Firefighting Tactics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What kind of kitchen does the house feature?

A traditional kitchen with standard cabinets

A commercial kitchen with a high-end range (correct)

A small kitchen with minimal appliances

An outdoor kitchen with a barbecue grill

Where was the smell strongest in the house?

In the garage

In the outdoor patio area

In the main bedroom on the first floor (correct)

In the upper-floor bedrooms

What did the owner say they did before smelling the odor?

Had wine on the patio and used the gas fireplace (correct)

Left the house for a weekend trip

Cleaned the house thoroughly

Cooked dinner in the kitchen

What type of space was mentioned as existing in the house?

Both a basement and an attic access Signup and view all the answers

What did the LT report regarding power issues in the house?

The occupant reported no power issues Signup and view all the answers

What did the owner use in the fireplace?

Gas Signup and view all the answers

What was found in the second-floor area?

Three bedrooms with varied layouts Signup and view all the answers

What did the crew member say about attic spaces?

There are vaulted ceilings and no attic spaces Signup and view all the answers

What should be established first according to the FPODP for a two-story house fire?

Establish a water supply Signup and view all the answers

When the first chief arrives at a fire, what should be a primary focus according to the proposed plan?

Getting companies off the roof Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'I' in the FIRST thinking approach stand for?

Intuition about potential fires Signup and view all the answers

In the FPODP for a one-story duplex fire, what is indicated by the decision to add a precautionary ambulance?

There is certainty of multiple injuries Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary decision-making focus after assessing the 'Facts' during the FIRST size-up?

Potential fire strategy Signup and view all the answers

What do 'Resources' refer to in the FIRST mental size-up system?

Available equipment and personnel Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical consideration when deciding the strategy for fire response?

Life-saving priorities vs property protection Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the chief officer upon arrival at an incident scene?

To establish a commanding role and assess the scene Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of an incident command when dealing with fire in different buildings?

Determining the construction types and fire behavior Signup and view all the answers

What type of construction feature allows for vertical fire extension from a basement to the attic?

Balloon frame Signup and view all the answers

In tilt-up construction, which element is likely to fail when the roof burns for long periods?

Concrete walls Signup and view all the answers

Which construction type is specifically mentioned as common knowledge for fire service incident commanders?

Balloon frame Signup and view all the answers

What is one key component that each region of the United States may have regarding buildings?

Specific buildings and construction types Signup and view all the answers

In the incident described, what was the initial nature of the call received by Chief Brett Loomis?

Odor investigation Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of the neighborhood discussed in the case study?

Tightly packed, tree-lined streets Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the fire on NW Van Buren Avenue based on the incident commander’s report?

A million-dollar home was saved Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if an occupant is present during a mattress fire?

Occupants may become unconscious due to smoke. Signup and view all the answers

Why might first-due company officers miss important updates on the mobile data computer?

They are preoccupied with other tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for effective communication during an emergency response?

Communicating critical updates on the tactical channel. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider the time elapsed since a fire started?

Fires can grow and become more dangerous over time. Signup and view all the answers

During what time frame do most civilian rescues occur, according to the Firefighter Rescue Survey?

Early morning between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Signup and view all the answers

What factor can significantly affect an emergency response's effectiveness during rush hour?

Response time due to traffic congestion. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario poses a higher risk for fire detection before emergency response arrives?

Fires at night or in vacant buildings. Signup and view all the answers

What was the first report observed by the first-arriving unit at the elderly care facility?

Light smoke from the street. Signup and view all the answers

What did command observe that prompted the evacuation order?

The smoke was getting darker and more turbulent. Signup and view all the answers

What were crews unaware of while operating above the fire?

There was a raging fire directly below them. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of size-ups that must be performed at every fire?

Inside size-up and outside size-up. Signup and view all the answers

Why should a red flag go up if the inside and outside size-ups do not agree?

Because one side must have incorrect information. Signup and view all the answers

What does Chief Vincent Dunn emphasize about the sides of a fire?

