"Denver Drill"?? - I *did* search

[baileydonk]

Hi all -

I searched the forums to try to educate myself about the Denver Drill, but all the posts about it seem to think you already know what it is... and the links I found that supposedly lead to descriptions of the drill are all dead links.

Anyone know where I can find a good description?

[oldandwise071]

I edited this, see below.

[oldandwise071]

The Denver Drill
Step 1: FF1 enters the window head-first and crawls over the downed fire fighter. Once at the feet, FF1 turns and faces the downed fire fighter. Grabbing the downed fire fighter's SCBA shoulder straps, FF1 sits back, thereby moving the downed fire fighter into a seated position. This should allow enough room for FF2 to enter.

Step 2: FF2 enters the window head-first, placing one hand on top of the downed fire fighter's SCBA cylinder for assistance. FF2 then takes a seated position under the window with his/her SCBA cylinder wedged into one of the corners of the aisleway on the exterior wall. FF2 places his/her feet under the buttocks of the downed fire fighter with his/her knees bent and grabs the downed fire fighter's SCBA cylinder valve, thus creating a ramp.

Step 3: FF1 straddles the downed fire fighter's legs, places the downed fire fighter's arms over his/her thighs, and gets into position to bear hug and lift the downed fire fighter onto FF2's knees. FF1 will get the greatest amount of lift by grabbing the rear of the downed fire fighter's SCBA harness assembly near the cylinder valve and utilizing a proper squatting technique; head up, back straight, lift with the legs. FF2 can assist with this step by grabbing the SCBA cylinder valve and pulling/pushing up.

Step 4: After sitting the downed fire fighter on to the bent knees of FF2, FF1 places the legs of the downed fire fighter on his/her shoulders. It is essential that FF1 gets the victims thighs on his/her shoulders with his/her face deep into the crotch of the downed fire fighter. If FF1 does not get deep enough and above the knees toward the buttocks, he/she will not get enough lift to allow the downed fire fighter to clear the windowsill.

Step 5: FF1 stands straight up creating enough lift for the downed fire fighter's SCBA to clear the windowsill and drives the downed fire fighter out the window. FF2 assists with this step by pushing straight up on the downed fire fighter's SCBA cylinder valve.

Step 6: Fire fighters on the exterior must be prepared to assist getting the downed fire fighter up and over the sill. This can be achieved by having at least one, if not two, fire fighters positioned outside the window to grab the downed fire fighter's SCBA shoulder straps and assist with the final lift. Obviously, if this is from a second or third floor, the exterior fire fighters would be working from ground ladders. A number of techniques that will be discussed in later articles can be used to lower the downed fire fighter to the ground.
http://www.rapidintervention.com/med...topic/may2002/

[E229Lt]

The death of Mark Langvardt was tragic enough. For those who viewed the video of the fire with no prior knowledge of the incident it was nothing less than shocking to learn this member died. Then came the excercise "The Denver Drill" as it became known. I have seen many variations and performed the drill in many of them. The first time, however, the demensions of the incident were recreated exactly and I was amazed at my own limitations in that scenario.

Any department who wants to run this drill should indeed do their homework and create a true mock up. Also, get the video and present it to the members involved prior to the drill and get their feedback before beginning. I assure you, those members will have a 100% different attitude following the drill.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Baileydonk... I have somwe denver drill prop pics that were sent to me by the Jolly Roger...

PM me with your email, and I will see if i can get them to you as an attachment...provided I have the talent to push and click the proper keys and screens on the computer!

[ullrichk]

E229Lt, I'm with you 100% on the video's ability to adjust attitudes. Do you know a good (i.e. legal and free) source for it?

I think the Fire Engineering web site has "plans" for a training prop.

[baileydonk]

Here are two web sites I found with good pictures of training on the Denver Drill:

http://www.miamitwp.org/fireems/training/rit.htm

http://fallschurchvfd.org/photos/photos.asp?event=48

[RoughRider]

Here are two web sites I found with good pictures of training on the Denver Drill:

http://www.miamitwp.org/fireems/training/rit.htm

http://fallschurchvfd.org/photos/photos.asp?event=48

Thanks baileydonk,

I was curious as well and googled this link.


denver drill

[BIGBOS1]

I got the opportunity to train in a mock setup like this thats setup at a local faciltiy, our academy class went over to it on a Saturday....

Its defiantly a lot of work, but if its coordinated its not too bad.

We also practiced the Colombus Drill that utilizes the handcuff knot to bring the downed firefighter up from the floor below

[mdoddsjffhnfc]

the Denver Drill was one of the modules at my RIT Operations class a few weeks ago. It was definately tough for a larger sized firefighter to take entry, but definately a + when it came to liftin the downed firefighter, since the bigger guy had more weight to work from. But yeah, i feel that doin that drill helped me learn alot for that situation.

tryin to drill the other guys in that might be a problem, we just have to make some kind of mock up