In this series, Fire Engineering Senior Editor Mary Jane Dittmar looks at the things that motivated and inspired instructors to present on their topics at FDIC International 2016. Segments will be posted on a regular basis up to and through the conference, April 18-23.

Mark Gregory
Captain
Fire Department of New York

Man vs. Machinery: Are You Prepared?

I chose the topic of ‘Man vs. Machinery’ because it seemed to be an uncovered incident, yet it was occurring all across the country in both the rural and urban settings. First responders were receiving these calls, and some did not have any training on which they could fall back on to enhance their on-scene performance. The selection of tools and some of the adaptations we introduce offer rescuers more tools in their toolbox to get the job done.

The class introduces a ‘simple approach.’ Not all technical rescues need to be technical. If we simply slow down and look at the big picture, we can usually come up with a solution.  I use this same approach at work and emphasize to our students that if we stick to basics, our training and mindset will usually guide us toward productive solutions.

We receive a tremendous amount of feedback from the program. Our techniques have been used across the country and Canada to effectively assist victims who have become entangled in some pretty crazy incidents. The Internet offers many different solutions to a variety of entrapments. The ‘Man vs. Machinery’ program is similar to the television show Myth Busters. We are not saying that the techniques many assume are gospel because they are on the worldwide Web are incorrect, but sometimes, there are more effective ways to get the job done. 

Many departments have asked for our assistance in creating kits to handle ‘Man vs. Machinery’ incidents. The FDIC HOT program allows students to interact with instructors, use the latest techniques available, and see demonstrations of various types of equipment and homemade fabrications to see if they are appropriate for use in their departments.

In this series, Fire Engineering Senior Editor Mary Jane Dittmar looks at the things that motivated and inspired instructors to present on their topics at FDIC International 2016. Segments will be posted on a regular basis up to and through the conference, April 18-23.

Greg Jakubowski
Life Member and Past Deputy Fire/EMS Chief
Bryn Athyn Fire Co.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Firefighting Operations in Mega-Mansions

Generally, fire departments are prepared to handle fires in homes of 2,000 square feet or less; this is their bread and butter and considered by National Fire Protection Association standards as a ‘low-hazard’ occupancy.  However, major paradigm shifts are needed when faced with a fire in a home that is four, five, or 10 times the size of that ‘low hazard occupancy.’  More, larger homes are being built in the United States, and they are often being built with lightweight construction that has been proven to burn faster and hotter.

Recent fires in large homes have occurred in Maryland (six fatalities), Maryland (10 firefighter injuries), Connecticut ($10 million loss), Pennsylvania (19 bedrooms, $18 million loss), Ohio (10,000 square feet, $4 million loss), North Carolina ($3 million loss), New Jersey (four alarms), and California (eight bedrooms, $19 million home) among many others.  Most of these fires have presented serious challenges to firefighters. Chris Naum and I were discussing these challenges and realized that there was little training focusing on this emerging issue. We partnered to study the challenges, learn the lessons from the case studies, and apply best practices and lessons learned from these incidents and others to present a unique program to the international fire service.

We have recently begun to present these programs, and they have been well-received. We have been invited to present seminars on mega-mansion fires in a number of locations.  

In this series, Fire Engineering Senior Editor Mary Jane Dittmar looks at the things that motivated and inspired instructors to present on their topics at FDIC International 2016. Segments will be posted on a regular basis up to and through the conference, April 18-23.

Jerry Knapp
Firefighter/EMT
West Haverstraw (NY) Fire Department

Training Officer
Rockland County Fire Training Center
Pomona, New York

Aggressive Fire Attack at Modern House Fires

Early in my career, I learned how critically important house fires are and how most firefighters take them for granted as routine. However, when we study line-of-duty deaths (LODDs), we see that house fires account for many firefighter deaths and injuries on the fireground. In 1996, when we started doing flashover survival training in Rockland, I researched 35 case histories of firefighters caught in flashovers. Most of them were in house fires. Routine house fires are killing firefighters.

I have been at numerous residential fires and witnessed the evolution of house fires in my career. These are the fires that all fire departments face every day.  Often, there is little specific training on these costly and deadly house fires. It seemed critical that I put together a training program specific to residential fires while working as a training officer supporting 26 departments. Additionally, it became clear that houses have changed.  The 2½-story wood-frame house that was stick built with dimensional lumber is the source of our strategy and tactics. New homes are often modular or built with wooden I-joists, trusses, or other lightweight and nonfire resistive components.  As we have seen from LODD reports, applying traditional tactics to modern homes can be deadly.

My program at FDIC 16 focuses on recognizing that firefighters’ battlefield (homes) has changed dramatically, some old strategies may not apply to today’s house fires, and a practical way to include the latest research into fire departments standard operating procedures to improve fireground effectiveness and firefighter safety--and not throw out the baby with the bath water!

A common form of feedback I receive is an invitation to speak at attendees’ home departments or training venues on what was discussed in class.  

In this series, Fire Engineering Senior Editor Mary Jane Dittmar looks at the things that motivated and inspired instructors to present on their topics at FDIC International 2016. Segments will be posted on a regular basis up to and through the conference, April 18-23.

Samuel Hittle
Lieutenant
Wichita (KS) Fire Department

Forcible Energy Wins Are in the Details

I am passionate about forcible entry discussions centered on tactical concepts rather than statements. Although fire service statements are well-intentioned, practical to a relevant period, or specific to an application, time and modernization tend to diminish their applicability. If we understand the premise on which these statements were fashioned; however, we can make conceptual adjustments and exercise functional flexibility when confronted with unusual and formidable opponents.

The most significant feedback from this class has included other instructors reaching out for slides or information they can share within their sphere of influence. That is really what FDIC International is about, sharing with one another so we all walk away better able to respond.