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What Do You See?

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I am a big fan of companies getting out and scoping out their response area. Just when you think you have seen it all, something catches your eye that you missed the other 100 times you passed it by.  We all know what I am talking about.

Look at the picture above. As a fire service leader, what do you see?  What have you learned from your years of experience and training about these types of buildings?

What is of significance?

What is of significance that you see right away but the new guy might not have a clue about?

As an officer that will be making the initial decisions on this building you have a great responsibility to know as much about this structure as you can.  It will certainly help you to make the best possible decision about your tactics.

Take the time to sit with your crews and look at the features of this building. What type of construction is it?  What type of occupancy is it?  Why are both so important?  It just might mean the difference of saving the occupants and yourself.

Stay safe and be careful.

Posted by dc802 on July 28, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, command-leadership, engineered lumber, fire codes, fire stopping, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, i joists, rescues, residential sprinklers, situational awareness, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses, ventilation • Tagged: , , , , , ,

False Exterior Walls

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Do you see anything different here?

Do you see anything different here?

I  was out of town most of this past week for class and noticed this building on the first morning I drove in.

The first morning they had only installed the wall to the “r” in Performing.  The second day I realized that I needed to snap a picture of this to share.

This false wall is about four stories tall and covers the entire length of the building.

What challenges do you see?

What challenges do you see?

As you can see, this wall definately would challenge any rescue efforts were there victims in the windows.

Not only will it hamper rescue efforts, performing ventilation or suppression from this side of the building would be challenging at best.

The frame of the false wall is set off of the building wall at a distance of approximately two feet.  That is just a guess, but operating ground ladders here is almost impossible.

Interior crews would need to know that this side is limited access and egress because of the wall.   It will certainly challenge our strategies and tactics should an incident happen here.

This is one good example of why you need to get out and see your area.  Know what’s going on and get involved.  As a crew you can preplan this building by just parking out front, take a picture or two and go back and have a discussion about how you would operate at this building.

Stay safe and be careful.

Posted by dc802 on April 3, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, command-leadership, exits, fire codes, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, forceable entry, high rise, situational awareness, ventilation • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 dc802 on March 17, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, buildling construction, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Company Discussions: Redeployment?

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What would you do at this point?

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.

Posted by dc802 on March 7, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, situational awareness, vent, ventilation • Tagged: , , , , ,

Company Discussion: Building Characteristics

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What characteristics could you expect with this building?

What characteristics could you expect with this building?

Just about every jurisdiction in the country has a building like this one.

These are popular in the older downtown areas, especially in smaller towns and main streets.

Some of you may have fought a fire or two in a building similar to this one or done an inspection at one.

Based on your past experiences and this picture, what are some concerns you may have about this building?

How will those concerns determine your strategies and tactics?

What size lines and what conditions will you be looking for inside?

List your responses and share your experiences and thoughts.

Posted by dc802 on March 3, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, situational awareness, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , ,

Company Discussion: Vacant Building

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Vacant or not vacant: To go or not to go?

Vacant or not vacant: To go or not to go?

Recent discussions about vacant buildings and how we should handle them led me to post this scenario.

I have my own opinion on vacant buildings which I will post later.  But, the discussion can get heated, depending on who you are talking with.

It seems most chiefs are of the opinion that vacant buildings are write-offs and company officers and firefighters want to aggressively attack these buildings and perform search and rescue if conditions permit.

Without further delay, let’s move on to the scenario.

You have arrived on the scene of this fire and it has been reported vacant.  It is winter and cold outside.  It is just outside of town, about 2 minutes from the city limits.

There are no hydrants but you have adequate personnel and apparatus to begin operations with approximately 4000 gallons on the initial response.

What are your initial actions and how do you approach a vacant house?  Why do you what you choose and what conditions were considered?

Remember, everyone has an opinion and we can all learn valuable lessons from everyone.  Also, this was an actual fire I was on.  So, I can fill you in on how we did in a few days.

Let’s hear it all and stay safe.

Posted by dc802 on February 5, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, search, situational awareness, vacant building fires • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Company Discussion Series

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Here is what I need you to do...

Here is what I need you to do...

Okay, you are the officer with this group on the deck/porch.

There still hasn’t been a confirmation of victims being out.  They might be, they might not be.

Another company is pulling up with four including the operator.

Make your assignments and explain your tactics.  I understand we can’t see the rear and or the B side.  But, this is fun and illustrative.

Let’s have fun with it and get your crews involved.

Stay safe and train for real.

Posted by dc802 on February 3, 2010 • Filed under: VES, administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, rescues, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , ,

Secondary Means of Escape

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Have a second means of escape when operating on the roof.

Have a second means of escape when operating on the roof.

When operating on the roof, make sure as the crew operating on it, and/or the officer on the ground, that there is a secondary means of escape.

As we can see in this picture, the primary means could get cut off by fire.

It is prudent and appropriate to put an additional ladder on the opposite side of this building for the crews to exit from.

When this crew made the roof that fire over the front stoop may not have been there nor suspected.  While making the cut they could have lost their primary escape route.

Speak up if you see things like this, it could make all the difference in the world.  This has to be done to keep everyone safe.

Is there anything else you see that might need to be addressed?

Most importantly, this is to illustrate the need for a secondary escape.

Take care, think, and stay safe.

Posted by dc802 on January 30, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, vent • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Row Houses

1 comment
Multiple exposure fire.

Multiple exposure fire.

This is a great scenario for us to look at. It has a great deal that needs to be addressed.

