Fire Pole vs. Fire Slide

Explore the shift from fire pole to fire slide, safety tips, and efficiency improvements in fire stations on this episode of the WFCA’s Fire Headlines Podcast.

This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna dive into the topic of the classic fire pole versus the modern-day fire slide. As shared in an article from the Daily Dispatch, the Bartlesville Fire Department recently replaced their traditional fire poles with slides to improve efficiency, prompting a deeper discussion on the pros, cons, and safety aspects of both methods.

The Team’s Experience with Fire Poles and Slides

Chief Kehmna shares his personal experiences using both fire poles and slides in fire stations, offering an insider’s perspective on the practical aspects of each. He highlights the unique challenges and safety considerations that come with using a fire pole, as well as the differences he’s observed when working in stations equipped with slides. He explains the technique required to avoid injury and shares insights on how different stations have incorporated fire poles into their design to improve response times. Samantha also brings up her childhood memories of using fire poles on playgrounds, sparking a conversation about the different types of injuries that can occur and the safety precautions necessary when using them in a professional setting.

Comparing Fire Poles and Slides: Efficiency and Safety

As the conversation shifts to compare fire poles and slides, Chief Kehmna and Samantha discuss how both methods are designed to improve firefighter efficiency during emergency responses. They explore the benefits of each, with an emphasis on the safety features of modern-day slides. While fire poles are effective, they come with more risks, such as injuries from improper technique or rushing during an emergency. On the other hand, slides are considered safer and easier to use, with less potential for injury, making them an attractive alternative for some departments.

Improving Fire Station Design: Small Changes, Big Impact

A key theme throughout the episode is the continuous evolution of fire station design. Chief Kehmna shares how fire stations today are designed with more focus on efficiency, safety, and meeting the diverse needs of the workforce. The conversation also touches on how small changes, like the introduction of slides or other innovative features, contribute to a more effective emergency response system. Drawing inspiration from the “1 percent rule” in Atomic Habits, by James Clear, Samantha illustrates how incremental improvements over time can lead to significant long-term gains in efficiency and improvements.

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