Firefighting Tactics - Essay Example

Firefighting Tactics Introduction Firefighting is dangerous and requires decisions about life and death to be arrived at almost instantaneously. Moreover, such decisions have to be taken on the basis of incomplete information and under highly stressful conditions. These decisions strike a balance between the risks to the firefighters and the possible benefits that could be achieved from such activity[Ros08]. When human life is at stake, it is natural for firefighters to be expected to undertake greater risks. In the majority of the cities, firefighters tend to be trained personnel of organisations that are supported by the government, including fire departments. On the other hand, there do exist firefighting organisations that chiefly consist of volunteer firefighters. Furthermore, firefighting organisations engage in the design and implementation of fire prevention programmes. The latter could include building codes that insist upon the presence of fire alarms, properly located equipment for extinguishing fires, internal fire walls to restrict the spread of fires, water sprinkler devices, employment of fire retardant construction materials, and safe electrical wiring [San15]. Educating the public about fire safety and prevention practices is critically important for any fire prevention programme. Incident Command and Control In addition, it is necessary for the incident commander to adhere to the tenets of the contemporary national incident command system. The incident commander has to analyse the available information regarding the incident, prior to deploying personnel into the hazard area. In addition, this information should constitute the basis for any operational decision taken by the incident commander[Chi111]. Furthermore, a comprehensive safety brief has to be conducted, before consigning personnel into the hazard region. Moreover, the incident commander should make certain that a risk evaluation is conducted, so as to prepare the response plan with the adequate and pertinent control measures. Such plans can be developed in consultation with the British Compressed Gas Association competent individual, on-site responsible person, or the hazardous materials adviser[Chi123]. Pre-Incident Planning The activity of pre-incident planning for suppressing fire includes visits to the site of the fire, pre-plans, fire flow determinations, and the identification of sprinklers, standpipes and other auxiliary devices, before the occurrence of the actual fire. The maxim, ‘failing to plan results in planning to fail’ is apt for this situation, and it has a tremendous bearing upon the pre-incident gathering of information[Usi]. The personnel involved with emergency medical services (EMS) would be benefitted greatly, if they were to be apprised of crucial information, such as, first, whether the elevators in a building can accommodate stretchers for evacuating the injured. Second, the presence or otherwise of specific entrances for schools, sports stadiums, or large office complexes in the response area[Usi]. Third, location of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or correctional institutions. Such information makes it possible to identify the issues pertaining to specific population groups with special needs. Fourth, provision of such services at locations that possess outdoor recreational facilities, wherein the participants could be affected by cold, heat, or water bodies, and the presence of equipment and skill to deal with such environmental emergencies. Such information makes it possible to focus efforts upon individual complaints of primary importance and diagnosis[Usi]. The subsequent stage in the proceedings relates to that of strategy and tactics, and identification of the action plan. The strategy deals with what is to be carried out, whilst the tactics denote the procedures to be adopted to realise the strategy. Subsequent to gathering the information required for taking informed decisions, the fire officer has to formulate an action plan to rectify the identified issues and restore the status quo ante or the position that had been in place, prior to the outbreak of the fire[Usi]. Obviously, few incidents have a formal incident action plan developed for them. Thus, a commonplace residential structure will have an action plan that has been produced by the incident commander (IC). However, it will not have a formal incident action plan that spells out the operational goals of the incident and the response strategy for specific operation periods that have been defined by the IC. It is difficult, if not impossible, to associate typical structure fire with a planning section that formulates long term plans for several operating periods that are more frequently associated with an incident action plan. Consequently, the action plan is essentially an intangible list of objectives that the IC requires crews to realise[Usi]. Such lists are conveyed verbally to the crew. Firefighter Responsibilities For achieving success in their operations, firefighters have to be proficient in carrying out a diverse range of duties. Some of these emerge daily, whilst the others occur once in a while. Some of these tasks are; first, responding safely and immediately to emergency and assistance calls. Second, attending fires, road accidents, terrorist incidents, floods and other emergency incidents. Third, rescuing trapped animals and humans. Fourth, reducing suffering and distress to a minimum, and providing first aid before the arrival of the ambulance staff. Fifth, preserving the safety of themselves and others at all times[Gra141]. Sixth, checking and cleaning the site, subsequent to dealing with an incident. Seventh, making themselves familiar with the local roads, streets and buildings, in order to be better placed to respond to emergencies with efficiency and speed. Eight, inspecting and maintaining the fire engine and other equipment, assisting in testing fire hydrants, and checking emergency water supplies[Gra141]. Ninth, participating in physical training, drills, and training related to the use of equipment and related issues. Tenth, preserving the physical fitness levels required for performing firefighter duties. Eleventh, informing the general public about the necessity to promote fire safety, by lecturing in schools, and by visiting homes to impart relevant advice. Twelfth, preserving a close association with the local community[Gra141]. Speed and Weight of Response In order to diminish damage to individuals and property, due to the fire, firefighting tactics are carried out as expeditiously as possible. However, this is not done at the cost of safety. The majority of the firefighting operational activities are self-paced and team-based. These tasks are carried out with the maximum intensity that can be accommodated by the group. As a result, the pace of these activities is primarily determined by the fitness of the individual firefighters involved. The strength of a chain is that of its weakest link, and this axiom holds true for firefighters. Thus, the pace of carrying out the operational tasks is determined by the least fit member of the firefighting team. Strictly speaking, muscle strength, endurance, aerobic fitness, and body composition are the primary factors that determine the performance of firefighters[Off04]. National Fire Protection Association In order to ensure uniformity in fire