For many fire departments "Positive Pressure Ventilation" is a NO-NO.  

For most departments it is a procedure to be used after it is confirmed that there is no fire or that the fire is completely extinguished.  

For the best, most progressive, departments it is a tool/procedure that is used whenever the need arises to clear a structure of an unsafe atmosphere and that includes during and after the fire. It is one of many procedures that are used to make the job of firefighting more efficient and less time consuming, at the same time providing a much safer environment for interior  firefighting along with an increased level of life and property preservation.

In the area of "PPV" the Tampa Florida Fire Rescue Department is one of those "best, most progressive departments."

Myself and my friend Paul Anderson have had the opportunity to visit with members of Vent-1 on 2 occasions now.  The first in February, 1999 then again on March 12, 2002.

In 1999 I wrote an article about the first visit but never got around to publishing it until now.

If you click on the pictures to the left you may read that article and view pictures of this years visit.  Please E-Mail me with your thoughts, Happy reading.

Tom Rinoldo   trfire@rinoldo.com