As the forcible entry and nozzle teams ascend to the second floor, they are met with a heavy smoke condition.  As they near this apartment, heavy smoke and fire are pushing from the cracks in the door shown above.  The paint is peeling, the top one third of the door glowing and distorted.  Time to go to work!

Destroying the integrity of this door during a forcible entry operation will certainly spell disaster for anyone (civilian or firefighter) operating or caught above the fire floor.  Many uninformed firefighters will opt to simply “bash” the door out of the frame (usually from the hinged side) with a sledge hammer/maul.  This technique is dangerous and unprofessional, and in many cases will not work!

If you are a firefighter that likes to “bash” the door in like a SWAT team, ask yourself these questions:

- What is the plan for door control if the engine is on a frozen/broken hydrant?
- What is the plan if the engine loses water?
- What is the plan if the fire cannot be controlled?

We are professionals, and our forcible entry operation should reflect as such:  This door (as should all doors) should be taken with the Irons, using conventional forcible entry techniques.  Gap the door, set the forks, and force the door ON THE LOCK SIDE.  Then CONTROL THE DOOR by grabbing the door with the Halligan or reaching in with a hook (pike pole) to close the door until a charged attack line is in position.  If any of the questions above surface during our operation, members can withdraw to the safety of the public hallway, and close the door until the problem is rectified, then resume the attack.

Note the cable wire (held in place in the ceiling corner by a plastic cover).  This plastic covering melts with very little exposure to heat, dropping the cable onto members entering/leaving the doorway below.

This photo shows two side-by-side doorways, typically both apartments will share the wall that runs between the doorways to an exterior wall.  A firefighter entering the right door to perform a search should know that there are probably no rooms on the left wall, and probably all of the rooms will be on the right wall.  The apartment on the left will most likely be a mirror image of the right apartment.

This fire was on the second floor of a 6 story brick apartment building.  Several civilians were trapped on the floors above, including 6 unconscious civilians (an entire family) that were trying to make their way to the roof, but were trapped behind a locked steel gate in the bulkhead.  The civilians were actually found by the first and second due Roof Firefighters performing a sweep of the bulkhead (after forcing the bulkhead door to vent). All six civilians survived.

Although some departments may not have H-types or 6 story apartment buildings, the rules above also apply to garden apartments, “Main Street type” apartment buildings or private houses converted to apartments.

Feel free to leave your comments or questions.

Wayne Benner (Port Colborne, Ontario FD) sent us this photo compilation video of several of our class photos taken from our website.  Wayne took our “Back to Basics” Engine & Ladder Company Operations class in Oakville, Ontario last year and has been in contact ever since.  Thanks Wayne, nice work!

In addition, there are two other conventional forcible entry videos uploaded to Youtube as well.  Feel free to subscribe to the Brotherhood Instructors, LLC Youtube channel, and you will be notified when other videos are posted.  We hope to post an Engine Operations video in the very near future.

Class Announcements:
We have several class announcements that we would like to make everyone aware of.  All class announcements are always posted on our “Upcoming Classes” page.

• July 6th-9th:  MABAS Division 10 (Western Chicago Suburbs):  3-hour Power Saw Operations discussion/demonstration
• July 26th:  Beeton, Ontario - Basic Forcible Entry Operations at FFAO Training Weekend
• August 21st & 22nd:  Frankfort, IL - ‘Back-to-Basics’ Engine & Ladder Company Operations (open enrollment)
• September 17th: Wildwood, NJ - Basic Forcible Entry Operations at the NJ State Firefighter’s Convention (open enrollment)
• September 19th: Centerville, MA - Basic Forcible Entry Operations (open enrollment)
• October 10th: Hughsonville, NY (Dutchess County) - Basic Forcible Entry Operations (open enrollment)

Past Classes:
Our “Past Classes” page has a new look.  Now all photos are uploaded and can be viewed as a slideshow instead of the multi-click that we used to have.  We are working to upload all of our classes to the new format.

Facebook Page:
The Brotherhood Instructors, LLC. Facebook page has nearly 400 members.  If you are a Facebook member, we invite you to join us.  All of our class announcements are posted in the form of events, class photos and videos are posted.  Facebook also allows the members who took the class to post their photos as well.  In addition, we have some quick-drill training videos, and discussions.

Youtube user Chasefire has come up with some excellent footage once again.  Here, we see footage as the first or second due ladder company arrives at the scene of a fire in an apartment building.  The footage is located on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hstF-UH3qg.

The first 1 minute, 30 seconds of video is simply the rig responding to the fire.  Trust me that it gets better at the 1:30 mark and the video (and ensuing discussion) will be well worth the wait.

