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More Company Discussions:You Are the Boss!

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Deploy your people. You are the big boss on this one, what next?

Deploy your people. You are the big boss on this one, what next?

You are the incident commander on this fire.  You can deploy who ever you want where ever you want.

I am allowing for your normal response of resources. No cheating!

Don’t worry about what is going on with the personnel in the picture; pretend they are not there.

Explain your size-up and the building characteristics.

Deploy your resources accordingly through what ever a first alarm will bring you. If you want to expand your alarms, hey, have at it.  Just let us know.

Sit down with your crews and work this out.

This fire came in as a house fire, unknown victims, called in by the neighbors.

Have fun with it, pass it on, and be safe.

Posted by on March 17, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, buildling construction, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Vent, Enter and Search

9 comments
Is this a situation that VES would be deployed?

Is this a situation that VES would be deployed?

This building looks to be a very large residential home, or more likely a mutli-family dwelling.

It appears that the majority of fire is on the second floor.

It is night time and the chance that it is occupied is good.

This could be a good time to use interior crews to start an aggressive search with a hose line since we really can’t see any fire.

At the same time, we can have some outside vent guys laddering these windows and performing vent, enter, search tactics since the building appears to be large.

Now, this is somewhat controversial in some parts, like mine, but I think it is an effective tactic.  The key here is to have adequately trained personnel who have experience and can make good decisions in the risk vs. benefit area.

Additionally, there needs to be coordination with the interior crew. And, hey, if you have enough on scene to send in an attack line and a search crew, good for you.  That just isn’t always the case.

Just remember, if you are performing VES, know where you are, have a tool. You may only be able to sweep the room with a tool because of heat.  If you do get in a room, your first bit of business is to shut the door to the adjoining spaces. Oh, make sure you have got  a radio.

What do you think out there?  Any other ideas?  Let us know and share your knowledge.

As always, thanks for stopping by train everyday.

Photo by: http://www.eurekafirerescue.org/2010Pictures.html

Posted by on January 20, 2010 • Filed under: enter, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, rescues, search, training-fire-rescue-topics, vent, ventilation, VES • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Fire Growth vs. Resources

1 comment

This is a good example of the need for more resources. It concerns me when I see lines in a building and there is nobody at the entry point for a back up.

In addition, we are constantly training on coordinated attacks. We have no available crews for ventilation or search and rescue that I can see.

There are no crews for RIT or to secure utilities. How about keeping the civilians out of harms way?

There are other issues with this scene, but I will let you discuss the tactical side of things.

Let’s look at this video in two ways. First, how would your department tackle this fire with your typical response? Let’s pretend that we don’t know the status of occupants. Whatever your department gets is what you get.

Second, discuss your concerns with how this went down. I am not going to beat up on any department, this department looks to be short staffed and doing the best with what they have. But, I am willing use it as a learning tool. So, where is there room for improvement?

Thanks for taking a look. Stay safe and train hard.

Posted by on January 19, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Venting the Roof

19 comments

Take a look at this video and let me know what you see. I posted the still frame from this video and had some great responses. Now, here is the whole thing.

What do you see and what would you do different if anything?

Posted by on January 17, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, trusses • Tagged: , , , , , ,

How to Deploy

5 comments
How do you assign these firefighters?

How do you assign these firefighters?

Here is the scene. You are the officer in charge here and when you arrive this is what you see.

You have reports of possible victims in an early morning fire.

Now, this house is approximately 1600 square feet with a basement. Single story about 25-30 years old.

Based on your tactical priorities, start assigning these crews where it is most appropriate.  Explain where and why you sent your crews there.  Keep in mind you are a medium sized department that is a suburban island. Meaning that basically you have three trucks on the scene with this number of personnel.

Your next truck in is 10 minutes away.  You have public water supply.

The neighbor got up to go to work and noticed smoke coming from the house next door.  Exposure B and D are about 15 feet away on both sides.

What do you do?

Posted by on January 16, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Chief on Scene and In the Smoke

2 comments

Chief, where are you supposed to be?
Chief, where are you supposed to be?

 

Hey, Chief, get out of the way.  I applaud the effort and the fact that you want to go get it, but we need you back away so you can keep a watchful eye over your guys.

Every chief has had the urge to get a little smokey every now and then, but we need to know our responsibility.

First of all, this chief is also close to the IDLH, breathing that smoke is not good for you.  Although the fire is vented out the roof, we could still see a flash fire out the front door where the chief is standing.

Second, we need him commanding or doing the function he was assigned.  Nothing wrong with an aggressive chief, but remember your safety and tasks.

We all have been here, nobody is exempt. Remember, you set the example, so try to stay out of these situations.  Again, this is just a picture and this guy may have only been there for 10 seconds, but that might be all it takes.

Stay safe and be careful out there.  No offense chiefs, I have to include you in these posts too.

Posted by on January 12, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , ,

Kitchen Table Tactics 1-11-2010

2 comments

Where do you start?
Where do you start?

