Essentials of Fire Fighting,

1

• Essentials of Fire Fighting,
• 5th Edition

Chapter 15 Fire Control Firefighter I
2
Chapter 15 Lesson Goal

• After completing this lesson, the student shall
  be able to attack various types of fires, using
  effective attack tactics, following the policies
  and procedures set forth by the authority having
  jurisdiction (AHJ).

3
Specific Objectives

• 1. Describe initial factors to consider when
  suppressing structure fires.
• 2. Summarize considerations prior to entering a
  burning building.
• 3. Explain the gas cooling technique.

(Continued)
4
Specific Objectives

• 4. Describe direct attack, indirect attack, and
  combination attack.
• 5. Discuss deploying master stream devices.
• 6. Describe aerial devices used to deliver
  elevated master streams.

(Continued)
5
Specific Objectives

• 7. Describe actions and hazards associated with
  suppressing Class C fires.
• 8. List electrical hazards and guidelines for
  electrical emergencies.
• 9. Discuss responsibilities of companies in
  structural fires.

(Continued)
6
Specific Objectives

• 10. Explain actions taken in attacking fires in
  upper levels of structures.
• 11. Explain actions taken in attacking fires
  belowground in structures.
• 12. Discuss structure fires in properties
  protected by fixed systems.

(Continued)
7
Specific Objectives

• 13. Explain actions taken when attacking a
  vehicle fire.
• 14. Explain actions taken when attacking trash
  container fires.
• 15. Explain actions taken when attacking fires
  in confined spaces.

(Continued)
8
Specific Objectives

• 16. Summarize influences on wildland fire
  behavior fuel, weather, and topography.
• 17. Describe parts of a wildland fire.
• 18. List wildland protective clothing and
  equipment.

(Continued)
9
Specific Objectives

• 19. Describe methods used to attack wildland
  fires.
• 20. List ten standard fire fighting orders when
  fighting wildland fires.
• 21. Attack a structure fire Exterior attack.
  (Skill Sheet 15-I-1)

(Continued)
10
Specific Objectives

• 22. Deploy and operate a master stream device.
  (Skill Sheet 15-I-2)
• 23. Turn off building utilities. (Skill Sheet
  15-I-3)
• 24. Attack a structure fire (above, below, and
  grade level) Interior attack. (Skill Sheet
  15-I-4)

(Continued)
11
Specific Objectives

• 25. Attack a passenger vehicle fire. (Skill
  Sheet 15-I-5)
• 26. Extinguish a fire in a trash container.
  (Skill Sheet 15-I-6)
• 27. Attack a fire in stacked/piled materials.
  (Skill Sheet 15-I-7)
• 28. Attack a ground cover fire. (Skill Sheet
  15-I-8)

12
Coordination When Suppressing Structure Fires

• Fire attack on burning structure must be
  coordinated
• When fighting any fire, firefighters should
  always work as a team under direction of a
  supervisor

13
Actions to Take

• Advancing hoseline teams should carry equipment
  needed to perform a variety of tasks
• Certain equipment carried by teams advancing
  hoselines
• Person at nozzle has responsibilities before
  entering building/area

(Continued)
14
Actions to Take

• When structure/major contents are involved in
  fire, firefighters should wait at entrance,
  staying low, out of doorway until fire officer
  gives order to advance
• Before entry, extinguish fires showing in
  exterior overhangs/around entry or egress points

(Continued)
15
Actions to Take

• Whenever possible, approach and attack fire from
  unburned side to keep it from spreading
  throughout structure
• Once fire is contained, determine area of origin,
  protect evidence before overhaul and
  extinguishment

(Continued)
16
Actions to Take

• Breathing apparatus must be worn during overhaul,
  extinguishment
• Valuables found during overhaul should be turned
  in to supervisor

17
Pre-Entry Considerations

• Conduct quick size-up
• Maintain high level of situation awareness
• Read fire behavior indicators
• Understand crews tactical assignment

(Continued)
18
Pre-Entry Considerations

• Identify potential emergency escape routes
• Assess forcible entry requirements
• Identify hazards
• Verify that radios are working, on right channel,
  being received

19
Opening Doors

• If door to fire area must be opened, all
  members should stay low and to one side of
  doorway
• Check door for heat before opening

20
Gas Cooling

• Not a fire extinguishment method way of reducing
  hazard presented by hot gas layer
• Effective when faced with shielded fire

