The Ins and Outs of Forcible Entry

The Ins and Outs of Forcible Entry: Hybrid Lecture/Demonstration/Hands On

Forcible entry is one of the most common jobs for a truck company.  Every day across America firefighters go to jobs with the first priority being to gain access.  Many fire departments fail during recruit school to adequately prepare their firefighters when it comes to forcible entry.   It is essential that truck company firefighters, as well as engine company firefighters in many departments, be proficient at forcible entry. Delayed forcible entry causes many problems including our two most important priorities: water on the seat of the fire and search.  Forcible entry is a lacking skill in many areas of the country.  Many firefighters rely on brute strength through methods such as the mule kick to get into houses, however such techniques will not always work at residential fires and will fail firefighters on the scene of a commercial fire.  Firefighters need to be knowledgeable and proficient in use of their tools and doors/locks.

This class will cover the history of the halligan and where our present day halligans have come from, comparison of different brands of halligans, mechanical advantages, striking tips and body positioning, inward and outward swinging doors, drop bars, basic thru the lock techniques and uses, saw work, the 10% Search, and door size up.

After the lecture students will have the ability to participate in demonstrations and light hands on.

Clay is an instructor with Magic City Truck Academy and a Lieutenant with Birmingham Fire and Rescue (AL) and Driver with Chelsea Fire and Rescue. Clay began his career with the East Oktibbeha Volunteer Fire Department in 2004. He holds a Bachelors from Mississippi State University and a Masters in Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University.  He has been published in Fire Engineering and Firemanship and contributes to Fire Engineering Community. He has taught HOT at the Alabama Fire College, LSU FETI, Metro Atlanta Firefighters Conference, Firemanship Conference Portland, CFT Conferences, Fire Nuggets Conferences, Mile High Firefighters Conference, and multiple departments across the state of Alabama. He’s married to his beautiful wife Sarah and has two amazing daughters.