Firefighters obviously encounter many dangers while operating inside a burning building. One of the most serious is the problem associated with entanglement in the variety of wires, cables, and similar materials, which we encounter while crawling thru burning buildings while looking for trapped occupants and hidden fire. These materials are found when ceilings and walls collapse, releasing things which are hidden behind or above them. Such things include electrical wiring, TV and computer cable, wire reinforced flexible air duct, and wire supports for suspended ceiling grids. If a firefighter gets tangled in these, escape can be almost impossible without taking action.

Therefore, as part of our ongoing drill series on firefighter safety, the Department drill on Monday September 16 focused on avoiding and escaping from entanglement hazards. Techniques include waving one’s arms or “swimming”, backward movements, and cutting with small hand tools such as wire cutters or knives. The process also incorporated the emergency breathing and Mayday communication skills from previous drills.

A simulator was set up using a variety of wires and cables attached to the underside of a large worktable, which was in the breathing air shop of our station. The members donned full PPE and SCBA and crawled under the table while trying to move from one end to the other. They encountered the hazards as expected and were forced to deal with them by clearing or cutting their way through. A hot wash review was then conducted at the end to bring it all together.