The Fence Drill
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE FENCE DRILL Drills You’re Not Going To Find in the Books Captain Raul A. Angulo Ladder Co. 6, Seattle Fire Department E-mail: [email protected] “Let’s review how you carry your portable radios” Your hand mic and speaker is your lifeline. Your ability to call a Mayday depends on how well this mic is secured to your bunking coat. Why is this firefighter wearing his mic here? Why carry it here? Answer: That is where the manufacturer sewed the mic tab. Not his fault, but will he be able to hear anything with the speaker this low? Clipping the mic on the bunking coat may not be good enough. When a firefighter takes a fall, it can be a violent event. If your microphone isn’t securely attached to your coat… You’ll lose it! This firefighter quickly discovered his mic was not where he expected it to be. He’s pulling on his helmet chin strap, the SCBA harness, and anything else that feels like a radio cord. After he found the cord, it was still entangled on the flashlight and hardware of his helmet. The best way to secure a mic to the coat is to use a retractable tethered lanyard like the Mic Keeper. The Mic Keeper allows the firefighter to use the mic in a variety of positions and the retractable cord will snap the mic back to its original position. Even after the most violent tumbles, the mic will be right where you expect it to be when you need it the most – for calling a Mayday. So how do you carry your portable radio? If you carry it like this – under your bunking coat – you could be limiting your chances to successfully call a Mayday. If this practice doesn’t raise a red flag for you, then you haven’t been trapped before, and more specifically, pinned down. Proponents say: • Radio unit is protected under the bunking coat. • Mic cord runs up underneath the coat and exits out the collar or top fastener protecting it from entanglement or getting severed. • The signal for transmitting and receiving radio messages is better when the radio is carried in this position. (I have not found this to be the case. ) • Radio is out of the way and does not interfere with other equipment or with wearing the SCBA. In normal situations, even if you’re lost or disoriented in a room, you will be able to access all parts of your portable radio. But not if you’re pinned down Can you activate your Emergency Button with gloves on? Emergency Button It takes practice. It’s harder if your radio is under your coat. Trick of the Trade A flexible antenna makes activating your Emergency Button a lot easier. Practice this technique without gloves. Now try it with gloves on. This is almost impossible to accomplish if your radio is under your bunking coat. You have to have the ability to: • Key the side button • Tighten a loose antenna • Raise or lower the volume • Change radio channels • Switch to a simplex B channel • Activate the Emergency Button The only way to discover the shortcomings of how you carry your radio is to experience getting pinned down. The Fence Drill A 7 ft. x 9 ft. section of framed chain-linked fence was obtained from a construction site. The firefighter is in full gear with SCBA, covered, on air, and blindfolded with his hood. The firefighter is following a lead line in as the other crew members prepare to drop the fence on top of him. The fence is dropped quickly with enough force to simulate a sudden collapse. The firefighter is knocked over to create the sensation of being pinned down. The crew members step on the edges of the fence to restrict the firefighter’s movement. Be careful not to step too hard on this type of fence; the chain link is rigid. Don’t hurt the firefighter. A crew member lays on top of the downed firefighter. The added weight restricts the breathing giving the firefighter the sensation of being pinned by a heavy object like a wall or ceiling. Safety: The officer needs to let the firefighter know the drill can be stopped anytime he feels uncomfortable. Remember, don’t get guys hurt on drills. Every firefighter has a SCBA waist belt. Truckmen have to deal with an additional belt for the axe and scabbard. It’s highly unlikely, if not impossible, to reach your radio when it’s under your coat. Protecting the box is protecting the space around your upper torso so you can breathe. This is also where you want your radio, your PASS device, your regulator, your flashlights, and your hands. It’s doubtful you will be able to reach anything below your waist. Try to call a Mayday! • Use LUNAAR • Location • Unit • Name • Assignment • Air reserve • Resources needed Practice keying your mic with your right hand. Practice keying your mic with your left hand. If for some reason you lose the ability to use your hand mic, you can call a Mayday by keying the portable radio with the side button. Speak loudly and clearly. You don’t have to remove the radio from the pocket. Simply press the button right through the pocket. Use a heavy duty plastic tarp to perform this drill if a fence is not available. You can also use a canvas tarp but it’s hard to coach the firefighter because you can't see what he’s trying to do. A 7ft. x 9ft, light weight gauge, loose section of fence works best. It sufficiently limits the movement of a firefighter. It allows the company officer to see and coach the firefighter in calling a Mayday. The fence station can be inserted into a SCBA confidence course. Bam! Collapse! Quickly drop the fence on to the firefighter. This should not hurt with a light weight section of fence. The firefighter is well protected in his gear. Step on the edges of the fence to restrict the hands and arms. Ask the firefighter: “How do you call for help when your hands are pinned?” Answer: Lay still for 30 seconds until your PASS device activates. Firefighters are stubborn when it comes to personal preferences, especially on how to carry a radio. Surviving the fence drill will help determine the best way to go. The End .