Considerations for the Truck Company

Primary Tasks

Primary searchRescuing victimsLadderingVentilationForcible entry

Arrival ConsiderationsSafetySize upPosition fire apparatusProper tools and equipmentAssignment of functionsAdequate personnelPrimary search and rescue of victims

Other AspectsCoordinated, team effortRole of incident commanderConsider safety of fire fighters

Truck Company TacticsGeneral Considerations

Size up InformationPre-planningArrival size up

Conducted by the first arriving crewBuilding type and occupancy Day and timeWeather conditions Reconnaissance of the buildingObserving what is taking place on the fire

ground Precise, accurate communication of findings

Size up InformationVariable factors

Types of structuresConstruction featuresOccupancy of the fire and exposure buildingsNumber of apparatus responding to alarm

Size up InformationOther considerations

Time of dayTrafficRoad conditionsWeather conditions

Size up InformationMake sure a 360o size up is doneGenerally, if two ladder companies responding

First company: frontSecond company: rearModify according to the situation or pre-plan

information

Size up Information

Fire conditions may vary from the front to the rear of an involved structure

Maybe light smoke in front and heavy fire in rear

Maybe fire in front and victims in rear window

Size up InfomationPossible victimsExtent and intensity of the fireLocations of exposures Rear stairs, porches, and basement

entrances If engine personnel need assistance in the

rearAvailability of windowsIf ground ladders are needed

Truck Company TacticsApparatus Positioning

Apparatus PositioningApparatus must be positioned properlyConsider guidelines and pre incident plansEfficient Proficient

Positioning the ApparatusEfficiency of coverage area Aerial device for rescueGaining accessUsing master stream appliances

Positioning the ApparatusReport directly to the assignment.

The ladder company receives direct orders and knows its tasks.

Ladder trucks that are not yet assigned should be staged.Staging area should be away from the fire

building.

Positioning the ApparatusBe aware of the positioning needs of other fire

apparatusAllow room to workDo not block hydrants or standpipe/sprinkler

connectionsDo not compromise points of entry/egress

Positioning the ApparatusCheck overhead for obstructionsEnsure that the area under the ladder truck is

stable and will carry the loadCheck for tires on hose linesMake sure ground jacks will extend fully

Positioning Considerations(1 of 2)

Safe operating angle Can reach to perform assigned tasksMay be necessary to reposition

Positioning Considerations(2 of 2)

Varies for specific situationsOne- or two-story buildingsMore than two storiesLarge apartment or commercial buildingsRow buildings

Positioning ConsiderationsFor coverage of the front of a structure, the first-

arriving engine should be positioned according to the approach of the first-arriving ladder truck.Same direction of approach, pull past the

buildingOpposite direction, stop short

Positioning ConsiderationsFor large structures, the ladder must be

positioned to accomplish the most important operations.RescueFire confinementVentilationWater application

Truck Company TacticsPortable Ladders

Ladder Selection & PlacementAppropriate sized

ladder for taskFirefighter survivalVictim rescueVentilationHeight of floor to be

accessed

Truck Company TacticsVentilation

VentilationA planned, systematic procedure for reducing, redirecting, or removing heat, smoke, and fire gases from a structure and replacing them with clean, fresh air.

Ventilation Principles• Ventilation for life safety• Ventilation for incident stabilization• Ventilation for property conservation• Ventilation to support other tactical

operations.

Determine Where Ventilation Is Needed

• Planned, systematic approach• General location priorities• NIST/UL/ATF studies

Select Appropriate Tactics• Horizontal ventilation• Vertical ventilation• Combination.

Ventilation Methods

• Natural ventilation• Self-ventilation• Forced (mechanical) ventilation.

Types Of Forced Ventilation• Fog streams• Building heating, ventilating, and air

conditioning (HVAC) system• Negative pressure• Positive pressure.

• Proper apparatus placement• Proper hoseline placement• Entry• Selection and placement of ladders• Lighting• Breathing air.

Types Of Forced VentilationTypes Of Forced Ventilation

Ventilation Hazards

• Opening below fire or at same level• Opening too soon• Opening in wrong place• Opening into blind attic• Insufficient opening• Delayed too long.

Ventilation Coordination Issues• With rescue• With entry and fire attack• Hoselines should not hinder ventilation.

