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The traditionalists may know it as “VES” (Vent-Enter-Search), yet the current generation of firefighters are being raised to call it “VEIS” (Vent-Enter-Isolate-Search).  Regardless of our terminology, VEIS is a proven search and rescue tactic that we can use to improve victim...

In a previous article we discussed some of the things the outside vent firefighter must know to complete his job in a professional manner. Today we will take that mindset and put it to work in a couple of different scenarios, but throw a different twist on things. Instead of me...

Part 1 described what an outside vent firefighter is and the tools required for performing ventilation. Now let’s move onto what we need to look out for.  Size Up A proper size up is an important role that all members of a company should conduct on arrival. For the outside vent...

The firefighter assigned to the outside vent position (commonly referred to as the OV) is an important asset to have on the fireground. Typically assigned to one of the two outside team positions of a ladder company (the other being the roof position) they are tasked with some...

You are assigned the task of vertical ventilation at a house fire.  You perform a quick 360, confirming your spot to vent, and quickly work with your crew to cut a 4×4 louvered vent hole. As you punch through you tell your guys to back off the roof as fire erupts through the...

How does it affect what we do on the Fire Ground? In the previous article regarding understanding of Flow Path and how it works (Tactical Ventilation – Understanding the Flow Path Part 1) I talked about the need to understand what actually happens with the flow of air (good...

Photo Courtesy of Jefferson County   As we continue to discuss the “where” about venting a structure, we must spend some time talking about the where NOT to vent. Over my time in the fire service I have spent a considerable amount of time studying fires that did not go well....

By Michael R. Rehfeld – Firefightertoolbox.com I believe we all understand the need for ventilation at structure fires. The confusion tends to come from when, where and how. In my previous articles we discussed some issues and understanding of what happens when we vent. In...

The “When”, Understanding What Happens During fire growth, the products of combustion in today’s fire environment create “bad” air at a rapid rate. That bad air (CO, Hydrogen Cyanide, CO2 and Carbon) replaces the needed “good” air (Oxygen enriched) that the fire uses....

The use or non-use of ventilation in structure fires has been debated for many years. Is it important? When do we need to vent? Do we vent first or stretch the attack line first? Who has time for that? The questions and opinions go on forever. In order to make educated decisions...