21
Hot Gas Layer

• Hot gas layer accumulating in upper levels of
  compartment presents problems
• Cooling hot gas layer mitigates hazards by
  slowing transfer of heat to other combustibles

22
Cooling Hot Gas Layer

• Apply short pulses of water fog onto it
• Repeat technique as necessary while hose team
  advances under gas layer toward fire

23
Direct Attack

• Most efficient use of water on free-burning fires
  made by direct attack

(Continued)
24
Direct Attack

• Usually from straight or solid stream
• Techniques
• Water should not be applied long enough to upset
  thermal layering

25
Indirect Attack

• Used when firefighters unable to enter burning
  building/compartment
• Can be made from outside compartment through
  window or other small opening

Courtesy of Dick Giles
(Continued)
26
Indirect Attack

• Not ideal method of attack where building
  occupants may still be inside
• May be only method of attack until temperatures
  reduced
• Procedures for making indirect attack

27
Combination Attack

• Uses heat-absorbing technique of cooling hot gas
  layer followed by heat-reducing direct attack on
  materials burning near floor level

28
Master Streams

• Usually deployed in situations where fire is
  beyond effectiveness of handlines or there is
  need for fire streams in areas that are unsafe
  for firefighters
• Main uses for master stream

29
Positioning Master Stream

• Must be properly positioned to apply effective
  master stream on fire
• Master stream can be adjusted up, down and left,
  right
• Once line in operation, must be shut down if
  device is to be moved

(Continued)
30
Positioning Master Stream

• Stream should be aimed so it enters structure at
  upward angle, deflects off ceiling or other
  overhead objects

(Continued)
31
Positioning Master Stream

• Desirable to place master stream device in
  location that allows stream to cover most surface
  area of building

32
Supplying Master Streams

• Master stream devices can have high friction loss
  in supply hose
• Because master stream devices used primarily in
  defensive fire fighting, desirable to shut down
  handlines to keep from reducing water supply
  available for master streams

(Continued)
33
Supplying Master Streams

• Always follow SOPs in operation of master
  streams, handlines

34
Staffing Master Stream Devices

• Usually takes minimum of two firefighters to
  deploy master stream device, supply water to it
• Once portable master stream device in place, can
  be operated by one firefighter

(Continued)
35
Staffing Master Stream Devices

• Some situations may be too dangerous to have
  firefighters stationed at master stream device

36
Elevated Master Stream Devices

• Used to apply water to upper stories of
  multistory buildings, either in direct attack or
  to supply handlines
• Delivered by aerial devices

37
Quints

• Engines equipped with hydraulically operated
  extension ladder or aerial apparatus equipped
  with pump
• Main ladders range in length

(Continued)
38
Quints

• Have waterways pre-plumbed to pumps
• Only external support Water supply
• Main ladder can be used for rescuing people from
  exterior windows, ledges, and rooftops within
  reach of main ladder

39
Aerial Ladders
Courtesy of District Chief Chris E. Mikal, NOFD
Photo Unit.

• Apparatus equipped with hydraulically operated
  extension ladders

(Continued)
40
Aerial Ladders

• In North America, usually 50-135 feet (15-41 m),
  but in Europe sometimes as much as 300 feet (100
  m)
• Newer aerial ladders equipped with built-in
  waterways that supply master stream nozzle

(Continued)
41
Aerial Ladders

• Master stream nozzles of both types of apparatus
  can be operated by firefighters at ladder tip/on
  ground
• Can be used for rescuing people from exterior
  windows, ledges, rooftops within reach

42
Aerial Platforms

• Available in two configurations
• Aerial ladder platforms
• Articulating aerial platforms

(Continued)
43
Aerial Platforms

• All equipped with built-in waterways, some with
  narrow escape ladders
• Can be used for rescuing people

44
Water Towers

• Engines equipped with hydraulically operated
  booms that are dedicated to applying water
• Most range from 50-130 feet (15-40 m) in length

Courtesy of District Chief Chris E. Mikal, NOFD
Photo Unit.
(Continued)
45
Water Towers

• Some have narrow escape ladders attached to boom
• Not designed for rescue operations

46
Class C Fires

• Involve energized electrical equipment
• Major safety hazard Firefighters fail to
  recognize danger and take appropriate steps for
  protection
• Once electrical power turned off, may
  self-extinguish or fall into Class A or B

(Continued)
47
Class C Fires

• In many commercial and high rise buildings,
  electrical power necessary to operate essential
  systems not to be shut off until ordered
• When handling fires in delicate
  electronic/computer equipment, clean
  extinguishing agents should be used

