FDIC 2016 - What's Going On?

We are heading to FDIC this year and hope to provide all of you who are unable to attend with a resource. We recently started using Periscope which enables us to stream live broadcasts throughout the event. If you download the app follow us "@FFMattHinkle" and you will be able to watch the live streams. You will also be able to comment or ask questions during a broadcast while the event is live. Once the event ends you can watch the video for up to 24 hours later and then the broadcasts are removed. If you are attending FDIC 2016 we hope to see you there. If you see us walking around the exhibits stop us and say hello. We will have free stickers with us and will give them away until we run out. You can check out our short video below to learn how to follow along on Periscope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpbECUkCnHw&feature=youtu.be

Free Stuff from American Fire Apparel

It's time for another give away on our Facebook Page. American Fire Apparel has provided us with a giveaway of any product in stock on their website http://americanfireapparel.net To enter you have to go to our Facebook Page and like or comment on the American Fire Apparel post. We will select one random winner by the end of the day and you will get to choose your free gear from American Fire Apparel.

The Pig - Product Review

Check out our latest product review video on The Pig forcible entry tool from Lone Star Axe. This tool falls into a category on its own and is by far one of the best forcible entry tools on the market. If you want some more info on The Pig check out their website at: www.lonestaraxellc.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNMhuXKkGiw

Nozzle Air Entrainment - The Cause and Effect

We have recently produced a video series discussing Nozzle Air Entrainment for firefighters. In this series we took a look at 3 pairs of tests for a total of 6 videos. In this video we take an in depth look at nozzle air entrainment and hope this overall instructional video sheds a little light on the topic. Remember, you can reference the other test videos by viewing them in the overall Nozzle Air Entrainment Playlist. We will provide that playlist at the bottom of this article, but you will also be able to find the playlist on our website by clicking here or on our YouTube channel.

Nozzle Air Entrainment - The Cause and Effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aASbS63Ki4o

If you missed the other videos you can find them in our playlist below:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4NKqZJ7joymMNcArOH8teKL_c2u6X3KJ

Nozzle Air Entrainment Round 3 - Video Series

This is the third round of videos in our Nozzle Air Entrainment Video Series. In this round of test videos we will look at interior ventilated attacks with both the fog nozzle and the smoothbore nozzle. If you haven't seen the first or second round of tests you can view them by clicking here: First Round, Second Round

TEST 5 - Fog Nozzle Ventilated Attack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI4wdp3dvf4

TEST 6 - Smoothbore Nozzle Ventilated Attack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXpHMxxjr4Q

Thank you for watching. Keep an eye out for the next video in this series which will recap all the test and review the nozzle types and attack methods. We will also include some thermal imaging footage during some test burns. If you would like to view the entire playlist on YouTube you can view it below:

The Entire Nozzle Air Entrainment Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4NKqZJ7joymMNcArOH8teKL_c2u6X3KJ

True Hose Spec Push 2016

For many of us we find ourselves slipping into conversations that have to do with firemanship, passion, commitment, tactics and change. If any of those describe you, it is time to make a push. Dennis LeGear from LeGear Engineering F.D. Consulting has been making waves with many ideas such as the 1 3/16" nozzle and the potential for making a true hose spec built for purpose. The True Hose Spec Project is an effort to manufacture hose with true internal diameter which will greatly benefit all of us by reducing hose whip, kinking, elongation and many other problems associated with "swelled" diameter hose.

So, how can you help? Dennis needs support for this project and wants to show the manufacturers that all of us desperately need a better hose spec. All you have to do is go to the link below and fill out the form. He will take this information straight to the manufacturers to continue the push for True Hose Spec.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DESCRIPTION ARTICLE LINK TO THE TRUE HOSE PUSH 2016

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT AND FILL OUT THE FORM TO SUPPORT THE TRUE HOSE SPEC

Nozzle Air Entrainment Round 2 - Video Series

This is the second round of videos from our Nozzle Air Entrainment Video Series. In these two videos we will look at the interior attack of a vent limited situation. This will give you a good idea of how a nozzle can over pressurize a space regardless of fire or heat. This is simply air entrainment causing this over pressurization. We will use two videos, one for the smoothbore and one for the fog nozzle. This will pick up where we left off with Tests 1 & 2. If you haven't seen the first two tests click here to watch those videos.

TEST 3 - Fog Nozzle Interior Attack Vent Limited

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKWrYKUIvpc

TEST 4 - Smoothbore Nozzle Interior Attack Vent Limited

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q-CaiklzyI

Thank you for watching and keep an eye out for the next round of videos. We still have two more experiments to go and will release those next week.

