The long awaited first full length feature article is finally here! The first article discusses the importance of the extremely effective and often misunderstood fireground operation of vertical ventilation. We originally thought we were going to release our article on power saws, but we are still sorting through some of the technical data. In the meantime, click here to read Jeff Ponds’ take on “Why we do what we do.â€
28 thoughts on “Why We Do What We Do”
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Great post.
Welcome to the VentEnterSearch.com Ventilation series of articles. Why we do, what we do is the first article within the series. We hope that between this article and videos we have recommended you have began thinking more about this valuable tactic. As with any tactic it does have its time and place. One thing you must remember is VentEnterSearch.com does not support freelancing of any kind on the fire ground. It is essential that accountability and location of personnel must be maintained. It is also essential that coordination of tactics must take place. Interior crews not only need to be aware of tactics being utilized but also need to be prepared for changes in conditions do to the implementation of such tactics. Some of the tactics discussed on VentEnterSearch.com although basic in concept are very complex during operations. It is essential when utilizing such tactics you have a firm understanding and knowledge through both experience and training. For the newer members of the fire service as always we highly recommend learning from the senior members of your agency as well as the fire service to better prepares yourself for any operations. For our senior, experienced members we ask that you share and lead our newer members so that they may carry on the values, operations, traditions and tactics that have been instilled in us. Through your guidance we can continue this in a relatively safe and effective manner. ****** Please do not utilize tactics learned through our discussions in a manner not conducive to your departments operations. Use this information as evidence to make a positive change through the appropriate methods in place. Also do not attempt to operate outside of your experience and training. In many cases one mistake is the difference of life and tragic consequences.********* The next part of the series we will begin the tools and equipment most utilized during our roof operations. The first part deals with saws both rotary and chain, as well as their technical data. We hope you enjoy this series.-Jeff-
thanks for taking the time to make another great article.
Jeff Ponds, Thank you. I definitely learned a tremendous amount from this article and will be sharing it with my crew. This is a great site and looking forward to more articles so I can educate my self more.
Jeff, great job. page 15 was well put i could hear you getting fired up.
Why do we continue to teach strategies and tactics that are over 50 years old? Because THEY WORK!!!! Excellent post, keep up the good work!
JP,
I stand and bellow these words of praise – Kudos! Exceptional work and very well articulated. Hopefully, these articles will become a resource for our readers who desire these specific references of food for thought and not as an impetuously gospel.
Thanks, once again, my friend for sharing what matter to us all…Your passion for our profession.
Darrell
I looked at the pics before I read the article. I had some of the same questions. I still think the crew should have had another ladder thrown for egress if not two.
As I member of a small department that concentrates on public relations rather than stratedgy, training, and saving lives, I understand possibly overlooking this. Also, these may have been deployed (just on the wrong side).
All in all, this crew did an excelent job. Not quite textbook, but a great testament to what happens when “you do what you gatta do”.
As a member of a truck company, I gotta say, this is a great site and I applaude this particullar article. Am looking forward to the rest of it. I learned quite a bit from it and intend to use it in teaching our VERY young recruits. Good job!!
HOT DAMN!!!
Thanks for the great article and teaching tool.
Stay Safe
Great article!!! Keep up the good work.
I totally agree with Jason…If these tactics are not broke, lets quit trying to fix them!!! Stick with what works. Stay safe guys.
Killer article, Vertical venting is almost a lost art in the world of small department “Trengines”( Trucks that also operate as Engines depending on arrival). A good Company Officer with knowledge AND experience also helps for a safer operation…
Great Article !!! And to think alot of people still dont use Vertical vents
Excellent article! Very well stated facts, outstanding!!!
The basics rule,because… thay are basic!!
Thanks Bro, you really have no idea how many brothers you are helping with this site.
Mark
Exceptional job!!!Back to the BASICS. Thanks for this outstanding article and Thanks for sharing with your brothers and sisters. Be safe.
fun-duh-mentals……..fundamentals, it works, we can never forget them. Outstanding post, and pics of the fire behavior and smoke travel. stay low, look high….
Jeff, Great Job, Sir:) Looking forward to more in the series. I have been promoting this site extensively here in Columbus, so expect to see more of us here on your site. Back in Orlando in September, see you then.
Sean Harshaw
Columbus Division of Fire
Ladder Co. 28
Outstanding, Jeff! I will be sharing this article at the station tomorrow for what should be a great round table discussion. You said in May that you were going to be getting fired up soon…well, Kudos. Truck work is serious, so thanks for providing such a valuable platform for those of us who truly believe in “what we do”!!
