High Rise Experts gather at the FSC for 1st International High Rise Symposium

Ceri Darrell | Tuesday, November 01, 2011

It is widely recognised that High Rise incidents present one of the most challenging operational environments encountered within the world of firefighting and require significant resources to mitigate even the most routine fire or emergency.  The Fire Service College was therefore delighted to hold its 1st International High Rise Symposium which recently took place at Moreton in Marsh. The primary objective was to focus on the learning and sharing of best practices within High Rise.

This unique event brought together leading practitioners and the most experienced and respected High Rise firefighting experts from across the world to share their extensive experience, as well as provide valuable information on lessons learnt from their involvement in High Rise incidents.  It covered a wide range of subject areas and case studies presented by speakers from the UK, Canada and the USA, with delegates attending from the UK, Europe and the Middle East.  It also included an Exhibition featuring companies and organisations who displayed equipment and technology associated with the High Rise Symposium theme.

Dan Stephens, Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside FRS and also Chair of the Symposium Steering Committee, said "The quality of the presenters at the High Rise Symposium was excellent, as was the debate they stimulated.  I am certain that all attendees found the experience as thought-provoking as it was informative.  I know that I certainly did.  The College is the ideal venue for such an event and I look forward to attending similar events in the future".

Paul Grimwood, Principal Fire Safety Engineer, Technical Fire Safety at Kent FRS is renowned for his expertise in High Rise firefighting and he presented on Tactical Ventilation at the Symposium.   He commented, "The opportunity to attend, present and listen to a vast array of extremely knowledgeable speakers on an international forum, concerning High Rise firefighting and building design was not to be missed.  Equally as interesting was meeting and networking with the delegates, many of whom could have graced the stage with highly informative presentations themselves, based on their own experience in these fields.  The entire event was extremely well attended and organised by the Fire Service College and it was a pleasure to be part of this high profile event".

Martyn Emberson, Chief Fire Officer of Northamptonshire FRS, who presented on COBRA fogging system, said.   "It was an excellent event which was well organised.  The Symposium allowed international delegates to explore different way of tackling High Rise incidents around the world.  It was an excellent opportunity to challenge the traditional methods used to fight fires in these notoriously difficult environments, in order to explore new ways of operating for the future".

Acting District Chief Fred McKay of Toronto Fire Services presented a case study of a High Rise incident which took place at Wellesley Street, Toronto in 2009.  Fred commented "It was an honour and a privilege to give a presentation to the High Rise Symposium at the Fire Service College.  I was very impressed by this world class training facility, from the classrooms and lecture halls to the scenario based training opportunities and excellent staff instructors. The dining rooms and accommodation were of a very high standard and the event was run with a very high degree of efficiency and professionalism. It was a pleasant experience from start to finish".

George Healy, Battalion Chief, FDNY, travelled from the United States with Assistant Chief Rich Tobin, FDNY, to address the Symposium about the challenges presented by wind driven fires.  George said "Looking back on the experience I feel that we cannot understate the benefits to the fire service in the open exchange of information. The challenges we all face are universal in nature. The lessons learned are applicable also. A good job was done on the part of the Fire Service College in assembling presenters with varied experience that was packaged as a top shelf presentation. The College put together a fine symposium that I know was appreciated from speaking to the attendees".

John Mills, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Hertfordshire FRS concluded, "I hope that that the Symposium was able to focus peoples' attention on the specific areas that need to be considered, not only by the Fire Service, but also by building owners and occupiers.  The Symposium stimulated a great deal of debate and the genuine interest in this subject demonstrates how well the lessons and experiences can be shared with an international audience".  

Matt Bright, Development Programme Manager, who presented on The Way Forward in High Rise Training Provision, explained that the Fire Service College now offers a range of courses relating specifically to High Rise incidents to suit any customer.  Specialist tutors in subjects ranging from building construction and fire safety to incident command and fire behaviour provide an opportunity to gain the underpinning knowledge required to truly appreciate all the factors and hazards that make attending High Rise incidents so challenging.  Matt said, "Our unique incident ground also allows for realistic scenario based training, utilising our High Rise venues which contain both fixed installations and enable carbonaceous burning.

We currently provide High Rise training to all operational crews from Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service as part of a long-term rolling programme of carbonaceous training.  The course input includes fire behaviour, the use and deployment of main line hose, door procedures, ventilation considerations, wind driven fires, crew fatigue, incident 'size up' and command and control considerations.

In addition, the College offers a week-long course which provides a more strategic view of dealing with High Rise incidents.  Subjects covered include construction of High Rise buildings, fire safety and fixed installations, fire behaviour, ventilation, operational procedures and incident command.  Tutors use case studies and the experiences of attending delegates to further the learning experience and share important knowledge.

We also have the flexibility to offer courses which provide specialist input tailored towards our customers' needs, their own Standard Operating Procedures and specific risks with their area of operations".

The Fire Service College can provide the knowledge, skills and realistic environment required to enable Services to ensure firefighter safety and command confidence.  For further information about High Rise training at the College, please contact us on: frsrmt@fireservicecollege.ac.uk

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