If you would like to view all of the videos in the video series you can see them below in our playlist:

Entire Nozzle Air Entrainment Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4NKqZJ7joymMNcArOH8teKL_c2u6X3KJ

Nozzle Air Entrainment - Video Series

Today we have released the beginning of a 7 part video series on Nozzle Air Entrainment. These videos will walk through some of the basic concepts of nozzle air entrainment and how you can deliver some hands-on practical drills demonstrating air entrainment with various nozzle types. We will release all of these videos over the next few weeks so keep an eye out as we move along. You will see below Test 1 and 2 which will begin our video series.

TEST 1

Test 1 is an exterior attack through a window using a fog nozzle. We will begin the attack with a straight stream directed at the ceiling and then move the pattern through 30 degrees and towards full fog. You will see a drastic increase in air entrainment as we change the pattern of the nozzle. This fog nozzle was flowing 125 GPM at 100 psi nozzle pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1xpO9Es2nY

Test 2

Test 2 is the same test but we are using a 7/8" smoothbore nozzle. You will see a decrease in the air entrainment even with the increase in flow. This 7/8" tip was flowing 160 GPM at 50 psi nozzle pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOmyrJEpIZw

You will see several more of these tests coming out over the next few weeks. The next tests include interior attacks both ventilated and non ventilated.

If you would like to view all of the videos in the video series you can see them below in our playlist:

Entire Nozzle Air Entrainment Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4NKqZJ7joymMNcArOH8teKL_c2u6X3KJ

Iron Fox Axe - Product Review

Check out our latest product review of the Iron Fox Axe. This axe has caught the attention of many especially with it's "battle axe" look. Once you look past the aggressive aesthetics you will find several nice features. If you would like more info about the Iron Fox Axe take a look at their website: IronFoxAxes.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnEQo3xelAw&feature=youtu.be

Keep Calm Shirts on Sale!

Our "Keep Calm and Follow Me Shirts are on sale right now for St. Paddy's Day. Check them out in our website store. CLICK HERE FOR A SHIRT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3DegzojLx0&feature=youtu.be

Halligan Tuning Guide - Search and Destroy Training

Many of you probably saw this guide floating around on Facebook but this is by far one of the best tool guides I have ever seen. This piece of work does not surprise me because it came from Search and Destroy Training. S&D has been my go to for tools and questions regarding their specifics. They have graciously provided us with a pdf version of the guide for you all to use. You can find the guide below but we also wanted to provide you with several other links to get to their training resources. Search and Destroy's Website

Search and Destroy on YouTube

Search and Destroy on Facebook

Tricks of the Trade

One of the unfortunate short-comings of the U.S. fire and rescue services is the lack of central location for information and media on tools, techniques, and tactics. Standing around 1.2 million firefighters strong, much information remains in cliques, fringe groups, regionalized, or even within a select few organizations. It is almost tragic, that there is not a one-stop resource for all things under a fire-rescue related topic. In my rescue circles, I have found my “go-to” resources of information. Rope rescue for example- as big a topic as rope rescue is, at its heart- there are relatively few authors, instructors, and innovators putting out original content. From the 1980s to now, there are probably less than two dozen names of noteworthy recognition. Even a smaller group of those have a fire-rescue background. We have put together a video below discussing this very topic as well as an included trick of the trade we picked up along the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XsFDJ0CBgQ

If I were to start with all things rope, I would first gather around six or more major texts. Then I would start sorting through periodicals at the National Emergency Training Center Learning Resource Center(LRC). The LRC at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg MD, is the closest thing to a centrally located library for the fire service. They have a host of librarians that offer research assistance and will be happy to copy or send you material on interlibrary loan. You can search the library through their website. This would yield periodicals dealing with rope rescue such as Fire Rescue Magazine, Fire Engineering, Technical Rescue Magazine, the National Speleological Society Vertical Section, and old NASAR publications.

These sources have some great authors and will show you the history of modern rescue. But if you really want to geek-out and get in the weeds- you have got to study the material coming out of the International Technical Rescue Symposium(ITRS). Here you can study many works from the O.G.s of rescue. Dill, Larson, Hudson, Frank, Thorne, Vines, Mauthner, Smith, Padgette, and more all reside here. This annual symposium is limited to 150 participants, has 15-20 presenters, and it is here that information and research gets its peer-reviewed acid test before it goes mainstream. In order to take your research beyond this level, you probably have to talk to the “original gangstas” themselves or perform original research on your own. . .

