I saw this attempt of a raker shore a number of years ago… I hope they don’t actually plan on ever using this method of shoring. This photo is a prime example of someone who “thinks” they are trained to perform a certain task. Even after being trained, we advocate utilizing the FOG manual when constructing shoring. Each one of the shores is professionally engineered, and needs to be constructed in a very particular manner. As with any other fire service task, on-going training is extremely important. -Jimm-

You perform the way you train!

I love ventilation videos with aggressive music! As with many of the videos, pictures, and discussions we feature here, view this video as a training tool. Please feel free to leave comments on the pros and cons of some of these operations. We need to keep in mind that we were not on these roofs, so we don’t know what happened before or after each segment of the video. When viewing each segment, read the smoke, you can tell when you’re through the ceiling, and you should know what’s coming next. If you don’t, you shouldn’t be on the roof. –Jimm-

I have noticed a trend in many of our posts. They seem to follow the thought process of: What you see is not always what you get! I think this is an import thing to remember about our job. I believe that everyone who wears a lid should look at every single building and ask themselves or their crew “what if…” It is amazing the things you will find in your own first due area every single day! Captain Tom Redmond of Cocoa Beach sent in photos and a description of an interesting electrical hazard an alert Engine crew found while performing a Company Fire Inspection. Look closely at the picture, anything look out of place? Be sure to click on the supplemental page with more pictures and a complete description of this unexpected hazard. –Jimm-

Jason Jefferies from Charlotte Engine 37 sent in this simple and cheap door chock. He was quick to point out that he didn’t invent this himself, but we’re giving him credit for it anyway! All you need is a piece of 1″ or 2″ angle iron and an “S” hook. Check out the What’s in Your Pockets page for a description. –Jimm-

It has been a couple of weeks since we’ve had a good series of comments about any particular subject… I was looking through some old comments and decided to bring this one up front so everyone could read it again. It originally appeared under the “Vertical Vent… Whatever it Takes!” discussion a few weeks ago. I didn’t want this important topic to get lost in the weeds.

The effective search is quickly becoming another “lost art of the fire service.” With the availability of thermal imagers, and other changes throughout the fire service, searches are either not being done efficiently, effectively, or sometimes not being done at all. Ask yourself this… On the last search you preformed, if the thermal imager malfunctioned, would you have been able to complete the search, or even find your way out?

Or how about this question…(Regardless of the interpretations of the highly misunderstood rule of two in/two out) You pull up to a residential structure in the middle of the night, a small room and contents fire, car in the driveway, bikes in the yard, no-one outside, DO YOU GO IN AND SEARCH? I think the answer should be obvious….But you’d be surprised.

The first comment to this post is a cut and paste of one of our reader’s opinions of the importance of the search…. What’s your opinion? –Jimm-