Traditions Training Blog Featured on Fire Engineering Podcast

Check out the 9/28 edition of Fire Engineering’s podcast, sponsored by the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.  Hosted by DFC Steve Pegram (Xenia, OH), TT’s Nick Martin & Steve discuss fire service training resources on the internet, including our blog here at Traditions Training.
Thanks to Steve, Fire Engineering, and ISFSI for having us.  
Click [...]

You mean the engine carries ladders?

Ok. I didn’t believe it either.  Height stricken nozzlenuts carry ladders too!  Most of the time they are under used and much lighter and less cumbersome.  Depending on the situation, the engine’s ladders can make a quick pick from a 2nd or 3rd floor.   The way the ladders are carried on the rig can make [...]

What’s in My Pockets: Doug Mitchell

We use tools to get jobs done.  We are always taught, from day one in probie school, always carry a tool in your hands. We are also taught to never give up your tool.  We have a multitude of tools that we can get from the rig depending on the task at hand, but we can’t bring [...]

“Command to Truck 8… Open the Roof”

So many things come into mind when this comment comes over the radio!  Everything from building construction, access, fire location and the roof condition.  Is the roof peaked, flat, wood or metal deck?  These are just some of the considerations that will dictate, what tools will make the climb!  All of which can be predetermined with district [...]

Announcing a 2nd Session, Sunday 10/19: “Fire Attack for the Suburban Engine Company”

We are thrilled to announce that, due to demand, we WILL be hosting a 2nd session of this class on Sunday, 10/19 at the Montgomery County Fire Academy in Conshohocken, PA
Enrollment is limited to 30 students and we already have about 20 signed up.  So if you’re interested, sign-up asap!
For more information & registration, please [...]

What’s 500psi of air worth?

Look at the picture to the right, it’s the pressure gauge on a SCBA bottle.  Is this bottle full?  I say its not…  In the DC Fire Department the “books” say that when you check an air-pack, the minimum acceptable pressure is 4000psi.  But these are 4500psi bottles, so that’s 500psi you’re giving up!  By [...]

What I Carry In My Pockets: Brian Mcallister

(Continuing in our “Pockets Series”, Brian Mcallister offered to share some of his thoughts.  He is a close friend and one of the senior-men of DCFD TL-3 and a past Captain with the Silver Hill FD in Prince George’s County, MD) 
I believe every firefighter should be self sufficient and ready for as much as [...]

The Garage Door revisited

Hopefully, we have all seen the video from the 80’s that shows the companies operating a handline on a house fire and members outside in the driveway watching as the door slowly closes, cutting off the line and causing the mad scramble to get the members, who are out of air, and banging on the [...]

Forcible Entry: Squared Shoulders & Tight Quarters

I know we always try to work in pairs, but I also know that for many of us that its not always a reality.  Here is a quick idea for forcing inward opening doors by yourself.  

The stock “shoulder” of the Halligan (the top of the fork, where the shaft joins) is rounded (in the [...]

“FUNCTION over FORM”

Most of us have had the unfortunate experience of working/volunteering for a boss who is much more concerned about how something looks rather than how it works…  Unfortunately you can see this illustrated on A LOT of fire apparatus out there.   

Dysfunctional hose loads – because we don’t want hose-ears or nozzles sticking out…
Inaccessible tools…

Fortunately, not all fire [...]

For the Chiefs: MAYDAY Management

A MAYDAY incident can be one of the most difficult incidents you’ll ever have to manage.  There is so much information and so much emotion… Everyone will be yelling at you: in person, on the radio.  Plus, you still have a fire to run.
I am certainly NOT of the “command boards and vests solve our [...]

More Standpipes: 2.5″ or 1.5″ Line?

In response to my last post regarding standpipe or high-rise racks, Tim Linke from Lincoln, NE had some valid questions about 2.5″ lines instead of 1.5″…  Tim asks:
Now, for a question…and please don’t think that I’m trying to come off like a dick, for I haven’t had the pleasure (or displeasure) of fighting a high rise [...]

“Better Late then Never” – Fire Engineering, October 2008

Be sure to keep an eye out in the October 2008 issue of Fire Engineering magazine, which will feature another article by Traditions Training instructor Nick Martin.
“Better Late than Never – Ladder Company Positioning When You’re Not First Due” will focus on the proper placement of aerial apparatus when you’re arriving after other companies have [...]

What I keep in my pockets: Danny Doyle

“Practical Pockets” was something that I was taught very early in the fire service.  If you take a look at the last few posts, that’s exactly what you’ll find.  Depending on the characteristics of ones response area along with the rig that they’re riding on at the time, can determine exactly what fills they’re pockets!   Working off [...]

Rest easy brothers…

It’s been seven long years since that unforgettable blue sky morning in September 2001.  Many of our lives changed forever on that 11th day.  It cut deep into all of us, whether an FDNY fireman or not….the emotions were there…
To all those who we lost:  We will never forget you or your families left behind.  We will [...]

Engine Company Ops: Standpipe Racks…

Really, I hate the term “high-rise” rack or “apartment bag” – or whatever you call it.  Those names imply single-situation use.  What these things are really is “100′ of easily carried/deployable hose with a spare nozzle”.  They are great for extending pre-connected lines long distances, or making up a gap when we come up short.  For this reason, [...]

What I Keep in My Pockets: Sean Sinon

(Continuing in our “Pockets” series, Sean Sinon of DCFD T-6 shares what he carries…)

As a ladder truck driver in Washington DC, we are required to preform a variety of tasks on firegrounds along with every other situation that ’s thrown our way.  These are the tools I carry to make life a little easier and help get [...]