YouTube is an amazing resource for us. We don't get to respond to a structure fire everyday, but we sure can watch one. Look at these videos with a critical eye. Start the video and watch the first 20-30 seconds. Pause it. Close your eyes. Do a three point size-up: Building (Construction & Occupancy), Fire Location, Stage of Fire Development. I really believe that those three points can and should be accomplished by every Fire Service Warrior at every fire. Go ahead, watch the first 30 seconds and see what you come up with. No cheating. Scroll down for my size up.
One Story, Wood Frame, 40x20, single family, fire throughout with heavy fire on the B side and in the attic. This is structure burning.
Now watch the rest of the video.
What is going on? What operations are going on? What needs to be accomplished yet? If you are pulling up and assigned as RIT/FAST/RIC what tools do you want staged? Where are you setting up? What are your top three concerns. For you shift commander/Battalion level Chiefs reading what are you going to start working on to make this building behave.
One year ago today the Homewood Fire Department suffered the LODD of Brian Carey in a house not much bigger than this. Consistently we see firefighters dying in 1000 square foot or less single family dwellings. IF we can't make this building behave what chance do we have in the 27,000 square foot warehouse? Take a moment today and work on those two key skills: Fire Behavior (know the enemy) and Building Construction (know the terrain). Do it for Brian.
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