There are so many great tips and tricks that can be applied to the fire service. We can all agree that our job is already difficult enough as it is.
For this very reason, we need to learn to work smarter not harder on the fireground. Little things that can increase our efficiency and make our job easier are something that every firefighter should know and perfect.
This new column will focus on featuring a number of tips and tricks geared toward improving our efficiency and effectiveness on the fireground. Simple things like setting up the rigs differently, carrying tools differently, or even modifying our tools can all have a tremendous impact on our success.
The most important thing about using tips and tricks in our business is that we need to use them with caution. Before teaching any tips or tricks we must ensure we teach and learn why we do something, not just the how. It may seem funny to introduce a new column focusing on tricks with this warning, but it’s true.
It is absolutely essential that we don’t just learn (or teach) the easy way of performing fireground tasks. As an instructor, or company officer, it is always a good idea to teach the “hard way” to perform a task before any timesaving tricks are demonstrated.
This is done for a number of reasons. First, it ensures that the individuals learning the skill learn the proper methods first, which will serve as an essential foundation for performing the skill.
Second, and more importantly, it guarantees that the firefighter knows exactly what needs to be done if the trick does not (or will not) work in a particular situation. Finally, it ensures that the firefighter will be able to pass the trick on to another with all necessary information on how and why the trick works.
We will be accepting submissions from our readers to be considered in this column. To submit your tips and tricks, please email them to Jimm.Walsh@FireRescue1.com.
We look forward to sharing and discussing these important techniques with all of you. Remember, we need to work smarter not harder on the fireground.