Live Burn Training; Murphy was there!

[ChiefReason]

Well, yesterday we had a house burn near here. It was a big old farmhouse with 5 bedrooms upstairs and a large downstairs. Got a lot of training out of it, but had a few things go a little nuts.
The wind was blowing out of the west when we started at about 15 mph. By the time we finished, it had shifted to the southwest, which meant that the ashes and embers were blowing onto our Engine 3. In fact, it sucked in a hot ember and burnt up the air cleaner, causing the truck to shut down. Once we got it started again and tried to move it, it got stuck.
A mutual aid crew let a room fire go too long before they attacked it, allowing the fire to get into the attic. We declared it too unsafe and let it go.
Found out that a $600 headset was missing from the engine and today, I was told that the pump won't throttle up; in effect, taking the truck out of service.
Murphy got us pretty good.
Here are some photos from the burn.
Enjoy.
CR

[ChiefReason]

Here is a crew having a little rescue practice from the second story, via the ladder.
They seem to enjoy it a little too much!

[ChiefReason]

Here we have our two training officers. The guy stirring the pot is trainer. The barrels-three of them-were set up in each room, attended by a stoker and protected from those doing room searches. Straw and cut up pallets were the fuel used.

[ChiefReason]

Officers are having a little pre-meeting before the room search evolution. Safety was stressed at the fire station welcome and again at the house burn. Though Murphy was present, he didn't get anyone hurt.

[ChiefReason]

Here is one of our crews doing a room search. Hose was flaked out in both directions. They did a right hand search and then a left hand search. The newbies enjoyed this drill.

[Rayr49]

Looks like a good training burn.

Murphy seems to show up at these things even though he's not invited.

Several years ago we assisted a neighboring department with burning down a house so they could build a new fire station. We had six departments participate with their tankers (no hydrants in town) and manpower. One of the departments dumped their first load of water into the porta tank and then the truck engine died. We had to tow it away from the tank. The fuel pump picked that exact moment to quit. At least it was in a training situation instead of an actual incident and we had a backup tanker as well as an engine in case something went wrong.


Stay Safe
IACOJ

[ChiefReason]

Two newbies from a neighboring department. These two younguns really got into it, listened well and worked hard all day. Even rolled up hose when we were done.

[ChiefReason]

This picture was taken while the barrels were getting stoked. Several pre-plan meetings were held to discuss accountability, do walk-throughs and to get pumped up for the activities. Clover, Oxford, Rio, North Henderson and Galva had people there. Chili and BBQs was served for lunch.

[ChiefReason]

Little roof work going on in this photo. Firefighters were taught to work off of roof ladders while using a vent saw to cut the vent hole. They were also taught how to tie tools and to raise and lower them safely to the ground.

[ChiefReason]

Got a few shots of fire for you fire science buffs. The fire was somewhat angry. The inside of the house had plaster and lath walls. The floors were heavy timber. Two chimneys. It burnt hot. The only wall to fall "out" was the east wall. Everything else was collapsed into the basement.

[ChiefReason]

Hot; hot; hot!

[Weruj1]

Good one Art ............sorry bout Murph ............glad all went home safe !

[ChiefReason]

Big fire.

[ChiefReason]

And finally, here is what you want to end up with at the end of a practice, live burn.
It is not the results you want when the tones drop. Notice how the two chimneys are standing there as if to say "what the heck happened?"

[ChiefReason]

Sorry; lost my connection before I could post the picture.
Here is the finale.

[dmsmith]

Art, is that the "flourescent red" engine I see in one of those pictures?

[Weruj1]

I was gonna go there and couldnt bring myself to it !

[80FIRE]

Nice pictures of the burn Art. Looked like a nice solid house out in the wide open. Its getting harder to find that kind of house for training.

So Larry..... Did Murphey show up about the same time as the trustees?

[ChiefReason]

She's a beauty, isn't she? Mother of pearl cab.
Bed full of 5" LDH. 1500 gpm pump. Deck gun. The works.
You were saying?
Les; this house was built on Purington Pavers. We have another to do in the near future. Trainer wants to save it for the Galesburg Fire School, but I don't know if the farmers want to wait that long.
Yeah; they're getting fewer and fewer.
Great training though. I got 82 pictures on the digital.
Didn't even have time to eat.
CR

[pcfdcap1]

We got a house almost identical to that one we get to do sonme RIT training in for a month. We get to wait til May to torch it. Pictures will come from it. Promise me Art, keep murphy down there