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IChanging the way we think about change
an Bolton approached me more than a year ago, out of the blue via e-mail, about writing for our magazines. Bolton is a firefighter in North Vancouver, and a protégé of Peter McBride, the Ottawa Fire Services fire-safety/fire-behaviour guru.
Bolton and McBride are cut from the same cloth: their mission is to educate. And while McBride’s schedule is overwhelming, Bolton has committed to writing a series for us on fire dynamics and fire behaviour.
Bolton’s first piece in the series, a column, ran in the September issue of Fire Fighting in Canada – you can find it online at www.firefightingincanada.com. It explains the challenge of opening the collective minds of the Canadian fire service to embrace new research and – wait for it – change the way fires are fought.
Bolton’s cover story for this issue – Fire behaviour, Understanding the perils of new construction – may be a refresher for some of you who have taken courses and heard presentations on voids and lightweight trusses, but Bolton has convinced me that not enough Canadian firefighters know enough about the new research on fire behaviour and dynamics, and that using these pages to share that information will potentially save lives. I’m all for that.
Hand in hand with firefighter education about new construction, research and tactics, of course, is public education. It’s imperative that people understand how quickly these new homes burn and how little time they have to get out.
We’ve been fortunate, for the last two years, to have Ken Sheridan’s passion for fire prevention and public ed in our pages. Ken, like me, is what I like to call a self-discloser: he’s not shy about letting others know what he thinks, and why he thinks and feels the way he does.
Indeed, when Ken first started writing, he said what many in fire believe: that publiceducation/fire-prevention is the poor cousin of suppression, which, in many cases is true, given the overt lack of funding for PE-FP programs.We’re going to help to shift that paradigm.
Ken has poured out his heart in his column, telling personal stories of anguish and success.
The e-mails Ken has received in reaction to his stories, observations and calls for action were overwhelmingly positive and personal – readers clearly related to Ken’s commitment to fire prevention and public education and his frustration with the lack of funding and support.
Ken’s final Fully Engaged column is on page 6 and it’s a delightful read – as always – that will make you think.
We will introduce a new public education column in January and we’re going to lean a bit harder in that direction. With consultants recommending composite departments over career to save salary costs, headlines such as “Unattended cooking causes Winnipeg house fire,” on our website, and budget cuts and arbitration awards resulting in two on a truck in some municipalities – not four, not three, just two – it’s clear that the first line of defence is critical.
In Ontario, a new model to help fire chiefs evaluate fire risks in their communities is expected to be rolled out in November by the Office of the Fire Marshal and the fire chiefs association. Coupled with that integrated risk management tool is a shift in focus to fire prevention and public education from suppression or response. It’s going to be imperative, then, that public educators reach all demographics and, particularly, at-risk populations, and have the knowledge and tools to do so. We’d like you to help us help the Canadian fire service embrace this change.
If your department is doing something innovative, call, e-mail (contact information is to the right), Tweet (@fireincanada), post on our Facebook pages, or stop me at the next conference. Change can be challenging, but only if we let it.
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Prevention, not response, is the first step to fewer fire deaths
Earlier this year, the National Geographic channel aired a sixpart documentary, titled Inside Combat Rescue. It featured United States para-rescuemen performing combat rescue operations based out of the Kandahar airfield in Afghanistan. The series captured the most graphic realities of war.
These specialized operatives’ main task is to rescue wounded allied soldiers and civilians from combat situations in which the United States is involved. Basically, these para-rescuemen fly into war zones, parachute, rappel or land, recover the injured, provide pre-hospital care and evacuate patients to a nearby military hospital. These heroes are risking their lives so that others may live.
That others may live is actually the motto of this elite squad, also known as para-rescue jumpers, or PJs. Regardless of your perspective on war, these airmen put it all on the line to save others in need. Does this sound familiar?
What I really like is the mantra, that others may live. This truly speaks to these guys’ commitment to putting themselves in danger to save another.
numbers of fires and fire deaths in our communities. I know I am, even though my community has experienced fewer structure fires so far this year than in years past; I must admit, that statistic does give me a good feeling, maybe one that allows me to think that fire prevention and public education is working.
. . . that others may live. It is the reason I do what I do.
Over the last two years, I have written about fire prevention and, more specifically, public fire-safety education. As the fire service continues to evolve, we can look at models around the world that may help us to improve our fire-loss records. Countries such as Switzerland and other western European nations that are world leaders in fire safety must have something we don’t. Why do the United States and Canada have the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world when we appear to be so safety conscious?
A May 1997 report by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration, titled Fire Death Rate Trends: An International Perspective, and a subsequent, similar report in July 2011, clearly shows the death rates compared to several other industrialized countries. I think the report is very clear in determining which countries are doing well in terms of fire safety, and which countries are not.
It’s difficult to quantify the rates but when carefully scrutinized, fire-prevention activities seem to play a role. The biggest role is that of societal acceptability of fire and, most certainly, the government’s role in fire-safety initiatives.
The 1997 report explains that North American fire death rates decreased by 66.7 per cent between 1979 and 2007. This is obviously a good thing but, in my mind, not good enough. (According to the newer report, Canada’s fire death rate dropped 71 per cent between 1980 and 2002, the most of any western county listed in the report.) We, as a society – and as the fire service – must change our focus to mitigation, fire prevention and public education, from fire response. Nonetheless, this report is solid and very relevant to the fire-service landscape in 2013. Every fire prevention division or bureau should print a copy of this report and use it as the basis for acquiring additional staff, I did.
Many members of the fire service are likely frustrated with the
I’ve heard people, and even highly ranked government officials, say that there are too many fire deaths and that we have to reduce those numbers. I say one death due to fire is too many. I would like to think that all of us believe that to be true, but why are we willing to settle for less? Fire deaths should be eliminated altogether.
I think we, as a society and, most certainly, the fire service, have to believe that every life has to be saved from fire. This task, unfortunately, is not going to get done by building more fire stations and hiring more firefighters. Statistics clearly show that in most fire fatalities, response time by the fire department was not to a factor. Communities and their councils must recognize that educating the public and inspecting buildings in order to reduce the risk of fire is the best investment.
I have committed the last 16 years of my career to educating the public about fire safety. I have now adopted the same motto as those U.S. Air Force PJs: that others may live. It is the reason I do what I do. I’m not in it for the money, although a steady pay cheque is nice. I don’t do if for fame or recognition, although I’m proud to put on the uniform I wear every day. I do it because it’s my calling, and I will continue to do it in spite of the uphill battles I encounter.
I trust that you strive to do your best, even when you can’t keep up with the endless inspections and demands to stay on top of codes and regulations. It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when government rhetoric and political will doesn’t seem to be on side. Regardless of what level of service your community offers in the area of fire prevention and public education, saving one life through your prevention efforts will make your career worth everything.
This will be my last column for Canadian Firefighter and EMS Quarterly. I trust you have been challenged and, perhaps, enlightened. I will continue to serve my community as you serve yours to keep it safe from fire. I appreciated your comments and e-mails along the way, as they served to encourage me. I continue to welcome your thoughts and will share any information I can to assist you should you want to contact me.
Like the PJs, we must continue to do what is right, that others might live.
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 has more than 23 years in fire suppression and fire prevention. Contact him at ken.sheridan@norfolkcounty.ca and follow him on Twitter at @KennyBoy55
Ken Sheridan
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Fire behaviour
Understanding the perils of new construction
By Ian Bolton
Fire is predictable, contrary to what some in the fire service believe.
When some of the more influential variables of fire development are known, such as fuel-load characteristics, structure and compartment geometry, and the ventilation profile, reasonably accurate predictions of fire progress can be made.
Predicting fire behaviour, however, is a challenge for fire crews arriving on the scene of a working fire; at this point an incident commander must make decisions based on limited information in a stressful and time-sensitive situation. Predicting fire progress is an exercise of information gathering, coupled with using existing in-depth
knowledge of fundamental fire dynamics and fire-behaviour concepts.
Modern home geometry
The fire service has been talking for a long time about the impact of modern building practices and materials on the structural integrity of buildings under fire conditions. However, the impact of these changes on fire behaviour and fire development is not often considered.
Since the 1950s, homes have increased in size, particularly in suburban areas. As homes became larger, further changes were introduced through the use of lightweight engineered lumber, which allows for more design options. An advantage of engineered lumber, from an architectural and design position, is that it allows for bigger spaces with fewer load-bearing
walls. As a result, today’s homes are much less compartmentalized than older homes.
When a fire develops in a compartmentalized building in which the interior structure separates the rooms, it is more difficult for the fire to grow and spread to uninvolved areas; the separating walls inhibit the air needed for a developing fire and reduce the ease of energy transfer and fire gas migration. In homes with open floor plans, great rooms and vaulted ceilings, fires grow faster because air is readily available and the energy transfer is efficient.
Additionally, as land values increase, these larger homes are often built on smaller lots. Homes of this size and design built closely together in new suburban neighbourhoods result in greater exposure concerns for fire crews.
Left: Void spaces, such as an attic, provide increased air supply and a high surface-to-mass ratio of fuels. the result is often a massive heat release rate.
ABOVe: Popular design options, such as an open floor plan and high vaulted ceilings, affect fire behaviour. the availability of air in these spaces feeds fire growth.
