BY ERICH J. RODEN AND RAY McCORMACK
Many initial fireground tasks must be accomplished simultaneously and sequentially for a successful firefight. Each initial task specifically relies on the collective effort of the first-due engine and truck. The initial duties of these two companies are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they are complementary to each other with regard to placing the most critical life-saving tool on the fireground in operation, the first line. Moreover, rapidly placing and operating the first line allows both companies to save the most lives when they are at the greatest risk, the first few critical minutes on-scene.
However, there are times when the first-due engine company responds to a structural fire without a truck company. Some reasons for this might be engine companies quartered by themselves, engines or trucks responding out of sequence or responding from another alarm, and apparatus accidents. Regardless of the reason, the burden of accomplishing the requisite duties now would fall on the first-due engine exclusively. The actions carried out by this “single-handed” engine company during the first few minutes on-scene will undoubtedly determine the outcome of not only the first line’s success but of the entire operation as well.
(Keep in mind, however, that a full complement of firefighters must be assembled on the fireground as required by NFPA 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments.)
The engine company must fulfill its primary mission, getting the first line in operation. Some of the size-up tasks that need to be performed include determining the fire’s exact location, locating the primary means of egress (and which leads to the fire area), and accessibility to the fire area. When no truck company is present, the engine company takes on a dual role that includes forcing entry to the fire building, chocking doors leading to the fire area, initially venting for fire, and initiating the primary search on the fire floor.
The engine must also prepare its stretch by determining the stairwell configuration, estimating the needed lengths of hose, and acquiring a reliable water source. When all of these responsibilities befall the single-handed engine company, efficiency may be reduced. However, by planning and training for such contingencies, success is attainable.
Although these numerous fireground tasks must be carried out at every fire, separate units usually perform them. When all the tasks fall on a single company, they may be handled somewhat differently, depending on the type of fire building.
PRIVATE DWELLINGS
Private dwellings offer some relief for the single-handed engine company in terms of preparing the hose stretch because the stretch is estimated to cover the entire dwelling regardless of the fire’s location. Construction characteristics such as open interior stairwells, combustible construction and contents, and vulnerable separations between floors and adjacent rooms allow for rapid fire spread throughout the structure. Comsider private dwellings as one fire area. Engine firefighters should already be well trained in estimating the length of hose needed so that they can begin their stretch to the fire building immediately on arrival. The engine officer now has a dual role to play as he performs multiple tasks that cover the actions of two distinct companies, one responsible for suppression and the other for support.
The Engine Officer
The engine officer should attempt to obtain a view of three sides of the structure as the apparatus approaches the fire building. With a quick peek at the rear, the officer should be better able to determine the fire’s location and extent and the age of the building. The age of the building will tip you off to its overall construction type. If the officer has to scale fences or gates to survey the rear, this can waste valuable time. The officer should detail a member to effect forcible entry for the nozzle team while he surveys the rear. This firefighter should carry three tools with him to the entrance to the fire building: a set of irons (ax and halligan) and a hook. Now, everything needed is at the point of operation without having to go back to the apparatus. Once entry is gained, the officer can enter the fire building, perform a rapid interior size-up, locate the fire, direct the line, and begin a primary search. The forcible entry firefighter can also perform ventilation with the hook and halligan, if practicable, and be advised by the engine officer.
As the officer enters the private dwelling, he should attempt to determine the location of the interior cellar door, if the size-up indicates possible balloon-frame construction. In balloon-frame construction, a cellar fire may have already extended to the floors above. If it is confirmed that the fire originated in or is in the cellar, the engine officer can direct the forcible entry firefighter to begin taking out the cellar windows.
Once the line has water, it should be bled and be ready to advance when ordered by the engine officer. If the fire is confirmed to be on an upper floor, with no cellar involvement, the officer should order the line placed at the base of the interior stairs, to protect his ensuing search for life and fire.
On reaching the second-floor landing, the officer should peer into any open doors to the fire room(s), under the smoke layer, to attempt to locate visible trapped or incapacitated victims and attempt to close the door(s). If the officer has a thermal imaging camera (TIC), the search will progress more quickly. The line should be brought to the fire room to begin to knock down visible fire while the officer searches the adjacent rooms for unseen victims and fire extension.
Vacant Private Dwelling
The single-handed officer must seriously consider operating in a vacant private dwelling alone. The officer should immediately determine if the fire building is really vacant. Will the building support interior operations, and for how long? Once that determination is made, it should be communicated to later-arriving units. Entry may be delayed and ventilation initially hampered if the fire is on an upper level or in the attic and the building is sealed. The first line should be charged before entry is made and a handline should protect firefighters operating on every floor.