Now, I understand that not every jurisdiction has this type of occupancy, but let’s use our imaginations.

We can gather  a pretty good deal of information just from the picture.

Now, let’s go to work.  I’m not going to ask specific questions of what you would do, you all have a pretty good idea of what we are looking for.  List your tactical considerations and how your going to use your crews.

Since it is Sunday, I am going to give you all the resources you need.

Get started and share you knowledge.

Stay safe and train hard.

Posted by dc802 on January 24, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, training-development, ventilation • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Water and Fire, Oh MY!

6 comments
Do you have a plan for this?

Do you have a plan for this?

Update:

Let me clear something up. I know this fire is a write off no matter what.

The intention here is to explore what we would do if this fire was one that victims were present in and was only smoke showing.

I am curious about how to handle an event where we are faced with adversity: inaccessibility and conditions that deem a rescue possible.

I have to tell you that when I saw this picture many thoughts ran through my head.

With the recent events in regards to natural disasters, this picture got my attention.

This is a picture from Hurricane Ike.  I know this building is pretty well involved and as you can see, the street is flooded.

But, what if this was your area and you had this situation with confirmed victims? Now, let’s pretend for the sake of discussion you are the first arriving unit.

For those that deal with this, how do you pre-plan this kind of event and what would you do?

I have to admit, this situation is very remote in my area, but possible and we have never discussed a scenario like this.  So, I’m flying by the seat of pants on this one as well.

Let’s hear what you all have to say.

(Thanks for all of the support and great replies so far, it is very humbling and appreciated.)   Now back to business, how do we handle this situation?

Posted by dc802 on January 22, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Wood Trusses Can Be Killers!

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This is a great video of wood trusses in fire conditions versus dimensional, stick-built lumber under fire conditions.

We all know about the hazards associated with wood truss roof systems, but it is worth looking at again, and again and again.

Training and recognition are key in keeping ourselves and our crews safe.

Check it out and pass on to others, it really is a cool video.

Posted by dc802 on January 19, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, engineered lumber, i joists, trusses • 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 dc802 on January 19, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Fire in the Middle

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Which way to go? To the left, or to the right?
Which way to go? To the left, or to the right?

This is a fire in a breezeway on a single family home.  As you can see, the garage is on the right and the home is on the left.

We have doors from the breezeway to both the house and the garage.

Smoke is issuing from the attic vent on the house and windows are dark.  All occupants are out of the house.  Side C has a deck off of the kitchen that is about five feet off the ground.

The front door is locked, the family was called by neighbors and they are all together at the store.

This is a fairly simple fire, but some responses I got in a tactics class made me curious how it would go over here.

  • What size and where is your first line going?
  • Where will your second line go?
  • How will you ventilate and why?
  • What else do we need to consider, if anything?

Okay, I know this is not a real challenging scenario, but, the first line answers may be diverse.  They were in the tactics class I taught.

So, have fun, be creative and take it for what it is, just a scenario to practice.

Sometimes you need to practice the short shot too, not just the three-pointers.

Take care and thanks for visiting.

Posted by dc802 on January 18, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires • Tagged: , , , ,

How to Deploy

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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 dc802 on January 16, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Kitchen Table Tactics 1-13-2010

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Smoke pushing hard!
Smoke pushing hard!

This is another post of our Kitchen Table Tactics.  These are great for sitting down with your crews to go over some tactics and to practice size up and initial company actions with new officers and acting officers.

This looks like a typical residential fire that could be in any jurisdiction.  Smoke is pushing hard and there is a lot of heat in this house.

With no further delay, here we go:

  • What do you suspect the layout of this house is?
  • Report of victims, what is your assessment of the risk vs benefit on this fire?
  • Based on your decision of risk vs. benefit, what is your next action?
  • Layout how you proceed after implementing your actions up to the extinguishment of the fire.
  • Are there any special considerations that need to be addressed on this fire that are typical at most fires?

Post your comments for others to see.  I really encourage that, some need the view points of others the help them progress.

Take care and thanks for visiting.

Posted by dc802 on January 13, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, rescues, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

The Plain Clothes Vent Man

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Now this is how you ventilate!

Now this is how you ventilate!

This is a bit extreme, don’t you think?  I just thought that with the past few days of posting roof ops and vent posts that this was appropriate.

I am sure that nobody reading this blog post would ever allow this to happen.  But, apparently, it does happen somewhere.

I don’t know if this is a volunteer that just showed up or the homeowner.

Does it really matter?

Anyway, I thought you might all enjoy this.

Stay safe and take care.

Posted by dc802 on January 11, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, trusses • Tagged: , , , ,

Kitchen Table Tactics 1-7-10

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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 dc802 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: , , , , , , ,

Hazards of Commercial Buildings

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How many of these do you have in your response area?

How many of these do you have in your response area?

No doubt that we all have a building like this in our jurisdiction, if not several.

In many cases these buildings have been several different kinds of business and altered some fashion or another.

These are not simple fires, especially if there are part of a main street block or strip mall type of set up.

We can see some pretty thick smoke from the attic vent on the front. I see a fan set up and can’t tell if it is running, but at this point in the fire, should it be?

  • What are some challenges we could encounter at this building especially with the roof?
  • What kind of construction are we dealing with?
  • Is the line size and placement appropriate?

Post your comments and give your thoughts. Happy New Year, stay safe.

Posted by dc802 on December 31, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , ,

Company Training Discussion 2: Residential Fire with Exposure

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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.

Posted by dc802 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

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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 dc802 on December 26, 2009 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , ,