Know Before You Go: New Eyes
Sometimes, getting "new eyes" on new construction in your response areas can better help fire companies prepare for future incidents.
Building Construction
Know your enemy, said Sun Tzu, and in the case of firefighting, the firefighter’s enemy is the building, as Frank Brannigan noted. Knowledge of building construction is crucial for fireground success. Learn more about reading a building and size-up, occupancy types, structural hierarchy, different eras in building, and other topics that impact firefighting.
The Latest
BuildingsonFire’s Taking It to the Streets: Fireground Performance
Host Chris Naum share his insights on three integrated constants of fireground performance.
NYC Mayor Faces Federal Charges; Allegedly Pressured FDNY Inspectors
An investigation into New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicated he tried to lean on the fire department to fast-track the opening of a 36-floor building.
Main Street Memo: Flanking
This training bulletin on building construction for firefighters emphasizes the need for proper apparatus placement at Main Street commercial fires.
Must View
Main Street to Mega Mansions
Christopher Naum offers some insights on the predictability of building performance and the adaptive fireground.
Humpday Hangout: Rekindles and Building Construction
Mike Dugan, Bill Gustin, and the panel talk about building materials and contents that are prone to smoldering and subsequent rekindling.
More Building Construction
BuildingsonFire: Building Construction Training, Part 3
In the third installment of this series, host Chris Naum discusses building construction training for firefighters.
Main Street Memo: Buildings Dictate Tactics and Tools
This training bulletin examines some of the implications of building construction for your crews' tool and equipment selection.
Main Street Firefighting: James Johnson
Hosts Chris Tobin and Lex Shady talk firefighting and building construction issues with James Johnson.
Main Street Memo: Inverted Roof
This firefighter training bulletin focuses on inverted roofs and some of the challenges they pose for firefighting operations.
Father’s Day: Lessons from an FDNY Tragedy
James Johnson reviews a 2001 fire that claimed the lives of three New York City firefighters and the building construction lessons we can learn from it.
Main Street Firefighting: Occupied Until Proven Vacant
Hosts Chris Tobin and Lex Shady talk with Tyler Prater from St. Louis Fire Department about his "Occupied Until Proven Vacant" class.
Raleigh (NC) Deck Collapse Injures Five Construction Workers
The workers sustained nonlife-threatening injuries and were transported to an area hospital.
BuildingsonFire: Building Construction Training, Part 2
In the second installment of this series, host Chris Naum discusses building construction training for firefighters.