Multiple Dwellings
Multiple dwellings are much more challenging because of the many floors and apartments and the limited access points on upper floors for ventilation. The inherent difficulties in locating the fire, performing long stretches, and a high life hazard will tax the efforts of the single-handed engine company.
On arrival, the engine officer should also try to obtain a view of at least three sides, if possible, in an attempt to locate the fire. Multiple dwellings can be especially deceiving in terms of locating the fire floor from the exterior, as smoke may be present on many floors distant from the original fire apartment(s). This places an enormous responsibility and burden on the engine officer.
The engine officer, accompanied by a forcible entry firefighter, enters the fire building to begin preparing and securing the stretch. One difference with multiple dwellings is that instead of immediately initiating a stretch, the balance of the engine crew must wait “patiently” at the back step of the engine until the fire’s exact location is determined. Waiting until the fire is located will prevent “stretching blind” into the structure, which can result in a short stretch or stretching to the wrong location. The engine company must get the stretch right the first time to benefit the overall operation and save lives on the fireground.
On entering the lobby or first floor, the engine officer should note the stairwell configuration and the presence or absence of a well hole or enclosed stairwell and its letter or numerical designation and report this to the awaiting engine firefighters. Ideally, these firefighters at the back step have radios and can receive this information and begin their hose estimate. If a smoke condition is present on the lower floors, the cellar entrance should be located and checked.
The engine officer and forcible entry firefighter should take the stairs, not the elevator, up to the reported fire floor. This allows the officer to peer down the public hallways; up, into, and down shafts; and out stairwell landing windows on each floor, checking for the fire’s location and potential extension.
Once arriving on the fire floor, the engine officer should determine the number of lengths needed to reach the fire floor and fire apartment and order the stretch. The officer should determine if the line can be stretched to the fire floor or if it needs to be laid out on the floor below. The officer and forcible entry firefighter should locate the fire apartment and begin forcible entry.
Locating the fire apartment may be difficult and time consuming, even with a minor smoke condition in a large hallway. Once the fire apartment is located, the officer must determine what type of search to undertake. The officer should attempt to locate the fire room(s) and direct the forcible entry firefighter in his search. The officer should monitor conditions in the fire rooms and determine if the search should progress past the fire. The doors in the fire apartment should be closed, to compartmentalize the fire. If a heavy fire condition exists, control of the fire apartment door must be established and maintained throughout the search. Exterior ventilation of the fire apartment is difficult in multiple dwellings when the fire is above the first floor. Exterior ventilation for fires above ground level will be delayed, and ventilation may only be possible from the interior until additional personnel arrive.
All doors leading to the fire area/apartment through which the line passes should be chocked open. This will prevent the dry line from becoming clamped by a closing door once it has been charged with water. Other considerations include removing any furniture or hallway obstacles out of the line’s path.
Once a truck company arrives, members should communicate with the engine officer to ascertain which tasks still need to be accomplished.
The most important tasks that must be accomplished by the single-handed engine company, regardless of the type of fire building, include the following:
1. Locate the fire.
2. Force entry to the structure and fire apartment(s). Chock all doors.
3. Ventilate if conditions allow.
4. Initiate the primary search.
Engine and truck company firefighters should be cross-trained so that each group has a working understanding of the tools and tactics used by each company on the fireground. There is no doubt that the collective, simultaneous actions of the first-due engine and truck save the most lives on the fireground and that no individual company, officer, or firefighter is solely responsible for the overall outcome of the operation. However, an old quote from Archimedes comes to mind when forced to operate single-handedly: “Give someone a lever long enough, and a fulcrum strong enough, and single-handedly they can move the world.” That fulcrum is the training, experience, and fortitude of the single-handed engine company. ■
■ ERICH J. RODEN, a 13-year veteran of the fire service, is a firefighter with the Milwaukee (WI) Fire Department, assigned to Ladder 15. He is an instructor for the Milwaukee Area Technical College and a H.O.T. instructor for FDIC and FDIC East in engine company operations. He has an M.S. in training and development, a B.S. in fire science management, and an associate degree in fire science.
■ RAY McCORMACK is a 23-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York, serving as a lieutenant on Engine 69 in Harlem. He is a New York state-certified fire instructor, is a H.O.T. instructor in live fire attack at FDIC and FDIC West, and has lectured on engine company operations at FDIC and FDIC East. McCormack has a B.A. from New York Institute of Technology.
