Condensed from an article by John Czajkowski and Steve Kidd,
published by FireRescue Magazine, February 2004
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Digital photography and personal computers have now replaced bulky slide trays. You can snap a few pictures and download them onto your computer where you can sort them by date, subject or any other way that works for you. Pictures are easy to crop, enhance, title, and delete. Even photos that look too light or dark can be salvaged. What to PhotographActual emergencies, of course, are always good subjects. But photos of all sorts can be used for training. Photograph a wide assortment of buildings, including those under construction. Take photos of vehicles, industrial manchinery, farm equipment and recreational areas. Since you don't have to buy film or have it developed, there is no expense associated with taking too many pictures. Displaying and Viewing the PhotosMicrosoft's PowerPoint is the most popular software for organizing and presenting a slideshow, but most any software that comes with a digital camera has a "show" feature that will allow you to click through slides and view them in order. A digital projector hooked to a super-fast laptop with a bazillion gigawatts of power makes it possible to show "Backdraft" to a thousand folks at once. But for the purposes of a quick drill, you can gather around the computer monitor and get the general idea. It's also possible to connect the computer to a television...ask someone who is familiar with computers for help. Quick Drill: Arrival ReportA well-organized, clear and concise arrival report is essential to establishing control of an emergency scene. A proper arrival report includes the following information: Here is an example of an arrival report: "Engine 1 on the scene of a single story, wood-frame house with heavy fire showing from side 2. Engine 1 establishing command and pulling an inch-and-three- quarter line for an offensive attack." Start the drill by reviewing the elements of a good arrival report, then practice the skill by showing slides of building in your area to which you have and smoke and/or fire. Use a round-robin approach so each person gets several chances at voicing their reports out loud. It's okay to repeat some of the slides because this is not a test, but rather a chance to create good habits. For variety, include photos of vehicle crashes, vehicle fires, and other sorts of emergencies. Critique Past AlarmsPhotos after the fact are still useful for training. Take photos of the overall scene, apparatus positions and hydrant connections as well as the building itself. Add a simple drawing of the building, a list of the arriving companies and maybe a timeline of the fire and you will have a critique that you can use even years later. Building ConstructionOne training officer would respond to fires during his off-duty time and photograph the building as it burned. He would later take the time to photograph the building during the next few months as it was demolished and rebuilt to its original condition. He could then show the photos in reverse order, allowing the students to see how the building was built, and how it later burned, creating a unique perspective of how firefighters look at a building. Another way would be to photograph buildings under construction, and use examples of fires in similar buildings and occupancies. Pay close attention to walls and ceilings before they are covered. This can show precise examples of a wood truss, beam, girder or any of the hundreds of construction elements important to firefighters. Organizing Your PhotosThe best time to name and organize your photos is when you download them from your camera onto your personal computer. Cameras assign a digital number to each photo, and that number will mean absolutely nothing to you a month later. Save yourself a lot of time and frustration by taking a few minutes to assign a pertinent name to each photograph when you first view it, then place the photos in appropriate folders according to subject matter. |