"There is nothing more difficult to carry out,
nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things.

For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order,and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new."
Machiavelli 1642

I first became interested in "Flashover Training" in 1993 after reading a book called "Fog Attack" by Paul Grimwood. On February 11 1994, a fire occurred in a motorcycle dealership in Southport. During the course of firefighting actions, two Firefighters, Sub-Station Officer Herbie Fennell and Firefighter Noel Watson died. There were a number of factors contributing to the tragic loss of life. Many of these were revealed in the coronal inquiry. What I found disturbing was the reference to "some phenomena of fire" and the influence it may have had on the injuries and subsequent death of these two Firefighters. There was strong evidence of a powerful event occurring in that building during the time the Firefighters were killed, and later during the search. The union report reflected the feeling of many of the Firefighters involved that there had been some form of flashover (fire gas ignition) due to the ignition of accumulated fire gases and other pyrolysing fuels in the spare parts area. I felt that the full explanation had not been found. Since this time my interest turned to a quest to find the answers and to prevent similar needless loss of life.

In late 1996, two Rockhampton Firefighters were seriously injured in a flashover at a Backpackers Hostel. This time the official report clearly identified that the re-ignition of accumulated fire gases lead to a flashover in the area the Firefighters were advancing into. The report also correctly identified the fact that there were methods of training in use in Sweden that could give Firefighters the knowledge and skills to recognise and prevent the ignition of these gases. Thus preventing this type of injury. By this time I had accumulated a great deal of information on the subject of fire behaviour in compartments. I saw the need to prepare and submit a comprehensive report to inform senior management of the potential for further loss of life and injuries, and to give recommendations to prevent this from occurring. With the help of international experts such as Station Officer John Taylor I was able to prepare a detailed proposal to research the latest methods and training facilities. This was presented to the newly formed Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Board in May of 1997. The board was convinced of the need and made a decision to carry out extensive research.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

As a result of that proposal I was sent to the UK and Sweden in August 1997 to research the latest realistic training methods and facilities. I was able to visit a wide range of facilities in both countries and many of the colleges allowed me to participate in actual training exercises. Consequently, I was able to experience training in a very wide range of structures, utilizing a broad range of fuels. The highlight of the study tour was the Flashover Instructors Course that I successfully completed in Uppsala, Sweden.

Upon return to Australia I submitted my recommendations, and as a result, development of a comprehensive Realist Fire Behaviour Training programme commenced. The training material produced has been in accordance with the Nationally Recognised Training Scheme. The development of safety procedures required analysis of atmospheric temperature within the training environment as well as monitoring of participants core body temperatures, and heart rates. Research and development was carried out, in close co-operation with United Firefighters Union of Australia, Queensland Branch. I would like to say at this point that the support and contribution made by the Qld. UFU Branch has played a major role in ensuring not only the high safety standards, but has also assisted in the timely development of this safety initiative..

In 1999 I secured the 12 month secondment of a Swedish Fire Engineer. During this time I co-designed the Live Fire Training Props and simulations for our new training Academy. I have been privileged to pioneer the promotion of Realistic Compartment Fire Behaviour Training in Australia. I have played a role in the introduction of these methods to South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. I continue to advance the techniques through international forums, papers and practical demonstrations. Recently I formed a "CFBT and Tactical Firefighting" interest group in the Australian Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Firefighting is a dangerous occupation. The brave men and women who dedicate their lives to our protection from fire deserve the best equipment and training.

This knowledge does not belong to any organisation. It belongs to firefighters!

"We do not rise to the level of our expectations.
We fall to the level of our training."
Author Unknown

©copyright to Shan Raffel. All Rights Reserved.
The views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.

"No one can be happy who has been thrust outside the pale of truth. And there are two ways that one can be removed from this realm: by lying, or by being lied to."
Seneca - Roman philosopher and writer 4 BCE - 65 CE

Warning: All firefighters should be aware that the techniques and methods of applying water to compartment fires presented on this website require training by qualified flashover instructors and any attempt to follow this style of firefighting without such training may be ineffective and potentially dangerous.