh side down until golden brown and just cooked through, about two to four minutes. Flip peaches and cook one minute longer.
2. Remove from grill and top with yogurt, crushed ginger snaps and drizzle with honey. Garnish with fresh mint and enjoy!
Mexican chopped salad with grilled corn and chili lime flank steak
Ingredients for the steak:
• 3 bulbs of garlic, roughly chopped
• ¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 8 large limes)
• ¼ cup clear tequila
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, including leaves and stems, roughly chopped
Directions:
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 ½ to 2 pounds flank steak
1. Combine the garlic, lime juice, tequila, soy sauce, cilantro, jalapeno, cumin and black pepper in a resealable plastic bag. Add the steak and let marinate in the refrigerator for two hours.
2. Remove from the refrigerator and let marinate at room temperature another 30 to 45 minutes.
Ingredients for the salad:
• 3 ears fresh corn, in their husks
• 2 red bell peppers
• 1 tomato, diced
• ½ garlic clove, chopped
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 romaine hearts, chopped
• ¾ cup black olives
Directions:
1. Prepare your grill to medium-high heat.
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 avocado, sliced thin
• 1 ½ cups red and yellow cherry tomatoes, halved, for garnish
• 1 three-ounce piece of cojita cheese, crumbled
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
2. Grill the corn and peppers, turning occasionally, until the skins of the peppers are charred, the corn husks are black, and the corn kernels are light golden when the husk is pulled back, six to 10 minutes. Remove from the grill. Transfer the peppers to a plate and let cool for 10 minutes. Let the corn cool.
3. Place the steak on the grill. Cook for four minutes, turn 180 degrees, and cook for three minutes longer. Flip the steak over and finish cooking for three to five minutes, depending on desired doneness. Remove from the grill to a cutting board and let rest, lightly covered, for five minutes. Slice in thin strips against the grain.
4. Remove the corn husks and silk. Cut the kernels from the cob and set aside.
5. In a blender or food processor, puree the grilled peppers, tomato, garlic, vinegar and olive oil to make a vinaigrette, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. On individual serving plates, divide the vinaigrette evenly among the plates reserving a couple of tablespoons to dress the salad. In a large bowl, toss together the corn, black beans and romaine hearts with the reserved dressing and distribute onto the plates. Garnish with the olives, cherry tomatoes and avocado. Lay slices of the flank steak over top and sprinkle with cojita cheese and cilantro. Enjoy!
The touchy topic of weight management
This publication is fortunate to have passionate and knowledgeable readers. For that reason, I try to offer something different and in-depth. So, over the last few years, I’ve avoided the topic of weight management in my columns. That being said, much of the feedback I get from readers centres around personal weight management.
I know things seem complicated and the plethora of information on this topic can be overwhelming. My goal is to simplify weight management for you, and to help you to understand the key points you need to know to achieve your goals.
At the end of each day, your body has burned a set number of calories. If your caloric intake is higher than the number of calories you burned, you’ve created a caloric surplus. If it’s lower, then you’ve created a caloric deficit. A daily surplus leads to weight gain and a deficit leads to weight loss. If this trend continues over time, you experience a noticeable change – for better or worse.
The change that most of us are interested in happens when we experience a caloric deficit. The concept seems simple: burn more calories than you take in and a caloric deficit will result in weight loss. For example, a pound of body fat is about 3,500 calories. If we can find a way to create a caloric deficit of 500 calories each day, we will lose 3,500 calories, or one pound of weight, each week. It seems simple because it is; the tricky part is figuring out how to maintain that deficit.
Dial in your diet
yourself is avoid simple sugars. When choosing your carbohydrates, choose low glycemic foods, such as broccoli, cauliflower, nuts and whole wheat grains. This will ensure the slow release of sugar into your bloodstream, less fluctuation in blood sugar and insulin, and, ultimately, less fat storage in your body.
BraD Lawrence
Your blood sugar plays a big role in how your body stores fat.
