“No Door, Then Make One!”

   When given a choice for making entry into a structure, it is always best to use a normal entry point. This would be an active doorway when available. What if this door is not the best point of entry? At a recent fire, we were presented a challenge like this. On this day we were challenged with a forceful wind. When the team made entry, they were unable to get to the stairway. Making entry on the upwind side would have allowed an uncontrolled flow path. There was a window on the leeward side of the structure at the base of the stairway. Solution, no door, then make one! 

   Making a window into a door can be done relatively quickly if you have trained on it and have the right equipment. Step one is to select the correct location to do so. Step two is to clear the glass from the window. Step three, do a quick scan inside of the window to search for victims and obstacles. Step four, place the saw on the inside either left or right and cut to the floor line. Step five, repeat for the other side. After the cuts have been made you may be able to pull the center down manually. If not, then make the final cut across the bottom.  The faster this decision is made and executed, the better this will work.

Training Objectives

   Upon completion, the department should be able to…

   • Identify tools needed to make a window into a door.

   • List the steps needed to convert a window to the door.

   • Demonstrate the ability to convert a window to a door.

   Scott Meinecke is a member of the Sheldon and Granger Volunteer Fire Departments, Director of Safety for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, and field staff for the Fire Service Training Bureau. He can be contacted by email at smeinecke@iowarec.org