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MFA Tools and Rules: Worth Dying For?! by Mark Cotter

 Brian Kazmierzak    October 24, 2017    No Comments

One of the more powerful sentiments I have been hearing and reading in response to suggested firefighting tactical improvements is that it is understood and expected that firefighters risk their lives in the course of their work, and that they need to put their self interests behind in order to save lives and property.  Essentially, the “suggestion”, typically provided in an admonishing tone, is that anything that gets in the way of interior operations constitutes a dereliction of duty, and is a blatant and cowardly violation of our profession’s promise to those we are sworn to protect.  It is further argued that concerns about LODDs are no reason to deviate from our sacred mission or methods and, anyway, they don’t happen that often.

Like so many of the indirect criticisms of the MFA movement, this belief is not completely unfounded; just not as applicable or meaningful as those who proclaim it believe.  (I have also addressed it previously in MFA #34: Life Safety vs. Life Saving – Compatible goals at http://community.fireengineering.com/profiles/blog/show?xg_source=a…).  Extreme risk is certainly inherent in every aspect of firefighting, and that reality must be accepted by anyone who engages in this activity.  Contrary to the inference of a “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” motto, though, managing risk does not mean ignoring or avoiding it, but requires a comprehensive approach to identify and address predictable dangers.  (See “Negotiating Hazards” at http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2015/09/from-the-jumpseat-n…).  Still, with this passionate cry repeatedly being chanted in an attempt to drown out discussions about alternative methods, and gaining traction amongst some in the fire service despite evidence contradicting its veracity, I will here take a slightly different tack in arguing the contrary position.

Inherent in the call to ignore our mortality in the pursuit of our duties is the idea that it is acceptable to be injured or killed as long as we are endeavoring to save lives or property.  It is not.  While life-threatening and -ending injuries can, do, and will happen, given the level of risk, urgency, and chaos in our workplace, normalizing such occurrences requires a leap of logic to a level somewhat beyond sanity.  That is, it’s “crazy talk”.  Certainly, there is no hesitancy, and for some even an eagerness, to risk our lives if there is even a slim chance of saving another person.  (Or, as Nick Brunacini so eloquently stated, “..each of us will joyfully throw ourselves from a cliff to save small children and puppies…”.)  Since the majority of life and property in a burning structure is lost long before our arrival, though, we are being told to “sacrifice” ourselves for the sake of a principle, not for any practical purpose.

Yes, the possibility of savable property or victims requires us to often position ourselves in hazardous environments in order to effect their salvation.  And, our gear and training allows us to  regard “Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health” (IDLH) as a mere workplace definition.  There is also the “Catch 22” that, except in the most extreme cases – a structure fully-involved with fire – we cannot definitively make the determination if there is anyone worth risking our lives for without first risking our lives to check.  While the completion of a search is a fireground benchmark, that does not render it priceless; just necessary.  Ascertaining when, or even if, to make entry into a burning building is a complex decision, naturally hampered by the time-pressured setting in which it occurs, and not one amenable to over-simplification through a vague, passionate, and misguided “do the right thing” slogan.  Furthermore, the potential costs – death or injury to firefighters – is not a mere “price to pay”.

Consider for a moment what will happen if a fellow firefighter becomes lost, trapped, seriously injured, or killed: the fire immediately is relegated to secondary importance, except as it relates to controlling it in support of protecting the firefighter and his/her rescuers.  In essence, the focus of the operation will shift to ourselves, the very thing that an aggressive “save people and property” approach was purporting to avoid.  Despite the proliferation and success of RIT methodologies that attempt to prepare for and manage such occurrences, the reality is that the majority of firefighter “Maydays” are handled by non-RIT members already operating in the hazard zone, which necessarily and inevitably removes them from fire suppression and search activities.  Essentially, and predictably, if any of us falls, the operation will falter, so pretending that such an occurrence is in any way acceptable ignores, in the guise of “duty”, the immediacy and gravity of the effect of an LODD/LODI.

The possibility of saving a life motivates us to perform extraordinarily brave feats, not the least of which is entering a structure that is actively being decomposed by fire.  Our success in this endeavor can be reduced to whether we have the capability of reversing hazardous conditions before they exceed those of our PPE.  Rather than merely stubbornly clinging to and more loudly defending our current methods, we should be actively seeking out and embracing anything that we can do to tilt the success/failure balance in our favor.  The early application of water, and the restriction of air entry until that is accomplished, are two proven techniques to assist with that goal.  On the other hand, anything that we do that increases our chance of failure, such as neglecting to manage flow paths, or ignoring signs of untenability and structural decay in our rush to make entry, should be avoided.  If we are to bet our lives, we need to do everything possible to shift the odds in our favor.

We all agree that putting the victim/property/customer/taxpayer/public “first” is the correct approach, but placing ourselves “second” does not make our welfare inconsequential.  Our lives and limbs are on the line as soon as we respond to an alarm, and we must continuously match the degree of risk we accept to the chances of benefit we expect.  While our skills and abilities allow us to survive conditions that are lethal to civilians, they are not absolute, despite noble intentions or fearless attitudes.

MJC

The author can be reached at markjcotter@comcast.net

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UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

57 minutes ago

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

On March 4, middle school students from a local Maryland middle school will have the opportunity to take part in the USA Science & Engineering Festival #NiftyFifty presentation by UL FSRI's "Fire Scientist" Dr. Dan Madrzykowski! They will learn about fire dynamics, fire research and fire safety through UL Xplorlabs and #CloseBeforeYouDoze.

