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Kitchen Table Tactics 1-10-10
Use this picture to identify some basic characteristics about this house as the first arriving company.
As the first arriving company officer, you have a great number of responsibilities. You decide the type of attack your going to use. The size line that will be deployed. You decide where the line goes or where you start your search if victims are suspected.
All of these things plus some others are all decisions swimming inside that first officers head when pulling up to a working fire.
Let's say you are that first arriving officer. Ignore the firefighters in the photo and explain what you have, how you would proceed and why.
Some of the things I want to ask about specifically are:
Where are the stairs?
What kind of construction is this?
Based on the construction, what considerations are there for us tactically?
Where do you initiate your attack?
What is your first line off in regards to size?
Add additional comments, thoughts and ideas. These little scenarios are for everyone to learn from one another and discuss with your crews. Especially in this kind of weather, it is tough to get outside to train. So, here we can take a picture of a house fire, regardless of what is shown in the photo, make it our fire and share our tactical ideas.
Take care and stay safe. Be careful and train hard.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Russell Yount on
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This type of house isn't common in my area, but from this angle it looks like a two-family house with a second entry on the right, behind the tree. If so, where is the dividing wall between the units?
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Permalink Reply by gayle victory on
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Looking at the picture ,the first thing is I would make sure gas and electric is cut of from house!Your right about finding out about what the structure is made of first!It is always better to know what your working with! Start putting water on the sides and roofs of houses next door to make sure we dont have to worry about them! It looks as if the fire started from the back of the house and burning forward by this picture so lets say it did, I would start there with attack,then come in on the side of the house! I wouldnt head in to the the fire coming at me thats a good way to get burned for sure ,I would think! I would look and see where the bedrooms where located in the house and go to the windows and look just to see if I could see anyone and enter through that window if only it was safe and sound to do so and exit that way!Going through a building that is that engulfed in fire as it appears in the picture, is so not a safe thing to do! It looks as if the thing to do is to just try and save as much of the house as you can without risking anyone getting injuried! This is what I see by this picture and my judgement is made on this picture only!I may roll up on another fire later and have a different take on what to do! Each fire is different and I dont believe its a one size fits all! Each fire is a different creature and I treat it as such!
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on
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Pretty much routine, aint it? That's either a full attic, or a third floor made into another apartment, or bedrooms. Presence of three seperate electric meters MAY be an indication. Regardless, the top floor is heavily involved, creating a collapse hazard to the second floor. This picture looks to be from some years ago, and they are well underway in their operation.
Initial priorities are the basics. Establish a water supply, primary search of the second floor, with a primary of the third pretty much out of the question. Big line working the A and B side initially, until the primary is complete. Exposures look to be reasonably far enough that the first two big lines can be used between them, if needed, and on the fire. Once the search is clear, deck gun the fire to knock it back, IF the handlines didn't do it.
Access the attic/third floor stairwell, confine/control/extinguish. Overhaul.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Hoevelmann on
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I agree that the fire seems to be "routine". But I am more curious about the building features and how that can change how this goes. An earlier post touched on the two units and the third floor.
I should have used a better picture, lets take the fire and have it only showing in the front two windows on the second floor with heavy smoke pushing from the eaves and other window seams.
Does that change anything?
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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~2 family residence, 1st and 2nd flr. apartments, entrance to 2nd flr apart. on left, entrance to 1 st flr apart. on right.
~Construction - appear to be early 1900's, balloon framed (window and door alignment, style), Legacy construction so roof failure risk is unlikely.
~Stairs - left hand entry, stairs straight in to landing, right turn up to 2nd flr. (window on bravo side, midway up wall, landing light). Oval window alpha side (stair well most likely but could be a closet or bathroom window.)
Typically full attic exposed rafters with direct void access to basement.
Going with your original scenario:
Thorough check of basement for origination of fire with extension to attic, then check of 1st and 2nd for same. If manpower is available, salvage covers for both apartments, going to be a lot of water damage.
Could be converted attic space into bedroom, third apartment (doubtful but possible). Could be partitioned off for apartment(s) storage.
2 or 2 1/2" Hose line to 2nd flr (left hand of porch) for attic access (full staircase, door at bottom) or if possible, deluge gun off tower through attic windows.
Second scenario:
Check of basement and 1st flr apart. for origination.
Front entry to 2nd flr will dump right into fire room plus risk of pushing fire into the back of the house. Most likely this house has a back staircase, entry from that to 2nd flr, advance 2" line towards the alpha, pushing fire out the alpha side windows. Search behind the hose for occupants. Front room likely living room so bedrooms are in rear.
Hose line to the attic for extension if staircase is accessible and not compromised. Salvage covers to the 1st flr.
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