Chris Mc Loone

Hopefully you noticed this month's cover photo of a hands-on training (HOT) evolution at FDIC International 2015. Depicted in the photo are attendees participating in the Heavy Vehicle Extrication HOT evolution preparing to stabilize a fire apparatus.

It was sort of an impromptu component of the class. The truck was available, and there aren't many occasions when firefighters have a chance to practice extrication from a fire apparatus.

I'll be honest-I was pretty psyched when I heard the truck would be used during the final evolution. It fit perfectly with what the class was all about-the challenges of extrication from heavy vehicles like over-the-road trucks and tour buses. Although it goes without saying, extrications from these heavy vehicles bring unique challenges and, in many instances, unique equipment to the table. Part of what the class is all about is providing an opportunity to train on extrication from vehicles that are hard to come by. There aren't many, if any, training academies that have the resources to acquire heavy vehicles. So, the fire apparatus fit right in. It's a heavy vehicle, and it has a variety of different construction features we won't find in other heavy vehicles on the road.

Now, why was I so psyched? First, I haven't seen a fire apparatus cut apart during training, so what it would take to complete an extrication from this truck intrigued me. According to the instructors, the plan was to force the door, remove the door, clam shell the roof, and roll the dash. The instructors were hoping for a challenge. As one remarked to me, "I am an officer on an engine, and I sure hope that A post is difficult to cut." Second, I saw this as a whole new component to training that falls into the category of "saving our own."

Shortly before FDIC International 2015, an apparatus accident in Georgia seriously injured four firefighters. The apparatus in question left the roadway and hit a tree. One firefighter was trapped. How often do we drill on how and when to call a "Mayday," on self-rescue techniques, and on RIT? The one area we do not drill on is fire apparatus extrication. One reason is because we don't often come across available fire apparatus to use for such training. When we do, the apparatus, much like the vehicles we often use in training, does not feature the most recent construction or safety features. Pulling up on an apparatus accident with entrapment in the fire truck isn't that different than pulling up on an accident and realizing a friend is trapped in the car or, worse, a loved one. Emotions run high and, in many cases, we're looking at something we never figured we'd look at. Also, it's not like we have an automatic RIT dispatched whose sole purpose is to go in service if something goes wrong and we get involved in an accident.

But, as great as this opportunity was, I find myself troubled that it is so necessary today. We are crashing apparatus at an alarming rate for any number of reasons-some our fault, some not. Shortly before this writing, a tanker rolled over en route to an incident, but it wasn't until the end of the incident when an apparatus returning to the station discovered the accident. The crash resulted in a line-of-duty death. Imagine pulling up on that and what would be going through the crew's and officer's minds. How would you approach that vehicle if you're first on scene and you're an engine company?

Although it's sad that it has become so necessary, we must prepare through

Most employees feel frustrated, concerned, upset, or discouraged at some point during their work day. Why? Because they disagree with the boss, don’t support the suggestion of a colleague, or otherwise possess different views from the vocal majority. And yet almost none of these employees share their opinions in a way that gets results. They either clam up because they figure it’s politically unwise to disagree with the majority or the authority, or hold their differing opinions inside until they eventually blow a gasket. That is, they toggle from silence to violence. Neither method gets an idea out into the open where it can be made part of the collective view—and neither method helps improve working conditions or relationships.

Why do we routinely toggle from silence to violence? We go to silence because we dread crucial conversations. These are interactions where stakes are high, opinions differ, and emotions run strong.  We fear them because our past experience has taught us that if we’re both emotional and honest, bad things are likely to happen. So we go to silence. Better to let someone else speak his or her mind then risk our own reputation...

What image in your mind do you have of a leader? It was very clear what leadership looked like when George Washington was leading troops across the Delaware River. He was standing upright leaning into progress with eyes on the objective, one knee up braced for action, but with a sense of calmness. An early image of fire service leadership looks very much the same; recall Currier and Ives prints. All of them have scenes of action, a bent knee, and eyes on the objective, leaning into the task. In every multi company scene there is, a commander, bugle in hand, majestically pointing the way. These images indicate what fire service is very good at, coordination, where others see chaos. That coordination is that what is critical to our safety, the safety of the citizens we serve, and the quick solutions to progressing problems.

Today the image portrayed of fire service leadership is often from television; a chief officer with a white helmet, grey hair, and deep creases of character in his face, with a presence of calm competence. He is usually behind the main characters not part of the action but playing a role we all know the importance of.