Brennan Q&A

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TOM BRENNAN has more than 35 years of fire service experience having responded to 33,000 fire alarms. His career spans more than 20 years with the Fire Department of New York as well as four years as chief of the Waterbury (Conn.) Fire Department. He has a bachelor of science degree, summa cum laude, John Jay College; Alumnus of the Year Award, John Jay College; chairman of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and a charter member of the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Service Section. He has delivered courses and seminars throughout the United States and has instructed at the National Fire Academy. He was the editor of Fire Engineering Magazine for eight years, is currently a technical editor, and his column “Random Thoughts,” is a regular monthly feature. He is co-editor of The Fire Chief’s Handbook, Fifth Edition. He is the recipient of the 1998 Fire Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award.

Question: I am a career firefighter in Virginia, and while I am home I serve as the volunteer fire chief in my small and rural department. In keeping with my fireground philosophy of “keeping it simple as possible,” I believe that the first hose line stretched into a dwelling fire should be advanced to operate between the probable occupants and the threatening fire condition. This sometimes is in conflict with the theory of advancing the nozzle from the “unburned side.” Today I responded to a typical two-story private dwelling, platform construction, two-car attached garage, peak roof with dormers; exposures B and D were similar construction and about 30 feet from the fire building. There was a moderate smoke condition showing through an open front door and an open garage door on my arrival — first unit on the scene. I gave a preliminary report and established command and “took a look” while units were still responding. Through the moderate smoke at the front door you could make out the open stair to the second floor and fire was “licking” out of the cellar entrance beneath and to the rear of the staircase and rolling to the foyer. The first engine arrived. I ordered the first officer to stretch the first line to the fire at the top of the cellar stairs and protect the interior and the open stair to the second floor. This officer and his crew took this line into the open garage, into the house and made a U-turn into the hallway and attacked the fire extending out of the cellar stair entrance. The stream caused the front door to slam shut and lock. The venting fire now pressurized the interior and the second floor via the open stair and cause some steam conditions to surround the firefighters. When confronted by me, this officer said that he wanted to attack the fire from the Unburned Side and did not agree with my tactical decision. I can see the validity of the unburned-side theory, but that is not the only thing upon which you base your attack tactics to support the offensive strategy. How do you know what to base your initial line placement on? How do you debate this topic with someone who refuses to take all the factors into consideration (the first-arriving line officer)?

Answer: Oh man! Oh man! Do you have problems!

From my perspective you have two. Let’s take the simple one first!

Once you plan an offensive interior attack on or at a structure that appears to be occupied or can be occupied, the first handline has objectives based on the fire condition, the type of structure, and the life hazard seen, life hazard perceived, and structural salvage considerations in that order.

To be short, the first line is stretched to protect the occupants from the fire. It is stretched so that the nozzle will basically split the fire and push it away from the victims and give them time to be removed or rescued.

The second consideration is to stretch to protect the open interior stair. Get the line between the stair and the extending fire condition — in this case, the open cellar stair.

The third and last consideration for the first handline at a structure fire that will be fought offensively is to protect the most unaffected area from the extending fire. In short, again, stretch to cut off the fire from the largest amount of fuel left still unburned.

So in my opinion, you were correct! The whole preparation you performed was correct! You appear to have your head together and are a good officer. Up to a point.

Which brings us to the biggest problem you have! The company officer!

His function is not to debate your order after size-up and command establishment. Period! What you have here is insubordination at the grossest level! It must be dealt with pronto!

You have described the worst case of breakdown and collapse of command. And this is in the easiest place to assert your professionalism as a chief and orchestrate the firefight. It gets harder in routine operations with no fire!

This fire officer (?) is probably your worst problem in the station, at meetings, at social functions, at parades, at drills, everywhere! Besides, not only does the rest of the department know it, but also they watch every move you make in anticipation that you straighten out the situation once and for all.

The good side of this is, “Don’t worry!” You are not alone! How do you think that it was so easy for me to “see” the problem jump off the paper you sent?

We have all been there. Don’t stay there too long, brother!