During my Fire Service career, I have always been interested in fire chemistry, the dynamics of fire, the risks of interior firefighting
and what I could do to better manage the risks of interior firefighting.
Prior to taking command of the Rock Hill Fire Department, I realized that in the departments that I served with over the years, both
as a Firefighter and Company Officer, they all operated in a manner that I'm sure you have all heard of: "That'sThe Way We Have
Always Done It". Well, what is this method of firefighting?
We would perform only a "windshield size up", no exterior building size up, no interior size up and no ventilation. We charged
inside with only one thought on our minds, getting water on the fire. We were in "Mission Vision".
What is "Mission Vision"? Once inside, we are oblivious to what is going on around us, we didn't recognize changing conditions.
We crawled around in zero visibility using our hands as our eyes and sometimes we didn't use proper advancing techniques.
We exposed ourselves to searing heat radiating down on us that could lead to a possible flashover. Vertical ventilation
operations was the primary method of ventilating a fire building or ventilation was accomplished by breaking a window from
inside after fire knockdown. Either way, ventilation occurred too late in the game to benefit Firefighters or any trapped victims.
We have been taught to use the 30 degree fog pattern which results in copious amounts of steam being created. Because we did
not bother to provide timely ventilation of the fire area, the steam, not having an outlet to exit the building, blew back on top of us
causing painful steam burns.
During my discussions with Firefighters around the Country, I came to the conclusion that I was not the only one operating in
this manner- it is a prevalent way of doing things. In my view "That's The Way We Have Always Done It" is a dangerous way of
interior firefighting, and it is no wonder that we keep injuring and killing Firefighters.
After becoming Fire Chief of the City of Rock Hill, Missouri, I decided that my number one priority was to change "The Way We
Have Always Done It" mindset. In 1986, I was introduced to the concept of Positive Pressure Ventilation. After much research,
experimenting, testing and training, my department began using the idea after fire control. We progressed to the point of
developing a SOG that provided for a three person engine company to perform both engine work and some basic truck work
upon arrival at a building fire by using Positive Pressure Ventilation as an offensive attack tool, thus, Positive Pressure Attack.
Our three person company was able to very effectively provide themselves with "timely" ventilation using this tactic. This new
method of operation improved conditions for both my Firefighters and equally important allowed for any trapped victims to be
rescued quickly reducing the time of their exposure to toxic gases and heat. Training was the key to changing this mindset.
and what I could do to better manage the risks of interior firefighting.
Prior to taking command of the Rock Hill Fire Department, I realized that in the departments that I served with over the years, both
as a Firefighter and Company Officer, they all operated in a manner that I'm sure you have all heard of: "That'sThe Way We Have
Always Done It". Well, what is this method of firefighting?
We would perform only a "windshield size up", no exterior building size up, no interior size up and no ventilation. We charged
inside with only one thought on our minds, getting water on the fire. We were in "Mission Vision".
What is "Mission Vision"? Once inside, we are oblivious to what is going on around us, we didn't recognize changing conditions.
We crawled around in zero visibility using our hands as our eyes and sometimes we didn't use proper advancing techniques.
We exposed ourselves to searing heat radiating down on us that could lead to a possible flashover. Vertical ventilation
operations was the primary method of ventilating a fire building or ventilation was accomplished by breaking a window from
inside after fire knockdown. Either way, ventilation occurred too late in the game to benefit Firefighters or any trapped victims.
We have been taught to use the 30 degree fog pattern which results in copious amounts of steam being created. Because we did
not bother to provide timely ventilation of the fire area, the steam, not having an outlet to exit the building, blew back on top of us
causing painful steam burns.
During my discussions with Firefighters around the Country, I came to the conclusion that I was not the only one operating in
this manner- it is a prevalent way of doing things. In my view "That's The Way We Have Always Done It" is a dangerous way of
interior firefighting, and it is no wonder that we keep injuring and killing Firefighters.
After becoming Fire Chief of the City of Rock Hill, Missouri, I decided that my number one priority was to change "The Way We
Have Always Done It" mindset. In 1986, I was introduced to the concept of Positive Pressure Ventilation. After much research,
experimenting, testing and training, my department began using the idea after fire control. We progressed to the point of
developing a SOG that provided for a three person engine company to perform both engine work and some basic truck work
upon arrival at a building fire by using Positive Pressure Ventilation as an offensive attack tool, thus, Positive Pressure Attack.
Our three person company was able to very effectively provide themselves with "timely" ventilation using this tactic. This new
method of operation improved conditions for both my Firefighters and equally important allowed for any trapped victims to be
rescued quickly reducing the time of their exposure to toxic gases and heat. Training was the key to changing this mindset.
History of Timely and Appropriate Ventilation
A Tactical Priority
A Tactical Priority
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