Fire Attack Training Considerations Capt Kiger

Loudoun County, Virginia Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management

803 Sycolin Road SE, Suite 104

Leesburg, VA 20175 Phone 703-777-0333 Fax 703-771-5359

Teamwork * Integrity * Professionalism * Service

FIRE ATTACK SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Micah J. Kiger, Captain FS608-Philomont

Overview: On December 5th, 2008, units from Loudoun County, Virginia were alerted for a House Fire in Box 4045K at 19052 Yellow Schoolhouse Road near Bluemont (LCFR Incident #200823689). Initial reports from the caller indicated that there was smoke coming from the home, also stating that the house was on fire, but unknown exactly what the source was. Engine 604 (Round Hill) was the first to arrive finding a two-story, single-family dwelling with nothing showing on sides Alpha and Bravo. During the 360 degree walk-around, light smoke was visualized from the eaves on side Charlie. Command was established and a crew of three (two firefighters and one officer) began readying themselves to make entry. The suppression officer entered first using a thermal imager. Moderate smoke conditions were encountered on floor number one and while ‘scanning’ the hallway with the imager, fire was visualized at floor level approximately six to eight feet inside the doorway. Also visualized with the thermal imager was a hole in the floor, approximately 1-1/2 feet in diameter from a fire that had probably originated in a floor-mounted heating unit. Because of the thermal imager, crews were able to effectively operate in the area due to identification of the hazard (hole in the floor) and render the area safe by providing additional investigation into the status of the sub-flooring, decking materials, and floor joists prior to ‘overloading the area’. Motivation: Had it not been for the thermal imager, the potential exists that firefighters could have ended up falling through the hole in the floor and/or been set-up for a floor collapse because of the compromised surface. This house was probably built in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s and had log floor joists approximately 12-inches in diameter which were burned through and through approximately one foot in each direction from the perceived point-of-origin (pictures below). Training Considerations: As a fire attack consideration, the following items will highlight everyday ‘bread and butter’ items that can be used to identify floor hazards such as holes, drop-offs, changes in level, etc. regardless of the status or availability of a thermal imaging device. Also included is/are other fire attack safety considerations that may be of some help to folks.

Fire Attack Safety Considerations, Captain Micah J. Kiger

*Area where original hole and fire was visualized.

(Picture of hole in floor after removal of heating unit.) *Approximate dimension of in-floor heating unit (yellow outline)


Picture of burned out floor joists, flooring, and sub-flooring.

Log Floor Joist

Plank Sub-Floor Hardwood Flooring

View into Basement


Training Considerations: -Perform a thorough size-up of structure, to include owner/occupant information related to the possible location of fire. -Utilize Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) to help identify heat changes and/or identify structural features. -SLOW DOWN!! Take the time necessary to identify and process information: *Is there heat under your knees? Is there heat coming from a specific direction?

*Turn your head and note the temperature differences between your ears and your face through your face piece. If you are moving towards heat, you’re probably moving in the right direction. *Count doorways, and left/right turns when entering and searching. *If visibility is limited or non-existent, I hate to be ‘Captain Obvious’, but you are probably in an extremely dense volume of smoke. If it becomes difficult to hear your radio, your partner, or hear yourself talk….the smoke is deadening the sound waves and is thick in volume. Vent for life or vent for fire.

-Spread yourselves out on the hoseline. Since we are typically running at minimum staffing on Engine Companies, the second firefighter is a better benefit a little farther back on the hoseline to help feed hose around corners, up stairs, etc. Remember: we operate as a team. If you are within Sight, Touch, or Voice contact….you are operating as a team.

-Use tools or your hoseline to find holes or drop-offs before you do!! (Pictures Attached)

-Be a “Fireman’s Fireman”. Teach others what you have been taught. We can’t do this job forever….train a replacement, not just a partner. Train like your life depends on it, because it just might!!


NOZZLEMAN CONSIDERATIONS

Get the nozzle out in front of you and don’t carry it like a football. By positioning yourself a little farther back (but still within arm’s reach of the nozzle bail)…..

Your nozzle will find depth changes before you do!!


Despite being positioned farther back on the line, the nozzle is still within usable limits for fire attack. Additionally, in the event of an overzealous pump operator, the nozzle reaction is directed downward into the floor under your knee versus into the end-user.

*Note: Knee Positioning on top of hose.


Providing a Shield for Yourself

In the event that a room or area is too hot and/or has too much fire volume to safely enter, position

yourself to the side of the doorway. This will provide a shield from the heat.

*Note the hoseline positioning ahead of the firefighter allowing him to reach through the doorway while maintaining a safe location for himself and crew.


BACK-UP FIREFIGHTER

The nozzleman doesn’t need you on top of him, create some separation between yourself and them. As mentioned earlier, you are a bigger benefit farther back to help get around corners, up stairs, etc. Although not necessarily endorsed by any firefighter publications and/or textbooks: Position yourself facing the hoseline: You can use both hands to feed hose, you have a better base and can ‘dig in’ with your back foot, and most importantly….you can keep an eye on conditions behind you!!


FIREFIGHTER WITH TOOL

Any tool such as a Halligan Bar that ‘rides’ off of the ground and allows your hand to slide underneath of it while pushing it in front of you…..

Will find a depth change before you do!!!


In Summary: We need to learn something from each and every call that we go on. Whether it is something new to you, or something that you may have forgotten about…you will use it again some time. We have to be prepared to take calculated risks everyday in the course of our jobs, so let’s do it a little bit safer by passing this information along. Thank you for taking the time to look through this document. EVERYONE GOES HOME!!!

Education

Fire Attack Training Considerations Capt Kiger