Bill Gustin

Gustin gives this on-camera demonstration on the basics of standpipes, their myriad functions and uses, the various types found in specific buildings, and how they are to be used I case of fire.

Gustin's lecture looks at the importance of the decisions incident commanders must make in choosing and placing hoselines at multiple dwelling fires.

This class will examine why the strategy chosen by first-arriving companies and the tactics they perform can be entirely appropriate in the initial stages of a firefighting operation but may become ineffective and unreasonably dangerous later in an incident. Learn why size-up isn’t just performed on arrival but must continue throughout the duration of an incident; why size-up must be performed from two perspectives--inside and outside a fire building; why a red flag should go up when an inside size-up and outside size-up are not in agreement; and why experienced firefighters do not operate at every phase of a firefighting operation with the same strategy, tactics, or level of risk. This class will also examine factors to consider in an ongoing size-up that continuously evaluates the risk to civilians and firefighters vs. the intended benefits.

Gustin his vast expertise in large building response to teach the best ways to use the structures standpipes when setting up attack hoselines.

Gustin returns to his bread-and-butter subject of standpipes with this overview of hose lengths and lays, building types, staffing sizes, NFPA standards, and many other issues at the heart of this subject.