201 - Firefighting Basics

When arriving on any fire scene, it is important to do a size up and establish command (see manual 503 - Manual Communication). Once the first apparatus is on the scene, the officer on board will take command and is required to do a scene size up. This is to inform other responding units with more details, the officer also tells arriving apparatus where to park and what task they will have, the officer will also ask the property owner for any hazards in or outside of the building, the officer will also tell one of his/her crew to do a 360 of the scene. the member doing the 360 will look for access points, hazards, victims, and other important information.

Example of a scene size up:

County this is engine 1, engine 1 on scene taking command. 2 story residential building fire, visible smoke, visible fire on All sides. Starting offensive attack.

Every structure fire will be split up into 4 zones. Alpha side, Bravo side, Charlie side, and Delta side. The alpha side will always be the location where the command is located or the front of the building. Bravo, Charlie & Delta will be assigned alphabetically clockwise. 

• Small fire, car fire, dumpster fire: Doesn't require a lot, one Engine will be enough to knock down the fire.

• Residential structure fire (residential building), commercial structure fire (commercial building), industrial structure fire(industrial building): Requires a decent force, usually an Engine, Truck, and Rescue Ambulance

• Brush Fire: Dependant on the location and season it will require a greater response.

• Arrival

• First unit on scene does size up

• Water supply must be set up 

• Additional units prepare for firefighting, search or rescue

• Incident Command (IC) is established at most suitable location or at Alpha side.

When fighting a fire the Incident Commander decides if it's an Offensive operation or Defensive operation. 

Offensive:

Offensive operations are usually aggressive attacks to put out the fire before it has the chance to spread. This is mostly done when we're uncertain of there is still anyone inside of the building.

Defensive:

Defensive operations are usually done when we know that there is no one inside the building and the fire is already too large or when there is a collapse risk. This is where can use deck guns, handheld lines, and master streams*. A defensive operation can only be initiated by the IC. 

*Master stream: The water stream coming from the end of a raised ladder above the structure.