The Puget Sound F.O.O.L.S ( aka Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society) held their Hook and Irons Forcible Entry Class at Seattle Fire’s Joint Training Facility on Saturday, June 16, 2012. The training was all day from 0800-1800 hours.
The class offered 10-hours of Forcible Entry training focusing on conventional techniques using only a 6′ Halligan Hook and the Irons. Firefighers used this opportunity to force open real doors in addition to using props built by Brass Eagle Fabrication (www.brasseaglefabrication.com).
They covered single and team techniques in limited visibility with limited access situations addressing inward, outward, drop bars, side bolts, scissor gates, security doors, vacants, window bars, child gates and padlocks.
Four stations were setup to allow firefighters to learn various techniques and from the various instructors. Each firefighter practiced repitiously to gain enough experience and knowledge to help them be more efficient in operations, communicating with each other and discussing safety.
Challenges were given by recreating real world and common situations that may be found in their first due areas.
Due to the popularity of this type of training, class filled up really fast. Sounds like they are working on holding another class at a later time.
There were so many that made this event happen but the Super 5 (instructors) worked really hard with demos, teaching and inspiring those to be well prepared and safety.
Here are the Super 5 that made it possible:
Seattle Fire’s Lt. Tommy Hofland at Station #32, began his fire service career in 1996. Prior to his current assignment, he was previously assigned to Ladder Company 4. He has taught at several regional and national confrerences.
Stockton Fire’s Koy Wilson, a 16-year veteran and Tillerman is a CA Fire Instructor for the last 5 years teaching Engine and Trucks Ops; a H.O.T. Instructor at FDIC also 5 years. He is a founding member of the Stockton F.O.O.L.S.
Seattle Fire’s Josh Materi, began his career in 1996. He is assigned to Ladder 8. He has also taught at regional and national conferences and at the Tacoma Area Technical College.
Portland Fire & Rescue’s Cody Trestrail, was formerly with NYFD on Ladder 119 in the Brooklyn area, as well as on Squad #1. He is now with PF&R on Engine 31. He has taught numerous subjects at the Company, Battalion and Department wide levels.
Vancouver Fire’s Jason Avery, began his career in 1995 and is currently assigned to Truck #5. He has taught Forcible Entry at probie academy, at Company and Battlion wide levels.
Here are some of the highlights captured in time….
All in all, there was a good number of firefighters from all over the U.S. participated in this event with some from Stockton Fire, Seattle Fire, Snohomish Fire, Snohomish County Fire Distrct 7, Lacey Fire, N.W.F.R., Portland Fire and several others.
Want to know more about the Puget Sound F.O.O.L.S? Follow them on their FaceBook page or online at www.pugetsoundfools.com.
It was a blast watching you all in motion. It is great to know that when you train this hard, you all are striving to become better firefighters and raising the bar out on the fireground. Keep up the good work that you all do.
Be safe out there.
(c) 2012 The NW Fire Blog
(c) 2012 Photography Lisa Swenson
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