Your diet is crucial to your success and has to be in check for your plan to succeed. While your nutrition plan is not the be-all and the end-all, it works in synergy with the rest of your efforts. Don’t waste your hard work by throwing it away in the kitchen. While individual diets will be different, here are a few reminders we can all follow. Multivitamin: Just take one; it’s too important and too easy not to. Water intake: The average person needs between two and three litres of water a day; that’s quite a bit. Carry a water bottle around to remind you.
High protein, low carb: Base each meal around a quality protein, You don’t have to eat a low-carb diet, but realize that most people drastically over-eat carbs, which easily store fat in our bodies. Increase your fibre intake to keep your body feeling full and satisfied. Meals: Eat smaller meals more often and make your last meal carbfree/protein-heavy to maximize the release of the body’s growth hormone (GH), which has several regenerative qualities.
Your blood sugar plays a big role in how your body stores fat. To simplify things, the higher your blood sugar goes, the more insulin is released to offset the sugars. Insulin inhibits any fat-burning process, inhibits any GH release and triggers additional fat storage. Essentially, the higher your intake of simple sugars, the more fat your body will store in a caloric surplus. One of the best things you can do for
Training
Your training program may not require a drastic overhaul; often a significant alteration in your diet can bring you results without any major changes at the gym. If you’re happy with your effort in the gym, then staying the course may be enough to lead to success. If you’re unhappy with your current plan, try to implement these simple tweaks. Your goal should be to become more fit than you were yesterday, every day.
Cardiovascular training: Increasing your cardio frequency is a great way to burn fat and to further boost your metabolism. Aim to complete some type of cardio program every other day, or three times a week. If long-distance running isn’t your idea of fun, try finding other methods to complete cardio sessions by making your cardio more enjoyable. For example, take a boxing class, or play squash or hockey. Find something you love to do, and keep variety in your training so that one thing doesn’t become a chore. A variety of different activities will also drastically slow your body’s ability to adapt to any particular task, thus preventing a plateau.
Weight training: To increase your caloric expenditure during workouts, look for more metabolic methods of training. For example, when weight training, try increasing your lift weight, minimizing your rest times, and lifting until failure. This will not only burn far more calories, but also allow for higher GH release. Try to lift weights every other day, or three times a week.
Set realistic goals with periodic check-ins. Keep attainable goals and set them for short- and long-term success.
Document your progress in a nutrition and fitness level journal. A healthy eating plan becomes much tougher to break if you have to write down your bad decisions. With training, documenting bigger lifts or longer runs will be almost as rewarding as the results themselves.
Remember to set goals and create a caloric deficit. Improve yourself through training and nutrition every day, and document your progress. Enjoy working hard and you’ll be ecstatic with your results. 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
rIT: using a mechanical advantage lowering system
By Mark van der Feyst
In my April column, I explained how to make an enlarged opening at a second storey. This tactic can prove very useful if a mayday firefighter needs to be removed using a Stokes basket, but there is an alternative method that does not involve widening the window. This option involves using a ground ladder, a set of pulleys, a rescue rope and carabiners. A team of four RIT firefighters is required to safely carry out the operation. This technique is called the 2:1 mechanical advantage lowering system.
The idea behind this tactic is to rapidly remove the mayday firefighter through the window using basic hauling principles. Training in high-angle or rope rescue is not essential to conduct this operation. The team of four RIT firefighters should be assembled to fulfil the operation, but it can also be completed with just two firefighters if there are already two firefighters inside locating and moving the mayday firefighter to the window. The two outside RIT firefighters will help the interior team with the removal.
With a team of four RIT firefighters, two of the RIT firefighters will enter the structure using vent, enter and search tactics (see photo 1). The ground ladder is raised and placed at the bottom of the window sill, allowing the team to vent the window, enter the room and locate the mayday firefighter. This tactic works best when the location of the mayday firefighter is known to be within that room. Closing the door to the room is necessary to prevent rapid fire spread.
Once inside the room, the RIT members will search the room and locate the mayday firefighter. Once the mayday firefighter is found, the RIT members will assess and package the mayday firefighter for removal. This will involve converting the SCBA waist belt into a crude harness, using webbing to create a harness, or using a MAST device. A MAST device is a five-ring webbing sling that can be easily put around the firefighter’s legs and arms as a dragging device or for lowering the firefighter for removal. In photo 2, you can see the MAST device being used to lower the mayday firefighter. No manufacturer will recommend using the SCBA as a crude harness, but in a life-or-death situation, it will work. However, if the belt has a plastic buckle, it is wise to use another device.
