If These Walls Could Talk: What Fire Companies Need to Know
(Room 109-110)
11 Apr 19
3:30 PM
-
5:15 PM
When arriving at the fire scene as a fire officer, do you still feel confident when giving a building size-up to incoming fire units for today’s construction methods and interior building features? New building components and technologies for new construction as well as existing structures are running ahead of fire and building codes. The incident commander (IC) can no longer continue disseminating guess-based building knowledge. The focus of this class is on how the IC and fire companies can reduce uncertainty when sizing up an existing building, whether occupied, abandoned, or under construction. The instructor introduces a “get out in front approach” in which the buildings “talk to you,”a process similar to that used by the military in a battle plan before engaging the enemy--Quick Access Plans (QAPs). These plans are manageable fireground e-building intelligence that are site specific to support initial operations and the incident as it is unfolding. Students are guided in developing QAP skills, which will enable the IC and fire companies to enhance specific building tactics for fire and other all-hazard emergencies, as well as create a fireground safety legacy for the firefighters of today and of the future.