We have received a number of email requests to post the following information, too many to give any one person credit for it.

The link is to the FDNY Forcible Entry Reference Guide. It’s a 177 page pdf document and it’s an unbelievable resource. It has valuable information that has been passed on for generations in FDNY. It discusses the history of Forcible entry, tools, doors, locks, and techniques. Click here to download to the document.

The link is courtesy of our brothers at the FDNY Fire Factory (Engine 58 and Ladder 26.) Be sure to check out their website www.firefactory.com.

If that link doesn’t work try this: click here.

Sgt. Scott Madden from Loudoun County (VA) sent in an idea he got from one of his brothers at Station 6.

The idea is to use a small spring hand clamp as a door wedge. Scott points out that the clamps work well in a number of different ways, and on various types of doors. Even though its technically not in his pocket, check out the What’s in your pockets page for pictures of the clamps in use.

Sometimes you just need to laugh at someone else’s expense, besides, this video never gets old…
http://www.vententersearch.com/videos/pdforceentry.flvThis is why we train, this is why we carry tools, and most importantly, this is why we are not cops…

Firefighter Eric Bearss from Orlando (FL) Tower 7 sent in this idea for a better balance point. He pointed out that he picked this idea up while assisting Mike Ciampo (FDNY) at the annual Orlando Fire Conference with Champ’s Street Smart Ladders Class. Obviously, the main purpose behind the marking is to identify the balance point for each ladder. This larger marking serves multiple other purposes: easy equipment identification, and of course the ever important company pride (take a look at the fireground pics @ the station.) However, the most important aspect of this version of the balance point marking has to do with helping the outside team. In the instances when the outside team may be split up on the fireground, its obvious to the other team member exactly which ladder is yours, and exactly what room you are currently VESing (by leaving your hook on the ladder.)

The picture above shows the balance point painted on the base section which, once the stick is thrown, puts the unit ID right at eye level. This tip will added to all of the other great tips on the Tips from the Bucket page.

Sacramento Metro Fire recently had a close call on the roof. They were working a commercial job, and had three brothers up on the roof when the roof started to collapse. The video shows the three seeking refuge on the parapet until some sticks are thrown to their rescue.

The contents of the store (a nail salon supply store) created a significant fuel load, and ended up being a three alarm fire. Fortunately, it ended up having a positive outcome for the crew of Truck 16.

Click here for the video.

Firefighter Jay Schlossareck from Hackensack (NJ) Fire sent in these photos they took while checking out their response area. The building is a two story multi-residential structure with some parking under a second floor overhang. Frequently, on a set-up like this, you’ll find the overhang sprinkled to protect from the inevitable car fire. Well here is another option that we probably haven’t seen before. These windows are protected by “fire doors” on fusible links. If a fire were to occur, the heat will activate the fusible link and the roll up will slam shut to prevent the fire from extending into the structure. Good in theory…We guess.

This design would be just fine if the only thing that could possibly happen would be an extending car (or other exterior) fire. What about the interior room and contents fire that auto-vents? The fire would activate the fusible link and close the door on us. The photo below shows a close-up of the fusible link. In this set-up there is only one fusible link in the middle of the window. It would not be un-common to have multiple links all connected by an activation chain.

What if the OVM wasn’t paying attention and vented this window from the outside without disabling or blocking the mechanism first? The fire would vent, offer some relief, the door could slam shut, and depending on the amount of fire, conditions could deteriorate inside RAPIDLY!

What if the fire was gaining on you and you ended up egressing out of that window? You take the window, bail out, and before the remainder of the crew bails out… The door slams shut. The bottom line is that these devices need to be “safed up” or disabled in some way as soon as possible.

Sounds like a job for that proactive RIT team…