Sizing up a building

Over the years I have heard many first due officers and firefighters give hundreds of on scene reports from around the country and with in my own departments.

But it was not until recently that I started thinking more about it. A lot of these officers and firefighters not only give the usual type of construction, height of the building and what is happening but a lot give the size of the building. I.E. 30 x 30, 100 x 100, what ever it is at that moment.

I think that is a fantastic addition to an on scene report. Guys coming in can get more of a visual and more pre-planning can be done such as line stretches, truck placement and so on.

My question is, how are they determining the size?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by captnjak on October 20, 2013 at 11:24am

Now the brass seem to be pushing for a request of an extra engine and truck on any decent working fire. That's on top of 4 engines, 2 trucks, rescue, squad and a FAST (RIT) truck. In 1968 you probably would have fought 3 or 4 separate fires with that!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Gallagher on October 21, 2013 at 11:05am

Yeah, all on the same day. LOL

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by captnjak on October 21, 2013 at 11:48am

Any chance you covered in the 3rd division as a captain?

Yeah, I know there were/are lots of Gallaghers out there.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Gallagher on October 21, 2013 at 6:28pm

Negative on the 3rd. was assigned to the first as a lt and capt. did work in the 3rd once or twice when I was surplus.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by captnjak on October 21, 2013 at 6:58pm

My first good fire was with a covering Capt Gallagher. 2nd alarm in a brownstone on upper west side. 1987. I decided I would mask up when the very senior man I was backing up did. I'm still waiting!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Gallagher on October 23, 2013 at 11:21am

Yeah some of those guys could take some feed. I was lucky, my first Captain had a policy that the senior man and the junior man HAD to wear a mask. No way was his company not putting this fire out.