Monthly Archives: April 2014

TACTICAL PROBLEM

Tactical Fire Problem – House Fire

This week a “bread and butter” fire that can be, and should be expected in your first due area.


1.) What is the quickest way to assist this self evacuated conscious and alert victim?

2.) Based upon this house, size, neighborhood do you expect this male occupant lives here alone? Can he tell you where other occupants “MIGHT” be found?

3.) Based upon the conditions shown, where do you believe the fire could be?

4.) What is the best tactic you could take with a small initial crew to improve this situation?

5.) How long will your department be on scene at this emergency?

Pete Lamb
Copyright 2014

Uncategorized

by the work one knows the workman.

By the work, one knows the workman.
Jean de la Fontaine

The above quote has a slightly different meaning for all that read it, but I will make some very direct fire service connections with it.

Ask yourself the following questions:

How are you looked at by your peers?

How are you looked at by your superiors?

How do you see yourself?

Answer the above honestly as the relate to you in the performance of your fire department duties whether paid or volunteer.

Do you report to work, drills, and details on time or are you either 1 minute before or always late. Persons that do not show up until 1 minute before shift change or any other event really tell a tale of their values and beliefs. Contrast this to someone who is there a few minutes early and communicates with others.

Are you the first or the last to volunteer for extra assignments? This also tells something about your work ethic and you as a person.

Are you the best at anything on your department?

The best pump operator, the best driver, the best rope rescue person, the best EMT or paramedic, the best dispatcher……..

The challenge for this week is an easy one. Take a picture of yourself mentally, pick a skill or position on your department, and strive to be the best at that particular skill or task. Or just be the most professional in general behavior.(Good attendance, promptness,appearance etc..)

As you raise your level of skill, and apply the mental commitment to whatever you choose, others on your department will begin to “recognize your work by the workman.”

Don’t become recognized as the slacker, door dancer, complainer, or the “one with the bad attitude.” Those things easily identify the workman also.

Let’s stop making the fire service a job, let’s work together and become “craftsmen” working at a craft.

The key to being a good “craftsmam” is training, diligence, and attention to detail. It is hard work, but our efforts will truly pay off.

Pete Lamb
Copyright 2014

PODCAST

Firefighter Training Podcast – Tactical Common Sense an interview with Bob Pressler

This week we take a look at what we are calling Tactical Common Sense. Bob has 40 years experience in the fire service from FDNY, to smaller departments and 20+ years as a national fire service instructor. I think that Bob simplifies many complex issues and talks about how to make things work for you in your department, and how to consider what is important on the fireground.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.

Pete Lamb
Copyright 2014

TACTICAL PROBLEM

Tactical Fire Problem – Colonial with victims

This week the tactical fire problem is a residential with possible victims.



1.) Using your own first due engine or first alarm assignment, explain how you deploy resources and personnel based on this scenario.

2.) What is the most likely room that the fire is showing in?

3.) What do the victims exterior tell us? What caused the father to be overcome? Is there anyone from the family missing?

4.) Are these victims….do they require immediate treatment by 2 medics (EMTS) or do you assign 1 for the two and commence primary search and fire attack?

5.) What size lines and where? What is your plan? Where is this fire going to go next?

Pete Lamb
Copyright 2014

Uncategorized

I am just asking why…….

This week I am just pondering a bunch of questions that all begin with the question …Why? Think about these, add your own, but most important stop and get your own answer to why.

Do firefighters think that their fire chief is different from them, when he has generally risen from the same ranks as they have and represent the same organization, while wearing the same uniform. Why can’t there be some recognition on the part of both parties?

Don’t we get outside of our organizations more often to get other points of view and training?

Do we think we should keep portions of our career that we love so much from our significant others in our lives?

Are we afraid to take chances, risks, or face changes?

Do we spend so much time thinking about what we don’t have versus the tremendous wonderful things that we do have…in our lives, jobs, departments?

Do firefighters feel they have to die and take unreasonable risks?

Are we so quick to criticize others?

Are so reluctant to take a hard look at ourselves?

Do we speak more than we listen?

Is training for firefighters not mandatory everywhere?

There is not more regionalization of fire departments?

Don’t we use class A Foam and additive agents more?

We beg for Better equipment and better gear and then bitch about using , or neglect to use both of them?

Aren’t more pumpers more standardized?

Do we have to kill 100 members every year?

Can’t labor and management form real working partnerships?

Can I see everyone else’s faults better than my own?

Must we speak badly about others?

Do we believe that technology will make us safer instead of changing our behavior?

Don’t we listen to the European Fire Service More?

Don’t we say thank you enough?

Are we so trendy? We have to try every idea that comes along.

I just had all of those questions bouncing around in my head, and I thought I would share them with you. If anybody has any good answers to any I would be interested in hearing them.

Pete Lamb
Copyright 2014