Rescue Points to Ponder: FIRE AND COLLAPSE
BY RAY DOWNEY
Brick exterior construc-tion and volume of fire are only two of the many factors to consider when fighting a dwelling fire. When does the fire incident reach collapse potential? If we knew the answer to that question, there would be a significant reduction in firefighter deaths.
In our 13-point size-up, do we address “burn time”?
When do we remove our members from the building and go to an outside operation?
What type of accountability system is in place should a “Mayday” occur?
What immediate actions do you take on receipt of a “Mayday”?
Do you have a rapid intervention team (RIT) in place?
When do you establish a collapse zone?
How big should the collapse zone be?
What additional resources are required as a result of the collapse?
What about secondary collapses? n
RESCUE
The results of an earthquake in New York City? Not really. Actually this is the collapse of the ceiling of an underground garage that was attached to a multiple dwelling. Approximately three feet of earth covered the garage. It was used as a playground for children during the day. The garage had 450 parking spaces, and approximately 50 cars were crushed and underneath the collapse rubble. The collapse occurred at 11:00 p.m.
Preliminary investigation indicated that frozen ground had absorbed rain and snow and their runoff water and that the additional weight caused the collapse. Further investigation was being done on the original construction and other structures that the contractor had erected. The garage was 39 years old.
Were there any occupants in the cars?
Were there any surveillance cameras in the garage area? (They would help in identifying any cars that had occupants or were in the process of parking or leaving.)
What types of records were available to identify owners and verify that no one was missing?
How large was the collapse area, and what was the condition of the remaining ceiling structure? Was there a potential for secondary collapse?
What was the condition of the multiple dwelling? Did the collapse affect its structural stability? (It was evacuated.)
Did the collapse affect the utilities–gas, electric, water, and so on?
What equipment will be needed to remove the rubble? Does the rubble have to be kept for investigation or testing for a possible criminal investigation?
Who makes the decisions as to when and what buildings/structures are safe to reoccupy? n
n RAY DOWNEY is a battalion chief, chief of rescue operations, and a 37-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York. The former captain of Rescue Company 2, he is the USAR task force leaders representative to FEMA for all 26 teams and is a member of FEMA`s Advisory Committee. Downey is also the author of the book The Rescue Company, the video Rescue Operational Planning: Factors for Success, and the video series Collapse Rescue for the Fire Service, published by Fire Engineering.
