BY WILLIAM SHOULDIS
TRADITION IS IMPORTANT TO any emergency response agency. The Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department is no exception. Its first fire chief was one of the Founding Fathers of this nation, and he often wrote about the need for fire prevention. Benjamin Franklin also stressed the need to be properly prepared for a true emergency. Balancing the mission of community protection and preparedness has not changed since colonial America.
When Engine Company 53 and Ladder Company 27 rolled to a mid-morning alarm at La Esperanza, a Mexican grocery store in the heart of an old section of South Philadelphia recently, fire was visible from the exterior. The flames were threatening four people trapped inside a three-story property. The first floor was a commercial business, and the upper floors were divided into apartments. Extensive renovations had removed compartmentations. Fire seemed to be located on the second floor, and smoke was traveling upward. Quick entry, suppression, and search actions were required. In short order, three civilians were removed and one adult woman leaped from the third floor. Simultaneously, tactics were carried out. The flames were confined to the upper floors and finally extinguished with multiple water lines. On-scene medical care was provided to all the victims, and the severely burned occupant was transported to a burn center.
ACHIEVEMENTS ARE ROOTED IN REGULAR TRAINING
So how do we measure the response to the La Esperanza store fire? Was it a success because all tenants survived? Was it a success because no responders were injured? Or was the real achievement deeply rooted in regular training on the basic operational skills?
The responding companies at this incident are well known for their company pride. Without a doubt, the newer members of the units have learned from the senior people. Continuous critiques at the kitchen table are a way of life. The sharing of “street” lessons in the firehouse and regular “hands-on” training outside of the firehouse goes back many decades. For these units, instantaneous implementation of basic firefighting principles absolutely is a learned process.
At the La Esperanza incident, an aggressive offensive attack was based on the initial size-up. Forcible entry and ventilation permitted the water lines to be stretched to protect an open stairway. Although life safety always is the highest priority, on this Sunday morning, at this rapidly escalating emergency, it was deemed appropriate to take significant risks.
Outside the structure, the pump operator knew the exact moment to pressurize the hoseline. Inside the structure, the engine company members, equipped with SCBA, needed to stay low because of the intense heat as they started their attack. The team climbed the main staircase, guiding the initial water line. Taking the hose straight up through the gap created by the winding stairs instead of around each turn kept the stretch shorter and, more importantly, kept the hose off the stair treads. This left the stairs unobstructed of trip hazards.
To the fire attack group, the landing felt like an inferno; yet, the nozzleman knew the primary objective was to cut off the flames by positioning a straight stream of water between the fire and the most severe life exposure. At the same time, Ladder Company 27 began laddering the property. Firefighters placed two portable ladders at the window ledges. By placing the tips of the ladders at or below the sill, it was easier for occupants to get out of the burning property and onto the rungs; also, firefighters working on the interior would have a secondary means of egress if conditions deteriorated.
DOING THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME
The longstanding training and tradition passed on by former members of these two companies helped the current crew members grasp the concepts of safety and success. The key to being efficient in the emergency services is to understand that, on arrival, responders can do only a limited number of tasks. Actions must be accurately assessed based on the situation.
Primary considerations at a structural fire must be crew integrity, apparatus placement, proper donning of bunker gear, hoseline selection, pump pressures, positioning of portable ladders, physical conditioning, air consumption, flame spread, and building construction. In reality, effectiveness can be achieved only if all the variables are understood-if firefighters and paramedics are thoroughly trained to perform critical tasks in a systematic and coordinated manner.
Today’s responders rely on new technology, new ideas, and new techniques at an evolving emergency. Yet, success often can be traced to the old tradition of people doing the right things at the right time. Today, individuals and organizations are essential elements in safety solutions. Pass on the lessons! Tactical training tips will save the lives of citizens and responders. Understand our mission.
WILLIAM SHOULDIS is deputy chief of the Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department.
