1. Fire Control

2. Overall Objectives
Improve Size-up abilities
Identify and understand priorities and needs at fires.
Capturing the cues and clues in the situation and
comprehending them.
Identify reasons for Transfer of command

3. Specific Objectives
1.
Describe initial factors to consider when
suppressing structure fires.
2.
Summarize considerations prior to
entering a burning building.
3.
Explain the gas cooling technique.
4. Describe direct attack, indirect attack, and
combination attack.
5.
Discuss deploying master stream devices.
6.
Describe elevated master streams.
Firefighter I

4. Specific Objectives
7.
Describe actions and hazards associated with
suppressing Class C fires.
8.
List electrical hazards and guidelines for
electrical emergencies.
9.
Discuss responsibilities of companies in
structural fires.
10. Explain actions taken in attacking fires in upper levels of
structures.
11.
Explain actions taken in attacking fires
belowground in structures.
12.
Discuss structure fires in properties protected
by fixed systems.
Firefighter I

5. Specific Objectives
13.
Explain actions taken when attacking a vehicle
fire.
14.
Explain actions taken when attacking trash
container fires.
15. Summarize influences on wildland fire behavior: fuel,
weather, and topography.
16.
Describe parts of a wildland fire.
17.
List wildland protective clothing and
equipment.
18. Describe methods used to attack wildland fires
19. List ten standard fire fighting orders when fighting
wildland fires.
Firefighter I

6. Coordination When Suppressing Structure
Fires
Fire attack on
burning structure
must be coordinated
When fighting any
fire, firefighters
should always work as a team under direction of a
supervisor
Firefighter I

7. Actions to Take
Advancing hoseline teams should carry equipment
needed to perform a variety of tasks
Certain equipment
carried by teams
advancing hoselines
Person at nozzle has responsibilities before entering
building/area
(Continued)
Firefighter I

8. Actions to Take
When structure/major contents are involved in fire,
firefighters should wait at entrance, staying low, out
of doorway until fire officer gives order to advance
Before entry, extinguish fires showing in exterior
overhangs/around entry or egress points
Firefighter I

9. Actions to Take
Whenever possible, approach and attack fire from
unburned side to keep it from spreading throughout
structure
Once fire is contained, determine area of origin,
protect evidence before overhaul and extinguishment
Firefighter I

10. Actions to Take
Breathing apparatus must be
worn during overhaul,
extinguishment
Valuables found during
overhaul should be turned in
to supervisor
Firefighter I

11. Pre-Entry Considerations
Conduct quick size-up
Maintain high level of situation awareness
Read fire behavior indicators
Understand crew’s tactical assignment
Identify potential emergency escape routes
Assess forcible entry requirements
Identify hazards
Verify that radios are working, on right channel,
being received
Firefighter I

12. Opening Doors
If door to fire area
must be opened, all
members should stay
low and to one side
of doorway
Check door for heat before opening
Firefighter I

13. Gas Cooling
Not a fire extinguishment method; way of reducing
hazard presented by hot gas layer
Effective when faced with shielded fire
Firefighter I

14. Hot Gas Layer
Hot gas layer accumulating in upper levels of
compartment presents problems
Cooling hot gas layer mitigates hazards by slowing
transfer of heat to other combustibles
Limits the possibility of a Flashover
Firefighter I

15. Cooling Hot Gas Layer
Apply short pulses of water
fog onto it
Repeat technique as
necessary while hose team
advances under gas layer
toward fire
Penciling – Short pulses of
water in a straight stream at Courtesy of Dick Giles.
the ceiling level.
Firefighter I

16. Direct Attack
 Most efficient use of water on free-burning fires made
by direct attack
 Usually from straight or solid stream
 Techniques
 Water should not be applied long enough to upset
thermal layering
Firefighter I

17. What attack mode here?

18. Indirect Attack
Used when firefighters
unable to enter
burning building/
compartment
Can be made from
outside compartment
through window or
other small opening
Firefighter I

