311 - Warehouse Building Response

Question 1

As the first Engine Company arriving to an investigation of a warehouse, what shall your investigation include?

Answer 1

• Interior recon of the building office and warehouse areas
• Access using Knox box, keys, or forcible entry through man doors or loading dock doors may be required

Question 2

Crews traveling in the interior of a warehouse should consider what three things?

Answer 2

• Travel along the line of loading dock, doors to maintain orientation and rapid exit
• Loading dock doors should be opened as you progress through the building this aids and ventilation and additional exit points
• Deep travel into possible IDLH without initiation of ventilation efforts should be avoided

Question 3

Which engine companies PDA is to assume RIC at the warehouse fire?

Answer 3

2nd engine company

Question 4

How do subsequent arriving units assist with the initial investigation of a warehouse fire or fire alarm?

Answer 4

360 recon of exterior looking for indications of smoke, fire, fire, sprinkler, runoff, fire pump, activation, audible, alarms, water gong activations

Question 5

Who may find it necessary to direct all incident tactical communications to a direct mode frequency?

Answer 5

The incident commander or initial Company Officer

Question 6

What are the first in engine company PDAs on a warehouse fire?

Answer 6

• Size up/report on conditions
• Obtain information from alarm panels, occupants, or tenants
• Investigation of the office and warehouse areas
• Report on interior conditions
• Company officer determines if there is a life, safety hazard, and if all employees are accounted for
• Establish command and direct incoming resources to begin multi company investigation, ventilation, and or fire attack

Question 7

What are the second in engine company responsibilities at the warehouse fire

Answer 7

• Perform a mobile 360 of the building exterior and report on conditions
• Assist initial company with investigation as needed
• Prepare to perform RIC duties

Question 8

What are the third engine company responsibilities at a warehouse fire?

Answer 8

Assist initial company with investigation as needed

Once Fire location has been determined, proceed to the best access point, and prepare for a reverse hose lay establish a water supply

Provide initial attack lines as needed

Question 9

What are the first truck companies responsibilities at a warehouse fire?

Answer 9

• Assist initial company with investigation
• Provide forcible entry as needed
• Perform ventilation as needed
  Note, horizontal ventilation may be the most effective method due to building construction features and size

Question 10

Additional warehouse fire considerations

Answer 10

Consider designating an engine company to pump to the buildings fire sprinkler system. Consider using an engine company from the second alarm.

Building size and construction may adversely affect 800 MHz radio considering using 8CAFIR1D in zone 12 this is a direct mode frequency. Other direct mode frequencies can be found in zone 8.