Blowin’ In the Wind, Part 4
Considerations for attacking a wind-driven high-rise fire
By Fred LaFemina

Editor's Note: This article is part of a series on high-rise fires. Read the other posts:
Part 1: Understanding conditions behind wind-driven fires
Part 2: Performing an exterior survey
Part 3: Working the interior

The company officer supervising an attack on an extreme wind-driven fire makes critical tactical decisions that will affect the outcome of the operation. But prior to making the decision to attack, the company officer must consider a number of points. Command may also need to re-evaluate information received on the fireground and make adjustments where necessary.

Hallways & Stairways
When conducting a size-up, company officers must consider the condition of the hallways and stairways. Heavy smoke and high heat in the hallway indicate that the door to the fire apartment was left in the open position, which most likely occurred as the occupants fled. If a window should happen to fail or was prematurely ventilated, members operating in the hallway on the fire floor may be subject to blowtorch conditions. In this situation, instinct takes over. The engine crew most likely won’t have enough water to properly cool the area. But the inside team is in a more precarious position since they don’t have the protection of a hoseline. If necessary, crewmembers should use emergency procedures for trapped firefighters.

The attack stairway is where the attack on the fire will take place, and where firefighters operating on the fire floor or the floors above may take refuge. The engine company must also keep the attack line moving forward to extinguish the fire or protect members operating on the fire floor.

Because of this activity, the stairway must be kept clear of all non-essential members and equipment. Individual members should maintain operational discipline and continue to cover their assignment; however, the stairways can still become clogged with firefighters not directly involved in the operation. The company officer, who is directly responsible for controlling personnel operating under their command, should make sure all non-essential members stage in the public hallway below the fire, awaiting orders to relieve or reinforce the troops operating.

Other Considerations
Before you decide on how to attack a wind-driven high-rise fire, company officers should ask themselves the following questions:
• Was the door to the fire apartment left open?
• What conditions have been reported by the exterior team?
• Were the conditions in the apartment above the fire communicated by the team working on the floor above the fire floor?
• Was a size-up of the floor layout below conducted?
• Do you have a charged line in position and ready to move when necessary?
• Is there a delay in the arrival of the engine?
• Is there a water problem that needs to be corrected before the attack begins?

Once you’ve decided on the strategy and tactics you’ll employ to attack the fire, company officers must constantly re-evaluate conditions and communicate with crewmembers. Above all else, company officers must ensure the safety of their crewmembers working the interior of the building. Below are operational tactics that can be implemented to reduce the risk of death or injury to operating firefighters.

1. Delay your attack until wind conditions have been evaluated for the team on the floor above and communicated to you.
2. Position a firefighter at the stairway door on the hallway side of the door. This firefighter should keep the door closed and account for members entering the public hallway from this stairway. This member can also verbally assist members trying to rapidly return to the stairway. Note: This is a good tactic to use when entering below-grade or large-area occupancies.
3. Communicate the location of the fire and the distance, if known, from the public stairway to the fire apartment. If an attack stairway has not been identified, all members should work from one stairway. Once identified as the attack stairway, communicate this information to the incident commander (IC).
4. Members must commence search of the public hallway on the fire floor immediately upon entering. Many times victims are found in the public hall prior to reaching the stairway. Searching members should keep a hand on the wall and use it as a guide when entering the hallway or returning to the stairway. When crawling down the hall, count doors that you feel as you pass passing them in the event you have to re-group or rapidly return to the stairway. Identify possible areas of refuge, such as another stairway serving the fire floor.
5. Always maintain communication with crewmembers, using verbal contact as well as radios.
6. Firefighters should communicate conditions and progress, or lack thereof, to the IC.
7. Keep all stairway doors in a closed position when searching smoke- and heat-filled hallways. Any delays in locating the fire or the open apartment door should be communicated to the IC immediately, and command must acknowledge receipt of that information.

Conclusion
The above guidelines will assist company officers and members operating at these types of wind-driven high-rise fires. The conditions are extremely punishing, which is why coordination and discipline of all operating members is essential for a successful conclusion.

Chief Fred LaFemina is a 24-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), presently chief of Rescue Operations. He has been with Special Operations for more than 20 years and is the task force leader for New York’s Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue team. He is also the operations chief on the USAR IST White Team. LaFemina has written many articles on fire operations and technical rescue and lectures throughout the country.