Firefighting conditions upon arrival are only the opening act of a production that can have a radically different closing act than the crews’ scripts. Compounding the “pattern mismatch” that can develop is almost a genetic inclination for firefighters to mount and sustain an aggressive attack as part of the “preserve property” mission. One element that crews can lose sight of is time. Frank Brannigan said, “A building on fire is a building under demolition.” The longer the building burns, the closer it comes to collapse.
“Engine [1] and Rescue [1] found heavy smoke showing from the structure. Engine [1] laid two 1 ¾” lines and caught the hydrant right across the street. Engine [1] group went in through the front door, but due to extreme amount of heat, were not able to get to the seat of the fire. Group 1 lieutenant called for vertical ventilation but due to staffing issues, ventilation was not able to be performed.
Our chief arrived on scene and assumed command. He advised us to exit the building and we were going defensive…The Incident Commander then advised the first arriving off duty personnel to set up the PPV fan at the front door. Once two off-duty personnel arrived, they became Group 3 and set up and turned on the fan. The structure was an old [deleted] house built in the early 1900s with a very big and open attic. After the smoke cleared, the Incident Commander advised Group1 and 2 to stop flowing water because Group 3 was going in the front door and we were going back offensive.
Due to heavy fire, Group 3 was doing no good and backed out. Two more off-duty personnel arrived and the Incident Commander made them Group 4 and assigned them to vertically ventilate. This order was given 45 minutes into the fire and approximately 30 minutes after a defensive attack was ordered and the PPV fan was set up. The roof was already visibly sagging and from the road you could see heavy fire in the attic. Three lieutenants and a captain on scene advised the Incident Commander that the task was unsafe. Group 4 ignored our plea and put a ladder on the building.”
The collapse of a building on fire for an extended period of time should come as no surprise. However, the “surprise” is often the result of stubbornness of crews that are so focused on the mission of defeating the fire, that they have lost track of time and burn intensity. Once you have read the entire account (CLICK HERE), consider the following:
1. Once a fire has been declared “defensive” should offensive operations, including roof ventilation be permitted?
2. When recall or off-duty personnel report to the scene, how are they accounted for in your department?
3. What construction features would be prevalent in an early 1900s house?
4. Are there any strategies or actions you use to get a superior officer to recognize an order is unsafe and should be reconsidered?
5. Are there other resources you can summon to accomplish roof ventilation without placing members directly on the roof?
Have a near miss in an offensive/defensive operation? Submit a report to www.firefighternearmiss.com today to get everyone out of the building safely.
Note: The questions posed by the reviewers are designed to generate discussion and thought in the name of promoting firefighter safety. They are not intended to pass judgment on the actions and performance of individuals in the reports.
