Construction Type and the Initial Report How often have you heard the first company on the scene give the initial report, “Engine so-and-so on the scene, two story Type 5, nothing showing, under investigation”? My guess is that, whether you are the officer or a firefighter riding in the back, your thoughts go back to where ever they were until you arrive on the scene, at which time you figure what you have to do. This is fine. But what if you really were aware of and used the information about the building you were given, simply because the type was identified? We tell each other the building type in our initial report in order to get the wheels turning about the tactics and potential problems that are unique to each building type. Let’s review some. We hear Type 1, and the wheels start turning. It’s probably a high-rise! Oh no (or words to that effect). What tools will I report in with (depending on engine or truck)? Where is the command post going to be? We’re first due, no problem — I reviewed high-rise procedures and am clear on what my responsibilities are going to be, given my assignment. Do we all have radios, and are we all on the tactical channel? These are just a few thoughts. I am sure you have your own checklist, right? If not, make one. The words “working fire in a one-story Type 2” resonate in my ears. My head goes to collapse zones, roll up doors, steel beams, and large lines. I am curious: what is on fire in this warehouse? HOW IS THE ROOF CONSTRUCTED? HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN BURNING? These are my thoughts. What are yours? You hear “Working fire, five-story Type 3.” Before I share some thoughts, would you agree that more information would be helpful? Is it residential? Where is the fire? If it is on the top floor, say so! Some of my “engine company” thoughts consider the interior stairway, standpipes, and sprinklers. My “truck company” thoughts consider aerial ladders, penthouse/bulkhead doors and fire escapes to name a few. How about yours? If we are talking top floor and I am on a truck, I am thinking about getting to and cutting the roof (along with all other roof responsibilities) and the tools needed for that operation. I know we must open up the walls quickly, while sufficient lines are lead. These are tough fires. It is not often we hear the words “Type 4.” When we do and they are accompanied by the words “working fire,” or worse yet, “smoke showing from blocks away,” I am thinking defensive operation vehicle placement (corners). Of course, we may make an offensive interior attack, but often these are the fires that get a big head start on us and the ones where we get to showcase our ladder pipe and "multiversal" talents. Thank goodness we just went over ladder-pipe operations and “defensive-strategy” apparatus placement recently. Bring it on! Finally and probably the most often heard words, therefore the most taken for granted, “working fire, two- or three-story type 5,” should really get the gray matter jumping. On a truck I start thinking ground ladders, so let’s put the rear of the apparatus in the best position to access them, and I'm thinking forcible entry and primary search. On the engine I start my thinking: ready lines (or static), hydrants and no kinks. We seem to instinctively visualize the type of fire and the strategy and tactics, all because we were told the type and height of the building. Amazing isn’t it? My goal here is to point out to you how much you already know about what we do — put fires out and rescue people. By the first arriving unit simply identifying of the type and height of building we are fighting in, we have a lot of the information we need. Should we be concerned with collapse zones? Is the primary search the first priority or is opening up the building the biggest challenge? Do we want to be on this roof? What are the risks? These are just a few of the many questions that an officer or a firefighter can be asking himself. The answers are in knowing the type of building you are going to be fighting in. I hope this simply raises your awareness of the information being given to you in the identification of the building type in an initial report, and I hope this motivates you to accurately identify building types and their heights in your initial reports to the rest of us. Please, if the fire is on the top floor, tell us; if it is not, tell us. Be safe, and watch each other’s back. © Copyright Firenuggets.com 2008 • Click here for Terms and Conditions of Use
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