Ten Commandments of Truck Company Operations, Part 1

By John Mittendorf

It is an accepted fact that fireground operations consist of two specific viewpoints — fire attack and logistical operations (also known as truck company operations), yet these viewpoints are interrelated from the perspective of safety and a timely mitigation of an incident. Although there are numerous “comments” that have long been directed at truck companies such as “truck companies cut holes in a roof so they can look down and see who put the fire out,” “truck and engine company personnel have always had one thing in common; they both always wanted to work on an engine company,” and so on, it is an accepted fact that although water extinguishes structural fires, truck company operations determine how structural fires will be extinguished. Remember, the best engine company in the world cannot put the wet stuff on the red stuff unless they can get to the red stuff in a timely and safe manner. It is also a fact that the two most important facets of truck company operations — ventilation and forcible entry/exit — are both directed towards improving the safety; not only for occupants but also for fireground personnel. Therefore, the importance of truck company operations cannot be overstated. Not surprisingly, the Los Angeles Fire Department has long placed a high priority on the importance of truck company operations and is considered one of; if not the best truck company department in the nation.

With these thoughts in mind, let’s begin a new series that will overview truck operations by first looking at five basic rules of fireground safety and then the Ten Commandments of Truck Company Operations.

FIVE BASIC RULES OF FIREGROUND SAFETY

There are many facets that collectively combine to form the perspective that a truck company could be perceived as an efficient fireground logistical company. Interestingly, most fireground problems and/or actions that are prime contributors to fireground inefficiency, injury or death are commonly the result of fireground personnel violating basic safety principles — and safety principles most fireground personnel are familiar with! As an example, fireground problems can often be fittingly divided into mistakes and dumb mistakes. Fireground mistakes can be defined as “you knowingly violate a basic safety principle and get away with it!” Although, every firefighter is familiar with this definition, the end result is normally placed under the heading of “no harm, no foul.” This means that if there are no resultant injuries, there are generally no changes to Standard Operational Procedures (SOP’s). Conversely, dumb fireground mistakes can be defined as “you knowingly violate a basic safety principle and it bites you.” Obviously, these types of mistakes can result in serious consequences as opposed to the previous definition of fireground mistakes. These simple yet relevant definitions underscore the need for every fireground firefighter to be fully aware of the basics and practice them on a continual basis.

To summarize these two basic viewpoints, let’s review five basic rules of fireground safety (that can equally apply to every fireground firefighter, regardless of rank or company assignment):

1. FALLING DEBRIS ALWAYS HAS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY

This simple yet basic rule has not changed since the advent of the fire service. However, it has never been more applicable than today due to the result of alternative building materials (and methods) that are commonly used in typical residential and commercial buildings that as a result do not offer the structural integrity of the building materials of yesterday. Therefore, it is vitally important that modern firefighters are continually aware of where they are in relation to a fire.

When this perspective is applied to modern lightweight truss construction a firefighter should re-evaluate their intended operation and location when fire is known or suspected to be above or below their location. “If it is not safe enough to stand on it, it also is not safe enough to stand below it!”

2. EQUIPMENT ON YOUR APPARATUS IN THE STREET IS UNUSABLE ON THE FIREGROUND

Practically applied to fireground operations, a firefighter should always have a tool in their possession, and the more versatile the tool the better. A classic example is a pickhead axe and a scabbard. The scabbard allows an axe to be easily carried yet leaving both hands free to accomplish other operations-tasks. A pickhead axe is one of the most versatile tools in the fire service yet they are often found mounted on fire apparatus in front of an incident when they should be ready for immediate use on the fireground. Always try to maximize your fireground flexibility as “empty-handed” firefighters often have to go back to an apparatus to retrieve a tool to complete a specific task and/or suddenly wish they had a tool to save their life!

3. IF THE FIRE IS IN RANGE, SO ARE YOU

The closer fireground personnel are to a fire, the closer they are to a potential structural collapse. Although this rule applies to any type of construction, it noticeably applies to lightweight construction from three perspectives. One, a noteworthy number of modern residential and commercial buildings are constructed with a fascia on at least the front portion of the building. Most fascias are constructed with lightweight trusses, are common to the attic of the building, are not sprinklered, and project over the front portion of the building. If fire has extended into a fascia, this style of construction suddenly becomes a potential collapse hazard over the entry and exit point (normally the front door) of the structure. Where do most firefighters enter a structure for suppression operations? Answer — the front door!

Secondly, it is a known fact that lightweight trusses can collapse in about 5 minutes when exposed to fire. If fire is overhead (attic, interstitial space, etc) of advancing firefighters, they can be in the wrong place at the wrong time unless the fire is quickly extinguished. This is a good reason why the two basic tools that should be carried by initial entry personnel should be a hose line and a pike pole.

Thirdly, truck company firefighters who have been in the fire service for a number of years will readily admit that when applied to roof ventilation operations, the old axiom of “if a conventional roof feels strong, it probably is” was used as a basic roof safety rule. However, this rule does not apply to roof ventilation operations on lightweight truss roofs (metal or wood) if the fire is underneath your location. This basic fact means that roof ventilation is not a feasible operation over fire in lightweight roofs.

To be continued in the next issue.

Chief Mittendorf is the author of “Truck Company Operations” and “Facing the Promotional Interview.” To purchase, return to the Main page and scroll down to Fire Nuggets Books and Videos.

© Copyright Firenuggets.com 2010 • Click here for Terms and Conditions of Use

<•••SIGN OUT

RETURN TO CURRENT ISSUE INDEX