VentEnterSearch’s own Jimm Walsh will be presenting a full day Truck Company presentation in Colchester, Vermont on Saturday October 13, 2012. The day will include two of Jimm’s popular Truck Company presentations: Aggressive Truck Functions for a Safer Fireground and V.E.S. is not a Four Letter Word.
The Aggressive Truck Functions for a Safer Fireground component of the presentation discusses the importance of aggressive truck functions and their positive impact on fireground safety and how they contribute to the success of crews on the fireground.
The V.E.S. is not a Four Letter Word component of the presentation discusses the widely misunderstood and underutilized tactic of Vent, Enter, and Search. It covers why VES is actually the safest most effective way to search a building and how to utilize VES in a safe and efficient manner to maximize effectiveness on the fireground.
Please click here to download the flyer for additional information and registration information.
Why is it not a four letter word? Isolation is important and should be emphasised. The modern fire environment is reacting much more quickly to the air we are adding to it. I agree it’s a great tactic but can definatly be misused especially if we don’t control the flow paths.
VEIS
Isolation and air flow control has always been an integral part and of VES as a tactic. This is nothing new. Interior size up and door control should be the first priority following entry.
Almost any documented VES-related close call identifies lack of door control (isolation) as a contributing factor to the issue that developed. You can find a number of them in the National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System. Here’s a link to a report written in the first person by the member who was injured: http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/googlemini2/h05-0000681.html If that link doesn’t work for you, the report number is 05-0000681.
The ATF investigation into the LODD of Baltimore County FF Mark Falkenhan showed definitive proof that isolation with as little as a hollow core door can create a tenable environment, even with flashover in the adjacent space. If you haven’t studied this very typical garden apartment fire, there are a number of resources available online, including a very detailed video produced by ATF. Kudos to Baltimore County FD for sharing their experience so openly!
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/162140
That being said, we don’t need to change the name of the tactic. We need to be teach and practice appropriately.
Pretty sure by saying not a “4” letter word its meant that VES is not a bad thing and is misunderstood and not used as much as it could be. I think you guys are taking it out of context. Every basic VES training has always taught controlling the door(At least that I have seen). Lets not argue over what the acronym should be but instead the proper use of a skill that’s being under utilized
The tactic has been employed for a long time. Back in the 1970s when Ladders 4 (the bible of FDNY PD ops by ladder companies) it standardized VES at private dwelling fires. At the time the fire environment was different much more natural fibers and slower developing fires. Now we have little time for any type of venting without imediate water application. Isolation is essential and must be a cornerstone and VEIS should now be considered a risky operation that should be used in a calculated manner. The OV position should go to someone who knows when not to enter based on reading the fire and smoke.