In my last blog article on "Exit Drills In The Home (E.D.I.T.H)” we went over emergency exit/egress from the home in the early stages of a fire situation. It’s basic simple information that every family and everyone should be aware of, know, and practice. Always be prepared and always have two exits out of any room you may be in.
For the fire fighter there is also survival tactics that deals with the immediately exiting/egress from a facility or home that may have to be used on a fire ground while a fire fighting operations are on going. Hopefully this situation may never happen, but if it does the fire fighter has to think clearly and quickly to immediately to execute as well as having a ladder in place to BAILOUT.
In rapidly deteriorating conditions, a properly performed head-first ladder bailout can be life saver. Here are some important fundamentals to prevent injuries during the procedure:
* Place the ladder at an angle less than 75 degrees to allow for greater control and prevent slipping
* Place the tip of the ladder just below the window sill so the exit area is kept open and the firefighter can keep low
* Exterior teams should position ladders on upper floor windows to provide alternate exit for interior companies in the event of an emergency
* Have a crew or member available to heel ladders or reposition ladders in the event the firefighter is in a window over from the ladder
* Communicate and listen; know where crews are operating and adjust accordingly
* Be proactive
* When training, make sure you use rated safety line and a rated safety harness assembly on the firefighter and inspect all ropes and harnesses in use prior to training
Here is a very good YouTube video from "Bellingham Fire: The FireFighter Basics Series" that shows how to perform a headfirst ground ladder bailout…
Another piece of equipment a firefighter for quick emergency egress bailout that can be use is the Personal Escape Device (PED) which is a rope bailout bag type system.
One such system is called the “RRG RIT NFPA Personal Escape System 60 Bail Out Bag.” This bail out bag system is designed to be a simple, quick and effective way to get out in a hurry. Fully pre-rigged and self contained, it fits on your SCBA belt with secure double fold belt loops. A mesh window allows air circulation and fast inspection of the 60 feet of 7.5mm High Heat Resistance/High Strength Personal Escape Rope (Certified to NFPA 1983, 2006 Edition by UL).
Another fire fighter PED that can be used that is fast, reliable means of egress from a burning multi-story structure is the “Petzl Personal Escape System”. A firefighter equipped with this system can quickly anchor the fire resistant rope with the hook or other anchoring device and move rapidly towards the point of exit.
Here is a YouTube video showing how a Personal Escape Device (PED) works…
For every response a fire fighter is on, you should have a general initial self size-up of the fire ground of what your able to do from your training. A fire fighter always must maintaining SCENE-SAFETY which is of the up most importance to accomplish the job that needs to be done on the fire ground. Knowing how to retreat and get the hell out if need be to fight another day is always a good option and the best when faced with it. The Ladder BailOut and use of the Personal Escape Device (PED) gives you that option.
Be Safe! : )
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
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