Fire Service Warrior

Interesting first arriving video.



So, what's your size-up on this one?  Building Construction & Occupancy, Fire Location, Fire Development, Operating Mode.





Here's mine.

"Engine 1 is on the scene with a one story frame, 50 by 25, fire in the rear, possible exposure problem on the D side.  We are going into a transitional attack."

Now, I am not always a fan of transitional attacks but if we look at this scene we have obvious structural involvement, we have a lot of heat, and the attic space is charged.  IF I was told there was a victim inside I might go in a different direction (like fast attack with a primary search), but we have to consider that this building is a candidate for a ventilation controlled flashover. If we make entry through the front here we have to coordinate our ventilation and HAVE TO be able to get enough water on the seat of the fire in 60 seconds.  Why 60 seconds?  Look at the UL study Impact of Ventilation on Fire Behavior in Legacy and Contemporary Construction.  A compartmentalized building like this can see conditions become untenable in 70 seconds and flashover within another 30 seconds.

This is why I keep coming back to our Fireground Capacity.  Capacity is our ability to provide service on the fireground.  Some departments have the skills, abilities, and the manpower to execute an interior attack on a fire like this, most won't.  We need to understand the capacity of our department and our companies.

As a reminder the Fire Department Instructors Conference is right around the corner.  I will be presenting Situational Awareness on Monday from 1300 to 1700 in Rooms 109-110 and The Ready Position on Wednesday from 1330 to 1515 in Rooms 234-235.  Please come on by, check out the programs, and introduce yourself.  I plan on being at the ISFSI Event on Tuesday, the FOOLS Brotherhood Bash on Wednesday evening and will be running in the Courage & Valor run on Thursday.  I look forward to seeing you there.