Mark Wesseldine

Fire Nuggets Current Issue ®

Short and To the Point

The following is a series of short, to-the-point operations messages. Some are reprints from our department’s daily safety messages and some are my own. All come from experience. I am not, by far, an expert. I am just relaying information that I have learned from some of the "best" firemen in the world, firemen whom I have either worked with or taught with in other parts of the country.

Safety begins at roll call. Check your own mask and personal equipment.
Check, clean, and be familiar with your tools for that tour.
Officers, the roll call is more than a head count. Assign positions, tools, inspect equipment, listen to the members, exchange important information, discuss plans for the tour...make it worthwhile.
Don't waste time at an emergency. Know the location of all tools on your apparatus. Keep your tool list updated. Make sure all members are aware when a tool is put out of service.
Remember to maintain body fluids at a high level.
Officers and senior members, take the time to share your knowledge with less experienced members. You are a wealth of information!!!
Firefighting is dangerous!! The more you think, the more you know, the safer you operate.
Remember your size-up. Thirteen points in a couple of seconds. The more you know about the building before entering, the safer you will be after entering. Keep upgrading your size-up.
Size-up the fire building before entering. Count the floors, count the windows. If fire escapes are present, note locations and relay information.
Always know where you are going, and where you are. How do you transmit a "Mayday" if you don't know your location??
Effective communications benefits all. Relay important information!!
Remember, bunker gear delays the warning signs of high heat. Once you feel it, it may be too late.
Don't cheat yourself out of your retirement years. Don and wear your facepiece properly.
Wear your mask now, or wear a mask later!!!! Oxygen mask.
Position the apparatus to provide an area of safety when operating on highways, streets, transportation, or rubbish fires. Watch the "excited" new guy; don't let him jump off in traffic.
Officers and drivers, don't assume that other drivers will automatically yield the right of way to your apparatus. Drive defensively!!
All engines must take and test the hydrant at fire operations. Don't wait for problems to do this.
Check your hydrants, (caps off, flow) at the non- fire calls.(EMS, false alarms, inspections, etc.)
When forcing doors, do not allow the door to spring open. Always maintain control of the door. Remember those that may be on floor above!!!
When operating on the floor above, always have an area of refuge or another way out!!!
If a member is going above the fire, the officers and members on the fire floor MUST be made aware of this. This will remind them to maintain control of the door, and they will warn the member above of any problems where he/she may have to withdraw.
All doors through which a hoseline is stretched MUST be chocked and the hoseline should be prevented from running under the door.
Before the door to the fire area is opened, the nozzle fireman, and backup, must all be in position on the same side of the line and stay low.
Engine companies should NEVER enter the fire area without water.
Prevent knee burns. Sweep the floor with the line as often as necessary before advancing.
Get one line in operation, and make sure it gets to the seat of the fire before the second is stretched. Concentrate engine members on smooth movement of the lines.
Before you start water in an exterior line, verify that all units are safely out or in an area of safety. Communicate.
Remember, these are just a few important tips for our operations. Refer to Chief Vincent Dunn's book Safety and Survival on the Fireground, mandantory reading for all my students.

This column and all articles are in memory of the late Lt. Andy Fredericks, Miss you Brother!!! Never Forget

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