By: Ron Kanterman
You’re thinking to yourself, what’s with this guy? Is industrial structural fire attack any different than nonindustrial structural fire attack? Well, I say it is. Industrial fire departments or brigades (I’ll use “on-site FDs”) have a need to take a different tack, in most cases, because of the nature of our occupancies. For the most part, industrial fire attack is “a lot of water real fast.” My first-due engine has seven preconnected lines and a deck gun for starters. Normally we are dealing with large, open spaces (manufacturing or warehousing); an unusual hazard (hazardous materials); or a heavy, unusual fire load (high-piled storage warehousing)-therefore, the need for an on-site FD to start with. However, the effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of the initial attack will depend heavily on preplanning, training, and the ability to respond quickly. Rapid intervention is the key as in most fires; however, because of the circumstances as outlined above, the time-temperature curve has even more meaning in industry, offices and “regular occupancies” notwithstanding. Most industry will have these, too.
It is critical for the on-site FD to respond quickly and to start to take measure toward life safety, property, and environmental conservation. Even the smallest on-site FD can slow the fire down by supporting the fixed fire protection system in the building and by getting the first line or numerous lines stretched into the building as well. The on-site FD must also consider what the municipal department will do on its arrival. Most municipal departments would leave the front of the building open for the truck or ladder company. Joint preplanning before the fire will avoid confusion! It is also critical for the on-site FD officers to have enough advanced training in operations, size-up, command, and the like to be able make good, fast decisions. (OSHA 1910.156 requires industrial fire brigade leaders to have more training than the rest of the brigade. This can be a good tool to take to management to ask for funding to send brigade chiefs and line officers to seminars such as the Fire Department Instructors Conference for advanced training.) Remember to prioritize (life safety, property, and the environment) for a successful operation.
Considerations
- Be able to communicate with the incoming municipal fire department(s) so they can mentally preplan what they will do on arrival and so you can give the units special instructions. It’s quite possible that you may want them to stage at the gate for their own good; however, do allow their command officer to come to the command post. Remember that in most–if not all–cases, the fire is legally the municipal department’s: The on-site FD is strictly a support mechanism. If the department insists on rolling in, so be it.
- Consider joint drills and training and using a unified command system. Discuss item one above at these sessions so there are no hard feelings during a working fire. Make it known that you may ask the municipal department to stage at the gate for its own good. The department may thank you for it!
- Practice your drills and response plans.
- Preplan, and put preplans in writing.
- Develop standard operating guidelines (SOGs).
- Rapid intervention is what keeps ’em small. Make management aware of this at every opportunity. Document your responses, and be prepared to justify the on-site FD with response time and what the credible scenario would have been if not for your rapid intervention. Keep such documentation on file. You never know when the old budget ax will fall on the desk of the industrial fire chief!
- Train as you work, work as you train.
RON KANTERMAN is chief of emergency services for Merck & Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, and a volunteer on call member of the Borough of North Plainfield (NJ) Fire Rescue Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science administration and master’s degrees in fire protection management and environmental science and is an adjunct professor of fire science at Middlesex County College. He is a member of the FDIC staff and advisory board and of the Fire Engineering editorial advisory board.
