22 thoughts on “Stupid engine guys…

  1. Chris says:

    Does the word fully involved mean anything at all to these fellas? Was this an exercise or actual fire call? What kind of supervisor would approve this type of training evolution? And lastly did they honestly think they could make a decent attempt at a knock down without serious injury? Turnout gear has its limits!!!

  2. Todd C says:

    To give some light on this video, the firefighters that entered were probies, the building was built with old pallet material, it was a demo at an elementary school, the orders by thier Lt was to enter and put the fire out, this was the first actual live fire for the probies. This reflects directly on the officers. Did they explain the proper expectations? What about fire ground discipline? What about CLOSE supervision of the probies? Too bad the first probie to enter is disabled and cannot work anymore as a FF. This info was passed on to me from the FSFC. Let’s learn from the mistakes and ensure that this doesn’t happen again!

  3. Dave says:

    WOW!! Training scenario or not, there are just some things that you just dont do. Last time I checked, bunker gear is NOT fire proof!! As a company officer, I just cant believe there is limited or no supervision of probies. Words to live by for anyone who is or wants to be a company officer or higher… Dont ask your guys to do anything you wouldnt do yourself!

  4. Jimm says:

    Todd thanks for the info. I thought I had heard something about the video before. It’s just crazy that those probies were so misinformed. The problem was that they were carrying in a hose line and not a hook… Just kidding! -Jimm-

  5. AJ says:

    These were volunteers. I say this not because I think volunteers aren’t good fire firefighters I just wonder how they can work a full time job and train like a full time Firefighter. I’m sure there are exception but obviously not here. Sad to hear they were really hurt.

  6. Matt says:

    What was there CO thinking, ( Or was he) Its Training like this or lack of that effects us all, a good house burn is a great way for Probies to learn but with this type of thing happening it effects us all in a negative way, as such live training burns are a thing of the past.

  7. 52capt. says:

    poor judgement to say the least on the part of the LT. What kind of effect did it leave on the kids watching. What a nightmare.

  8. Walt Lewis says:

    This seems to be one of those videos that shows that some will do EXACTLY as they are told. Robotic firefighters are not we need to be. Heads-up, thinking firefighters is what time and experience create. It’s unfortunate, but volunteer or paid, we can’t teach common sense. These fellas, should have used some. Apparently they paired up two that don’t have it, together, and we get to see the result.

    A note to some- without water flowing, you can’t put the fire out…

  9. Bryan Kelly says:

    No one wants to be Monday morning quarterback, but what were they thinking. I agree that some of the responsibility lies on the officers, but how about some common sense. I can tell you for a fact that no one should have ever thought they could make that push. There are too types of aggresive, Smart and Not so smart. Smart aggresive firemen know there limits and are aware of their environments. Not so smart aggresive firefighters don’t. I bet you they are aware of the limits of bunker gear now. Hard lesson learned. Train Hard and Stay Safe Brothers!!!

  10. Jason says:

    I am shocked at the concept of anyone attempting to enter this structure regardless of their experience or the situation. However I can see how those poor probies made that decision. If they have never made entry on a live fire exercise before much less a real fire, they really have no idea what is proper and what isnt. I know when I was a probie if I had been told to make entry, I’d have done it because I hadn’t tested my gear and experienced what could and couldn’t be done. I think that the responsibility here lies with their officers. Volunteer or Paid, those officers should have trained them properly NOT in front of an audience where the probies would feel like they should “make it look good” as well as properly supervising them as they do it. I don’t care if its a simple demonstration like that, wet behind the ears probies should not be making entry by themselves. The only time that I would allow my rookies to make entry without an experienced firefighter on the line with them is after following one of us for a few evolutions at a training field. Even then there would be an experienced instructor following two steps behind them with a TI watching their every move. I don’t believe in live structure training fires in the first place… you should use a specially designed burn building. Stay safe gentlemen and keep an eye on each other!

  11. FF says:

    I agree with Jason, to a point. I’m a firm believer of training like you fight. Training in specially designed burn buildings isn’t very realistic. They are great places to start and should be used but I find it important to also do live burning in real buildings. You can gain so much from this type of training, especially if you’re burning down completely. It allows you to see how buildings react to fire and how things can fail. It’ just a great learning experience. Obviously, finding a safe structure to work in is a must, and let’s not forget NFPA and all of the requirements they set before you can burn in a structure. The least you should do is walk trough, paint HUGE arrows, and have a safety line in place before attempting to burn anything.

    This video just shows ignorance to the safety of the new guys and everyone else around.

  12. RescueCapr42 says:

    If you get to see the full video–one of the kids in the back gorund asks why is daddy on fire…and If he is going to be ok…

  13. Lt Seth Allison says:

    Who was the Safety Instuctor on this one??? What was he thinking. I’ve been in some burn houses that were way too hot but this one takes the cake!!! Hope they were wearing PBI!!!!

  14. ruebenp says:

    Was anyone one held accountable for this? (Criminal or otherwise?)

  15. dave says:

    vollies…nuff said. This would NEVER happen at the paid union house I work at. Fight like you train and train like you fight right?

  16. chris says:

    The video was shot at a open house for fire prevention week in Montgomery County, MD. Someone hit it on the head that it was people wanting to look tough for the crowd. As far as a “safety officer” you will notice at the end of the video a firefighter from a neighboring county who was there doing an extrication demo is the one who went over got them to get the FF’s out and grabbed the line and started flowing it. This was before “RIC” was a common word and probably explains why there weren’t a whole lot of redundant safety measures in place. It has been a long time and I can’t recall what if any disciniplary action occurred. Stay Safe

  17. Matt Murphy says:

    Ridiculous…the “officer” or who ever thought they were in control of this stunt should have been kicked out of the fire service. Then sent to do community service at a burn center of the judge’s choosing.
    At least there was one heads up guy around to put an end to this tragedy.

  18. Todd says:

    what were they thinking. And as a volunteer I can say that them being volunteer vs. paid is no excuse. Nor does that make them any less qualified. Probie or not they should not have been told to enter that atmosphere. Hope a lesson is learned from this and it never happens again.

  19. Pat Russell says:

    dave February 15th, 2007 7:55 pm
    vollies…nuff said. This would NEVER happen at the paid union house I work at. Fight like you train and train like you fight right?

    Dave : What a Ridiculas Statement . There are thousands of Outstanding Vol. FD in the country . How ignorant of you to classify our Brothers in such a way. Appartently your all about the union instead of the brotherhood of being a FF. A paycheck don’t make you superior.

  20. John Maynard says:

    Pat- Thank you for understand that not all Vol. are slack. Our brothers down here do it well and we do it right. This guys had no clue what they were doing Vol, or paid.

    -Stay low brothers.

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