Fireground Strategies, Essay Example

How would you transmit your preliminary size-up report?

I would begin by providing the location, which is 213 Ahners Street. Describing the extent of damage would also be key, so I would tell fellow team members that fire and smoke are coming from the second floor, and smoke is venting from the windows of the third floor. It would also be important to tell dispatch that the building is a wooden structure with multiple floors.

What would be the most significant exposure?

The most significant exposures inside of the structure are the kitchen and basement. Since there is a significant amount of fire on the second floor, the basement and kitchen stand to suffer the most damage.

What would be the most significant fire spread factor at this fire?

The structures on sides B and D would present the most significant exposure fire spread simply because fire and smoke is venting from the second floor. At any time, the wind can blow and cause the fire to spread.

What are your orders for the captain of Engine 2?

Since my aim would be to rescue the victim and put the fire out on the second floor, I would instruct the captain of engine 2 to contain the smoke coming from the third floor upon his or her arrival.

What is the best hydrant given the fire location of travel?

The hydrant opposite sections B and D would be ideal to use in this instance, given the temperature and severe fire on the second floor.

How would you order the victim at the window be removed?

Since the victim is already at the window, I would have her removed from the structure by way of a ladder being placed next to the window.

The victim has been removed. Regarding primary search and rescue, what orders would you give the captain of Ladder 1?

I would tell the captain to search the rest of the third floor, with caution, for others who may be trapped or unaware of the fire. I would then instruct them to move upward in their search.

What are your orders for the crew of Engine 1?

My orders for the crew of engine 1 are as follows:

• Rescue the victim
• Contain the fire on the second floor
• Contain the smoke on the third floor
• Evacuate remaining victims on upward floors

Compare incidents involving fires in a private dwelling and a multiple family dwelling. What hazards are common to each, and how are they overcome in the decision making process? Which one of these incidents would you rather respond to, and why?

Fires in a private dwelling are much different from multiple family homes. Whereas there is a single group of people in a private residence, several groups live in multiple occupancies, which poses the issue of victims being left behind. Communication is especially key in multi-family homes to prevent tragedy. I would much rather respond to private dwellings simply because of the high possibility of leaving victims behind that is associated with multiple family homes.

References

Avillo, Anthony (2008). Fireground Strategies. PennWell Corporation. Tulsa, Oklahoma.

‘Fires and Exposures’ (2007). United States Fire Administration. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v7i2.pdf