Fire Attack Procedures and Strategies

Fire Attack Procedure

• Standard operating procedure emphasizes aggressive fire attack to stabilize conditions.
• Initial attack strategies should strive to overwhelm fire with effective water application.
• Fire attack angles can be taken from interior, exterior, or through transitional methods.

Transitional Attack

• A transitional attack is recommended when circumstances necessitate changing the fighting approach from external to internal.
• This tactic aims to manage fire conditions before entering a structure.

Water Application

• Firefighting must involve sufficient water volume, measured in gallons per minute (gpm).
• Water volume must correspond with fire conditions, heat release rates, and the size of the structure or compartment.

Objectives of Fire Attack

• The primary goals of fire attack include controlling the fire, safeguarding victims, and protecting property.
• Effective fire management also seeks to prevent fire extension into adjacent or exposed structures.

Fire Attack Procedures

• Standard practice involves stabilizing fire conditions through aggressive, targeted fire attack strategies.
• Initial attack should focus on overwhelming fire conditions with precise water application and suppression methods.
• Attack positions can be categorized as:
  • Interior: Fighting fire from inside the structure.
  • Exterior: Suppressing fire from outside the building.
  • Transitional: Changing tactics from exterior to interior when needed.
• Transitional attacks are essential when fire is being passed or when conditions require exterior changes before entry.
• Application of water must be sufficient in volume (gallons per minute) to effectively manage:
  • Current fire conditions.
  • Heat release rates.
  • Size and layout of the structure or compartment.
• Objectives of the fire attack include:
  • Controlling the fire.
  • Protecting victims and property.
  • Preventing fire spread to adjoining structures.