Effects of building materials
Building materials contribute to how a fire develops in a structure. Compartment boundaries constructed of concrete, brick or masonry products, for example, can absorb a considerable amount of the fire’s energy during the growth stage. A fire developing in this type of environment can, therefore, initially be slowed to some degree. However, once a compartment of this nature has reached its full potential of energy absorption, it may be more difficult to cool the fire gases and knock down the fire. Conversely, newer structures built with energy efficiency in mind will not be able to absorb as much of the fire’s energy. The energy released by the fire will then reradiate from the compartment lining back toward the interior. For this reason, fires often develop more quickly in these
types of structures.
With engineered lumber and lightweight truss design in modern homes, there are significantly more void spaces. Floor-assembly design alone can dramatically affect fire spread; heavy timber joists, which are often omitted from modern structures, slowed fire progress by confining it to individual spans between joists. With newer, more open, joists and trusses, fires now efficiently spread through entire floor systems. Further, the abundance of available air in these spaces and the increased surface-to-mass ratio of the engineered products contribute to faster fire spread.
Research by Underwriter Laboratories (UL) has demonstrated that failure times of windows have also changed. Modern double- or triple-glazed vinyl windows have
been shown to fail more quickly than traditional single-pane, wood- or metal-frame windows. This result is primarily attributed to two factors: first, traditional windows were manufactured with thicker glass than is currently used; and second, a malleable rubber-like substance held older windows within their wood or metal frame, allowing for the glass to expand when heated under fire conditions.
UL studies also show that lightweight and hollow-core doors fail faster than older solid-core designs. Absence of air limits fire growth; any failure of windows, doors or other structural components dramatically affects the speed of fire growth.
The fuel impact
Structures today are filled with synthetic hydrocarbon-based home furnishings.
This evolution of materials is undoubtedly one of the most significant factors in the changes to fire dynamics and fire behaviour. Many firefighters are under the impression that, because of this change in furniture materials, fires burn hotter now. Although this is somewhat true, the flame temperature of a fully developed fire in the 1950s was not much lower than that of today’s fires. The primary difference, however, is that today’s fires reach flashover and the fully developed stage a lot faster. During one experiment, UL researchers observed a test room filled with modern furnishings that reached flashover in three minutes and 40 seconds. An identical room filled with older furnishing, perhaps indicative of a 1970s fire, reached flashover in 29 minutes and 45 seconds.
There are many reasons these synthetic materials affect fire growth. For example, the amount of potential energy in these products can be two to three times that of similar products produced using natural materials, such as wool, cotton or wood. The most significant characteristic of these synthetic materials, however, is the speed with which they release their stored energy, or the heat-release rate. When the fire process involves these fuels, the chemical decomposition (pyrolysis) is fast. As these solid fuels rapidly break down into ignitable gases at a relativity low temperature, the heat-release rate of the materials involved increases exponentially.
Tactical considerations
All firefighters need to understand that fires develop and spread very quickly in modern structures. For this reason, getting water on a growing fire as quickly and as safely as possible is paramount. Although saving lives is a firefighter’s primary concern, choosing to perform search and rescue operations as the first interior task over fire attack will, in most cases, prove to be a very dangerous decision. Stopping the source of the heat and fire-gas production by the developing fire is the best thing firefighters can do to promote firefighter safety and the safety of potential fire victims.
In some situations, beginning the initial fire attack from the exterior is a valuable opportunity. Directing a narrow or straight stream into a window or opening to knock down a well-developed fire before to making entry can prove to be one of the safest and most advantageous approaches to gaining control of the fire environment. UL fire research in the last three years has proven
The use of lightweight materials means an increased surface-to-mass ratio. The availability of air in these void spaces allows fire to spread quickly and easily.
that beginning the initial fire attack from the exterior decreases the temperatures in the fire compartment and the rest of the affected structure. (For more details, Google Stephen Kerber’s report, “Impact of Ventilation on Fire Behavior in Legacy and Contemporary Residential Construction”) Fire crews are then in a better position to move to the interior to completely extinguish the fire and perform search operations.
The old belief that exterior fire attack pushes fire and heat into uninvolved areas of the structure has been disproven by Kerber’s research. Another commonly held belief is that exterior attack is a defensive action only. Defensive and offensive can be defined largely by intent; if the intent of the exterior attack is to follow up with interior operations, it is an offensive action.
Interior crews should not wait until they are up close to a fire before opening the nozzle and benefiting from the available water. Crews must take advantage of their water and absorb thermal energy as soon as possible to take control of the fire environment. Efforts should be made to cool hot fire gases whenever firefighters find themselves in those situations. Actions to cool fire gases and to use the reach of the fire stream to access burning fuel surfaces should be performed at the earliest opportunity.
Maintaining a high level of situational awareness is also a key to firefighter safety. Whether conducting interior or exterior operations, firefighters should continuously examine all the available fire behaviour indicators, watch for changes over time and constantly re-evaluate their working environment. Any failure of doors, roofs, walls or windows should be noted and considered for its probable effect on fire conditions. Crews should also be cautious of buildings that contain an unusually high synthetic fuel load, such as furniture stores or dollar shops.
In part 2 of this series on fire dynamics, we will examine burning regimes and the impact of oxygen
Ian Bolton has been active in the fire service for more than 10 years. While working in Australia he achieved instructor level certification in Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) and tactical ventilation, and has received further training in fire behaviour and ventilation from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency in Revinge, Sweden. Ian works as a firefighter and lead fire behaviour instructor for the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service. Contact Ian at ian. bolton@firedynamics.ca
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Post-accident procedure on a cable-barrier system
By Randy Schmitz
In the July issue of Canadian Firefighter and EMS Quarterly, I outlined the design and functionality of the high-tension cable barrier (HTCB) system.
In this edition, we will discuss a first-responder’s approach to dealing with a vehicle that has been involved in a collision with the HTCB system and the options available to release the vehicle from the cables.
When a vehicle hits a HTCB system, more often than not, it glances off the system and is safely redirected due to the design characteristics of the barrier. However, there are situations in which the vehicle becomes entangled within the system and a means of releasing it is required.
The level of urgency should indicate which method of disentanglement is the best practice in each situation. Another important factor is proficiency; the time required to deal with the cables is very important because working close to the road presents a safety issue for rescue personnel. As rescue personnel become more familiar with disassembly methods, however, the amount of time required on scene decreases.
As rescuer, I make it a habit to never feel comfortable while working at an accident on a highway, even with all the safety protocols in place.
Use caution and best judgment when approaching a situation in which the vehicle is still tangled in the cables as there could be instability. Always keep non-emergency personnel away from the cable system.
Option 1: Release or reduce tension in the HTCB system
There may be enough slack in the cables to move them out of the way of obstruction. Try to manipulate the cables first to see if they will move out of the way enough for you to gain access to either a door or the roof of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not too deeply entangled, move 20 to 30 metres (70 to 100 feet), or six or seven posts, depending on their spacing, away from the incident.
Remove the lock plate that is holding the hairpin in place and grasp the top portion of the galvanized metal lock plate with your fingertips. Pull upwards slightly while turning the notched metal piece counter-clockwise to release it from the hairpin. Remove it completely from inside the post (see photo 1). Next, grasp the top cable with another rescuer and pull straight up about 7.5 centimetres (three inches) until the hooked end of the hairpin becomes dislodged from the galvanized post’s back side. Then pull the hairpin away from the post (see photo 2). The cables, which are nested into the grooved slots of the hairpin, will fall out as the weight of the cable overcomes the static tension; the additional slack eventually allows the cables to drop to the ground. Note that the cables are not attached to the posts or the hairpin. The remaining hairpin slides down the centre slot in the post and also comes to rest on the ground. If the line post starts to move out of the socket before the cables move, stop and drive a wooden wedge into the side of the post and the socket to ensure it will not move upward. A line post that is under tension and is removed from the socket may kick out and strike the rescuer in the legs or feet. (For a video demonstration, see video 1 at www. firefightingincanada.com.)
Option 2: Release the vehicle
To avoid the need to cut the cable, a tow truck needs to be on the same side of the barrier as the vehicle.
If a vehicle is tangled in the cables, first pull the vehicle back toward the
Photo 1: Pull the top portion of the galvanized metal lock plate slightly upwards while turning the notched metal piece counter-clockwise to release it from the hairpin. Remove it completely from inside the post.
3: Insert a crescent or pipe wrench into the centre of the turnbuckle and twist it until the cable becomes slack or the turn
buckle unscrews itself from the thread rods and releases the
4: Locate a police cruiser or a vehicle with a front or rear bumper height that meets the reflective plate on the cable-release end post to push the post over enough that the cables are dislodged.
Photo 2: Grasp the top cable with another rescuer and pull straight up until the hooked end of the hairpin dislodges from the galvanized post’s back side. Then pull the hairpin itself away from the post.
Photo
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cable acorn ends.
Photo
centreline of the cable barrier to take the lateral force out of the cable, and then pull the vehicle out the same way it entered.
A tow truck should be able to lift most vehicles off the cables, if the vehicles happen to be straddling a cable.
It may also be feasible to cut off part of the vehicle that is tangled on the cable, such as the corner of the bumper or the fender, to release it.
