Fire Attack: Policies and Responsibilities

Fire Attack: General Information

• This manual chapter provides general information about fire attack, outlining policies and responsibilities.
• It emphasizes the importance of each member exercising appropriate control based on their rank when implementing the guidelines

Offensive Fire Attack

• Utilized as the preferred method in the PFD.
• Focuses on rapidly applying water to the fire's origin.
• Aims to protect any civilians potentially trapped inside the structure.
• Stretching an appropriately sized attack line through the front door is a common tactic.
• Prioritizes positioning a hose line between occupants and the primary egress, such as interior stairs.
• It's recognized that the front door isn't always optimal for initial attack line deployment, especially in single-family homes or end-of-row multiple-family dwellings with side access to interior stairs.
• Incident Commanders should pre-plan each local and communicate effectively with arriving Engine Companies,.

Transitional Fire Attack

• An acceptable mode of offensive fire attack for specific conditions.
• Involves directing the initial line to fire issuing from outside the building to transition inside quickly.
• A straight or solid stream is applied without rotating the nozzle to avoid contributing to fire spread.
• This tactic can be employed when fire shows from the first floor and is running up the porches.
• Also when entry is significantly delayed, heavy fire is present in the front cellar window, or to suppress fire during a MAYDAY situation.
• Underwriters Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute (ULFSRI) studies emphasize never delaying water application to the fire.
• The PFD in partnership with ULFSRI recognizes this tactic as high-risk and requiring proper application.

Preparing for a Transitional Attack

• Ensure the combination tip is set to straight stream ("right to fight").
• Bleed air by aiming the tip at the ground and opening it.
• Close the tip, and aim to the left or right of the target window.
• Fully open the bale and slowly move the line into the window of fire, starting at the window's top (lintel).
• Keep the line still to allow water to flow throughout the room, achieving an immediate drop in temperature.
• Maintain the water flow until all visible fire is knocked down (60-90 seconds) or until entry facilitates a transition to the interior.

Defensive Fire Attack

• Employed when a property is heavily involved in fire.
• Used when occupant survival chances are low due to fire extent.
• Used when entering the property is dangerous due to building degradation and collapse risk.
• Assessing fire conditions on arrival determines attack line size and supply lines needed, emphasizing exposure protection.
• Determination to send companies inside initiates Incident Commander evaluation of structural stability, considering building contents, water runoff/absorption, and risk versus gain for personnel entry.
• Shifting from offensive to defensive tactics requires the Incident Commander to conduct a PAR (Personnel Accountability Report) of all interior companies and decide on orderly versus emergency evacuation.
• Orderly evacuation occurs when exterior fire conditions don't align with interior reports, especially after 20 minutes. Emergency evacuation is for imminent or actual collapse situations.

Basement/Cellar Fires

• Basements have at least half their height above curb level with multiple entry/egress points.
• Cellars have more than half their height below curb level, typically accessible only via interior stairs.
• Fires don't always require attacking from the top down via interior stairs; attacking from grade level is best if rear or side access exists.
• Door control is high priority, requiring closing the interior basement door and delaying opening the grade-level access until a charged line is ready.
• Coordination between the Incident Commander and first and second-in engine companies is crucial for safety.
• Cellar fires provide unique access challenges; strategic consideration should be to perform a transitional attack if a small window is showing fire.
• Before making entry to locate interior steps, the hose line should be used to conduct a transitional attack.

Cellar Access and Ventilation

• Coordinating with ladder company ventilation tactics is vital when advancing down cellar steps.
• Creating ventilation prematurely can establish a dangerous unidirectional flow path.
• Opening a front basement window and the basement door creates a flow path leading heat and fire up the interior stairs where the engine is advancing.
• Sidewalk BILCO doors can provide another access point, commonly found near commercial properties.
• The Incident Commander must recognize that opening BILCO doors provides ventilation.
• Attempts should be made to control cellar access from the interior before forcing these doors.
• If interior control is impossible, units on the first floor should be backed to a refuge area near the first-floor entrance.
• If cellar access is unavailable, a hole cutting and unmanned cellar pipe placement is an approach to consider, without overlooking usage of cellar pipes carried by engine companies

Thermal Imaging and Flooring

• Using Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) is encouraged for Engine Company Officers although they won't penetrate floors due to insulation.
• Carpet temperatures may be approximately 75-85 degrees, with ceiling temperatures simultaneously exceeding 1200 degrees.
• Terrazzo tile can remain deceptively "cool" even if a fire is raging inches below.
• The PFD lost four firefighters when the terrazzo floor of Barson’s Overbrook Deli collapsed without warning.

Attic Fires

• Attics are spaces or rooms just below the roof with restricted access/egress.
• Many city structures have dormer windows with interior spaces that can be treated as attics.
• Modern exterior sheathing like vinyl and polystyrene insulation board is flammable, allowing quick fire spread into the attic space.
• An exterior rubbish fire can quickly spread up the building's side, through a soffit vent, and into the attic.
• Directing a straight stream into the eaves from below may be the initial tactic for controlling fire in an attic, sending water along the rafters toward the peak.
• Water may be used in the attic to cool the environment and prevent flashover.
• Depending on roof type, consider using water through a gable vent, dormer window, or top-floor ceiling.
• In tough access situations, a cellar pipe can be lowered from the roof or placed through the top floor ceiling.
• Prioritize cooling the attic with above techniques before vertical roof ventilation.