In only four hours, 50 firefighters can receive their required annual live fire drill that includes a search drill. Departments are able to share the cost of a half day at HAMMER. Sharing the cost between several fire departments keeps prices per student low and keeps departments from depleting staff in their response areas.
HAMMER supplies air packs for those without spare SCBAs; however, for those bringing their own packs, please bring at least one spare cylinder with you. HAMMER provides portable radios, thermo imagers, several jugs of drinking water and air support. HAMMER also will prepare a pre-burn plan, hazard analysis and operate the burn prop. HAMMER operates its burn props under the guidelines of NFPA 1403 standards for live fire training.
Participating fire departments are required to provide instructors and safety officers. HAMMER required one instructor minimum per five students working in the props. HAMMER also encourages the use of the passport system.
Burn Building Operations
Inside the burn building, trainees will work in teams of two on both the attack line and the backup line. The attack team will enter the first floor, extinguish the fire, rotate positions on the line, advance up the stairwell and extinguish the second fire. The attack team will then back out and proceed to rehab. The backup team will move to the attack line and another team rotates to the backup line. The scenario normally runs about 24 students per hour. The attack team should remain in rehab for 15 minutes and then move on to the SCBA building.
SCBA Operations
In the SCBA building, trainees will work in teams of two with one team starting on the first floor and negotiate a maze with several obstacles. The team will eventually exit out the same door they came in. The second team will start on the second floor, go through the maze and enter the apartment area. The team will exit out the same door they entered. The search drill should take 15-20 minutes per team. Other teams can start on each floor in 10-minute intervals. After each team completes a rotation, they need to proceed to rehab. Teams need to remain in rehab for 15 minutes and move to the burn building. The number of students per hour depends on a variety of factors. If time allows, anyone wanting more time In the SCBA or burn building may request additional time through the lead instructor.
The total cost for the day is $2,100. The cost for 50 firefighters is only $42 per firefighter. These rates are effective until the end of September 2013.
Contacts:
Scott Jones, 509-952-2868, Scott_D_Jones@rl.gov
Todd Ofsthun, 509-373-2983, Todd_W_Ofsthun@rl.gov