Jeff,
Good article. My Dept.s’ vent tactics are heavily mirrored after the SoCal region, who I hear is well versed in chain saw vertical work. You hit it dead on as to why ‘we do what we do’. As a newcomer to the site I’ll tread lightly, but with good intent:
1)Another option to storing the chainsaw during roofwork, is to simply do a plunge cut after your hole and leave the saw, bar buried in it. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zugpQPYdMF8 for an example.
Excellent article. I only wish it were a few weeks early so I could have assigned it as reading for our Firefighter 1/2 Regional Academy.
I’d just point out for some of us reading here, that aggressive roof tactics (1st few minutes) are for when the fire is in the “A” or the top floor. Too often we see textbook roof vents for first floor fires where the smoke barely makes it to the hole.
Another quick question in regards to the window sill height: Can you better explain the intent of your comments regarding the bed height vs. sill height and which room you’d rather be in as a potential victims. I’m just afraid I’m missing a valuable point here.
Keep up the good work, this site is great!
Awesome article. As a newer member of my department of 450 persons, there are a small few who truely believe in this tactic. I believe that this article will help some of the newer officers who think that Verticle Vent. does not work change their minds. The pictures are very clear and show an obvious improvement in the top floor for smoke conditions. I will be giving this article to all of the probies who come and work with my Truck so they will have a better understanding of proper verticle vent. ops.
Thanks-
Great web site!
I completely agree with the vert vent mindset. This tactic has saved us property and more importantly FF injuries to be sure. I would like to get some feed back on using the 8 lb. flathead vs. power saw on a 9/12 or greater pitch roof. Unfortunatly we run with a 2 man truck co. until the medic unit arrives. This slows the outside vent team down due to the amount of equipment and ladders needed for the vert vent assignment. This is where the flathead comes into play. Stradeling the ridge and punching out several rafter bays, back towards your escape route, rather than using a saw off of the roof ladder and the haligan buried in the roof deck. I understand the speed advantages of the saw, but enjoy the balance/weight advantages of a flathead from the ridgepole, especially of a very steep or slippery roof. Anyone care to give their thoughts?
Jeff,
Check out the following article http://www.firetowntrainingspecialist.com/images/Doing_the_Mattson.pdf ..it might be another tool in the tool box for your truck.
Jeff, I understand the set back by not using the saw. At my department, we regularly train for what we call “2 vent verticle.” Meaning obviously that we use only two firefighters on the roof for vent. These two are referred to as the ladders team and are responsible for OSV ( outside vent ) not only vert but horizontal if chosen. The other two on the truck are the irons team and do force entry/search. I think that if you run with only two, why not atleast bring the saw with, in the event you run into a roof with multiple layers and the 8 lb. flathead isn’t enough. At least you have it with you. A quick and easy way to carry all of your tools is you and your partner carring the ladders stacked together with all your tools setting on the rungs, one of you at the tip and the other at the butt. Both of you distribute the weight and you will be able to carry all of your tools with you, weather you use them or not. Now all of the tools you might need for going to the roof are there and you won’t have to rely on the medic unit to bring over the other tools.
If only I could get my current department to recognize the usefulness of this particular tactic… we are only now coming up to realistic staffing- 3 and 4 man engines- and the culture still shies away from so many very effective methods. Until just before I was hired (last January) the engines were only staffed by 2 personnel with no volunteers for backup. So with fireground staffing at 7 personnel including IC and 2nd Alarms extremely discouraged, fire attack was really the only thing concentrated on unless someone reported a victim. While I dont think we can get much vertical ventilation going, I am praying we can start getting some dedicated search teams. Great article Jeff… thanks for spreading the word. Perhaps someone rankng from my department will read it and see the light.
Jeff,
What an outstanding article. I have worked with the same guys for many years on a truck company in Maryland. We are a very aggressive crew with a combined experience of about 100 years. We beat our heads on the wall regularly trying to convince people of all the things you discussed in your article. We were beginning to think we were out of focus with our aggressive ventilation practices. It is nice to see someone out there still understands this is a dangerous job only made more dangerous by complacency and laziness. Thanks for the breath of fresh air. The site has been great!
Stay Low and Vent Vent Vent!!!
Jeff, awsome job. This is well written with great photos to demonstrate your points. Thanks for sharing. Rick, Fire Academy
Very good article and there are some very educational items all over this web site!