Let’s consider another fireground video and some of the possible learning points we can glean from it. Keep in mind that the main point of this series is never to second-guess what firefighters did on scene, but rather to evaluate some tactical considerations that might have produced a different outcome.
This fire occurred on December 23, 2020, at 1249 Judson Ave, Evanston, Illinois. The structure is a three-story, multi-family apartment building of ordinary construction. Firefighters arrived at approximately 7:20 a.m. The video is from Jim McCall via Steve Redick.
- Multifamily Dwelling Fires Training
- Basement Fires in Low-Rise, Multifamily Buildings
- Multifamily Dwelling Fire Lessons
Analysis
Upon arrival, fire is showing from the basement window at the sidewalk on the Bravo side, Alpha quadrant. This was an occupied apartment, in which the occupants noticed fire coming from behind a wall. They immediately evacuated from the rear exit door. It is believed the fire was electrical in nature.
At first glance, the fire venting from the window initially had me believing the flow path was bidirectional, as it seems to have an inward draw along the lower half of the opening. This is more evident at the 36-second mark in the video. This would indicate the fire is getting its air from this window and is likely isolated by closed doors. The occupants advised that they evacuated from the rear door, but it is unknown if they closed this door upon exit or if it remained open. If the latter were true, I would expect the fire would clearly be exhausting from the vented window. When the fire department arrives on scene and makes entry, we notice a change in the flow path at the window to unidirectional, full exhaust. This is likely caused by the ventilation taking place by opening the interior apartment door.
Strategic/Tactical Considerations
The strategy is justifiably offensive, given the size of fire and the high life safety profile. Crews do a good job getting this fire under control quickly. For my part, I wonder how much quicker it could have been if someone had initiated an outside attack at the window—that is, basically inserting a sprinkler ahead of the interior attack?
In recruit school, it’s often drilled into firefighter’s heads to never pass fire. Fire that is venting is a good sign, but unless sufficient water is controlling the fire, it will quickly intensify and rapidly spread in the few minutes it takes to arrive on scene and advance to the interior of an apartment building. We can see how the autoexposing fire from the window is advancing to the floor above. And, with this fire so easily accessible with water, why not get water on it as soon as possible?
- Fire Ventilation and Flow Path Control
- The Three Cs of Ventilation: Communication, Coordination, and Control
- Throw Back to Basics: Transitional Attack
Applying a solid/straight stream at a steep angle to the top of the window, just inside, will drop temperatures, surface cool, contract gases, and will allow gases to vent from the window. All the while this minimizes entrained air, which can push products of combustion. In this case, given the proximity of the window to the sidewalk, flanking the stream may be required initially vs. a firefighter being directly in front of the window. This fire could be all but knocked down prior to the interior crew advancing and ensures sufficient water on fire as soon as possible. If we give the fire additional time to control, it reduces the amount of time available to firefighters to control the fireground. Given the window is elevated, this further aids in fire gases venting out of the compartment and lifts the neutral plain to benefit potential trapped occupants and firefighters who may be at floor level with a cooler environment and improved visibility.
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When it comes to fire, the fast, sufficient water wins the game. The sooner water is applied the better. In this case, visible, reachable fire is present, easily accessible, and firefighters are able to introduce water quickly from a safe vantage point with as little as one person and one engine. Five hundred gallons of water is sufficient to support this attack, but I’m confident it won’t take nearly as much to gain a knock on this fire.
Supporting an offensive interior attack with an outside stream is not new. Fire science has identified a safe method in the transitional attack to get water on fire from outside as quickly as possible and to speed the interior attack by improving interior conditions, reducing inherent dangers, and allowing the interior crew to be more efficient in completing search and extinguishment.
NICK J. SALAMEH is a 36 year veteran of the fire service. He was a Fire/Emergency Medical Services Captain II and previous Training Program Manager for the Arlington County (VA) Fire Department, where he served 31 years. He is a former Chair of the Northern Virginia Fire Departments Training Committee. Nick is also a contributor to Fire Engineering and Stop Believing Start Knowing (SBSK).