(Continued)
48
Class C Fires

• Multipurpose dry-chemical agents effective, but
  some chemically reactive with components
• Using water inappropriate because of shock hazard

(Continued)
49
Class C Fires

• Fire suppression techniques needed for fires
  involving transmission lines and equipment,
  underground lines, commercial high-voltage
  installations
• Departmental operating procedures

50
Class C Fires Transmission Lines and Equipment

• Relatively small number of electrical emergencies
  involve fires in electrical substations,
  transmission lines, associated equipment

(Continued)
51
Class C Fires Transmission Lines and Equipment

• Electrical power lines sometimes break, start
  fires in grass/other vegetation
• Fires in electrical transformers common

52
Class C Fires Underground Transmission Lines

• Consist of conduits, vaults below grade
• Most serious hazards presented are explosions
  caused by fuses blowing or short-circuit arcing
  that ignites accumulated gases
• Electrical utility vault

53
Class C Fires Commercial High-Voltage
Installations

• Many commercial/industrial complexes have
  electrical equipment requiring 600 volts
• High-voltage signs may be on doors
• Some transformers use flammable coolants that are
  hazardous

(Continued)
54
Class C Fires Commercial High-Voltage
Installations

• Water should not be used because of potential
  damage to electrical equipment uninvolved in fire
• Because of toxic chemicals, smoke is additional
  hazard
• Firefighters should only enter for rescue

55
Controlling Electrical Power

• Advantageous for electrical power to remain on
  for lighting, fire pumps, other essential
  systems
• Decision made by IC and Incident Safety Officer

(Continued)
56
Controlling Electrical Power

• When power turned off, should be turned off at
  main panel by power utility employee
• Always follow departmental SOP

(Continued)
57
Controlling Electrical Power

• Removing meter may not completely stop flow of
  electricity because of emergency power
  capabilities
• Considerations for clandestine drug labs, indoor
  marijuana-growing operations

58
Electrical Shock

• Consequences of electrical shock
• Factors most affecting seriousness of electrical
  shock

59
Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies

• Establish exclusion zone equal to one span all
  directions from downed power lines

(Continued)
60
Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies

• Be aware other wires may have been weakened by
  short circuit, may fall at any time
• Wear full protective clothing, use only tested
  and approved tools with insulated handles

(Continued)
61
Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies

• Guard against electrical shocks, burns, eye
  injuries from electrical arcs
• Wait for utility workers to cut power lines

(Continued)
62
Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies

• Use lockout/tagout devices when working on
  electrical equipment
• Be very careful when raising/lowering ladders
  near power lines

(Continued)
63
Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies

• Do not touch any vehicle/apparatus in contact
  with electrical wires
• Jump clear of apparatus that may be energized by
  contact with power lines
• Do not use solid, straight streams on fires in
  energized electrical equipment

(Continued)
64
Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies

• Use fog streams with at least 100 psi (700 kPa)
  nozzle pressure
• Be aware wire mesh or steel rail fences can be
  energized by wires outside field of view

(Continued)
65
Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies

• Where wires are down, heed any tingling sensation
  felt in feet, back away
• Avoid ground gradient hazards by maintaining
  large safety zone around downed electrical wires

66
Company-Level Fire Tactics

• Standard tactical priorities Life safety,
  incident stabilization, property conservation
• Order of priorities same, but actions taken on
  fireground may/may not be performed in that order

67
Responsibilities First Due Engine Company

• If smoke/fire visible, may be departmental SOP to
  stop, lay supply line from hydrant or end of
  driveway into scene
• Company officer will conduct rapid initial
  assessment of situation

(Continued)
68
Responsibilities First Due Engine Company

• Assessment determines further actions taken by
  first-due engine company
• If by taking immediate action company can save 1
  lives, will do so even if not enough firefighters
  on scene to form rapid intervention crew (RIC)

(Continued)
69
Responsibilities First Due Engine Company

• If no obvious, immediate life-safety concerns,
  and fire threatening to extend to another nearby
  structure, officer may order lines pulled to
  apply water to exposure
• Officer may call for more resources

(Continued)
70
Responsibilities First Due Engine Company

• Given a small interior fire, company officer
  usually assumes Command of incident
• Once location of fire known, first-due engine
  company will position initial attack hoseline to
  cover priorities

