A.R.F.F. - "Hot Drills"

ARFF stands for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting.

Had some very good Live Fire ARFF "Hot Drills" last week Friday, July 23, 2010 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, PA. It's the same fire fighting training I took part in doing last year, and actually one year ago today. I did a blog post on it last year and doing the same this year.

I had and took advantage of a training opportunity when it came up. Seemed there was an open spot on the team and I was able to attend this ARFF training with two great fire fighters Mike and Andy.

Venturing to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport for the live ARFF burns, the training we received was very good hands on training. Despite it being a rainy day. Actually, the rain keep it cooler and that was good when we were all suited up in PPE and SCBA because our bunker gear are very good in keeping the heat out but their very good at keeping heat inside the suit too on very hot & humid days.






















Our first training evolution we were on as the ARFF rescue team. The three of us went in with the attack hose line team, with an ARFF vehicle backing us up after initial fire knock down. The attack hose line teams cleared a "rescue path" so rescue team performed rescue & egress of victims. The rescue team laddered the wing, opened the access wing door, made entry and performed rescued in the passenger portion of the simulator, as well as perform shut down of aircraft on the flight deck.























There are two hose line teams, one is for interior attack that goes into the aircraft to fight fire bu also to provide protection for the rescue team and passengers still on board. The second attack line team outside the aircraft is providing protection of keeping any fire away from the established "rescue path," while the ARFF vehicle is providing even more backup protection to the overall fire ground scene.

Everyone doing the training had a chance taking a turn to do rescue, attack hose lines, and ARFF vehicle operations giving everyone a chance at each important position for a fire fighting operation of this size.

Here's a a YouTube taken of one of the ARFF "Hot Drills" that took place that gives a good overview how it all takes place...


















All and all it was some very important training and knowledge gained by all who attended. To learn and practice in changing a dangerous fire environment to one that allows fire rescue to be performed is a priceless fire fighting skill to learn. It's a skill you don't want to use but when called to do so, being prepared is the key for any fire fighter. This train succeeded in doing so.

I think and everyone who attended, would agree that the fire fighters of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, PA. did a fantastic job hosting such a training event this year. Like to send out a special thanks to lead fire fighter Jack for watching all our backs during the fire ground training operations. Also Jack, the tortellini salad, during lunch break, was great as always! : )


(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.)

FiremanRich on AudioBoo: On The Porch

FiremanRich is now on audioBoo!

You can view or I should say listen over at...

http://audioboo.fm/FiremanRich


I came across audioBoo after viewing YouTuber Barry Aldridge talk about it and he has a collection of his own audioBoos to which I listen to. You can also follow Barry Aldridge on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/BarryAldridge and he is well worth following on the YouTube front.

Now you can only get 5 minutes of record time at a time, and I think that's more then enough for me to say or state something in a web base audio format. Any more then 5 minutes I think one could always get a blogtalkradio account and broadcast that way. I don't plan on doing the blogtalkradio bit but I do listen to them. To see what a blogtalkradio web base audio format for longer then 5 minutes is like you can check out Firefighter Netcast which I join online when I can. When I can't join I always follow up with the recording that are done and I do have a portal to Firefighter NetCast over on the right side column. Their on iTunes also.

The Firefighter Netcast Crew of Rhett Fleitz and John Mitchell over at http://www.firefighternetcast.com/ do a very good set of blogtalkradio broadcasts on news, information, and opinion concerning fire fighting issues. If your in the fire fighting field these podcasts are well worth the time to listen to.

So here is my 2nd audioBoo which will give you an idea what one is. . .



The audioBoo in this TFPFP blog post is my secound one and in my first, which was that first "Test"one, I mentioned of how I haven't seen any real types of online reviews of this web audio platform. I thought even that Internet Guru Chris Pirillo of http://chris.pirillo.com/ hadn't done a review when he actually did post a great YouTube concerning audioBoo. . .



Now, I'm still on Twitter where you can follow me @FiremanRich of course along with a cast of others, there's the TFPFP YouTube channel with some future videos are in the works, and I do have the TFPFP Blog here. Some very nice web base platforms and tools to keep all informed on Fire Protection and Fire Prevention matters. I just think it's neat to be able to provide alittle audio via audioBoo now is I choose to do so in a blog post.

If you haven't checked out audioBoo I recommend that you do so. Even if you just listen to the huge collection that are on the web page again at http://audioboo.fm/ you expand your online knowledge of thing.

"Audioboo. Because sound is social."

(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.)

Today is “National Pet Fire Safety Day”

The American Kennel Club, ADT Security Services and the National Volunteer Fire Council are all teaming up to help reduce the number of pets which are affected in home fires each year. These agencies will be distributing free static window clings to area pet owners as well as spread awareness about how pets can start home fires and how to prevent them.

Home fires are the most common disaster and also the most preventable. According to the United States Fire Administration, an estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, and a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association shows that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets.