Option 3: Release the turnbuckle
Move away from the scene to the nearest cable splice turnbuckle, and loosen the turnbuckle by a few turns. To loosen the turnbuckle, you need two crescent or pipe wrenches and a long screwdriver or long bar – a pinch point pry bar works pretty well. The longer the wrench is, the better the leverage you will have. The crescent or pipe wrenches hold the acorn cable ends from moving as the turnbuckle body turns. Insert the bar into the centre of the turnbuckle and twist it until the cable becomes slack or the turnbuckle unscrews itself from the thread rods and releases the cable acorn ends (see photo 3). The cable unattaches and moves quickly until it contacts each line post on either side of the turnbuckle. This gives responders more than enough tension release to drop the cables to the ground.
Option 4: Knock over the cable-release post
This method is extremely effective and immediate; however, the complete system, from anchor to anchor, is rendered ineffective until it is re-installed by maintenance crews. Locate a police cruiser or a vehicle with a front or rear bumper height that meets the reflective plate on the cable-release end post (see photo 4). Slowly push the post over. This breaks the metal wires that hold the anchor nuts onto a three-threaded rod system. The rods become dislodged from the bottom anchor plate, releasing the whole system in one motion. (For a video demonstration, see video 2 at www.firefightingincanada.com.)
It is important to note that the system loses all its effectiveness until it is completely reassembled.
Option 5: Cut the turnbuckle
You can cut the turnbuckle in the middle to sever it, the same way you release turnbuckle by unscrewing it (see photo 5). The same precautions should be taken. Maintenance crews normally have quick access to replacement turnbuckles, posts, hairpins and lock plates, which are often stockpiled in a centralized area in their jurisdiction.
Option 6: Cut the cable – the last resort!
Cut the cable only in a life-or-death situation that requires the vehicle or the patient(s) to be removed immediately.
Because of the cable’s weight (475 grams per 30 centimetres, or 1.04 pounds per foot), it should simply fall to the ground rather than rebound as an elastic band would when severed. Still, all personnel –except the rescuer performing the cut – need to stand clear of the system to prevent reaction injuries when cutting.
Ensure that no rescuers are holding the cables near a post as their hand could be pinched when the cable is cut.
Cut the cables in the centre between line posts, 75 to 90 metres (250 to 300 feet) away from the vehicle, and perpendicular to the cable system. If time and manpower permits, remove as many hairpins and lock plates as possible on either side of the cut.
In order to safely cut the cable, find the centre between two undamaged line posts away from the incident. Wrap the cable with duct tape at the spot where you are going to make the cut (see photo 6); this ensures that, when the cable is severed, the individual cable strands will not unravel and strike the rescuer.
5: In the same manner as releasing the turnbuckle by unscrewing it, you can cut the turnbuckle in the middle to sever it.
If duct tape does not stick due to wet or frosted cables, then heavy plastic zip ties work just as well. (For a video demonstration, see video 3 at www.firefightingincanada.com.)
Remember: Cutting the cable disables the entire system, from an chor to anchor. Until the cut cable strands are repaired, the system loses all of its effectiveness in preventing future accidents; a damaged cable system may allow the next vehicle to pass through and into on coming traffic.
Training and due diligence
If your department has jurisdiction of a highway with high-tension cable barriers, arrange for training sessions, with course content and reference materials that are appropriate for the particular HTCB system in question. For additional photos and a how-to summary, visit www.firefightingincanada.com and click on current issues.
We hear every day of emergency responders getting hit by distracted motorists. A defensive frame of mind is essential to your survival on today’s roadways.
Randy Schmitz is a Calgary firefighter who has been extensively involved in the extrication field for 19 years. 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
Photo
Photo 6: Wrap the cable several times with duct tape where you are going to make the cut. This will ensure that, when the cable is severed, the individual cable strands will not unravel and strike the rescuer performing the cut.
Honouring a century-old sacrifice
By Charles Boyte
TFirefighters remembered for battling Medicine Hat blaze of 1913
he date is March 19, 2013, the temperature is -8 C and the sky is bright blue in Medicine Hat, Alta. The unique sound of a highland piper playing “Flowers of the Forest” into the clear crisp air can be heard for at least a kilometre in all directions.
Coaxed gently by a father’s hand, a young boy steps forward. Cradled in his small hands is a homemade wreath lovingly crafted from West Coast salal and cedar boughs. Young Thomas gently leans forward and lays the wreath at the base of the weathered headstone of his great, great grandfather. The headstone reads: “William Stewart, Died March 19, 1913, Age 25 years 7 months.”
In the early 1900s, the allure of cheap natural gas had brought industry to Medicine Hat and the city was burgeoning. Natural gas was so plentiful that almost everyone who owned a house and property had drilled a gas well in the backyard. While this led to fortunes for many, it did not come without some cost. Pockets of gas regularly escaped the crude wells and piping, caught fire and
burned down homes and businesses.
It was not uncommon in those days for a business owner to go to work, light the gas lamp and blow up the building. As the number of fires increased, the city built and equipped two fire stations for the town of 10,000. Steam pumps and ladder wagons were pulled to the fires by teams of sturdy horses. As was the case in many small towns during that era, the firefighters were mostly community volunteers who would run to the station, hitch up the horses and bravely head out to tackle any fire that started.
The large three-storey brick building on Main Street had housed a patchwork of enterprises; none, however, had found success within its walls. The building was constructed as a woolen mill. That business had failed twice before a promoter named Malcolm proposed to turn it into a huge beef cannery. Malcolm was doomed to failure through his dubious manipulations and the company was reorganized twice more before becoming the Western Canada Cold Storage and Meat Packing Plant. This new company was solidly financed and the new machinery at Malcolm Canneries Number Five stood ready to go. Soon the workers would be hired, the power switched back on, and the whirr of belt-driven machines
would bring life to the factory.
The company employed a caretaker by the name of McQueen. On March 19, 1913, shortly before 4:30 p.m., McQueen noticed a flash of flame run along the exterior wall and then disappear below the floor. At exactly 4:40, McQueen saw smoke and telephoned an alarm to the fire station.
William Stewart was an interior decorator who had moved to Medicine Hat some seven years earlier. He had a good reputation in town, had built a house for his wife Ima, 23, daughter Margaret (Margie), two years old, and a newborn son, Herbert William (Bill), who was barely two weeks old. William was a responsible, fit young man and had just recently joined the volunteer fire department. His regimental number was 97 and he proudly wore it in service to his community.
It was Wednesday afternoon and the fire station bells sounded to summon the volunteer firefighters. William dropped what he was doing and ran out the door just as he
ABOVE: Members of the Medicine Hat Fire Department in Alberta, the Honour Guard and the family of William Stewart stand by a local firefighter memorial. The names of the three firefighters who died fighting the 1913 blaze were added to a plaque on the memorial.
had done so many times before. He arrived at the station, donned his gear and headed off with the first team of horses as they dragged the heavy brass fire pump off to the fire at Malcolm Canneries Number Five.
The three-storey building stood ominously quiet and dark when the firefighters arrived. That meant they would have to enter the building and seek out the fire, before it got hold of the building and spread to the rest of the town. A crowd gathered in the street as the brave firefighters headed inside with axes and hoses in hand. They pushed inward until a small wisp of smoke could be seen seeping out from the floorboards. The smoke was just as McQueen had described and clearly a clue to the hidden fire beneath.
Firefighter Ringler quickly chopped a hole through the floor to get at the fire below. On the final swing of his axe, there was a rush of deadly gas. Fire hoses quickly pushed it back in the hole but it was too late to prevent the explosion that followed. Ringler was blown toward the door by the massive blast but miraculously escaped uninjured. Several other firefighters were blown clear of the building, including Lt. McLeod, who had no recollection how he and the others had escaped or survived. Capt. Buchanan was tossed more than 60 feet by the blast but his partner, John Brier, was killed where he stood. As the building collapsed, many of the firefighters were narrowly missed by the heavy walls and were lucky to survive. William Stewart and Reginald Rimmer, however, were killed when a brick archway collapsed inside.
The blast launched more than 25,000 square feet of roof three feet into the air, caused the building to fall, and hurled thousands of red bricks into the street. All that was left of Malcolm Canneries Number Five were faint cries for help in the rubble that littered the street. Five people died that afternoon, including three firefighters and two bystanders: a visitor from Boston by the name of Charles Bohannan and a 12-year-old boy by the name of Harry Green. Ten people were critically injured and three dozen more were wounded by flying or falling debris. There was mayhem on Main Street, yet the firefighters still standing forged on to restore order and to tend to the injured and dying. ***
Pender Island’s volunteer firefighters had offered to stand by for fire or medical emergencies at the inaugural launch of the Hope Bay Boat Days and Music Festival. Hope Bay is a waterfront commercial centre lo-
cated on Pender Island, which lies between Vancouver and Victoria. In 1998, the buildings at Hope Bay burned and collapsed to the ground. The rebuilding took years and the centre is finally getting back on its feet. The sound of bagpipes and drums echoed in Hope Bay and the sea beyond as the event was opened in regal tradition by the Pender Highlanders.
Sue Foote, a Pender Island resident and one of the pipers that day, approached me at the fire truck and began to tell me the most remarkable story of love, tragedy, support and honour. I was captivated by the pride and emotion displayed in her eyes as she recounted the amazing series of events that had occurred in March of this year. The connections that unfolded in her story moved me to the core.
