The Boiling Frog Theory
If a frog is placed in cold water and the heat is slowly turned up, the frog does not realize that it is in danger--until the water reaches the boiling point, and then it is too late for the frog. As firefighters more times than not we find ourselves beginning our very mission at that “boiling point.”
There are a few simple steps that we can take to protect ourselves as aggressive firefighters. Often times, these basic skills get overlooked while we are operating in dire conditions on the fire floor and floors above.
We have all seen that outside vent firefighter working on window guards to gain entry from a portable ladder. Unfortunately, something that seems to get neglected at times is the removal of window guards from the inside.
Window guards are something every firefighter should become proficient in removing quickly, strictly because when it’s time to go and seconds are a matter of life and death, nothing should hinder your escape path.
We train on the PSS (personal safety system) and our bail procedures religiously, however, we rarely train on removing obstructions to complete this task quickly and effectively.
“Make a window a door.” You hear this all the time and honestly, I absolutely hate this phrase: every window should not be made into a door. I am a firm believer in venting as you search but
if you took the time to fully clear every window on the fire floor and floors above you would ultimately never complete the task at hand: searching for life.
If conditions dictate, and they will dictate very quickly that it’s time to go--You MUST fully clear the window INCLUDING the child guard for these reasons:
* You will get hung up on it.
* If you try to go over, it will certainly lift your body into a space of superheated gases venting out the window.
* More importantly, if you do indeed get out over the guard and begin your descent, the weight of your body will most likely pull the the guard loose introducing slack into your rope, ultimately compromising your anchor point.
* WINDOW GUARDS ARE NOT A SUBSTANTIAL TIE OFF POINT!
So what exactly are window child guards? Window guards are metal or aluminum devices that are installed in the lower half of double-hung (vertically opening) windows.
They are specifically designed and tested to prevent children from falling from a window, not to prevent burglary. So this is something you will absolutely see outside of urban neighborhoods.
Window guards come in 3, 4, 5, and 6 bar configurations. They are mounted into the frame of the window from the inside, anchored with 3 to 4 in.
They use one-way screws: more bars = more screws which in turn creates a difficult removal of the guard.
The law requires that window guards are installed:
* If you live in a building that has three or more apartments and a child 10 and
under lives in your apartment, even if you live on the first floor.
*In every window in the apartment, except windows leading to fire escapes.
* In buildings with fire escapes, the window guard must be left off one window in each ground-floor apartment so that the window can be used as an emergency exit.
* In ALL public hallway windows.
How do we remove these window guards?
It’s relatively simple once you learn the method.
1.Strike the inner bracket bar #2 towards the side jam #1.
2. Then, strike the opposite inner bracket bar #3 towards the adjacent side jam #4.
3. Repeat this method until you have fully hammered the screws on each side of the side jams free.
4. Be sure to keep the integrity of the bars by not bending them with a downward strike.
5. The only striking you will be doing is from the 3-to-9 and 9-to-3 position.
NEVER the 12-to-6 position!
This job is physically and emotionally demanding. Situations can change for the worse within a blink of an eye. It’s through your experience and training that you have the ability to adapt and overcome when these situations do arise. The key to survival is identifying when it is time react, not just the reaction. Don’t be the boiling frog!