Where firefighters come to talk training
row frame fire scenario
A fire has been reported at 1604-17 St. It is Saturday and streets are congested. The wind is blowing at 15 MPH from the West, toward the D exposure. The temperature is 30º. The time is 2135 hours. There had been a recent snowstorm and the snow that was melting this afternoon as a result of warmer temperatures is gradually turning to ice as the night wears on.
Once on scene, you observe the following. There is smoke emanating from the cockloft area of a 2-story wood frame dwelling attached on both sides. Smoke is also evident at the cornices of both exposures. The top floor appears to be clear. There is a civilian at the window on the second floor of the fire building. Her condition is unclear. You have a report that the fire originated in the bathroom ceiling as a plumber was welding a pipe that had been leaking. There are no fire escapes on these buildings. There is a skylight and scuttle on the roof of each building. Water supply in the area is adequate for the expected fire load.
You are first on the scene as the Officer of Engine 1. The Chief is delayed. You have three firefighters assigned to you. You also have on the response another engine company and a ladder company. These are also staffed with 1 and 3. An additional alarm will bring another 2 engines and a ladder.
As you arrive, you notice some civilians stretching a garden hose into the building. They are frenzied and do not speak English. The smoke condition coming from the rear is increasing.
1. What is your first action at this fire?
a. Immediately stop the civilians from advancing the garden hose
b. Direct a recon of the rear to ascertain the location and extent of the fire
c. Establish Command and give a radio report
d. Direct the Ladder Company to rescue the civilian at the second floor window
2. What is the first priority of the initial-arriving Engine Company?
a. Rescue of victim at window via ground ladder
b. Confine and extingusih the fire
c. Protect the exposure
d. Protect stairwell
3. In regard to the fire's location and potential spread at this fire, what would be your major concern?
a. Open, interior stairs
b. Channel rails
c. Potential for open cockloft
d. Multiple drop ceilings
4. The Ladder Officer has ordered that the aerial be raised to the 2nd floor window and the first-arriving Ladder Company is climbing it in an attempt to remove a victim from the window. Comment on this:
a. Good practice. Remove the victim as soon as possible
b. Poor practice. The aerial should be raised to the roof to establish immediate ventilation of the cockloft via a roof cut
c. Good Practice. Vent, enter, search operations will allow for a second means of egress from the fire floor
d. Poor practice. The victim should be removed via the interior stairs
5. An additional alarm has been struck. Justify this action
a. Personnel will be required for immediate tactical reserve
b. Personnel will have to be committed early to most severe exposure
c. Additional personnel must be sent to the roof
d. Personnel will be required to operate as the RIC team
6. An attack and back-up line has been stretched into the fire apartment. Where would the next line be positioned?
a. On the first floor of the fire building
b. At the roof
c. Top floor of Exposure Bravo
d. Top floor of Exposure Delta
7. Where would you concentrate your second alarm forces at this fire?
a. Split them between the exposures
b. Send a task force into Exposure Delta
c. Split them between the Roof Division and reinforcement of the fire building
d. Send a task force to the Roof Division
8. How would you best initially attempt to limit fire spread to the building of origin?
a. Cut the roof as directly over the fire area as is safe
b. Pull the ceilings in the fire area
c. Pull the ceilings in the most severe exposure
d. Open the skylight and scuttle on the roof of the fire building
9. How should exposure coverage be addressed?
a. Exposure Delta should be protected exclusively
b. Exposure Bravo should be protected exclusively
c. Exposure Bravo should receive the highest priority, but Exposure Delta should be entered and checked
d. Exposure Delta should receive the highest priority, but Exposure Bravo should be entered and checked
10. To what extent would you evacuate these buildings?
a. Evacuate exposures B and D only
b. Evacuate exposure D only
c. Evacuate all exposures on the D side only
d. Evacuate all exposures
11. Suppose you are the Officer of Ladder 1. You are about to conduct vertical ventilation of the building. What would you do first?
a. Open the scuttle
b. Open the skylight
c. Cut the roof
d. Recon the rear of the building
12. What would you do in regard to the increasing volume of smoke coming from the rear of the building?
a. Stretch a line to the rear
b. Send a team to the rear for recon
c. Strike an additional alarm
d. Attack from the front
Once on scene, you observe the following. There is smoke emanating from the cockloft area of a 2-story wood frame dwelling attached on both sides. Smoke is also evident at the cornices of both exposures. The top floor appears to be clear. There is a civilian at the window on the second floor of the fire building. Her condition is unclear. You have a report that the fire originated in the bathroom ceiling as a plumber was welding a pipe that had been leaking. There are no fire escapes on these buildings. There is a skylight and scuttle on the roof of each building. Water supply in the area is adequate for the expected fire load.
