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Traffic Incident Management As we aim to offer training that allows our members to complete additional and high-quality instruction impacting our community, I'd like to introduce a resource that will help shape our responses and equip our members with national best practices concerning roadway safety. Traffic Incident Management should be an operational task completed promptly to ensure everyone's safety. *Please note that this training can be credited towards your total Driv

The Most Dangerous Vehicle at an MVA Scene Isn't the One in the Ditch Think of motor vehicle accidents as two incidents: the crash that already happened and the one that could happen next. Does this idea resonate with you? One thing we would like it to do is reinforce a few things. Traffic Control, Vehicle Placement, Visibility, Command, Personnel Accountability, and Scene Safety. These are all things we must be proficient at before we even get to the additional roles after a

LADDER WORK FOR VES Why do we consider windows for search? Because saving civilian lives depends heavily on time and conditions. Windows can help solve both problems. When we limit our options, we limit our chances. Windows give us more opportunities to begin a search from different floors, sides, and areas of a building, increasing the chances of finding and rescuing victims quickly. Looking at my own home, I have two exterior doors that lead into living spaces I may not be

VEHICLE FIRE RESPONSE DEMANDS DISCIPLINE COMPLACENCY HAS NO PLACE ON VEHICLE FIRE CALLS Some of the most dangerous calls we respond to are the ones people mistakenly label as “routine.” Vehicle fires are one of those calls that may seem routine, but when you treat it as such may just be the call that catches you on your heels. Too often, firefighters pull up expecting a quick knockdown, only to find themselves dealing with exploding tires, hazardous materials, electrical haza

REHAB STARTS WITH LEADERSHIP STEP UP AND LEAD Fire doesn't care how tough you are. No need to type that again, because that is the simple truth! This week I want to reach down deep. I want to spark something inside that may cause a stir. I want you to know that I care, but you need to know that the fire doesn't. Furthermore, I don't think the phrase "I'm fine" makes you any tougher. Our Tuesday nights are full of Type A's. We know what it takes to do what we do, and for the m

As a reminder, this training blog exists to support our members through practical, supplemental training focused on strengthening fundamentals and understanding the "WHY" behind what we do. Firefighting is built on shared experience and continuous learning. While all fires go out, our goal is to make a difference when we arrive, especially on someone’s worst day. Becoming an elite service requires intentional growth, learning from others, and applying what works best for our

Vent. Enter. Search. (continued) Please see the videos posted below and notate some takeaways to discuss at our next training sessions. The short presentation below if you have computer access. Otherwise, we can discuss at a meeting. Reminder: Log your training appropriately with our Training Form. For a description, make sure that you enter : Vent Enter Search Basics (continued) Be Elite!

Vent Enter Search. Have you heard the phrase? Do you know the skill? Have you performed it in training or on a scene? Often times, you hear firefighters say they have a tool in the toolbox for that, or you may hear someone refer to a strategy or a tactic as an audible or play from the playbook, but the consequences of not knowing our positions on the fireground are far more serious than a missed call on game day. Lives are at stake. Vent Enter Search (VES) is not just another

Propane Hazards Review and common tank illustrations. See the photos and click the files below for NEED TO KNOW INFO ON PROPANE! Beat yesterday’s version of yourself. Because when the tones drop, the "warm-up" is already over. Be disciplined. Be Elite! Reminder: Log your training appropriately with our Training Form . Use the description: Propane Hazards and Propane Facts with Tank Construction Review Let's Be Elite!

BLEVE EMERGENCIES

Search - VES

Firefighter line of duty injuries and near-miss incidents provide a unique opportunity to interact with and collect information from the scene and the personnel involved.

Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Response Here are a few quick tips for stabilizing EV's when involved in an accident. Sharpen your edge on EV vehicle Stabilization by reviewing this, but also by practicing this in your near future! Create the cradle, but do it in less time by7 adding the reps needed. EV Scene Survey and Rapid Access Bring out the Thermal Imager! To complete your full hour this week, you can review the following document published by FEMA and NHTSA Reminder: Log yo

Understanding Firefighter PPE Do you know how your gear protects you when you respond to a fire? Most firefighters put on their personal protective equipment every call, but many do not stop to think about how it actually works. Think of your gear as a system designed to protect you from extreme heat and dangerous conditions. Do you understand how the layers block heat? Do you know the warning signs that your gear may be reaching its limits? When was the last time you careful

Reading Smoke - What is the fire telling you??? The main lessons in this week's TET are from Dave Dodson. As you have seen in previous posts, fluid movement is important, whether it be how we move water or how the effects of ventilation cause fire growth. Before the flames ever show themselves at a fire scene, we can count on the fact that the fire is talking to us. ARE YOU LISTENING? The video this week is from Dave Dodson. It is an older video, however, it is still good inf

This training post is an introduction to Tactical Edge Tuesday. For this reason, we kept it to a few videos, however, at the end of the post there is a link to 22 Tactical Considerations Videos on a playlist created by the Fire Safety Research Institute. Record your Training accordingly on our Training Form . Fire Safety Research Institutes - Impact of ventilation on fire damage patterns (Take this course by registering on their website) Tactical Consideration: Fire Developme

For our third part on fire dynamics, lets discuss and think about How to Apply Fire Dynamics to Fireground Decision Making Fire dynamics knowledge is most valuable when it is applied to real fireground decisions. Size up begins early by observing smoke color, volume, and movement. W99e must consider the conditions at doors and windows. Conditions provide clues about fire location, heat levels, and oxygen availability. These observations help crews choose safer tactics from th

As a continuation to our study on Fire Dynamics, this week we share videos covering why water is awesome, and we dive deeper into flashover. Water is our best friend, and controlling ventilation is a strategy we must keep at the forefront of our minds! 6Reminder: Control one part of the fire tetrahedron and control the fire. Asking on scene units to close doors at building fires slows down fire growth and allows us to be ready prior to making an attack. This saves lives by sl

Fire dynamics is the study of how a fire grows, moves, and reacts to its environment. Heat, fuel, and oxygen all work together, and changing one will change the fire. Modern homes burn faster and hotter because of lightweight construction and synthetic fuels. Understanding the science behind fire gives firefighters better decision making when conditions change rapidly. When conditions change rapidly, we need firefighter's to adapt rapidly. If not us, then who? Smoke tells the

Welcome to the Colquitt-Miller Fire Rescue Training Blog. This space is designed to support our members with refresher training and fundamental fire service concepts. The goal of this blog is to strengthen understanding, reinforce learning, and encourage professional growth through education that is practical and easy to apply. It was inspired by non other than our own Assistant Fire Chief John Edward Wells. Firefighting is a profession built on shared experience, research, a