Share your strategies, tactics and experience!  Every Friday we’ll post a picture or video and want to get your take on the situation.

THE SCENARIO:  First thing you see is a Truck pulling up to the scene.  YOU’RE ON THAT TRUCK! Based on what you see with the building, the conditions, the Engine Co. and other crews’ operations, WHAT ARE YOUR ASSIGNMENTS FOR YOUR CREW?  Compare this FD’s ops to your FD and  give us your RECEO VS considerations.  Enjoy!

• RESCUE profile
• EXPOSURE considerations
• CONFINEMENT issues
• EXTINGUISHMENT strategies/tactics
• OVERHAUL considerations
• VENTILATION strategies/tactics
• SALVAGE considerations

• PLEASE REMEMBER… We want to critique this video, however First Due Friday is a CONSTRUCTIVE tool!  Mudslinging comments WILL NOT be posted.  Thanks and enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

NOTE:  This week’s video was recommended by Bill Carey of www.backstepfirefighter.com.  Thanks as always Bill!

Share your strategies, tactics and experience!  Every Friday we’ll post a picture or video and want to get your take on the situation.

THE SCENARIO:  Here is a great pre-arrival video of a house fire transitioning from serious to worse.  This would be a great size-up tool for anyone riding the seat.  Give us the report and your RECEO VS considerations.  Enjoy!

• PLEASE REMEMBER… We want to critique this video, however First Due Friday is a CONSTRUCTIVE tool!  Mudslinging comments WILL NOT be posted.  Thanks and enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Share your strategies, tactics and experience!  Every Friday we’ll post a picture or video and want to get your take on the situation.

THE SCENARIO:  What would your FD do for this attached garage fire?  Would your FD make entry through the front door and push the fire out OR knock it down from the outside, then go in?  What would you do to address the extension issues?   Give us the report and your RECEO VS considerations.  Enjoy!

• PLEASE REMEMBER… We want to critique this video, however First Due Friday is a CONSTRUCTIVE tool!  Mudslinging comments WILL NOT be posted.  Thanks and enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Think outside the box!”  This is one of the fire service’s favorite clichés.  The problem is that by thinking outside the box so much, we have forgotten about the box itself.  Ironically, it is what is inside the box that kills us.  The box I am referring to is the structure on fire and, more specifically, the little boxes inside of it where we have to go to put the fire out.  There are six sides to every box, and to stay safe and effective, we have to consider all of them during firefighting operations.

The six sides of the box include:

• Front (side Alpha, the point of entry/egress)
• Rear (side Charlie, the fire room and/or seat)
• Left and right sides (sides Bravo and Delta)
• Top (the ceiling and/or roof)
• Bottom (the floor and/or basement)

The Front

Often taken for granted, the Alpha side of the big box is where the operation begins.  Unfortunately, it begins quicker for some than others.  Failure to identify and prepare for forcible entry issues will set the tone for the entire operation.  If you are struggling at the front door just to get in, what does that say about your preparation, training and outlook for advancing on a good burner?  To that extent, what does the first engine have at the front door with them?  Do they have hand tools for entry or hooks to check the overhead?  Did the Nozzle Firefighter show up at the door with only the nozzle or did they flake out a working length just behind them to advance on the fire with?

Once we make entry and we get to the fire room, we are at “the front” of the little box.  Is the door open, shut, intact or burned through?  Can we control it (the door and/or the fire) while we flake/feed line into the house to move in with?  Two things are important to know prior to opening the door the little box.  The first is that you have a pretty good idea, based on your size up and current conditions, what is on the other side of it.  The second being that you have enough line, positioned inside in the structure, for advancement to move in a put out the fire.  Judging the layout of a building/room is a very difficult task without it being filled w/ smoke.  Running out of line can be a vital mistake if its not identified before the hallway and crew are compromised.

The most important point with the front of either the big box or the little box is that you show up prepared with the resources you need to finish the job.

