Over the last few days I have personally, and seen others have comments like “it’s gone” or “it’s starting to get legs” be replied to in a critical manner.
I would like to remind everyone that many of the people on here are fire dept professionals and these are terms that we often use to describe fire behavior. Granted, that doesn’t mean the description is always accurate, but that doesn’t mean that terms like this are meant to alarm, sound insensitive, cause panic etc.
If you are non suppression and you see these terms in use, ask what they mean rather than jump on the poster.
For example
It’s gone - not likely to be caught in the first operational period.
It’s getting legs - fire is becoming established and putting out more BTUs
It’s making a run - a section of the fire has caught some wind or topography and has increased in rate of spread.
Mods if this is out of line by all means remove it.
A few terms I hear used that I feel can sometimes be unnecessarily used are …
Nuced out, Cliffed out, blown out, chugging, punking , Stringer . I have definitely heard chugging and punking confuse people . The others a pretty standard but can be over used and exaggerated.
As professionals, it is also our job to teach and train the next generation. Be it the lay person who found this site looking for info on a potential Vacation Rental or Air BNB. Or a loved one who has family in the fire service today. Even the retired FMO and occasional unit chief(We know who you are🤣). We should take the time to add context, color if you will to provide info. I know I was that FNG over 33yr ago just like the FNG who is working as a contractor this year, hoping to get on with an agency next year. Something I learned is the coyote 2 ears up, mouth closed(those that know me are laughing)
So hear goes
S.M.D.C. is an acronym (DONT say it the way I remember it)
S= slow, not moving creeping
M= moderate less than 1 MPH
D= dangerous 1-3 MPH
C= Critical grater than 3 MPH.
So “rippin” to me is greater than 3 MPH. So is “she gone”
For learning and fun, Google how fast the avg person croses the street in the cross walk (Hint its a Critical R.O.S)
Thank you Chief.
I hope to one day be able to hold a flashlights worth of your knowledge. I appreciate all the teaching and training you did back in the RVC, Bat 15, VFC 12 days Sir!
Like you, all I ever wanted were hard working, dirty faced firefighters who led from the front. Didn’t need any sterile, deryl straight arrows or 6pm wine sippers or natty dressers…
My biggest shiver is someone saying an aircraft is “down” (rather than landed), and comments like “man, it’s really Q***T today”. Don’t EVER use the Q word, and don’t EVER EVER EVER say an aircraft is “down”.
