Riding with Capt. Dave - Read blog entries from veteran firefighter Capt. Dave Fornell. He examines line of duty deaths, fireground strategies, command decision making and more.
-
Is There Anything Wrong With 1 1/2-inch Hose?
By Capt. Dave Fornell - Saturday April 6, 2013
A few months ago, I received a request from a firefighter researching the possibility of his department converting from 1-1/2-inch to 1-3/4-inch attack lines. I field these requests a few times a year and usually find that an organization is about to commit an enormous amount of funds to replace perfectly serviceable hose in a not-fully-informed effort to increase flow rates on their initial interior attack lines. My first question to this person was what was his desired target flow rate and what was he flowing on his handlines now? While his answers were relatively vague, it didn't take long to determine that the primary reason for the request was that all the neighboring departments were using 1-3/4-inch hose and he wanted his to do... -
Fornell: Hydrant Hook-ups, Chicago Style
By Capt. Dave Fornell - Monday January 14, 2013
While looking through Chicago fire photographer Steve Redick’s collection of photos he shot a few weeks ago at 4-11 alarm fire, something caught my eye. While the rapidly spreading fire consumed the large warehouse building on Chicago’s West Side, incoming companies were gearing up to stop it in its tracks, and that called for water -- a lot of it. Chicago’s water system is unusual in that it is of low-pressure, high volume design. Its unlimited water source is Lake Michigan and water surges through its mains at around 35 to 40 psi. While that does not sound like much to those more familiar with higher pressure systems, keep in mind that even with high volumes flowing, the pressure rarely drops more than 15 psi. Engine 26 took... -
Even Devils' Night Has Fallen On Hard Times
By Capt. Dave Fornell - Tuesday November 6, 2012
Thirty years ago, hundreds of fire buffs from around the country made an annual pilgrimage to Detroit to witness the fiery day before Halloween named "Devils’ Night." It peaked in 1984 when more than 800 fires were set and followed with between 500 to 800 fires in the days and nights before Halloween in a typical year. Buffs would book rooms in downtown hotels that overlooked the city, and sit by windows, ears glued to radio scanners and watch the city go up in flames. Fast forward to "Angels’ Night" (the official name was changed in 1995), where you can see the effects of the declining population of the city, the efforts of patrolling volunteers and the cold, rainy tailings of Hurricane Sandy. This year, officials say the city saw... -
Firefighting Doing More With Less
By Capt. Dave Fornell - Wednesday September 19, 2012
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. Some examples are "authentic replica," "boneless ribs" and "fresh prunes." Two of my favorites are "free with purchase" and "doing more with less." In the first instance, we must assume that the "free" item's cost is buried in there somewhere. Common sense tells us that it is difficult, if not outright impossible to do more with less, but fortunately, we in the fire service have a tendency to somehow make it work. Take, for example the need to flow water in quantities in excess of what can be safely delivered through hand-held hoselines. Couple this need with minimal staffing and you face the dilemma of either letting the building burn down to a size that can be... -
So You Think Your Department is Progressive?
By Capt. Dave Fornell - Tuesday September 4, 2012
I had to admit that the new station, located in a rapidly-developing area, was magnificent. Features such as multiple drive-through apparatus bays with 14-foot doors, a decontamination area, a complete PPE cleaning system, a clean workshop for SCBA calibration, individual bedrooms for each member of the on-duty crew, large kitchen with professional appliances, and sprinklers throughout, were provided in addition to a state-of-the art training room and administrative offices, providing ample proof of the time and dedication the staff put into the station’s planning and execution. Yes, I was impressed with how the department, in a few short years, went from a small volunteer operation to a combination department providing...
