BY TOM BRENNAN
Let’s take a look at this “instant in time” at a structure fire irrespective of the actual facts. What do we see, and what are some of the ways to handle the problems?
Fire in this multiple dwelling apparently started on the first floor, front right. There is extension to the second floor by the interior and to the third floor (sure to happen, eventually) by the interior and by autoexposure of the front apartments’ fire escape windows. What are some of the problems you see here?
Fire has ruled out use of a fire escape system for search and ventilation operations from the “rear” of the fire (at least in the front of the building). Entry search and ventilation at the rear (OVM) position must be done with numerous portable ladders. Fire probably is in possession of two apartments in the front of the second and third floors and surely will extend to the fourth floor, eventually. (Fire escape balconies usually serve two apartments—one on either side of the access ladder.)
Roof ventilation is vital for control of the public hall and interior stair enclosure by the extinguishment teams and search/removal/ rescue teams.
Many handlines must be stretched, operating, and maneuverable. Initially, four handlines are mandatory—one at the first floor, two at the second floor, and one advancing to the third floor. Two times that number may be needed before this inferno is under control.
Handlines must find other paths to be stretched to objectives and operating positions on the interior. More than two handlines in the same staircase will cause havoc with one or all of the others.
 Photo by Ron Jeffers. |
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Interior communications on progress on the lower floors is mandatory to maintain an interior aggressive strategy for as long as possible. Plans to shift to defensive will have to be in place at the command post.
Personnel must stand by for rapid intervention in case of partial-collapse situations and any other member down or trapped transmission.
OPERATIONS
Some tasks to perform or order include the following:
Alternate entry from rear of fire location in the front apartments. Place portable ladders at or below the windowsills of entry. Firefighters unable to enter must be prepared to probe the area to “feel” for life.
Vertical ventilation must be accessible for a lengthy period of time—aerial device. Initial ventilation is for a fire in a structure below the top floor. This will ensure optimum conditions for interior operating tactics. As fire is reported in the top-floor occupancy, prepare to cut the roof surface into the cockloft to retard horizontal spread to the rear and to provide ventilation to the top floor.
Handline stretching. Stretch one handline to the first floor. Ensure control of the first floor and proceed to the second floor with the second handline. Take the third line to the second floor where fire is expected in two apartments. Take additional lines to the interior from the rear fire escape by rope, fire escape stretch evolution. Move these lines through apartments on the third and fourth floors to the public hall, and prepare to control the fire extension on the third- and fourth-floor front apartments.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: What are the staffing considerations?
A: Rapidly transmit calls for additional staffing. Prepare for 12 to 18 members to assign to truck functions as soon as possible with the probability of more needed for additional tactics, help with difficult ones, or relief; 18 to 20 personnel to operate and supervise six to seven handlines rapidly; five to seven firefighters for rapid intervention initially; and more for rear operations as needed.
Q: How many apartments are on each floor?
A: There are probably at least four per floor. Fire escapes on the front of multiple dwellings usually indicate front and rear apartments with respect to the public hall. Then, legal fire escapes were considered an ugly mar of the architecture and were therefore first installed in the rear of the building. As apartments increased in number or were altered to double the number on each floor, additional fire escapes were installed by law.
Q: What are the objectives of the first vertical ventilation team?
A: Get relief to the public hall below. The first line must access and hold the fire on the first floor and protect the interior stairs. Vertical ventilation of all that is openable on the roof will afford the second and third lines the probability of “making” the second-floor landing and entry of the front apartments. The order should be skylight first, then scuttle or bulkhead door, and then other openings covering shafts and vent risers.
Next is reconnaissance of the surrounding sides of the building for additional fire, trapped human beings, or any other data that will affect the firefight. Then, use the unexposed fire escape to access floors above the fire for search after notification to command. Personnel should return to the street for additional assignments if they are unable to find a safe outside stair to the occupancies. Command must be ready to reorganize the roof teams to cut the roof open should fire extend into the top floor.
Q: What size portable ladders are needed for entry to the second floor?
A: Second-floor portable ladders must be 16-foot hook ladders or 24- or 28-foot extension ladders. The two-section 35-foot is too long bedded to be placed at the windowsill and can be used with the 28-foot to the third floor. The 20-foot straight ladder is also useless for this objective.
Q: Placement of what apparatus is invaluable in the front and rear of this structure?
A: A tower ladder is the most useful apparatus at the scene, with the movement of personnel necessary on the face of the building; for horizontal ventilation for the extinguishment teams to keep advancing; for rapid and safe rear-of-the-fire entry for the search teams; and for removal of multiple victims.
Q: What size hose would you order stretched?
A: 13/4-inch hose throughout. These lines must be maneuverable to be effective, and the profile should not be so large as to clog hallways and stairs. With prompt and proper support tactics in place and building, these handlines should not have trouble. If movement is restricted or halted by fire, consider changing strategy based on additional information.
TOM BRENNAN has more than 35 years of fire service experience. His career spans more than 20 years with the Fire Department of New York as well as four years as chief of the Waterbury (CT) Fire Department. He was the editor of Fire Engineering for eight years and currently is a technical editor. He is co-editor of The Fire Chief’s Handbook, Fifth Edition (Fire Engineering Books, 1995). He was the recipient of the 1998 Fire Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award. Brennan is featured in the video Brennan and Bruno Unplugged (Fire Engineering/FDIC, 1999). He is a regular contributor to Firenuggets.com.