19. Indirect Attack
Not ideal method of attack where building occupants
may still be inside
May be only method of attack until temperatures
reduced
Procedures for making indirect attack
Firefighter I

20. Attack Mode?

21. Combination Attack
Uses heat-absorbing
technique of cooling hot gas
layer followed by heatreducing direct attack on
materials burning near floor
level
Firefighter I

22. Master Streams
Usually deployed in situations where fire is beyond
effectiveness of handlines or there is need for fire
streams in areas that are unsafe for firefighters
Main uses for master stream
Firefighter I

23. Positioning Master Stream
Must be properly positioned to apply effective
master stream on fire
Master stream can be adjusted up, down and left,
right
Once line in operation, must be shut down if device
is to be moved
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w91F9zubvG8
Firefighter I

24. Positioning Master Stream
 Stream should be aimed so it enters structure at
upward angle, deflects off ceiling or other overhead
objects
 Desirable to place master stream device in location
that allows stream to cover most surface area of
building
Firefighter I

25. Supplying Master Streams
Master stream devices can have high friction loss in
supply hose
Because master stream devices used primarily in
defensive fire fighting, desirable to shut down
handlines to keep from reducing water supply
available for master streams
Always follow SOPs in operation of master streams,
handlines
Firefighter I

26. Staffing Master Stream Devices
Usually takes minimum of
two firefighters to deploy
master stream device,
supply water to it
Once portable master
stream device in place, can
be operated by one
firefighter
Some situations may be too
dangerous to have
firefighters stationed at
master stream device
Firefighter I

27. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What should be done if a master stream device starts
to move?
Firefighter I

28. Elevated Master Stream Devices
1. Used to apply water to upper stories of multistory
buildings, either in direct attack or to supply handlines
2. Delivered by aerial devices
Firefighter I

29. Categories of Aerial Apparatus
15–
29
1. Aerial Ladder
2. Aerial Ladder Platform
3. Telescoping Platform
4. Articulating Platform
5. Combination telescoping & Articulating
Platform
6. Water Towers
Firefighter I

30. Quints
Have waterways pre-plumbed to pumps
Only external support — Water supply
Main ladder can be used for rescuing people from
exterior windows, ledges, and rooftops within reach
of main ladder
Firefighter I

31. Aerial Ladders
Courtesy of District Chief Chris E. Mikal, NOFD
Photo Unit.
Apparatus equipped with hydraulically operated
extension ladders
Firefighter I

32. Aerial Ladders
In North America,
usually 50-135 feet (1541 m), but in Europe
sometimes as much as
300 feet (100 m)
Newer aerial ladders
equipped with built-in
waterways that supply
master stream nozzle
Firefighter I

33. Aerial Ladders
Master stream nozzles of both types of apparatus can
be operated by firefighters at ladder tip/on ground
Can be used for rescuing people from exterior
windows, ledges, rooftops within reach
Firefighter I

34. Aerial Platforms
Available in two configurations


Firefighter I
Aerial ladder platforms
Articulating aerial platforms

35. Aerial Platforms
All equipped with built-in waterways, some with
narrow escape ladders
Can be used for rescuing people
Engines equipped with hydraulically operated booms
that are dedicated to applying water
Most range from 50-130 feet (15-40 m) in length
Firefighter I

36. Water Towers
Some have narrow escape ladders attached to boom
Not designed for rescue operations
Firefighter I

37. Class C Fires
Involve energized electrical equipment
Major safety hazard — Firefighters fail to recognize
danger and take appropriate steps for protection
Once electrical power turned off, may self-extinguish
or fall into Class A or B
Firefighter I

38. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What are some examples of potential Class C fires?
Firefighter I

39. Class C Fires
In many commercial and high rise buildings,
electrical power necessary to operate essential
systems; not to be shut off until ordered
When handling fires in delicate electronic/computer
equipment, clean extinguishing agents should be
used
Multipurpose dry-chemical agents effective, but
some chemically reactive with components
Firefighter I