VentilationVent for two reasons:

fire

life(Battalion Chief John Norman,

FDNY)

Venting for life begins as soon as a life hazard is realized

May intensify the fireVenting for fire is delayed until

attack teams and resources are in place

Traditional Fire Development

Fire Development Today

Fire Development TodayWhen a vent is opened, such as when the fire

department enters a door, oxygen is introduced

Oxygen mixes with the heated gases in the structure and the energy level begins to increase

This change in ventilation can result in a rapid increase in fire growth potentially leading to a flashover

Two Types of Flow PathsBi-directional

Fresh air and exhausted air sharing the same opening, or

Two openings at the same heightUni-directional

Fresh air and exhausted air have openings at different levels

Bi-directional flowIf you create second opening high (upper floor

window for example) fire will be drawn to that opening

Will become uni-directional

Uni-directional flowHigh velocityHigh temperatureZero visibility

VentilationMust be accompanied by water application to

absorb the heat in the environment.The more you vent, the larger the fire will

grow unless you apply water.After knock down, more vent means more

cooling.

Truck Company TacticsSearch

Rescue

Rescue is a systematic process used to locate, protect, and remove occupants and fire victims safely from a structure and convey them to a place of safety.

Rescue Tactics

• Conduct primary search• Conduct secondary search• Provide for rescued occupants.

Conduct Primary Search• Rapid search of all areas involved in or

exposed to fire• To verify removal and/or safety of occupants• Removal of victims• Report “All Clear”.

SearchMove rapidly Close interior doors Stay in contact with

walls Search with a partner

Use tools and lights

Search without a hoseline ONLY when there is reasonable certainty that a victim is inside and conditions suggest survivability is likely.

Requires a commitment of resources to areas most likely to contain victims.

Bedrooms Interior travel routes

(hallways & stairs) Outside the structure

Search

Narrowing the SearchWhere were victims were last seen?Cries for help heard?Is the structure occupied or not?

Vent-Enter-Search (VES)Advantage - search personnel enter

structure from safe atmosphere (outside), search small areas (sometimes single rooms), then exit.

Disadvantage - often conducted ahead of hoseline on “fire” side of structure. If PPV is initiated, your entry point can become exhaust port for PPV.

IsolateNow Vent, Enter ISOLATE, SearchDo not compromise the protective

“membrane” of the compartment that surrounds you while you are conducting search operations

Even hollow-core wooden doors can protect firefighters performing primary search

Must be coordinated

through Incident Commander.

VES should only be used when

probability of finding victim is

high!

Provide For Rescued Occupants

• Victim removal paths• Move victims to triage area• Treat victims• Transport victims• Provide for uninjured,

displaced persons.

Conduct Secondary Search• Extremely thorough search of interior fire area• After initial fire control, ventilation, and interior

lighting are completed• Ensure that there is no possibility of victims

remaining undiscovered.

Rescue Coordination Issues• Teamwork, organization, and good

communication• Rapid ventilation• Keep fire away from people and protect

escape routes with hoselines• Laddering to ventilate and advance

protective hoselines.

Support For Rescue Operations• Timing• Protective lines• Entry• Ventilation• Laddering• Confinement/Extinguishment.

Truck Company TacticsSupport and Other Activities

Support Activities• Support activities are tasks carried

out at fire incidents to support ongoing tactical operations.

Principles Of Support Activities• Control all utilities• Provide compressed breathing air• Provide scene lights and electricity• Provide for firefighter rehabilitation and re-

hydration• Provide for medical monitoring and

treatment of personnel.

Control All Utilities• Use appropriate personnel• Coordinate with other operations and IC• Control fuels• Shut off electricity to involved areas• Control water.

Other Support Activities• Air supply• Scene lighting and electricity• Firefighter rehabilitation and re-hydration• Medical monitoring and treatment

Overhaul Operations

OverhaulOverhaul is the action taken to expose hidden fire and to assure complete extinguishment.

Principles Of Overhaul• Extinguish all smoldering contents• Check for and extinguish hidden fires or

extension.

Overhaul Tactics

• Extinguish spot fires and smoldering fires• Open walls and voids• Prevent rekindles• Do not work in unsafe areas.

Overhaul Coordination• Coordinate with salvage operations• Firefighters may complete overhaul while

completing salvage• Coordinate with investigators.

Evidence Preservation• Recognize basic area of origin• Understand the importance of physical

evidence• Secure the scene using rope of barrier tape.

SummaryInitial size up is needed to ensure proper

positioning of the apparatus for efficient fireground operations.

Firefighters must be well-trained and supplied with equipment to perform their assigned tasks efficiently and safely.

SummaryTruck companies have several tasks to

perform on the fire ground.Initial tasks include rescue, including the

primary search and removal of occupants, forcible entry, and ventilation.