The members of the company were able to take advantage of training in an acquired structure in Tinicum Twp. Deputy 55 (C. Nussbaumer) was able to arrange the use of the site with the Officers of Station 48 (Tinicum Twp. Fire Co.). Along with the Company being at the site for the night, Sharon Hill (Co. 09), Holmes (Co. 43), and Parkside (Co. 45) were also there to conduct various training exercises. The members in spite of the weather (warm & humid) were able to complete two scenarios, and few individual skills. The first scenario was engine company related, which consisted of deploying an initial 1.75 attack line and 1.75 back-up line to the second floor of a residence. With Ogden being primarily an engine company, stretching handlines is a routine activity and necessary to keep our skills sharp. The second scenario related to truck company operations., which consisted of conducting an orientation point search. With how volunteer companies operate, truck duties are not always completed by a crew from a ladder company. We need to keep all of our skills current and this is a more advance tactic then what is sometimes taught in a search & rescue class. This tactic is mostly used in residential structures with a center hallway (small rooms on both sides). The minimum crew needed is three, with the Officer in the hallway (keeps contact with crew / evaluates fire conditions), and the two firefighters individually search a room on either side. Once the firefighters finish the search of their rooms, the crew moves up to the next set of rooms, and again conducts the search. If a fourth member is available, he/she stays at the top of the steps to act as another orientation point to the search crew. This tactic used to speed up the search of the floor, to utilize personnel more efficient, and eliminates the "elephant line" of two or three members searching the same room. This tactic still uses elements taught in basic fire school, such as left/right hand search, carrying tools, and crew integrity. And at few times during the night, some members got to try out the "punch technique" of pulling walls and ceilings. This is a much faster and less strenuous method of getting through sheetrock. To get more info on the "punch technique" go to FireEngineering.com, find the "Training Minutes" videos, click on season 1, and scroll down to the bottom for the apporiate video. The Officers and Members of Ogden would like to "Thank" the Officers and Members of the Tinicum Fire Co. for allowing us to share in the use of the Willows property.
Units:
Engine 1
Trying out the "punch technique"
Search being lead by 55-13
Deputy 55 watching the interior crews for safety purposes
Crew standing by to go in for a search
Crew making their way to the 2nd floor to start a primary search
It was a humid night
leg cramps hurt
Engine 09 was stretching lines to the other end of the 2nd floor
