Here is a basic louver cut on a standard roof. 

This video is just for people to get better idea of the time it actually takes to make a hole for vertical ventilation.  Notice the sounding technique plus the use of a tool to keep the sawyer aware of how close he is to the edge and working in safe areas without slowing the firefighter down.  This operation is fast and effective.  Ventilation is like any other event on the fireground, assess situation make a decision, complete the task and make sure what you did had the desired effect on the fire.

Safe operations come from being very good at your job, train every day.

Steep Roof Operations

This video shows the use of a roof ladder due to a steep roof (simulated). 

This video shows a way to actually work off a roof ladder in a safe and effective manner.
If the roof integrity is in question or the pitch is significant use this option.
A 4x4 hole is 16 square feet as is an 8x2 hole and a 7x3 hole is 21 square feet.

Steep Pitch operations

aggressive smoke conditions

Video link- http://youtu.be/S3Tw4FgKXXo

Look at the 4:18 mark when air is intorduced it flashes.  Just a good reminder for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Look at the smoke conditions gotta get it ventilated
The roof was compromised but was it still possible to work off a roof ladder with a technique where you lay down and reach the saw out never leaving the roof ladder? I will post a video of this soon it is cool works really well very safe.
We could also horizontally vent with or without an fan?  I would not put a fan in with attic fire personally.  Good discussion though.

Keep training and kicking but brothers

Hockey Puck Lock

Hockey Puck Lock

1) When you cut go two thirds back from the keyway.  Some people say cut behind the writing on the lock but I have seen locks that the writing was the wrong way.  So look for the lock and go two thirds back there is some play.  Look at the underside of the lock next time you see one there is some play in the cutting area.

2) Keep the saw at full rpms it is important. 

3) If there is a protective collar around the outside egde of the lock you can do a pie cut around the lock and bend it out of the way.  Next time I get a chance I will make a video of that.

Firefighter ventilation

Ladder 19 Ventilates video

1) Look at color of smoke, velocity, and equality of distribution throughout the eaves.

2) What is your roof construction?  People will automatically say I would or I would not have sent them to the roof.  I would say know the building construction in your still and beyond and make an informed decision.

3) What they did worked at the 3:00 mark you see the smoke lift out of the eaves and leave through the whole they cut.  Nice Work they lifted the heat off that engine company. 

4) Lets get out of the always and nevers.  Lets get educated to make good aggressive decisions.

Let me know what you think  

 

 

Through the Lock VS. Smashing Glass

 

 

 

The K tool is a great option this is just 1 video showing the speed with a little training we can gain access.  I have access to alot of locks for practice if anyone wants to see.  Remember structures settle if a door rubs or sticks while opening normally then you may have to take the pressure of that door by manually lifting up to take the weight off to manipulate the lock easier.

Great Fire Attack on Cookie Cutter Conditions

 

 

 

 

 

Notice the quick change in smoke color.  Look at the post flash conditions on the left with lack of smoke on the right signs of a compartmentalized fire.  These conditions call for Aggressive attack which is what they did good job Ft Worth. Let me Know what you Think..............

The PIG write up

Photos

Gear Test: Lonestar Axe’s Pig Hand Tool

Lonestar Axe’s Pig tool proves to be an ideal multi-use hand tool for various truck ops

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By Randy Frassetto
Published Tuesday, November 27, 2012 What do you get when you combine the functional attributes of a sledgehammer with those of flat- and pick-head axes? You get “the Pig,” a tool that’s advertised as “8 lbs. of total fireground domination.” Recently, I took this tool, which is produced by Lonestar Axe (www.lonestaraxellc.com), and put it through a number of tests to see if it lived up to the manufacturer’s claims.

The Pig’s claim to fame is that it can be used for forcible entry, ventilation and overhaul. It weighs 8 lbs., and can be purchased in handle lengths of 28, 32 or 36 inches. Each handle is made of fiberglass, and Lonestar offers customers the option of adding glow-in-the-dark technology, made by Fire Axe Inc., to the handle. The Pig also features a 4.5" pick on one end with grooves to hold a Halligan, and a flat portion on the opposite side that’s similar to the striking end of a flat-head axe.

First impressions are everything, and right away I could tell that the Pig is, simply put, a solid tool. The handle was mounted securely into the head, and the tool had a great feel to it; you could definitely tell that it was made to get down to business. The Pig is also well balanced, providing good momentum and a comfortable swing.

