Firefighter Mark Falkenhan died in this fire. Here is an in-depth analysis of what happened. The first 2 parts show the fire simulation of how the fire spread and how events led to the mayday by Falkenhan. The 3rd video shows what we can do as firefighters to minimize the spread of fire based on our own actions. Every open door and window allows the fire to grow and spread. Even hollow core doors can significantly slow down a fires ability to spread. If you have been given the job to do a VES (vent enter search) remember to always close the door to the fire before your search since you have just given the fire a new avenue to spread.
Watch Part 1 and Part 2 if you want to see what happened that night in its entirety. If your time is limited though, definitely watch Part 3 (below) to watch what could have been done to prevent this mayday.
Work your failures out in training. The time for learning isn’t in the middle of a call. I would like to think that none of us makes mistakes on calls but that simply isn’t the case. Let others learn from your mistakes as well. This is a pretty good video.
Upon arrival, it is important to perform a full size-up of the situation and positioning of the vehicle(s) prior to committing the truck. Check out this video from AZ:
Few ideas: Chok two wheels, puncture the tires, wooden cribbing
OBJECTIVE:
The focus for this month’s training will be activities and skills required of a typical truck company at structure fires. Actual training will be in the form of classroom and basic skills; to be culminated by a formal academy class which will focus on the implementation of the skills learned and practiced during the previous departmental training.
SCHEDULE:
February 7, 14, and 19 => Classroom discussion of truck company responsibilities including: Ventilation, Forcible Entry, Search and Rescue, Salvage, and Overhaul. Practical application of the basic skills needed to perform these individual tasks by performing the following: primary and secondary searches, PPV set-up and operation, salvage cover deployment, and water shuttle and catch-all construction.
February 26-27 => Academy class taught at TCFD to build on the previously learned basic skills. The focus of the class will be the implementation of these tasks on the fire ground, strategic considerations for their use, and how the truck company fits into the overall mission accomplishment on the fire ground.