I want to keep the firehouse up to date with their monthly drills for the kitchen table.  Perhaps someone will print this one and throw it on the table as well!

This is a cross-post from our Facebook page.  If you haven’t added yourself to our Facebook page, feel free to follow the link and add yourself.  There are several other daily/weekly drills that are posted there in addition to class photos and upcoming classes.

This photo provides a great overview of operations in a commercial-type warehouse. Several points of discussion are present:

- The roll-down gate was able to be raised without defeating it, most likely with this type of door, it was raised by using the chain inside the building. The door must be secured open in case of failure, and since this is a large door for a vehicle, conventional methods are not useful. Here a ladder company has used a 24′ portable ladder to assure that the door does not drop down pinching hose lines and trapping members. This is a very simple solution to an often overlooked and very dangerous issue.

- A heavy fire condition in the building with little or no smoke showing from the doorway. This indicates that vertical ventilation is working well, or that the ceilings are of very high and heat and smoke is building up drastically. Communication with members operating on the roof is paramount.

Members must be EXTREMELY AWARE of this build-up. In the photo, visibility is great, even near the fire area. This “false-sense of security” can lure members into trap-like conditions. Once the ceiling reaches the correct temperature, roll-over will occur and fire will rapidly drop down on the members and overwhelm hose lines (in some cases even 2 1/2″ hose lines). The only way to guard against this is by communication and awareness. Use thermal imaging cameras (also in the photo) and 2 1/2″ attack lines. The reach and “punch” of the stream will darken fire down well in advance of the nozzle team.

- The 10′ hook on the right side of the photo is also a must if ceilings must be pulled down. A member in this building with a 6′ hook is all but useless. As a rule, I will drop the 6′ hook and take a 10′ hook at most commercial fires. This will allow me to pull the multiple ceilings typically found in these old buildings. Don’t stop pulling until you’ve reached the roof boards. Sometimes, the 10′ hook can be used as a “thermometer” of sorts in the absence of a thermal imaging camera. You can extend the hook into the smoke above you, then lower it and CAREFULLY feel the head of the hook. This may give you an idea of the conditions above you if you cannot “see” them with a TIC. This will keep you from getting too deep, too fast and getting into trouble.

- A search rope is also present on a few members in this photo. Remember to secure the search rope on the EXTERIOR (parking meter, street light, rig, car, etc…) of the building regardless of conditions inside the building as you enter. Although clear in the building presently, if conditions deteriorate, you want the search line to bring you back to the street, NOT 20′ inside the door, which is now banked down to the floor and you have to “guess” the rest of the way.

- Water run-off: In this photo there is a single 2 1/2″ attack line flowing 250-300 gallons per minute. The trickle of water coming out of the overhead door is not nearly the amount of water being poured into the building. Perhaps it is going to a harmless point in the building, a drain, the basement, out another door due to the natural slope, etc…

What if it is not running off harmlessly? In this case it was being soaked into all of those pallets filled with antique furniture and other combustible and “sponge-like” items. Those items were stacked floor to ceiling, across TWO FLOORS of this 300×300 warehouse. Simple math: 250gpms at 8lbs per gallon = 2,000lbs (or 1 TON) of water per minute PER HOSE LINE! There were at least 8 attack lines on this fire during the offensive stage. That doesn’t even account for the floor load already present.

ALWAYS watch the water run-off. If it is going in, and not coming out it is going somewhere. This is equally important during exterior operations while utilizing master streams. After the bulk of the fire has been knocked down, the tendency is to enter the building to extinguish stubborn pockets of fire. The video below illustrates why that may not be such a good idea if the building is not allowing the water to run-off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SUuBXRQyXk

In the video above in Midtown Manhattan serves as a great purpose for watching water run off. D/C Vincent Dunn had command of this fire, and would not allow members to enter the building to extinguish pockets of fire. At :53 seconds, you will see his reasoning.  The early video of the fire, you see no run-off even though several tower ladders throw TONS of water per minute into the building. If you listen to the video, the building was FILLED FLOOR TO CEILING with shoe boxes (excellent sponges).  They flowed water via master streams for ELEVEN hours.  Listen closely to the audio at 1:50 as well. “Engineers” declared this building “structurally stable” 3hrs before the collapse.