A building has seven sides to a fire in wood-frame constructions. Signup and view all the answers

What consequence could have occurred if crews had remained inside the structure?

They could have avoided the burn center or cemetery. Signup and view all the answers

What did the company officer initially report regarding their fire control efforts?

They were making good headway. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential sign of an escalating fire condition inside a structure?

A significant increase in heat and smoke pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal when responding to an incident as stated in the content?

To bridge the tactical gap as soon as possible Signup and view all the answers

When should a chief consider not immediately assuming command?

When the scene is chaotic with excessive radio traffic Signup and view all the answers

What might be a reason for transferring command face-to-face?

The incident is escalating and requires immediate action Signup and view all the answers

What could be a potential benefit of allowing a company officer to retain command?

Providing mentoring experience for the company officer Signup and view all the answers

What communication might the chief use when arriving at the scene?

Command, Battalion 7 is on scene. ICP will be located across the parking lot. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario would likely lead to the chief assuming command?

A mass shooting incident Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the situations that might encourage the chief to keep the company officer in command?

To allow the officer to gain more experience for promotion Signup and view all the answers

What is one method to manage radio traffic effectively as described?

Decentralizing command to minimize communication Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Size-Up, Risk/Gain Management, and Communications

Size-up, Risk Management, and Communications are intertwined
Officers must communicate changing conditions to assess risk from different geographic areas in the same incident
Gain management involves saving human life and bringing troops home safe
Size-up stages: Training and pre-planning, shift change, dispatch, arriving on scene
Physiological obstacles officers face: Auditory exclusion, tunnel vision, adrenaline dumps, heightened blood pressure, limited capacity to process information.
Visual stimuli during size-up: Building, smoke, flames, companies, occupants, bystanders, law enforcement.
The incident constantly evolves and becomes more complex with multiple and sometimes irrelevant details
Crews deploying in the field face physical (thermal insult, trauma, asphyxiation) and physiological obstacles in the field.
Risk assessment, size-up, and communications are made more daunting by PPE and SCBA.
Time stops for no one when responding to incidents
Incident conditions might seem stable but are dubious, members might be injured/killed during overhaul.
Review process: identifying things that worked well, opportunities to improve, and lessons learned, often happens informally by companies and more formally if warranted.
Situational awareness (SA), defined as knowing your location and surroundings to make better decisions. Critical for quick and correct decision during emergencies.
SA helps to determine if the situation is getting better or worse, based on actual conditions, rather than hopes.
Factors in SA: Smoke and fire conditions, radio reports, and gut feeling.
Size-up is a mental process including gathering information, assessing risk/gain, considering resources, and developing a preliminary action plan.
A good size up doesn't mean perfect decision, but the best with the information at hand, that can be adapted as more information comes in.
Size-up is different from an arrival report, as it's a continuous process before, during, and after arrival.
Accurate and continual size-up is essential for firefighter safety and preventing losses of lives and property.
When tasked, firefighters may miss critical size-ups, because they are heavily engaged with task based work.
Tunnel vision and auditory exclusion can cause incomplete/inaccurate size-ups.

Nothing Showing Means Nothing

It is important to thoroughly inspect a scene even when there's a lack of visible signs, especially at night
Even when nothing appears to be visible, it is crucial to maintain awareness and vigilance about potential risks.
Failure to recognize signs can lead to fatal consequences during fire emergencies involving civilians.
Radio reports may indicate nothing is showing but it is important to recognize if conditions don't improve, this may indicate a hidden risk.
Pre-planning and training are vital for handling any emergency event.

Training and Pre-Planning

Pre-planning and training are vital in enhancing size-up skills for effective incident operations.
Training allows for a clear understanding of a specific situation, time it takes to respond to different issues, and expectations of the crew.
Pre-planning and training helps crews assess the potential of a situation and quickly adjust if needed.
Practical training in pre-planning should include the time it takes for different tasks like a water connection, hose stretches, and entry to a specific area

Command of Personnel

Firefighters regularly rotate between stations and companies, requiring well-defined procedures about how and when crews are assigned to specific tasks.
Policy or Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) will outline how companies are staffed, based either on seniority, training, or a combination of both.

