Blog of Aaron J.: mega high rise

High-rise building fires can be the most challenging and dangerous operation for a firefighter. An important element for success in high-rise fire incidents is "the standpipe kit". These kits include all the essential tools a crew may need to conduct standpipe operations. In the article titled, "The Standpipe Kit", published in WNYF (2nd/2015), describes the components that make up a functional kit. This article serves as a useful guide for creating or updating your department's own kit.

The basic standpipe kit should include:

Door chocks and wedges (assorted)
Spanner wrenches (2)
Off-set pipe wrench (18" minimum) - to remove caps or operate stripped control valves
Control valve wheels - various sizes, as needed for the response area
Wire brush
Pressure gauge or standpipe flowmeter
Nozzle (spare)
Adapters and couplings (various)
Gate valve

This list presents basic items that should be included in every kit. Pre-fire planning for your response area must be conducted. Based on the pre-fire plans other adapters, thread types, sizes, or items may be needed and should be added to the kit.

WNYF - With New York Firefighters is the official training publication of the FDNY. This publication should be required reading for any fire service professionals that are serious about their job, careers, and professional development. The quality, relevance, and applicability of the articles is first-rate. The magazine is zero advertising, no frills, all training content. The featured fire calls, recurring columns, and FDNY section profiles, provide administrative and operational insight that can be applied to your own operation.

The magazine recently started publishing in a digital format, as well as, print. They also have started two additional publications, ProEMS and ProFIT. To subscribe or receive more information go to, FDNYpro.org.

5 Takeaways from WNYF 1st/2016

1. This issues marks the 75th anniversary of the WNYF publication. The 1941 issues featured a story about FDNY firefighters sent to England to learn tactics from the London Fire Brigade as they were undergoing German airstrikes. The FDNY was thinking ahead in a big way, to ensure that the citizens of New York City would receive the highest levels of protection. What are our departments doing and learning from others around the world? Are we taking all the steps necessary to provide our citizens the highest levels of care?

2. There are three activities that FDNY firefighters engage in to ensure readiness and preparedness for fires in mega-high-rise structures: fire inspection data/information, 90-day familiarization drills, and multi-unit drills.

3. Recommended resource for fire department response to building collapse, Collapse of Burning Buildings: A Guide to Fireground Safety, by Vincent Dunn.

4. To prioritize and manage a collapse operation, the acronym SCLUFS can be used:

S - signal - request all necessary resources and units

C - command post - establish command

L - life - account for all affected individuals

U - utilities - shut down and control utilities

F - front - manage street and apparatus placement and access

S - sectoring - establish sectors and assign sector supervisors

5. FDNY utilizes a 10-step plan for all technical rescues: