38 Questions
What is the primary factor in determining the fireground strategy?
Risk management plan
What is the purpose of the Incident Commander constantly reevaluating the fireground strategy?
To ensure incident scene safety
When does the fireground strategy change?
With changes in conditions or certain benchmarks are obtained
What is the role of the Incident Commander in ensuring the correct strategy is used?
To ensure all personnel are operating within the correct strategy
What is the purpose of avoiding simultaneous OFFENSIVE and DEFENSIVE strategies in the same fire area?
To ensure incident scene safety
What is considered in the incident size-up?
All Fireground Factors
What is the third principle of the Risk Management Plan?
We Will Not risk our lives at all for lives or property that are already Lost
Why does the Incident Commander reevaluate the fireground strategy?
Driven by size up and risk management
What is the main consideration for Command when evaluating fire extension and spread?
Speed and avenues of fire extension
What is the primary goal of Command when establishing an attack plan?
To overpower the fire with actual water application
What is the importance of addressing all seven sides of the fire?
To prevent fire extension
Why is early identification and response to concealed space fires crucial?
To save the building
What is the purpose of early coordinated ventilation during concealed space attacks?
To support interior crews
What is the primary goal of managing fireground strategy?
Minimizing risk to firefighters
What is the consequence of not addressing all seven sides of the fire?
Fire will continue to burn
When is the fireground strategy typically established?
With the arrival of the first unit
What is the key to a successful attack operation?
All of the above
What is the primary focus of the initial attack efforts?
Supporting a primary search
What is a Marginal situation defined as?
Defensive conditions with a known rescue
What is the purpose of keeping building openings closed?
To reduce ventilation of the fire until a charged hose line is in place
What is the role of the Incident Commander in terms of incident scene safety?
To determine the proper strategy and tactics
What is the recommended approach to making entry into a structure?
Entering the structure at the air intake side of the flow path
What is the consequence of not 'getting ahead' of the fire?
Fire may burn past the attack/cutoff position
What is the purpose of coordinating ventilation of the structure?
To ensure effectiveness and improvement of interior conditions
What is the term used to describe the phenomenon of focusing only on the fire?
Candle moth syndrome
What is the recommended approach to conducting an offensive fire attack?
Fighting the fire aggressively with rapid and effective size up
What is the purpose of applying a straight stream to the ceiling of the fire compartment?
To darken down the fire and improve tenability
What is the primary focus of the Risk Management Plan?
Minimizing risk to firefighters
What should the Incident Commander prioritize when operating in marginal situations?
Evaluating conditions and receiving frequent reports from Sector Officers
What is the purpose of assigning a Roof Sector during marginal situations?
To evaluate the roof conditions and report to Command
What should happen when the Incident Commander decides to switch to a defensive strategy?
All personnel should withdraw from the structure and maintain a safe distance
What should be considered when protecting exposures?
Both immediate and anticipated exposures
What is the guideline for the standard master stream flow in defensive operations?
750 GPM
What does 'FIRE UNDER CONTROL' mean?
The forward progress of the fire has been stopped
What should Command initiate after the fire is brought under control?
A PAR report from all sectors and crews
Why should the Incident Commander prioritize a defensive strategy over an offensive strategy in certain situations?
Because it is safer for firefighters
What should happen to interior lines when switching to a defensive strategy?
They should be withdrawn and repositioned
What should be done if retreat is delayed due to hose lines and it is unsafe to stay in the building?
Abandon the hose lines
Study Notes
Fireground Strategy
- Structural fireground operations fall into two strategies: Offensive or Defensive.
- The Incident Commander determines and declares the fireground strategy based on the Risk Management Plan.
- The strategy is reevaluated constantly, driven by size-up and risk management.
Risk Management Plan
- We will risk our lives a lot to save savable lives.
- We will risk our lives a little to save savable property.
- We will not risk our lives at all for lives or property that are already lost.
Fireground Factors
- Building
- Fire & Smoke
- Life Hazard
- Occupancy
- Arrangement
- Resources
- Other
Operational Information
- The Incident Commander ensures all personnel operate within the correct strategy.
- The proper strategy is maintained by:
- Avoiding simultaneous offensive and defensive strategies in the same fire area.
- Matching the strategy to the fire conditions and minimizing risk to firefighters.
Fireground Strategy Selection
- The strategy is based on the application of the Risk Management Plan.
- The Incident Commander chooses the strategy considering the level of risk and the benchmarks obtained.
- The strategy can change with conditions or when certain benchmarks are obtained.
Offensive Strategy
- Guidelines for offensive fire attacks:
- Assume Command
- Address 2 in / 2 out decision prior to entry
- Initial attack efforts support a primary search
- Identify fire conditions and extent before starting operations
- Search, rescue, and fire attack are simultaneous operations
- Keep building openings closed if possible to reduce ventilation
- Enter the structure at the air intake side of the flow path
- Co-ordinate all ventilation to ensure effectiveness
- Companies must maintain situational awareness and resist focusing only on the fire.
Defensive Strategy
- The decision to operate in a defensive strategy indicates that the offensive attack strategy has been abandoned.
- Elements of an effective defensive strategy:
- Identify what is lost
- Write it off
- Protect exposures
- The announcement of a change to a defensive strategy will be made as Emergency Traffic.
- Personnel will withdraw from the structure and maintain a safe distance.
- Interior lines will be withdrawn and repositioned when changing to a defensive strategy.
Learn about the different strategies and operations involved in structural fireground operations, including offensive and defensive strategies and the incident commander's role.
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