ROBERT TUTTEROW

Every year at FDIC International, there are always new tools being introduced to the fire service.

However, this year the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) introduced a tool that all fire departments should use-and it's free! It is a tool that can be a "gateway" for additional firefighting equipment. It is called the "Vulnerability Assessment Program" (VAP) for fire departments. How is it a gateway tool? It could be a requirement for future grant applications, ISO ratings, and accreditation. Even if your department is not seeking grants, reducing or maintaining an ISO rating, or concerned about accreditation, the VAP is definitely worth the investment in time and can be used to justify funding and programs for a fire department.

Vulnerability Assessment Program

The VAP is targeted toward risk reduction to help fire departments identify their firefighter safety and health vulnerabilities. The program is an online tool and has a dedicated Web site: www.firevap.org. Basically, it is a survey departments can take to identify their shortcomings regarding firefighter health and safety. In addition to being a survey, the responses provide data and "actionable" information for a department to identify its needs and resources. The program generates a report that provides guidance in addressing the identified vulnerabilities.

Many departments may perceive the VAP as a waste of time and be reluctant to engage it. Or, there might be fear-a fear that identified shortcomings might find their way to the press. However, it is important to stress that no one but the department knows the results. The press will only find out if someone in the department informs them. It is important to note that the assessment is secure and protected by the department's unique password. On the other hand, it might be a good thing for the press to know. Public awareness can leverage funding to address documented needs. In my mind, that fear is akin to going to the doctor for a physical. Far too many people fail to get physicals because of what they might learn. Of course, shortcomings eventually emerge, and it is often too late. Fire departments may fear the known vulnerabilities could be used against them in a liability situation. On the contrary, what are the legal ramifications of failing to conduct the VAP? The VAP is designed to identify potential pitfalls that could lead to an LODD, injuries, lawsuits, and all of their associated costs.

Getting It Done

Fire departments should assign completing the assessment to someone (or a small group) who is very knowledgeable about the department. In some cases, it might be the fire chief, and the project should always involve the department's health and safety officer. Allot sufficient time to complete the survey. In addition to a brief profile of the department that must be completed, the survey requires answering almost 400 questions. To expedite the process, the assigned persons should gather information on the following (taken from the FAQs about the program): staffing levels, response capabilities, departmental policies, standard operating procedures, training, equipment, apparatus (age and condition), and personal protective equipment. There are also questions about the health and safety culture of the fire department as well as accountability.

Example

An example of a question asked in the survey is: "Does your department ensure all personnel responding in emergency vehicles are secured by seat belts or safety restraints in approved passenger compartments whi

BY STEVE GREEN

On December 12, 2014, the Southlake (TX) Fire Department, in cooperation with the Johnson County (TX) ESD1 Training Center, conducted a series of live fire experiments.

The following is a synopsis of what transpired during those live burns. This article is not meant to be a position paper on the use of compressed air foam systems (CAFS), nor does it prescribe one method of extinguishment over another. As always, follow your departmental guidelines regarding suppression techniques.

The What

CAFS is not a new piece of technology that just appeared on the fireground. In our area, we have had some departments actively deploying CAFS on the fireground for more than nine years. What is very much "up in the air" is its effective usage in urban environments here in the Metroplex area. The area known as the Metroplex encompasses Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Many departments have purchased these rigs and deployed them throughout their fleets. The manufacturers have been very good with initial training on operating the actual systems. There are also plenty of "experts" in the field of CAFS who are willing to come train your department. What is not standard nationwide is the acceptance of CAFS as an initial attack method. It is misunderstood and often not set up correctly-many apparatus operators are not familiar with the maintenance and upkeep of their systems. This altogether represents the higher costs often associated with the actual system. I have heard too many individuals comment that these systems are "a waste of money," that they are "glad it's out of service today," or comment that "we just need to stick with water." As with many "new" pieces of technology, training and experimentation are ways to overcome many of these misconceptions.

We could not acquire enough structures representative of construction found in the Metroplex. To be as realistic as possible, we acquired contemporary furnishings common to all jurisdictions. Mattresses, chairs, couches, and wood-component nightstands and dressers are very common products found in all bedrooms throughout the country. (Photos by author.)

The Idea

After the Southlake Fire Department acquired its newest engine, some members and I were flowing this apparatus in a parking lot during the spring of 2014. Not having used CAFS that much before, we found the results rather interesting. We had also borrowed a nozzle from another department to do some minimal testing. Afterward, we actually had more questions than answers. Basic operation of the system is easy, but the application results were different than when we used water. As a member of the Fire Instructors Association of North Texas (FIANT), I started contacting some of my other instructors about information, tactics, and so on as they related to CAFS. Now fast forward about three months to the summer of 2014. I put a study group together to evaluate the differences between CAFS and water. After about five to six months of planning, scheduling, and rescheduling, we managed, as a group, to get this done.

What We Were Burning

To be as realistic as possible, we could not acquire that many structures representative of