reporting, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire Reporting developed the NFPA 901, Uniform Coding for Fire Protection. This standard establishes the fundamental terminology and definitions related to fire reporting. In addition, it furnishes a procedure for categorising data, thereby making it possible to aggregate such data automatically or manually[Cot88]. Tactical Considerations The officer in command has to possess adequate knowledge regarding fire behaviour, firefighting strategy and tactics, and the manner in which these tactics interact with fire behaviour. Such knowledge is indispensable for formulating an effective tactical plan. Upon arriving at the scene of the fire, the officer in command has to take decisions that strike a balance between the existing firefighting resources and the fire situation that is being envisaged[Cla91]. The consequences of this balancing process will dictate the course of the initial action to be undertaken. For instance, the availability of adequate resources would facilitate an aggressive and immediate offensive action. However, insufficient resources would favour a plan that principally relied upon a defensive action[Cla91]. The primary observable factors that influence the officer in command’s tactical choices are life hazard, location of the fire, probability of extension, nature of the fire, and the extent of the fire[Cla91]. Fire Suppression Measures Water With regard to general fires, water proves to be the most easily procurable, efficient, and least expensive material for extinguishing fires. As a consequence, fire services use it extensively for putting out fires. All the same, water cannot be used with each and every fire, and under all circumstances. With respect to class A materials, water is the preferred extinguishing agent, and it is utilised for cooling such materials directly. It is also used as a base for fighting fire with foam[Int031]. Foam The use of foam for putting out dousing fire in inflammable and combustible liquids happens to be a long standing practice. Such fires are extinguished by water based stable foam. The latter does this by cooling the burning material, separating the source of flame from the burning material’s surface, preventing the production of inflammable gases, and smothering. This combination of characteristics is absent in water, carbon dioxide and dry chemicals[Che151]. Compressed Air Foam Mobile compressed air foam (CAF) systems constitute a novel variety of fire suppression devices. CAFs, upon being utilised properly, generate better quality foam that is endowed with considerable momentum. Nevertheless, a systematic assessment of mobile CAF systems has not be undertaken, with regard to their capacity to extinguish fires. A certain amount of research has been conducted into the capacity of mobile CAF systems to suppress fully developed compartment fires. Upon comparing these systems with water hose stream application, it has been found that CAF systems cooled down the fire compartment to 2000C, in a significantly shorter period than water or foam application in isolation[Kim12]. Dry Powders In the context of electrical or flammable liquid fires, dry powders prove to be very effective. There are special powders that can be employed upon metals. Fire extinguishers containing dry powder can be used to put out class C fires, as well as liquefied gases that constitute a liquid spillage, liquid or gas leak. However, such action has to be carried out in association with other measures, such as blocking the leak. The latter is essential for preventing the accumulation of flammable gas and air mixture, which could explode. Moreover, the activation of such extinguishers can be achieved via a detection system or by a manual process[Car021]. Ventilation Natural ventilation or ventilation produced by mechanical methods can be employed to impede the spread of smoke and decomposition products in a building. This averts endangering the occupants and at the same time ensures effective firefighting and rescue. It is indispensable to adopt measures that achieve efficient isolation of the ventilation system, and confine the fire, smoke and decomposition products in the building[Fir15]. Overhaul The crossing point stage between fire investigation and fire suppression is termed overhaul. Under the control of fire suppression forces, overhaul produces a tremendous impact upon the capacity of fire investigators to identify the accurate and actual origin and cause of fires. The overhaul stage entails the discovery and extinguishing of hidden fires or hot spots that could rekindle the fire and bring about the total destruction of the remaining structure. The final overhaul in conjunction with conducting the initial origin and cause investigation, makes it possible to identify the origin and cause of the fire in an efficient manner[Wal001]. Incidents of Operational Failure The death of four firefighters in the year 2007, at Alcester, caused the Fire Brigades Union to lay the blame squarely upon several organisational systematic failures by the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. Expressing his distress and displeasure at these turn of events, the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, Matt Wrack, vehemently declared that such deaths had increased over the past decade, with twice the number of firefighters succumbing to flames. He accused the government and the fire and rescue services of not making the necessary changes to prevent such tragedies[Red14]. Conclusion Firefighting is a risky operation where life and death decisions have to be taken swiftly and on the basis of incomplete information. In addition, these operations take place in situations involving tremendous pressure. Hence, firefighters have to be more active physically and mentally, to cope up with the situation. Consequently, the incident commander should be highly competent and efficient in evaluating the risks and in preparing a suitable action plan. Moreover, ensuring safety during firefighting is a team responsibility. It is incumbent upon every member of the firefighting team to promote fire ground safety and to report collapse hazards. Furthermore, the incident commander should have a strategy to protect firefighters at the fire scene, after a collapse danger has been reported. Thus, it can be surmised that firefighting requires a balancing between inherent risk to firefighters’ lives and the possible benefits, such as saving lives. References Carson, P. A., 2002. Hazardous Chemicals Handbook. 2nd ed. Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann. Chemguard, 2015. General Foam Information. [online] Available at: [Accessed 4 December 2015]. Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, 2011. Generic Risk Assessment 3.1 Fighting Fires in Buildings. [online] Available at: [Accessed 4 December 2015]. Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, 2012. Operational guidance Incidents involvling hazardous materials. [online] Available at: [Accessed 4 December 2015]. Clark, W. E., 1991. Firefighting Principles and Practices. 2nd ed. Saddle Brook, NJ, USA: PennWell Books. Cote, A. & Bugbee, P., 1988. Principles of Fire Protection. Quincy, MA, USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Fire Safety Manager, University College London Estates, 2015. Fire Safety Technical Guide. 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