FHExpo: Firefighters Hit the Streets for Building Construction Lessons

BALTIMORE, Md. – On any given day here, visitors are easy to spot.

They’re the ones quickly scanning buildings for places to eat or things to do.

On Wednesday morning, a group was looking at buildings as well. But they were gazing up and often pointed.

They were firefighters examining the construction and discussing how the buildings would hold up during a fire.

Chris Naum, chief of training, Command Institute, who led the tour for those attending his Firehouse Expo session, pointed to the different facades of two buildings. One was brick, while the other was metal or steel.

Walking to the back, students quickly realized they were actually one building – not two.

“This is why a 360 is so important. What you saw on the street side is not what you find here,” he said. “Would this part of the building react differently during a fire than the other side?”

Naum pointed to steel shutters adding that they also would provide challenges.

“The only way for you to know your buildings in your first due-area is to get out there. When you have some down time or after your station chores are done,  find out, know what’s there.”

One building that was under construction last year is now finished. From the outside, it was easy to tell it was actually several structures. Naum said firefighters would want to know how it was remodeled. Having that knowledge should assist the incident commander.

Establishing the proper collapse zone is imperative, and Naum said the officer doing the initial size-up needs to do that.

Pointing to one building built in the turn of the century, he noted that it would hold up well during a fire. However, one nearby showed obvious signs it was stressed.

At different times during the walking tour, citizens tagged along or stepped closer to listen to his lesson.

“You have to think about the building’s condition before you go in or send your firefighters in. Do you have time to get in and out safely? It’s not always about how much air you have. You have to think about how long the building will hold up…”

Peering into a large building being remodeled, Naum pointed to several changes. “This is what you need to be doing. See what they’re putting in there because once it’s covered up it’s too late. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get out there and look around.”

In addition to looking at structures in their areas, he also encouraged the group take another step. “Talk to the old timers, the ones who come into the firehouse for coffee. Ask them about the buildings.”

Understanding a building will help them understand the fire, and make the proper decisions. Making a bad choice has repercussions.

“You run the fire, don’t let the fire run you.”

Mike Dennies, a firefighter from Clarence, N.Y.,  said he enjoyed the field trip to look at the different buildings and construction.

“It gave me good background, and I can apply what I learned in my area which is more rural.”

A new firefighter from the same department, Hillery Duman said she now knows what weaknesses to look for. “It was very helpful to actually get out and see the different buildings.”

An industrial firefighter from Washington, Mike Wigen said he found it interesting to see the different architecture.

“I’ll know what to look for to determine if the walls will hold up,” he said, adding that as a refinery firefighter, he doesn’t see that many structures.

J. Gary Howarth, safety officer for Middlebush, N.J. Vol. Fire Dept., who went on the tour last year as well said he learned something new Wednesday.

“People have different questions and there’s different discussion. This is great because it gets the firefighters out of the classroom. It’s an innovative, creative way to teach."

More from Firehouse Expo 2015:

• Picking The Right Fire Station Site Is Key
• Firefighters Hit the Street for Lesson
• Creating Green and Red Zones in Fire Stations
• Basement Fire Tactics Explained
• Sendelbach Asks 'Are You All In?'
• Harvey Eisner Remembered, Keynote Stresses Accountability
• FDNY’s Muschello Honored with Top Heroism Award at Firehouse Expo
• Photos: Firehouse Expo - Day 3