Something is Knotty: Refreshing Firefighter Knots (San Diego Drill Manual)

 For those of you who are full-time, part-time, or volunteer firefighters—in my case, a volunteer firefighter—it's important to stay current on your skills. The funny thing about firefighting is that you can pass all the tests, earn the certifications, hang them on the wall... and then realize three years later that you've forgotten how to tie a knot you once did in your sleep (Ok not really, I wasn't that good. 🙈 ).

(Illustrative Only)

Ziggy thinks 
he got this figure
8 on a bit down!
🙃

That's why training never really ends. Every practice gives you a chance to sharpen your skills and learn from firefighters who have years—sometimes decades—of experience. Your certification proves you met the minimum standard. The real learning starts after that. Those experienced firefighters have seen things that no textbook can teach, and if you're smart, you'll soak up as much of that knowledge as you can.

One of the best ways to stay sharp is to make learning part of your routine. Set little goals for yourself. Maybe this month it's getting better at tying rescue knots without having to pause, scratch your head, and secretly pull up YouTube to remember which end goes where. We've all been there!

The trick is to build muscle memory. Keep a short piece of rope on your desk, sit in your office, and practice while you're thinking through emails or waiting for a meeting to start. Tie the knot. Untie it. Tie it again. After you've done it a hundred times, your hands will know what to do before your brain even catches up. Then, every few months, pick the rope back up and give yourself a quick refresher. Skills fade if you don't use them, but they come back quickly when you practice.

I recently came across a training manual from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, and I thought it was pretty cool. Go San Diego! It's an amazing place—great beaches, great weather, and apparently some pretty solid training manuals, too. I don't fight fires there—I do that in Michigan—but it's always interesting to see how another department approaches training and what equipment they use.

I especially enjoyed reviewing the sections on rescue hardware like carabiners. It's been a while since I've done much climbing, so it was a nice refresher on current equipment and rescue systems.

The bottom line is simple: keep learning. Firefighting is one of those professions where staying curious can make you safer, more confident, and more effective. And if you're looking for a new skill to practice, grab a rope and start working on those knots. Your future self—and maybe your future rescue partner—will thank you.

*If your interested in donating tax free to an Upper Peninsula fire department with lots of young people and a commited crew send a message to the right and/or send me an email and I will point you in the right direction. muradabel@gmail.com

Ropes and Knots for Fire Service Rescue Operations

• Explains the importance of ropes, knots, hitches, and rescue systems in fire service operations, emphasizing that proper selection, use, and maintenance are essential for firefighter and victim safety.
• Reviews NFPA 2500 standards, including General Use, Technical Use, and Escape Use equipment ratings, as well as the Awareness, Operations, and Technician training levels for technical rescue personnel.
• Describes rope rescue software and hardware, including static kernmantle rope, webbing, prusik cords, harnesses, carabiners, pulleys, descenders, clutches, edge protection, and inspection and maintenance procedures to ensure equipment reliability.
• Covers the standard knots, hitches, and tool ties required by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, highlighting their applications, proper terminology, and the importance of standardized techniques to reduce errors during emergency operations.
• Presents the fundamentals of rope rescue systems, including anchor selection, picket anchor systems, hauling and lowering systems, victim packaging, and the equipment used to safely perform high-angle and low-angle rescue operations.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. (2025, December 28). Drill Manual, Section 24: Ropes & Knots. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.