Here are a few questions for discussion.  Feel free to copy/paste these questions, and answer them as you see fit as they pertain to your department and/or your observations.  If you would like, let us know what the response would be in your department and how many firefighters would be fighting this fire if it occurred in your town.

Engine Operations:

1) Ideally, where would the engine stop at this fire?  Why?
2) What type of stretch would you perform (pre-connect, reverse, forward, etc…)?  Why?
3) What size & length of attack line would you stretch?  Why?
4) Any other comments regarding engine considerations that may arise from the video?

Ladder Company Operations:

1) In your department, who conducts the searches and when?
2) At this fire, where would your members start to search? why?
3) If searching above, and there is a loss of water on the fire floor what may be your second means of egress?
4) Would you or your department ascend to the floor above without the protection of a hose line? Why?
5) Forcible Entry Considerations:  What special considerations may arise at a Motel, Hotel or Inn?
6) How would you ventilate this structure?  Who is doing it?  Where and when?
7) Are there any other comments regarding ladder company considerations that arise from the video?

Remember to keep this discussion a tactical discussion.  Brotherhood Instructors, LLC. pride ourselves in running a professional Online Drills area.  We are strictly moderated, and comments that simply bash a department’s or firefighter’s tactics (or any responses) will not be allowed and will not be posted.  Nate & Andrew will post their answers to the questions above and other discussion points on approximately April 10th.  Any and all levels of firefighters are encouraged to post and ask questions.

All posts MUST be signed with at least your first and last name
(we also prefer your department)

Facebook Users:  Join us on our new Brotherhood Instructors, LLC. Facebook page
Fire Engineering Training Community members:  Join us here

On September 13th and 14th, 2008, Brotherhood Instructors, LLC in conjunction with Andrew Brassard’s forcible entry training company conducted their first “Back to Basics - Hands On Training Weekend” at the Oakville, Ontario Fire Training Center.  This was Brotherhood Instructors, LLC. first international class.  Thirty-five members from departments in Canada and Upstate New York attended.

 Day #1 Rotations: Conventional Forcible Entry; VES; Conventional Search Tips & Techniques; Power Saw Forcible Entry; Forcing Entry from the Hinged-Side; Through-the-Lock Forcible Entry and Flat Roof Operations.

Day #2 Rotations: Nozzle & Back-up Firefighter Tips & Techniques & Utilizing a 2 1/2″ as an Attack Line;  Advancing the Initial Attack Line; Stretching from Static/Dead Loads; Well-hole & Rope Stretches; Estimating the Stretch & Engine Company Officer Responsibilities and Private Dwelling Fire Scenarios.

In our opinion, and judging by the class evaluations, this class was a huge success.  All of our instructors had an outstanding time and enjoyed teaching and learning from all of the members in attendance.

Brotherhood Instructors,
LLC. would like to thank everyone again for having us, extending your hospitality and your friendship to our guys during our 4-day stay!  Thanks again!

For more class photos, visit our “Past Classes” area: http://brotherhoodinstructors.com/photos/2008-09OakvilleCombinedOps/oakvillephotogallery.html

Contact us at info@brotherhoodinstructors.com if your department interested in scheduling or hosting a similar event.

How about a professional tactical discussion on building fires. Copy and paste the questions, then answer them on your reply. As always, no unsigned posts or posts that bash another’s tactics will be posted. If you cannot discuss this without bashing tactics, there are plenty of other websites that will allow you to. If you are a young firefighter, feel free to post your concerns or questions on how the guys are coming to their conclusions so you can learn as much as possible.

Your Department:

1. How many apparatus (what type/manpower) will arrive within five minutes of your arrival?
2. How many apparatus (what type/manpower will arrive within 10 minutes of your arrival?
3. How far away is your nearest mutual aid company and what is their manpower when they arrive?

Engine Company Operations:

1. What are your major concerns if arriving first due at this fire?
2. Where will you stretch your first attack line and why?
3. Where will you stretch your second attack line and why?
4. Will you need other lines, if so, how many and where?
5. Will you forward lay or reverse lay and why?
6. Will you call for additional help on arrival?
7. Any other Engine points that you would like to share?

Ladder Company Operations:

1. What are some major concerns if you are the first due ladder company at this fire?
2. What ladder company functions are needed immediately and how will you conduct them?
3. Is roof ventilation a primary concern at this fire?
4. How will you conduct ladder company operations if your department does not have a ladder truck?
5. How will you search this building?

Building Construction & Fire Conditions:

1. Is this a private dwelling or converted multiple dwelling and what are the concerns with each?
2. Where will the fire travel in the next 5 minutes and how will you stop it?
3. What type of construction do you expect and the hazards associated with construction?

**No unsigned posts**

**Copy & paste the questions & answer as you see fit**