Ch 2 pg 15-19 handbook of tactics

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Questions and Answers

What is not a listed item for determining your size up?

Life hazards

Knowing the units that you should expect

Who is the assigned district chief (correct)

Hour of the day

What is a less obvious life hazard at this time of day(2:30am) refer to example on pg 15

Presence of smoke

Potential for fire reignition

Trapped occupants in apartments

Building collapse (correct)

What is COAL WAS WEALTH primarily used for in firefighting?

To identify potential rescue opportunities

To determine the best time to enter a burning building

To calculate water supply needs at a fire scene

To assess elements affecting size-up for a structural fire (correct)

Which of the following factors does NOT fall under the COAL WAS WEALTH acronym?

Environmental hazards Signup and view all the answers

What are the special factors that could affect the crews?

Holidays Signup and view all the answers

How can size up be described?

An evaluation of problems and conditions that affect the outcome of a fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated if a building has been exposed to heavy fire for a duration of 20 minutes or more?

The structure may collapse and pose a serious risk. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is NOT part of the size-up process when evaluating a fire scenario?

Firefighter morale and readiness Signup and view all the answers

At what point does the size-up process begin in a firefighting situation?

At the moment the alarm is received Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT considered in a firefighter's size-up?

Personal assessments of the firehouse Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about firefighters' size-up is accurate?

All firefighters, regardless of experience, should perform a size-up. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the hour of the day during a size-up?

It helps evaluate the likelihood of delayed fire detection. Signup and view all the answers

How does a firefighter's experience level affect their size-up?

Veterans include a greater number of risk factors in their assessments. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is part of the information-gathering process in size-up?

Collecting information during preplanning activities Signup and view all the answers

What primary factors significantly affects the life hazard associated with different types of buildings?

Time of day, occupancy, location, and extent of fire Signup and view all the answers

Which occupancies pose the greatest life hazard around the clock?

Hospitals and apartment houses Signup and view all the answers

What strategy is considered the best method for reducing life hazards before a fire incident occurs?

Installing a complete wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system Signup and view all the answers

In evaluating life hazards, what must be considered alongside the civilian life hazard?

Firefighters' own life hazards Signup and view all the answers

What factor can change the life hazard associated with a building during a fire incident?

Time of day Signup and view all the answers

Which condition does NOT contribute to a severe life hazard according to the document?

Wide exit facilities Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to assess a building's occupancy before firefighting strategies are implemented?

To evaluate the extent of life hazards Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios might lead to occupants being unable to flee a fire?

Physical or mental impairments Signup and view all the answers

How many firefighters a year do we lose for every 100,000 fires we fight in residential structures?

3 Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of civilian fire deaths occur in residential buildings?

80% Signup and view all the answers

Which type of occupancy poses the highest risk for firefighter fatalities, according to the data from 2011 to 2015?

Factories Signup and view all the answers

What is a major hazard associated with large commercial spaces like factories?

Truss construction and large open floor areas Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the CADS that makes it effective for fire response planning?

Real-time hazard updates Signup and view all the answers

Why should officers communicate the lack of civilian life hazards at some fire incidents?

To enhance safety and caution among firefighters Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario illustrates a significant risk to firefighters in commercial fires?

Fires in vacant buildings Signup and view all the answers

In which type of building are firefighters more likely to encounter hazardous materials?

Gardening supply houses Signup and view all the answers

What key factor can affect the strategy of firefighters in different occupancies?

Occupancy type and layout Signup and view all the answers

Which method is advised to gather critical information during an emergency response?

Using a computer-aided dispatching system Signup and view all the answers

What should the primary focus be when inputting data into CADS?

Hazards not visible from outside Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of a 1¾-in. line being used in a large commercial space?

It may not handle large fires adequately Signup and view all the answers

What are the best possible methods for transmitting an alert message to field units during a firefighting operation?

Telyping the alert message and rebroadcasting over the radio after the units are on the road Signup and view all the answers

How does the time of day influence life hazards during a fire incident?