Feel free to jump in with any comments or questions.  I also want to extend a warm welcome to the members of the firehouse that are keeping up with the current events of Brotherhood Instructors, LLC.  ;-)

Stay safe,

Nate DeMarse
Brotherhood Instructors, LLC.
ndemarse.broinstructors@gmail.com

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

This flyer was created to explain a few of the tips, techniques and tasks that the members of your department will receive when Brotherhood Instructors, LLC conducts an 8-hour class at your department.  All of the needed information is on the flyer below (click the photo for a larger pdf).  At the “Basic Forcible Entry Operations” level class we also discuss roll-down gates and demonstrate methods for defeating slide-bolt locks.

Up to 40 members trained per day, no enrollment or payment worries on your end AND………….

EVERYONE performs ALL of these tasks!

Hosting an open-enrollment class for your mutual aid organization, chief’s association or region has NEVER been so EASY!

Contact us at info@brotherhoodinstructors.com for more information on hosting your class.  We can provide open-enrollment training for Forcible Entry, VES, Roof Operations, Search operations and Engine Company Operations.  *Now booking summer and fall 2009 dates.

For Facebook users, we invite you to join our “Brotherhood Instructors, LLC.” Facebook group.  We have over 210 members and counting.  We will post upcoming classes & enrollement information, class photos and more.  Welcome to the group!

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.

This past week we taught a basic skills class for the Ankeny, IA Fire Department. Information is as follows:

Title: Ladder Company Operations

Length: 4 hour Weekly Drill (repeated on second day)

Type: Hands-On, Acquired Structure

Topics: 4 Rotations: Vent Enter & Search, Conventional Forcible Entry, Flat Roof Operations, Peaked Roof Operations

Agencies: Ankeny, IA Fire Department

We had a great time and I think everyone learned a lot, including us! Thanks to the Ankeny, IA Fire Department for their attention, their eagerness to learn, their aggressive drilling habits and their hospitality. Truly a class act department.

Nationwide, there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the use of the trench cut. In this “Trench Cut” series, we will discuss the background of the trench cut and the specific types of structures for which it was designed. As with several concepts in the fire service, the trench cut has been adapted and is now being utilized on other building types. In some cases this adaptation may work. However, we will discuss specific building types where trench cuts may not be the answer to a successful outcome. In some cases, it may even hinder the operation by “distracting” essential resources which may be better utilized by attacking the fire where it is NOW, instead of backing off, writing off an entire portion of the building and stopping it LATER. This is especially true in departments where manpower issues are common or constant.

The trench cut itself is one component of an overall strategy. Simply cutting a trench in a roof will not stop a rapidly extending cockloft fire. Several other things must be coordinated for a successful operation. Other components include: Removing and accounting for members from the area that we are giving up, completely pulling the ceilings directly below the trench and stretching additional lines to key locations above and below the trench. The overall strategy will be briefly touched in this drill. In an upcoming drill, step-by-step considerations for trench cuts will be discussed from a roof firefighters perspective

As stated above, the trench cut is one component in an overall strategy. Trench cuts can be used to cut off a rapidly extending cockloft fire at a pinch point. The pinch point or throat could be defined as an area where a building narrows sufficiently to perform a successful operation before the fire can extend past that point. This designated pinch point must be far enough ahead of the advancing fire to allow the trench to be completed, but not so far away that too much of the building is given up needlessly.

The trench cut is a defensive tactic and should be viewed as cutting a “fire break” in the roof. Although, the opening will allow fire, smoke and gases to vent from the cockloft area, the trench is NOT intended to act as a ventilation opening. A large ventilation opening must be cut over the fire BEFORE starting a trench cut. Failure to provide this large ventilation opening over the fire will ALMOST ALWAYS result in the fire jumping the trench and extending into uninvolved areas. In fact, if a normal vertical ventilation opening is not provided and a trench is cut and pulled remote from the fire area, it will certainly cause the fire to extend towards the trench (a new ventilation opening/path of least resistance) and into the uninvolved area that you are working to save. Additionally, the large vertical ventilation cut will buy extra time that is needed to make your additional cuts for the trench.

The trench cut was designed for buildings that have similar features as the examples below:

The first two photos are two different angles of the same building in the Bronx, NY. The arrows point to the throat where a trench could be cut relatively quickly to isolate the fire from the other wings. You can see how the narrowing of the building in the throat area would allow a trench cut to be placed with minimal effort and maximize the chances of cutting the fire off. The area where the arrows are pointing are 10-15 feet wide at their widest point. Keep these numbers in mind as you read further to other building types.

