Brennan Q&A January 2005

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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.

JANUARY 2005

Question: I recently responded to a fire that is really bothering me. I was the officer of the first-arriving truck at a middle-row townhouse. We had heavy fire through the roof on arrival, with fire on two floors. We had a report from a neighbor that someone might be in the fire occupancy. Two crews commited to a search, and my crew of two was preparing to enter. I didn't like the conditions as I viewed them when we arrived. Now, two minutes later I was being ask to enter. Prior to entry, the roof collapsed with six firemen on the top floor. Fortunately, everyone got out with some assistance. I was later told that collapse was not a great concern because the structural members of a townhome roof are not that heavy; therefore, it is not that big of a deal. This comment goes against everything I have been taught over the past few years. I know you were not there, but please give me some advise on this matter. I know we are sworn to protect life, but at what cost to us? I just want to do my job to the best of my ability while protecting not only the lives of the citizens, but more importantly the lives of the crew I am working with. Thanks.

Answer: This is one of the most disturbing questions I have ever received. I don't know what the department name is nor the location in the country — a good thing.

First, the row townhouse that you hint at is assuredly of small-dimension, wood-frame construction and is probably supported with combinations of hidden truss assemblies on all floors and roof-supporting assemblies. If it is, as you say, in the middle structure, you have a tremendous fire problem that most departments will "play" with all the strategic functions in their game plan, depending on how many tactics they can mount as quickly as possible all at once.

Next, you say that the fire was already on the first floor and extended to the second and thence to the attic space and through the roof. Collapse is a real possibility (as you correctly read) soon into the firefight and offensive considerations applied to the exposures. As to the reports of "missing occupants," if I had an automobile for every "well-meaning" but false report of trapped or probable occupants at fires during my career, I would be the owner of a dealership! That data, though, needs to be noted and recorded and acted upon at the command post in the risk analysis of the situation at the time. While I agree that you must risk a lot to save a lot, your description of the fireground does not allow for a reentry to the occupancy you picture for us.

The next shocking event you describe is the collapse of the roof structure effecting six firefighters, it is not clear from what you say whether they were on the roof and came down with it or within the structure and were momentarily trapped. The point is that you sized it up on arrival. As the officer of a truck company, you are the most active decision-maker at that fire. Strategy is manipulated by incident command, based on the tactical deployment throughout the incident, and is adjusted, communicated, changed and monitored by the truck company officers more than any other person/position on the fireground.

When I read that the feedback from the department was that rowframe homes are not so structurally heavy as to cause damage, I almost didn't want to read any further. I said a prayer for all the brothers that I have lost, or heard of being lost, in structures like this. The statement ranks with the worst I have heard in 40 years.

To conclude, just because you asked: 1. My vision of the fire you describe is such that the fire has already vented itself in the best location, directly over itself, to the outer air. It is too dangerous to enlarge that hole. 2. You have two floors of fire in a row-frame type of dwelling. That in and of itself is a collapse indicator IF the fire is not positively effected within 10 to 20 minutes. 3. A defensive outside stand must be made on the fire occupancy 4. A simultaneous offensive attack should be planned and mounted for the attached exposures with the overall thought to "pinch" the fire off, if possible. I think, based on your description of the events and attitude of your department, that you had a total defensive firefight on your hands shortly.

Please study hard and take over the thinking of the department that you describe here. You have my e-ail address, and I would like to hear more from you.

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Write if you agree or don’t agree or on anything. Tbrennan@firenuggets.com

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