Every fire department needs to develop individuals who are capable of stepping up, organizing, and leading a firefighting operation. This was certainly true for the FDNY. The frequency and complexity of fire incidents in New York City presented an endless series of tests for an incident commander. However, they also offered a vast array of learning opportunities. One thing I learned was that even the most hectic situations could be simplified and broken down into some basic steps.
Meet with the Initial IC
Ideally this should be done in person at a location relatively near the fire building. But the meeting should be located at a spot away from the immediate chaos of the operation. The noise of operating machinery, breaking glass, and fireground radios will be distracting and hinder your communication.
Calm Things Down
This is especially important if the initial IC was a company officer or someone who appears to be uncomfortable with the role he has been placed in. The way you conduct yourself, even the tone of your voice, can go a long way to settling a person down. It will also help establish a sense of control over the entire operation.
Size Up His Size Up
What has the initial IC already accomplished? What is the big picture? Has a strategy been established or are there just a series of individual tactical tasks being performed? Don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed by the large number of size up factors that will have to be addressed. Just identifying the “3 W’s” will provide a good starting point for any firefight:
- Who have you got?
- Where are they?
- Water supply established?
What is your Gut Reaction?
Do you feel like you’re starting to get a handle on this fire? Are you comfortable with the level of resources you have on scene, or do you want to be proactive and call for more? Most of our firefighting decisions are intuitive and based on previous experience. Your gut tells you much and will generally steer you in the right direction.
Give it Some Time
Once a strategy is initiated you have to give it sufficient time to see how it’s working. Nothing will more confuse or exhaust the firefighters who are performing the tactics than an incident commander who continually changes his mind. There are a lot of “grey” areas in commanding a fire. Your decisions are seldom based on clear and simple black and white choices and it’s often difficult to get an accurate sense of how things are progressing. It comes down to getting to know your personnel before the fire ever occurs. An awareness of their experience and ability level will often guide your decision making.
Mental “Progress Reports”
You should be evaluating the progress you are making throughout the operation. Are you achieving accomplishments at the rate you anticipated? Or, is there something different about this fire? Unusual fire loads, unauthorized construction renovations, or hidden pockets of fire can all have unanticipated effects on a firefight. Your initial intuitive gut reaction is usually accurate but may not work for every situation. Is it time to consider plan B?
The art of performing effectively as an incident commander calls for asking yourself a series of questions. Be honest with the answers. You may well be on a path to a successful fire operation. But if you decide that you’re not you must have the resolve and willingness to change strategies. Ultimately as the incident commander it all hinges on you alone.
Thomas Dunne
Thomas Dunne is a retired deputy chief and 33-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department with extensive experience working in Mid-Manhattan and the Bronx. He has been the incident commander at hundreds of fires and emergencies in the city. Dunne lectures on incident command, fire safety, and human behavior in disaster at conferences and colleges across the country through his “Third Alarm Fire Training” seminars. He has written numerous articles for fire service publications and serves as an adjunct instructor for both the National Fire Academy and Kean University. He is the author of Notes from the Fireground, a memoir of his experiences with the FDNY, and a novel, A Moment in Time. His website is www.chieftomdunne.com.