The story began with Foote’s planning of a memorial trip to Medicine Hat. She would gather the family descendants in recognition of the untimely death 100 years earlier of her grandfather, William Stewart. Foote’s grandfather was of Scottish heritage and, like her ancestors before her, Foote had become a Highland piper. Foote could think of no greater honour than to play the pipes and wear the Stewart family plaid scarf at a memorial service in Medicine Hat to commemorate the 100th anniversary of her grandfather’s death.
Foote contacted the fire chief in Medicine Hat in the hope that a few firefighters might attend the memorial she had planned in her grandfather’s honour. Chief Brian Stauth said he would be honoured to accommodate her request on March 19, 2013, exactly 100 years from the date of her grandfather’s death.
That call completed Foote’s arrangements for the memorial service but she was worried about playing in the freezing temperatures the pipers would surely encounter in March. She contacted Malcolm Sissons, pipe sergeant of the South Alberta Pipes and Drums, based in Medicine Hat, who was pleased to coach her through the challenges of cold-weather piping. Their conversation turned to a heritage meeting at which Malcolm and another local resident, Jim Marshall, were present. It turns out that Jim and his wife Lorine now live in the home that Foote’s grandfather built in 1912, just before his death. In a wonderful gesture of welcome and care, the Marshalls offered a tour of the house and Jim’s studio. To top off the day, the whole family was invited for dinner in their old family home. The Marshalls are just the third owners of the house and had moved it to a new location in town. As they arrived at the
house Foote was amazed when she saw the address. It was 97 – the regimental number her grandfather had worn so proudly as a volunteer firefighter.
The day of the ceremony, Foote and her family arrived to find 30-plus firefighters, an honour guard and a procession of fire trucks assembled to escort them to the cemetery. This gesture of respect was truly overwhelming and a stunning beginning to a truly amazing day. Foote’s grandson Thomas was invited to ride in the fire truck as it led the procession to the Hillside Cemetery. Thomas then laid the wreath crafted by his grandmother at the weathered marble headstone of his great, great grandfather William Stewart. Foote fulfilled her vision to play her pipes at the Hillside Cemetery in honour of her grandfather and while doing so honoured a second fallen firefighter, J.A. Brier, who was also buried there. Foote’s family – son Scott, his wife Olga and daughter Cori and grandson Thomas – stood by to pay their respects while husband John recited a memorial eulogy to celebrate her grandfather’s life.
Foote was also invited to play the pipes at the Old Medicine Hat Hillside Cemetery in honour of the third firefighter, Reginald Rimmer, who was killed that fateful day. Finally, the family attended a memorial service for all three firefighters. The service was held at the Medicine Hat Firefighter’s Memorial located at Medicine Hat Fire Station # 3. The memorial bears a plaque with Foote’s grandfather’s name and was designed and crafted by none other than James Marshall. Foote was presented a commemorative plaque in honour of her grandfather’s sacrifice.
March 19, 1913, was a tragic day that ends with a wonderful story of family survival, love, respect and honour. These brave souls – William Stewart, J.A. Brier and Reginald Rimmer – made the ultimate sacrifice.
Charlie Boyte has been in the fire service for 27 years, including 12 years as the fire chief for Pender Island Fire Rescue in B.C. He holds a Level 3 fire investigation certificate from the Canadian Fire Investigation School and received his CFO professional designation from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs in 2010. In 2011, he was named Canadian Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year. Contact him at chief@penderfire.ca
To Crossfit or not to Crossfit?
Crossfit Inc. has been around for more than 10 years now, but it continues to gain popularity, with Crossfit gyms cropping up everywhere. Crossfit defines itself as “A regimen of constantly varied, functional movements performed at high intensity in a communal environment (which) leads to health and fitness.” The Crossfit community is tightly bonded and hugely supportive, which is one of the things I like the most about it. Each workout trains a different aspect of strength and conditioning to attain a fitness level, which readies you for all types of functional activity.
I cannot claim that I have expertise in the area of Crossfit. I have played with it over the past couple of years and have recently changed my workout to follow the workout of the day (WOD). I love setting goals, achieving results and discovering the practical application for fire fighting. So let me try to introduce you to a workout and explain some of the things to which you need to pay particular attention if you are going to try Crossfit.
Crossfit’s website, www.crossfit.com, publishes some great information, including videos of proper form, a blog, how to get started and, of course, the WOD. Without a background in Olympic weightlifting or gymnastics, you may find starting this program daunting. If you are starting this on your own rather than joining an affiliate, you need to take the utmost care with form and technique to avoid injury. Substituting exercises with similar ones with which you are already familiar is an excellent option for beginners.
acceptable modifications. Don’t worry if you can’t do pull-ups yet. You will definitely get there soon with these workouts.
• 30 push-ups – Crossfit push-ups are chest to the ground, but modify until you can do them. If you start on your toes and then go to your knees, it is better than starting on your knees!
• 40 sit-ups – Place the bottom of your feet together and lean your knees out to the side. Perform full sit-ups (no crunches) with a towel under your lower back.
• 50 air squats – Start with your heels shoulder width apart and your toes pointed slightly outward. Squat so that your thighs are parallel to the ground while your arms are straight out and slightly elevated. This keeps your head up and your chest open. Squatting to parallel each time is the key.
Workout no. 2: Fran
Sherry dean
Crossfit’s philosophy is to modify the number of repetitions or weight rather than change the workout.
The WOD involves as many reps or rounds as possible in a specified time frame, a specific number of repetitions per exercise, or a specific workout timed. As with a number of the other workout styles we have discussed, the principle of Crossfit incorporates intensity and 100 per cent commitment to achieving your best results. Maintaining good form is tricky as you tire during such intense workouts. Never risk injury; modify your exercise rather than stop.
Crossfit workouts are primarily named after women, but there are plenty named after men. Let me introduce you to two WODs, Barbara and Fran, to give two examples that don’t require much equipment. Remember to modify the workout if necessary, but don’t wimp out if you still have fuel left, even if it hurts a little (or a lot). Give 100 per cent to achieve the most you can. You’ll feel great when it’s all done. Before you start either of these WODs, do a three- to five-minute warm-up to ensure you are ready for the workload.
Workout no. 1: Barbara
• Complete five rounds of the following workout. Time yourself so you have a benchmark to compare and monitor your progress. If you can’t do five rounds, do as many as you can and work up. 20 pull-ups/skip-ups – Make sure you clear your chin above the bar. Using bands, a chair or jump-ups are perfectly
This workout requires more technical form for thrusters. Remember to modify if you haven’t done this before. Complete the full workout (with as little rest as possible) while timing yourself. Use your results to compare progress for future Frans.
• 21 thrusters – Use 29.5 kilograms (65 pounds) for women, and 43 kilograms (95 pounds) for men. Don’t worry if you can’t lift this weight to begin with. These are just the official Crossfit weights. Use a weight you can manage while maintaining good form but that is still challenging. Lift the bar to position it on shoulders. Squat and press the bar above your head. Return the bar to your shoulders and repeat.
• 21 pull-ups/skip-ups
• 15 thrusters
• 15 pull-ups/skip-ups
• 9 thrusters
• 9 pull-ups/skip-ups
If you find this workout too difficult, try nine rounds of five reps of thrusters and pull-ups. It works out to the same number of repetitions, but requires a little less endurance.
I hope you find these workouts both challenging and a good introduction to Crossfit. Crossfit is just a peek into a more in-depth approach to overall fitness. It is not for everyone, but no matter your current fitness level, Crossfit’s philosophy is to modify the number of repetitions or weight rather than change the workout. I think it is a great way to train, but now it’s up to you to try it out. Good luck!
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
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situational awareness matters the most
Icould hardly believe my eyes in July as I watched the breaking news on CNN . . . Airliner crash in San Francisco . . . As the first images of the scene were broadcast, I thought, how could one of the safest and most modern airliners possibly fall short of the runway and burst into flames? As theories began to circulate, I knew this without a doubt: lack of situational awareness on the flight deck would surely be found as a contributing factor in the crash.
Ongoing evaluation of the progress of any operation ensures clarity and a strong understanding of what is occurring around us. With this knowledge, we can then feel confident in accurate decision making. When was the last time you evaluated situational awareness within your department? Could it be that all the rapid changes in emergency services are opening opportunities for a crash landing of our own?
Let’s take a step back and evaluate our situational awareness of EMS within the fire service. We will discuss recent happenings and challenges to ensure we are focused on the correct priorities for our mission of protecting life and property in our communities.
At no other time in emergency services has change been so fluid. We all read articles about the latest respiratory treatments, we study rescue and extrication, and we keep up with the latest in cardiac arrest trends. It seems like a nonstop flow of information. New trends such as community paramedicine and home-based treatment continue to challenge emergency responders. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the constant delivery of information, you’re not alone.
show that early EMS intervention has no bearing on final outcomes. Although this is important to note, we as emergency responders must realize that Mrs. Smith is not concerned with statistics or benchmarks. When Mrs. Smith dials 911, she expects rapid professional response. Citizens in crisis feel immediate comfort upon the quick arrival of any emergency vehicle – period. Public perception of an emergency differs from that of trained personnel.
New trends such as community paramedicine and home-based treatment continue to challenge emergency responders.
