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Mark van der Feyst

The Domino Effect

Mark van der Feyst has been in the fire service since 1998, currently serving as a firefighter with the Fort Gratiot Fire Department in Michigan. He is an international instructor teaching in Canada, the United States and India. He graduated from Seneca College of Applied and Technologies as a fire protection engineering technologist, and received his bachelor’s degree in fire and life safety studies from the Justice Institute of British Columbia and his master’s degree in safety, security and emergency management from Eastern Kentucky University. van der Feyst is the lead author of the book “Residential Fire Rescue” and “The Tactical Firefighter.” Connect with van der Feyst via email.

LATET ARTICLES
A burning vehicle set in motion can play havoc on a fireground; here are steps to avoid this potentially deadly scenario
Not understanding the dangers or proper tactics for fighting high-voltage fires can be deadly
Second-guessing an evacuation order places the interior crew and those charged with rescuing them in great peril
No firefighter should ever be on a roof without a partner, without full PPE or without a primary and secondary way off
Civilians don’t understand that water delivery takes time; firefighters must train on that process so as not to create additional delay
Pinching the supply line can spell serious trouble for an interior attack crew; here are ways to keep those lines kink-free
One well-intentioned bystander can cause enough distraction to the safety and effectiveness of initial fire attack operations
Portable radios have changed the fireground communication dynamic; knowing how and when to use them can be a lifesaver
Making sure firefighter communication is understood is a key to safe firefighting; here are ways to ensure what is sent is received
Typically thought of as a defensive weapon, the deck gun can buy you crucial time to make an interior attack