antiquefirelt

I definitely agree with your first statement. The issue is that most people do not use the TIC nearly enough to be truly proficient at what they are seeing. Conversely, as noted blind reliance on the TIC is a recipe for disaster. The key to success as with nearly everything in this job, is continual training and practical application. Seeing a hot outlet, putting your hand on it and finding relevance in what the TIC is telling you is as important as knowing how to turn it on and off. For this reason, our guys take the cameras off the truck on every run. They look at things all the rime, regardless of smoke condition or actual fire. This gives you a basis to judge from. We know that shiny stainless steel in most commercial kitchens reflect the image and are inaccurate. The same goes for any glass not just mirrors. If a material reflects heat, the camera will not "see" it properly. This is just one of the little issue you learn as you handle these things more and more.
The camera can be successfully used to more surgically overhaul, rather than forcing you to use hands and tools. As always you must be able to correlate what you "see" in the TIC with what you actually see, smell, feel and hear.
I know for certain a TIC saved my bacon one night as we nearly left an "odor of smoke" in a residence and blamed it on the cool night and nearby wood burning chimney smoke. One last look throughout the living room with the TIC found a fire in the ceiling where no one could have reached it to touch. While the house was only a few doors from the station, going back for an attic fire would have not been good for anyone involved, especially your truly!

This is a great topic and the can has been and will continue to be a valuble tool on the fire ground. If you don't mind I would like to comment on the fire operations. I was not there and will only go by what you have wrote. You stated that you arrived and saw fire pushing up the stairs and out the door. That is a great size up and should help you and everyone else on scene with your next steps towards advancing on this fire. You tell us that the engine company started their "bread and butter" operations by stretching to the basement/garage door. We need to stop here and discuss. This is a residential structure with unknown ( we never assume everyone is out ) trapped occupants. In my opinion the first line should have gone to the front door where the fire was showing and protected the means of egress. The best chance of survival for any and all fleeing occupants is to protect their escape. With that said, you have stated that you and the Lt proceeded to the front door (which I believe is the right place to be) and began to use the can to keep the fire in check. Great move and great job on the Lt and his decission. Lets all go back to probie school or FF1 whichever pertains to you and remember what was taught about opposing handlines. This is a basement job and should be treated as such. In no way whatsoever should a handline have been stretched to the level below the front door. You and your Lt may have saved your own lives by using that can before the engine got water. Had there been a well advanced fire that the can did not control and the engine started pushing in my money would have been on the engine companies handline and not the truckies can. You guys are very lucky to have not received major burns or even have been killed. Take this as a learning aid and teach others what you know. In the end of the day we all (paid or volly ) have families we want to go home to and deserve that. Stay low and let it blow.

I don't think anyone really is saying that. The issue is blind faith in either career tract. This job, not unlike the military takes more than book smarts. All of the knowledge in the world won't help without the ability to make decisions rapidly and without all the variables. It also takes know the difference between theory and what works. They can't teach sounds and smells in a classroom, yet sometimes these are our best indicators. Conversely, you can take someone with very little education and make them a great firefighter if they have motivation. Probably not climbing high on the promotional ladder, but they can do the job well. Without a doubt well rounded individuals have a better chance of excelling. Those who have gone through college likely have better study habits (but not all) and have a system for themselves how to attain knowledge in a certain area they lack it in. To rise to the top it very often takes peers and subordinates assistance. Few company officers exceed when their company thinks they stink. So people skills, the ability to pass on knowledge and their trust is a key factor in your career path.
As I've said before, our FD has no requirement for any degrees, though the city admin is usually pretty hung up on them for the top slot (well at the one time in 14 years we've had a Chief leave). Those that have degrees don't standout in any way I have seen in my time, other than payday. A few have actual fire science degrees and don't seem to be any better at hydraulics, tactics, building construction or any specific topic than those who've learned these things in-house/in the field.
I'm not trying to discourage higher education as those who have it are closer to being "well rounded" than someone who has to start taking classes while working (it's a B**** trust me). But your degree means little in the field, where you'll need to prove your mettle.