There is a huge need to capture some of this institutional knowledge before key organizational members hang up their gear for the last time. Regional barriers that prevent the spread of life-saving information must be overcome. We need platforms to share a disseminate tools, techniques, and tricks of the trade. One of these areas that seems very regionalized is heavy rescue. What is a trick that makes your life easier and no one seems to know about it, but your team? Do you have method for running a breaching tool that saves time and maintenance? Is there a new tool that you found closes a capability gap? Have you learned new tricks from an old tool- such as the Griphoist? As US&R teams immerse themselves in flood and swiftwater rescues, do you have a lesson that can save future lives? We want to collect these ideas from all walks of technical rescue and share it with the community. Fill out all the information in the Training Bulletin survey and share with others. We will take top tips and post them here on BoxalarmTraining. Additionally, we are looking for tips and trick that could be share with the National US&R System. If pertinent and valuable, your content could appear in classes or the US&R Field Operations Guide(FOG). We may contact you for more pictures or clarifications. Credit will be given and cited and intellectual property will be honored. We are looking to foster a since of sharing of rescue knowledge- especially when seconds and lives matter.

DJI and FLIR Imaging Video

As technology in the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) rapidly moves forward DJI has just released its partnership with FLIR to provide thermal imaging on board their current UAS platforms. This will be a topic for many of us performing fire and SAR operations.

Check out the video below to see the features and how this system could be used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z625R9eljIc

American Fire Apparel - December Giveaway

It's time for another American Fire Apparel giveaway. We will select one random winner by the end of today (December 7, 2015). To enter the drawing go to our Facebook Page and look for the post: www.facebook.com/boxalarmtraining

The winner will get to select any item in stock on American Fire Apparel's online store. Check it out here:

http://americanfireapparel.net

Good Luck!

Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Firefighters 2015

It's that time of year and we have released our Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Firefighters. Below you will see several different products and links to find each.

#10 - Firefighter Apparel

This is not the cringe while you look at cheesy firefighter apparel gift. I personally own apparel from the three brands below and recommend all of them as gifts. Each one produces apparel with higher end materials and you can tell by the feel and fit. My personal preference is any shirt with the 50/50 blend, very comfortable.

Engine Company Apparel, American Fire Apparel and Hook and Irons Clothing

#9 - FD Leatherworks

Any custom products from FD Leatherworks will be sure to please. They offer a wide range of products in several price ranges to choose from: Chinstraps, Belts, Radio Straps, etc. If you are unable to get the order in on time just make it a gift certificate.

#8 - Black Smoke Shields

A custom leather front from Black Smoke Shields makes a great gift. This gift seems to work better if given as a "gift certificate". That will allow the firefighter to choose their own custom style.

#8 - The Rescue Wedge

The Rescue Wedge is a great personal tool for a firefighter. Great for one man forcible entry operations and works really well on heavy commercial doors. The wedge is made of aluminum and features the "Frederick Notch" made famous by Andy Fredericks.

#7 - Glove Crafters Fire Armor Gloves

Gloves make great gifts. There are many different brands but I tend to lean toward the Glove Crafters Fire Armor Glove. The gloves are made in Arkansas and are very well made. They are a great blend of dexterity and durability.

#6 - Frame a Picture

I never really looked at the importance of these small personal gifts until I had several years in the fire service. Every firefighter shares a common bond and pride in what we do is at the top of the list. Having a framed picture to show your kids or grandkids in the future will be invaluable. As the son of a professional photographer I have learned to stay away from "action" shots and look for personal shots. Pictures that show firefighters being firefighters or pictures with friends who share the job.

#5 - Majestic Fire Apparel Hood

Majestic Fire Apparel manufactures really good hoods and they have a massive selection. With the introduction of their new Moisture Membrane Hoods I would look at the MM2. I would also choose a good C6 fabric hood in the PAC II design. Lastly, you may be interested in the SVZ (Strategic Vent Zone) Hoods. You will want to check out their website to see all the available options: http://www.majhoods.com

#4 - Firefighter Tools

These can become a little pricey but you get what you pay for. I highly recommend these three tools as the go to tools for forcible entry and truck work: The Pig, Fire Hooks Unlimited Maxximus Rex Halligan, and the Iron Fox Axe. If you are interested in purchasing tools I encourage you to go to Search and Destroy Tools and Equipment or First In Last Out Fire and Safety Equipment.

#3 - NFFF Brick

If you have ever been to the National Fire Academy you have seen the Walk of Honor. The park features a brick Walk of Honor® that connects the monument, the historic Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel, and memorial plazas. Each brick on the walkway bears a personal inscription. Proceeds from the sale of these bricks help to finance construction of the Memorial Park. You can find the link to the bricks by Clicking Here.

#2 - Fire Cam

I have owned a Fire Cam product for several years and just recently received the new Fire Cam 1080 WIFI. Fire Cam makes great products and also brings even better customer service with each purchase. I would check out the 1080 Wifi edition if you are looking for a helmet cam.