As an industry focused on excellence, how is the fire service to keep up? It seems as if we must adapt to daily requests for change just to satisfy those latest trends. Managing statistics, hurrying to meet chute times, and applying evidence-based medical treatments define our level of professionalism. Yes, the latest and greatest is important for progress, but we must remember to check our situational awareness. If we step back to look at the big picture, it appears as if keeping statistics, meeting required benchmarks and satisfying decision makers has maxed out our resources to the point that we may be overlooking our most valuable assets: our patients. Have we lost the human touch? Have statistics and figures overshadowed our doing what’s best for those in need? It appears that doing what’s best for our patients has taken a back seat to bureaucratic demands.
It was recently suggested by one Alberta Health EMS manager that we remove the letter E from EMS. It was explained that response times are no longer as critical as once thought. His train of thought was that true measurement of good patient care is based on final outcomes after hospital discharge. Some EMS leaders are suggesting delayed responses for certain call types, because studies
That being said, early response is a sure way to calm emergency situations. When was the last time your department received a thank-you card that read. “We appreciate you for meeting your required benchmarks this month”? We all know that the most common themes in thankyou cards are quick response and reassuring care. By checking your situational awareness, you can ensure your patients’ needs come first and that your department has not become overly focused on numbers, charts and graphs. Please remember that no amount of science or data can mend public confidence and satisfaction. Most often, simply holding a patient’s hand and using comforting words pays big dividends for your service. I would encourage everyone to use situational awareness to ensure your department is continually putting patients first.
We live in a fast-moving society with rising health-care costs and government leaders are mandating rules to stretch taxpayer dollars. As experts in our fields, we must balance new ideas while still being advocates for our patients. EMS responders of all types must realize that we have become an integral part of the health-care system. There is no better time to display our strengths and abilities, as we are the first contact into the chain of survival. We must be flexible enough to embrace change, yet ensure we protect what we do best: rapid, professional and compassionate patient care.
The pilots involved in the San Francisco 777 crash should have used more situational awareness. We must do the same by monitoring and embracing change and putting our patients first. Situational awareness is another tool used by pilots, fire crews, paramedics and police officers. Using this technique will protect our industry, protect our patients and keep us all from falling short of the runway.
Until next time . . . be safe out there!
Lee Sagert is a career paramedic/firefighter with the City of Lethbridge in Alberta and a volunteer lieutenant with Coaldale Emergency Services. Lee is a former flight paramedic with S.T.A.R.S. and has trained at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. He resides in Coaldale, Alta., and enjoys photography and spending time with family. Contact him at leesagert@shaw.ca
Lee Sagert
introduction to plyometric training
Plyometric training is a technique in which your muscles are driven to maximal exertion in a short period of time. What makes plyometric training different is the way the exercises are designed: the goal is to make the delay between the eccentric movement and the concentric movement as short as possible. Take a push-up for example; lowering your chest down to the ground is the eccentric phase. The slight delay as you shift from lowering your body to pressing upward is called the amortization period. The powerful press you apply to thrust yourself back to your upright position is called the concentric period. When the delay between these phases is minimal, your body starts to reap the rewards of plyometric training.
Plyometric exercises incorporate several large muscles, including your core, in almost every movement. The goal is to improve the speed, power and explosiveness of the muscle movements in your body. While some of the movements may require a bit of co-ordination, being a high-level athlete isn’t a prerequisite. Almost everyone is capable of performing the exercises. With careful attention and the proper technique, plyometric workouts can be a fun, safe and challenging way to fast-track your results.
Plyometric exercises originally were designed with Olympic athletes in mind; however, many of these techniques have been proven effective for average people. The exercises are a great way to increase your overall fitness level, strength, muscle endurance and lean mass, and also an effective way to break through stubborn plateaus.
Precautions
routine, not when used as a complete replacement. Again, in the first few sessions, give your body at least 48 hours to recover between plyometrics days. Remember: impact and eccentric muscle load is higher than normal.
Always ensure you complete a proper warmup before any plyometric exercise; dynamic stretching and a quick 10- to15-minute cardio session should prepare your body. Deem your body warm when your joints feel heated, loose and you are sweating or are just about to sweat. Joint protection is critical in plyometrics; as with every workout, your warmup releases synovial fluid into your joints, preparing them for training.
Brad Lawrence
Plyometric exercises incorporate several large muscles. . . in almost every movement.
Naturally, the added impact of plyometrics causes a greater risk of injury. However, for those who are prepared and mindful of your task, plyometric exercises have been proven to be safe and natural movements. While plyometric workouts aren’t inherently dangerous, it is important to understand the demands on your muscles. As with any challenge you add to your training, it’s very important to have a strong foundation before pushing yourself. Plyometric exercises require a competent muscle base and should not be attempted without a semiregular fitness routine already in place. Also, even with an adequate level of fitness, the amount of eccentric loads and impact on your muscles will cause more muscular soreness after your workout and will lengthen recovery time. I recommend at least 48 hours of rest for your working muscles after plyometric training, especially if you are just starting. I try to implement one plyometric training session per week into my normal routine. This offers me plenty of time to recover, and provides nice variety to break up the week. Eventually your body will adapt to the load, and recovery time will improve.
integrating plyometric exercises
First and foremost, don’t abandon your old fitness routine. The plyometrics system works wonders when integrated into an established
Perform exercises on properly cushioned flooring. Avoid surfaces such as concrete, and stick to padded surfaces such as matting. Plyometric training, in time, builds stronger joints, especially in your lower body. However, training on hard surfaces may prove to be harmful to your joints.
Always perform these exercises at a comfortable tempo. Never perform an exercise at full speed for the first time; start slowly and progress as your confidence grows.
Beginners
Thousands of plyometric exercises have been developed by trainers over the last decade or two, but here are some of the better entry-level movements under the plyometrics label. If you are unsure of the proper execution of an exercise, a quick online search will reveal several how-to videos.
• Medicine-ball chest toss
• Bodyweight jump squats
• Box jumps/multiple power jumps
Advanced
Once you are comfortable performing the beginner plyometrics movements, try increasing the difficulty with these exercises. Again, be sure to leave 48 hours between workouts to allow proper recovery for your muscles, and perform at a slow, comfortable pace until you are confident in any new movement. Again, these movements all have how-to videos available online.
• Depth jumps
• Clap/depth push-ups
• Lateral one-leg jumps
• Push-pull press
Plyometric exercises offer a plethora of new training opportunities. Be mindful of any existing injuries, and ease your body into the increased loads. Break up the monotony of your current routine, and become far more fit along the way. 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
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How to win the fire-service lottery
Although achieving the dream of becoming a firefighter may seem like it involves some luck, there is actually very little luck involved in winning the fire-service lottery; it comes down to preparation, dedication and a lot of hard work.
Fire fighting is more than a profession; it is a calling, a way of life. Let’s look at a few areas on which you can focus on while you are searching for that ultimate firefighter position.
You may hear this comment around your fire hall: “Every day is an interview.” You should be working toward your dream every day and every time you set foot in the hall. Here are 10 ideas to help you advance your dreams:
1. Be a firefighter between alarms: Your actions are being scrutinized on calls, at the station and when you are off duty. Display your pride in your department, display your talents, your drive, your dedication and your passion. If you have passion, all the other traits and attributes will fall into place.
2. Brand yourself: What you post online is connected to you for life. It is a virtual photographic resumé that you may not be proud of in years to come. Recruiting departments search your social media background just as they call your references. Use social media to promote yourself, not tank your future.
3. Use social media: The vast amount of information that is available to up-and-coming members of the fire service is unlike anything we have seen before. The networking opportunities available on social media can aid in your path to success. You can learn from other firefighters and fire service gurus online – without spending any money.
time and the extra effort to create the perfect application and resumé. Consider hiring a personal fitness trainer to prepare you for the extremely competitive physical exams. Finally, invest in an interview coach. Good interview skills come only with practice and these skills require polishing.
7. Be physically and mentally sharp: The challenge that lies ahead will be trying. Have mentors in the fire service who can steer you in the right direction when you start to veer off. Find ways to re-energize yourself and balance your life.
You are in control of your future . . . be the lucky person who is living the dream.
4. Read, live and breathe fire: If you desire a career in this diverse profession, you must be on your game and know every corner of it. Read magazines, like this one, read books on the science of fire fighting, read web blogs, and peruse social media. Stay connected to what is happening in this great profession. If you are able to volunteer with your local fire department, take the opportunity to learn, grow and hone your skills.
5. Apply. . . apply. . . apply. . . The only way to win the lottery is to try, try, and try again. Each time you try – that is, apply for a job – you become more valuable and more of a competitive threat to other candidates. The best way to gain experience and confidence is to apply for positions. Look at the application process as an investment in your life: the money and time you spend seeking a firefighter position is worth much more in the long run.
6. Seek help: Seek guidance in resumé writing, physical fitness and interview skills. If your resumé is not perfect, it is an easy shred. Make it clear, concise and clean. There is an enormous amount of information out there on resumé writing, so take the
8. Develop an online portfolio: Create an online presence to promote yourself; an online resumé can make a great difference between you and the next candidate. You can create your own website or use the social media site LinkedIn. LinkedIn can connect you with fire-service mentors worldwide and provide you with a portal to display your talents and achievements. Self-promotion is the secret to survival in today’s business world and it’s no different in the fire service.
9. Ask yourself, “what is at stake?” If you want to achieve your dream, add a stake to it. Stakes are not rewards, but risky bets that you work hard to not have to pay. This new year, don’t make a resolution, make a fire-service career goal with a stake.
