Firefighters Support Foundation V.E.(I).S. Vent Enter Isolate Search -------- Tricks of the Trade v1.0

About FSF The Firefighters Support Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose primary mission is to develop, produce and distribute training programs to firefighters and first responders. All of our programs are distributed free of charge. V.E.(I).S.

Permission Permission is granted to reproduce or distribute this material so long as the Firefighters Support Foundation is credited as the source V.E.(I).S.

Accompanying Video This PowerPoint presentation accompanies the video presentation of the same title. V.E.(I).S.

Abraham Madrigal Hillsboro Fire –Engineer, Acting Lieutenant UNIFIRE – A.C. of Special Operations Firetown – Adjunct Instructor Fire Innovations – Instructor, Product Specialist Spec Rescue – Adjunct Instructor V.E.(I).S.

Why we do what we do It is no secret that what we do is dangerous. We take risks and those risks, sometimes come at a significant cost. Fires do not discriminate between Paid or volunteer Firefighters when it decides to take one of our brothers or sisters. It is up to us to be able to recognize situations before they arise and to be trained and ready to act, to save our own, or the lives of our fellow Firefighters and or citizens we are sworn to protect. V.E.(I).S.

History Major incidents have shaped the fire 9-11-01 Worcester Fire 1999 Charleston Super Sofa Store Fire – 2007 Bret Tarver Incident – 2001 FDNY “Black Sunday” – 2005 To Name but a Few V.E.(I).S.

LODD On average we kill a 100 + Firefighters a year, with countless injuries to boot. At any given time you can search the internet and find LODD’s filling the stream. It is our duty to understand, learn and train on these occurrences to prevent future occurrences costing more lives of our fellow brothers and sisters. V.E.(I).S.

VE(I)S - History VES was first developed by the FDNY for the first due Truck company, given primary responsibilities for search operations. V.E.(I).S.

Common Reasons for VE(I)S First floor fire is cutting off access to upper floor(s) in residential structures. Fire cutting off access to primary entryways on a multi-family residential structure (e.g., garden style apartments) On any fire that has cut off access or egress to primary entry ways: access for firefighter entry or egress for victims V.E.(I).S.

Determining Factors for V.E.(I).S. First due officer needs to perform a 360 to: Determine if the environment suggests potential viable victim(s). (How much will we risk?) Once V.E.(I).S. has been determined as a tactic, broadcast the decision and the location. V.E.(I).S.

Tools Needed Full PPE Forcible entry tool (Hook, Axe, Haligan, etc.) TI (Thermal Imager) 1-2 ladders (depending on number of potential victims and size of structure) Minimum of 2 FF’s V.E.(I).S.

The Operation Set, raise and extend ladder. Forcibly set ladder to structure window to initiate breaking of glass (if department SOG’s will allow). This is the initiation of the VENT portion of V.E.I.S. Position ladder just below sill (to allow for ease of ingress and egress). 1st FF climbs ladder and clears all glass and window components including drapes or blinds. V.E.(I).S.

The Operation (cont) Use tool to sweep and sound floor just inside window (sweeping allows for checking for potential victims that may have collapsed by window; sounding allows for checking of floor integrity). ENTER the structure and begin a hasty search of the room while making your way to room door and secure that door if not already secured. (This is your ISOLATE.) V.E.(I).S.

The Operation (cont) 2nd FF should remain at the top of the ladder acting as anchor and maintain verbal communication, while providing a voice beacon to point of egress for interior searching firefighter. Once room door has been secured, searching firefighter hastily but thoroughly searches room, calling out findings to anchor at the window (this will ensure communication is maintained and aid in searcher maintaining bearing to egress point). V.E.(I).S.

The Operation (cont) Upon completion of search of the room, findings should be reported to command. Interior firefighter makes way back to egress point. Anchor firefighter descends ladder to allow egress of searching firefighter. Once operation is complete, report all members are clear of the structure. V.E.(I).S.

Additional Operation Notes If single team is performing multiple V.E.I.S.’s, Interior firefighter and anchor should rotate positions to share workload. V.E.(I).S.

Lets put it all together The following video is from the brothers and sisters of Colorado Springs Fire Department. Truck 8 is responding to an apartment fire in a garden style apartment structure. Video was edited by Irons and Ladders. V.E.(I).S.

Putting it Together V.E.(I).S.