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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 the start. *If you're the seasoned guy, it is your responsibility to share what you see at fires with your replacements (recruits & younger guys). What's even more important is that our actions directly influence fire behavior (READ THAT AGAIN). Opening doors, creating ventilation, or advancing a hose line changes air flow and heat movement inside the structure. When we change the environment, remember that our actions are changing the environment for potential fire victims. Applying water at the right time and place can reduce heat and slow fire growth, but the opposite is also true, doing so at the wrong time and place can hurt our efforts. Coordinating ventilation with suppression limits rapid fire development and improves interior conditions. Understanding fire dynamics allows firefighters to think ahead rather than react. Anticipating how the fire will respond to ventilation or water application reduces surprises and increases safety. By applying science based principles to everyday operations, firefighters can make better decisions when we encounter those "modern fire environments." If you did not sign up for a free training account with FSRI.org , then for this weeks extended training, we encourage you to take the few minutes and create that account. When you do sign up, or if you already have credentials, go and take the training session titled: Impact of Horizontal Ventilation on Fire Behavior . It is a 47 minute long session covering the impact of horizontal ventilation techniques on fire behavior and it covers tactics for effective ventilation in residential structures. You will receive a certificate if you complete the training. Please turn your certificate in at our next Fire Training Meeting on Tuesday and log the training via our Training Form and make sure the description includes the following: Impact of Horizontal Ventilation on Fire Behavior . BE ELITE!

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 slowing thermal spread throughout the space and giving firefighters time to lay and charge attack lines. Make sure to record your training after watching each video. *Recruits are encouraged to take notes. When recording this training via our Training Form , Make sure the description reads: Back to Basics: A Fundamental Understanding of Fire and Fire Dynamics (Part 2) Why water is awesome An Introduction to Flashover Flashover as described by Mike Pertz Flashover Illustrations by NIST Another great Illustration of a flashover Ventilation Induced Flashover FOR SOME IN DEPTH STUDY INTO MORE FIRE DYNAMICS, GO TO TRAINING.FSRI.ORG/EXPLORE There are 38 video training sessions listed here after you create a free training account. We will post some information from FSRI.ORG in future posts, but you can jump ahead if you'd like. BE ELITE. End of Back to Basics: A Fundamental Understanding of Fire and Fire Dynamics (Part 2).

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, and continual learning. I think it is fair to say that we understand that all fires go out, but if we want to be an elite service dedicated to the safety of our citizens and those who visit our community, we must respond with the intent of making things better when we show up on the scene of what many might call one of their worst days. Throughout this blog you may encounter contrasting views and opinions from fire service professionals from across the world. These differences are intentional and valuable, as they allow us to see how others solve problems and approach fireground challenges. Learning from what worked and what did not work from others should be something we seek. What works for us, doesn't work for major Metropolitan fire departments, as Chief Tully mentioned recently in one of our training meetings. This training blog does not replace or override Colquitt-Miller Fire Rescue policies, procedures, or tactics, and should never be viewed as an operational directive. The intended use of this blog is to offer those who strive to be elite an area to seek further knowledge base and a place where they can share topics they find to be a potential benefit to others whom they respond alongside. This may create potential conversation starters that turn into new perspectives, or even something that sharpens the skill of just one individual and helps them save someone's life. To put it simply, this blog exists to help members better understand the why behind what we do. By exploring multiple viewpoints and current research, we can become more informed and safer firefighters. Our first training series will be titled Back to Basics: A Fundamental Understanding of Fire and Fire Dynamics, where we will focus on the science of fire behavior and how it applies to modern day firefighting. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. I say, You can make them thirsty." -Recent quote from an experienced fireman. Again, we will utilize this as a platform for supplemental training. We are not requiring that all of our members read and take time away from the more important things in life, but we are hoping to encourage everyone to take some time to invest in this venture and use what you may see as beneficial so that our team can continue to grow and become better. Let's be ELITE!

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 story of what the fire is doing inside the structure. Thick dark smoke under pressure pushing from openings shows high heat and limited oxygen (sometimes referred to as a Smoke Sammich ). Lighter smoke that is lazy and drifting can indicate a different stage of burning. Watching how smoke moves at doors and windows can help predict fire growth and potential hazards before entry. If you have a good vent prior to entry , you may see a nice pull of air at the bottom of the door (below the neutral plane) as you open it, or you may encounter heavy exhaust indicating that you need a vent close to the fire before advancing towards it. Additionally, Vent limited fires are common in modern firefighting. These fires have plenty of fuel and heat but not enough oxygen to fully burn. When an opening is made the fire can rapidly intensify as fresh air flows in. Recognizing this condition early allows firefighters to control ventilation and apply water at the right time to reduce risk and improve outcomes. Something simple, but often overlooked in the fire service is that wet materials are harder to burn (there's a science behind this), so flowing in high heat areas can help you increase the time to ignition for some materials as you advance. See the videos below to help you start the journey in understanding fire dynamics at a deeper level (Review for some, but always a good refresher). Make sure to record your training after watching each video. *Recruits are encouraged to take notes. When recording this training via our Training Form , Make sure the description reads: Back to Basics: A Fundamental Understanding of Fire and Fire Dynamics (Part 1) Pyrolysis Complete vs Incomplete Combustion Spontaneous Combustion Heat Transfer: Convection, Conduction and Radiation Flame Types Flammability Range BE ELITE. End of Training Post.