Operations & Training

The Fire Scene: Speed—A Necessary Ingredient

Sept. 6, 2024

John J. Salka Jr. stresses not only that quick performance of certain emergency operation tactics is required but also minimizes the danger that's associated with them.

John J. Salka Jr.

Everyone has heard the phrase “speed kills.” Of course, many of us understand that the phrase relates to vehicle speed—civilian vehicle speed, in particular, and the tens of thousands of civilians who die on our highways every year. The phrase doesn’t apply to the essential element that’s necessary for effective and successful firefighting operations.

Turnout

When we say, “required speed,” we mean where speed is necessary, where moving faster is better—often, much better—than moving slowly. Furthermore, moving quickly with haste/speed doesn’t make an activity or function dangerous or reckless. In fact, in many fire service operations, tactics that aren’t performed with speed are dangerous. Which tactics in the fire service require speed?

The first activity that a fire company or firefighter might be involved with that requires speed is turnout. Regardless of the activity that any firefighter or group of firefighters is involved in, when an alarm is received, that activity must cease and the fire personnel who are present must quickly convert to their response mode. This doesn’t happen by accident or without planning.

Obviously, the best and most efficient type of training activities are conducted by units that aren’t responsible for handling emergency responses. Many departments assemble several units at a training facility or firehouse and have different units fill in or cover the others’ area. Another variation is for a designated unit at the training site to cover any assignment that comes in for the unavailable units. Either way, a fire department unit will respond immediately to any alarm that’s received.

Speed is essential.

Attack hoseline

Another speed-sensitive activity is the first-to-arrive engine calling for water in the first attack hoseline or that crew getting water on the fire. The fire had a great head start, and getting the attack hoseline into operation rapidly isn’t an option but a requirement.

More than a few departments implemented an established period of time within which the first engine crew is required to get the hoseline stretched and charged. Of the places that have that time period, it exists to get that hoseline in there fast.

Speed is essential.

Search

Another important fireground activity that must be conducted rapidly is both elements of primary search.

The first element: actual deployment of a search team into the involved building. The chief should pay attention to how long it takes for a company to arrive and be given that assignment. Unless there’s a specific and urgent need for a second hoseline, the team should be deployed before a second hoseline is stretched.

The second and equally important element of the primary search that must be conducted quickly is the actual search tactic: getting to the assigned search area, deploying firefighters to the various room(s) or area(s) to be searched, and the actual rapid search technique within the room(s). The victims who are waiting for us to locate and remove them don’t have a spare moment.

Speed is essential.

Ventilation

Ventilation is another initial fireground operation that requires speed. Good ventilation, both horizontal and vertical, must be timed properly. The most important and effective ventilation tactics are conducted early in the operation. Don’t wait for the arrival of the third truck or a second-alarm company. Plan to get it underway quickly and to assign an early-to-arrive company or team to perform that vital operation.

Speed is essential.

Time is of the essence

Speed is important to the outcome of structural fires. It also is important to numerous other types of emergency operations. Speed is a necessary ingredient.

About the Author

John J. Salka Jr. | Battalion Chief

JOHN J. SALKA JR., who is a Firehouse contributing editor, retired as a battalion chief with FDNY, serving as commander of the 18th battalion in the Bronx. Salka has instructed at several FDNY training programs, including the department’s Probationary Firefighters School, Captains Management Program and Battalion Chiefs Command Course. He conducts training programs at national and local conferences and has been recognized for his firefighter survival course, “Get Out Alive.” Salka co-authored the FDNY Engine Company Operations manual and wrote the book "First In, Last Out–Leadership Lessons From the New York Fire Department." He also operates Fire Command Training, which is a New York-based fire service training and consulting firm.