Acquired structure training ideas

[Catch22]

I'm looking for some additional ideas for training using acquired structures. We're not going to be burning any of them, but we have numerous homes and buildings (including a small college campus) that the construction company is looking at letting us utilize for training.

Beyond the obvious (cutting holes in the roof, breaking windows, salvage/overhaul, wall breaches, VES, etc.), what are some ideas?

Thanks!

[ffmedcbk1]

get a smoke machine, really enhances anything you'll do.

we've done some rit hauling ie. nance drill, 3:1 lift through the floor.

consider combined multicompany drills, all at the same time. this will enhance command and accountability proceedures. when the attack line, search teams, vent crews, back up line and rit are deployed together, it really brings it all together nicely.

when it comes time to knock it down, get the dummy and do collapse rescue proceedures by using a track hoe and buring the dummy in the debris.

invite you neighboring departments, it goes a long way to improving the working relationships.

[Eng34FF]

Depending on whether you want to work on the basics or more advanced work you can do just about anything in the house without burning it that you can burning the house, with obvious exception of putting the fire out.

Look at doing hose-line advancement and search and rescue (as mentioned before, get a smoke machine if possible).

You can do ladder drills including bringing a victim down the ladder.

Self rescue drills including following a hose line, bail-outs, wall breaching. You can also do RIT training.

As said before, see if you can get some mutual aid companies to come and train with you. It can go a long way.

[Catch22]

OK, nance drill is a new one to me. What exactly is that? We have a couple with basements that we're going to play with some subfloor rescue techniques.

I'm also looking to do some initial attack, NFPA 1710 drills and things like that along the way. The nice thing is that part of these properties are an old college campus. Though it's a small campus, we do have a way to do large-area search drills, dorms, etc. A LOT of potential.

Thanks both for the ideas. While a lot are things we've thought of, there are some I hadn't thought of you're tossing out there. Feel free to keep them coming!

[FF715MRFD]

We try to do everything that has already been suggested on any structure we get to train in. Also a good opportunity to work on apparatus placement, something that we (as in my department) don't practice on nearly enough. Good luck and have fun with it!

[JTFIRE80]

On top of what was stated, I am a fan of the Denver Drill. Check it out here:

http://firefightersenemy.com/2010/10...-denver-drill/

[mikeyboy411]

I would add FF Survivability, RIC Operations, giving Radio Reports, what to look for in a 360, Basement Fire, Building Construction, FF Rescue, Truck Company Operations, how to "Hose Slide", how to climb a charged hoseline, how to remove a Downed FF from a hole using only a hoseline and whatever else your FD may be weaker on. For an example of the Nance Drill check out Youtube and search for "Riverside City FD, Nance Drill". It works awesome and can be done with rope used in a Drop Bag. You can do the same for the Hose Slide, climbing a hoseline and how to remove a Downed FF using a hoseline.

[ffmedcbk1]

learn about the "oriented man search". see if that is applicable to your fd. if so try it out. (can be done with 2 guys but way more effeffcient with 3)

we used a bungalow that was only 1600 sqft, we had guys surprised at the speed and efficiency of the 2 man oms versus traditional 2 man search. we used 2 smoke machines and it was a thick soup. this was the first drill that we did so that the guys had only the outside that gave them a idea of the lay out. what was interesting about the house we used is that the drive used to be on the delta side and now was on the bravo. some got the lay out right because they keyed in on doors and windows during their size ups.

[rsqman]

If confined space rescue is one of your concerns cut a circular or oval hole in a floor as an entryway into the space, set up a tripod and practice with patient packaging, airline systems, atmospheric monitoring, etc.