The two outside RIT members will now set up the ladder so the mayday firefighter can be removed. This requires raising the ladder so that it extends above the top window sill. In photo 3, you can see the ladder tip above the window. This provides a high anchor point for the mechanical advantage system. One of the RIT members will climb the ladder with the pulley system in hand. The pulley system requires three large carabiners, two pulleys and a length of Kevlar rope. The rope needs to be a rated, life-safety rope with the ability to support one person’s weight (300 pounds). Kevlar rope is used for its high-heat and abrasion resistance. The pulley system consists of the rope being tied to a large carabiner in a figure-eight knot. Secure this first carabiner to the top rung of the ladder. Attach the second carabiner to a pulley, which should then be attached to
Photo 1: When using a mechanical advantage lowering system to remove a mayday firefighter, raise and place the ladder at the bottom of the window sill. This will allow the RIT members to vent the window, enter the room and locate the mayday firefighter.
Photo 2: A MAST device, which is a five-ring webbing sling, is used to lower the mayday firefighter.
Photo 3: The firefighter who is laddering the window should ensure that the ladder tip is above the window. This provides a high anchor point for the mechanical advantage system. photos
the mayday firefighter. The third large carabiner should also be attached to a pulley, which will be secured to the second rung of the ladder. The fourth RIT member will operate the rope used to lower the mayday firefighter, as shown in photo 5.
The RIT firefighter who brings the pulley system up and secures the carabiners to the ladder will stay at the top of the ladder to help with the removal. The inside RIT members will bring the mayday firefighter to the window, prepped for removal. There are a couple of ways to stage the mayday firefighter for removal but we will look only at one of them. The mayday firefighter needs to be positioned with his back to the window, as in photo 4. Once the mayday firefighter’s upper torso is on the window sill, the second carabiner can be attached to his harness. The mayday firefighter can then be lifted using the mechanical advantage system. The two inside RIT firefighters will assist in the lift by reaching under each leg of the mayday firefighter and hoisting him up.
Once on the window sill, the RIT firefighter on the ladder can assist by grabbing the mayday firefighter’s SCBA harness and guiding him safely out, so that his body clears the window frame. The RIT firefighters’ attention needs to be focused so that the inside team is not pushing the mayday firefighter out too quickly or too forcefully, thereby causing the ladder to move away from the building. Slowly and steadily is the best way to completely clear the building. The mayday firefighter’s legs may need to be manipulated to allow for an easy transition from window sill to ladder.
Once the mayday firefighter is com-
pletely out of the building, the fourth RIT firefighter will control the mayday firefighter’s descent. As you can see in photo 5, the RIT firefighter is controlling the rope from a position that allows for a straight descent. If the RIT firefighter were farther away from the ladder, the rope would be on an angle, which would cause the load weight to transfer and make the descent a little more difficult. The mayday firefighter is guided all the way down by the RIT firefighter on the ladder as seen in photos 2, 3 and 5. The mayday firefighter can be lowered onto a waiting stretcher or Stokes basket at the bottom.
Once the mayday firefighter is out of the structure, the operation goes into reverse. The pulley system is removed, the ladder is lowered back down to the bottom of the window sill so that the inside RIT members can exit safely.
This tactic requires practice to make it an effective and efficient operation. For more information on RIT operations, see my column in the April issue of Canadian Firefighter and EMS Quarterly, available online at www.firefightingincanada.com, under Past Issues.
Mark van der Feyst is a 14-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. E-mail Mark at Mark@FireStarTraining.com
Photo 4: When staging the mayday firefighter for removal, be sure to position his back to the window.
Photo 5: The rope used to lower the mayday firefighter should be operated by the fourth member of the RIT.
Pulling back the firefighter armour to reveal our real selves
Being in the fire service seems to imply to others that we are tough and armour plated. I don’t like that image because I think it overshadows the single most important attribute that most of us in our profession exude – compassion.
