By Teresa Hinz
In the public’s eye, we, as firefighters, are brave to rush into a burning building. But my question to you is, Are you brave enough to stay outside a burning building? Safety has become the first priority in fire departments across the nation. Yet every year, firefighters die in vacant buildings that were already a total loss on arrival. I recently read a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) report of a firefighter fatality in a house that neighbors had confirmed as vacant. I understand that bystanders don’t always give accurate information, and sometimes people live in vacant structures. The first-arriving company officer must conduct a good scene size-up to determine if there could be any viable lives inside or if there is any property to be saved. Remember, risk a lot to save a lot and risk nothing to save nothing. Many times, we rush into buildings when the advanced fire and smoke conditions are not compatible with life. What are we saving when we go into a mobile home that is 50 percent flame damaged and smoke damaged throughout?
At a recent first-due fire, my company was dispatched to a wrong address several miles away. The correct address became available seven minutes into the call. Dispatch information stated the home was vacant. On arrival, I reported fire venting out both sides of the front of the single-wide mobile home with adjacent trees on fire. On my 360 size-up, I noticed black smoke coming from under the back door, light smoke coming from the back window, and pink smoke coming from under the front side door. I had never heard of or seen smoke so pink, and I was thinking it was a possible meth lab. A hydrant was near and the engineer established the water supply line.
(1) The A-D side of the structure. Photos by author.
(2) The A-B side and front side entry.
After knocking down the fire in the trees and preventing fire spread to the adjacent home, I decided to continue to attack the fire from the exterior. Soon after, the next-arriving engine crew put a second preconnected line in use. The truck crew then radioed that entry could be made through the back door. We brought the hoseline around and attempted to make entry. The ladder crew had gone in a short distance on a search and found access to the main body of fire. The ladder lieutenant told us to go in about three feet and turn left into the involved portion of the trailer. The firefighter and I advanced the hoseline in dark smoke at floor level. We were having issues progressing over piles of debris and clothes. I told my firefighter to hold up, and I cleared several piles of clothes out of the way. We continued another three feet and were still having trouble making it over the debris. We could not find the entry into the kitchen the ladder crew had told us about. It was at that time that I made the decision to back out. We were risking our lives to crawl through pile after pile of clothes and debris to save nothing.
(3) C-D side showing the back door.
(4) Front screen door with insulation spray.
The truck crew encouraged us again, telling us we were only a few feet from the entry into the involved area. It was gut check time, and I told them we were backing out. The fire was extinguished from the outside and the structure was determined to be safe. Then, interior search and overhaul procedures safely took place. On investigation, it was found that the pink smoke seen on the initial size-up was from the metal entry door insulation heating up, melting, and blowing out through the peep hole between the front entry door and screen door. The fire originated in the front bedroom and was suspicious in nature.
(5) Interior ceiling.
(6) Interior ceiling with trusses burned away.
As a newer lieutenant, I’m sure there are those on my department silently critiquing my first fires. After studying NIOSH reports and attending various other tactics trainings, I often told myself I would not go into a vacant structure heavily involved in fire. But, I often wondered if I would be brave enough to stand up to the fire service traditional macho culture and not go in. So even though I might be heckled by the truckies in the future, I’m confident that I made the right decision. With all the foreclosed and vacant properties nationwide, I’m sure other firefighters will face the same tough decision. Are you brave enough not to go in?
Teresa Hinz is a lieutenant/shift investigator for Union Colony (CO) Fire/Rescue Authority Engine 4. She has a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in biological sciences. A 13-year veteran of the fire service, she was a volunteer firefighter with Ault-Pierce Fire District for eight years. She is also an EMT-Intermediate.
Subjects: Safety, firefighting
