You have a crew of 4 members. Your unit has been assigned to conduct a search of the 2nd floor of a SFD. Fire is in the basement and the inital attack line is just being stretched. Neighbors are reporting that they think the occupants are home and it is 0500 hours. Construction is light-weight wood frame and the home is a 2-story colonial style of about 400 square feet.How will you go about completing the task? What are your concerns that you need to address in your size-up? What issues are present regarding firefighter safety for your crew in particular and what other tactics are you counting on to be completed by other units? (courtesy of DFC Jeff Coffman, Operations A-shift)
3 comments:
Must be a busy day in the 5th since there aren't any comments yet.
With a crew of 4, primary search of the 2nd floor should be completed very quickly. Rescue of probable victims may take longer.
Enter side A and the stairwell to the second floor is probably in the foyer or off the main hallway.
Ascend to the second floor via interior stairwell and conduct a search in two teams. Officer could remain in the second floor hallway as control and would then be able to direct rescue operations. A lone firefighter could search bedrooms if he remained in verbal contact with the officer. The other team of two could either split or work together in larger bedrooms.
The officer acting as control in the hallway would also be better able to monitor the radio for reports on the condition of the fire as well as monitoring heat and smoke conditions on the floor. If victims are found, the officer is in a good position to direct rescue operations.
Truck company will hopefully throw a couple of ladders to the second floor, possibly an aerial. These may become necessary for rescue or firefighter escape should the fire extend quickly. Rescue team should keep in mind that all other things equal, their best chance of assistance through a window is on side A where they can be seen.
TIC and standard hand tools should be sufficient.
Count on the truckies to place ladders and engine guys to knock the fire in the basement. A backup line on the ground floor to prevent fire extension will be nice too.
Multiple victims may require additional crews for rescue. Interior stairwell will be the easiest route for rescue as long as it remains tenable.
Great Idea !! Kepp em coming !!
Since this is a light weight wood constructed home with a basement fire, consideration should be given to the integrity of the first floor. Is it soft, is fire poking through, are there sink spots or areas beginning to collapse. If this is the case, use ground ladders or aerials to conduct VES. Given the time of day, just breaking the windows out may wake the occupants and motivate them to begin moving toward the window for escape. Hopefully the smoke alarm is working. Also, because we are dealing with a basement fire in light wood construction, consider the vertical voids that begin in the basement and can allow fire to travel the walls, floors, and ceilings, horizontally and vertically. Fire could spread very quickly and the structural integrity can be lost quickly. As for the attack, is the first line being stretched to the interior basement stair to hold the fire or to an exterior basement entrance? Hopefully, its the former. This will provide protection for the truck crew operating on the second floor. Otherwise, a fire attack taking place from the basement, without having the stairs in check could push heat and flame upwards toward the truck crew. A fast escape from the second floor will only be available through windows. Make sure ladders are in place. Closing bedroom doors can buy time and can make conditions tolerable.
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