BY MICHAEL N. CIAMPO
As we were taking up from a run, the dispatcher asked us if we were available. We acknowledged that we were, and immediately the mobile data terminal’s audible signal informed us that the run was coming up on the screen. The headline said: “Filling it out-2nd Source,” meaning dispatch received more than one call for a fire at the reported location. As we responded, we had to use a bit more caution: The other units also operating at the last box were responding, and not in our typical response pattern, to the said address.
Nearing the reported location, we saw a large column of grayish black smoke rising in an almost straight vertical line (sometimes this is a very good indication of a shaft fire). Plus, the dispatcher notified both trucks that there were reports of people on the fire escapes.
Arriving at the corner building, we attempted to park the tower ladder on the corner since the first-due aerial ladder had coverage of the front, but a street light made positioning difficult. Also, the chauffeur noticed civilians fleeing the building farther down on the other fire escape and positioned the rig there to relieve the overcrowding.
After we got off the apparatus, the portable radio announced that the fire was on the third floor; thus, we would be going to the fourth floor/floor above. As we made our way into the lobby, the first-due engine’s hoseline was simultaneously approaching the stairway. Realizing there was no well hole to stretch up, we let the first-due engine get in front of us, and we assisted in the stretch up the stairs.
As we got to the third floor, the smoke was billowing out of the apartment door, and the first-due truck was quickly exiting the fire apartment. Prior to donning face pieces, a quick verbal communication between the two truck officers occurred. The second-due truck let the first-due companies know they were going to the floor above and to hold the door. The first-due truck replied that the fire was immediately inside the apartment and that they’d hold the door until we were inside on the floor above.
Climbing the stairs in a duck-walking position because of the heat, we noticed that the ceiling’s light fixture was already melted and the half-landing window’s upper section was cracked. Fire was blowing out of the fire apartment’s windows in the shaft and impinging onto this window.
Without a charged hoseline in place but with the apartment door controlled, the decision was made to attempt entry to the apartment on the floor above. However, there was going to be an adjustment in the manner in which it was performed: One member was positioned at the half-landing to monitor the window and possible failure from the flames hitting it. He also monitored when the hoseline was charged and ready to move into the fire apartment.
There have been many instances when the fire apartment door was reopened and fire forcefully exited the apartment and ignited the years of accumulated paint in the public hallway and quickly traveled up the stairwell. In addition, in this position he could monitor when the second hoseline was being stretched to their location.
Prior to the forcible entry team’s proceeding to the floor above, members were told to force an off door first for an area of refuge in case the window failed and to get on their stomachs and slide down the stairs to safety if it failed. Initially, since the fire apartment’s door was controlled and there was some visibility in the hallway, conventional forcible entry methods were initiated on the floor above.
While sizing up the door, we could see heavy smoke rolling out from beneath it. We called for a hoseline to back up the search team and extinguish any possible extension. At this time, the first-due engine’s line was charged and ready to advance, so a hydraulic forcible entry tool was used to complete the entry process, and the members entered the apartment to begin their search for life and extension. Deep into the apartment, they found some extension in the walls, which the second hoseline extinguished.
Going to the floor above can often be difficult and places members in a dangerous position. In some situations, it may not be immediately achievable, but there may be additional ways of reaching the floor above-i.e., through the use of fire escapes, portable ladders, or aerial or tower ladders. You must conduct a proper size-up of fire conditions on the fire floor and evaluate the following information prior to going to the floor above:
- What is the location and extent of fire?
- Is the fire apartment door controlled?
- Is there a hoseline in place, operating or being advanced?
- Are there any water problems (broken hydrant, burst length, or long stretch, for example)?
Firefighters searching above must also ensure they monitor their radios for updated information and reports as well as know their location in relation to their primary and secondary escape routes in case conditions rapidly deteriorate.
For related video, go to (http://bcove.me/xvr9i92i)
MICHAEL N. CIAMPO is a 28-year veteran of the fire service and a lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York. Previously, he served with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He is the lead instructor for the FDIC Truck Essentials H.O.T. program. He wrote the Ladder chapter and co-authored the Ventilation chapter for Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II (Fire Engineering, 2009) and is featured in “Training Minutes” truck company videos on www.FireEngineering.com.
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