You are first on the scene as the Officer of Engine 1. The Chief is delayed. You have three firefighters assigned to you. You also have on the response another engine company and a ladder company. These are also staffed with 1 and 3. An additional alarm will bring another 2 engines and a ladder.
As you arrive, you notice some civilians stretching a garden hose into the building. They are frenzied and do not speak English. The smoke condition coming from the rear is increasing.
1. What is your first action at this fire?
a. Immediately stop the civilians from advancing the garden hose
b. Direct a recon of the rear to ascertain the location and extent of the fire
c. Establish Command and give a radio report
d. Direct the Ladder Company to rescue the civilian at the second floor window
2. What is the first priority of the initial-arriving Engine Company?
a. Rescue of victim at window via ground ladder
b. Confine and extingusih the fire
c. Protect the exposure
d. Protect stairwell
3. In regard to the fire's location and potential spread at this fire, what would be your major concern?
a. Open, interior stairs
b. Channel rails
c. Potential for open cockloft
d. Multiple drop ceilings
4. The Ladder Officer has ordered that the aerial be raised to the 2nd floor window and the first-arriving Ladder Company is climbing it in an attempt to remove a victim from the window. Comment on this:
a. Good practice. Remove the victim as soon as possible
b. Poor practice. The aerial should be raised to the roof to establish immediate ventilation of the cockloft via a roof cut
c. Good Practice. Vent, enter, search operations will allow for a second means of egress from the fire floor
d. Poor practice. The victim should be removed via the interior stairs
5. An additional alarm has been struck. Justify this action
a. Personnel will be required for immediate tactical reserve
b. Personnel will have to be committed early to most severe exposure
c. Additional personnel must be sent to the roof
d. Personnel will be required to operate as the RIC team
6. An attack and back-up line has been stretched into the fire apartment. Where would the next line be positioned?
a. On the first floor of the fire building
b. At the roof
c. Top floor of Exposure Bravo
d. Top floor of Exposure Delta
7. Where would you concentrate your second alarm forces at this fire?
a. Split them between the exposures
b. Send a task force into Exposure Delta
c. Split them between the Roof Division and reinforcement of the fire building
d. Send a task force to the Roof Division
8. How would you best initially attempt to limit fire spread to the building of origin?
a. Cut the roof as directly over the fire area as is safe
b. Pull the ceilings in the fire area
c. Pull the ceilings in the most severe exposure
d. Open the skylight and scuttle on the roof of the fire building
9. How should exposure coverage be addressed?
a. Exposure Delta should be protected exclusively
b. Exposure Bravo should be protected exclusively
c. Exposure Bravo should receive the highest priority, but Exposure Delta should be entered and checked
d. Exposure Delta should receive the highest priority, but Exposure Bravo should be entered and checked
10. To what extent would you evacuate these buildings?
a. Evacuate exposures B and D only
b. Evacuate exposure D only
c. Evacuate all exposures on the D side only
d. Evacuate all exposures
11. Suppose you are the Officer of Ladder 1. You are about to conduct vertical ventilation of the building. What would you do first?
a. Open the scuttle
b. Open the skylight
c. Cut the roof
d. Recon the rear of the building
12. What would you do in regard to the increasing volume of smoke coming from the rear of the building?
a. Stretch a line to the rear
b. Send a team to the rear for recon
c. Strike an additional alarm
d. Attack from the front
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by John Salka on -
Tony,
This is a GREAT idea! I used to write questions for test prep in the FDNY. It really gets the guys thinking. Good idea. Let me know if you need a question or two, I think I have about 5,000 on file.
-
Permalink Reply by Anthony Avillo on
-
cool that makes 10,000
i was going to make it essay type answer too, but i think it is friendlier as a M/C 4 now
thanks for the support
stay safe bro
-
-
you can always be a guest scenario writer too! Start it as a new discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Dave LeBlanc on -
OK, here is my shot at this. We don't have a ton of row frames, but what the heck.
