From Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Coffman - Your unit responds to a local alarm for a building alarm on the 20th floor of a high rise... When you arrive, the maintenance man tells you that kids were throwing fire crackers off the 20th floor and he reset the alarm system. He says the security guard didn't see the kids he just heard the popping noise. A woman approaches you and says she saw fire on the 20th floor on a balcony. You make the call to “fill the box”. The maintenance man again said that it was just fireworks and no fire; he had been there and saw nothing.What actions should you take in this situation and what are the possibilities of what you might find on the 20th floor? So are we going up? What are we taking with us?
2 comments:
Fire works (bottle rockets, fire crackers, etc.) have started many single family dwelling fires, so the possibility is good that throwing them off the roof of a highrise could lead to a fire somewhere below. You can't trust the Engineer, because he is already trying to downgrade the situation. He took it upon himself to prematurely and unlawfully reset the alarm system. He is trying to suck you in. Security cannot confirm whether kids are the culprits or not. An eyewitness is reporting fire on a 20th floor balcony. You have to consider the worst case information to base your decisions. A 360 view can offer additional information. I believe it would be prudent to give a report indicating mixed information, but an eyewitness report of fire on the 20th floor balcony. Fill the box, take all your highrise eqiupment and gather your keys. Check the panel, control the elevators, report 1-2 floors below 20 to check conditions. Any indications of fire or smoke should cause you to reactivate the alarm system to begin an evacuation of the immediate area. You may need other units to walk the floors above and below to confirm no problems. Maliscious kids can cause many problems, don't assume they were only playing in one area. The roof area should be checked for smoke, fire, kids, and parafanalia. Call in an FM to investigate further if you suspect maliscious behavior. What did the video cameras capture? As you continue your investigation, downgrade the response as needed. Prior to leaving, make sure the engineer fully understands the law and liability with respect to resetting/silencing alarm systems. Enlighten him/her. The lesson to be learned here is always be fully prepared to do your job and increase or decrease resources as you confirm your information. Complacency has no place in the fire service, but its human nature. Don't Let It Happen To You!
Fill the box, It is easier to turn everyone around if you discover no problems. Considering the reflex time if the building does not have firemans service in the elevators even if it does it will take some time to ascend 18 floors and walk up 2 especially if you stop every couple of floors to check for smoke conditions.
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