Firehouse World: On the Fireground, Critical Decisions Matter
Source Firehouse.com News
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SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – The initial 360 that includes a number of observations is essential for the fireground operations.
Retired LA County Deputy Chief Mike Bryant told firefighters during a session at Firehouse World on Wednesday that a thorough size-up is critical.
Bryant suggested the officer include a few things as they do their size-up -- locate the fire, determine if a rescue is necessary, identify the type of building and the fire’s flow path.
“Is the structure safe? Understanding building construction will help you make good decisions.”
The priority at any fire is obviously to save a life. But, the officer will have to make the call whether it’s survivable. They will have to do a risk assessment.
“What is the growth stage? What is burning? Evaluate the smoke. What color is it? What about the volume, velocity and density?”
Reading the smoke correctly saves firefighters. A good assessment is essential before crews are sent to the roof.
Understanding fire behavior is critical to making good decisions, adding that officers need to think about what’s next, not now.
Identifying and controlling the flow path and cooling the space from the safest location should be part of the plan.
He showed a video of a house fire where the officer directed firefighters to change where they had trained the hoseline. Doing that, he said, showed he knew what was about to happen next.
Bryant encouraged the firefighters to keep abreast of building construction and materials in an effort to do their jobs safely.
Full Coverage of Firehouse World:
- Photos: Hands-on Training
- Science Needs to Be Incorporated in Modern Firefighting
- Competent Command Essential at Incidents
- Innovative Apparatus on The Show Floor
- Firefighters Face New Challenges Daily
- Eisner Remember, Change Discussed at Firehouse World Opening
- Photos: Day 2 of Firehouse World
- Officers Reminded to Spend Time with Rookies
- A West Coast Versus East Coast Debate
- Photos: Day 3 of Firehouse World
- Fire Service Tradition Is Challenged by Progress
- Hash Oil Labs Create Danger