10. Don’t give up! This process will be gruelling, and may tax you to the brink of giving up. If you have the passion and follow these steps to landing your dream job, you can increase your odds of winning the fire-service lottery.
In major metropolitan areas, you can expect to be up against hundreds, if not thousands, of highly qualified die-hard candidates who have the same dream that you have; you must be the cream of the crop to be the successful one.
Recent studies have shown that with the baby boomers retiring, there may be more openings in the Canadian fire service than there are firefighters to fill them. Working In Canada reported in April 2011 that police officer and firefighter jobs will outnumber the available bodies to fill them by 2018.
I hope this provides you with some ideas and provokes some thought in developing your game plan and road map to becoming a firefighter. You are in control of your future; you are the only one who can see the winning numbers and be that lucky person who can say they are living the dream.
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
arjuna george
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riT – facepiece changeovers
One of the most integral parts of the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is the facepiece. It protects the firefighter from inhaling the superheated air that is in the environment, and it protects the firefighter from debris coming into contact with his face. The SCBA facepiece is designed and tested to withstand harsh environments in hot and cold temperatures. With the new NFPA standards, the facepiece is required to withstand a set temperature over a period of time.
When the facepiece fails, it produces catastrophic results for the firefighter. This involves not only burns to the face, but to the lungs, trachea and esophagus, as well. There was a case of a facepiece failure at a training tower in Pennsylvania in 2006; an instructor lighting the last fire in the burn tower for the day suffered major burns to the outside and inside of his facial and respiratory area. The lens of the facepiece had suddenly melted, exposing him to the superheated air in the burn room. This is one example of how a facepiece can fail. Other failures can involve debris falling onto the firefighter, either knocking away the facepiece or breaking its lens.
When this type of incident occurs, the RIT will be initiated to rescue the downed firefighter. RIT members will likely conduct a full ninestep assessment of the firefighter to determine his air-supply needs.
We are going to look at how to conduct a facepiece changeover.
First, let’s review the nine steps involved in assessing the downed firefighter:
1. Locate and turn off the PASS device
2. Call command
3. Check breathing
4. Check bottle supply status/pressure gauge reading
5. Change/introduce new air supply
6. Recheck breathing
7. Check for entrapment
8. Secure RIT pack
9. Remove firefighter
If the downed firefighter is not breathing on his own, stop the nine-step assessment and concentrate on removing the firefighter right away. It is more important to remove the firefighter so that immediate medical care can be administered than to try to complete the nine-step process. In essence, the rescue team is checking the ABCs of first aid.
The facepiece changeover process begins with the RIT pack outside at the RIT staging area. This is where the facepiece is readied prior to making entry into the building for the RIT operation. This involves ensuring that the regulator is attached to the face piece, that the air cylinder is opened all the way and is full and that the head harness straps are fully retracted and perhaps folded over the front of the facepiece for easier application (see photo 1).
In the case of mutual-aid RIT, make sure that the SCBA being worn by the mayday firefighter will work with the RIT kit of the mutual-aid RIT. All SCBA brands, such as Scott and MSA, are incompatible with one another. If this is the case, the RIT kit will need to have the proper regulator.
It is also a good idea to make sure that the RIT facepiece has
Photo 1: Ready the facepiece before making entry. This involves ensuring that the regulator is attached to the facepiece, that the air cylinder is opened all the way and is full, and that the head harness straps are fully retracted and perhaps folded over the front of the facepiece for easier application.
2: The rubber head harness, pictured above, does not stretch as easily as a Nomex head harness, and can get caught on the firefighter’s hair, making the transition to the new facepiece much more difficult.
Photo
Photo 3: Once the downed firefighter is in the seated position, one of the RIT firefighters kneels behind the downed firefighter and the other RIT firefighter is positioned in front of the downed firefighter.
4: The RIT firefighter positioned behind the downed firefighter removes the downed firefighter’s original facepiece. The other RIT firefighter in the front of the downed firefighter replaces the original facepiece with a new one.
a Nomex head harness as opposed to a rubber head harness. The rubber head harness does not stretch as easily as Nomex and can get caught on the firefighter’s hair, making the transition much more difficult (see photo 2). The Nomex head harness stretches much more easily and is also hairfriendly. The neck strap of the facepiece also needs to be removed because it will become an entanglement hazard when trying to fit the RIT facepiece onto the downed firefighter’s face.
To get the downed firefighter ready for the facepiece changeover, the two RIT members will put the downed firefighter in a seated position. This involves grabbing the SCBA shoulder strap of the downed firefighter and pulling the strap up so that the downed firefighter’s upper body sits up. Once in this position, one of the RIT firefighters kneels behind the downed firefighter and the other RIT firefighter is positioned in front of the downed firefighter (see photo 3).
In a situation in which the downed firefighter cannot be seated up – if he is pinned by rubble, for example – then the RIT firefighters must adapt to the downed firefighter’s position. This may involve lying in front of and behind the downed firefighter so that the same access can be gained.
As in photo 4, the RIT firefighter positioned behind the downed firefighter removes the downed firefighter’s facepiece. The other RIT firefighter in the front of the downed firefighter replaces the original facepiece with a new one. Preparation involves the front RIT firefighter getting the RIT pack ready with the new facepiece connected and ready to go, while the rear
RIT firefighter removes the mayday firefighter’s helmet, and pulls back his flash hood. The rear RIT firefighter then places his gloved hand on the lens of the downed firefighter’s facepiece to hold it to his face. With his free hand, the RIT firefighter will pull the netting of the facepiece over the front of the downed firefighter’s face.
Once both RIT firefighters are ready, the front RIT firefighter positions the new facepiece in front of the old one so that when the rear RIT firefighter removes the original one, the new facepiece can be quickly applied to the downed firefighter’s face with minimal exposure. The downed firefighter will be temporarily exposed to the conditions around him, so the timing of the operation must be precise to limit the exposure. The purge valve should be opened to push away the contaminants in the air from the face and to provide a supply of air at the same time. The purge valve needs to be opened all the way on both facepieces prior to the removal of the original one. Once the new facepiece is on, the flash hood and helmet are put back on and the downed firefighter can be readied for removal.
Mark van der Feyst is a 14year 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
Brotherhood across the border
A Canadian travels to Arizona to honour the 19 fallen Hot Shots
By Robert Chatton
The Yarnell Hills fire started with a lightning strike on Friday, June 28. Fanned by winds, the fire grew quickly and, with the town of Yarnell, Ariz., threatened, residents were evacuated. Calls went out for resources and, on Sunday morning, the Granite Mountain Hot Shot crew started to fight the fire.
Early that evening, the world would learn that 19 members of the Hot Shot crew were killed in the line of duty while battling that wildfire. The Yarnell Hills fire was the deadliest fire in Arizona’s history, with the largest loss of American firefighters since 9-11.
The Granite Mountain Interagency Hot Shot crew is a division of the Prescott Fire Department, in Prescott, Ariz. The group received its Hot Shot designation in 2008, joining an elite group of wildland firefighters in the United States, where there are 110 Hot Shot crews. The Granite Mountain crew is one of just a few Hot Shot crews that is attached to a municipal fire department; it is based at Station 7 in Prescott.
My family and I were heading to Arizona from our home in Pitt Meadows, B.C., for a vacation and, knowing we would be
there around the time of the memorial service, I felt it would be appropriate to attend.
The top news story around Arizona and in the southwest United States was, of course, the situation in Yarnell. An incident management team was assembled specifically for the memorial, and preparations for the service began. This would take significant planning, especially once it was announced that U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden would attend.
I wasn’t prepared for the support the public showed for the families of the fallen members, the Prescott firefighters, and firefighters in general – from the flight attendants who assured me that my dress uniform was hung neatly, to the woman who gently tapped me on the shoulder and said she was sorry to hear what had happened. This continued whenever someone recognized me as a firefighter.
The memorial service was set for Tuesday, July 9, in Prescott Valley – a few kilometres outside of Prescott – at a hockey arena, the largest venue in town. As a frequent visitor to the Phoenix area, I had forged relationships with some members of local fire departments. I e-mailed a friend, Capt. Tony Legamaro of the Goodyear Fire Department, and asked if he was going to the service, as I was hoping to share a ride. Tony wasn’t in town but the department was sending a contingent of
members and they extended an invitation for me to ride with them.
We left early for the 11 a.m. service and, a couple of hours later, arrived at the site of the memorial. As I entered the town, flags were all at half-mast (in fact, all across Arizona, flags flew at half-mast and would remain there until July 19), signs on businesses all expressed condolences to the families of the 19 members. People lined the streets with flags, flowers and banners, showing their support. Parking areas were well laid out and numerous police from across the state ensured everything flowed smoothly.
As we walked toward the arena, we passed hundreds of apparatuses from various departments, agencies and organizations across Arizona and other parts of the United States – engines, ladders, wildland engines, tenders and staff vehicles. There were forestry units and Hot Shot trucks from across the nation.
Uniformed firefighters and emergencyservices personnel from all branches and parts
ABOVE: Nineteen pairs of boots, equipment packs and helmets, representing the 19 fallen firefighters, are displayed at the memorial. The memorial took place at the largest building in town – a hockey arena – that held 6,000 people. More onlookers gathered outside.
