Journey to IFO: Vehicle Fires

Jul 11

3 min read

Well.... THAT WAS FUN! Don't get me wrong it was a little intimidating but what an adrenaline rush.

We started with the usual two minute donning drill, and we all have our own personal routine. Unfortunately mine was interrupted by someone and it threw me off. Still made the time but missed two clips on my jacket. Its important to stay focused on what works for you, not what works for someone else.

That said onto the good stuff. A NYS Representative joined us last night and assumed the responsibility of safety officer for the evolutions. Instructor Lewis was the IC. The balance of our instructors (and there were quite a few), three visiting departments (Patterson, Carmel and Croton Falls YEAH) were drafting water, supplying water, assigned to a squad for the evolutions or on the safety line. AND don't forget.....our amazing supportive EMS-Nurse (Mahna Mahna-inside joke). There were four squads, four firefighters each, two for attack and two on the irons. Each team member rotated through the attack line, (nozzle back up etc.) and the irons (Halligan, Axe and NY Hook). Squads A and B were up first, Squads C (me) and D were in the resting area. This meant that we had time to observe and plan our attack while A and B were on deck. BUT, that means, tomorrow during Structure Fire Operations, we (C & D) are mostly likely on the hot seat first. (no pun intended).

Squads C & D and Instructor Scagnelli Sr. (YEAH) donned our gear, and rotated through the line flawlessly. There was a lot of pressure coming through the line so it kicked back a bit but my backup, Firefighter Casey, took the brunt of that along with Firefighter Poux. After all that's what the back up is for, to take 90% of that pressure off the nozzle guy/gal so you can put the wet stuff on the red stuff. I need to work on being an efficient backup. You literally need to be up their tush. No personal space allowed in these operations. We are one unit, one team, constantly communicating with each other and with the Squad on the irons.

So, did we crush the attack operation? Hell yeah, so much so that we extinguished the fire completely (pallets in the car) when were were supposed to just knock it down slightly to accommodate the rotations. We continued through the evolutions and rotated to the irons. First on deck for Squad C, me and Firefighter Maas. GIRL POWER. There was something about having that Halligan and driving it into the hood of that car. (yeah I had a few people in mind with that strike.) After that, the boys were on deck and of course they CRUSHED IT. But we were in it. Really in it. Adrenaline pumping, hearts racing, blood pressure raising lol. We were two Squad's working in tandem and it was flawless!

We were exhausted but felt empowered, dripping with sweat and smelly. But I would do it again with these squads any week, any day and any time.

A few Key Take Aways:

When you are the back up, back it up!

Is the scene safe?

Are you saving occupants? Extrication?

What is the fuel type? Is it leaking?

Avoid bumpers, the hood, truck... hydraulics.

Be cautious of tires.

Approach from a 45 degree angle.

If pavement (or something similar) project water off the ground. See my pictures.

Backup when knocked down, never turn your back.

Tomorrow, Structure Fires!!!!