Positive Pressure Attack: Theory and Application: In the last two decades, lightweight building construction methods and the use of man-made materials in construction and furnishings have become more and more common. The time until structural failure can be expected in a fire has been reduced, and firefighters have seen hotter fires that generate high levels of deadly gasses. Recent studies by NIST concluded that fires are growing more rapidly and that escape from some types of fires has been reduced from 17 minutes to 3 minutes in some situations. But the ventilation methods used by modern firefighters have not kept pace. Positive pressure was first used in the fire service to ventilate a structure after the fire was knocked down. Battalion Chiefs Kriss Garcia, and Reinhard Kauffmann have taken positive pressure a step further to achieve effective ventilation in coordination with aggressive fire attack, called positive pressure attack (PPA). Properly used PPA allows firefighters great control over the interior environment of a fire building, and starts at the earliest stages of the operation when ventilation can provide the greatest benefit for victims, firefighters, and the structure. With a small investment in equipment and a commitment to training, any fire department can implement PPA at the company level. Subjects covered in this class include:
Presented by Batallion Chief Kriss Garcia and Reinhard KauffmanBattalion Chiefs Kriss Garcia and Reinhard Kauffmann of the Salt Lake City, Utah, Fire Department have participated in this evolution through research, practical application, education and advocacy. They have taught thousands of firefighters at seminars and classes at conferences, fire departments and fire service events in the U.S. and other countries. They have also written articles and co-authored a book, Positive Pressure Attack for Ventilation and Firefighting. Their November, 2007, webcast on PPA, sponsored by Tempest Technology, can still be viewed at Fire Engineering Magazine?s website. Registration Information Sponsored By: |
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