It’s where that compassion comes from that I find interesting.
Some of us have had a tough go of life thus far. We may come from homes that are not so healthy or wealthy, have experienced severe rejection or great loss. Life doesn’t always work out according to our wants or wishes. Some would say that’s life, often in a way that offers little consolation or mercy. It’s hard for others to know us and to understand where we have been, unless we share our experiences with them. Indeed, many of us are probably afraid of others seeing us to our cores, uncovered, exposed.
Sure, we all put our best feet forward and go to work each day with a positive attitude, willing to serve others. It would be unproductive to carry the baggage of all of life’s disappointments, personal and professional, and go through life with a dark cloud above us, only to discourage others.
support of friends, family and faith, the journey has been difficult, yet positive; I believe I found the positive things in the choices I made. I had to be strong for the family even though I was sad. My reactions to this sad event would become a reference point for acceptance and healing for Michael’s older brother, his two younger brothers, and his sister. We are very grateful to have had Michael in our lives as long as we did.
Choosing to be thankful was the most important step on this new path. To some, this seemed impossible and wrong but for me it was the key to pressing forward. Life was not going to be the same but it was not going to stop either.
There is no greater success than being who we are meant to be.
I recently spoke at the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association’s learning symposium on the balance between being professional and personal at work. Speaking in front of more than 100 colleagues was challenging. My goal was to project my vulnerability as a person and as a fire-service professional, and urge others to do the same. To my mind, success isn’t necessarily about having it all together; it’s about choosing to be happy with who we are and not what we are.
If I was going through a rough time or had experienced a major disappointment, I would prefer to talk or share those feelings with somebody who had had a similar experience; people who understand what you have experienced are often more compassionate and empathetic than those who have not.
Eleven years ago, my second oldest son died suddenly; he was 11 years old. This was the most tragic event of my life. Many of you probably didn’t know that about me but now that you do, it may change how you perceive me or my attitude toward life.
This revelation is not a plea for sympathy; it is intended only to illustrate that sharing personal information can provide a better picture of who we are, why and how we do the things we do.
From this loss, I understand what others may experience if they lose a child. I have met with parents and have shared my experiences with them and offered advice about what helped me to get through that difficult time.
I remember the day that my son, Michael, died and the choices I faced as a husband and father to four other children. With the
We all face choices every day. What we do and say and, more importantly, how we respond to situations are a true testament of who we are. We can think ahead of time of the challenges we may face, such as confrontations with coworkers, or professional or personal disappointments. It’s not as if we can script our responses, but thinking about what makes us the way we are will help us make good decisions about how we respond to these types of challenges. Very few people come to this realization naturally. The rest of us have to work on it. Reading good books – even the self-help ones – can add new perspectives to life that can change us without us even being aware of it. Attending conferences and listening carefully to others as they share their experiences also helps to add perspective. Spending more time with positive people is a bonus.
There is no greater success than being who we are meant to be. Taking risks by divulging personal details may result in failure. But it is better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all, and that builds character.
It has been said that life is about the journey, not the destination. I believe life is about the journey and the destination. The journey will be fulfilling, but if putting in time until you reach that magic retirement factor is your goal, you will most likely not feel satisfied about your destination.
We must not ask, “What is it I truly want from my career?” but rather, “What can I give to my career?” I believe that we will feel the most return on our investments in our careers when we have the hearts of givers rather than receivers.
Ken Sheridan is captain of fire prevention in Norfolk County, Ont. He is a certified fire prevention officer and certified fire and life safety educator for the Province of Ontario. He is a graduate of the Dalhousie University fire administration program and has more than 23 years in fire suppression and fire prevention. Contact him at ken.sheridan@norfolkcounty.ca
Ken SheriDan
Client: Lakeland College Contact: Colleen Symes Department: Lakeland Emergency Training Centre Code: 13_7065_CdnFirefighterEmsQuarterly Paper: Canadian Firefighter EMS Quarterly Size: 1/2 Page – 7” x 5” Run Date: July 2013 Process Colour Cost:
Vermilion Alberta
vehicle. Anchor movements are often attributed to weak soil conditions and the substandard-sized anchors. As a result, different sized concrete footings are required for different soil environments.