This fire is working, hard.  It seems pretty straight forward, but let’s take a look at it anyway.

You are the first arriving engine with a three person crew.

Your second due is 7 minutes away.  Water supply is limited but available about 250 from the home.  You have a report that the callers are not sure everyone is out of the home.  (Caller is down the block.)  Time of day is 6:30AM.

What do you do?

Are there any special considerations?

Post here and comment.  Get your morning coffee and pull the crew together and get a little Kitchen Table Tactics training in.

Stay safe and have a great day.

Posted by on January 11, 2010 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Kitchen Table Tactics 1-10-10

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What building characteristics do you see right away?
What building characteristics do you see right away?

Sometimes you can tell a lot about a building before you every get inside of it.

Use this picture to identify some basic characteristics about this house as the first arriving company.

As the first arriving company officer, you have a great number of responsibilities. You decide the type of attack your going to use. The size line that will be deployed.  You decide where the line goes or where you start your search if victims are suspected.

All of these things plus some others are all decisions swimming inside that first officers head when pulling up to a working fire.

Let’s say you are that first arriving officer.  Ignore the firefighters in the photo and explain what you have, how you would proceed and why.

Some of the things I want to ask about specifically are:

  • Where are the stairs?
  • What kind of construction is this?
  • Based on the construction, what considerations are there for us tactically?
  • Where do you initiate your attack?
  • What is your first line off in regards to size?

Add additional comments, thoughts and ideas.  These little scenarios are for everyone to learn from one another and discuss with your crews.  Especially in this kind of weather, it is tough to get outside to train. So, here we can take a picture of a house fire, regardless of what is shown in the photo, make it our fire and share our tactical ideas.

Take care and stay safe.  Be careful and train hard.

Posted by on January 10, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires • Tagged: , , , , ,

Kitchen Table Tactics 1-7-10

5 comments
What is your tactic?
What is your tactic?

This a lot of fire.  It looks to be a large residential property in an urban-suburban area.

With what you can see, discuss your tactics and what you are thinking as you pull up on this job.

  • Where is your primary life safety?

  • Where and what size is your first line?

  • What about your second line?
  • Options for venting?
  • Search and rescue?
  • What about exposures?
  • Do you have a plan B is Plan A doesn’t work and what is it?

Discuss this with your crews and share your thoughts. It is really good to hear other’s ideas and thoughts on these fires.  Stay safe and be careful.

Posted by on January 7, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Mississippi SB 2079: Attack on Residential Sprinklers

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I have just gotten word that there is a bill being proposed in the Mississippi legislature that would basically eliminate the chances for local jurisdictions to adopt residential sprinkler ordinances.

I don’t have all of the information on this as far as the particulars, but, if you live in Mississippi, contact your politicians and let them know you support residential fire sprinklers.

This comes on the heals of a multi-death fire that took place in Starkville, MS in an apartment fire. Nine people lost there lives in that fire,  had it been sprinklered the result may have been different. Again, please let your politicians know you support residential fire sprinklers. Stay safe and be careful.

Posted by on January 6, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health • Tagged: , , ,

Roof Ops

2 comments
9-5-03v

We must have a very good idea of how far this fire has traveled in the attic space.

This is something we need to be careful of. In some instances you may not have a choice, but putting water in a vented roof while on the roof is risky. Master streams, especially elevated if available and accessible would be ideal. But, again, we are limited by our resources.

Of course, if we are going to go this route, we must have a very good idea of how far this fire has traveled in the attic space. We certainly don’t need firefighters on the roof if we are taking a defensive position.

In addition, safe roof operations would dictate that we work off of a roof ladder. The pitch is not that steep, but the roof is wet and it is just safer and appropriate to work off of the roof ladder.

Keep putting ‘em out and stay safe. Anyone see anything else I missed here?

Posted by on January 6, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, buildling construction, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses • Tagged: , , ,

Kitchen Table Tactics

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  • house_fire_insurance_claimWhat have we got here?
  • What is you size up?
  • What is you first impression as you are driving up the drive about line placement and life safety considerations?
  • What is your first action when stepping out of the apparatus and why?
  • Are there any special tactical considerations that aren’t obvious?
  • Venting where and why?

Go over this with your crews and post all of the discussion points to share with everyone. This can turn into a great one hour training session, especially with the snow and ice all about. Stay safe and let us know what you come up with.

Posted by on December 30, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , ,

Company Training Discussion 2: Residential Fire with Exposure

1 comment

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.

Posted by on December 28, 2009 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , ,

Company Training Discussion 2: Residential Fire with Exposure

1 comment
Here is another look at a residential house fire.  What challenges might we have with this fire and where would your first attack line go?  Where would you put your second line and what size?  How would your size-up be transmitted?  What type of contruction are you assuming?  Post you comments and I will post mine later. Have a safe and happy weekend.
Posted by on December 26, 2009 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , ,