Iron Man Firefighting: Supporting an Effective Initial Fire Attack with Minimum Personnel

             

Iron Man Time

            I am a shift battalion chief for a small department situated between Sacramento and San Francisco. The department’s service area encompasses your typical bedroom community as well as an agribusiness hub with commercial food and lamb processing facilities, row and orchard crops and vast open lands that total 340 square miles. When I joined the Department 23 years ago, the daily staffing was four, split between two companies. I was one of three hired as the original firefighter paramedics, bring the staffing to five a day.  Even though extra positions were added, the minimum staffing remained five for 19 years. It was during this time that we developed what was referred to as “Ironman Firefighting”. The on-scene staff multi-tasked: fighting fire, overhauling, and performing salvage operations often without taking a break and utilizing multiple air cylinders. It is easy to recognize veterans of the iron man era: the limps and the grimaces from chronic pain.

The department is an island, with the closest cities, and fire stations well over 10 minutes in either direction. For years the bulk of the staff were volunteers, and the department was self-sufficient. The paid positions grew from a single, day-time position to a two-person paid company. The inability for the volunteers to both respond to the increasing numbers of calls and meet the ever-increasing training demands, the need for more paid positions became evident.

Today the Department operates from one station with two paramedic engine companies. The minimum staffing is six with a battalion chief as the shift commander. There are 21 fulltime line positions, three battalion chiefs, an assistant chief/fire marshal and the fire chief.

The Results

            The fire always went out, and rarely extended beyond the original occupancy. The department continued to push the members to multi-task to the point of exhaustion and injury. The decisions makers saw the results and thought all is well, “they did not need any more staff members”, that is why it took 19 years for the company officer position to be filled on the second engine.

New Era

            Both companies have an officer position filled and operate independently from each other. The chief officers worked a 40-hour five-day schedule. The assigned duty chief was coming from home and often arrived later in the incident to become a spectator vs. the incident commander. Only five members were available to perform fireground tasks. One of the company officers would default to the role of incident commander. The department has since added a shift battalion chief, but most fires are still only getting an initial attack force of six plus a battalion chief.

The Problem

            The department remains an island with delayed response times for our mutual aid engines and truck to arrive and balance the alarm. We identified the best resources to respond and began our focus on managing the modern fire ground based on evidence-based tactics. This started with identifying the problem and prioritizing actions to solve the problem.

            Simply stated, the problem is that both life and fire are occupying the same space. To solve this problem, we MUST either remove life or fire from the building. In terms of fire ground actions, this means putting water on the fire or rescuing the victim. With two. three person companies the ability to perform more than the basic fire ground operations may be impossible. We must routinely do this with six people. My department is not the only agency facing this challenge across the nation.

Solutions

Before any fire, an agency must do several things. The hardest is performing a thorough self-assessment. What can you bring to a fire in terms of apparatus and personnel. Is the first due engine in good repair and equipped to mitigate YOUR communities’ risks. Departments often just fill hose beds and cabinets without considering the construction types, water supplies and roads in their response areas.

What knowledge, training and experience do the responding staff members have? As a combination agency we have well-trained members with various levels of experience that always work together. For a volunteer department this may be a challenge. I know this firsthand as I have also been a member of my volunteer company for 32 years.

The recruitment and retention of firefighters, both career and volunteer has been a challenge. A volunteer department, which may be desperate for responders, still must choose new members who have or are willing to become trained to serve the community. I always tell new members that the only thing you did was volunteer to come through the door, after that they will be required to meet the basic standards.

Standards

            There are many standards that include job performance requirements, training requirements dictated by statute or industry standards such, as NFPA 1001 as an example. All firefighters must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of: PPE including SCBA, the selection and use of hose line and nozzles and ladders, rescue and emergency medical are skills, and so many others. It is on the fireground that competency in those skills will make or break an operation.

The Fireground Tasks

            On the scene of a fire there is a list of tasks that must be completed.

·       First line on the fire

·       Primary search

·       360/ C side

·       Water supply

·       Two-out

·       Scene safety- secure utilities

·       Secondary search

Other tasks include:

·       Ventilation

·       Salvage and over-haul

·       Investigation

How can your agency maximize the resources that arrive at a fire and perform even a fraction of the list, with minimum personnel. The solution starts with training and pre-planning. The training must be realistic and relative. If the nearest high-rise building is 50 miles away, then high rise training may not be relevant but, if you have many balloon frame dwellings, then building construction and fire behavior in those buildings is relevant. Departments often lose focus on the bread-and-butter operations. It does not matter if you only have one fire a year or a fire every day, the public expects that you can perform in a competent manner every time. The pre-planning process will provide crucial information that will expedite the rapid deployment of hose lines and identify any potential challenges for accessing the building and the occupants.