40. Class C Fires
Using water inappropriate because of shock hazard
Fire suppression techniques needed for fires
involving transmission lines and equipment,
underground lines, commercial high-voltage
installations
Departmental operating procedures
Firefighter I

41. Class C Fires: Transmission Lines and
Equipment
Relatively small number of electrical
emergencies involve fires in electrical
substations, transmission lines, associated
equipment
Firefighter I

42. Class C Fires: Transmission Lines and
Equipment
Electrical power lines sometimes break, start fires in
grass/other vegetation
Fires in electrical transformers common
Firefighter I

43. Class C Fires: Underground Transmission
Lines
Consist of conduits, vaults below grade
Most serious hazards presented are explosions
caused by fuses blowing or short-circuit arcing that
ignites accumulated gases
Electrical utility vault
Firefighter I

44. Class C Fires: Commercial High-Voltage
Installations
Many commercial/industrial complexes have
electrical equipment requiring 600+ volts
High-voltage signs may be on doors
Some transformers use flammable coolants that are
hazardous
Water should not be used because of potential
damage to electrical equipment uninvolved in fire
Because of toxic chemicals, smoke is additional
hazard
Firefighters should only enter for rescue
Firefighter I

45. Controlling Electrical Power
Advantageous for electrical power to
remain on for lighting, fire pumps, other
essential systems
Decision made by IC and Incident Safety
Officer
When power turned off, should be turned off at
main panel by power utility employee
Firefighter I

46. Controlling Electrical Power
Always follow departmental SOP
Removing meter may not completely stop flow of
electricity because of emergency power capabilities
Considerations for clandestine drug labs, indoor
marijuana-growing operations
Firefighter I

47. Electrical Shock
Consequences of electrical shock
Factors most affecting seriousness of electrical shock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaEfU47QY_k
Firefighter I

48. Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies

Firefighter I
Establish exclusion zone equal to one span all
directions from downed power lines

49. Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies
Be aware other wires may have been weakened by
short circuit, may fall at any time
Wear full protective clothing, use only tested and
approved tools with insulated handles
Guard against electrical shocks, burns, eye injuries
from electrical arcs
Wait for utility workers to cut power lines
Firefighter I

50. Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies
Use lockout/tagout
devices when
working on electrical
equipment
Be very careful when
raising/lowering ladders near power lines
(Continued)
Firefighter I

51. Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies
Do not touch any vehicle/apparatus in contact with
electrical wires
Jump clear of apparatus that may be energized by
contact with power lines
Do not use solid, straight streams on fires in
energized electrical equipment
Firefighter I

52. Guidelines for Electrical Emergencies
Use fog streams with at least 100 psi (700 kPa)
nozzle pressure
Be aware wire mesh or steel rail fences can be
energized by wires outside field of view
Where wires are down, heed any tingling sensation
felt in feet, back away
Avoid ground gradient hazards by maintaining large
safety zone around downed electrical wires
Firefighter I

53. Company-Level Fire Tactics
Standard tactical priorities — Life safety, incident
stabilization, property conservation
Order of priorities same, but actions taken on
fireground may/may not be performed in that order
Firefighter I

54. Responsibilities — First Due Engine
Company




If smoke/fire visible, may be departmental SOP to
stop, lay supply line from hydrant or end of
driveway into scene
Company officer will conduct rapid initial size-up
Assessment determines further actions taken by
first-due engine company
If by taking immediate action company can save
1+ lives, will do so even if not enough firefighters
on scene to form rapid intervention crew (RIC)
Firefighter I

55. Size-up
Definition

56. Arrival & Size-up
What are the issues or items to convey to Dispatch?



Type of building/occupancy involved
Specific condition found (smoke, fire, victims)
Initial attack mode






Transitional
Offensive
Defensive
Designate ALPHA side
Initiate Command
Any Additional resources needed

57. Size-up
Critical Needs:

360 walk-around for structures and good recon for larger
natural cover fires.

