McGrail

Preparing for the Physical Demands of High-rise Operations

Of the quality nuggets I have acquired during my career, the one that has become an integral part of my everyday life, and certainly every work shift, is that of physical preparation. I am an average-size guy with average strength and cardiovascular fitness. In fact, I consider myself to be someone with plenty of room for improvement in both areas, especially as my age has started to catch up with me. In other words, I must maintain continual forward progress with my fitness routine, or I will lose a lot of ground. If I am not careful, with one Kelly Day or a good vacation taken sitting on my butt, am back to Square One.

Of the operations with which I have been involved, the two that always stick out in my mind as extremely demanding physically are high-rise operations and roof operations, especially those involving peaked roofs. Of course, there are countless operations that we as firefighters perform which require tremendous physical strength and endurance. However, for me peak roofs and high-rise work are at the top of the list.

Over the past ten years, I have been directly involved with the high-rise firefighting and standpipe operations training with the Denver Fire Department. One of the central themes associated with our training program is preparing our firefighters for building systems that fail. Most notably is the failure of elevators. Vincent Dunn, retired FDNY deputy chief and Fire Nuggets contributing author, has shared many of his countless experiences relating to high-rise operations. In his words, “Elevator operations are the most dangerous aspect of the high-rise operation.” This probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise to those firefighters who have been involved with high-rise operations and have witnessed elevator failures first hand. Unfortunately, many firefighters unaccustomed to the dangers associated with elevators might find themselves pushing the limit with their use of elevators as complacency and laziness sometimes rise to the surface.

If asked “Would you ever take an elevator to a reported fire floor?” most firefighters, company officers, and chief officers from across the country would likely respond “Absolutely not!” But the truly honest fire service professional has at one time or another either witnessed or been a part of “pushing the limit” when it comes to elevator safety. You know what I am talking about: the automatic alarm in “that building” in your first-in district that goes off everyday, sometimes numerous times. “We’ve been there before! It’s probably nothing.” Research of countless high-rise operations illustrate how the split-second decision to take an elevator has on many occasions been the first domino to fall on that tragic path to the death of countless firefighters.

Our high-rise training in Denver has taken it a step further. We have not only worked, and continue to work toward educating firefighters about the dangers associated with elevators, but we have taken positive steps to prepare our firefighters for Plan B. What is Plan B? Simple: walk up to the fire floor.

At this point, readers might be saying, "OK, easier said than done."

You’re absolutely right! That’s why we spend so many hours preparing for this operation by actually training inside a downtown Denver high-rise.

Over the past ten years, the DFD has been fortunate enough to establish and foster a positive relationship with the owners and management of a 44-story commercial high-rise building in the heart of downtown Denver. This building sets the stage for what has become a daily ritual of multiple fire companies and firefighters making the long and arduous trip from the lobby to floor 44. During several weekends throughout the year, probationary firefighters from the Denver Fire Department and the Rocky Mountain Fire Academy participate in what will be the most physically demanding component of their entire academy curriculum. Why? To prepare them for the worst case scenario, namely, that once-in-a-career incident that could be their last, if they’re not ready for it!

The academy recruits have the advantage of strong leadership and a strict regimen of physical conditioning. Some of the best fire officers and instructors in the American fire service lead the recruits and hold them accountable in the gym and while running laps on the drill ground. The key ingredient here is to instill in each probationary the self-discipline necessary to maintain ones own physical fitness throughout their 25-year career, long after the image of a drill instructor fades from their mind.

On the day of their hands-on high-rise/standpipe training, each team of recruit firefighters is required to complete the following drill:

The scenario involves a simulated fire on the 29^th floor of a 44-story commercial high-risebuilding. The elevators are out of service, or have been determined to be unsafe for firefighter use by the officer in command.

Each recruit must be in full personal protective equipment (PPE) including turnout coat, pants, helmet, etc., and equipped with an SCBA with a half-hour air cylinder. In addition to this, each recruit must be equipped with and carry the following equipment items:

One 50-foot section of 2½-inch hose, in the Denver high-rise Fold, loaded over the air cylinder on the SCBA in a horseshoe fashion.

One spare half-hour air cylinder.

One forcible-entry/exit tool.

One recruit carries the high-rise/standpipe equipment bag instead of a forcible-entry/exit tool.

Recruits open their coats, place gloves and hoods in pockets, and carry their helmets to reduce heat buildup during the climb.

Recruits are told to start out easy and increase the speed as they go. Arrival at staging on the 27^th floor within eight to nine minutes is the DFD standard. (In the most recent academy, spring of 2000, a team of recruits recorded a time in the seven minute range, an outstanding performance.)

After arrival at staging, recruits proceed to floor 28 (the floor below the fire) for the standpipe hookup. After brief instruction the hookup is made and three sections of 2½-inch are stretched for the attack. The line is fully charged and advanced by the recruits out onto the fire floor, which is floor 29. The standard here is to get water on the fire in less than 20 minutes. (Once again, in our most recent academy a team of recruits recorded a time of less than 15 minutes to get water on the fire. That’s not a bad reflex time!)

After completing the fire attack, recruits are sent back to staging to replace spent air cylinders with full ones. They are then given a new assignment: get to the mechanical level at floor 44 and rescue a team of firefighters who have become lost. One firefighter is down and running out of air. This worst-case scenario involves both the attack and evacuation stairwells filled with smoke.

Recruits go on air just below the fire floor (29), and proceed up to 44. The team is equipped with forcible entry tools. Upon arrival, they find the lost team of firefighters, but one is unconscious and must be brought down below the smoke (floor 29) before any of the recruits runs out of air. They literally must "arm-and-leg" a 200-pound firefighter in full gear down some 15 flights to safety. Believe it or not, they get the job done!