The first functional test involved taking the Pig to a roof to see if its functionality when completing vertical ventilation ops matched its good looks. We started by performing typical cutting operations. One common practice when cutting a roof is to use the striking side of a flat-head axe to avoid getting the cutting edge wedged into the cut. The Pig easily cut (read: bashed) through half-inch and three-quarter-inch OSB and plywood with asphalt shingles on top. The Pig’s blunt end, with a width of 1½ inches, kept the tool from getting caught, and the sheer weight of the head made the most of each swing.
Using the pick portion of the Pig, I was also able to easily penetrate a wood roof with built-up asphalt shingles. The 4½" pick portion is definitely thick enough to penetrate the decking and would be ideal in a residential setting where foam and/or insulation is attached to the roofing material.

Often on residential roofs, steep pitches require a footing device to be used to prevent the sawyer from losing traction on the roof. When it came to using the Pig for footing, the mass of the tool penetrated the OSB with ease, and the pick portion was long enough to offer a stable spot for the sawyer to place their foot without worrying about it coming loose.

For our next test, we wanted to see how the Pig performed on forcible entry tasks. I used obstacles commonly found on the fireground that could be forced using conventional forcible entry methods. The result: When married up with the Halligan, I found the Pig offers a smooth swing that carries enough force to drive the Halligan between the door and the jam.

When it comes to any tool designed to break things, one of the ultimate tests (and most fun) is putting it up against masonry walls commonly found in commercial and residential applications. I tested the Pig against masonry blocks and double-stacked bricks, and the Pig performed as expected, with the same breaching characteristics of an 8-lb. sledgehammer.

One nice feature of the Pig that isn’t offered on a sledgehammer is the ability to use the pick end to force open padlocks. The narrow pick on the Pig allows it to fit easily between the shackle and the case of the lock. In most tests, after finding the right fulcrum point, the lock broke just by using leverage on the Pig. When using locks built with more integrity, I was able to break the hasp with 1–2 strikes on the flat side of the Pig using another striking tool.

Another material we forced our way through (aka, smashed): drywall. When it comes to overhaul, firefighters are often faced with removing simple things, such as drywall, as well as more stubborn materials, such as lathe and plaster. To perform the overhaul test, I found some buildings that offered both modern and traditional materials to see how the Pig would function.

Needless to say, drywall wasn’t even close to being an obstacle for the Pig; it was like bringing a gun to a knife fight. In structures where drywall needs to be pulled for extensive overhaul, the Pig’s only downfall is that it may be just too much muscle and lead to early fatigue due to its weight.

Anyone who’s ever dealt with lathe and plaster knows that there’s absolutely nothing fun about it. Using the Pig for breaking plaster and pulling lathe made life a lot easier. The 32" handle made it compact enough to get good upward thrusts, and the heavy-duty weight of the head broke apart the plaster and fairly easily penetrated the lathe. Once I made a hole big enough to get the Pig’s head through, I was able to use the tool’s weight and momentum to my advantage, and, using the bottom part of the pick end, I pulled the remaining lathe and plaster downward. Once I created an even larger hole, I used a short, overhead, downward swing and the remaining ceiling dropped with ease.

Some of the most effective tools that have been around the longest in the fire service are simple, well-built and effective. The Pig meets all these criteria and I was really impressed with the tool.

And although I like more traditional coloring on a hand tool, the Fire Axe glow-in-the-dark technology worked exceptionally well; I was amazed at how quickly it recharged and how long it held a glow.

In short, the Pig is a low-maintenance, highly functional and practical tool that definitely has its place on the truck and purpose on the fireground.

Sidebar 1: The Pig Hand Tool
Pros

• Sturdy, secure construction
• Sledgehammer strength
• Functionality of a flat- or pick-head axe
• Well balanced
• Good swing, momentum
• Various handle lengths

Cons

• Too much muscle for pulling drywall, which can lead to early fatigue.

Sidebar 2
Lonestar Axe LLC
Tel: 512/689-6332
Web: www.lonestaraxellc.com

 

ROOF OPS

 

 

 

I was looking at this video and thought it could drum up some good topics to go over.

1) Obvious attic fire look at all the windows and read the smoke.

2) Multiple holes vs. 1 hole  I do believe you draw fire to unburned areas if you open multiple holes.
    Although it is necessary sometimes ie. a cut up house.  What are your thoughts?
3) Multiple ladders in place and they are easily visible.

All in all truckies removing smoke engine guys lines deployed getting it knocked down :)

Double Horseshoe Rescue Technique

Check out this down firefighter rescue technique.  We tryed it before works well.
Look at technique on sounding the floor
This is not everyday but a tool for the box let me know what you think.