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Performance Assessment
Fort Myers Fire Department
Performance Assessment
Lesson Plan
Location: SW FL Public Service Academy
4312 Michigan Ave
(East side of campus at burn building)
Dates: Annually
Time: 1 Hour (A crew size of 4 can complete the drill in under 60 minutes)
Attire: Full PPE with SCBA
Objectives:
Performing this drill will give participants two valuable numbers to keep in mind:
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Their individual estimated SCBA operating time: This is equivalent to the total
time the participant is able to perform the course tasks in an acceptably safe and
coordinated manner (put simply, the total endurance drill time). Example: A
participant’s low air alarm may sound after 6 minutes on the course, the
participant now knows approximately how long an SCBA bottle will last them
during high-impact fire ground operations—assuming no changes in the SCBA
bottle size or in the participant’s physical condition.
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Their estimated air consumption rate: This is the rate at which the participant
consumes the supplied air throughout the operation, and presumably will do so on
the fire ground. To calculate this, take the starting pressure minus the ending
pressure and divide it by the SCBA operating time. Example: Starting pressure
4,500psi – ending pressure 1,125psi/SCBA operating time of 6:00 = air
consumption rate of 562 psi/minute. This figure can then be used to estimate safe
operating times for certain on-air tasks (e.g., interior attack) on the fire ground.
Rehab:
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Participants will do pre-evolution vitals in rehab sector
Once evolution is complete participant will complete post evolution vitals in rehab
Any participant having problems during evolutions must report to rehab
There will be a rehab officer with an EMS crew assigned to assist.
Crews should bring drinks and snacks for themselves.
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Performance Assessment
Preparation:
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Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!!!
Practice the evolutions
Have a current workout plan
Dynamic stretching at the station before the evolution
Firefighting is an endurance sport, and like a professional athlete, you need to train. The
amount of physical and mental training you put forth with SCBA endurance drills will
most assuredly be awarded with increased working capacity while on air, a safer reserve
when a nightmare scenario (mayday) occurs and a healthier life when not wearing your
SCBA.
Description:
1. Each member shall have one SCBA filled to capacity and shall be in full PPE.
2. Participants are medically screened prior to the evolution (including blood
pressure & pulse) pre/post drill.
3. Each participant is then instructed to begin the course at a comfortable pace—no
running is permitted.
4. Participants are instructed to complete all or as many tasks/stations as possible
without stopping. Partially completed stations cannot be counted.
5. Participants continue this process until their low air alarm activates or all tasks are
complete, at which point the time is documented. If the low air alarm activates
prior to completing all the tasks, the participant may remove their mask and then
continue the drill off of air.
6.
Participants will continue through the course until they reach total exhaustion or
they complete the course—at which point their total operating time is
documented.
The evolutions are designed in a series to simulate actual fire ground tasks. At every
station, other participants should be supporting and monitoring the activity and assisting
wherever necessary. Due to the natural competitiveness of firefighters, the five events
will likely become a race. In lieu of “racing” for time, encourage the participants to strive
for the least amount of air consumed throughout the evolution. Additionally, do not allow
participants to “work past their bell.” Allowing bad behavior during training will not only
encourage it on the fire ground, it will guarantee it. Participants should remove their
mask and finish the drill off of air once their low air alarm sounds if they have not
already completed the drill.
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Performance Assessment
Tasks:
Event 1: High-Rise Pack Carry
Firefighters should start at the bottom of stairs in a well-identified area with their hands
on either side of a hose pack but not touching it. At the signal to begin the evolution, the
participant picks up and shoulders the high-rise pack and carries it up to the top floor,
where they drop the shoulder load on the landing in the designated area. Steps may be
taken in multiples on the way up.
Event 2: Hose Hoist
From the top-floor balcony, standing in a designated area, the participant pulls a rope—in
a hand-over-hand fashion—to hoist item up and over the balcony railing and place it on
the floor in the designated area. The participant then picks up and shoulders the high-rise
pack and proceeds down the stairs to the first floor and advances to a force machine.
Safety issue: Participants should not stand on any part of the railing.
Event 3: Force Entry
The participant straddles the beam and uses a sledgehammer to drive the beam backward
five feet. Pushing, raking or dragging the beam is not allowed and will result in
disqualification. Only the face of the head of the hammer is allowed to strike the beam.
After driving the beam approximately five feet, the participant places the head of the
sledgehammer at the designated area next to the force machine before moving on to the
next evolution.
Event 4: Hose Advance
The participant moves to a charged section of fire hose, picks up the nozzle and places it
over their shoulder, then drags the hose approximately 100 feet until the nozzle passes a
line marked by traffic cones. Once the nozzle passes the line, the firefighter opens the
nozzle to show water, turns off the nozzle and places the hose and nozzle on the ground.
If the nozzle is not shut before it touches the ground, the participant must go back and
turn off the nozzle.
Event 5: Victim Rescue
Once at the victim drag evolution, the participant then drags the manikin (approximately
185 lbs.) approximately 100 feet until they cross the finish line. If the participant loses
their grip and the manikin falls to the floor or the participant falls backward with the
manikin, they are to reset and continue
SUMMARY
The fire service has long been identified as a hazardous occupation in which an average
of 100 firefighters lose their lives each year. This program has been designed to provide a
proactive approach to training firefighters to better understand their personal limitations
in the use and operation of self-contained breathing apparatus in hopes of preventing the
all too familiar trend of firefighter fatalities due to stress and/or overexertion on the
modern fire ground.