The Rear

When talking about the big box, the rear is the Charlie side of the structure.  This area can be chock full of vital information as to building layout and/or fire conditions.  Unfortunately, most fire departments are doing well to get enough people just to go in the front.  Despite this, someone (preferably first in Officer and IC) should get “eyes on” the rear whether it be from a walk-around or by assigning a person to that side (if the building size or layout does not support a walk-around).  Plenty of times crews have arrived with “something” showing in the front, only to discover that there was “something else” happening in the rear.  Sometimes this includes fire conditions, other times its additional levels.  Get someone there.

The rear of the little box is the fire area opposite (ahead of) the attack crew.  This is where we horizontally ventilate (not behind the attack crew).  Well timed ventilation of the rear of the little box, the fire area, can change the entire dynamic of the attack, lifting or relieving some of the harsh interior conditions and allowing that attack crew to “make the push”.  This will also help to prevent some of the “unexpected” fire events that we read about.  Despite our traditions and egos, modern fires may need to be vented before we commit to the interior, then we will push in and get it.

The rear of the building can give you great information for the operations as well as help make the attack on the fire safer and more effective.  Paying attention to this side is crucial.

The Left and Right Sides

The Bravo and Delta sides of the big box can be fairly simple.  From a size-up perspective, not a whole lot happens (typically) on the Bravo and Delta sides of structures.  You may find some bathroom windows and an occasional bedroom window, however typical structures are designed and positioned with most construction features facing the Alpha and Charlie sides.  Considering the big box, any access points need to be forced and controlled and windows laddered.  Also consider that in most buildings, hallways will run from Bravo to Delta sides, so consider that when sizing-up conditions and building layout.

The Bravo and Delta (left and right) sides are very important from the little box perspective.  Our searches are based on going left or right and, as we move through the structures (as we discussed above) you’ll know that typically your egress points will not be on those sides.

Knowing the design characteristics of your response area will determine the importance of the Bravo and Delta side of the structure.  Understanding that hallways commonly run from Bravo to Delta can help you to maintain your orientation while operating inside and facilitate decision making when faced with victim removal or emergency escape.

The Top

The roof, the top of the big box, is one of the most important yet most feared positions on the fire ground.  Fear of truss collapse, lack of understanding of roof construction and materials and lack of confidence in tool selection and operation all contribute to our hesitation to commit resources to the roof.  However, like the rear (Charlie side) the roof is chock full of invaluable information critical to fire ground decision-making and safety.

Not putting someone of a roof for fear of truss collapse while simultaneously sending attack crews into that same structure is hypocritical.  Beyond the truss aspect, a hole in the roof in the fastest way to stop horizontal spread and see what is actually over the attack crews head.  In modern houses, water heaters and HVAC units are commonly placed in the overhead void/attic spaces.  Commercially, HVAC units and generators are commonly placed on rooftops.  Getting a crew on the roof to perform “roof recon” can be huge for safety of operating crews. Likewise, anyone who has ever been in a soupy building when the roof crew punches through knows how effective vertical ventilation can be for improving conditions. 

Inside the little box, failure to pay attention to the ceiling gets us into trouble.  We talked about having hooks to check the overhead.  As an attack crew, just because your job is to put out fire, doesn’t always mean you go straight to the orange.  If you have serious fire conditions, pop an inspection hole in the ceiling or pop a ceiling tile.  Make absolutely sure you don’t let fire get behind you.  Ceiling collapsing on you can knock you off of your reference point (hose, wall, etc).  Ceiling collapsing behind you can also burn through your hose, causing you to lose water at what may be a critical time in the attack.  It is simply a bad thing.  Bring an adequate tool and check the overhead.

The roof and ceiling are both critical areas for “fireground surprises”.  Getting eyes on them, either by getting on the roof or by making inspection holes in the ceiling can prove to be one of the best decisions you make.

The Bottom

Too often we see or hear about firefighters falling through floors.  The fire service has also recently had a string of serious, and deadly, incidents involving basement fires.  It is vital that we always check for basements and be diligent in determining fire origin in “smoke everywhere” scenarios.  Basement fires can be nasty yet sometimes identifying them for what they are can be difficult.  If you need to commit prior to determining the origin and suspect a basement, use that tool to sound the floor in front of you.  Sweep the floor in front with the hose stream and listen for falling water.  Be careful.  Fires involving the bottom (basement) may be categorized as a “vent first fire” if possible.