At this point, readers might be a bit skeptical. At the very least, one might accept this performance at the recruit level as being due to the typical younger age of most recruits and the fact that they must perform or face the prospect of losing their job. A question that frequently comes up is: how do the veterans and line firefighters perform? I would be kidding myself to think that all of the thousand members of a large department like the DFD could be held to such a high standard. However, there is a large segment, and growing who have dedicated themselves to a daily ritual of physical fitness called “doing the stairs.”

My company, Rescue 1, is just one example of about ten fire companies that make their way down to the high-rise at 1999 Broadway Street for a daily routine of physical fitness and high-rise preparation. Most of the companies that participate are from the downtown district, or companies just on the fringes of downtown. Other companies farther away from downtown may use high-rise buildings in their respective districts. Being creative, other companies use the stairs at some of the city’s sports venues such as the Coliseum.

Every day after roll call, housework, and apparatus/equipment maintenance, we head down to “do the stairs.” We vary our routines and do anything from a brisk walk up 44 flights in gym shorts and a tee shirt, to a very demanding operation similar to what the recruits perform. We frequently carry equipment to a floor landing in the upper twenties, and than go on air from that point. We continue on air up to 44, simulating arrival at a fire and performing work. Once we make it to the top, we head back down to the equipment, pick it up, and carry it down and out. Because we use one-hour air cylinders on the Rescue Company, we have plenty of air to complete the drill. However, the one-hour air cylinder adds considerable weight!

This daily training drill typically takes about 45 minutes to one hour to complete. Because we are the only Rescue Company in the city we stay in-service and remain available for calls. Each member of the crew takes a set of master keys from the fire command center, so when we get a call during the drill we get out at the nearest landing and take an elevator down. Our response time is only slightly delayed. Engine and truck companies that complete this daily routine go out of service for the drill. They also coordinate with the district chief as well as other companies so that only one company is out of service and in the building training at one time. This keeps the district properly balanced with available fire companies, and avoids flooding the building with too many firefighters at once. We are guests in the building and want to be invited back.

A good drill that several members perform is to use the standard half-hour air cylinder, go on air at the lobby level, and try to make it all the way up to 44, then back down and out before running out of air. (This includes carrying a forcible-entry/exit tool and a tag line / rope bag). Members involved with this type of SCBA training have become very efficient and confident with the use of their SCBA. It also gives the firefighters an idea how much time they really have when working in an SCBA with a half-hour rated air cylinder.

How do the veterans and senior members of the department stack up? Like everything else, it truly depends on the individual. I am very blessed to be the commander of a company with top-notch firefighters. There is a strong experience base and great attitudes; and all members are truly in excellent physical condition. The oldest member on my shift is Firefighter Mike Young at 50 years of age. Mike is the senior firefighter on my shift, and I have to work to keep up with him in the stairs!

The key to success with this program as well as many others is to lead by example. I remember when I first started “doing the stairs” at the company level. I was the captain of Engine Company #3, another downtown company. We went down to the building, and I told the men that I was going to get some exercise in the stairs. The senior man, with a disturbed look on his face, quickly asked “Do we have to do it?” My simple answer was, “Only if you want to.” Over time, members of the company started participating on their own free will. Before long, they would ask me at roll call, “Hey Cap, are we gonna do the stairs today?” My answer, “Sure, if you want to.”

Today, it is not unusual to see over a hundred firefighters coming down to the building to “do the stairs.” In fact, in addition to the on-duty firefighters and DFD companies, you will likely see several off-duty DFD members, academy recruits preparing for their “big day,” as well as firefighters from suburban departments throughout the Denver Metropolitan area. It’s a good physical fitness drill, but it also helps prepare firefighters for the big one in a high-rise.

The next time you discuss or conduct training on high-rise operations, spend some quality time addressing the issues and safety concerns associated with elevator operations. But don't forget to take it a step further. Identify Plan B, which is typically the use of stairs to reach the upper floors and fire floor. Furthermore, make every attempt to establish and maintain, at the very least, an informal program to prepare your firefighters for the worst.

Step 1 is to get permission from a building owner and/or manager to conduct such drills in the building. Always emphasize with your firefighters that they are guests in the building. Act professional at all times, and keep as low a profile as possible. Reciprocate with the building owner/manager by assisting with fire drills, fire prevention week, and simply being available to assist and give advice with fire and emergency service related questions and problems.

Step 2 is to once again lead by example. Don’t ask your firefighters to do something you won’t or can’t do yourself. Start out slow and easy. Gym shorts and a tee shirt, five or perhaps ten flights of stairs. Add five flights every week or so until you reach the summit. After you start getting into good shape, add a turnout coat, then pants, boots, etc. Before long, you will be in full gear carrying the equipment necessary to fight a fire in the sky. Don’t forget to take your gloves, hood, and helmet off to reduce the heat. Heat buildup in the stairs is the most difficult part of this drill. Remember also to hydrate thoroughly before, during, and after the drill.

For those individuals with bad knees, do not worry. I am also the proud owner of a chronic knee problem. After consulting with several medical doctors and exercise physiologists, “doing the stairs” is considered to be an excellent “low-impact exercise” that will in most cases actually strengthen the knee and the leg muscles. However, if you have serious knee problems eliminate the segment that involves going down the stairs. Furthermore, consult your own doctor before you start a physical fitness program of this magnitude.

Maybe you will never see a high-rise fire of any significant magnitude, but you might. At the very least, if you can complete this training and achieve the level of physical conditioning necessary to safely and successfully combat a major high-rise fire, if and when it happens. As a side benefit, just think how well you’ll perform at your bread-and-butter operations, such as a one- or two-story dwelling fire. High-rise training prepares you for the worse, regardless of occupancy or building type. Get out and “do the stairs.”

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