Fireground Strategy in Firefighting

Fireground Strategy

• The New Lenox Fire Protection District has two strategies for structure fires: Offensive and Defensive.
• The two strategies are based on a Risk Management Plan, and the Incident Commander chooses the proper strategy.
• The strategy can change based on conditions or achieving certain benchmarks.
• The Incident Commander's responsibility is to ensure all personnel operate within the chosen strategy, providing scene safety.

Factors for Determining Strategy

• Building Type: Construction, condition, and age are considered.
• Structural Integrity: Contents and structural involvement are assessed.
• Fire Load: Type of fuel burning and remaining fuel is evaluated.
• Fire and Smoke Conditions: Extent, location, and behavior are important factors.
• Rescue Profile: The potential for saving occupants and assessing their survivability.

Offensive Fire Attack

• The primary focus of an Offensive Fire Attack is rescue.
• The structure must be deemed safe for entry before initiating this approach.
• IRIC Team: An Immediate Response & Incident Command team are assigned prior to entry, according to established guidelines.
• Initial Attack: The initial attack line is deployed between victims and the fire, protecting escape routes.
• Fire Conditions: Determine fire conditions and extent before starting fire operations.
• Unburned Portion: Evaluate the unburned areas to predict fire spread and plan for fire control activities.
• Command Considerations:
  • Rescue activities
  • Risk to firefighters
  • Confinement efforts
  • Exposure protection
• Seven Sides: The fire should be considered from all seven sides (front, rear, both sides, top, bottom, and interior)
• Concealed Spaces: Addressing fires in concealed spaces (attics, ceiling voids) is crucial for early containment.
• Ventilation: Early ventilation in concealed spaces and fire areas is vital for containment.
• Fire Spread: Anticipate where the fire will be when attack efforts are ready to begin.
• Write Off: Write off property that is already lost and prioritize protecting exposed property based on the most dangerous direction of fire spread.
• Attack Variables:
  • Location/position of attack
  • Size of attack
  • Support functions

Marginal Fire Attack

• This strategy is used primarily for rescue when conditions are uncertain.
• An offensive interior attack is initiated while defensive positions are set up on the exterior.
• The interior attack is constantly evaluated and abandoned if necessary.
• Abandoning a Marginal Attack:
  • When a primary all-clear is achieved, and the situation remains marginal.
  • When the roof is unsafe or untenable, especially with unsupported or lightweight trussed attic spaces.
  • When interior forces encounter heavy heat, can't locate the fire, or cannot make progress.
  • When heavy smoke is being forced from the building under pressure and is increasing.
• Roof Sector: It is crucial to assign a Roof Sector early in marginal situations to evaluate roof conditions.
• Roof Safety: It is recommended to avoid committing crews to the interior unless the Roof Sector reports the roof is safe.
• It is preferable to switch from offensive to defensive too soon than too late.

Defensive Fire Attack

• This strategy is employed when offensive tactics are deemed unsafe for personnel or the structure is considered lost.
• Announcement: The change to a defensive strategy is announced as Emergency Traffic, and all personnel withdraw to a safe distance.
• Crew Accountability: Company Officers, acting officers, and Sector Officers verify the location and safety of their crews.
• Personnel Accountability Report (PAR): A PAR must be conducted after any switch from offensive to defensive strategy.
• Interior Lines: Interior lines are withdrawn and repositioned when changing to a defensive strategy. Crews should retreat with hose lines if safe.
• Hose Line Abandonment: If retreating with hose lines is unsafe, they may be abandoned.
• Exposure Protection: The main priorities for defensive operations are personnel safety and exposure protection.
• Master Streams: Master streams are typically the most effective tactic for defensive operations.
• Water Limitations: When water is limited, prioritize putting water on the exposure, potentially even from its interior.
• Fire Under Control: Fire under control signifies that the forward progress of the fire has stopped, and resources are on scene to extinguish the remaining fire. This does not mean the fire is fully extinguished.
• "FIRE UNDER CONTROL" Report: Command informs dispatch "FIRE UNDER CONTROL" with an associated time stamp.
• PAR Report: A PAR is conducted from all on-scene sectors and crews.
• Defensive Strategy From Onset: If the incident starts with a defensive strategy, dispatch is notified that a primary search will not be conducted. However, all buildings should be searched at some point, if conditions allow.

This quiz explores the different fireground strategies employed by the New Lenox Fire Protection District, focusing on offensive and defensive tactics. It covers critical factors such as building type, structural integrity, fire load, and conditions that influence the Incident Commander's decisions. Understanding these elements is essential for ensuring safety and effective response in firefighting operations.