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of North America attended, from the FDNY to Los Angeles County, and from Seattle to Houston (which had lost four of its own the month prior). Several departments from British Columbia sent members and I saw guys from Toronto, Montreal and Regina. Canada respectfully showed its support for our fallen colleagues, their families, the Prescott Fire Department and the citizens of Prescott. When someone was recognized as a Canadian, a thank-you and a handshake usually followed.
Outside the arena, two huge television screens mounted on semi trailers simultaneously broadcast the service. The arena holds only 6,000 people and those seats were reserved for family, friends and firefighters. With expected numbers of more than 6,000, the screens ensured that all those in attendance could still see the service. Several television stations broadcast the ceremony live.
Security was tight, given the vice-president’s attendance, but everything was well organized and flowed quickly. An honour guard from Prescott Fire, as well as a combined guard and massed pipes and drums from across North America had come together and were completing last-minute preparations.
Entering the arena, we walked by the stage and saw a powerful sight: 19 portraits of the fallen members stretched across the stage. In front of the portraits were 19 pairs of boots, equipment packs and helmets with the Granite Mountain Hot Shots logo on them. The speakers and dignitaries entered the stage and took their places. The Greater Arizona Congress choir began to sing, and throughout the ceremony would provide music at appropriate times.
Seating on the floor was reserved for the families, with the section up front reserved for the Prescott Fire Department. The fire department members and past members of the Hot Shots were led in and seated, and the service began.
Tim Hill, president of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona, was the ceremony’s emcee. Speakers included Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo; Division Chief Darrell Willis, who oversaw the Hot Shots; Prescott Mayor Kuykendall; Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer; and Vice-President Biden. Also in attendance were Sen. John McCain and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. All the speakers gave eloquent eulogies and paid tribute to the fallen, their families and those left behind.
Chief Fraijo and Division Chief Willis spoke very highly of their crew and did an excellent job with such a difficult task. However, the most powerful speaker was the single remaining member of the Hot Shots, Brendan McDonough.
The strength it took to stand on that stage is a tribute to the support McDonough received from those around him. I could not imagine the pain and grief McDonough must feel, some of which was apparent when he read the Hot Shots Prayer, then said, “I really miss my brothers.”
Biden delivered a strong and clearly heartfelt speech, explaining that as unbelievable as it may sound, “the day will come when the memory of your husband, son, dad or brother will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye.” Biden spoke from personal experience as his first wife and daughter were killed in a vehicle crash, and his family endured a fire years ago.
With help from the honour guard, Prescott firefighters presented each family with an American flag, ceremonial pulaski and the Firefighters Medal of Honor. A musical tribute followed, showing a snapshot into the lives of the fallen 19. Images of the men working fires, spending time with family, as well as enoying some humorous moments, helped to share a sliver of who the 19 men were and how much they will be missed. This was followed with a military flyby with U.S. navy Harrier jets in the traditional missing-man formation.
Then, as is tradition, a bell rang out its melancholy sound across the
hushed arena, signalling the final alarm for each of the 19 fallen members. The pipers and drummers marched in and, after Taps, joined the choir, finishing with Amazing Grace.
The honour guard dismissed all of the firefighters in attendance and we lined the street in a sea of blue to salute each of the 19 families as their bus left the service.
The memorial was a humbling and amazing service that went off without a hitch. While more than 6,000 friends, family and firefighters attended indoors, many thousands more watched outside, including hundreds more fire and emergency services personnel; it was an incredible show of support that the people of Arizona demonstrated. This was also evident a few days before when thousands lined the streets as a procession of 19 hearses returned the fallen members to Prescott in preparation for the memorial. Walking back to the van, people thanked us for our service and passed along their condolences for the loss of the 19 firefighters.
Over the next few days, private services were held across the United States for the 19 fallen members. The fire service continued its duty to the fallen with members standing watch over them until their funeral. Numerous Arizona departments had done that from the day the remains arrived at the medical examiner’s until the crew members were laid to rest or until they left the state. Those who left were looked after by another department when they landed. Also, numerous departments sent apparatuses and staff to cover the Prescott firefighters and staff their stations, allowing them time to grieve.
It was a long day and one that left me emotionally drained, but I was honoured to have been a part of the service. We arrived safely back in Goodyear and got home to our own families.
A week later, my wife and I drove back through Prescott. We stopped at Station 7 where a memorial had started around the Hot Shots station. It was an incredible sight, with T-shirts, posters, flags, mementoes and notes from the families, citizens and firefighters from all over North America. We met a couple of retired captains and they took us over to Prescott Station 1 where we helped their charity for the families by buying some T-shirts. Peoria firefighters covered the station, with one Prescott member acting as a local guide.
We continued south and headed through Yarnell. The devastation was everywhere, with a large portion of the town lost. We stopped at a local business so we could help to support the townspeople; again, the owner found out I am a Canadian firefighter and we were welcomed with open arms. We were glad to be able to help someone who was directly affected by the fire. There is no doubt that the efforts of those who fought the Yarnell Hills fire, including the members of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots, helped to protect that business. This happened again at a roadside memorial at the entrance to Yarnell. Here we saw the location where the crew was overrun by the fire – a very powerful moment that required time to reflect.
I hope never to attend another LODD service, but I hope especially that our profession never sees another such large loss of firefighters. In the coming months, we will see reports on what occurred and whether or not there are lessons to be learned. We owe it to the 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots to learn from that tragic event so we can be safer doing what we do.
Robert Chatton has been active in the fire service for 25 years. He first joined the service as a volunteer firefighter with the Shawnigan Lake Fire Department on Vancouver Island in B.C. In 2006, he was hired as the assistant fire chief of training for the Pitt Meadows Fire Rescue Service, a composite department in lower mainland B.C. Contact Robert at rchatton@pittmeadows.bc.ca
By Tim Llewellyn
Aladder operations for short-staffed crews
s a fire instructor, I firmly believe that the fundamentals of firefighting operations should be mastered by each and every firefighter through a formal and recognized educational delivery system. After the essential skills are mastered, individuals can then broaden their skill sets by learning new techniques and adapting them to the realities they face on their actual day-to-day fire-ground environment. Such is the topic of this edition of Tim-Bits: ladders.
In our recruit schooling, we learn to place various sized ladders against buildings in teams of two, three or even four firefighters. We learn the beam raise and the flat raise, and how to identify and avoid aerial obstacles as we manoeuvre the ladders. All of these skills are taught with teamwork in mind – raise the ladder as a team, lower it as a team. This teamwork concept is great at instilling the basic mechanical steps of ladder placement; however, on an actual fire ground, there may not be enough firefighters to raise the ladder as a team. At every fire I have attended, there has never been enough boots on the ground to accomplish all of the tasks that need doing in the first 10 minutes of arrival. During those times of short staffing, firefighters must rely on their education and accomplish tasks safely and efficiently without unnecessarily taking firefighters away from other important fire-ground activities.
With all single-firefighter ladder carries, it is important to consider one’s physical health and strength. Ladders are heavy – if you cannot lift a ladder or have difficulty lifting, carrying or raising a ladder with a two-firefighter technique, single-firefighter ladder raises are not for you.
It is important to find and mark the balance points of the ladders. Typically, singlesection ladders and two-section ladders up to 8.5 metres (28 feet) are suitable for single-firefighter raises. Remove the ladder from the apparatus and, at the balance point, raise it to a shoulder carry position with the base section of the ladder against the body – this is the most effective way for one firefighter to carry a ladder (see photo 1).
For a single-firefighter ladder raise to a window, advance toward the building with the heels (or spurs) of the ladder in front of you, in the direction of travel. The object is to use the building, instead of another firefighter, to foot the ladder against the ground to permit safe raising. As you approach the building, check for overhead obstructions. With the ladder in the shoulder carry position, lean away from the ladder and lift it
from your body so that it levels to a flat position. At the same time, pick a spot one ladder-width to the left or the right of the target window and place the heels of the ladder at the bottom of the building where the ground and the wall meet. (A single-section ladder can be placed directly under the target window.) This corner will securely foot the ladder as it is raised (see photo 2). With
Continued on page 36
Photo 1: At the balance point of the ladder, raise it to a shoulder carry position with the base section of the ladder against the body; this is the most effective way for one firefighter to carry a ladder.
Photo 2: Place the heels of the ladder at the bottom of the building where the ground and the wall meet. This corner will securely foot the ladder as it is raised.
Cultural inspiration
Deciding what to put on a dinner plate to satisfy your family or friends can be a daunting task. Whether you are a well-seasoned chef or a beginning cook, sometimes you feel like you’ve exhausted every recipe in your comfort zone. It is in these times that we need to find a little inspiration from the community around us.
When trying to plan a menu, inspiration can come from an abundance of sources. A great place to start is working with our seasons and what is readily available during each time of year. In Canada, we are blessed to have four distinct seasons, each producing a different variation of crops and flavours. A visit to your local farmers market will surely put some dinner ideas in your head. Another source from which to draw inspiration is your own culture. Regardless of your background, you will likely feel comfortable cooking that type of cuisine. My grandmother’s classic French recipes are family treasures and always present a great and exciting challenge – especially when trying to perfect them the way Grandmamma would! There are endless Internet recipe collections available to lend a helping hand, but for the purpose of my recipes, I drew inspiration from my community.
