Well Sunday morning came quickly and right at 7 am there was Capt "Trix" Tricarico going over some Power Point info for the class.  Little did anyone know what I knew after helping build the mock up on Saturday, what they were in for.  His morning lecture was pretty convincing as footage from fires and radio transmissions were played out showing some really good firefighter survival information.
 

When we broke from the station and headed out to the field operations I just kept thinking this was and will be the most intense part of class most of these younger firefighters would ever see. I wondered if pushing the younger ones so hard was good for them, but I know Tony felt it was time. Upon going over some last details, he gave the green light to go.  The call came in for a commercial building fire with people evacuating.  The police came on scene and reported seeing a firefighter entering the plant, who happened to be an employee.  This is very common in the volunteer service.

The first arriving Ladder Company gave a report on the smoke condition and started there search. The Engine Company arrived and set up a 2 ½” set back line and added on a 150 ft. more 2 ½” with a straight bore nozzle to reach the fire room.  The Ladder doing the initial search found a fire on the 2nd level mezzanine and radioed out to the Engine the location.  The two teams met up and stretch the line to knock down the fire.  The Ladder Company then found a hole through the floor and recognized a downed firefighter in the hole.   They then made the first attempt by lowering down a team member into the hole, but what they didn't realize was the time into the operation had taken its toll so out came the first team.  The RIT Team was on its way but the Engine crew made its attempt by lowering the hose line with a loop of the line into the hole and also attempted putting a firefighter into the hole.  There time was running low so they had to exit the area. 

The RIT Team made its way and asked for an additional Team to help in the extrication of the firefighter. Both Teams worked extremely hard with several attempts with putting a firefighter in the hole.  The heat and smoke condition made things so difficult that again some frustration was setting in. 

Several attempts at hooking up the RIT Pack were made with also trying to tie off and pull up the downed firefighter.  It seemed every time they tried the quicker they were out of air.

Two more teams entered and changed out with the teams working but still they just couldn't get him out. A third tam then came n and went to work and as hard as they all worked it just wasn't working.  Chief Aulisio and Chief Molinaro kept radio transmissions running smooth and kept all the logistics.  It was then 55 minutes into the call a TIME-OUT was given.  All the crews reported outside and reevaluate what was going on.

Now this gives me a chance to tell you what they were up against that morning.  The mock up consisted of a 2 ft. by 2 ft. hole with 4 walls built around this below. We set up a door on the bottom for quick access in case someone got in trouble.  He then cut out a small hole in the wall and we set up a torpedo heater which immediately got the temperature up.  We also used smoke bombs continuously during the evolution, which kept visibility very poor.  The biggest obstacle was a sprinkler pipe running right through the hole, which we left when the hole was cut.  Every crew tried to work around it, the tunnel vision factor was happening. 

Once outside Tony talked to everyone and tried to get across to them its not how hard you work but how smart and efficient.  People were chomping at the bit.  They wanted to go right in again and get this guy out. Chief  Dugan gave some pointers to try and let everyone know what information they get out to Command was very vital in helping the Chief Officers make there decisions more efficient also. 
 

With every one ready Tony wanted to start back up were it was left off but everyone wanted to start from scratch.  This made Tony smile, working harder pushing harder, this is what he was looking for.  The teams went to work and within 32 minutes had the firefighter out of the hole and in a stokes on his way out.  Excellent teamwork and more use of tools on site got the job done.  An interior operations supervisor each crew what to do instead of several bosses, this seemed to help.  All in all the scenario was much better.

When everyone exited the building and our round table  discussion began, I say Tony sit back in a chair and watch.  Both Chiefs talked and so did each Team Leader discuss the good and bad of the scenario.  They all seemed to be on the same page but knew there was work to be done making it better.  Again I watch Tony just sitting there smiling like a proud father maybe seeing his son getting his first hit in Little League. He was accomplishing what he set out for that weekend, and that was to push you harder and harder.
 

We would like to thank the following: Rescue 98 crew members Ladder 43 crew members Engine 4 member Engine 15 member Engine 933 members Engine 93 members Chief Aulisio and Chief Molinaro

The weekend was a huge success and I think everyone got something out of it.  The team effort and the hard work done by all made the class what it was suppose to be.  The 93 area has committed to another class in the fall with Task Force 1, Inc. on “FIREFIGHTER SAFETY AND SURVIVAL”.

We do see that the local classes we have taken have been taught by very good instructors, giving us the basics in these operations.  I realize that you can''t make everyone play in your sandbox because personalities just wont let this happen.  I realize that there is so many broken pieces to the puzzle and you just cant fix them all, but it shouldn't stop you from doing what you think is right. I also realize you need to go forward, not dwell on the past because time is short and the danger is getting greater. No one knows what the future will hold, but mark my words I'm sure, Captain Tony Tricarico will be there pushing us harder and harder.  THANKS!

A special thank you to the crew from Task Force 1, Inc.: Battalion Chief Jim Dugan  ~  Captain Tony Trix Tricarico ~ Assistant Chief Ron Richards

Photos here!