Many fire departments across the nation respond mainly to fires that are suppressed with one or two handlines after an aggressive, but brief, interior attack that is coordinated with appropriate ventilation and a simultaneous search for life and fire. It is not that these fires are simple or lack danger, but we run the risk of falling into a routine based on frequency. We have grown confident in our success and comfortable in our tactics.
Your next response may be a deep-seated fire in an occupancy with a large footprint and an open floor plan or a well-involved single or small multi-dwelling fire with several exposures on arrival. Are you ready to apply the appropriate tactics, or will you fall back on the small-fire mentality that is so familiar?
Some of the more important factors that may change from the “small-fire” mentality are the following:
- Water supply
- Gallons per minute (gpm) delivery
- Air management
- Crew rotation
- Exposure control
With many of our “bread-and -butter” fires, a single large-diameter hose supply line may be used from a single water source. However, engine company members and officers must be aware of the possibility of the need for a secondary water supply and another supply line for a large or undetermined volume of fire in an occupancy. Later arriving engine companies should not pass their last hydrant or intersection before the fire. Remaining in an uncommitted position with the capability to supply water will keep tactical options open for the incident commander (IC).
The hoseline of choice for much of our work has become the 1¾-inch handline. This line has led to a successful outcome so many times that some fire officers call for it almost without thinking. But for a large volume of fire, defensive operations, or a fire of undetermined location and size in a commercial or an industrial building, the 2½-inch line is the safe bet. The extra gpm, reach, and penetration (especially with a smoothbore nozzle) often help make up for the reduced mobility.
Although many fire departments are teaching the rules of air management and have responsible policies in place, firefighters may tend to revert to the small-fire mentality that has worked at fires where the fire attack is swift and egress doors and windows are plentiful and close at hand. Advancing lines and conducting searches in large, open areas above or below grade with few opportunities for egress necessitates that members be aware of the limitations of their air supply and their location relative to an exit. Unlike other buildings, there may be very few opportunities to stick your head out a window if you make a mistake.
Hand in hand with air management come concerns about rotating crews through rehab while maintaining an adequate fire attack. When operating under adverse conditions for a longer time frame, many departments find that their resources aren’t deep enough to cover their operational needs while rehabbing multiple crews. Longer duration firefights call for the early transmittal of extra alarms or mutual aid to cover personnel requirements. The last thing an aggressive company wants to see is the hard-fought progress it has made on the fire lost because it needs to withdraw for air supply or rehab and a relief company is not available.
In addition to the above concerns, the first-in engine officer as well as the IC must immediately concern themselves with exposure problems. During firefights that are clearly offensive operations, we tend not to concern ourselves with the presence of exterior exposures. This is never a good habit to slide into. When we arrive at a marginal fire, we may overlook potential exposures, including the one we drive to the fire–our apparatus. The first task we may undertake where the exposure has a street may be to stretch a line to side A of a well-involved building fire. However, if there is a severely exposed building on side C, we had better address that issue before we have two building fires. A large volume of fire on arrival may also affect our apparatus placement. The first-arriving engine or truck may reconsider operating from directly in front of the building, especially if windows are close by or the integrity of the structure may become an issue during the incident.
We must be prepared for all types of fires and emergencies. Many departments conduct the majority of their work at smaller offensive fires that are suppressed with three or fewer lines in operation, but they must prepare for fires that run the gamut of the buildings in their jurisdiction. Falling back on tactics simply because they are familiar by repetition is dangerous to firefighters and civilians alike.
David DeStefano is a 23-year veteran of the North Providence (RI) Fire Department, where he serves as a lieutenant in Ladder Co. 1. He previously served as a lieutenant in Engine 3 and was a firefighter in Ladder 1. He teaches a variety of topics for the Rhode Island Fire Academy. He can be reached at dmd2334@cox.net.