Weather conditions also lead to anchor movement. Decreases in temperature lead to higher cable tensions, which, in turn, apply higher forces on the anchors.
cons of the system
Repairs after crashes
Cable barriers are used predominantly along narrow medians of hightraffic highways, and they tend to get hit fairly often; this can increase the maintenance cost if the installation is close to the roadway as opposed to the ditch or offset in the median. Also, frequent hits can make it more difficult for the maintenance crews to keep up with repairs, especially during poor weather and icy conditions.
All current cable barriers have weak posts that are damaged in a crash and must be replaced. These posts are typically driven in soil, placed in sockets embedded in concrete foundations, or placed in driven sockets. Damaged driven posts may require special equipment for replacement. Socketed posts, on the other hand, can usually be replaced without specialized equipment, reducing the repair cost. Most repair jobs are done with a standard high lift jack to pull the post out of the socket. Post extraction problems can occur during subfreezing weather because the posts are often frozen in their sockets. In cold-weather areas such as southern Alberta, expandable foam is sprayed in and around the socket to keep freezing water out and to allow for easier post extraction. Lengthy extraction problems also can occur when posts are sheared off at ground level rather than bent over.
case study
Let’s look at the engineered safety features and collision-reduction results for a TL-4 high-tension post and cable barrier. The barrier was completed in May 2007 in the median of an 11-kilometre (6.8-mile) stretch of the Deerfoot Trail, an urban freeway in Calgary.
Between 1999 and 2005, there were seven fatal crossover collisions on that segment of the Deerfoot Trail. The six-lane divided urban freeway between 16th Avenue and Country Hills Boulevard carries up to 150,000 vehicles a day. As a result of those fatalities, a case study was conducted for Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, and focused along a section of the Deerfoot Trail.
The purpose of the study was to assess the existing median conditions and determine what improvements may be considered to reduce the overall risk of collisions.
The system has been in use for several years in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and has established a reputation for effective, easy, lowcost maintenance and repair. Tensioned barrier systems are bidirectional, meaning that they can take hits from either side and contain a vehicle.
Since the high-tension median cable barrier has been installed, however, there have been no crossover collisions on that section of roadway at all. This relatively new type of median barrier has proven so successful at preventing crossover collisions that Alberta Transportation has also installed it on 144 kilometres (89.5 miles) on Highway 2 between Calgary and Leduc.
While high-tension median cables are life saving, they are not approved for medians with steep side slopes. They are also not suitable for narrow medians that lack the space for the cable barrier to deflect.
Some motorcyclists have expressed concerns over cable barriers. Researchers in other parts of the world, such as the United Kingdom, however, have found little difference between crashes into cable median barriers and those into other barrier types. According to the data, most riders are separated from their motorcycles soon after leaving the pavement and are sliding on the ground by the time they reach the barrier. The data also did not show that cable barriers cause extraordinary injuries.
During the 34-month operation (May 2007 to February 2010) of the median cable barrier on the Deerfoot Trail, there were 135 incidents of vehicles hitting the cable barrier resulting in the replacement of posts, hair pins and/or lock plates. No crossover fatal collisions occurred in these 34 months (almost three years), compared to seven fatal crossover collisions in the seven-year period, from 1999 to 2005, on the same section of the Deerfoot Trail.
Alberta Transportation has become a major pioneer in Canada for this road safety measure. The 11-kilometre (6.8-mile) installation on the Deerfoot Trail was the first major high-tension median cable guardrail project in Canada. Since it has been proven to be an effective means of protecting Canadian motorists, more of these types of barriers are being installed across Canada. As first responders, we need to be prepared to deal with these systems; in the next issue we will look at ways to deal with cable barrier problems.
Randy Schmitz is a Calgary firefighter who has been extensively involved in the extrication field for 19 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. 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
iPad’s Tablet command now available in canada
Tablet Command, a new iPad application, is now available for purchase in Canada.
The app, which was developed by two California-based firefighters, allows incident commanders to digitally track and map firefighters on the fire ground. The app also takes time stamps of each manoeuvre and benchmark throughout the incident, making incident reporting easier.