Maximizing Effectiveness

            The alarm sounds for a dwelling fire and the size-up process starts. If your agency has pre-plan documents, or a known history of issues with the building you can begin to create an action plan based on that knowledge. For a volunteer company, size-up may also include who is responding, and from where, has there been a delay in reporting and if mutual aid is available?

            There are many mnemonics to aid in the size-up process. The simplest being Layman’s FPODP-Facts, Probabilities, Own Situation, Decision Point, and Plan.

            Let’s circle back to the problem. You arrive at scene with a fire in a dwelling with both fire and people, until proven otherwise, inside. We must either remove the people or put out the fire. Which option should we use? The first step is a rapid assessment of the situation, a good size-up, including seeing all sides of the fire building to determine the best actions to employ.

            Layman again provides a time-tested mnemonic in RECEO to prioritize fire ground actions.” R” is for rescue and the priority is always life. If the victim is accessible and easily rescued, then do so. If it is unclear if a victim is present or if fire conditions warrant, then get water on the fire, between the potential victim and the fire threat. This may be considered protecting exposures or the” E” in RECEO. The CEO, or confine, extinguish and over-haul may be delayed depending on resources. Again, the focus of the initial attack force must be on either removing the victim or putting out the fire.

 

 

Break Down the Tasks

The Initial Attack Line:

Typically requires three people, the officer, a firefighter, and engineer (operator). I am un sure who said first, by I recall Chief Dunn saying ‘So goes the first line, so goes the fire”. With limited resources including people, apparatus, and water supply the timely and effective deployment of the initial attack line will make or break or break an operation. Additional lines may be needed, but to operate a line effectively requires two people, remember you are operating with a limited staff.

Primary Search:

Every building will need a primary search, even if there is no one reported in the building. The crew who is on the initial attack line may be able to search in addition to working the line. This is acceptable for a small dwelling or an isolated portion of a larger dwelling. Time is the enemy of the victim. Many fire fatalities are located far from the actual fire location, dying from toxic gas exposure. An extreme example is the MGM Grand Fire on the Las Vegas strip in November 1980, killing 85. So, the crew whose focus is on the hose line may not be the best solution to the need for a primary search. It will require at least two additional members to conduct a primary search. Our total is now five of the six task-oriented members in play.

Two-out

The two-out component of the OHSA mandate is required by statute. To meet the intent of that requirement can be a challenge for small, understaffed departments. The remaining member is the operator of the second engine, who for us is typically engaged with supporting the water supply and other tasks. Most agree that a member of the two out team may be engaged in other fire ground tasks that can be abandoned with impacting the operation. The initial attack engine operator may be able to perform as part of the two out, but it is not a preferred action.

360/C Side

A typical process is when a fire company approaches a building fire the company officer “sees” three sides of the building, this leave the back or “C Side” unseen. The need for getting a full 360-degree view of the building is reinforced in what has been called the NIOSH 5 or the five most common mistakes that have led to a fire ground injury or death. A lack of size-up or situational awareness is a proven danger and not seeing the whole of the fire building may result in a situation that exposes responders and victims to unexpected life-threatening conditions. The officer will typically get the” C Side” view and at the same time work on securing utilities.

Secondary Search

The secondary search, though not as critical as the primary search is still a standard function of the fireground. This is a more comprehensive search that is not undertaken with IDLH conditions. The caveat is that the search should be conducted by a crew other than the crew who performed the primary search.

Ventilation

I know the truck guys are foaming at the mouth because I did not add ventilation to the must do initial attack list. Remember this discussion is about maximizing efforts with a small staff. Ventilation is not passe, but if not done correctly it will have an adverse impact on the fire environment. With the UL/NIST studies demonstrating that unless you time vent operations with fire attack (within 110 seconds of each other) there is a high probability that a hostile fire event will occur. With a small force it may be preferable that the “truck” focus on searching before venting. Most small and/or volunteer departments do not have enough fire duty to be good at vertical ventilation and modern construction techniques make operating over a fire exponentially more dangerous.