58. Responsibilities — First Due Engine
Company
If no obvious, immediate life-safety concerns, and
fire threatening to extend to another nearby
structure, officer may order lines pulled to apply
water to exposure
Officer may call for more resources
Given a small interior fire, company officer usually
assumes Command of incident
Once location of fire known, first-due engine
company will position initial attack hoseline to cover
priorities
Firefighter I

59. Prioritize incoming information
Smoke
Construction
Speed of the Incident
Realistic assessment of
savable lives
Resources enroute
Color, volume, velocity,
and density
Light weight vs noncomb, multiple story
Progression of fire & risk
to personnel
GO or No GO
Quality & quanity of
resources.

60. Smoke
Where is the seat of the
Fire?
What is the smoke telling
us?
What SOG would we
follow?
Attic Fires

61. Construction

62. Speed of the Fire
Where is the fire?
Time of the building?
What’s going wrong in
the picture?

63. Savable Lives?

64. Resources

65. 6 Problems at Fires
Fire



Offensive
Defensive
Transitional
Smoke


Ventilate (vertical,
horizontal)
Positive pressure
Poss. Victim(s)


Search
Assess situation of viable
victims
Confirmed Victim(s)



Rescue
Hold in place
Direct them
Access


Forcible entry
Alternate route
Exposures



Protect
Pressurize
Nothing

66. Responsibilities — Second Due Engine
Company



Must make sure adequate water supply
established to the fireground,
May finish hose lay, lay additional line, connect to
hydrant
Proceeds according to priorities
Firefighter I

67. Responsibilities — Fireground Support
Company



Firefighter I
Responsible for performing
tasks in order dictated by
situation
Functions may be performed
by engine personnel when
support companies not
available
May assist in making fire attack

68. Responsibilities — Rapid Intervention Crew
(RIC)

Consists of 2+ members wearing appropriate PPE,
radio; equipped with special rescue tools,
equipment necessary to effect rescue of other
emergency personnel
Firefighter I

69. Responsibilities — Rapid Intervention Crew
(RIC)
May be assigned other
emergency scene duties;
must be prepared to
drop those immediately
if needed
Exact number
determined by IC
How many is enough?
Firefighter I

70. Responsibilities — Chief Officer/
Incident Commander


Firefighter I
Upon arriving at scene, chief
officer may choose to
assume Command from
original IC, take
responsibility for all onscene operations
If original IC has incident
well organized, progress
toward incident
stabilization being made,
chief officer may assume
another role

71. Transfer of Command
 Command can be
transferred to a person with
a higher level of expertise or
authority
 Command can be
transferred face-to-face or
over the radio
 Preferably command can be
transferred only to someone
who is on-scene
 The person relinquishing
command should provide
any needed information to
the assuming command.

72. Transition of Command
When does this happen
or when should it
happen?



Complexity of Incident
Current IC requests
transfer
Incident
stabilization/mitigation is
compromised by current
strategy & tactics


Coaching
Suggestions

73. 5 Common Command Mistakes
1. Failing to process the meaning of the cues /clues
2. Misunderstanding the speed of the incident
3. Over-estimating abilities of their crews
4. Taking heroic actions without conducting a risk-
benefit assessment
5. Focusing on the wrong things or trying to process
to much information

74. Best Practices
Size-up must be on-going
Stay focused on big picture
Never miss commo from at-risk companies
Control your distractions and interruptions
Establish strong command presence



Keep track of your people
Control your emotions
Clear and concise orders
Develop good habits and routines
Pre-load your experiences

75. Incident Action Plan
Does every incident have
an Incident Action Plan?
YES!


IC’s head or
Written
Scene Mitigation

Personnel safety
Environmental issues
Forward planning

76. Attacking Fires in Upper Levels
 Fire attack typically initiated
from floor below fire floor
 Crews should check floors
above main fire floor for fire
extension, victims
 Staging usually established
two floors below fire floor
 Personnel must exercise
caution in streets around
outside perimeter of high-rise
building
Firefighter I

77. Fires Belowground in Structures
Can expose
firefighters to
extremely hostile
conditions
May be possible to
control fire without entering basement
Firefighter I