Each city in which we live is famous for something – perhaps it is a local ingredient, an artisan or craft-produced product, a local farm or fishery, or even a famous community event. Here in Waterloo, Ont., we are surrounded by rich farmland and local producers, so inspiration is never far off. But during the month of October, every citizen in Waterloo becomes just a little bit German, as we celebrate the second largest Oktoberfest festival in the world. Ah, German inspiration! This event is highlighted in our community calendar each year, and creating a meal with Oktoberfest in mind is a great way to join the celebration. Think of what your favourite ingredients would be and use your own creative juices and personal background to create something totally unique.
Next time the worry of what to make for dinner creeps into your thoughts, take a look around your community or at Grandma’s cookbooks for a little inspiration. An answer to “What’s for dinner?” is likely right around the corner.
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
german potato salad wedges supreme
Ingredients:
• 1 ½ pounds russet potato, cut in wedges
• 1 ½ pounds sweet potato, cut in wedges
• ¼ cup green onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup dill pickles, coarsely chopped
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, coarsely chopped
• 2 tsp coarse sea salt
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tbsp
• 4 ounces slab bacon, cut in ½-inch pieces
• 3 tbsp German-style grainy mustard
• 1/3 cup white-wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2. Toss the potato wedges in two tablespoons of olive oil and season liberally with the coarse sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Put the potato wedges on a foil-lined baking tray and bake for about an hour, until the wedges are golden and crisp.
3. Meanwhile, put the olive oil and bacon pieces in a skillet, and set the skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring until the bacon has rendered its fat and starts to crisp, about five minutes. Whisk in the mustard and vinegar, and heat to a boil. Continue whisking until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Set aside.
4. When the potatoes are finished cooking, remove them from the oven. While they are still hot, pour the dressing all over the wedges. Sprinkle the green onion, pickles and hardboiled egg evenly over the wedges. Top with fresh parsley and season to taste with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Enjoy!
oktoberfest burger with beer-braised onions and apples
Ingredients:
Beer-braised onions and apples
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cups thinly sliced sweet onion
• 1 cup thinly sliced Granny Smith apples
• ½ cup very finely shredded red cabbage
• 2 tbsp whole grain Dijon mustard
• 1 tallboy can of Waterloo Dark lager
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. In a large sauté pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil.
2. Add the onions, apple and cabbage. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to coat. Sweat the mixture for about five minutes until the onions become soft and translucent.
3. Add the Dijon mustard and mix well. Turn up the heat to medium-high and add the beer. Allow the beer to come to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until the beer has almost completely evaporated, approximately 20 minutes. Season again to taste with salt and pepper and keep warm while you prepare the burgers.
4. Prepare the grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-high heat.
5. Combine the ground pork and bratwurst in a large bowl until combined, but do not overmix. Season with steak spice and seasoning salt.
6. Form the mixture into eight patties, each about four-inches in diameter
Fight Fires, not Paperwork
Ingredients: Oktoberfest burgers
• 2 pounds ground heritage pork
• 2 pounds bratwurst sausage, removed from the casing
• 1 tbsp steak spice
• ½ teaspoon seasoning salt, or to taste
• 1 cup real mayonnaise
• ¼ cup whole grain Dijon mustard
• Spiced gouda, shredded
• Spicy dill pickles, sliced thin
• 8 pretzel rolls, split and toasted or grilled
and one-inch thick, being careful not to pack the pork/sausage mixture too tightly.
7. Grill the burgers over high heat, rotating 45 degrees after a few minutes, and then flipping once after a few minutes longer. Allow burgers to sear a few minutes and then put them on the top rack of the grill, top with gouda and finish cooking with a closed grill lid over medium heat, about five minutes longer.
8. Combine the Dijon and mayonnaise in a small bowl and brush on the buns. Grill or heat the buns just until they become soft.
9. Assemble the burgers, starting with the buns and the burgers, add a heaping spoonful of beer braised onions and apples and finish with slices of spicy dill pickles. Don’t forget to grab the napkins!
10. Serve with German potato salad wedges, and of course, a cold Waterloo Dark! Enjoy!
the heels of the ladder in the ground/building corner, raise the ladder against the building with a hand-over-hand technique on the rungs. Once the ladder is firmly against the building, move the base of the ladder away from the wall to achieve a proper climbing angle by grasping rungs two and five. If the ladder needs to be extended, move the heel of the ladder away from the building approximately 30 centimetres. Now pull the halyard, hand-over-hand, to raise the ladder to the desired height. The tip of the ladder slides up the building as the halyard is pulled. Once the ladder is raised to the desired height, move the ladder into a proper climbing angle as described earlier by grasping rungs two and five and moving the bottom of the ladder away from the building. Now, the ladder can be rolled into the proper climbing position (with the fly out or away from the building) to the window. When rolling a ladder, be sure to keep your
feet wider than the ladder and control the ladder’s movement with both hands, keeping firm control throughout the movement to avoid any undesired motion (see photo 3).
This simple modification of a basic ladder-raise technique has proven to be a safe, time-saving technique. Like the more basic ladder skills, it requires practice in order to become proficient. Now, go practise these 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
Photo 3: When rolling a ladder, be sure to keep your feet wider than the ladder and control the ladder’s movement with both hands, keeping firm control throughout the movement to avoid any undesired motion.
Extended family at the fire hall
It has often been said that the fire department is like one big family, and you don’t have to look far to find stories of firefighters donating their time and energy to help out their communities.
Being a member of the fire department means you’re part of an extended family in which you share a bond with the people in your hall, but it also means that family extends far beyond the fire hall.
I know of firefighters from a neighbouring department who, during the course of a weekend, cleared, landscaped and fenced in a yard, and built a pergola and a patio for one of their own – actually the recipient of the good deeds isn’t on the department anymore, but will always be one of them.
“It was a gift to our son who has been struggling with vision issues and them knowing his vision could totally go at some point motivated them to make a safe haven to relax in,” the former firefighter’s wife told the local newspaper.
The brotherhood is another term often used to describe the ubiquitous culture of the fire department. I once penned a poem describing what the brotherhood means to me. It was written at a time during which I had transferred to another hall in my department, and was thankful for the casual way that I was accepted as one of the guys, rather than as an outsider. Last I saw, the poem was still hanging in that hall, which is kind of nice because I no longer have a copy of it.
If you’ve ever been to the Ontario Fire College in Gravenhurst, in the corner of the bar above the shuffleboard table is a poster size version of another poem I wrote, entitled “Our Calling.” Written after 9-11, that poem was another outpouring of my innards, if you will, on paper.
I admit to slight feelings of trepidation the first night that he came to training with me. As intermingled as our home and fire-hall lives may be, we still tend to keep them at arm’s length from one another.
We’d discussed him joining “my” hall a couple of times, but had always decided that being on two different departments was probably a good idea.”You have your hall, I have mine,” we would say, or “It’s good that we each have our own thing,” we would reason.
JeNNifer Mabee
Our fire-hall families are the ones we live with through the tough calls. . . and in some cases, also grow old with. . .
I refer to “the thread that connects us all,” which in the context of the poem, relates to the fire service as a whole, but that common thread can be used in reference to our at-home family, too.
Our immediate families are those we live with at home, with whom we have grown, and with whom we will grow old. Our fire-hall families are the ones we live with through the tough calls, grow with as firefighters, and in some cases, also will grow old with – evidence of which can be heard in the comments that start with, “Remember back in the day…”
And sometimes, the two families mix and you have family members who are part of the same fire-hall family. It’s not uncommon to find siblings, parents and their offspring, and/or couples on the same hall. One of our stations had a father, son, daughter and brother all on at the same time.
I even saw a post on Twitter recently in regard to a fire-hall wedding in a local volunteer department, which, quite honestly, doesn’t surprise me. We’ve had four couples on our department over the years, and I know of several other couples who share a common interest in the ’hood. I recently became one of those couples when my significant other joined my department.
Those sentiments took a back seat not long after we bought a house, three minutes from you-knowwho’s hall. It took about three months for the conversation to turn to, “I was thinking about talking to your chief . . .”
I had to look at the facts: 1) we’re close to the hall (his own hall is now about a 10-minute drive); 2) we need the manpower in our hall; and 3) he has 20 years in the fire service and knows his stuff. He has been on the hall for almost a month now. Together we have been on a medical call (he drove the truck, so I took command and he did patient care with another firefighter), an MVC (we arrived at the hall together but jumped in two different trucks – a fellow firefighter asked me if I was going to jump in the pumper with him and my response was, “No way, I’m getting in the back of the rescue. Truck’s not full yet.”), and two bush fires, including one at which he was in command.
Any initial concerns I had were quickly replaced by the realization that this is an opportunity for me to become a better firefighter; he knows the way I think and how I learn, and can help me with things that I find challenging.
I had questions about electronic governors – because our new truck has one. He dug out his pumpops videos from the course he taught and found one that would benefit me the most. When we had our training on the actual truck, it made a lot more sense because of the time we had spent at home discussing it. Benefits to me aside, our department was fortunate to have him join when he did. Three weeks after he joined, we had a storm roll through our area that required us to call in mutual aid from two neighbouring departments to help us with three simultaneous bush fires and a desperate need for manpower.
With tornado warnings for our area, I left work and went home to be with the kids. I was thankful that I was home with them, but I was also glad that one of us could still be on the fire calls helping out.
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
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