Chiefs’ Role

            An old joke is what does CHAOS stand for, well it means chief has arrived on scene. As a chief, I have seen the impact, both positive and negative, that a chief officer can have on an incident. As both of my companies and myself respond from the same house, I typically let the companies respond first. My SUV with a water can and ICS vests is better arriving after the companies spot the apparatus and deploy lines.  This may be contrary to how others operate, but we have well-rehearsed operations and well-trained officers who make good decisions.

            As the incident commander I will fill in the gaps as needed. I am responsible for accountability, resource ordering, strategic alignment, and objective setting. I am the “air traffic controller”, safety officer and voice of the incident. I have the 1000-yard view and I am responsible for forecasting the needs of the crews and predicting how the incident may expand.

Wrapping It All Together

            There is no one RIGHT way to manage any fire. To be successful we must have objectives that are measurable, manageable, and achievable. When we arrive at a fire with a limited force, we must focus on what we can accomplish safely, effectively, and efficiently. Tools such as RECEO give us a jumping off point. Our primary goal is life safety followed by limiting the fire growth.

            

           Remember it is our responsibility to recognize the problem: There is a fire in the same space as

 

there are people and we must act to either remove the people or put out the fire, by mounting

 an effective initial fire attack and rescue operation, with minimal staffing

Borrowed But Good

 I 

Mile Stones

    Though this topic is not my normal fair, I wanted to take time and share a personal mile stone. This adventure stated 40 years ago, and I have been wanting to closed the door on this task for a long time. I have completed my BS Degree I started on when I was 18 years old. A girl, beer and life got in the way, but I was determined to fulfill this life goal, and I have now completed that task.

    You should never give up on your goals. It may take much longer for you to achieve them than you originally thought It may. Goal setting is important for your development as a leader. You set goals and objectives and get people to join on the journey…. That is what leading is about. 

   Always remember what you do is more important than what you say, lead by example, and do the right thing, even if no one is there to the you do it.

JB

Firefighter Safety and Utility Control: The Unseen Dangers of Alternative Power Sources

 

            Typical fireground operations are centered on creating safety and eliminating threats. The fire 

departments have time tested tools like Layman’s RECEO VS to give the incident commander a 

reference point. Departments drill to save lives, with hose line deployment and fire attack skills as well 

as search and rescue methods to save potential victims. Additional duties include securing a water 

supply, meeting the two-in and two-out standard, ventilating, and salvage and overhaul operations. 

Often overlooked or an afterthought is securing the utilities.

               In California the typical home and business is serviced by natural gas and electricity. In the more rural areas propane is typically used for heating, cooking, and cleaning. In some areas heating oil is used in the furnace. With consumer solar systems, battery and generator back-up power systems being used more often, what was once a simple turn of a valve and flip of a breaker to secure the utilities has now become complicated.

               My volunteer company responded to a gas leak at a local seed research facility. We arrived at the scene and were met by the staff who reported that a gas valve in a laboratory had been damaged and had been releasing gas for well over an hour before it was discovered. The crew ensured that all the staff was accounted for, and conducted a hazard assessment, determined if there was anyone needing medical attention and secured both the natural gas and power, eliminating potential fuel and ignition sources. At first glance they believed that the major hazards had been controlled, but it was not until later in the incident that the company officer realized the computer workstations were still powered. They all had an uninterruptible power supply or UPS system.
               The building was charged with natural gas, but because the department did not have monitoring equipment the firefighters did not know if the gas concentration was above, below or within the flammable range. The container was full of flammable gas and whether the UPS could provide an ignition source is unknown, but we were not as safe as we first thought. As the crew completed their operations, now aware of the missed power supplies, they noticed additional battery powered equipment including the emergency egress lighting and the exit lights. As the incident commander it is critical to consider the devices as potential ignition sources. Given the right conditions they could provide the means to create an explosion and/or fire.
               Though exit and emergency lights and UPS units are common items in commercial occupancies, many people use the UPS for their home computers also. There are two common systems in use today: standby UPS and continuous UPS. A standby UPS runs the computer on the normal utility power until it detects a problem. At that point, it very quickly (in five milliseconds or less) turns on the power inverter and runs the computer off the UPS's battery. A power inverter simply turns the DC power delivered by the battery into 120-volt, 60-Hertz AC power.
               In a continuous UPS, the computer is always running off of battery power and the battery is continuously being recharged. The battery charger continuously produces DC power, which the inverter continuously turns back into 120-volt AC power. If the power fails, the battery provides power to the inverter. There is no switch-over time in a continuous UPS. This setup provides a very stable source of power.
               Standby UPS systems are far more common for home or small-business use because they tend to cost about half as much as a continuous system. Continuous systems provide extremely clean, stable power, so they tend to be used in server rooms and mission critical applications. The hazard to firefighters from the UPS can come from electric shock, heat generation and the chemical reaction from the charging process. Other locations where you will find UPS and battery back-up systems are at cell phone sites and electric utility sub-stations.

