Ryan Pregent
September 29th, 2015
For this week’s forum, I am going to offer instructions for how to start your day at the firehouse. Specifically every day for me begins by preparing my equipment and checking over personal gear and tools. As a firefighter, inspecting ones gear is imperative and should be one of the first things done as a firefighter begins their shift. Due to the nature of the job, nobody knows when the calls are going to come in and in order to be the best prepared, setting up personal gear and inspecting tools should be done before an emergency call comes in.
Audience: Probationary Firefighters, brand new to the job of being a firefighter.
Purpose: Understand the basics of how to properly inspect your personal gear and equipment at the beginning of shift. Understanding where you sit on the fire engine will dictate your roll during emergency calls. The firefighter sitting behind the driver is known as the “Irons’ or “Tools’ firefighter. This person is responsible for grabbing the appropriate hand tools and equipment for the specific call. Such tools include the halligan bar, flat head axe, chainsaw or sledgehammer. Behind the front right officer seat sits the “Can’ or “Nozzle’ position. This individual is tasked with carrying the 2.5-gallon water extinguisher and the 6’ New York Hook for all fire alarms. On structure fires, the “Nozzle’ position is the firefighter who is in charge of pulling the appropriate attack line and determining the best positioning for the hose prior to charging the hose line for attack operations.
Subject: Morning inspection and placement of personal equipment and tools.
Equipment Needed: Turnout Gear (Jacket/Pants/Boots), Helmet, Flash Hood, Gloves, SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and SCBA Mask
Step 1: Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to starting your shift.
Step 2: Gather all personal equipment from turnout locker.
Step 3: Inspect PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for any damage or missing equipment.
Step 4: Determine your individual riding assignment for the day (Ex: “Tools’ or “Nozzle’).
Step 5: Place gear on the appropriate side of the engine, hanging the turnout coat on the grab rail, placing turnout boots/pants/gloves along with your flash hood on the floor next to the engine and securing your personal helmet inside the fire apparatus.
Step 6: Place two individual PAR (Personnel Accountability) tags on the apparatus PAR Tags.
Step 7:Inspect the individual SCBA being used for the shift, inspecting all straps, pack frame and gauges for any damage or malfunction, also ensure that the SCBA bottle has a full tank of air
Step 8: Ensure proper function of SCBA by turning on and allowing the SCBA to go into its full alarm cycle.
Step 9: With the SCBA turned on; ensure proper gauge reading of both the SCBA bottle and pressure gauges. (Both gauges should be within 100 PSI of each other).
Step 10: Connect your personal SCBA mask to the regulator and take two breaths to make sure that adequate airflow is present.
Step 11: Turn off the SCBA bottle and exercise the emergency bypass valve to drain the system of air.
Step 12: Watch both gauges as the air depletes and ensure that gauges are still reading within the same range (100 PSI) of each other.
Step 13: Secure SCBA back to the jump seat.
Step 14 (For the “Tools’ position): Inspect the hand tools to ensure they are present and accounted for as well as proper function.
Step 14 (For the “Nozzle’ position): Look over all fire hose on the apparatus and ensure that it is all loaded correctly and neatly. After, inspect all nozzles for proper function and identify and potential damage.
Step 15: Address any deficiencies in equipment and or tools by repairing or replacing them.
Step 16: Lastly, do a quick review of all equipment placed and know exactly what your role is for the day. Make sure that you are mentally and physically prepared for the shift. Having an understanding of not only your role, but also understanding the responsibilities of the position is imperative for quick and efficient operations during emergency calls.
Step 17: Have fun and enjoy your shift at work.