What would you do at this point?

There is a lot already taking place here.  A hose crew is at the door or inside.  A guy is taking out a window or something to that effect on the D side.  And someone is on a ladder.

There is some nasty smoke pushing out of this structure.  It definitely is under pressure.

Time is running out for keeping this in check and an interior attack.  We’ve all been here and we know how this can go.

At this point in the fire, what ventilation tactic would you use and why?

If you need to, redirect these crews and put them where you think they will make the most progress and explain your actions.

Share with your crew and post your discussion points.  We always get great feedback and we know you have some goo ideas, so, let’s hear them.

Stay safe and be careful.  Get yourself healthy and stay healthy.

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The officer must be the one that watches for conditions.

When a  crew is making an interior attack, or any task, on the fire ground, the officer must be the eyes and ears of his crew.

Although everyone is responsible for safety and identifying unsafe conditions, the officer must continually keep a watchful eye on conditions.

Too often I have witnessed the officer take the nozzle, dragging the firefighter along into a burning structure.  The officer should be the more experienced person on the line; there is a reason he is the officer. ( I know that is not always the case, but, you get the point.)

I can remember being in a 3-story house with fire blowing out the rear on the first floor and making an aggressive interior attack as the nozzle man.  About 5 minutes or so pass and I am right up on this thing not making much progress.  The acting officer tapped me on the shoulder and said we needed to back out.

I of course did not want to, but what I didn’t see, because I was focused on the fire fight, was that we were pushing fire around the stairwell back to the front door, where we entered.  Mostly because we had the wrong sized line for the amount of fire we had.

But, the point is, he was doing his job. Not just helping me with the hose line, but seeing the “big” picture.  He was paying attention to more than just what was in front of him.

As officers on the hose line we are expected to be aware and to get the job done.  On that fire it meant pulling out and going back with a larger line, which was effective.

Watch for changing smoke conditions. Look for fire behavior that may be odd.  Just look at everything and stay aware.  Get the job done and get back safe.

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Looks dangerous!

I first must admit that I have never worked off of an elevated platform. I have only worked at agencies that have had straight sticks.

But, this picture is a little harrowing.  Could be that this photo was taken right at the moment that it vented.

Just be careful and be aware. It looks like the fire was already vented or close to it because they aren’t on the roof and it looks like it would be difficult to physically cut from that bucket.

Again, I only have this small capture of time to go by. But if that fire ball had been bigger this could have gotten ugly.

Stay safe and be careful.

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First, let me make it clear, I was looking for a picture I have of a crew working on the roof the correct way when I came across this one.

I know, we have beat the first Roof Ops post to death and if you don’t want to post on this one, I understand.  I just figured while we were on the topic I would throw this one out there while I had it.

I know that there is not a lot of smoke, and the pitch is shallow and it doesn’t look like a great deal is going on.  I know I am going to hear about how this is nit-picking and whatever.  But, this is how we get hurt and killed.

It’s when we let our guard down and get complacent that bad things happen.  How many times have read a line of duty death or injury report and asked, “what were they thinking?”

I will find the picture with the correct way to operate on a roof safely and post it to show I am not just showing the bad stuff.  It’s just so easy to find.

Anyway, stay safe and be careful.

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This is the response from the posting from the other day.  Our fried Fred commented with the following details:

Assuming wood frame construction of main structure. Challenges: fire already past egress point at patio doors of main structure. Exposure of propane tank in backyard. Possible hazardous storage in garage. Garage may be block construction.

1st attack line (1 1/2) would be in main structure towards opposite end of house from fire (to push fire back towards spent fuel. 2nd line would be 1 1/2 inch line deployed to attack garage from rear outside and provide exposure protection to propane tank.

Size up would be working residence fire fully involved with detached garage involved. Request 2nd engine if not already dispatched for water supply.

(Let’s see if I’ve forgotten all I learned from 1977-89.

One other thing that I would like to add is the house sits off of the road a pretty good ways.  Laying line will be needed but depending where you are, water supply might be an issue too.  If this is the case in your jurisdiction, plan for water supply needs.  Also, with fire already in the attic and moving, I would probably choose a second line of a 2 1/2″ line.  I like to go bigger with the second line when I’ve got a lot of fire showing at the get go.  This works well to back up the first line in case it isn’t enough initially, the bigger second line is already deployed and ready to go to work.

Have  great week and stay safe.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc-IZhpIYwk]

I know this is older but is worth mentioning and showing again. Be careful out there and take time to look for basements.  Stay safe.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNjO3wZDVlA]

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keokuk Photos By Cindy Iutzi

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This is a house that we all have in our jurisdiction somewhere.  Take a look at the scene and start your size up. What hazards do we have just from looking at the propert?  If the outside looks as it does, what can we suspect the inside looks like? Will this affect our efforts and/or put our people at risk?  What are we looking for on the other side during our 360?  Are our ladders placed correctly?  What are the smoke and fire conditions telling us?  Can we tell, approximately, where the bedrooms are in this home and where the living room and kitchen are by looking at the outside? What about the stairs location?  Add you comments and I will post my responses later.

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This is a repair shop that is not sprinklered, it was built prior to the code, and that also does fabricating.  They have added on without permits for several years and now is a dangerous place to be.  They have taken some measures to meet the inspection requirements, but, as you can see, there are still a number of hazards present.

These drums contain parts cleaners, oil and automotive fluids.  It is required to meet code requirements for quantities of flammable and combustible liquids and how they are stored. In addition, with the fabricating they use welders that can obviously cause an ignition of vapors.  Ensure that “hot” operations are an appropriate distance from the storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids.  Stay safe and be careful.

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