July-August 2010 Issue

	July-August 2010

Ten Commandments of Truck Company Operations, Part 2

By John Mittendorf

WHAT YOU SEE MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU GET
Modern building construction is very adept at making new buildings look like old buildings. Why? Because older buildings normally required more time to construct due to the size and shape of building materials and the fact that older buildings utilized more decorative materials and/or styles to enhance the exterior look of a building. Today, these methods and techniques are not cost effective. Several examples of how the exterior appearance of modern buildings can be deceiving are (1) brick veneer attached to the outside of a building in order to give the building a substantial masonry look, (2) exposed 2x6-inch rafter tails that are attached to 2x4-inch rafters within the building, and (3) foam cornices that are attached to the exterior of a building with adhesives and then covered with plaster type materials. These are common examples of modern construction attempting to make a building look like what it really is not. The general theme of modern building construction is to construct a building as fast and cheap as possible which ultimately saves construction costs but has also dramatically changed what a modern building really is behind an attractive exterior façade.

YOUR FIREGROUND TIME IS SLOWLY BEING MINIMIZED
Modern building materials and the widespread use of plastics in residential and commercial buildings have changed the way modern fires burn. Lightweight truss construction has been around since 1960 so there is no excuse for a firefighter to be unaware of the fast failure rate of lightweight trusses when they are exposed to fire or high heat. Now it appears the building industry is preparing to adopt the widespread use of glued lightweight trusses that will continue to erode fireground time.

Additionally, plastics (or petrochemical based compounds) are readily found in residential and commercial buildings. This has resulted in fires that burn two to three times hotter and faster than the fires of the 1960’s and 1970’s with flashover a common fireground problem that most modern firefighters are well aware of. As the building industry continues to adopt and use building materials that are smaller in size, use geometry instead of mass for strength, use adhesives instead of nails, and use oil-based synthetic compounds for furnishings, the fireground will continue to offer less time before structural collapse and/or flashover conditions that can result in insufficient time to safely extinguish a routine structural fire and/or the ability of interior personnel to exit a structure in a timely manner.

Using the preceding fireground safety rules as a foundation, let’s review ten common fireground considerations from a truck company perspective and under the title of Ten Commandments of Truck Company Operations. Although the following list will not be all-inclusive, it will focus on firefighter safety and hopefully provide a starting point for thought and discussion as fireground logistical considerations are slowly being diluted from reduced staffing levels and increased constraints such as 2-in/2-out, RIT teams, and other similar perceived priorities.

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF TRUCK COMPANY OPERATIONS

DON’T FORGET YOUR PRIMARY MISSION
Structural fireground operations consist of two basic procedures — fire attack and logistical operations. However, virtually all firefighters joined the fire service so they could “put the wet stuff on the red stuff.” Additionally, this fact becomes even more amusing when an engine company can beat another engine company into that company’s district and put first water on the other company’s fire. However, the best attack company on this planet is worthless if they cannot get to a fire and/or extinguish a fire in a safe and timely manner. As an example, forcible entry is normally required at most structural incidents before fireground personnel can enter a structure. This perspective is the primary responsibility of logistical operations (or support operations) that are designed to ensure that ladders, forcible entry, forcible exit, and ventilation operations allow an attack company to put the wet stuff on the red stuff in a safe and timely manner. This basic concept is the focal point of truck company operations and implies that the first priority of truck company personnel are to support attack operations and not stretch an initial or additional hose line.

IT’S THE BASICS BEFORE ARRIVING ON-SCENE
Without a doubt, company efficiency and firefighter safety begins long before a truck company responds to an incident.

Pre-Planning
The need to pre-plan a district cannot be over-emphasized enough. Although the term pre-planning can apply to numerous viewpoints, it specifically applies to successfully operating within your fireground office with a truck company. What is the definition of your fireground office when applied to a truck company? It is the sum total of the buildings, related hazards, and the ability to effectively use your truck apparatus within the various constraints of your district. Every member should review their apparatus at the start of each tour of duty and that includes the cleanliness and readiness of tools and equipment, particularly those items that each member is primarily responsible for. That is one reason why pre-designated assignments (or riding positions) can be beneficial. One specific pre-check to consider is the readiness of your SCBA bottle. Is it full, clean, and ready for immediate use? Volunteer or smaller paid companies that do not have a daily or regular change (or rotation) of personnel should have a SOP for the constant review of the readiness of their apparatus and equipment.

Company personnel should also be familiar with the various types of buildings within their district and specific hazards that can be attributed to specific buildings. Forcible entry problems, minimal space constraints for portable ladders, floor plans that defy recognition from the exterior of a building, considerations within a structure (such as overcrowding conditions, poor exit possibilities for occupants, etc) and a host of other considerations should not be classified under the heading of “a surprise” when operating on the fireground. Additionally, remember that most truck apparatus are significantly heavier and larger than other types of apparatus. Therefore, common response routes should be evaluated for applicable hazards, and any spotting constraints to buildings (within a district the truck normally responds to) should be evaluated for any alternate options that can be utilized at an incident.

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.

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