The Nifty Fifty, a program of Science Spark, are a group of noted science and engineering professionals who fan out across the country to speak about their work and careers at various middle and high schools. Featuring some of the most inspiring role models in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, this signature program of the USA Science and Engineering Festival presents your students with the latest in green technology, engineering, human health and medicine, astronomy and space exploration, nanotechnology, computer science, and more. The Nifty Fifty program featured over 100 STEM role models and reached over 22,000 students during 2016-2018.
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Dr. Dan Madrzykowski | USASEF

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Fire Science with Dan Madrzykowski! Throughout his career, Dan Madrzykowski has conducted fire investigation related studies in a wide range of areas including fire fighter line of duty deaths, the post-earthquake fires in Kobe, Japan, oil field fires in Kuwait, the Station Night Club fire, and the....
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UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

1 day ago

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

#ThrowbackThursday to one of our previous studies, "Improving Fire Safety by Understanding the Fire Performance of Engineered Floor Systems."

Check out the research and online training available to dive deeper into this week's #TacticalTuesday episode that discussed the importance of initiating the firefight on the same level as the fire.
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UL FSRI – Fire Safety Research Institute - Improving Fire Safety by Understanding the Fire Performance of Engineered Floor Systems

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The main objective of this project was to improve firefighter safety by increasing the level of knowledge on the fire response to basement fires.
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UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

2 days ago

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

FALSE: With your door open, you'll be able to smell fire and smoke and call for help quicker than with your door closed.

Listen to Peter Van Dorpe, Fire Chief of Algonquin - Lake in the HIlls Fire Protection District, extinguish this myth and underscore why you and your family should always #CloseBeforeYouDoze.

Check out an additional resource from ScienceDaily - "Scents Will Not Rouse Us From Slumber Says New Brown University Study."
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/05/040518075747.htm
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CBYD Myth Extinguisher: With the door open, I am safer during a fire..mp4
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Jonathan Di Cesaris

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

3 days ago

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

For today's #TacticalTuesday, check out this video featuring UL FSRI Advisory Board Member, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel as he discusses the importance of initiating the firefight on the same level as the fire.

The quickest way to improve conditions on the fireground is to put the fire out. This is particularly important during basement fires when firefighters can be at increased risk for a floor collapse or become caught in the exhaust portion of a flow path if they are attacking from the floor above the fire.

Many factors can play into the initial decision of where to place the first attack line, but when possible, it is best to get water directly on the fire where it is burning. This does not mean that the primary search is not a priority or that it cannot be conducted concurrently. It highlights the need to coordinate ventilation, extinguishment and search. Early fire suppression is integral to minimizing the hazard on the fireground.

For more research resources and training related to this consideration click here: bit.ly/2EidLFI
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Tactical Consideration: Initiate Your Firefight on the Same Level as the Fire
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Connor Hustead

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

4 days ago

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

Today, we are welcoming a new member to the UL FSRI team!

Angela Bennett is the new UL FSRI Instructional Design Manager. She will support the UL FSRI team by managing course content development, instructional design and storyboard skills for online learning projects. She holds both a Bachelor's of Science and Master's of Science in Emergency Health Services and Instructional Systems Design from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Angela is a 28-year veteran of the fire and emergency services with most of her service in Western Maryland. Before joining UL FSRI, Angela spent over twenty-years on the Faculty at the University of Maryland, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) where she most recently managed the Institute Development Section, which is responsible for the design and development of all MFRI programs.
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Today, we are welcoming a new member to the UL FSRI team! 

Angela Bennett is the new UL FSRI Instructional Design Manager. She will support the UL FSRI team by managing course content development, instructional design and storyboard skills for online learning projects.  She holds both a Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science in Emergency Health Services and Instructional Systems Design from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. 

Angela is a 28-year veteran of the fire and emergency services with most of her service in Western Maryland. Before joining UL FSRI, Angela spent over twenty-years on the Faculty at the University of Maryland, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) where she most recently managed the Institute Development Section, which is responsible for the design and development of all MFRI programs.
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Congratulations, good luck in your new chapter

Congratulations Angie!

One of the best!! Great things for all!

Congratulations Angie. How important that phone call was so many years ago.

Congrats and good luck Angela👍

Really like your picture ! Congratulations

Congratulations,pretty lady!

Congratulations Angie great job!

Congratulations Angie!

You guys are lucky to have her join your team.

So impressive! And great picture, too!

Wow !!!! Congratulations Kiddo!!!!

Awesome news, Angie will do great work.

An excellent choice!

Congratulations!! Does this mean that if I have a fire emergency, I should first call you? 😱

Awesome choice!!!! Angie will rock it!!!

Congratulations Angie, I’m so happy for you. This picture of you is beautiful. I wish you the best of luck on your new adventure.

Way to go Angie! I had no idea storyboard skills (which I know through advertising) are also used in developing online educational curriculum. Interesting.

Congratulations Angie bennett

The start of another NEW ANGIE. Way to go girl. Miss you.

Congratulations Angie!!!!

I couldn't emoji like love and wow and the same time.

Congrats Angie! That’s awesome.

Congratulations!! That's so exciting!!

Change is exciting! Good for you Angie. Keep rocking it!

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