Dispatch and Response

Initial size-up of the incident continues from dispatch preparation through the incident itself.
Vicitms profile is a priority during dispatch, if victims have been reported, additional support (ambulance) should be allocated accordingly.
Working fires, and potential danger of unknown victim counts (especially high-risk incidents).
Multiple callers and visually apparent smoke can confirm a working fire, prompting urgent response, regardless of the caller's perspective or the caller's location.
Fires are often dispatched to locations that are not the actual origin.
It's crucial to verify the location and severity of the incident before committing resources.

First Company Officer

The first arriving officer should decide whether to retain or pass command if the situation warrants.
The initial responding officer should be ready to relinquish command based on the situation and additional resources.
Officers that are in command need to clearly communicate their conditions to provide situational awareness and avoid conflicts/problems.
Clear and concise communications ensure quick decisions, which are crucial in fast-paced emergency situations.

Victim Profiling and Survivability

Victim profiling: identifying the presence, condition, and location of civilian victims during emergency incidents. It is important to look at these facts at the beginning and throughout an incident.
It is vital in determining response strategies and priorities.
The method of victim profiling can assist in establishing the risk/gain balance during emergency operations.

Smoke and Fire Conditions

Fire conditions are characterized by volume, velocity, density, and color. These factors provide crucial information about fire behaviors and conditions.
Volume assesses the size of smoke related to the building.
Velocity measures smoke pressure (speed and flow). Heat causes greater velocity.
Density relates to the thickness of smoke. Dense smoke may indicate advanced fire conditions.
Color reflects fire heat in different stages.
These characteristics of smoke determine the level and severity of the fire, helping to predict potential fire spread and other implications.

Construction

Building and structure types are essential factors in pre-planning and incident response.
Construction knowledge is crucial for assessing risks, for planning tactics and operations, and to predict fire behavior (spread, collapse, escape, etc.).
Information about construction type, age, and design is important to ensure safety of the involved (firefighters and occupants).
Structure types and styles affect fire behavior, and how firefighters should proceed in responding and assessing the risk of the involved structure.

The Senior Nose

"Senior Nose" approach involves using observation and situational awareness to locate the source of fire or smoke.
Employing senses including smell and observation are crucial components in locating incidents.
Relying on gut feeling and observing trends is helpful in identifying risks and understanding conditions on a scene.
Employing these senses and experiences in conjunction with technical tools and training, the "Senior Nose" approach enhances accurate identification of problematic conditions during a scene.

Command Post Location

The incident command post (ICP) location needs to be well-communicated to all personnel.
The location of the ICP is decided considering incident type, conditions, access, time of day, and traffic. The location of the ICP minimizes radio traffic and confusion amongst the crews.
Location of the ICP is chosen to provide the commanding officer with the best view of the affected area.

Summary

Size-up and communications are crucial to risk management in modern emergencies.
Understanding factors like weather, construction, resources, time, and victim profile enable situational awareness and better decision-making during events.
The NIOSH 5 (risk assessment, communication, incident command, accountability, SOG) are common challenges, which are addressed by tactical supervisors.
Tools such as FPODP and IOCAN facilitate rapid, accurate, and effective incident management.
Victim profile and survivability profile drive tactical decisions, focusing on gaining a balance of risk versus safety.

Review Questions (no answers)

Explain tunnel vison and auditory exclusion...
Describe the importance of pre-planning...
What are the NIOSH 5?
Explain victim profiling...
What are the four critical aspects of reading smoke?
Explain leaders intent.
Describe the command transfer process.
What are some differences, benefits, and challenges associated with different command post locations?

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Description

Test your knowledge on key firefighting strategies and house assessments. This quiz covers scenarios such as odor detection, power issues, and strategic decision-making during fires. Align your understanding with the FPODP approach and FIRST thinking method.