By Travis W. Boudrey
At 0503 hours on the morning of February 6, 2022, the Fayetteville (AR) Fire Department responded on a mutual aid call with Round Mountain Fire Department at 2091 S. Mally Wagnon Road.
First-arriving units observed a two-story wood frame residential structure with heavy fire visible on the “A” side in and around the garage area. The occupant advised all clear upon arrival, and two 1.88-inch preconnected attack lines were stretched from Ladder 3 to attack the fire. A connection to a nearby hydrant was made using 4-inch large diameter hose from a Round Mountain Fire Department apparatus.
The fire had extended into the second floor, and firefighters observed damage in and around the landing of the entrance to that area. Fayetteville Firefighters, Goshen Firefighters, and Elkins Firefighters assisted Round Mountain Firefighters in several facets of this operation. This included, but wasn’t necessarily limited to, controlling the fire, RIT, overhaul, servicing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders, primary searches (including a vent, enter, and search on the second floor on the “C” side), and working with the incident commander from Round Mountain Fire Department.
Improved Strategic Mode Decisions for Fireground Success
All actions were complicated by the cold weather and snow and ice around the area, and a significant accumulation of items stored in the garage. The power company and the water department were requested to shut off service to this building because of the extensive damage. Central Emergency Medical Service responded to the scene and assisted with monitoring vitals and responder rehab near the command post. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Fire Marshal responded to investigate the cause and origin of the fire.
The Fayetteville Fire Department’s mobile SCBA service and light unit responded to the scene. The SCBA service operation was enhanced by a side by side unit that shuttled full cylinders to the scene from the cascade which was blocked by the large diameter hose down the street. This scene was turned over to the Round Mountain Fire Department, and some units responded to the subsequent mutual aid structure fire call on Roberts Road or checked in service when they became available.
No injuries were reported by civilians or firefighters. Despite extremes in weather, difficult road conditions, and borderline hoarder fire loads, mutual aid partners worked together to make this operation a success. The lead agency on this call was the Round Mountain Fire Department.
Travis W. Boudrey is a second-generation firefighter and battalion chief with more than 29 years of experience with the City of Fayetteville (AR) Fire Department. He has been assigned to Battalion 1 C shift for more than 15 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in human resource development from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and an associate of applied science in fire protection from Northwest Arkansas Community College.
