The Patriots have a game plan....Do You?
This week our commentary is provided by Lieutenant Jim Puleo from the Mansfield
Massachusetts Fire Department. Any comments received will be forwarded on to Jim. His
article is below.
Recently, I have had the opportunity to engage in some discussions regarding fire attack.
This happens to be one of my favorite topics so I can tell you it's easy to get me going. The
discussion usually follows the same train of thought, line selection, manpower, positioning,
rescue etc. However whenever the dreaded term Standard Operating Guidelines(man I
detest the politically correct...It's a Procedure!!). The conversation usually twists into
"they're all fine and good but we can't go by them because every fire is different." This
certainly is true when it comes to the FIRE but is the biggest bunch of bull when it comes fire
ATTACK!!
The members that engage in this line of thought are strictly engaged in fire ground
management by ego. What I mean by this is simple, at every firefighting operation the same
five basic elements must be achieved. These five elements are (in no certain order but
probably in the order they are achieved) Command, Supply, Attack, Ventilation and Search.
The speed and degree of each may vary depending on the different FIRE but the ATTACK
will always follow the same basic patterns. Should the company officer opt to rely on their
own thought process (ego), failure, catch-up firefighting or disaster lies just minutes ahead
when ol' Mr. Murphy set's foot on our playing field.
When thinking about the command, Company officers soon find out the two major types,
stationary (fixed) and combat (sometimes referred to as fast attack). The difference between
the two should be noticeable depending on the phase of the operation. Company officers
belong in the combat phase. Leave the stationary stuff to the Chiefs. The company officers
job is to get inside to the root of the problem and if not eliminate it at least slow it down.
When the attack enters the sustained phase, if not properly relieved then the company officer
can take the fixed command position. In either position a strong command presence is
required, a trait that begins probably when the member first starts developing over years of
sound experience...but that's an article for a different time.
Considerations for supply need to be as automatic as punting from your own 20 when it's
fourth and long. Water supply is always needed from the smallest FIRE to the largest. The
simplest rule to follow for water supply is this: one off one in. When the company officer
makes a commitment to fire attack a feeder must be provided. Using this premise why not
have the supply at least started right off the snap and lay in. Manpower is always at a
premium so drop it dry have the second due Engine company fill it. This is a great way to
maintain crew integrity, allow plenty of room at the fire building for the Ladder
Company(ies) and insure a sound firefighting foundation. Every consideration should be
given to maximizing the water supply, large diameter hose with a pump on the hydrant.
There is no real room for it's "probably" not necessary on the fireground. How would the
running back feel if the pulling guard said I'll "probably" make my block? Reverse lays are
easier now than ever (especially with sexless couplings). The reverse lay puts crews on the
fireground quickly, puts the second (first due on tank water) Engine off the fireground and
on a hydrant as well, but often times requires the apparatus to drive through the fireground
to initiate the tactic elevating risk (just a thought).
Line selection and direction of travel are usually the two main points Company officers
consider for attack. Most game plans are written to gain a win so we'll consider interior
attack. The advent of the 1 3/4 hose line has come full circle. Once billed as a replacement to
2 1/2 we now realize the error of our ways (just like the forward pass rule will NEVER
replace a good running game, it did give us a good option given the proper conditions) Line
selection should be broken done to the easiest common denominator big lines for:
commercial and industrial buildings (great potential for big fire), and the rule of threes (over
three windows, over the third floor, over a 300' stretch, three deckers (porches) and third
engine in). The 1 3/4 line has allot of use and is no doubt the play to call the majority of the
times. The key here of course is know your hydraulics.
Regarding direction of travel the Company officer is often told attack from the opposite side
of fire spread. This concept has allot of merit and is based on sound experience. Company
officers also know that rescue is the highest fireground priority. This factor coupled with
modern day construction 2x6 insulated walls, thermo-pane windows, smoke detectors etc.,
direction of fire spread is not always obvious upon arrival. So if we make our target
"protection of the interior stairs" attack from opposite fire spread may not be prudent, so in
single family homes head for the front door until good read on the attacking defense tells you
run the option. in OMDs use the main stairs (protecting the most people), commercial
industrial and other large buildings consider the closest entrance to the fire (speed of attack).
Ventillation is the key to successful fire attack. Ventilation needs to be well timed and ahead
of the attack (sounds like a good run block!!!). Since the onslaught of so many cutbacks in
manpower the fire service has had to make tough decisions on venting. We know that
vertical vent takes time and manpower and hence we tend to get started early and bypass
horizontal venting. The average window is approximately 2.5 feet wide and 3 feet high, hit a
couple of windows then go for the roof. The engine company is going to move much quicker
probably solving most of the problem. Having said this remember if the structure is involved
(rich brown smoke) or the fire is on the top floor or in the cellar of a balloon frame the roof
will need to be opened.
Big holes and quick line movement allow the ultimate touchdown, rescue of the endangered.
Primary search can be divided into two types; aggressive ahead of, off and above hoselines,
and passive; with and on a hoseline. Besides manpower, the Company officer may want to
consider the country's history of fire. There are over 1 million fires reported a year, around
5000 deaths, 100,000 injuries and most regrettably 100 plus firefighter deaths. While rescue
stats are hard to quantify in the Commonwealth we issued about 20 awards for rescue this
year yet about 60 people perished at the hands of fire. So ask yourself of your time on the job
how many times have you been told "people trapped"?, how many times was that true?, and
how many passed prior to perhaps even notification to the FD? Yes you'll have to be real but
be a clutch player and present when the team needs you.
The article is long, but the message is simple have a good realistic game plan (SOP's),
practice it, hold the players responsible, and set yourself up for the win. Should the company
officer take the field of play without a plan luck may allow a field goal.
Send your comments, thoughts or items you would like to see published here to info@petelamb.com. or pete@petelamb.com
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