71
Responsibilities Second Due Engine Company

• Must make sure adequate water supply established
  to the fireground,
• May finish hose lay, lay additional line, connect
  to hydrant
• Proceeds according to priorities

72
Responsibilities Fireground Support Company

• Responsible for performing tasks in order
  dictated by situation
• Functions may be performed by engine personnel
  when support companies not available
• May assist in making fire attack

73
Responsibilities Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)

• Consists of 2 members wearing appropriate PPE,
  radio equipped with special rescue tools,
  equipment necessary to effect rescue of other
  emergency personnel

(Continued)
74
Responsibilities Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)

• May be assigned other emergency scene duties
  must be prepared to drop those immediately if
  needed
• Exact number determined by IC

75
Responsibilities Chief Officer/Incident
Commander

• Upon arriving at scene, chief officer may choose
  to assume Command from original IC, take
  responsibility for all on-scene operations

(Continued)
76
Responsibilities Chief Officer/Incident
Commander

• If original IC has incident well organized,
  progress toward incident stabilization being
  made, chief officer may assume another role

77
Fires in Upper Levels of Structures

• Typical residential response consisting of 2-3
  engines one truck usually inadequate
• Large number of firefighters needed

78
Attacking Fires in Upper Levels

• Fire attack typically initiated from floor below
  fire floor
• Crews should check floors above main fire floor
  for fire extension, victims

(Continued)
79
Attacking Fires in Upper Levels

• Staging usually established two floors below fire
  floor
• Personnel must exercise caution in streets around
  outside perimeter of high-rise building

80
Fires Belowground in Structures

• Can expose firefighters to extremely hostile
  conditions
• May be possible to control fire without entering
  basement

(Continued)
81
Fires Belowground in Structures

• If cellar nozzle unavailable, firefighters may
  have to enter burning basement
• Good ventilation techniques extremely important
• Heavy objects on floor above fire floor can
  increase chance of floor collapse

82
Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems

• Firefighters should be familiar with systems in
  buildings protected by their department
• Supporting systems critical during fire

(Continued)
83
Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems

• Types of systems
• Dangers involved with fires in occupancies with
  fixed systems

84
Preincident Plans

• Often contain SOPs used at these occupancies
• Include detailed descriptions of construction
  features, contents, protection systems,
  surrounding properties

(Continued)
85
Preincident Plans

• May specify procedures for each company
• Contain building map
• Must be updated regularly

86
Sprinklered Buildings

• Support company personnel often used to manage
  systems operation
• Must always follow departmental SOPs regarding
  actions taken
• Some possible actions

87
Fires in Small Passenger Vehicles

• Among most common types of fires to which
  firefighters called
• Dictate firefighters wear full PPE, SCBA

Courtesy of Bob Esposito
(Continued)
88
Fires in Small Passenger Vehicles

• Attack line at least 1½-inch (38 mm) hoseline
• Booster lines do not provide protection of rapid
  cooling needed to effectively, safely fight
  vehicle fire

(Continued)
89
Fires in Small Passenger Vehicles

• Attack fire from the side and upwind, uphill when
  possible
• Portable extinguishers can suppress some fires in
  vehicles engine compartment/electrical system

90
Basic Procedures

• One of first actions is to establish safe working
  zone following U.S. DOT guidelines
• Once scene safety established, firefighters can
  focus on saving vehicle occupants, fighting fire

(Continued)
91
Basic Procedures

• Firefighters should stay out of potential travel
  path of front, rear bumpers
• Basic firefighting procedures

(Continued)
92
Basic Procedures

• When attacking fire in passenger compartment, use
  most appropriate nozzle/pattern for situation
• Fires in undercarriage
• Overhaul

93
Hazards

• In addition to hazards associated with other
  fires, there are hazards specific to vehicle
  fires
• Catalytic converters can act as ignition source
  to dry grass/other fuels under vehicle

(Continued)
94
Hazards

• Interior components on vehicle mainly plastic,
  which burns rapidly at high temperatures and
  emits toxic gases
• Air bags can deploy from steering wheel,
  dashboard, door of vehicle

(Continued)
95
Hazards

• Hybrid vehicles incorporate high-voltage cables,
  components
• Do not assume any vehicle is without
  extraordinary hazards

96
Trash Container Fires

• Possibility of exposure to toxic products of
  combustion ever-present
• May include hazardous materials or plastics
• Full PPE, SCBA should be worn when attacking any
  trash container fire