Here is another example using more recent building construction in a suburban setting:

This example in Westmont, IL has similar features as the building in the Bronx. While not a 6 story non-fireproof building, it does have it’s own version of a pronounced “wing” and a “throat” area.  A properly placed trench could be successful in this building.  This throat or pinch point is approximately 15 feet wide.

The trench cut was not intended to be used in these examples below:

This 1 story Class III strip mall/taxpayer measuring 150×50 is NOT a candidate for a trench cut. The likelihood of a trench cut being successful in this type of building is nearly nil. The features of this type of building do not provide a pinch point or throat area to successfully cut a trench. Lets discuss the tasks that MUST take place in order to cut a PROPER trench cut with a SUCCESSFUL outcome.

An initial ventilation hole measuring approximately 10′x10′ must be cut over the main body of fire. Most likely, with heavy fire conditions in the cockloft this cut should be extended to slow the lateral fire spread in the cockloft. Depending on the problems encountered, cutting and extending this initial ventilation opening could take several members operating two saws, five to fifteen minutes. To perform a trench cut correctly, this initial ventilation cut MUST be completed and therefore cannot be bypassed. At this point, we are approximately 15 - 20 minutes into the operation and we haven’t even started the trench.

To effectively cut a trench in this roof, you will have to cut the ENTIRE DEPTH of this building twice. This will equal 100 feet of linear cutting. Relief cuts every 3-5 feet along the trench will account for another 17 - 30 feet of cutting. Relief cuts are necessary so the roofing material can be pulled from the trench in pieces. To perform a trench cut operation CORRECTLY, the ceiling below must also be pulled so hose lines can be operated into the cockloft. The ceiling must be pulled from the front wall to the rear wall and ideally 2 to 3 bays wide (2 to 3 feet). That is approximately 150 square feet of ceiling that must be pulled. In old commercial buildings such as this, several ceilings including tin ceilings will severely hamper the operation. Manpower will also be needed to stretch and operate hose lines into the cockloft from above after the trench is pulled.

To summarize the numbers:

• Members on the roof will need to do approximately 130 feet of linear cutting (not including multiple inspection holes & the initial large ventilation hole).
• Members below will have to open up approximately 150 square feet of ceiling.
• Members are needed to stretch multiple lines above and below the trench (not including the lines that are needed to attack the main body of fire)

This operation will take far too long to perform and require more manpower than most departments are able to muster. Use your available resources to stretch and advance additional 2 1/2″ lines, pull ceilings and expand the initial ventilation cut to slow/stop the fire travel in the cockloft and extinguish the fire. A rapidly extending cockloft fire would almost certainly overrun any trench operation started on this type of building before it could be completed.

Another Trench Cut No-Go:

Garden apartment or townhouse type complexes such as this one in Westmont, IL are also NOT candidates for a trench operation. Although the middle area of the building is a more narrow than either end, it is still 60 feet deep (30 feet from the soffit to the peak). Once again, there is no “pinch point” or throat to successfully place a trench cut quickly to effectively cut off a rapidly extending fire. The same problems present themselves here as they did above. These problems include over 200 feet of linear cutting, pulling massive amounts of ceiling and the associated manpower issues. However, there are a couple of advantages to this building type. The roof deck will typically be constructed of plywood or OSB and will only have one or two layers of shingles present and the interior ceilings will most likely be constructed of sheetrock. However, these two advantages should NOT lead you to the conclusion that a trench cut operation should be conducted on this type of building.

If you are going to spend time cutting 200 feet of roofing material and pulling 150 square feet of ceiling, do it near the the seat of the fire! If placed strategically, you could essentially cut the ENTIRE roof off of the fire apartment. How’s that for a ventilation opening to stop the lateral spread of fire?

Some officers and firefighters will argue tooth and nail that trench cuts should be utilized on the building types discussed above. Some departments will say that they have been successful in stopping fires in these building types by utilizing a trench cut. I ask those members and those departments this question: How rapid is the fire REALLY extending if you are able to spend 30 minutes to CORRECTLY perform ALL of the tasks described above to utilize a trench cut to stop the fire? I will lay money on the probability that in the majority of the cases nationwide, where a trench cut was credited with saving the building, it was most likely the aggressive operations of the interior companies opening the ceilings and exposing the fire in the cockloft from below. These companies in some cases probably worked without a primary ventilation hole which exponentially complicated their tasks.  In most of those cases, the trench cut was probably not warranted but seemed to coincidentally “work-out”.

