Challenges on the Modern Fireground

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Challenges on the Modern Fireground

We were eager to turn over one of our shows to the fine folks from FireRescue Magazine, who graciously hosted Firefighter NetCast at their booth along with Firefighter Nation at FDIC.  Without their assistance, our live programming from the exhibit hall would not have been possible.  This show was yet another gift to Firefighter NetCast, as it addressed the new and dynamic changes facing us all on what can be called the “modern fireground.”

This NetCast was taped live from the floor at FDIC 2010 on Friday, April 23 and features the following special guests:

Mike Kirby, Tim Sendelbach, Scott Shaw, and John Mitchell

Tim Sendelbach, Editor In Chief, FireRescue Magazine

Tim is a 23 – year student and educator of the fire & emergency services currently serving as Editor-in-Chief for FireRescue Magazine and President of TES² Training & Education Services in Savannah, Georgia. Tim is the immediate past president of the International Society of Fire Services Instructors (ISFSI) and has served as Chief of Training for Savannah (GA) Fire & Emergency Services, as Assistant Fire Chief in Missouri City, TX and as a Firefighter/Paramedic in Kansas City, KS. Tim has earned a Masters degree in Leadership from Bellevue University, B.S. degrees in Fire Administration and Arson, and an A.S. degree in Emergency Medical Care from Eastern Kentucky University.

Tim has also served as the editor of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) publication The Instructor, and as a contributing author to numerous other publications including: The Volunteer Voice, Firehouse.com Members Zone, National Fire & Rescue, The Atlantic Firefighter, and the Fire & Emergency Television Network (FETN) in which he is the writer/developer of the featured “SURVIVAL!” program. In addition to his numerous accomplishments as a writer, Tim has been a featured speaker in more than thirty U.S. states and six Canadian provinces.

Mike Kirby, Cincinnati Division of Fire, contributor to FireRescue Magazine

Mike Kirby has been associated with the fire service for 18 years. He has been a volunteer, part-time and career fire fighter at various locations throughout his career. Mike is currently a Captain for the Cincinnati Fire Department assigned to Engine Company 3. Mike has experience teaching various courses for other fire departments and at local colleges and technical schools. Mike spent 2 years teaching recruit and incumbent fire fighters at the Cincinnati Fire Department training academy. Mike currently provides instruction for Bowling Green State University, Butler Tech and the Cincinnati Fire Department.

Scott Shaw, Cincinnati Division of Fire, contributor to FireRescue Magazine

Scott Shaw has been active in the fire/rescue field for 20+ years. He has served as a volunteer Firefighter as well as a paid Firefighter, Training Officer, Captain, and Battalion Chief. He currently teaches for State Fire Rescue Training Area-14 and is a firefighter for the City of Cincinnati Fire/Rescue. As an instructor, Scott specializes in interior firefighting operations, firefighter survival and rescue, technical rescue, and vehicle/machinery extrication. He has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration.

As we begin our discussion, Mike addresses the new challenges we face as fires grow hotter more quickly than ever before.  Older buildings are being replaced by lightweight construction and the way we approach and attack theses fires must change as well.  Scott also reminds us that we need to constantly maintain a connection with our response area- paying attention to building construction and hazard identification every time we leave the station.

Tim describes the importance of support functions on the fireground.  While being on the nozzle has always been the best place to be in a burning building, the rest of our crews are busy performing those tasks necessary to run a safe and effective fireground.

Mike talks about the extensive use of the two mobile flashover trailers traveling throughout Kentucky in the absence of having a centralized place to receive statewide training.

Not surprisingly, the discussion flowed into situational awareness.  Remember the 20-minute rule?  That’s out the window in new lightweight construction once the fire has reached the trusses.  Now experts tell us there is NO good time to apply a rule for interior attack safety.

Changes in turnout gear need to be accompanied by new training so that firefighters know their limitations at the fire scene.  Much of our gear has been designed to protect us from the heat from the outside.  Now we’re seeing new designs targeted to releasing the heat given off by our bodies, thereby reducing heat stress.  As an aside, blackened and heat-scarred gear do not speak positively to your performance ability, but how you act on the fireground tells the story of who you are as a firefighter.  The way you take care of your gear is the way it will take care of you.

The show could have gone on for hours.  We hope to have each of these superb guests back with us in the future.

Here are some of the links addressed in this NetCast:

NIST

Fire.gov

NIOSH

FireRescue Magazine