The Training Bulletin Page

Ventilation

This week's drill ties to the NIOSH report on the NIOSH page.

This involves a simulation using an acquired structure or place where you can be up on a ladder as a minimum.

Using some elevated structure, or old storage conex box trailer or something, go up to the top and anchor some heavy oak wooden pallets that you can get from a variety of sources.

Anchor several pallets firmly up top using even space between them for a roof ladder to be anchored properly.

If you have some scrap roll roofing that is even better and you should staple the rolled roofing material over the plastic.

Using two person crews, place a ground ladder, then a roof ladder and have a crew go up topside and cut the pallet full size without doing damage to the structure below.

Have personnel work off the roof ladder and either using axes or saws practice cutting while under air.

This will give the students the mechanics of:

• working off the roof ladder,

• will demonstrate the difficulty of working under air,

• Demonstrates the proper behaviors required for actual ventilation.

Additionally the drill can be timed so that officers will learn how long ventilation process will take.

Additionally if you have a smoke machine, take some lightweight swimming pool hose and pipe theatrical smoke under the rolled roofing on the pallet so that when the hole is opened some smoke will come out and obscure vision.

Insure the crew brings up a pike pole to push down the ceiling below if needed.

As with all drills be sure there is adequate supervision and insure that no risks are taken. Supervisors should be on adjacent roof ladders or aerial devices for safety of trainees operating.

Take care and stay safe!