Why is this fire is attacked from the interior?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on April 24, 2011 at 3:50pm

CBz FYI Update: I provided at the beginning of this forum post a photograph that showed light smoke coming out the front door. Here it is again:

The first alarm on this assignment attacked this fire from the inside of the structure, pushing the involved portion back into itself, minimizing additional smoke and heat damage to the structures interior and contents. This is no big deal... really!

The home owner had the presence of mind to close all the interior doors prior to egress. Only the kitchen, dining room and living room had significant smoke and heat damage. The garage was a complete loss but the structure was saved and the insurance company covered the losses. And no one got hurt...

The attack from the interior was coordinated with the second arriving engine. Both interior and garage extinguishment used water initially to take the heat out of the fire, then foam to handle suppressant permeation for the fuel load in the garage. It was a classic fire using 3-engines and a good stop based on the use of an aggressive and coordinated interior attack that was made easier by residents confirming no one was inside the structure. Without belaboring this, a ventilation group took the heat out of the attic concurrent to interior ops being handled.

Bread and butter... and an example of a successful outcome through training, teamwork and a well thought out tactical plan... and yes, there was a Battalion Chief who had taken command from the first arriving company officer.

CBz

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Lyons on April 25, 2011 at 8:05am

I agree Ben, sometimes using the front door will put you at the back of the fire anyway... looking at the pic, you can go through the front door and accomplish containing the fire. As long as your outside attack line, 2.5", is coordinating with the interior crew, they shouldn't have any issues, once the fire wall from the garage is comprimised then you shut your exterior line down and use the interior crew.

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Permalink Reply by Pararescue on April 25, 2011 at 8:41am

"Conventional wisdom" is AKA for tradition and thinking IN the box.

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Permalink Reply by Pararescue on April 25, 2011 at 8:46am

The IC or 1st in engine will make the call. SOP/SOG's are guide lines not written in stone. And don't go by state.... more like neighboring departments and companies. And offensive is for interior attack,right? defensive =attack from outside? Correct.