1. What is your first action at this fire?
c. Establish Command and give a radio report
2. What is the first priority of the initial-arriving Engine Company?
b. Confine and extingusih the fire
3. In regard to the fire's location and potential spread at this fire, what would be your major concern?
c. Potential for open cockloft
4. The Ladder Officer has ordered that the aerial be raised to the 2nd floor window and the first-arriving Ladder Company is climbing it in an attempt to remove a victim from the window. Comment on this:
b. Poor practice. The aerial should be raised to the roof to establish immediate ventilation of the cockloft via a roof cut
5. An additional alarm has been struck. Justify this action
b. Personnel will have to be committed early to most severe exposure
6. An attack and back-up line has been stretched into the fire apartment. Where would the next line be positioned?
d. Top floor of Exposure Delta
7. Where would you concentrate your second alarm forces at this fire?
a. Split them between the exposures
8. How would you best initially attempt to limit fire spread to the building of origin?
a. Cut the roof as directly over the fire area as is safe
9. How should exposure coverage be addressed?
d. Exposure Delta should receive the highest priority, but Exposure Bravo should be entered and checked
10. To what extent would you evacuate these buildings?
d. Evacuate all exposures
11. Suppose you are the Officer of Ladder 1. You are about to conduct vertical ventilation of the building. What would you do first?
b. Open the skylight
12. What would you do in regard to the increasing volume of smoke coming from the rear of the building?
c. Strike an additional alarm
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Mc Loone on -
I'll take a crack at it:
1. What is your first action at this fire?
c. Establish Command and give a radio report
2. What is the first priority of the initial-arriving Engine Company?
b. Confine and extingusih the fire
3. In regard to the fire's location and potential spread at this fire, what would be your major concern?
c. Potential for open cockloft
4. The Ladder Officer has ordered that the aerial be raised to the 2nd floor window and the first-arriving Ladder Company is climbing it in an attempt to remove a victim from the window. Comment on this:
b. Poor practice. The aerial should be raised to the roof to establish immediate ventilation of the cockloft via a roof cut
5. An additional alarm has been struck. Justify this action?
d. Personnel will be required to operate as the RIC team
6. An attack and back-up line has been stretched into the fire apartment. Where would the next line be positioned?
c. Top floor of Exposure Bravo
7. Where would you concentrate your second alarm forces at this fire?
a. Split them between the exposures
8. How would you best initially attempt to limit fire spread to the building of origin?
b. Pull the ceilings in the fire area
9. How should exposure coverage be addressed?
c. Exposure Bravo should receive the highest priority, but Exposure Delta should be entered and checked
10. To what extent would you evacuate these buildings?
a. Evacuate exposures B and D only
11. Suppose you are the Officer of Ladder 1. You are about to conduct vertical ventilation of the building. What would you do first?
d. Recon the rear of the building
12. What would you do in regard to the increasing volume of smoke coming from the rear of the building?
d. Attack from the front
I'd appreciate any feedback you can provide, chief.
Thanks.
Chris Mc Loone
-
Permalink Reply by Brent Sanger on -
Here's my shot at this:
1. First action on scene.....
Establish Command and give a size up
2. First Priority
Rescue the victim - Life Safety
3. Major Concern
Open common cockloft
4. Ladder company raising ladder to victim
Good Practice, Vent, enter, search operations will allow for a second means of egress from the fire floor
5. Justification for additional alarm
Exposures
6. Position of additional line
At the roof - protection for Vent Group
7. Concentration of second alarm forces
Task Force to Exposure Delta
8. Limit fire spread to building of origin
Open skuttle and skylight on roof
9. Addressing exposure coverage
Exposure Delta should receive high priority, byt Bravo should be checked and cleared
10. Extent of evacuations
Evacuate all exposures
11. Officer of Ladder 1, about to begin Vent Operations
Open scuttle hatch first
12. Increasing volume of smoke from rear
Recon team to rear
-
Permalink Reply by Dave LeBlanc on
-
Brett,
Not disagreeing, but just a question as to your question 2.
I have been taught that the visible victim may not be in the most danger, so while our natural tendency is to start rescue, sometimes a well placed line to the seat of the fire will save all the victims.
Would you decisons regarding the victim be different if you were the only company there for say 5 to 6 minutes, or would your decisions remain the same?
-
Permalink Reply by Brent Sanger on
-
I am basing these decisions on the resources available to me in my department, where we have 5 trucks on the scene of a fire, with a total of 7 firefighters, 3 of which are officers including the deputy chief. We have no second alarm capability, and our volunteer response depends on the time of day and the day of the week as to how well they can respond.