               These systems typically use a wet cell lead-acid battery. When these batteries charge, they produce hydrogen gas, which is the same gas that created the Hindenburg disaster. If this gas is not properly ventilated it will accumulate and find an ignition source. In March 2001, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District responded to a report of a building explosion in Rancho Cordova, CA. Upon further investigation they found a computer company’s battery back-up system had exploded. They found several walls blown over and visible smoke from a room that housed several large batteries. Firefighters also reported that a 40-foot section of the roof was missing just over the area of the explosion.
               The energy released by an explosion can injure and even kill responders. Other concerns for firefighters can include back-up generator systems. These systems are designed to supply power to the building in the event of a power system failure. These systems must have a system to switch between the power sources- the utility company or the generator. This switch is typically automatic and will activate when there is any interruption in the utility power supply like when we turn off the power. This can prove to be a problem when firefighters are attempting to eliminate the electrical hazards at an emergency scene. 

               Preplanning and onsite training with the building maintenance personnel will give fire companies an opportunity to understand how the system works and how to overcome the automatic operation. Even more dangerous to the firefighters is the illegal generator hookups, without the required switch; the power can come from either source. It is common for the do-it-yourselfer to create what is morbidly referred to as a suicide plug, an extension cord with two male ends, one that plugs into the generator and the other into a receptacle in the home. Also associated with the illegal hook up is the improper use of the gasoline powered generator. The generator is a common cause of CO poisoning, and was the origin of a recent house fire, caused from the heat from the generator’s engine operation and exhaust. The potential for a generator illegally installed, remote from where a company is operating, may back feed an entire block of homes leading to an unseen electrocution hazard. Many utility companies may use capacitor banks that store engery to keep a power system energized. Despite the assurance that the power is secured, it may be preferable that the crews ensure the power is off before performing over-haul operations. One option is a personal electrical power sensor. (See Fig 1) that allows for non-contact method to determine if a power line is energized.

               The use of Lithium-Ion battery systems is an emerging threat with many documented fatal fires from personal mobility devices; e-bikes and scooters that have exploded and burned after thermal run-a-way of the batteries. The number of electric vehicles on the road, powered by Li-on batteries is growing and are exposing the public and firefighters to uncontrolled fire hazards from a run-away battery condition. My agency responded to a collision involving a Tesla sedan. The resulting fire required four hours and 10,000 gallons of water to stop the battery run-away and resulting fire.  

               The use of Li-on battery systems to power homes is also a growing trend. The Tesla Powerwall was the original purpose-built home battery back-up energy storage system (ESS). The homeowner who could not afford a Tesla system created home-made battery system that may lack the safety and engineering standards of a commercial product. The Tesla system produces 350 to 450 volts of direct current (DC) and 9.4 amps, enough to kill a person, direct current or not. Tesla in no longer the sole provider of energy storage systems. The market has many other options including better chemistry other than the Li-On. A new battery chemistry is the Lithium Iron Phosphate (Li Fe Po), which has a longer life span that can be recharged 10-fold more than the Li-On battery. To date Li Fe Po batteries have not created a battery run-away condition and the associated fires and other dangerous conditions. DC power requires an inverter to transition the power to the common 120 volts of alternating current (AC) to power the home or business. The inverter may be integrated into the home’s power system, or it may be used to convert the stored energy from an ESS to power the residence. The power company may use a “smart meter” that prevents the solar panels from directly powering a home when the grid is down. This system also prevents the back-feeding into the grid which may endanger power company and fire personnel working where the power system is apparently deenergized.

               Most battery systems are charged via photovoltaic solar panels. The panels are typically placed on the roof of a new home, especially in California where the building code requires the installation of the panels. The issue with solar panels is that there is no “off” switch. When the panels are receiving sunlight, power is being produced. The panel may produce dangerous voltages and damaged wires on the roof top may expose firefighters to the hazards of the power generated by the panels. To stop the power production the panel will need to be shielded from the sun. A heavy opaque salvage cover may be the best method to cover the panels and prevent the production of power.