Daytime occupancy coupled with fire extent can increase hazards Signup and view all the answers

What factor can negatively impact personnel availability in fire departments?

Seasonal activities like hunting and fishing Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of responding to a fire during rush hour traffic?

Delay in arrival to the scene Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a low life hazard scenario?

A vacant building fire at 2 a.m. Signup and view all the answers

What should incident commanders prepare for according to the provided content?

The worst-case scenario Signup and view all the answers

Why should a CADS hazard display be inspected annually?

To verify that the information is current and accessible Signup and view all the answers

During which scenario is the life hazard considered to be high?

A fire in a frequently occupied public building at lunchtime Signup and view all the answers

_____ hazard must be the deciding factor in determining tactics and procedures

Life Signup and view all the answers

He has seen wooden bowstring trusses fall down in as little as __ minutes after the fire has reached flashover on page 23 of chapter 2

8 Signup and view all the answers

45 min air bottles give FFs an extra _ to _ minutes

6 8 Signup and view all the answers

One of the primary indicators of an impending collapse is the elapsed time from _____

Flashover Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Size-Up in Firefighting

Size-up is the evaluation process of conditions impacting fire outcomes, performed by all firefighters.
Newer firefighters’ perceptions improve with experience, leading to more accurate size-ups.
The officer in command has broader responsibilities requiring extensive consideration during size-up.
The size-up process starts when the alarm is received and continues until the emergency is under control.

Key Information Indicators

Time of day significantly affects the situation; for example, a fire at 2:30 am likely means most people are asleep, indicating potential complications.
Location knowledge allows experienced firefighters to identify potential hazards and assess the situation accurately.

Importance of Street Numbers

Odd-numbered addresses typically indicate the east side of north-south streets and the north side of east-west streets.
Familiarity with street numbering helps firefighters locate and respond effectively to fires.

Life Hazards

Life hazards can exist even in commercial fires, particularly in mixed-use buildings where occupants may be trapped.
Building collapse is a major risk if structures suffer extensive fire damage for more than 20 minutes.
Firefighters encounter life hazards from both civilians and their own risks, necessitating careful evaluation.

Crew Response

Volunteer departments face staffing challenges during holidays and events, affecting response capabilities.
Crew members should begin size-up mentally while preparing to respond.

COAL WAS WEALTH Acronym

This acronym helps firefighters remember vital elements to consider during size-up:
- Construction
- Occupancy
- Apparatus and Personnel
- Life Hazard
- Water Supply
- Auxiliary Appliances
- Street Conditions
- Weather
- Exposures
- Area
- Location and Extent of Fire
- Time
- Height

Strategies to Mitigate Life Hazards

Reducing life hazards can involve procedures like improving building codes, installing sprinklers, and ensuring proper exit facilities.
Firefighters must identify hazardous conditions and act to mitigate them as necessary.

Occupancy Considerations

The type of occupancy influences the response strategy and life hazard assessment.
High-risk occupancies include schools, hospitals, and residential buildings, whereas storage facilities typically pose lower risks.
Not all structures provide equal risk, and understanding these can guide aggressive tactics efficiently.

Firefighter Safety and Risk

Caution is paramount in nonresidential structures where the likelihood of life hazards changes with conditions.
Statistics show a higher death rate for firefighters in commercial structures compared to residential ones, emphasizing the importance of situational awareness.

Time Impact on Operations

Time of day influences not just occupant risk but also potential delays in response due to traffic or busy hours.
Certain times of the year affect staffing availability, particularly in volunteer departments, which requires planning for worst-case scenarios.

Critical Information and Technology

Utilizing systems like Computer-Aided Dispatching (CADS) can improve situational awareness by providing vital preplanned hazard information quickly.
Regular updates and inspections of preplanned information in CADS are essential for maintaining firefighter safety.

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Description

This quiz explores the critical concept of size-up in firefighting. Understanding how firefighters evaluate conditions can significantly impact the effectiveness of their response. Whether a novice or a veteran, every firefighter participates in this essential evaluation process.