Though the bottom is mostly regarding the presence of basements, simply checking the floor in front of you as you advance is important.  Sweeping with a tool or a hose stream can clear hot embers, debris and/or drug paraphernalia from your path.  Additionally, in limited visibility, this may help identify layout of the area (little box).

Often taken for granted, the floor and floor below can, and does, create big problems for us.  Making the stairs at a serious basement fire can be very tough.  Falling through a floor makes for a bad day as well.  Use the resources you have to check the path in front of you and do not hesitate to try to improve conditions prior to committing into below grade areas.

Thinking “outside the box” is a perfectly appropriate goal for someone when faced with a unique challenge.  Yet firefighters get hurt and killed at what some would consider less-than unique fires.  Sometimes we have to keep it simple and put people in areas not only to perform efficiently, but also get us the most accurate information prior to making a dangerous decision.  Despite one of most popular slogans, maybe we should think more  “inside the box”, as well as “on the box” and “under the box”.  There are six sides to every fire and it is our job to see them all.

Thanks and Be Safe!

Share your strategies, tactics and experience!  Every Friday we’ll post a picture or video and want to get your take on the situation.

THE SCENARIO:  Check out the video and let us know how you would handle it.  Ready…Go!

• What is your initial report?
• Offensive or Defensive?
• Search type?
• What type of attack lines would you use, how many & where would they go?
• Ventilation considerations?
• How many resources would you have/want for this fire?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Enjoy & Be Safe!

Share your strategies, tactics and experience!  Every Friday we’ll post a picture or video and want to get your take on the situation.

THE SCENARIO:  You’re wearing all the hats today! You’re dispatched to a reported “structure” fire.  It’s the middle of the week during Christmas vacation and the neighbors don’t know if the kids are there or not.

• What is your initial report?
• Where is the fire?
• Where is it going?
• How many lines do you anticipate for this fire?
• What size AND length line would you use?
• HOW MUCH OF A PRIORITY DO YOU PLACE ON SEARCH?
• What search tactics would you use?
• What type and where would you vent?
• What tactics are a priority?
• What are your assignments for YOUR crews?

Make training, professionalism and pride part of your New Year’s resolution!  We’re in the process of building our 2012 calendar with intense, realistic hands-on training, interactive classroom events and good old-fashioned brotherhood.  A couple of events already scheduled include:

• Ventilation, Entry & Search Techniques –  Southeastern Fire School @ SC Fire Academy – March 10, 11
• SC State Firefighters/ Fire Chiefs Conference – Myrtle Beach, SC June 4-9

• S.A.F.E. Firefighter- Smart, Aggressive, Fundamental, Efficient (Interactive Lecture, 2 Hour) – 2 in January – Dates in the Works
• First Due Forcible Entry (Hands-On, 8 Hour) – Early February – Dates in the Works
• Ventilation, Entry & Search Techniques (Hands-On, 16 Hour) – Mid February – Dates in the Works
• First Due Forcible Entry (Hands-On, 8 Hour) – March- Dates TBD
• Fireground Rescue (Advanced RIC) (Hands-On, 16 Hour) – April – Date TBD

VSP is one of the hottest topics of conversation in the fire service today.  Captain Marsar’s research has taken the fire service by storm and has created an interesting “new” flavor of the month for those who feed on “firefighter safety through spectatorship”.  Maybe it was because of my animosity for the “let it burn” folks within our profession that I was initially against the concept of deciding if a building is searchable from the front yard and was unfairly biased.  However, the more I read about and discuss it the more I realize that I HAVE ALWAYS PERFORMED VSP!

• What conditions do I have, where are they and where are they going?
• What time is it and where are the people inside?
• Where and how can I get in to this building?
• How do I get out of this building?
• Do I have enough resources to do what I need to do now?
• What can I do now?
• Is this an offensive or defensive fire?

