The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Would you go into this?
.jpg)
.jpg)
I bring this up because many departments are straying away from interior firefighting. I know that some do not have the staffing or experience to do it very often, but there are plenty that do. This is a fire that happened at 14 T St NW yesterday in DC. Several reports of heavy smoke and fire showing upon arrival. Rear was almost fully involved. However with an agressive interior attack using 1 1/2" hand lines, they were able to get a knock on the fire and extinguish it within under 10 minutes and save this persons house. Here's a pic after the bulk of the fire on the first floor was knocked down.
.jpg)
My main point is just to show that aggressive firefighting is still something that should be practiced when possible. Standing outside with a 2 1/2" would have probably meant the loss of this house and possibly others.(These are all row homes which means easy extension) Thought this may get some people thinking and be an interesting discussion.
Story from fire with pics: http://www.dcfire.com/history.html?view=1&id=70519
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by WestPhilly on
-
As a rule it's far better to attack a structure fire from the uninvolved portion. However, when the first in company pulls up in front (which is only natural) it's reasonable to violate that general rule. To not do so would involve stretching in from the front all the way to the rear and back to the front through the interior. The long hose stretches involved and the subsequent delay in getting water on the fire is less desirable than attacking the fire from the front.
It goes without saying that using a straight stream - as opposed to a fog pattern - with relatively short bursts is crucial and it should be done up close, as opposed to from the sidewalk. This technique will avoid pushing heat, fire, and smoke back into the structure.
-
Permalink Reply by Christopher G. Albertella on
-
Yes I agree that agressive fire attacks are essential. Don't forget though that you have to look at your building construction. This home due to age probably has dementional lumber throughout. Newer construction might not afford you the ability to do so. Don't get me wrong I'm all for agressiveness and yes saving exposures and the intial structure is why we are here but if there are no life safety issue I would error on the side of caution.
-
Permalink Reply by Mark Oomkes on
-
saving exposures and the intial structure is why we are here but if there are no life safety issue I would error on the side of caution.
So you wouldn't make an interior attack on this one if no one was inside?
Assuming this structure is built of dimensional lumber, wouldn't going interior on this fire be considered risking a little to save a lot?
PS Unless of course you have demented lumber, but that is something I am not familiar with.
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Watson on
-
After a complete walk/drive/ look around. I would say 80% of the fire is exterior with only minor extension to the interior. This fire should not be a problem for any department with even a ok water supply. With proper ventilation (done quickly) it would have become even more evident very quickly that there was limited interior progression. With the proper manpower i would have done a two pronged attack with one crew interior and one outside on the C/D corner (not the alley side). I would prefer my 3" for both, but a 1 3/4" would do for the initial inside.
-
-
Ok my Lt. is always telling me to proof read so sorry about my demented lumber. I was trying to make sure that people understood what they were looking at. This a much older home that I'm assuming is constructed with demensional lumber that doesn't fail as quickly as the newer construction techniques being used today. Yes I would go in. The only thing I might do prior to this is put a quick knock on side charlie prior to or coordinated with making an interior attack. I could be wrong but as far as DC's sop's and arrival assignments this would be an easy thing to do.
-
Permalink Reply by Sparky3317 on
-
Chris,
Why a 3" for the interior? Even a 2 1/2" line is hard enough to manover inside a structure (and I do see you said an 1 3/4 would do but why think about the 3" at all)?
And also with a two progned attack are you not worried about steaming the guys on the inside or are you saying conduct a quick exterior knock down and then have an interior crew proceed in after for complete knock down, checking for extention and overhaul?
-
Permalink Reply by capcityff on
-
The whole first floor was off initially. As you can see there are multiple crews inside already in the picture of the front. Didn't have one of it before that.
-
-
Most of DC contains yuppies now. So whatever is "popular" seems to be what's in out here. haha
-
Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
-
Yeah, you can see a few mistakes in the video, but I don't think any of them are earth-shattering. It used to make me crazy that the pipemen would knock the bulk and advance, leaving small fires behind. I think this happenes because the brim of the helmet blocks the view of the burning stuff in the ceiling. I love how the officer notices this and drags the nozzelman back out to the porch.
You are so correct that half of DCFD volunteers across the state line. I think my old chief was DCFD. This would explain why you and I tend to agree on tactics. If you follow this page you'll notice I never agree with anyone.
-
-
Thank you! I wish I could say I had anything to do with that fire, but by the time this was shot, I has already moved away. Also need to give props to the boys from 8 (Seat Pleasant), 33 (Kentland) and (I think) 17 (Boulevard Heights).
-
-
Definitely. There's plenty of guys that spread the DC tactics into PG and a lot of fire houses fight fire identical to DC. PG burns A LOT more than DC now as well since we pushed all of our crime across the border. That's the reason why I went to PG. Can spend my off time with one of the busiest departments in the country, but I don't have to ride the damn taxi... I mean ambulance since the career guys are there for that.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
