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Pre-control Overhaul
Not very glamorous work, but absolutely critical!
I will always remember the countless number of basic classes that I completed during the first several years of my fire service career. One that is still taught in many fire academies and community colleges is titled “Salvage and Overhaul.” The name reeks with an exaggerated sense of importance given to SALVAGE, but overhaul seems to be somewhat of an afterthought.
As a new firefighter, I took many things for granted and simply did not have the experience to know any better. At that point in time, it seemed perfectly acceptable to me that salvage and overhaul were two very important, interrelated fire ground functions. Like good wine, we firefighters also age over time, and in most cases we get better. This is simply based on gaining experience.
“Experience is a great teacher, unfortunately you get the exam before you have had a chance to study the material.”
Yes, much of what the Fire Nuggets reader gets is based on the experiences of countless fire service professionals. In my case, I attempt to pass on what I have learned over the years, sometimes that which has been learned the hard way. Needless to say, my experience has taught me that salvage and overhaul are, in fact, two completely different fire ground functions, which should rarely even be mentioned together in the same phrase.
In fact, I find it absolutely criminal when some books advocate the placement of salvage covers as a higher priority than pulling the ceiling and getting water on the fire. Firefighters may suffer injuries or worse by following such a dangerous recommendation.
“While the brave firefighters were in the process of completing the patented Balloon Throw of a 12-foot by 18-foot salvage cover, in order to protect a piano from water damage, the uncontrolled fire burning in the attic caused the lightweight truss to collapse on them.” That’s what the NFPA Report might read concerning another tragic loss of several firefighters. Once again, the truss is blamed for the tragedy, when, in fact, we may need to look at how we are training our firefighters.
Several generations of firefighters has been taught salvage and overhaul, with an emphasis of salvage. Furthermore, countless firefighters have had the issue of “water damage” drilled into them like the leader of a cult preparing his flock for an invasion from Mars. We must lead firefighters, and an important fire-ground tactic that must be taught and honed by all is that of pre-control overhaul.
In his book, The Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, Chief John Norman explains overhaul in a very concise and basic manner. As with search operations, he breaks it down into two categories: pre-control overhaul and post-control overhaul. That’s right, two distinct categories; and which one is the most important?
PRE-CONTROL OVERHAUL! A fire is burning in any building, in any town U.S.A. The engine company arrives; the crew stretches an attack line; they get water on the fire; and the typical radio message is: “Engine 1 to Command: ‘we got the fire knocked, we need some ventilation.’”
If I have heard this once, I’ve heard it a thousand times. It immediately puts everyone in a different mind-set, and sets the gears in motion to create another parking lot, or potentially lead to a loss of life. This scenario, which is not all that unusual, is missing a very critical fire-ground component, pre-control overhaul.
We must begin by teaching all firefighters, New Boys and Veterans alike, that FIRE is six-sided and multidimensional. Sure, it seems simple enough; but all firefighters must completely understand that the fire is moving in six specific directions, up, down, and to all four sides; and until we stop it, it’s going to destroy whatever is in its path. We’ve all heard it before: we must “check for extension.” That, my fellow firefighters, is what we call pre-control overhaul. Lead by example, and try this out for size: "Engine 1 to Command: We have knocked down a large body of fire on the first floor; we need to check for extension and any other fires.”
This message puts everyone on the fire ground in a more appropriate mind-set. It’s not over yet; we don’t have control of the fire; we must check for extension. And what if the arsonist set any other fires, in the basement, on the second floor, etc.? That’s right, leave your salvage covers on the rig for now; forget about water damage as the fire burns in six directions; and get serious about stopping this fire.
“What about water damage? And what about the unnecessary damage caused by the over-zealous testosterone-laden truckie armed with a six-foot pike pole? You see, our fire department is very concerned about customer service and protecting property. We simply don’t tolerate water damage or poking holes in walls and ceilings.” Does this sound familiar? If it does, change your organization through leadership by example.
Don’t get me wrong. I too am a proponent of customer service. However, it is poor customer service to let the house burn down while playing pre-control salvage. Salvage, as with water damage, is a post-control issue! Inflicting some damage now will likely prevent a lot of damage later.
Pre-control overhaul is a very basic fire-ground function. Every fire department has the basic striking, pulling, and prying tools necessary to effectively complete it. Keep it simple! First, it all boils down to mind-set. Every firefighter on the fire ground must believe and understand that the fire has the potential to move in all six directions. Unless you’ve talked to the Psychic Friends Network, you have no idea whether or not the fire has extended until you open up and check.
Whoever is going to perform your truck company functions must be given tool assignments prior to the fire. That’s right, be proactive. A team of two firefighters properly equipped can, in most cases, force entry for the engine company, initiate a primary search, complete the appropriate horizontal ventilation as they search, and, last but not least, accomplish the critical component of pre-control overhaul.
The engine company knocks down a large body of fire on the first floor, and before the company officer can say the words, the truck crew is pulling the ceiling, opening the walls, and truly identifying whether or not the fire has been stopped. Oh yes, I can just hear it now. Someone, somewhere is freaking out because of all that damage. If a working fire occurs in a room, do you think the walls and ceiling might have to be replaced due to smoke damage alone? They absolutely will. The price of a 4x8 sheet of drywall at Home Depot is $4.95. Add some texture and paint and you might just get past the deductible. In most cases, the ceiling is coming down anyway. The customer might appreciate it if you did it for them!
The fire investigators out there might be getting a little hot under the collar as I encourage young firefighters to drop ceiling on the evidence. But remember this, before you can get down and sniff the ashes, there must actually be a building standing. Therefore, good aggressive pre-control overhaul actually allows for an investigation to take place. Yes, most truck crews will help the investigator out by carefully lifting the ceiling debris up and off the evidence.
We want a thorough, coordinated fire-ground operation, EVERYTIME! That includes aggressive, yet calculated and common-sense pre-control overhaul. As with a well-executed military assault, we must identify, open up, and get to all six sides of the fire in order to stop extension. It’s not glamorous work! It is, in fact, dirty, dangerous, and conducted during the pre-control phase of the operation. If done proactively and correctly, it is what allows you to gain control of the fire. Carry the proper tools with you, and, if in doubt, open it up.
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