               Another power generation option is the use of a hydrogen fuel cell to create a micro-grid to support operations of businesses to reduce the companies carbon footprint. A noted business using this technology is Home Depot, where the company plans on using the fuel cell system to power a warehouse in Texas and other systems supported the operation of several locations in New York state during a blackout.

               The off-grid lifestyle may also pose an issue with securing power supplies to those homes. Many people living off grid are accomplished do-it-your-selfers, who create their own power sources that lack the safety features of a commercial application. It may be a small hydroelectric generator, wind turbine, solar panels or a combination of all three that powers the home and creates independence from the power companies.

               So, the next time that you are assigned to secure the utilities, realize that you may have not completely de-energized the building. The use of UPS, battery backups or generator systems may continue to provide power and ignition sources in the building. There are many alternative means to power homes and businesses and what was once a simple task has become complicated and may require additional training to safely secure the power and ensure that the firefighters can operate with out fear of being injured by an electric shock or an arc that may create an unexpected ignition source.

FDIC in The Rear-view

    I was blessed with the opportunity to finally attend FDIC. I has been on my to do list for some time. My opportunity to attend was made possible by the leadership and vision demonstrated by my Fire Chief. Indy became FDIC with building high banners and 38,000 Firefighters filling downtown streets, restaurants, and of course spots to "network".

    The heart of the international fire service was FDIC. The streets and buildings were filled with firefighters from all walks of life- big city career, volunteer companies, young and old, salty and bright eyed all with one mission, to serve people. It was also a memorial service for the late Bobby Halton. For those who are not in the know he was the heart and soul of FDIC and the Fire Engineering magazine. Grown men were wiping their eyes as his words filled the halls of FDIC one last time. Hearts pounded with pride and big smiles crossed faces of hard men as a montage of his impassioned opening statements were played out on the big screens, but even those large displays were not big enough to fill the hole left by his passing.

    The lectures and presentations offered a wide variety of topics from accountability to how to manage Gen Z firefighters. There was every gadget reinvented, revised, and retooled on display or for purchase lining the hallways. I listen to old mentors, met new people, generated networks, but the most important of all reconfirmed why I have committed well over have my life to the job.

    Looking back on the blur of those three days spent breathing in the spirt of the brother and sisterhood: my batteries are recharged, my focus is clearer and my purpose is redefined. Now to help move the people I serve forward, preparing them for their next steps.

    

What’s Wrong With Being A Fireman?

               I was involved in a fire house conversation, in which I called myself a “Fireman”. The reaction from some was swift and scathing. It was as if I swore during High Mass or shouted fire in the theater or set fire to the Stars and Stripes. I was told that I am not a Fireman but a Firefighter. When I began to defend my position, my argument fell upon death ears. So when did it become a Sin to refer to yourself or a co-worker as a “Fireman”? 
     

     I ask you, what is wrong with using the term Fireman? I am sure there are many who would say that it is a passé, sexist throw back to times past and others would ask what the difference is between a firefighter and a fireman. The short answer: attitude. There are many firefighters in the world, all with the same attitude: they have the cookie-cutter hair cut, sun glasses and the “I fight what you fear” tattoo. They have the patch, the tee shirt and the badge but lack the true meaning of what is required to succeed at this job, what it means to be a Fireman.
 

     So what is the real difference is between a Firefighter and a Fireman? Firemen understand not just the how, but the why operations are preformed on the fireground. We have text books and power points that show the how to fight a fire, but it is not until the firefighter takes it upon themselves to understand the why of the operation, that they may then call themselves a fireman. Firemen are street smart and understand the importance of the roots of our job: Hot, dirty, hard work that every generation has done before us. The title Fireman is rooted in these traditions. (Yes I know the real root is from the company member who kept the steamer hot and ready to pump water, but I digress.)

     Too many in the fire services, from the probie to chief officer, take fire ground operations for granted; they find themselves tied to an SOP or the “we always do it that way” operating mode. They have not made the investment in themselves and their careers: to go beyond the how-to phase to the understanding why phase, and despite a long tenure on the job, they still find themselves fighting the fire vs. beating the fire. So I guess they are truly Firefighters.

     So the only sin committed is not being prepared to do the job and not taking pride in your work. I challenge you to renew your commitment to yourself, our profession and your community and be proud of your commitment to not just doing your job but knowing why you are taking action and be proud to call yourself a FIREMAN.

Live From FDIC

 “If you are damned if you do or damned if you don’t…

Why not just do..”

Paul Combs 2023