Joseph A. Floyd, Sr.
Columbia (SC) Fire Department
Assistant Chief (division head)
Response: The extent to which our department uses PPV depends on the incident commander`s training and experience. All personnel have been trained in PPV. As experience and training increase, so will its use.
It is used during the fire attack. We have found that through training and experience, PPV can help locate the fire more quickly and, therefore, help extinguish the fire sooner.
We have performed rescue knowing that victims were inside the structure. Before we use PPV, however, we make sure that we have a good idea of the victims` locations and whether PPV will adversely affect them. Knowing the location of the fire is another factor in deciding whether to use PPV. We do not use it if it appears that the fire is going to intensify and jeopardize the rescue operation. The incident commander must have attack lines and rescue crews in place. Firefighters must use a well-coordinated attack and keep the IC aware of interior conditions at all times.
Initially, there were some concerns that introducing PPV would intensify the fire, but making sure that attack lines are in place before ventilation is introduced and following other safety guidelines have calmed some of those fears. Once attack lines are in place and PPV is introduced, waiting five to 15 seconds before the lines are moved in has proven to be a big advantage in locating and extinguishing the fire.
PPV has proven to be a valuable tool in search and rescue, pressurizing stair shafts in high-rise buildings, and providing ventilation for other commercial buildings. Our department is continuing to monitor and evaluate our program–for example, we have monitored the air when using PPV and found that when using gas-powered fans, the carbon monoxide level begins to rise. This has made us more aware of air quality when using our gas-powered fans.
Some guidelines our department follows when using PPV during a fire attack are the following:
Personnel should have a good technical and practical knowledge of PPV.
Conduct a thorough size-up.
Closely evaluate attic fires.
Beware of and eliminate backdraft conditions.
Have attack lines in place, and advance lines five to 15 seconds after PPV has begun.
Training using practical exercises must be continual.
As stated, experience, training, and a good size-up of the incident will dictate the steps the incident commander should take in implementing PPV.
