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KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGI agree. Oddly enough, our department has also seen valuable improvements through post-incident critiques. Reviewing what went well, what didn’t, and identifying safety or equipment issues has led to better tactics, updated pre-plans, and enhanced training. Real-world experience is the best teacher, but taking time to reflect as a team makes that experience more effective. Learning from each other’s successes and mistakes helps prevent repeated errors and strengthens overall performance, safety, and preparedness across the entire department.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGAreas of improvement can be found before, during or after critiques. The person(s) involved in the incident/accident could do some self-reflection and notice that there might be some glaring problems within their day to day operations or thought processes. During the PIA/QA/QI session no fingers should be pointed at “who” was at fault but rather “what” was the problem and how to address it, improvement and grow from the situation. Whether it’s an EMS call or a fire call at a local dojo, there are always situations that can be improved to enhance quality of life and protect property, which are the two responsibilities of the fire department. In this profession, you either keep learning and furthering your education and knowledge or it is time to hang up the coat and suspenders and retire. Going home to our families after every shift should be the sole purpose of firefighters and in doing so, we need to learn from others who may have messed up and learn from those situations so that those incidents don’t happen again. Protecting the citizens of your jurisdiction should thought of second, because things can be replaced, but not people. Always be learning.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGCompletely agree. The first-arriving officer at a hazmat incident plays a critical role in defining and managing the situation. A thorough size-up, establishing command, requesting resources, and identifying the product are essential first steps. Isolating the scene, preventing ignition, and evaluating the need for evacuation are all vital to responder and public safety. Accurate identification of the material, using all available sources, ensures informed decision-making. Early actions directly impact the success and safety of the entire operation.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGAt a hazmat incident, the first-arriving officer has several critical responsibilities. The officer must first establish command and initiate scene size-up, identifying potential hazards, container types, placards, or visible leaks. Isolating and securing the area is essential to protect the public and responders by establishing hot, warm, and cold zones.
The officer must determine initial evacuation distances and deny entry to unauthorized personnel. They should also request appropriate hazmat resources and notify specialized teams as needed. The officer must ensure firefighters do not rush in without proper protective equipment and decontamination procedures. Establishing communications and beginning an incident action plan are also key. Protecting life, preventing contamination spread, and ensuring responder safety are the top priorities in the initial phase.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGYou make very good points about the supermarket fire DE Shadoin. Ventilation in a supermarket fire is essential for both evacuation and fire suppression. With smoke reducing visibility and threatening occupants, immediate ventilation can aid rescue efforts and reduce injuries. Utilizing built-in features like skylights or HVAC systems can be effective, and if needed, creating openings such as removing glass windows or using doors can establish airflow. However, it must be coordinated with suppression efforts, as improper ventilation may intensify fire spread through established flow paths.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGVentilation in a supermarket fire requires careful planning due to the building’s large open floor plan, high ceilings, and potential fuel load. Horizontal ventilation is often preferred, using existing doors and windows to release heat and smoke while maintaining structural safety. Positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) may be effective if applied correctly and coordinated with interior crews. Roof operations must be approached with caution, as lightweight truss construction is common and prone to early collapse under fire conditions.
Smoke can quickly bank down and reduce visibility, endangering occupants and firefighters. Coordination with suppression efforts is critical to prevent fire spread when introducing air. Ventilation must also consider the presence of hazardous materials like cleaning supplies and refrigeration units. Overall, safety and communication are essential.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGI agree DE Shadoin. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities vary widely in construction, from fire-resistive Type I to vulnerable Type V wood-frame structures. Converted homes especially present hidden hazards like vertical voids without fire stopping, increasing the risk of fire spread. Dormitory-style layouts also raise occupant vulnerability. Each construction type affects fire behavior, access, and rescue challenges. Understanding these differences is essential for developing effective strategies, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring firefighter and occupant safety during emergency operations.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGNursing homes and assisted living facilities may include several building construction types. Type I (Fire-Resistive) offers excellent fire resistance but is difficult to ventilate. Type II (Non-Combustible) limits fire spread but steel may fail quickly under heat. Type III (Ordinary) uses masonry and wood; it allows easy access but has hidden fire paths. Type IV (Heavy Timber) is durable and slow-burning, though rarely used today; high fuel load remains a concern. Type V (Wood Frame) is common in residential-style facilities—easy to build but poses high fire risk and fast structural collapse. Each type affects fire behavior and tactical decision-making. Knowing the construction type helps in assessing collapse potential, fire spread, and rescue operations, especially with immobile or vulnerable occupants.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGYou make a good point, an offensive attack in a vacant building can offer some benefits, such as quickly stopping fire spread and protecting exposures, but the risks are significant. Structural instability, hidden dangers, and potential for rapid collapse make these operations especially hazardous. Without confirmed life safety concerns, committing crews to an aggressive interior attack may not be justified. Vacant buildings often have limited salvage value, and the conditions inside are unpredictable. Firefighter safety must remain the top priority, and a defensive strategy is often the more prudent choice unless there is clear justification for going offensive. Careful size-up is essential.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGAn offensive attack in a vacant building can be both strategic and risky.
