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September 1, 2014

Safety First: Importance of Rehabilitation

In 2013, there were 97 on-duty Firefighter deaths, including 19 wildland Firefighters at the Yarnell Hill fire and nine Firefighter fatalities at the fertilizer plant explosion in Texas. In just these two major incidents, the country lost 28 Firefighters. However, notwithstanding the wildland fire and Texas explosion, sudden cardiac death continues to claim a major […]

September 1, 2014

Tricks of the Trade: Window Bars, Part 1 by Captain Michael Doda and Lt. Thomas M. Carrera

There are several ways for the “outside team” to remove standard window bars from a fire building. Standard window bars are best described as solid stock bars–usually iron– mounted to cover a window. They most likely are fastened to the window frame or brickwork on the outside of the building. A ladder company may have […]

September 1, 2014

Smart Venting Using the SA Cycle

Everybody goes! Phone alarm. Residential. First-due engine. First-due truck. Address is 123 Main Street…Male caller states fire on second floor…Multiple dwelling…Three and two on the Box! As members hear the housewatch shout out the ticket, they start their size-up. Going through their mental Rolodex, they think of all the buildings on that block, creating a […]

September 1, 2014

Trident Multi-Point Exit Lock

As security concerns over the years have increased, so have the various methods and devices used to secure buildings and property. Firefighters have become accustomed to seeing drop bars, Fox locks, multiple dead bolts and slide locks on the doors of taxpayers and other buildings. These devices pose a significant safety risk to Firefighters and […]

September 1, 2014

Bronx Hunts Point Market Four-Alarm Fire No Match for FDNY Members: The Command Channel

As an operation progresses and Sectors/Groups and/or Branches have been assigned, it is incumbent upon the Incident Commander (IC) to establish a Command Channel to effectively implement strategy, coordinate supervision and facilitate better control of the overall operation. Implementation of a Command Channel shall be established under the following conditions: Third alarm or greater Signals […]

September 1, 2014

Bronx Hunts Point Market Four-Alarm Fire No Match for FDNY Members

The 9×6 day tour in Bronx Battalion 3 started out rather uneventfully on November 20, 2013. The weather was seasonable and clear, with air temperatures in the low 40s and wind gusts in the 10- to 15-mph range. In this week before Thanksgiving, all signs indicated this day would be a pleasant and routine one. […]

September 1, 2014

Mill Structures–Their Features and Firefighting Operations, Part II

Editor’s Note: This second part of a two-part article focuses on firefighting operations at mill structures. Firefighting operations Fires in mill-constructed buildings pose a tremendous operational challenge. Firefighters must be prepared to engage heavy fire conditions. To fight fires in mill buildings effectively, two major concerns must be dealt with: 1. the large, open area […]

September 1, 2014

Safety First: Importance of Rehabilitation

In 2013, there were 97 on-duty Firefighter deaths, including 19 wildland Firefighters at the Yarnell Hill fire and nine Firefighter fatalities at the fertilizer plant explosion in Texas. In just these two major incidents, the country lost 28 Firefighters. However, notwithstanding the wildland fire and Texas explosion, sudden cardiac death continues to claim a major […]

September 1, 2014

Tricks of the Trade: Window Bars, Part 1 by Captain Michael Doda and Lt. Thomas M. Carrera

There are several ways for the “outside team” to remove standard window bars from a fire building. Standard window bars are best described as solid stock bars–usually iron– mounted to cover a window. They most likely are fastened to the window frame or brickwork on the outside of the building. A ladder company may have […]

September 1, 2014

Smart Venting Using the SA Cycle

Everybody goes! Phone alarm. Residential. First-due engine. First-due truck. Address is 123 Main Street…Male caller states fire on second floor…Multiple dwelling…Three and two on the Box! As members hear the housewatch shout out the ticket, they start their size-up. Going through their mental Rolodex, they think of all the buildings on that block, creating a […]

September 1, 2014

Trident Multi-Point Exit Lock

As security concerns over the years have increased, so have the various methods and devices used to secure buildings and property. Firefighters have become accustomed to seeing drop bars, Fox locks, multiple dead bolts and slide locks on the doors of taxpayers and other buildings. These devices pose a significant safety risk to Firefighters and […]

September 1, 2014

Bronx Hunts Point Market Four-Alarm Fire No Match for FDNY Members: The Command Channel

As an operation progresses and Sectors/Groups and/or Branches have been assigned, it is incumbent upon the Incident Commander (IC) to establish a Command Channel to effectively implement strategy, coordinate supervision and facilitate better control of the overall operation. Implementation of a Command Channel shall be established under the following conditions: Third alarm or greater Signals […]

September 1, 2014

Bronx Hunts Point Market Four-Alarm Fire No Match for FDNY Members

The 9×6 day tour in Bronx Battalion 3 started out rather uneventfully on November 20, 2013. The weather was seasonable and clear, with air temperatures in the low 40s and wind gusts in the 10- to 15-mph range. In this week before Thanksgiving, all signs indicated this day would be a pleasant and routine one. […]

September 1, 2014

Mill Structures–Their Features and Firefighting Operations, Part II

Editor’s Note: This second part of a two-part article focuses on firefighting operations at mill structures. Firefighting operations Fires in mill-constructed buildings pose a tremendous operational challenge. Firefighters must be prepared to engage heavy fire conditions. To fight fires in mill buildings effectively, two major concerns must be dealt with: 1. the large, open area […]