Is this a size-up or Victim Survivability Profiling (VSP)?

Our priorities of life safety, incident stabilization and property conservation (LIP) are one of the first things that you learn when you get into this job.  As our training continues, we learn about phases of fire, flashover and how to “read” smoke.  Then, hopefully, someone taught you about Lloyd Layman’s tactical considerations of RECEO VS (rescue, exposures, confinement, extinguishment, overhaul… vent and salvage… in that order).  What is supposed to happen is, you take all this knowledge, fight a few fires, learn from them, reapply as necessary then repeat.

As this process continues over years, you hone your skills, learn from your misreads, mistakes and close calls (or better yet someone else’s) and get better and smarter.  After time, you become the “senior man” or the officer in charge and get to use that knowledge and experience.  YOU decide mode of operation, where and how to position the first line and where/how to start a search.  NOW YOU GET TO DECIDE WHO LIVES AND WHO DIES.  If a civilian dies at one of “your” fires, DID YOU AND YOUR CREW (as an extension of you) DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO PROTECT THEIR LIFE in the manner you were taught your first week of fire training?

TENABLE versus VIABLE, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.  Tenable may depend on smoke, heat, flame and interior layout of the occupancy or any combination.  Things are NOT always as they appear from the exterior.  Viability MAY be related to tenability, however occupant age, health and relative location to the fire all impact how long someone may be “viable”.  For that matter, our actions may directly impact tenability and how long someone may be viable.

How efficiently the first line gets stretched, advanced and water gets on the fire will have the greatest impact on tenability.  The time it takes us to get the smoke out of the building will also directly and greatly drive how long someone may be viable.  However, the only location on the fireground that is the most tenable AND protects viability is OUTSIDE.  Getting IN, searching tenable areas and pulling people OUT of the buildings is the only true way of holding up our end of the deal.

One of my favorite quotes from Chief John Salka is “You don’t know what you don’t know.”  We live and work in the unknown and OUR REALITY is making decision based on limited or unknown information.  Sometimes a situation leads us into some dangerous areas based on conditions, information and YOUR gut feeling.  These factors may lead you through or around “untenable” areas into those “voids” where panicked civilians seek refuge when faced with no exit and certain death.  They are not condemned to death; they are just waiting for us to come in a get them.  That’s where our training, experience, discipline and professionalism are put to the test.  It is not our job to decide who lives and who dies.  It is our job to do our job by getting water on the fire, letting the smoke and heat out and helping the helpless.

1. “Can They Be Saved? Utilizing Civilian Survivability Profiling to Enhance Size-Up and Reduce Firefighter Fatalities in the Fire Department, City of New York.”  , Stephen Marsar
2. “Survivability Profiling: Applying What We’ve Learned”, Stephen Marsar, Fire Engineering July 2011
3. “‘Survivability Profiling’ is Key to Ending Preventable LODDs”, Stephen Marsar, FireRescue Magazine November 2011
4. “Muliple Rescues in Fatal Lewisdale Fire”, from www.hvfd.com
5. “…Report Critical of Pasadena Fire Department’s Failure to Find Woman’s Body After Fire”, from Pasadena Star News Online
6. “Sometimes It’s Not So Simple”, from www.backstepfirefighter.com

Saws, irons, ladders and rescues were the flavor of week for our brothers in Bluffton, SC.  Safe Firefighter, LLC just wrapped up a RIC Refresher for the Bluffton Township Fire District.  Training included calling the Mayday, self-rescue, rapid intervention crew assignments and operations and performing proactive RIC tasks.

Luckily, each company was able to train with their own crew which made the training that much better.  As a result of their hard work, the BTFD logged the following stats:

• 48 training hours
• 320 staff hours
• 320 Maydays called
• 160 “window bars” cut
• 160 “slide bolts” cut
• 80 “padlocks” and chain cut
• 80 hinges cut
• 80 doors force w/ the irons
• 80 windows laddered and vented by 1 firefighter
• 21 RIC deployments
• 21 downed firefighters rescued