Tuesday, April 24 thru Saturday April 27, 2013

Nature: Professional Development Training & Seminar Participation

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

FDIC 2013

During the period of Tuesday April 24th thru Saturday, April 27th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company permitted six (6) officers and/or truck committee members to attend a premier training opportunity nationally and internationally for all levels of fire service practitioners.

The Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) hosted more than 24 hands-on training evolutions, numerous preconference workshops, and many classroom presentations. The six member delegation from the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company will obtain and/or enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities to train and assist our organization in further operational needs as well as review and evaluate the newest equipment, tools, apparatus, etc. as well as evaluate and review equipment specification for the new tanker replacement initiative.

Below is an example of the courses and activities attended:  http://www.fdic.com/index.html

(1) Virginia Beach FA-18D Crash into Apartment Complex

Battalion Chief Michael Barakey, Virginia Beach (VA) Fire Department

On April 6, 2012, at 12:06 p.m., a Navy jet suffered a severe equipment malfunction, causing both engines to fail and the fighter jet to crash. Two pilots ejected as the jet crashed into the Mayfair Mews Apartment Complex, a two-story garden style apartment complex. The Virginia Beach (VA) Fire Department (VBFD) played a significant role in the successful outcome of this five-alarm catastrophe. Share in this case study of a rapidly expanding incident that was viewed by the world. The incident commander relates his thoughts and decisions during the initial stages of the crash, the firefight, and the search and rescue operation. Among the elements highlighted are professionalism; safety; cooperative training between the Navy and the VBFD, which adequately prepared responding personnel to effectively manage the incident; extensively training VBFD members in command management, scene safety, and suppression activities; the development of an incident command system early in the incident, ensuring a manageable span of control; and the level-headed decision making by the company officers.

(2) Strip Mall Fires

Deputy Chief Thomas Dunne, Fire Department of New York

This course explores the strategic and tactical considerations for fires in strip malls, which are found in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Strategies and tactics for dealing with the safety issues peculiar to these buildings of both traditional and modern construction are examined. Topics covered include the most common renovations and their effects on fire operations; recognizing and dealing with truss roofs, hanging ceilings, masonry-covered floors, and exterior insulation finishing systems; engine and truck operations with an emphasis on safety tactics; risk evaluation; hose line and apparatus placement; laddering; ventilation techniques; and overhaul tactics. The presentation concludes with a video review of a major strip mall fire that occurred in New York City; attendees will witness rapidly changing fire conditions, the transition from an interior to an exterior attack, information on reading smoke conditions, and effective radio communication. (3) Tactical Ventilation for Today's Residential Dwellings Deputy Chief/Training Officer P.J. Norwood, East Haven (CT) Fire Department Ventilating today’s private dwellings is a challenge. We need to ventilate faster and, in many departments, with less staffing than we had in the past. New information on ventilation now available emphasizes how ventilation should be completed on today’s fireground. Ventilating private dwellings improperly continually contributes to line-of-duty deaths and injuries. Leaders must train members in how, when, and where to ventilate private dwellings safely for themselves and the interior crews.

(4) Initial First Due Size-Up Reports for Company Officers

Battalion Chief Leonard Carmichael Jr., Trenton (NJ) Fire Department

The focus is the initial on-scene size-up for the first-arriving officer. Goals 3 and 4 of the United States Fire Administration's Emergency Services Leader Strategic Plan are discussed. This class sets up the framework for the entire fireground experience from assessing the incident scene arrival information and setting up an incident management system. Through lecture and individual scenario assessment, students use a systematic mental checklist using the CASH acronym, (Command, Actions, Size-Up, and Help) for on-scene size-up reports which can be used at all incidents. Topics include the establishment of command, the 13 point size-up factors, actions of the first-due companies, and additional resources that will be needed.

(5) The Best of "Reading Smoke"

Battalion Chief (Ret.) David Dodson, Response Solutions, LLC

Presented is the "best of ...," which highlights the reading smoke process and its evolution over the past 10 years. This class will have less "instruction" than in previous years and more raw fireground footage-- example after example after example.