I don’t expect bystanders to understand what we do or what decisions we make when pulling up on a house like this one.
Some of the bystanders within earshot of the video camera comment on how long it took for firefighters to get water on the fire. One comment “One thing we’ve learned is firemen are slow” is actually met with reasoning on the part of another. As typical with citizen video, I found the conversation to be interesting.
By my estimations, going on the sounds of sirens to water actually hitting the fire it was about 2 1/2 minutes. The bystanders discuss the time and some other things throughout this video.
I am not even certain that 2 1/2 minutes is long. It seems long in watching the video, but we have no clue what they are up against.
What I do take issue with is if there was no search completed. I cannot say that one isn’t performed, I did not see any sign of one in the video. I would have called for a search. Even if the occupants say everyone is out, there is still a chance of having people inside.
The comment that takes the cake is when they discuss what caused the fire…they say that it will be found out because they have to do a fire investigation…ha. I see a “undetermined” coming soon. At least one department very close to where I am from uses undetermined and electrical a lot.
This fire occurred in The Villages, Florida on Rhapsody Path. Check out their Fire Department here.
I’m sorry but 2-1/2 minutes is fast. Think about pulling the hose took 1 minute 15 secs and putting on the gear takes about the same. Whoever worked the fire great job!
Michael
Hats off to The Village Fire Department! They made a quick tactical decision to start their fire attack in a defensive mode. The fire was well developed and unsafe to enter the structure until a majority of the fire was knocked down. For those sidewalk firefighters questioning their fire departments abilities, get educated before commenting. You might learn something! The initial apparatus did Exactly what they could and had the resources to do until additional personnel arrived.
As a seasoned firefighter, the public needs to be aware that the first order of business is scene and crew safety. The house was obviously still connected to electricity and you can see that there is a car in the garage. two and one half minutes is not an enternity when we are speaking of those who risk their lives. If you have never fought a structure fire, then do not criticize. We train hard to save your life. Houses can be rebuilt. You are not a cat and only have one life. Firefighting is dangerous as I have fallen through the floor of a burning house twice. Interior structure firefighting is not that simple. If you believe it to be then blindfold yourself and attempt to make your way around the inside of a stranger’s living room while lugging an extremely heavy hose in pitch black.
As a fire investigator, it is not our job to put a loss amount to any structure. That belongs to the insurance agency.
You are guessing as to this 2 1/2 minutes. The driver or senior office was in touch with the 911 center. Probably receiving info regarding the electric company (since you cannot spray water on electricity), the occupants and making strategic decisions regarding water supply.
I would say that 2 1/2 minutes was record time in my opinion.
Ok to those of you that obviously don’t understand a thing about fighting fire need to shut their mouths. My husband was there fighting that fire and I couldn’t be prouder of the job those guys did. Just because you don’t see what they are doing doesn’t mean they arnt doing anything. Maybe instead of bad mouthing the men and women that will eventually save your loved ones lives you should think about who is listening and remember you are the one not doing a damn thing sitting on the sideline!
Such a female (Wifey) thing to say…Even though I dont think they did a bad job at all. Sorry Stephanie, we (look i include myself) mess up & in this line of work if you’re messing up but dont realize it OR dont care YOU or your company can get yourself or others killed. Any one of us would step up & donate a weeks salary to a brother FF or open our home if needed WE critique because we love each other & want each other to strive to be the best and always go home. Perhaps if YOU’RE not a firefighter, YOU should shut your mouth???
Well shame if you had read my comment more carefully you would have noticed that it was not interned for firefighters it was for all the others commenting on things maybe they can’t see. As for such a wifey thing to say…..that’s right I will always stand behind my husband and back him upland if you have a problem then I’m sure its just jealousy surely coming from a man who only has his hand to go home to. That is all I have to say.
Hey! Thats below the belt!…These hands have always been good to me
(in a wisper)”BTW Steph…thats firehouse humor and its ok to laugh at the one you dont like too…”
So where is the problem? It appeared to be a garage fire that had gotten into the attic space judging by te smoke pushing out of the vents and eaves. Considering the headway the fire had I think they did a good job of knocking it down. I would have liked to have seen a search conducted on arrival but I wasnt there so im not bashing anyone on their decision making. After 20 plus years in the business I can say theres nothing worse than harsh or stinging criticism from armchair quarterbacks who dont know shit about fireground operations. When you put in the time and have had your ears burned a few times then come talk to me. Until then please keep your uneducated and obviously ignorant opinions to yourself.
Sincerely Don Hall Master Firefighter/EMT
JCFD local 1791
What the public says on a camera is different from what we face everyday. Obviously this department had limited manning. The fire was well involvd into the structure. Pulling up with the manning they did, 2 1/2 minutes to get water on it was good. You see a lack of some things, but this isnt a big department. This is a typical Forida construction home, not something you are going to risk lives on until you get the bulk of the fire controlled. Notice the smoke and the turbulence of it. That home was lost, and the bottom line is everyone went home.
Tactically this was a great stop. Ask yourself a question, would it have been worth it to lose a firefighter to this? The occupants were out. Primary and secondary searches can be performed shortly after the fire is knocked down, the occupants told you they were all out. Leave the hero’s at home, no need to risk lives here. The fact you can see the garage door had fallen, hampered their ability to get inside. Truck work becomes a premium here, by pulling the door and opening up. Obviously they didnt have the manpower on arrival. Kudo’s to the IC for knowing the capabilities of his or her department. The public has no idea what we do, and what it takes to do it. Educate them!
29 years on the job, 14 as an IC.
Some things you may want to consider! The first engine on scene is a 2 man company. Both occupants were out of the house and on the street. The initial dispatch was not a structure fire assignment. The officer called for that enroute when the smoke was visible enroute. The fire was contained to the garage with some minor extension into the attic which was stopped with aggressive overhaul inside. No fire extension into any other area of the home. The first line pulled by the 2 man company and attack began with was a 2 1/2 line. Yes there was some pump issues. I have been a career firefighter for 30 years and if you think you can do better with a 2 person engine than god bless you. I think they did a great job and saved 85% of this persons house and all their possessions except for in the garage, By the way there were 2 cars and a golf cart in the garage.
The fire is under investigation.
Help me I’ve done something not so smart now I want the same from you! Why so slow? Perhaps I should have listened to the city council meeting when they were taking funding from fire service to build a park or something; glad I got the park may be where I’m sleeping.
Some things never change, “Those that know the least always know it the loudest.”