Tablet Command also comes with three pre-set checklists for structure fires, vehicle accidents and hazmat incidents, and also allows users create their own custom checklists.
For more information, please visit www.TabletCommand.com.
Elkhart Brass releases cobra water cannon
Elkhart Brass has released its Cobra EXM water monitor. The water monitor, or water cannon, offers up to 1,500 gpm with less friction loss.
The symmetrical monitor is designed to be compact. Its rugged components, such as the thrust rods and bearings, deliver 10 times the durability of traditional monitors. It also offers fully programmable travel speeds, easy-to-use two-way fibre optic controls that allow both wired or wireless operation, and simple plug-and-play electronic components, all of which can be powered with 12 or 24 volts.
For more information on the Cobra, including base options, discharge threads and upgrades, visit www.elkhartbrass.com.
ram air introduces rinse station Ram Air Gear Dryer has introduced a rinse station and staging accessory specifically for gear that cannot be washed in a mechanical washer.
The rinse station and staging accessory holds stickmen from the gear dryer in an upright position so that the gear can easily be rinsed and decontaminated. Fire departments and special-ops teams can also stage wet gear when their gear exceeds the capacity of the dryer. In particular, the accessory aids in the proper decontamination of hazmat, immersion and dive suits. The stickmen can also be transferred directly to the drying station, eliminating the need to handle wet gear.
When not in use, the rinse station and staging accessory folds easily for storage.
For more information, please visit www.ramairgeardryer.com.
Physio-control launches cPr coaching device
Physio-Control recently launched its TrueCPR coaching device. The device measures manual chest compressions during CPR and provides real-time feedback to improve the quality of CPR performance.
The device uses a triaxial field induction (TFI) technology, which measures the depth of the chest compressions in CPR. It uses a low-energy 3-D magnetic field for its measurements, meaning the device is accurate on soft surfaces, such as a hospital gurney or mattress, and in a moving ambulance.
TrueCPR also provides users with a summary of statistics after use, including average compression rate and correct depth percentage, among others.
For more information, please visit www.physio-control.com.
JOB OPPORTUNITY - Fire Apparatus Sales Consultant
Job Description:
A leading fire apparatus manufacturer dealer in Ontario is seeking a suitably qualified Sales Apparatus Consultant to aggressively sell, manage and expand its range of fire apparatus products and build long-term relationships with potential lead customers. This is a hands-on role which will encompass account development, sales skills, product expertise (in selling) and sales target achievement.
Responsibilities:
• Execute the company sales activities, plans and procedures.
• Attend daily to customers and follow-up to close leads.
• Prepare request for proposals based on customer’s requirements and standard technical specifications.
• Negotiate sales contracts and finalize sales agreements.
• Monitor and report on market trends, potential projects and competitor activity.
• Responsible to achieve a set sales target.
• Promote the company services to existing clients as well as identifying and acquiring new clients.
• Master technically the company product and offering.
• Maintain updated sales techniques.
• Assess client’s needs and resources and recommend the appropriate goods, system or services.
• Maintain an up-to-date account profile of all customers/prospects
• Provide input into product design where goods or services must be tailored to suit client’s needs.
• Develop presentations, reports and proposals that will illustrate the benefits of the goods and services the company is offering.
• Follow-up with clients and provide ongoing after sales support.
• Stay updated with respect to industry product knowledge.
• Submit data and management reports on time.
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Skills:
• Sales experience in related industry
How the fire hall fulfils our needs
While writing this column, my two daughters, age 12 and 13-and-a-half, and I were watching PVR-ed episodes of Chicago Fire. It was the second time that week the girls had launched a Chicago Fire marathon, and although I’ve seen most of the episodes at least once already, I didn’t mind watching them again, especially with my girls.
I’m thrilled there is a show that my kids and I can get into together, but I’m even more impressed that they are keen enough to question what they see on TV.
As we watch three firefighters enter a smokefilled building, my younger daughter yells out, “They don’t even have their masks on!”
In another scene, my older daughter asked me if we have “those” meaning thermal imaging cameras.