-
-
if you were the only company there and no one else and fire was directly threatyening the victim, u are best making the resceu. if u r an engine and a laddwer is arriving close behind, let them make the rescue and stretch a line
we will visit this concept in future scenarios
my best advice when doing these scenarios is to answer the question and not read into
creating your own scenario will kill u in the test world and possibly hamper your decisionmaking on the fireground
aa
-
Permalink Reply by Dave LeBlanc on
-
Anthony,
Not reading into as much as making a decision based on how much danger the victim appears to be in.
The Top floor is clear with smoke from the cockloft, it may be moot as the first line may end up in the immediate vicinity of the victim as it is stretched, but if you committ your first due engine (and I based mine answers on your supplied response) to the rescue, then the fire will have another 4 or 5 minutes minimum of unchecked spread. Based on the initial report and size up, you have no idea how many people are still in the building.
-
-
OK
ANSWERS TO SCENARIO #1
will get another scenario up asap
advice here -- answers the questions based on the scenario and the resources listed
don't make your own stuff up or you could justify any answer
have an open mind, speak it in response, you may not agree with me, that's OK
the overiding concern will always be safety
1. C -- always establish command as a first act -- control of the fire begins with control of the fireground
2. B -- basic engine priorities -- loacte, confine, extinguish. leave the rescue, if warranted, to the ladder
3. C -- top floor fire, attached buildings, fire started in ceiling -- biggest concern -- fire spread upward and outward. If this was a lower floor fire, answer would have been the open stairs
4. D -- while aerial (or ground ladder) should be raised to roof of upwind exposure, the fact here is that personnel are being wasted by "rescuing" someone who can probably walk down the stairs -- the safest. msot effective path of least resistance out of the building. Also, "immediate" venting of the cockloft is not done by cutting the roof. It is done thorugh natural openings -- critical reading here -- a must for those taking exams and opening roofs
5. B -- We must get ahead of this fire ASAP -- that requires more people and quick
6. D -- wind toward D exposure
7. A -- must get reports and lines to both exposure -- can do this with 1 engine company and 2 ladder personnel in each exposure initially. This compliment then gets reinforced or reduced based on reports
8. D -- get the natural openings vented first, punch out the returns to vent the cockloft
9. D -- based on wind conditions while keeping an eye on the windward side as conditions can change.
10. D -- old combustible buildings, 15 MPH wind, evidence of conditions worsening at the rear and in the cockloft. don't gamble -- life first
11. B. In these old buildings, the skylite is usually over the stairs while the scuttle may be at the end of the hallway, maybe in a closet like enclosure. They both must be opened, but the skylite will provide a better opportunity at initial venting. By the way, doing a recon of the rear is proper, but it does not vertically vent the building, which is what you are being asked to do
12. B -- Recon, then take action based on reports. An initial scene assignment that mandates someone check the rear would provide the needed info quickly. Premature line placement may cause opposing streams. Just attacking from the front does not address the concern as it is stated in the question. Get info, take action, evaluate, modify as needed
If you would like to discuss any of these, reply here and we will do that
Hope you found this a challenge
aa
-
Permalink Reply by Dave LeBlanc on
-
Tony,
Good tips. I am happy with my answers considering we don't have any row frames. I picked upa few tips on cockloft operations. All good bro. Keep 'em coming.
A Message From Bobby Halton
We are excited to have you participate in our discussions and interactive forums. Before you begin posting, please take a moment to read our policy page HERE.
Badge
Fire Engineering Features
NFPA 1403 Live-Fire Evolutions at Fire Service Training Centers
Live fire training is an essential part of a firefighter's education, but there are significant differences between training at gas-fired versus non-gas-fired structures. Mike Gurr takes a closer look.Fire Engineering University: Online Continuing Education for Firefighters
Fire Engineering University is changing the way fire service professionals approach continuing education. Our goal is to provide you with relevant, topical educational content that is easily accessible. For a full listing of courses with descriptions, credits, and fees, go to www.fireengineeringuniversity.com.New Vehicle Extrication: 2010 Lexus HS250h
The first compact hybrid luxury sedan, this hybrid only model contains several unique features, including numerous air bags. Jason Emery reviews considerations for vehicle rescue operations.© 2010 Created by fireeng