78. Fires Belowground in Structures
If cellar nozzle unavailable, firefighters may have to
enter burning basement
Good ventilation techniques extremely important
Heavy objects on floor above fire floor can increase
chance of floor collapse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVGQwLeeJx0
Firefighter I

79. Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems
Firefighters should be
familiar with systems in
buildings protected by
their department
Supporting systems
critical during fire
Types of systems
Dangers involved with
fires in occupancies with
fixed systems
Firefighter I

80. Preincident Plans
Often contain SOPs used at these occupancies
Include detailed descriptions of construction
features, contents, protection systems, surrounding
properties
May specify procedures for each company
Contain building map
Must be updated regularly
Firefighter I

81. Sprinklered Buildings
Support company personnel often used to manage
system’s operation
Must always follow departmental SOPs regarding
actions taken
Some possible actions
Firefighter I

82. Car Fires

83. Fires in Small Passenger Vehicles
Among most
common types
of fires to which
firefighters called
 Dictate firefighters
wear full PPE, SCBA

Courtesy of Bob Esposito
Firefighter I

84. Hazards
 Interior components on
vehicle mainly plastic, which
burns rapidly at high
temperatures and emits
toxic gases
 Gas-filled components
 Flammable Liquids
 Air Bags
 Hybrid vehicles incorporate
high-voltage cables,
components
 Do not assume any vehicle is
without extraordinary
hazards

86. Attacking Vehicle Fires
Fires under the Hood





Direct water into wheel
wells & Front grill.
Chock Wheels
Check for occupants
Engine Compartment
access
Extinguishment
Flammable Liquids


Fire Exinguisher
Class B Foam

87. Attacking Vehicle Fires
Fires in passenger area



Direct water on fire with
straight stream, sweeping
motion. Start at 50’ from
vehicle.
Advance on vehicle and
observe under the vehicle
for leaking flammable
liquids
Semi-fog pattern for final
knock down.

88. Attacking Vehicle Fires
Trunk Fires
Alternate fuel fires
Rear of Vehicles

Trailers


RV’s

LPG
CNG
Ethanol
Hybrids

Semi-Trucks

Nickel metal hydride
batteries
High-voltage –Orange
cables

90. Trash Container Fires
Possibility of exposure to toxic products of
combustion ever-present
 May include hazardous materials or plastics
 Full PPE, SCBA should be worn when attacking
any trash container fire

Firefighter I

91. Attacking Trash Container Fires
Size of attack line depends
on size of fire and
proximity to exposures
 Fires in small piles of
trash, garbage cans, small
containers can often be
extinguished with booster
line

Firefighter I

92. Attacking Trash Container Fires
Larger piles, larger containers, fires close to
exposures should be attacked with at least 1½-inch
(38 mm) line
Master streams may be needed to keep trash
container fires from spreading
Once fire has been controlled, may be possible to use
standard overhaul techniques to complete
extinguishment
May be advantageous to attack fire using Class A
foam
Firefighter I

93. Confined Spaces
Below grade or otherwise without natural/forced
ventilation
Atmospheric hazards
Physical hazards
Firefighter I

94. Confined Spaces
Where to find information on fire
Hazard mitigation plans
Because of hazards, command post and staging area
must be established outside hot zone
Firefighter I

95. Fire Attack
Fires may also be attacked indirectly with
penetrating nozzles, cellar nozzles, distributor
nozzles
Effective air-management system should be part of
IAP
Firefighter I

96. DISCUSSION QUESTION
When is it safe for firefighters to enter these confined
spaces?
Firefighter I

97. Natural Cover Fires

98. Parts of Wildland Fire
Firefighter I

99. Parts of Wildland Fire
Firefighter I

100. Wildland Fires
Include those in weeds,
grass, field crops,
brush, forests, similar
vegetation
Have characteristics
not comparable to fires in buildings
Main influences on wildland fire behavior
Firefighter I

