Here is this week's You Make the Call from my home blog the Happy MedicFeel free to comment here, or there, or both. The results of what happened will be posted, as always, Monday morning.

I started this segment of my blog as a way to get ideas flowing and see how folks around the country and the world handle the same event. There is no "right" answer, only what you would do, compared later with what I did. Sometimes the best way to learn is by comparison.

So...
You Make the Call...Structure Fire
I am assigned as the engineer/operator of a single engine resource of 2 persons, called out just before dawn for a report of smoke from a house.

On arrival we have smoke showing from a side door, there are no other signs at the house indicating anything other than a fire near that door in its early free burning stage.

On scene I establish a water source and supply water to the pre-connect attack line as an additional engine arrives at the scene.

My firefighter and the second engine crew make entry and begin their duties of searching the house and extinguishing the fire.

As the minutes tick by all seems well and I am the defacto IC/ Safety Officer until our Battalion Supervisor arrives. Since my pump panel faces the building I remain as safety officer.

Soon after, the Chief Officer arrives on the scene to survey the action. He is dressed in blue jeans, tennis shoes, an unbuttoned turnout coat and a filthy white helmet. (Not from fire, more on that another day) As I give my report on conditions, the fire is out, just checking for extension, I advise him that full PPE are required on the fire ground. He turns away and walks towards the fire building.

I use my portable radio to call the IC and advise him that there is a member without full PPE in the hazard zone. He responds to have that member return to their apparatus and don full PPE before conducting their tasks.

Since I have crews inside still needing water, I am hesitant to leave the pump panel. As I'm trying to wrap my head around the situation, the Chief Officer walks around the building towards where the hose line enters the house and I lose sight of him.

What do I do? You make the call.

PS - Don't take the easy way out and ask about more personnel on the scene to help. There are 6 of us. 2 on each engine, 1 Battalion Officer and 1 Chief Officer.