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By Rick Kolomay and Bob Hoff
The first-due engine arrives midday at a twelve-unit condominium for an activated fire alarm: “Nothing showing, companies will be investigating.” The engine officer can hear the activated alarm as he observes no smoke or excitement; for that matter, most of the building's occupants are not home. As he gains entry to the building, one of the firefighters chocks the entry door and notices a light haze and burning fabric odor. The first-floor door on the immediate right is knocked upon, but there is no answer and no sign of smoke pressure. As the truck company enters, the engine officer orders personnel to knock on the rest of doors on the second and third floors, then walk outside to check the windows. The smoke condition in the common hallway is getting worse, yet there is no obvious apartment to forcibly enter.
This is about the time when that engine officer has to regroup and take another look! The engine officer, following his size-up plan, calls for additional help knowing he will loose two firefighters (2 in – 2 out) if a fire attack must be made, and that many other assignments will have to be fulfilled beyond the capability of his present staffing.
He then notes that this building is lightweight frame, brick veneer, and energy efficient windows — a very tightly sealed building. It is now the time when everyone has to work as a team, not independently breaking windows, doors, or whatever comes to mind out of frustration. Let experience take control. Regroup the engine company from the investigation at the front entry door. THINK! A backdraft is very possible from long-burning fire in a tightly sealed building — if not a backdraft, a pre-heated apartment once ventilated can reach flashover incredibly fast causing a defensive operation with injury.
Suddenly a report from the outside over the radio informs the engine officer that there is a heavy smoke condition observed in the first-floor apartment on the immediate right! The teamwork between companies is working as the truck company officer regroups with the engine officer. The engine officer has now ordered a hoseline to be stretched, and communicates to the truck officer that forcible entry is needed, and outside ventilation. This is where the training pays off and the experience takes over! The engine officer, in this case, positions initially at the door, checks for heat, and then orders the charged line in the hallway. The nozzle, bled down and about ten feet from the door, allows the forcible-entry team to work on the door, yet in a key position to protect their efforts in case the door fails. Again the engine officer keeps a position near the door, a position of control, accountability, and communication! The engine officer is now thinking ventilation, and orders exterior ventilation immediately. With SCBA activated, the door is forced open, and the engine officer checks for heat as the smoke drops quickly and everything is by feel. As per training, the forcible-entry team drops low, chocks the door open, and moves to the side to make way for engine to proceed. The officer hears the glass, gets a bit of lift from the black tarry smoke, then sees a glimpse of orange. As the officer directs the nozzle position towards the fire, having cleared the threshold of the doorway, the forcible-entry team enters to conduct an interior search. This is a coordinated attack with control, accountability, and communication:
Reconnaissance ahead of the hoseline is only suggested when there are light smoke conditions. If the truck personnel proceed ahead of the nozzle in near “zero smoke” conditions, the engine might not be able to flow water with the fear of scalding the truck personnel (even with a straight or solid stream). If the truck must go around the engine company, inform the engine officer!
Officers must communicate between each other to coordinate and cover each other. As experienced on regular basis, once it goes black, there’s no going back! Training, actual rehearsal of a “hallway operation” is necessary.
Its everyone’s job to “kick out kinks,” and move hose!
When the engine officer calls for “More hose,” call for the exact amount instead or suffer the consequences of getting about 2½-feet, only to have to call for “More hose!” and get another 2½-feet! “Give me 10 feet!”
The engine officer (as all others) needs to check the heat level, listen for breaking glass and doors, roof ventilation, and the radio reports – basically be aware of your surroundings at all times!!!
The engine officers positioning at the door is a position of control, accountability, and communication. It is much like the position a conductor takes in front of a symphony! Even in limited visibility, by feel and voice, the officer can orchestrate an effective engine operation.
The engine officer should not be on the nozzle. You cannot command the army when you are busy shooting!
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