FIREGROUND POINTS TO PONDER
BY ALEXANDER D. LOBETO
The following photos of a carpet store/warehouse fire in Bradenton, Florida, present several points to ponder concerning fireground operations.
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(Top) Vehicle fire or structure fire? Initial arrival size-up indicated a heavily involved commercial structure fire. On forcing entry through one of three overhead rolling doors, firefighters discovered a full-size van. Was this a vehicle fire or a structure fire? To mitigate the actual problem at emergency scenes, firefighters should be flexible so they can adapt to ever-changing conditions. Note: Firefighters moved the van during firefighting operations. It sustained only minimal smoke damage. (Photos by Genoa R. Lobeto.)
(Bottom) Large fires, large lines! Large fires require large hoselines. The initial attack at this fire was made with a two-inch preconnect backed by three-inch lines wyed to supply two 212-inch lines as needed. Water supply was delivered from a hydrant through five-inch large-diameter hose.
(Left) Consider fireground exposures! High-tension electrical power lines, especially of the magnitude shown, present serious exposure problems. Be aware of these exposures so personnel and apparatus can be protected. Note how the wind direction (blowing away from the power lines) can assist with exposure problems.
(Right) Collapse problem? Note the area with active fire involvement. Could the trusswork of this structure be involved, leading to building collapse? Of what are the trusses made? Of what is the wall made? What could be damaged? Who would be injured if a collapse were to occur? Pre-emergency surveys of the building could provide useful information that would lead to more effective fire attack and fireground operations. n
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ALEXANDER D. LOBETO is a suppression captain with Cedar Hammock Fire Control District in Bradenton, Florida. He has an associate`s degree in fire science from Manatee Community College in Bradenton and is currently pursuing an advanced degree certificate in fire service management.
