February 2012

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Firerescue Magazine
February 2012
February 2012 Issue

Company Officer Development

Company Officer Leadership Must-Haves

Stephen Marsar discusses the challenges of being a company officer and offers a list of important items every company officer must keep in mind if they want to succeed, both on the fireground and off.

By Stephen Marsar

In-Depth Extrication

The Wheel Chock Experiment

Wheel chocks are a key element to extrication operations, as they help create a safer environment for everyone on scene. Here, Les Baker offers tips for using wheel chocks and also explains an informal experiment his department’s recruit class did to prove wheel chocks’ worth.

By Les Baker

Quick Drills

A Closer Look at LUNAR

Being able to communicate effectively during a mayday situation could mean the difference between life and death. Homer Robertson reviews the well-known acronym LUNAR to reinforce the basic information firefighters must convey when calling a mayday.

By Homer Robertson

Ernest Mitchell Jr. was appointed the new Fire Administrator in November 2011.Photo Courtesy IAFC

TNT (Tools News Techniques)

Meet the New Fire Administrator

Jane Jerrard interviews Ernie Mitchell, the new U.S. Fire Administrator, on his background, his leadership advice, the challenges ahead and his goals while in office.

By Jane Jerrard Ernest Mitchell Jr., Ernie Mitchell, U.S. Fire Administrator, USFA

Nozzlehead

Chief and Company Officer Roles on the Fireground

When a reader writes to Nozzlehead, asking his opinion about the appropriate roles for chiefs and company officers on the fireground, Nozzlehead explains that when chiefs “flip-flop” roles and company officers “abandon” their crews to fill command-level roles, they can create unnecessary risks and predictably bad outcomes.

By Nozzlehead fireground roles

The Mariaville Fire Department’s 2010 mini water-supply unit is manufactured by Swab Wagon Company on a Ford-550 chassis. Photos Courtesy Swab

Apparatus Ideas

Swab Builds a Powerful Mini-Pumper for the Mariaville Fire Department

When the Mariaville Fire Department (MFD), located in Patterson, N.Y., decided to replace an older mini-pumper, they chose Swab Wagon Company to seal the deal.

By Bob Vaccaro drafting, Mariaville Fire Department, mini-pumper, Swab Wagon, water delivery

The effects of car fires inside parking garages can be magnified due to trapped smoke, which limits visibility, and you may not be able to safely attack from the four corner angles of the car due to its location and adjacent cars, columns or walls. Photo Bill Tompkins

Fire Attack

Fighting Vehicle Fires in Parking Garages

Mike Kirby and Tom Lakamp outline many variables involved in fighting a car fire in a parking garage. They then discuss the multiple tactical options that engine crews have when fighting this type of fire and the pros and cons of each option.

By Mike Kirby Tom Lakamp car fires, parking garage fires, parking garages, parking structures, vehicle fires

The walls and roofs of Type 5 structures are made of combustible materials—most commonly wood. Both UL and NIST studies have found that Type 5 lightweight construction will fail within minutes of direct fire impingement. When confronted with a Type 5 structure, firefighters should sound the walls prior going to the rooftop. And whether operating on tile or asphalt rooftops, alternatives to rooftop ventilation should be considered if there is heavy attic involvement. Photo Tina Gianos

Truck Company Operations

Understanding Building Construction Types

Randy Frassetto breaks down the differences among the various types of building construction, offering tips about what tactics ladder crews should apply to each type.

By Randy Frassetto building construction, building types, type 1, type 2, type 3, type 4, type 5, ventilation

Near-Miss Reports

Unforeseen Forces on the Incident Scene

The incident scene is constantly evolving and, as such, incident commanders must conduct constant risk analysis to ensure scene safety. Here, Deputy Chief Tippett uses two near-miss reports to show how unforeseen forces can create dangerous conditions on the fireground, underscoring the importance of ICs maintaining situational awareness throughout the incident.

By John B. Tippett Jr. lightning, near-miss, risk management, scene safety, situational awareness

Emerging Leaders

The Need for Contextual Perspective in the Fire Service

Despite years of progress, the fire service continues to battle for status as a “profession.” Kevin Milan argues that this is in part because our personnel tend to focus on the 5% of our operations—fire response—rather than the things we do the other 95% of our time.

By Kevin Milan Company Officer Leadership Symposium, IAFC, officer development

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