FiredupTraining.com

[Mike West]

This week's drill is dedicated to a firefighter lost while searching for victims at a dwelling fire 45 years ago this week.

Search seems to be getting more press in the recent past. That’s good, because it’s what we are sworn to do. Staying oriented, though, is vital to our safe return from the smoky hallways that we travel through. This drill will discuss some of the finer points of labeling buildings to improve communication quality.

Let no firefighter ever in die in vain

[Mike West]

Thanks to BC Eric Morgenthaler of the Castle Rock Colorado FD for the information below and attached pictures.

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Mike,

I just read the new Never in Vain drill and passed it on to the members, thank you. I've attached a few photos of how we letter/label exterior doors of buildings down here.

Each exterior door (regardless of numbers) gets a blue reflective letter on the exterior and now gets the same corresponding blue reflective letter in the lower interior corner of the door as well. We've amended the adopted IFC to include the addition for all new construction/existing buildings and the organization has developed specifications for the letters. New buildings do not receive a CO until the letters are installed.

We start the lettered at the front door (Alpha side) and work our way around the building in a clockwise fashion. When pre-plans are developed, the door letter is reflected on the plan. Our training center burn building/tower has the letters as well to develop our member's habits of announced their location when entering or exiting buildings.

This gives the IC and members operating at the scene improved accountability, as well as possible closer location identification for rescue, last know locations, MAYDAYs, etc.

Please feel free to pass this along to your readers/list.

Thanks,
Eric