(Photo by Tony Greco)
By Forest Reeder
This edition of the C.O.R.E. (Company Operational Readiness Exercises) series covers a range of skill or job areas focusing on both basic skills and knowledge along with emergency operations.
Two highlighted areas to consider will be the shift commander position, which could also be represented by the fire chief in your location, and the hazmat technician.
The shift commander/fire chief or the incident commander (IC) at a fireground will consider a worst case scenario when a microphone is keyed and stuck open by an unknown member inside the hot zone. What would your actions be? Is this an emergency, in your view? How can you quickly manage this situation to account for all your personnel if you cannot communicate with them?
The hazmat technician simulates a member in a Level A suit being overcome by heat while working in a spill. How are you going to handle emergency decontamination procedures without exposing other team members or first responders? Do you have a practiced procedure on this situation?
Have a safe week of positive training outcomes!
Brought to you in conjunction with Firefighter Close Calls (www.firefighterclosecalls.com
Suggested Tasks, Week 4 (PDF, 480 KB)
Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1979. He serves as Division Chief of Training & Safety for the Des Plaines (IL) Fire Department. He is a past recipient of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) prestigious George D. Post Instructor of the Year award and has been responsible for the design, implementation and coordination of in-service firefighter training activities as well as a full-service fire training academy program. Forest holds numerous Illinois fire service certifications and holds a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University.
Drill: C.O.R.E. Skills
Drill: Developing Your C.O.R.E. Skills
Drill: C.O.R.E. Skills Training
Drills: The Role of the Safety Officer
Drills: Fire Behavior and Building Construction
Drills: The Fireground Playbook
Drills: Are You Smarter Than a Rookie?
Drills: The Survival Essentials
Drills: Aerial Operations