#311 High Rise Firefighting with Brent Brooks

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My guest today is Brent Brooks who is an international speaker and hands on instructor. He teaches High Rise Tactics and large diameter hose movements. Brent is currently a Captain with Toronto Fire Services. His 29 year career with firefighting started at Pearson Airport, with continuing duties at (De Havilland) and Bombardier Aero Space Crash Fire Rescue teams. He is assigned to Toronto’s High Rise Unit. Brent has developed the IMS, training and RND for High Rise Operations.

Brent’s experience includes serving on numerous committees all related to High Rise Firefighting. He continues to travel the world attending conferences, symposiums, and hands on training. He has spoken on complex building systems, help run the 2019, 2020 Canadian HighRise conference, Started the HighRise Round Table in Toronto, hosted the Toronto & Montreal HighRise Summit and is a member of the Council Of Tall Buildings based out of Chicago.

He also represents Canada as a member of the T70 Tall Building Safety Committee based out of London England. Brent shares information with Fire Departments from all over the world and has developed a network with subject matter experts related to High Rise Firefighting. Brent has spoke at Firex, Tall Building Conference in London England and “Makin’ The Stretch” Conference Colonial Park, PA. Brent continues his education by attend 4 firefighting conferences yearly and never misses HROC in the USA.

You can find Brent HERE

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Transcript

My guest today is Brent Brooks who is an international speaker and hands on instructor. He teaches High Rise Tactics and large diameter hose movements. Brent is currently a Captain with Toronto Fire Services. His 29 year career with firefighting started at Pearson Airport, with continuing duties at (De Havilland) and Bombardier Aero Space Crash Fire Rescue teams. He is assigned to Toronto’s High Rise Unit. Brent has developed the IMS, training and RND for High Rise Operations.

Brent’s experience includes serving on numerous committees all related to High Rise Firefighting. He continues to travel the world attending conferences, symposiums, and hands on training. He has spoken on complex building systems, help run the 2019, 2020 Canadian HighRise conference, Started the HighRise Round Table in Toronto, hosted the Toronto & Montreal HighRise Summit and is a member of the Council Of Tall Buildings based out of Chicago.

He also represents Canada as a member of the T70 Tall Building Safety Committee based out of London England. Brent shares information with Fire Departments from all over the world and has developed a network with subject matter experts related to High Rise Firefighting. Brent has spoke at Firex, Tall Building Conference in London England and “Makin’ The Stretch” Conference Colonial Park, PA. Brent continues his education by attend 4 firefighting conferences yearly and never misses HROC in the USA.

Summary

The conversation covers the fundamentals of high-rise firefighting, including the concepts of high heat, low drag, driving bites, and making loops. The importance of timing and coordination in the initial response to a high-rise fire is emphasized. The use of pressurized water cans, turntable ladders, and smoke curtains is discussed. The effectiveness of drones in firefighting is also explored. This part of the conversation focuses on the limitations of drones in firefighting, challenges of fighting fires in high-rise buildings, the use of the floor below nozzle and rotary distributor, safety measures for firefighters above the fire, and the control of SCBA sets. It also addresses concerns about sending firefighters above the fire and the issue of water damage. The chapters cover topics such as pressurizing stairwells, accountability and control of SCBA sets, and the importance of knowledge sharing in the fire service. In this conversation, Brent Brooks discusses various topics related to high-rise firefighting. He mentions the High Rise Summit and other subjects of interest that will be covered at the event. Brent emphasizes the importance of sharing information and learning from like-minded firefighters. He also talks about the challenges of attending events and spreading positive messages within organizations. The conversation highlights the significance of research and collaboration in improving firefighting tactics. Brent shares insights into the future of high-rise firefighting, including advancements in pumping capabilities. He discusses the need to simplify and share firefighting information and mentions like-minded firefighters and future speaking engagements. The conversation concludes with a focus on sharing knowledge and making information digestible for firefighters.

Takeaways

High heat, low drag is a key principle in high-rise firefighting.
Driving bites and making loops are essential techniques for maneuvering hose lines in tall buildings.
Timing and coordination are crucial in the initial response to a high-rise fire.
The use of pressurized water cans, turntable ladders, and smoke curtains can enhance firefighting operations.
Drones have the potential to assist in high-rise firefighting, but their effectiveness is still being evaluated. Drones currently have limitations in firefighting due to their inability to deliver a sufficient stream mass and reach the necessary surfaces.
Fighting fires in high-rise buildings presents challenges, but strategies such as using the floor below nozzle and rotary distributor can be effective.
Safety measures, such as understanding area refuge and controlling the flow path, are crucial when sending firefighters above the fire.
Water damage concerns should not overshadow the importance of quickly and effectively extinguishing fires.
Knowledge sharing and continuous learning are essential for improving firefighting tactics and strategies. The High Rise Summit covers various subjects of interest related to high-rise firefighting.
Sharing information and learning from like-minded firefighters is crucial for improving firefighting tactics.
Attending events and spreading positive messages within organizations can be challenging but important.
Research and collaboration are essential for advancing firefighting techniques and tactics.
The future of high-rise firefighting includes advancements in pumping capabilities and the simplification and sharing of firefighting information.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the recording platform
03:08 Setting up the conversation
04:21 Teaching the fundamentals of high-rise firefighting
06:53 The concept of high heat, low drag
08:39 The importance of driving bites
10:05 Utilizing tools like the hose dragger
12:12 The strategy of Cleveland hose method
13:07 The process of making loops
14:04 Initial response to a high-rise fire
17:49 Deployment of crews and tasks
19:19 Testing the riser and setting up water supply
20:32 The importance of timing and coordination
25:20 The use of pressurized water cans
27:33 The purpose of turntable ladders
29:47 The deployment of smoke curtains
33:40 The use of door control straps
36:06 The purpose of aerial platforms
37:54 The effectiveness of drones in firefighting
38:24 The Limitations of Drones in Firefighting
40:17 Challenges of Fighting Fires in High-Rise Buildings
42:08 The Floor Below Nozzle and Rotary Distributor
44:24 Deploying the Rotary Distributor
45:41 Sending Firefighters Above the Fire
46:48 Safety Measures for Firefighters Above the Fire
48:49 Addressing Concerns about Sending Firefighters Above the Fire
52:26 Controlling the Descent of the Rotary Distributor
54:21 Pressurizing Stairwells in High-Rise Buildings
56:27 The Dangers of Good Luck Teaching Bad Habits
58:30 Deployment of SCBA in High-Rise Fires
01:00:24 Accountability and Control of SCBA Sets
01:06:34 Common Challenges and Questions
01:10:10 Water Application and Addressing Water Damage Concerns
01:15:38 Upcoming Events and Importance of Knowledge Sharing
01:16:44 High Rise Summit and Other Subjects of Interest
01:17:33 Sharing Information and Learning from Like-Minded Firefighters
01:18:32 Challenges of Attending Events and Spreading Positive Messages
01:19:05 The Importance of Research and Collaboration
01:20:36 The Future of High-Rise Firefighting
01:21:50 Advancements in Pumping Capabilities
01:22:31 Simplifying and Sharing Firefighting Information
01:23:08 Like-Minded Firefighters and Future Speaking Engagements
01:24:32 Sharing Knowledge and Making Information Digestible
01:25:30 Closing Remarks and Future Opportunities