Firefighting Tactics and Rescue Operations

Priorities in Fire Situations

• Focus on rescue, fire attack, and ensuring water supply; standpipes are typically found in structures four stories or taller.
• The second Engine Company should establish water supply and assist the first hoseline.
• Control access points, deploy a second hoseline, and manage fire attack and standby teams.

Occupant Rescue vs. Removal

• Assess occupants in danger at balconies or windows during smoke-filled hallway scenarios.
• First Incident Commander must evaluate and prioritize rescue vs. removal.
• Resources assigned for occupant rescue might limit those available for fire suppression.

Rescue

• Immediate rescue required for occupants in direct danger, including those above the fire.
• Occupants may attempt escape through hazardous conditions or face jumping from heights.

Removal

• Occupants remote from the fire may be behind closed, rated doors and safe for the time being.
• Implement "Protect in Place" strategy until sufficient resources arrive for removal.

Special Consideration for Top Floors

• Prioritize immediate removal of occupants from the top floor of a structure with significant attic involvement, as conditions can worsen rapidly.

Resource Assignments

• Engine (5th): Identify need for secondary water sources and report to Incident Commander.
• Aerial (2nd): Position strategically and report to C Side Supervisor or Incident Commander for directives.

Commercial Fires Overview

• Commercial buildings range in size and include various construction types, complicating fire responses due to limited access.
• These structures may be grouped in commercial districts, standalone, or clustered within industrial complexes.
• They include "big box" stores, malls, office buildings, and high-rises, each presenting unique challenges.

Tactics for Commercial Structures

• Essential tactics of locating, confining, and extinguishing fires parallel those used in residential settings.
• Limited access points and long distances to exit doors increase the risk of disorientation.
• Consider using ropes for egress safety when not on hoselines.
• High fire loads may overwhelm sprinkler systems; unknown storage poses additional risks.

Fire Suppression and Ventilation Strategies

• Utilize 2.5" hoselines for significant fire suppression while cooling surrounding areas.
• Coordinate both horizontal and vertical ventilation to facilitate hoseline advancement.
• Employ windows or exterior door openings to improve ventilation and conditions.

Movement and Egress Considerations

• Limit movement within structures to less than 175 feet based on the 200-foot hose lay principle.
• Utilize secondary access points if movement beyond recommended distances is necessary.
• Air management and ease of movement are critical, keeping in mind potential obstructions from high-stacked materials.

Ventilation Practices

• Open roof scuttles, skylights, and hatches for improved ventilation in commercial fires.
• Assign ladder companies specifically to manage ventilation tasks at these structures.

This quiz covers essential firefighting tactics related to occupant rescue and fire attack strategies. It focuses on the response dynamics of engine companies, water supply responsibilities, and managing smoke-infiltrated environments. Test your knowledge on effectively handling emergency scenarios in high-rise buildings.