FIRE GROUND STRATEGY AND TACTICS THE BASICS

DEFINITIONS I

DEFINITIONS II STRATEGY = Incident Commander. Decides the Goal (RECEO/REVAS) TACTIC = Operations/Division Officer. Chooses objectives to reach goal (interior attack, roof ventilation, etc). TASK = Group/Firefighters. Perform the functions to reach objective

Basic Fire Ground Strategy and Tactics

Basic Fire Ground Strategy and Tactics (Fire Attack) Strategy: The Goal, what has to be done Tactic: the objective,how will it be done Task: the assigned activity, who will do it Strategy = The Incident Commander Tactic: The Operations/Division Officer Task:: The Firefighters, perform the functions

Command Sequence Think! Plan! Act! Think:: Size Up, Pre-Fire Plan, and Goal Plan: Strategy and Tactics Act: Implementation Incident Commander to Operations Firefighter/ Groups

Primary Factors to Determine Strategy Rescue Exposures Confinement Extinguishment Overhaul Ventilation Salvage (FEMA) Rescue Evacuation Ventilation Attack Salvage (Fire Attack)

Questions To Ask What do I Have? What am I doing What do I need? Where is it going? How do I control it? Who is in command?

Strategic Concepts In Firefighting (McAniff) OFFENSIVE: Direct attack at seat of fire. Normally at Incipient Stage, this solves all problems. OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE: An attack on the main body of fire, while taking measures to control extension. DEFENSIVE/OFFENSIVE: A holding action,it keeps fire in reasonable bounds while more forces are called. DEFENSIVE: Surround and Drown, protect the exposures. INDIRECT: A Contained/Confined smoldering fire, where use of steam expansion is taken advantage of and there is no rescue.

General Principles of Firefighting (Norman) Lacking sufficient manpower,rescue takes precedence. Remove those in greatest danger first! With insufficient manpower to perform needed tasks, perform those that protect the most first. When sufficient manpower is available coordinate both rescue and fire attack. If there are no threats to occupants or no occupants, Firefighters should no be unduly endangered.

Engine Company Operations Aggressive attacks are a necessity. Begin suppression as soon as possible. Choose the proper operating mode OFFENSIVE DEFENSIVE INDIRECT

Basic Fire Ground Strategy and Tactics When a human life is at stake an interior attack is mandated. 1st hose line to worst case before worrying about other hose lines. If attack stalled increase ventilation or water flow, or both. If not working CHANGE TACTICS! When effective offensive attack is not possible or has not succeeded in 20 minutes, prepare defensive positions When forced to defensive mode consider the possible effect of total structure involvement.

LOCATE CONFINE EXTINGUISH “LET CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE PROCEDURES…ERR ON THE SIDE OF SAFETY.”

Sources: IMS by NFPA Fire Attack by Emergency Resources Inc. Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics by John Norman Strategic Concepts in Fire Fighting by Edward P. McAniff

DISCUSSION Residential Garage Car Fires Strip Mall/Deluge gun Mid-Rise/Outside balcony Nursing Home

Q.A.S. Strategy and Tactics Exercise The Plaza: 8220-8224-8228 Jog Rd. Boynton Beach Q.A.S. Strategy and Tactics Exercise

Assisted Care Living Facility 3 Story Building: Type 5P – Concrete and wood – 1 hour. Ext. block walls, poured conc. Floors. 1st fl. 53,000 #ft (core style hallways) 2nd & 3rd flrs. @37,8000 #ft (center style hallways Roof: Tile, wood truss/joist Standpipes/Sprinklers 145 apartments

North West Entrance

North Side Plaza

North East Side Fire

Annunciator Panel North Side

Plaza Elevator

South West Entrance

South East Side Fire

West Side Center

West Side Center 2

FDC

Gas S/O Knox Box Alarm Panel

Alarm Panel

Third Floor Landing

Hallway Smoke/Fire

Roof Access Part 2

3rd Floor Roof View

2nd Floor Roof Access

3rd Floor Roof Fire

Under Ground L.P. North East Corner

THE END