One advantage is that an aggressive interior attack can quickly control the fire, protecting nearby exposures and preventing collapse or spread to adjacent occupied structures. It also allows firefighters to access the seat of the fire and limit overall damage.
However, the risks often outweigh the benefits. Vacant buildings may have compromised structural integrity, hidden hazards, or unauthorized occupants such as squatters—all increasing the danger to personnel. Firefighters may also face hoarding conditions, weakened floors, or missing stairways. Without clear life safety concerns, committing crews to an interior attack can put them at unnecessary risk.
Additionally, limited property value in vacant structures may not justify the risk. Ultimately, an offensive strategy in a vacant building should be carefully weighed during size-up, with firefighter safety as the top priority and a defensive posture considered when conditions are too hazardous.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGInteresting enough, our department uses a nearly identical emergency evacuation protocol, with a sequence of three air horn blasts followed by a pause, repeated for up to a minute. This is paired with an emergency tone and evacuation order over FireCom to ensure clear communication. The use of PAR reports both during and after evacuation is essential for accountability and crew safety. The redundancy built into the system helps ensure no one is missed during high-risk situations, making it a reliable and effective method.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGIn our department, the emergency evacuation signal consists of repeated blasts of the apparatus air horn—typically three blasts repeated several times, followed by a radio announcement declaring “emergency evacuation” on the tactical channel. This dual-alert system ensures all personnel operating on the fireground, both inside and outside the structure, are immediately aware that conditions have become too hazardous and that a rapid withdrawal is required. Once the signal is given, all members are trained to evacuate immediately and report to their designated accountability location for a personnel check. This signal is critical for firefighter safety during flashover potential, structural compromise, or rapidly deteriorating conditions.
The department should test the emergency evacuation signal during live fire training evolutions, full-scale incident simulations, and quarterly drills. Frequent repetition during training ensures crews react quickly, understand the urgency of the signal, and maintain disciplined accountability practices when it matters most on the fireground, ensuring life safety.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGI could not agree more DE Shadoin. Balloon frame construction poses serious risks during fires due to its continuous wall cavities that allow rapid, concealed fire spread. Without horizontal fire stops, flames can move undetected between floors, reaching attics quickly. This hidden progression complicates detection, suppression, and ventilation efforts, increasing danger to both occupants and firefighters. The potential for undetected fire damage also raises the risk of structural collapse, making early recognition and tactical adaptation essential during firefighting operations in these buildings.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGBalloon-frame construction poses significant challenges during firefighting due to its continuous vertical spaces within the walls. In this type of structure, wall studs run unbroken from the foundation to the roof, creating concealed voids that allow fire, heat, and smoke to travel quickly between floors. This can lead to rapid vertical fire spread, often undetected until upper levels are involved.
Additionally, the lack of fire stopping between floors means fires can bypass traditional containment efforts. These conditions increase the risk of structural collapse and make ventilation and fire suppression more difficult. Firefighters must anticipate hidden fire travel, use thermal imaging to locate concealed flames, and consider early vertical ventilation.
Understanding the construction type during size-up is critical, as delayed recognition can compromise both occupant safety and firefighter operations.
KYLE FLEMINGParticipantKYLE FLEMINGThank you for your intellectual response to the discussion question. These considerations are critical for effective and safe fireground operations at an occupied apartment building. Protecting life, securing egress routes, containing fire spread both vertically and horizontally, and supporting search, rescue, and ventilation crews are all key priorities. Backup lines and master streams ensure adaptability if conditions worsen. Each hose-line must be strategically placed to address the specific threats present, balancing offensive attack with exposure protection and firefighter safety at all times.
