Fire Behavior Training

At a formal dinner on 23 January 2010, Chief Ed Hartin was recognized as an honorary member of Company 1 “Germania” of the Valdivia, Chile Fire Department. In addition, he was awarded a commendation for supporting the ongoing professional development of the members of Company 1 “Germania” of the Valdivia, Chile Fire Department and encouraging … Read more

Prior posts in this series, My Nozzle and Basic Nozzle Techniques & Hose Handling, examined the importance of proficiency in use of the firefighters’ primary weapon in offensive firefighting operations. This is my nozzle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My nozzle is my best friend. It is my life. I … Read more

The previous post in this series, My Nozzle, examined the importance of nozzle knowledge and skill in using the firefighter’s primary weapon in offensive firefighting operations. Figure 1. Practice is Essential to Effective Nozzle Technique Note: These Fire Officers from Rijeka, Croatia are practicing the short pulse to place water fog into the hot gas … Read more

Warfare is often used as a metaphor for firefighting with fire being the enemy and the building the ground on which we fight. Extending warfare as a metaphor, handline nozzles are firefighters’ principle weapon in offensive firefighting operations. In the early 1940s Major General William H. Rupertus, United States Marine Corps (USMC), wrote the Rifleman’s … Read more

Live Fire Simulations: Key Elements of Fidelity examined some of the important elements in physical fidelity, the extent to which the simulation looks and feels real. This post will begin the process of identifying key aspects of functional fidelity, the extent to which the simulation works and reacts realistically. Maintaining the Balance One important factor … Read more

Several earlier posts (Training Fires Versus Real Fires, Live Fire Training: Important Questions) introduced the concepts of live fire training as simulation, physical fidelity, and functional fidelity. This post will dig a bit deeper into what aspects of fidelity may be important in live fire training. Interesting Puzzle Physical fidelity is the extent to which … Read more

In several recent posts (Training Fires and “Real” Fires and Live Fire Training in Purpose Built Structures, I emphasized that all live fire training is a simulation. Fidelity is the extent to which the simulation replicates reality. Figure 1. Training in an Acquired Structure Note: Ed Hartin Photo The Questions Some firefighters and fire officers … Read more