At the Passaic (NJ) Fire Department (PFD), staffing levels are always a topic for discussion, as it is with many departments across the country. For firefighters, the staffing never seems to be adequate. However, regardless of whether the fire department has two or 22 members, the public expects it to mitigate the problem and make it go away.
The PFD is a typical American fire department; it protects approximately 75,000 people within a three-square-mile urban area that includes all types of building construction. The 110 paid members staff four engine companies and two truck companies over four 24-hour shifts. Typical staffing is one officer and two firefighters; on a good day, one officer and three firefighters.
 1 Photos by author. |
On February 24, 2005, at 1414 hours, the PFD responded to a reported structure fire at 208 Columbia Avenue; dispatch reported numerous 911 calls. Firefighters en route saw at a distance a column of black smoke. On arrival, companies encountered a fully involved, 21⁄2-story wood-frame structure, with extension into exposure B (photos 1, 2). As the first-due captain on-scene, I assumed command until the deputy chief arrived and requested a second alarm.
Exposures B and D were each about two feet from the fire building and of similar construction-balloon frame with wood clapboard covered with asphalt shingles, which in turn was covered with vinyl siding. A five-mile-per-hour wind was blowing toward the B exposure.
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I conducted a rapid size-up and set priorities, sending two firefighters to do a primary search of both exposure buildings, placing an aerial between the fire building and exposure B and setting up water tower operations to protect exposure B, the most threatened as a result of the wind speed and direction. Apparatus were set up to allow for placement of a second-due ladder tower to protect exposure D.
As the first-due engine established a water supply, the stream of a deck gun supplied with tank water was concentrated on the main fire building to knock down some fire as a primary search was conducted in the exposures. This search proved negative, and exposure protection became the next priority.
Two 21⁄2-inch handlines were stretched on each side of the fire building. As members waited for water supply to the ladder pipe, the secondary electrical service fell across the apparatus. Operations were suspended until a utility worker on-scene secured the electric line by cutting the secondary drop at the primary line. When operations continued, it was discovered that flying brands had ignited the jump seat in the aerial’s open crew area; but a 21⁄2-gallon water extinguisher saved the day!
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At this point, seven firefighters had performed all the above tasks. The second-due engine company was around the corner establishing a secondary water supply; once established, this company stretched a 21⁄2-inch line to the exposure C side.
Once staffing permitted, firefighters advanced 13⁄4-inch handlines into the exposure buildings to limit extension as much as possible. The operation was transitioning from defensive to offensive mode. The original fire building was lost, exposure B had suffered major damage (it is now being rebuilt), and exposure D suffered only minor damage to the exterior vinyl siding and one window. It was discovered later that exposure B’s involvement was partially the result of a window that had been covered up with siding, offering an especially vulnerable route for fire travel.
LESSONS LEARNED
Size-up. We evaluated street conditions on arrival at the scene. Cars were parked on both sides of the street, making ladder placement difficult. The engine company had to be moved up at least one address to make room for the first-due ladder, which was placed to protect exposure B, the most vulnerable one because of wind speed and direction. This ladder company positioned on the left side of the street to accommodate a position for the second-due ladder tower (photo 3). Command anticipated the possibility of fire extension into exposure D.
Building construction. The fire and exposure buildings were Type V wood-frame balloon construction with exterior finishes of clapboard covered in asphalt siding, which in turn was covered in vinyl siding. The vinyl siding on exposure B covered up a window; when the siding failed as a result of fire, this provided a route for fire spread.
Heat transfer to the exposure buildings through convection and radiation was a real issue, and preventing or limiting it was a priority. Because of the combustibility and proximity of the exposures, command positioned 21⁄2-inch handlines between the fire building and all exposures. Combined with water tower placement, this limited any further extension. Flowing water on the surface of the exposure buildings also prevented fire extension. Be aware that building renovations over the years can cover up its fire vulnerabilities.
Life safety. Once a primary search proved negative and it was determined that all civilians had exited safely, firefighters were redeployed to stretch 21⁄2-inch lines to the exposures. Firefighter safety is always a priority, and we arranged member accountability according to tasks. Firefighters worked in pairs; once a task was completed, the team reported back to the incident commander. Additional resources were requested early; it was evident on arrival that the tasks at hand outnumbered the resources responding. Crews had to be rotated once additional staffing was available. No attempt was made to move the electrical service that fell on the apparatus. With the utility company on-scene, we waited for the line to be cut. We would never attempt to move a live line. The apparatus would have been abandoned.
Property conservation. On arrival, it was obvious that the original fire building would suffer major damage and had to be written off to save the exposures, which received top priority. Line selection and placement were critical. In such a situation, select a hoseline that will provide the volume, reach, and penetration to do the job. At this incident, the Btus generated from the materials involved demanded applying the maximum gpms available-this was no place for 13⁄4-inch handlines.
Training. Prior training is always the best tool to mitigate a situation. Volumes have been written on size-up, strategy, tactics, and reading building conditions. In Dave Dodson’s 2005 Fire Department Instructors Conference presentation, “The Art of Reading Smoke,” he discussed getting a good read on a building by watching the smoke, not the flame. Look at the color, volume, and pressure. A good read on the smoke will indicate what’s burning, where it is located, and to what extent.
At this incident, the smoke read told me that the exposure B building had structural components involved at the attic area. The read on the D building told me no structural components seemed to be involved. With limited resources, this information helps in placing personnel where they can be most effective. Many size-up factors were used to develop an action plan. Don’t forget about the 15-point size-up-the more we use the size-up factors, the more comfortable we will be in applying them. Once you are used to gathering this information, you can process it in seconds. There is never any time to waste!
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Because of firefighter staffing levels in today’s fire departments, we must all work a bit harder and a lot smarter. We would all like fully staffed companies, but sometimes we are forced to do the most with the least! ■
■ JIM BONELLI is a captain with the Passaic (NJ) Fire Department, assigned to Truck 2, where he has served as a truck officer for the past seven years. A 21-year veteran of the fire service, Bonelli has served the past 14 years with Passaic.
