Command Vision

I think we can all agree that firefighting is a dangerous job. As the incident commander, you should always have an EMS unit on the fire assignment. I believe this improves fireground operations in a number of ways and is a good way to CYA.

Assigning an EMS sector conveys a message to the crews working inside the hazard zone that their health and welfare is important. If a team member gets injured, or suddenly falls ill, having a medic crew positioned nearby, and ready to take immediate action should be a priority. Have you ever seen the chaos that ensues when there is no EMS sector and someone gets hurt?

I also think that having an EMS sector standing by allows crews to operate more aggressively thereby being more effective. I think they are more comfortable getting aggressive because they know if something happens, the EMS sector is ready to assist.

The EMS unit should have their medical equipment on the cot and standby at the pumping apparatus. Their truck should be staged beyond the hydrant or supply line so that they can easily load their patient and head to the hospital without driving over any hose.

We owe it to firefighters working under our command to do all we can to keep them safe. Being prepared to render aid quickly can mean the difference between living and dying.

About the photo: Granville F.D. paramedics standby as the EMS sector for a fire in Newark on Woods Avenue. You can watch that house fire here. https://youtu.be/VKBCYAyy6Xc?si=cmfL6_P9PW_bWDHR
Photo credit: Patrick Guanciale.

An awesome day of training this past Saturday at Hopewell F.D., and a perfect venue at Finger Lakes Community College. Sixty firefighters present.

https://fsri.org/program-update/tactical-considerations-web-series-ep-18-there-can-be-survivable-spaces-upon-arrival

Tactical Considerations Web Series: Ep. 18 - There Can Be Survivable Spaces Upon Arrival at a Single-Family Residential Home | UL's FSRI – Fire Safety Research Institute In Episode 18, check out UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) Advisory Board Member and Milwaukee Fire Department Battalion Chief, Erich Roden, discuss how there can be survivable spaces upon arrival at a single-family residential home fire.

I met a great group of people this past weekend in Wintersville, Ohio. 55 people attended representing 11 different agencies (I think). A big thanks to Chief Herrington and Lt. Levi for helping get this class setup.

Some comments from the evaluation forms:
-”Definitely not a boring slideshow class”
-”Very good class, kept the entire class involved”
-”A great session and very thought provoking”
-”Great class for old and new officers”
-”All officers that command should take this class”
-”Opened my eyes to a lot of things I have been overlooking”

Photo credit: Chief Herrington

Are you interested in incident command training to help build your skills? Command Vision offers training that is applicable for all levels from firefighter to fire chief. For about $60 per person, you can host a 1-day training that can cover up to six different topics from the list below.

High Performance Incident Command
Size-Up and the 360
Managing the Mayday
Risk Management at Defensive Operations (new topic)
Mastering a Calm Command
Accountability
Situational Awareness
Making the Most of Limited Resources
Basic Incident Command
Unified Command
Practical Application of Command Strategy (New topic)
Dying for Action - Failing to Evaluate and Manage Risk (New topic)

If your department is interested in hosting a class email me at [email protected]. Each class can be tailored to cover a wide range of command topics to meet the needs of your department.