This drill summarizes when and where trench cuts may or may not be warranted. I wanted to touch on the background and concepts of trench cuts before diving straight in on the “how-to” steps of cutting one.

As always, I would like to hear your thoughts. Do you agree, disagree, have any comments to add? Jump in brothers!

When replying, please sign your posts with your first & last name.
NO UNSIGNED POSTS will be published.

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**

Flat Roof Ventilation

We all know that vertical ventilation is a key part in our goal for fire suppression, and an experienced roof firefighter and his training will determine the outcome of a safe and routine fire. I have said to myself before, “Why did I bother to cut up that tar-enclosed scuttle, when a skylight was 10 feet away?” Natural ventilation sources are quickest and fastest way to relieve heat and smoke on the upper floors of the fire. In fireproof & non-fireproof multiple dwellings, opening the roof bulkhead door (picture of a tenement bulkhead to the left) is your first choice for vertical ventilation. But let’s say you don’t have the tools, manpower, or experience in forcing an outward bulkhead door. Can we overlook the glass above the bulkhead found in the photos below? In photo #1, a bulkhead with a slanted overhead skylight may be, if not better a quicker way to help the crew below. If radio equipped, always let the Incident Commander or the inside teams know that initial roof ventilation has been performed or if access to the roof is delayed.

photo #1
Stepping Onto The Roof

It’s smoky, 3 a.m., and you are just about to step off the tip of an Aerial ladder onto a roof where the building is now on fire! Is the tip of the Aerial butting against a parapet wall, or no parapet at all (see photo #2)? You probably have practiced the dismounting of any ladder, whether it be portable or truck mounted, onto a roof during drill, but what about with tools (more than one), an SCBA, and gear fully bunkered up? The first thing to determine when getting to the roof and even before roof ventilation is: 1) Is this roof safe to walk on? and 2) If something goes wrong and the route I took to get up to the roof is gone (truck operator moved bucket, portables fell, or cut off by fire), what is my second way to get to safety? Possible secondary means of egress could be easily an adjoining building of safe roof heights, a rear fire escape (found in the photos 1 & 2), another ladder device, or last resort some type of personal rope system. Figure out early where you are going to tie-off before you have to tie-off. Don’t find yourself walking off the roof into a shaft if visibility is a concern and especially if there is no parapet walls. Probing with a tool in front of you, and walking on your hands and knees should enable you to navigate safely on a roof.

Roof Hazards
Additional roof hazards will be discussed in future posts, but I wanted to share with you some of these photos taken in Chinatown, NYC, where the buildings are over 100 years old and have been modified and altered beyond belief. Just the presence of cell phone sites on roofs create tripping, electrical, and health hazards (microwaves), and addition the hole you wanted to cut for a top floor fire, may not be easy anymore because of these high voltage electrical cables running on the roof’s ground surface. Anyway, if rear fire escapes are present, notifying the inside teams is important for their escape if something were to go wrong. Heavy machinery or dead loaded objects such as billboards and AC Units should be relayed to the Incident Commander. Poor wiring could introduce tripping hazards as well.

photo #2
Roof Size Up & Practice Questions
It’s a good habit to recognize these obstacles before anything is done on a roof, so pre-planning in your areas is important in the safety for yourself and your fellow firefighters. Anytime I look at a roof from another building below I size-up and label in my head what the pictures in this post display.

Discussing visual roof hazards right in front of you and asking the “new guy” where he would “open up” on a roof, could definitely help train and make someone new to what “we do” operate safely and get the job done.

Questions to ask “The New Guy”:
1) How would you get to this roof?
2) How else would you get to this roof?
3) If you can’t get to the roof, what are you going to say on the radio?
4) How else will you get off this roof?
5) What will you say on the radio when you get the bulkhead door?
6) What will you do after you get the bulkhead door open?
7) What will you say on the radio when their is fire extension (floor & exposure numbering)?
8) If you had to use your rope to bail off this roof where would you tie off, and where else?
9) If the fire was on the top floor, where are you going to cut a hole?
10) Is there anything dangerous on this roof that you think the Chief would like to know?
11) If you think everything was done on this roof, where are you going to drop down?
12) If you need help with something what are you going to tell the next guy up on this roof to do?