97
Attacking Trash Container Fires

• Size of attack line depends on size of fire and
  proximity to exposures
• Fires in small piles of trash, garbage cans,
  small containers can often be extinguished with
  booster line

(Continued)
98
Attacking Trash Container Fires

• Larger piles, larger containers, fires close to
  exposures should be attacked with at least
  1½-inch (38 mm) line
• Master streams may be needed to keep trash
  container fires from spreading

(Continued)
99
Attacking Trash Container Fires

• Once fire has been controlled, may be possible to
  use standard overhaul techniques to complete
  extinguishment
• May be advantageous to attack fire using Class A
  foam

100
Confined Spaces

• Below grade or otherwise without natural/forced
  ventilation
• Atmospheric hazards
• Physical hazards

(Continued)
101
Confined Spaces

• Where to find information on fire
• Hazard mitigation plans
• Because of hazards, command post and staging area
  must be established outside hot zone

102
Fire Attack

• Fires may also be attacked indirectly with
  penetrating nozzles, cellar nozzles, distributor
  nozzles
• Effective air-management system should be part of
  IAP

103
Wildland Fires

• Include those in weeds, grass, field crops,
  brush, forests, similar vegetation
• Have characteristics not comparable to fires in
  buildings
• Main influences on wildland fire behavior

Courtesy of National Interagency Fire Center
(NIFC).
104
Wildland Fires Fuel

• Classified by grouping those with similar
  burning characteristics together
• Factors affecting burning characteristics of fuels

(Continued)
105
Wildland Fires Fuel
106
Wildland Fires Weather

• Wind
• Temperature
• Relative humidity
• Precipitation

107
Wildland Fires Topography

• Steepness of slope affects both rate, direction
  of wildland fires spread
• Fires will usually spread faster uphill than
  down steeper the slope, faster fire spreads

(Continued)
108
Wildland Fires Topography

• Aspect
• Local terrain features
• Drainages

109
Parts of Wildland Fire
110
Wildland PPE

• Firefighters need to wear wildland fire
  protective clothing because standard structural
  turnout clothing inappropriate can be dangerous

(Continued)
111
Wildland PPE

• PPE should meet NFPA 1977
• NFPA 1500 specifies minimum PPE
• Most wildland fire agencies provide additional
  materials

112
Attacking Wildland Fires

• Methods revolve around perimeter control
• Control line may be at burning edge, next to it,
  or a distance away
• Objective is to establish control line that
  completely encircles fire

113
Wildland Fire Approaches

• Direct attack is action taken directly against
  flames at edge or closely parallel
• Indirect attack used at varying distances from
  advancing fire

(Continued)
114
Wildland Fire Approaches

• Because wildland fire constantly changing, attack
  methods may change

115
Standard Fire Fighting Orders When Fighting
Wildland Fires

• Keep informed on fire weather conditions,
  forecasts
• Know what fire doing at all times
• Base all actions on current, expected behavior of
  fire

(Continued)
116
Standard Fire Fighting Orders When Fighting
Wildland Fires

• Identify escape routes and safety zones, make
  them known
• Post lookouts when possible danger
• Be alert, keep calm, think clearly, act
  decisively

(Continued)
117
Standard Fire Fighting Orders When Fighting
Wildland Fires

• Maintain prompt communications with your forces,
  your supervisor, adjoining forces
• Give clear instructions, ensure they are
  understood

(Continued)
118
Standard Fire Fighting Orders When Fighting
Wildland Fires

• Maintain control of forces at all times
• Fight fire aggressively, providing for safety
  first

119
Summary

• Attacking fires early in their development is an
  important aspect of a successful fire fighting
  operation. Likewise, selecting and applying the
  most effective fire attack strategy and tactics
  are also important.

(Continued)
120
Summary

• Failing to do any of these things can result in a
  fire growing out of control, an increase in fire
  damage and loss, and possibly in firefighter
  injuries.

(Continued)
121
Summary

• Firefighters need to know how to use the fire
  fighting tools and techniques adopted by their
  departments. They need to know how to safely and
  effectively attack and extinguish structure
  fires, vehicle fires, refuse fires, and wildland
  fires.

122
Review Questions

• 1. What initial actions should firefighters take
  when suppressing a structural fire?
• 2. What are the differences among a direct
  attack, an indirect attack, and a combination
  attack?

(Continued)
123
Review Questions

• 3. When are master streams usually deployed?
• 4. What are three guidelines for electrical
  emergencies?
• 5. What are the parts of a wildland fire?