101. Wildland Fire Impacts
Fuels



Grassy
Brush
Timber
Topography


Steep hills
Canyons
Weather




Wind
Relative Humidity
Temperature
Cold fronts/T-storms

102. Wildland Fires — Fuel
Classified by
grouping those
with similar
burning
characteristics
together
Factors affecting burning characteristics of fuels
Firefighter I

103. Wildland Fires — Fuel
Firefighter I

104. Wildland Fires — Topography
Steepness of slope affects
both rate, direction of
wildland fire’s spread
Fires will usually spread
faster uphill than down;
steeper the slope, faster fire
spreads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5eCA-TTJWI
Firefighter I

105. Wildland Fires — Weather
Wind
Temperature
Relative humidity
Precipitation
Firefighter I

106. Methods of Extinguishment

107. Attacking Wildland Fires
Methods revolve around
perimeter control
Control line may be at burning
edge, next to it, or a distance
away
Objective is to establish control
line that completely encircles
fire
Firefighter I

108. Wildland Fire Approaches
Direct attack is action taken directly against flames
at edge or closely parallel
Indirect attack used at varying distances from
advancing fire
Because wildland fire constantly changing, attack
methods may change
Firefighter I

110. Direct Attack
Containing and
extinguishing the fire at
its burning edge.
Advantages


Quick containment
Used most often on small
fires
Disadvantages

Working in smoke and
heat. Close to the fire

112. Indirect Attack
Most often used for large
Fires.
Building fireline along
natural breaks
Used when not enough
resources to mount
direct attack
When topography is to
rough that make direct
attack dangerous or
impossible.

113. Priorities of Attack
IC must assess &
evaluate priorities for
saving lives and property
before determining
attack mode.
Safety

Hazards
Contain perimeter first
Control Fire
Mop-up Standards

114. Size-up
Fire Behavior
Size of fire
Fuels & topography involved
Structures threatened
Resource needs
Attack mode
*make sure to recon fire if significant size
Assign resources – flanks, divisions, anchor points
Establish escape routes and safety zones

115. Cont.
Make sure every unit gets a briefing




Escape Routes and Safety Zones
Assignment
Supervisor
Current Situation
Use Proper Span of Control



Divisions
Groups
Task Forces
Remember other functions

Safety, Logistics, Information, etc….

116. Standard Fire Fighting Orders When
Fighting Wildland Fires
Keep informed on fire weather conditions,
forecasts
 Know what fire doing at all times
 Base all actions on current, expected behavior of
fire

Firefighter I

117. Standard Fire Fighting Orders When
Fighting Wildland Fires
Identify escape routes and safety zones, make them
known
Post lookouts when possible danger
Be alert, keep calm, think clearly, act decisively
Firefighter I

118. Standard Fire Fighting Orders When
Fighting Wildland Fires
Maintain prompt communications with your forces,
your supervisor, adjoining forces
Give clear instructions, ensure they are understood
Firefighter I

119. Standard Fire Fighting Orders When
Fighting Wildland Fires
Maintain control of forces at all times
Fight fire aggressively, providing for safety first
Firefighter I

120. Summary
Attacking fires early in their development is an
important aspect of a successful fire fighting
operation. Likewise, selecting and applying the most
effective fire attack strategy and tactics are also
important.
Failing to do any of these things can result in a fire
growing out of control, an increase in fire damage
and loss, and possibly in firefighter injuries.
Firefighter I

121. Summary
Firefighters need to know how to use the fire fighting
tools and techniques adopted by their departments.
They need to know how to safely and effectively
attack and extinguish structure fires, vehicle fires,
refuse fires, and wildland fires.
Firefighter I

122. Review Questions
1.
What initial actions should firefighters
take when suppressing a structural fire?
2.
What are the differences among a direct
attack, an indirect attack, and a combination
attack?
Firefighter I

123. Review Questions
3.
When are master streams usually
deployed?
4.
What are three guidelines for electrical
emergencies?
5.
What are the parts of a wildland fire?
Firefighter I