Fire departments don’t often sell themselves effectively. Some are getting there and no it isn’t really politics, but in how you approach things (point of view). Rather than saying “We suffered XXX dollars in loss this past year” it would be much better to say “We saved YYYY dollars this year due to having a MMMMM dollar budget, allowing DDDD staffing. We can do better with OOOOO more dollars, it’s up to you to figure out if we can afford less saves or more.” The focus is then shifted to the gains (the product of the fire service, protection levels and assurance) instead of the losses and the governing board/county/??? is left with dealing with the diminishing loss of return (bang for the buck) i.e. politics.
Don’t forget RECEO. (Rescue, Exposures, Confinement, Extinguishment and Overhaul) The standard for decades.
Size up also requires a plan of action, ordering more/less equipment/staffing/overhead. To do this, the ‘Golden Lap’ around the structure is required (what’re are the added risks, what’s being exposed if/when this gets larger?) usually done while the lines are being laid and prepped for entry.
[The line Captain is the BEST job in the whole department, bar none. You get to play manager without the daily [BC] headaches of staffing, engine movements and the daily garden fertilizer. It’s FUN.]
The first due is also responsible for ‘clearing’ the structure (making sure no one is left inside, at risk). Extinguishment, generally, can’t start until this is done (the exception is when putting out the fire BEST protects the occupants). Life before property, ALWAYS.
The current standard (by LAW) is two in, two out. For every pair (hoseline) entering a structure, you have two standing by (second hoseline, plus extra gear) in case of rescue (firefighters OR occupants). Add in the officer AND engineer (to keep the hoses at proper pressure, and supplied), you’re up to SIX minimum per engine before you waltz in to do your thing. Trust me, this beats the crap out of the bad old days (one person in one engine, grab a line and run in solo; have the battle scars to prove that one).
The time required from discovery, calling it in to dispatch (wheels rolling) is called the reflex time. The response time is the amount of time from dispatch to on scene. If a station is closed, the response time is often MUCH worse (the engine has to go farther). Now, if a medical aid call, someone NOT breathing starts to get permanent brain damage after (generally) 3 minutes and after 6 minutes the chances of successful survival diminish exponentially (they won’t be ‘right’ again). Should the public be outraged at the closure of a station? Do I really have to answer?
Dollars spent in school will give dividends later (we have smarter folks that can produce a viable home grown product).
Dollars spent in public safety (fire, med, cop) will keep us safe(r) and some costs down from less losses (pay for fire or more for insurance).
Those are eternal absolutes. It’s up to us to make sure that the monies are spent responsibly, but most trust the folks they put in charge. Most of the time that job is done well (certain Southern Calif towns not included,
Rick
From: newnethboy
A long-time problem with the fire service has been the difficulty in
explaining that the fire service functions in a totally different way than
pretty much any other agency.
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