By Brian Zaitz
We all wish we had four and five firefighters on our apparatus. However, the reality is that we are lucky if we can muster two and three. These short-staff situations require critical decision making for the appropriate determination of a safe, effective strategy.
Short-staff size-up is key to fireground success. Everyone knows the importance of size-up; it paints the picture for incoming units and clearly defines the actions of the first-arriving unit as well as the equipment that will be needed. With short-staff size-up, units must be aware of critical factors such as water supply, construction, resources en route and available, and their own situation. After evaluating these and other factors, you can determine a strategy and implement appropriate tactics.
As stated above, water supply cannot be understated; the ability to secure a reliable, sufficient, sustainable water supply is key to a safe fireground. This is not a major concern in areas readily sprinkled with hydrants. However, many times in these short-staff situations, we also find that water supply becomes an issue requiring tanker shuttle operations, drafting from a static water source, or the use of portable pumps or even fire boats to supply fireground operations (Photo 1). When these situations arise, it is necessary to recognize the magnitude of the operation and the need for additional resources. Water supply issues or a lack of a water supply MUST be a factor in determining strategy and deployment of resources and operations on the fireground.
(1) Photos and figure by author.
Building construction is another key factor to consider. We all know the hazards of lightweight construction and the collapse potential; this is no different in short-staff situations. However, a key factor that should be considered is time. Burn time or involvement time must be considered; it will play into the determination of offensive or defensive strategies—again, the risk benefit analysis of strategy determination (Photo 2). Today’s lightweight construction fails faster than the traditional conventional construction. Lightweight members are now found in floor joists, stair risers, and roof construction; essentially, anything that can be made with less material and structurally stronger, will be stronger. The key to remember is that, although the members are in fact structurally strong, the system is weak under fire conditions.
(2)
Once you have determined a strategy, it is necessary to deploy tactical and human resources to complete the assignment. When deploying resources and determining a strategy, it is significant to note what resources are en route and which are available. We would all love to work in the tabletop land of unlimited resources and equipment. However, we recognize that this is simply not the case. En route, we must be actively listening to the radio or monitoring the mobile data terminal to gauge the equipment and staffing that is coming. It may be necessary to request additional equipment and call mutual aid, especially in volunteer settings when we have stressed our own district and additional staffing equipment is needed. The key is to quickly identify what resources and what number are needed, and then request them early.
Whenever making a decision, it is necessary to look at your own situation, the skills and abilities of the crew, the strengths and limitations of the apparatus, and the forecasting of the fire. You must be critical of your crews and understand their abilities and not place them in situations beyond their skill levels. Crews will begin to take action once they arrive on the fireground. This is your expectation, but you must prepare them appropriately for this expectation. These actions will be based off their training, experiences, and predetermined assignments such as riding assignments (Photo 3) and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
(3)
If prior training and SOPs do not match actual situations, crews will be unsuccessful and potentially unsafe. When training, practice real-life scenarios such as deploying a hoseline with one firefighter vs. four firefighters. Again, if you practice for likely scenarios, then they will be the norm when you encounter them, and you will be ready for attack (Figure 1).
FIGURE 1.
Apparatus is often not a consideration. However, this could not be further from reality. Today’s apparatus are highly technical, complex machines with numerous capabilities. In addition, many of today’s apparatus are cross-equipped such as the rescue engine, the quint, and the pumper-tanker. When arriving on one of these apparatus, especially with a short-staffed crew, it is important to recognize how the apparatus will affect your tactics and decision making. For example, when you arrive on a quint and it is likely that the first-due crew will function as an engine company, the apparatus should be placed as such, especially if it is to be the only aerial device on scene to function in that capacity. The fireground is not the time or place to figure how to make this happen, especially when short staffed.
Do not think that short-staffed companies are not aggressive and cannot go offensive. Offensive attack is still appropriate for many situations, and the tactics are similar. However, when facing the short-staff situation, crews must be fully aware of the risk and limitations of staffing prior to overcommitting. Many times, offensive is thought mean pulling a handline, going interior, and extinguishing the fire; although this is one example, it is not the definition.
Another offensive action might be vent-enter-isolate-search. Although this is not a traditionally thought-of offensive attack, it is an offensive action and a great tactic for the short-staff company. The key is to match tactics with on-scene/en route staffing, equipment, and ability to safely perform the chosen tactic.
Short-staffed situations are the reality for many of us regarding how we prepare, practice, and deploy our resources. All will determine our success on the fireground.
Brian Zaitz is a 13-year fire service veteran assigned as the captain-training officer with the Metro West (MO) Fire Protection District. Zaitz has a master’s of science in human resource development, a bachelor’s of science in fire science management, and an associates of science in paramedic technology. He is an instructor at the St. Louis County (MO) Fire Academy as well as safety officer with the FEMA USAR team Missouri Task Force I. Zaitz has several certifications including accreditation as chief training officer.
