Ch 1 pg 7-14 general principals of firefighting Handbook of tactics

The primary goal in firefighting is to save lives, both of the occupants and the firefighters themselves. Casualties hamper rescue operations and have devastating consequences for families and communities.

When resources are limited, rescuing people trapped in a fire takes precedence over putting out the flames. This ensures the maximum number of lives are saved.

Firefighters must quickly assess their resources, as simultaneous rescue and fire suppression may not be possible, especially if personnel are limited.

The position of fire hoses is critical in saving lives. Strategically placing them to protect escape routes and provide access to victims is often more important than simply extinguishing the fire.

Modern fires burn intensely and quickly consume oxygen, creating hazardous conditions for those trapped inside. Firefighters must act swiftly to ensure the safety of victims.

Victims located below the fire's origin or behind closed doors are often in safer positions, as the fire may not have reached them yet.

The number of potential victims influences rescue prioritization. More victims require a greater focus on protecting escape routes and ensuring efficient rescues.

Limited resources, like personnel or equipment, necessitate quick decision-making, often leading to prioritization of victims' safety over immediate fire suppression.

Firefighters must focus on providing fast and safe access to victims, often extending hoses into dangerous areas to create a safe passage for rescue.

Even if a building is beyond saving, rescue efforts may continue to save lives. The focus remains on human life regardless of the structure's fate.

Research has shown that closed doors can act as a barrier against fire and smoke, providing a temporary haven for occupants. This has changed how rescue strategies are planned.

Upon arriving at a fire scene, firefighters must quickly assess the fire's location, size, and direction of spread. This situational awareness is vital for planning a safe response.

Firefighters need to know how many people might be in the building. This information helps prioritize rescue efforts and prevents potential loss of life.

Understanding the layout of a building is crucial for planning safe evacuation routes and firefighter entry. Knowing where potential victims might be located helps plan rescues.

Factors like the time of day, water availability, and the size of the fire must be considered when responding to incidents. This helps in planning a strategic response.

The initial steps in a firefight involve understanding the situation and gathering crucial information before embarking on a firefighting strategy.

Identifying the location of the building involved in the fire and the precise spot of the fire is key for effective firefighting efforts.

Preventing fire spread is crucial. This involves identifying potential fire paths in six directions (left, right, ahead, back, up, down) and taking measures to halt their progression.

The final step in firefighting involves a decisive attack on the fire to completely extinguish it. This eliminates the immediate threat and prevents re-ignition.

Firefighters must take calculated risks to rescue individuals trapped in fires. Those closest to the fire and on upper floors, where heat and smoke accumulate, are prioritized.

The assessment of risk involves considering the severity of the situation constantly. Those in the greatest danger, like those trapped on upper floors, must be rescued first.

Firefighters must consider not only visible threats but also potentially unseen victims who might not be able to signal for help. This ensures no one is overlooked.

An effective firefighting strategy involves two main components: extinguishing the fire and rescuing victims. This ensures both the safety of the building and the people.

Regular drills and updates to firefighting methods are crucial for adapting to changing fire behavior and for maintaining firefighter safety. It's vital to stay ahead of the curve.

Assessing risk involves understanding the types of buildings and potential hazards involved. Firefighters should avoid unnecessary danger when no occupants can be rescued.

Prioritizing responders' safety while maximizing rescue efforts is central to developing effective firefighting tactics. Ensuring firefighter safety allows for efficient rescue operations.

Understanding the order of firefighting operations is essential for avoiding conflicts between different fire units. Clear communication and coordination prevent confusion and unnecessary delays.

Protecting buildings adjacent to the burning structure is paramount. This may require shifting focus from extinguishing the initial fire to preventing its spread.

Protecting exposed structures is important, especially when occupied areas are at risk. Prioritizing the safety of people over the initial fire is a crucial aspect of firefighting.

The SLICE-RS model, developed by the ISFSI, offers a structured approach to firefighting. It emphasizes prioritizing scene assessment, location of the fire, control of fire paths, cooling the fire, and extinguishing it. Rescue and Salvage are considered additional opportunities.

Although rescue is mentioned in SLICE-RS, some argue that it should be placed higher in firefighting tactics, as saving lives is paramount. Rescue must always be a top priority.

Rigid adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) without flexibility can lead to poor decision-making. Circumstances change, requiring adaptability and a thorough understanding of fire dynamics.

Fire officers must analyze situations, anticipate possible scenarios, and apply knowledge of fire dynamics to make effective decisions. Understanding fire behavior is crucial for success.

SOPs and SOGs are designed for typical fire situations but may not apply to less conventional scenarios. Adaptability and sound judgment are essential for success in unusual situations.

Prioritizing fire containment to prevent its spread can be more crucial than immediate extinguishment in complex fire situations. This strategy limits the fire's impact and prevents further damage.

Controlling the flow path of a fire, like keeping a door closed, can limit the spread by restricting oxygen supply and reducing the fire's intensity.

Firefighting tactics in multi-dwelling incidents involve strategically deploying personnel to block fire spread. This prevents the fire from engulfing the entire structure.

Past experiences highlight the importance of prioritizing fire containment over direct engagement in complex structures, especially in situations where the fire is inaccessible or dangerous.