#1 - A Trip to FDIC

For those of you that have attended FDIC before you know how valuable the training and experience will be. FDIC is a must attend event on the bucket list for any firefighter. You will be surrounded by thousands of brothers who are truly passionate about the fire service and will have days of new products to check out. The classes are delivered by the best in the world and you will go home with the batteries charged to get back to work.

We also carry a few items in our online store you might enjoy. Every purchase helps us fund our mission of providing free training resources to firefighters across the United States. You can check out our store by Clicking Here.

Black Friday Sale

Black Friday Sale!

Check out our online store for the deals we are offering on Black Friday.

10% OFF ALL SHIRTS

10% OFF ALL STICKERS

To check out our online store and shop the Black Friday Sales CLICK HERE. 

UL - Air Entrainment Research

UL's Firefighter Safety Research Institute has conducted an extensive Air Entrainment Study to evaluate the influence of nozzles and their ability to influence the flow path during a fire. I personally have been conducting my own back yard testing for more than a year on this very topic. From the moment "You can't push fire" was quoted I began to evaluate the entrainment of air using various nozzles and application techniques. I am looking forward to seeing the results UL publishes so we can have a better understanding of this dynamic environment. I will release several training videos in the near future about this very topic but until then check out UL's video about the study. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7pMy_bl2Vs

You can read below to see what UL has to say about this valuable research project:

As part of the 2013 DHS Grant to study the “Impact of Fire Attack utilizing Interior and Exterior Streams on Firefighter Safety and Occupant Survival” testing was conducted at the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center in Sharon Hill, PA to measure the amount of air being entrained into the structure by Fire Attack operations. Each test was designed to evaluate differences in entrainment, if any, by looking at different nozzle types, stream types, application patterns, as well as different compartment and ventilation configurations. These tests were conducted over a four day period where more than 150 tests were performed resulting in tens of thousands of data points as well as hours of video and hundreds of still images.

These experiments were conducted in a two-story residential structure with concrete walls and drywall constructing the first floor, and normal wood framing with drywall constructing the second floor. The building size was 20ft. wide, 36ft. long with 8ft. high ceilings. The building had multiple ventilation openings varying in size which allowed tests to be done utilizing different variables to replicate the most realistic conditions firefighters would face in the field. Additionally, the interior geometry of the structure was varied dependent on the type of test being conducted.

Instrumentation was used to measure air flow into the structure caused by the type of hose stream and how it was applied. These devices included bi-directional probes and associated pressure transducers to measure air flow in addition to in-line pressure and flow gauges to ensure the hose streams were applied at the desired pressure and flow per the manufacturer.

The tests covered a range of hose line sizes including 1-3/4” and 2-1/2” as well as different nozzle types: combination/fog and smoothbore. Portable monitor and master stream devices were examined as well. The hose streams varied between smoothbore, straight stream, and narrow fog in addition to the nozzle patterns including fixed, “Z,” “O,” and the Inverted “U.” The first round of experiments was aimed at determining the amount of air entrained by the different nozzles at different hose line sizes and application patterns irrespective of building configuration. The next series of tests examined the impact of varying the ventilation openings both behind and ahead of the nozzle. The final series of experiments focused on a more realistic interior geometry layout involving flowing water while moving down a hallway towards a room. Once again, ventilation openings were varied ahead of the nozzle. During each of these series of experiments, hose streams were applied from both the interior and exterior of the structure to determine the differences in overall entrainment into the structure.

The Rescue Wedge

It has been said many times before, that having single firefighter forcible entry skills becomes a force multiplier on the fireground. This wedge was developed by Jared Ford and Wesley Porter and made in the U.S.A. Using a machined wedge can help tremendously when trying to gap a door by yourself. We have been testing out the Rescue Wedge and will be producing a product review video in the near future. Until then you can get more info off of their Website and their Facebook Page. Check out this video and see what you think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-goxahRok

Product Giveaway - American Fire Apparel

American Fire Apparel has decided to support our training mission and will be giving away a free item on our Facebook page today! The winner will get a chance to select any item from American Fire Apparel and they will send it straight to you. To enter the contest make sure you go over to our Facebook page and look for the post with the giveaway. Like or comment on the post and we will select a random winner by the end of today, November 9, 2015.  

You can check out a few of the products in our video below:

https://youtu.be/KALlE4z39c0

Movember is Here!

As many of you know firefighters are at an increased risk of developing many forms of cancer. November has become the month for men to raise cancer awareness and this movement has been largely credited to Movember. The Movember Foundation is a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives. Since 2003, millions have joined the men’s health movement, raising $650 million and funding over 1,000 programs focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.

Box Alarm Training has created the Firefighter Mustache shirt to help raise cancer awareness for firefighters. We will be donating the proceeds of the sales of this shirt to Movember. To get your own shirt you can click here.