Tragically, the numbers of pets killed or injured in home fires are expected to rise this summer as more people spend time away from their homes, leaving pets all alone.



Fire departments across the country have partnered for this initiative to provide a free Pet Fire Safety Window Clings to everyone who wants one. There is a listing, by state, on the the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) Pet Fire Safety Day web page of fire departments that serve as distribution points for the window clings. Simply go to the closest location to get your free window cling. ADT is also distributing pet window clings that community members can put in their windows to alert rescuers as to the number and types of pets in the house. Pet Fire Safety Window Clings are also free, and can be ordered from www.adt.com/pets.

Affix a Pet Fire Safety Window Cling and write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to keep the number of pets listed on them updated.

Here are some fire safety tips to help educate pet owners on how to prevent their beloved pet from starting a fire, as well as how to keep their pets safe:

Prevent your pet from starting fires

• Extinguish open flames - Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.

• Remove stove knobs - Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house – a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.

• Invest in flameless candles – These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.

• Beware of water bowls on wooden decks – Do not leave a glass water bowl for your pet outside on a wooden deck. The sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it. Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead.

• Pet proof the home - Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as loose wires and other potential hazards.

Keep your pets safe

• Keep pets near entrances when away from home – When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.

• Secure young pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home, such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.

• Practice escape routes with pets – Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.

• Consider using monitored smoke detection services – As an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms, smoke detectors connected to a monitoring center help save pets who can’t escape when left home alone.

• Affix a pet alert window cling – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to keep the number of pets listed on them updated.


(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.)

Knowlege & Action In The Heat Of It!

With summer here, the 3 "H"(s) which are "Hazy, Hot, & Humid" are with us, so the heat is on! That means heat stress related issues are a great concern, none more so a concern than to fire fighters responding to fire calls with full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gear on when it's 90+ weather out.

Heat exhaustion may cause a person to faint, in which case the person should be placed in a cool, shaded area and then receive cold compresses applied to the forehead and body. Rehydrate a person suffering from heat exhaustion with tips from firefighter Captain Joe Bruni in this YouTube video on first aid and medical treatments:



Just like a runner has to pace the run or race he or she is doing, the same holds true with the fire fighter. There's always those fires that are "The Big One" that fire departments respond to and it seems that there's always a report of fire fighters being treated for heat exhaustion, especially on a very hot and humid day.

The weather has broke and it's a bit cooler then it was last week here in the North East, but that doesn't mean fire fighters should put their guard down where they won't get exhausted from the heat on the fire ground fighting fire. PPE has make great strides of improvements over the years in protecting the fire fighter, but the PPE that keeps the fire at bay also keeps and holds heat that builds up inside those bunker gear that are worn. When the outside temperature hits 90 plus with high humidity there really is a strain on the fire fighter to perform.

Pacing one's self and keeping hydrated with water is the key factor for the fire fighter when there's a long on going fire fighting operation during those Hot, Humid, & Hazy days.

A fire fighter needs to be on guard against heat stress. NFPA 1585 gives good guidance for fire fighters in preventing heat stress and rehabilitating on the fire scene on those hot days of summer.

Also to protect from heat stress and serious heat disorders as a fire fighter consider and do the following:

* Maintain a high level of aerobic fitness.

* Acclimate yourself to the increased heat by gradually increasing work time in the heat, taking care to replace fluids and resting as needed.

* Before work drink 1 to 2 cups of water, juice, or sport drink. Avoid excess coffee or other caffeine drinks.

* While working take several fluid breaks every hour, drinking 1 quart of fluid. Drink as much as you can during the lunch time during your shift.

* After work continue to replace fluid losses. Always drink more than you think you need.

* When on the job wear loose-fitting garments to enhance air movement. Wear cotton T-shirts and underwear to help sweat evaporate.

* Always train and work with a partner. Remind each other to drink lots of fluids and keep an eye on each other. If your partner suffers a heat disorder, start treatment immediately.

A summer fire can and will knock a fire fighter out of the fight if they aren't prepared as well as properly watching and looking for possible heat stress effects taking over the fire fighter. Even if a fire fighter is fully hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks, a fire fighter can sweat out all that's was taken from fluids in about 40 minutes or so.

Here's another good YouTube video showing how to recognize situations and different symptoms that can lead to heat stress and heat related illnesses:



All who are on the fire ground need to gauge the fatigue factor among the fire fighters battling the fire because more excited/energetic of the team may not have learn or know their limit of pushing to that heat stress point.

Signs of heat stress/exhaustion can be as simple as someone acting disorientated and has stopped sweating. If this happens then the affected fire fighter needs to get out of the heat and cool down. Any fire fighter that is dehydrated will become weak-legged and could make poor decisions that might cause unnecessary injury.

All fire fighters need to know their limit and train wisely to beat the heat on those hot days of the summer.

Ensure you drink that H2O on those "Hazy, Hot, & Humid" summer days.

(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.)