Watching a show like Chicago Fire with my kids not only gives us the opportunity to spend time together, but also bridges the gap between what happens when I run out the door to a call and when I get back. It gives them a better understanding of what the job entails, why we do things the way we do, what certain tools are used for, and, quite likely, a better understanding of what to do if there ever were a fire.
burned down. I vividly recall standing there, watching the firefighters fight the fire, and saying to my friend, “That’s what I want to do someday.” After high school, I worked at a local alarm company that also dispatched for the local fire departments and the urge to join a fire department was reignited (pardon the pun). I took fire protection engineering at Seneca College and graduated with honours. I was one of only four females in a class of 70.
JeNNifer Mabee
. . . being part of a group of people who give themselves to a greater purpose is what draws many of us to the fire service.
“This is the best TV show ever,” one of the girls just said. I can’t argue with that. I’ve waited for a show like this since Third Watch. Third Watch and Chicago Fire, Backdraft and Ladder 49. Firefighters (and their families, according to my 13-year-old who typed that while I wasn’t looking) love this stuff. Why? For my kids, they just think it’s cool. From my perspective, it’s the sense of connection. We all yearn for a sense of connection, whether it’s with family, co-workers, community or a greater cause. I’m betting most of the fire officers out there have heard of Abraham Maslow but Maslow’s hierarchy of needs may be new to some younger firefighters, so I’ll explain it. Maslow’s hierarchy is a theory in psychology that was proposed in 1943 in Maslow’s paper “A Theory of Human Motivation.” Maslow subsequently extended the idea to include his observations of humans’ innate curiosity. His theories parallel many other theories of human developmental psychology, some of which focus on describing the stages of growth in humans. Maslow used the terms physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness and love, esteem, self-actualization and self-transcendence to describe the pattern through which human motivations generally move.
The sense of belongingness is what fuels us as human beings, and being part of a group of people who give themselves to a greater purpose is what draws many of us to the fire service. It may start with a fascination with the world of fire fighting, but what sustains our involvement is the sense of community and service to others.
During the interview process with full-time fire departments, one of the questions often asked is “Why do you want to be a firefighter?” For me, it started when I was in public school and the church down the street
The irony of me taking any kind of engineering course wasn’t lost on me. And there were many discouraging moments, but what got me through more than once was watching Backdraft. As silly as that sounds, there was something in that movie that inspired me to keep at it, even when I so desperately wanted to give up.
Although I talked to many people about my dream of becoming a firefighter, I was often discouraged by the responses I received, which included, among others, “Women belong in the kitchen.” (Honestly, a volunteer fire chief told me that back in my early dispatch days. . . and those who know me know that I’m the last one who belongs in a kitchen!) Fortunately, after graduating from college and working back at the alarm company doing dispatch, I was lucky enough to find a fire chief who gave me encouragement. “You want to join this fire department, you get yourself an address up here.” And so I did. I found an apartment in the area, packed up everything and moved from Midland, Ont., to the big metropolis of Port Severn, Ont. Most people were stunned by my decision, but close friends and family understood.
It was my dream, whether it made sense to others or not.
That was in 1996. Over the years, I’ve had many very positive experiences and my share of difficult experiences with the fire department, but I have learned valuable life lessons along the way. My connection to the department has always remained. Even when I was away from the department for a few years following a divorce, the connection to that part of me was always there. It was a part of me, and eventually I found my way back to it.
So why is it that we watch the TV shows and the movies – sometimes multiple times? It’s that sense of connection. We can sit back in the safety of our homes and know that we’ve been there, done that. Maybe even saved a home or a life. And yet, we’re still us. Not actors, not heroes – just us.
Jennifer Mabee is a volunteer with the Township of Georgian Bay Fire Department in Ontario. She began her fire career with the Township of Georgian Bay in 1997 and became the department’s fire prevention officer in 2000 and a captain in 2003. She was a fire inspector with the City of Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services before taking time off to focus on family, and is excited to be back at it. E-mail her at jhook0312@ yahoo.ca and follow her on Twitter at @jenmabee
STRIKE WHILE THE FIRE IS HOT.
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