Firefighter R.I.T. Concrete Block Wall Breach

Here's a short video we made while working on some vacants that demonstrates the "L" method for breaching a concrete block wall. The Battering Ram shown in the demonstration was fabricated by members of our Department specifically for Rapid Intervention operations...….
One point that I forgot to mention in the video - When attacking the upper corner of the "L" to knock out the rest of the block try aiming for a Horizontal Seam one course down from the top versus a Void Space and sometimes the block will fall away sooner.......
Remember if a FF or Company becomes trapped it's essential for a RIT to not only be proficient in a variety of tactics, but also have the necessary tools/equipment that will provide the fastest and most efficient extraction possible.
Train, Stay Prepared, Be Aggressive, Make the Save - SURVIVE!
Dale G. Pekel

[@rjrestorationstation4402]

40 seconds...I was seriously impressed!!! Great video Dale

[@j.oakley9588]

Feels like years since I’ve seen a video of yours. Good to see you again!

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Yeah it's been about 11 months since my last upload - Unfortunately these videos don't bring in any $$$ so they have to take a back seat to paying the bills (lol). Thanks for your continued interest Brother!

[@DALEGPEKEL]

One point that I forgot to mention in the video (I suck at "off the cuff" narratives, lol) - When attacking the upper corner of the "L" to knock out the rest of the block try aiming for a Horizontal Seam one course down from the top versus a Void Space and sometimes the block will fall away sooner

[@wilfdarr]

Either your standards are too high or mine too low, cause I thought it was a great video. Not perfect, but far above 'suck'.

[@NRS375]

Dale, not sure if you are active on youtube still, but i really appreciate your videos. I do have a question though. When breaching a concrete exterior wall, is it not recommended to do a triangle breach over a square to reduce the chance of overhead collapse?

[@DALEGPEKEL]

@@NRS375 Sorry I missed your question, - A triangle breach is a good choice if you know it's a bearing wall - If it's not and you're not making a huge breach I'm comfortable with a square

[@AmericanMinuteman95]

I’ve waited a year for a new video... thank you sir

[@threewoodenxs]

Glad to see a new video. Very informative. I've been subscribed for a few years and have watched most if not all your videos and I think they are a very good source of information. Even for someone like me who has watched since I was like 12 and I'm just now going into fire school.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Thanks my young Brother - Best of luck in your future career!

[@Steadylife2]

Your videos are always educational and I appreciate you taking the time to make them. Thanks again, be safe out there!

[@firefighterforlife6673]

Thank you for showing the L method. Something I didn’t know before watching this. Stay safe

[@CheeseNoodleOZ]

Thanks Dale. Very informative as usual. Train as you fight.

[@raymondannas4496]

Why didn't anyone think to send these guys into Robb elementary. My thoughts were that you cant stop firefighters from breaching anything other than a bank vault. This could have saved lives. These guys had access for a man to enter under 45 seconds, how long did it take law enforcement to open a door?

[@solidstream13]

Great topic and video.

[@edmundsenterprises9786]

Not to be an armchair cowboy but silicosis is real.. I know a dust masks aren't realistic so maybe go on air for an added challenge? replacing a bottle is much easier than replacing a lung..

[@jpoz4512]

Ram & Wall Cutter Redux-The Ram & Wall Cutter was a common tool until the 70’s. The wall cutter end had a sort of split wing fork thing on it. Have you experimented any with this configuration? Check old fire station cellars or flea markets. They pop up occasionally.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

No I'm not familiar with it, but thanks for posting the comment

[@jpoz4512]

DALE G. PEKEL got an email address that I could send a blurb with diagram to?

[@freefiresims2449]

I'm gonna shoot an email to our equipment guy about getting one of those rams. I know you said you fabricated it...do you have specific specs? Would to change anything on it? Thanks for sharing this info!

[@DALEGPEKEL]

We do not have any specs on it as we took an old Battering Ram we found in storage and redesigned it nearly 24 years ago! The pipe is not solid or filled with anything - The base/butt is a solid piece of steel to act as a counter weight - The ram head is solid as well. . They do sell Battering Rams and you can search the Internet to see if you can find something of your liking, but ours has worked incredibly well - As you can see in the video. The only thing not shown that we added was rope and tape on both handles to enhance grip.

[@freefiresims2449]

DALE G. PEKEL thanks for the info! I always think it’s interesting how inventive we get when we want to solve a problem!

[@kevinfitz3721]

I would put some grips or handles that are indexed properly, on that battering ram you should be able to get even more power from a good grip. Compared to that of just steel bar that isn't that thick to have a 100 purchase

[@duffyhall1817]

I would like to have one of them rams. Or how could i get one made for our fire department?

[@DALEGPEKEL]

You can search the web for Battering Rams to see if you can find one of your liking - Myself and a fellow FF at the time took an old ram we hand and completely redesigned it so you won't find the one shown in the video on the market, but you could try to make your own.

[@wilfdarr]

Any decent metal shop in your town should be able to fabricate that for you. Did you ever get it done?

[@inuyashacoolieo]

I'm making a ram for my station. Would you be able to give me an approximate weight and is there any sand or shot inside or is it just hollow. Thanks!

[@davidkoznoski458]

Hi DALE

[@richardthomas7829]

I'd love to know how you built this ram, materials used

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Richard - We found it in the basement of one of our old fire stations - So the base ram was there - We welded on the handles, wrapped them with grip tape and added/welded on a counter weight to the back end.

[@dsterob]

it the ram solid or a pipe with filled ends. Is there lead shot in the pipe?

[@DALEGPEKEL]

The pipe is not solid or filled with anything - The base or butt is a solid piece of steel to act as a counter weight - The ram head is solid as well. We do not have any specs on it as we took an old Battering Ram we found in storage and redesigned it. They do sell Battering Rams and you can search the Internet to see if you can find something of your liking, but ours has worked incredibly well - As you can see in the video. The only thing not shown that we added was rope and tape on both handles to enhance grip

[@kameronsmith5434]

I am a Jr fire fighter