Private Dwellings

Question 0

PRIVATE DWELLINGS - PRIMARY CONSIDERATION: PLACEMENT OF THE FIRST HOSE LINE & CELLAR FIRE OPERATIONS

Answer 0

1. In cellar fires - via the entrance door providing the quickest access to
   the fire area.
2. 1st and upper floor fires - via the Main Entrance

• The option that provides the quickest access to the cellar:
  A) Detached/semi attached = usually the 2nd entrance
  B) Attached = usually through a main entrance.
• Cellar fire considerations:

A) Proper placement of the 1st line requires a coordinated sizeup and
communication between the first engine and ladder officer.

B) A thermal imaging camera showing heat waves emanating across
the first floor ceiling indicates the interior cellar door is open.

C) Smoke showing significant force and speed under pressure on the
first floor indicates that the interior cellar door is open.

D) The operation of the line into a cellar window with members still in
the cellar is only permitted in an emergency.

E) At serious cellar fires, it is good practice to have a precautionary
charged line in position near the FRONT of the building for
emergency conditions that may develop.

F) Bilco style door covering an exterior cellar entrance is indicative of
an unoccupied cellar and SHOULD NOT be utilized for line
placement.

• Who may order certain operations at cellar fires:A) Repositioning of line on 1st floor to a secondary entrance may only
  be ordered by an ABC or BC.B) An exterior line operated into the cellar window may be order by
  either a Chief of Company Officer.
  unless it is the only option.

Question 1

PRIVATE DWELLINGS - POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF STAIRWAY TO 2ND FLOOR

Answer 1

• The lack of windows on the side of a PD combined with a secondary
  entrance that has a stoop on that same side of the house.
• Two secondary entrances found adjacent to each other on the same
  side of the house, one with a stoop, one at ground level.
• A stoop on a secondary entrance on exposure 2 or 4.
• Only one or two offset windows found on exposure 2 or 4 side of the
  house.
• Offset windows should NOT be used for VEIS.

Question 2

PRIVATE DWELLINGS - OPERATING LINE INTO CELLAR WINDOW

Answer 2

1. CONSIDER EXTERIOR LINE INTO CELLAR WINDOW IF: “SAUL”
   A) S - Serious fire
   B) A - Any / all entrances cannot be located
   C) U - Unable to advance down interior stair & cannot locate other
   entrances.
   D) L - Lightweight construction.
2. IF OPERATING EXTERIOR LINE INTO CELLAR WINDOWS:
   A) No members in the cellar
   B) Communicated to all
   C) 1st floor - primary concern is to close interior cellar door.
   D) Members on 1st floor need charged line or area of refuge or they
   have to exit the building.
3. EXCEPTION
   A) Members trapped by fire
   B) Collapse occured

Question 3

PRIVATE DWELLING - DESCENDING DOWN INTERIOR CELLAR STAIRS “HIS”

Answer 3

• Do not go down interior cellar stairs if there is: “HIS”

A) H - High heat at the top of interior cellar stairs

B) I - Interior stairs have questionable stability

C) S - Serious fire condition in the cellar

D) The safety of members is the paramount concern in making the
decision to advance down the interior cellar stairs.

• If the 1st line goes through front door and doesn’t advance into the
  cellar: *It must remain on 1st floor (if safe) until cellar fire is controlled.
• Reposition of first line through front door to secondary entrance:
  A) Only ABC or BC can order
  B) Urgent message using EAB
  C) Ladder members repositioned before line is moved
  D) Upper floor members may need to be withdrawn before line is
  repositioned.

- Consider stretching a 2 1/2" line if:
  A) Building is fully involved
  B) Wind impacted fire
  C) Heavily involved first floor in larger style PD
  D) Exposure protection

Question 4

PRIVATE DWELLINGS - WHEN TO CONSIDER A 2 1/2” LINE

Answer 4

• Consider stretching a 2 1/2” line if:A) Building is fully involvedB) Wind impacted fireC) Heavily involved first floor in larger style PDD) Exposure protection

Question 5

PRIVATE DWELLINGS - REPOSITION OF 1ST LINE THROUGH FRONT DOOR TO SECONDARY ENTRANCE

Answer 5

• Reposition of first line through front door to secondary entrance:A) Only ABC or BC can orderB) Urgent message using EABC) Ladder members repositioned before line is movedD) Upper floor members may need to be withdrawn before line moved

Question 6

PRIVATE DWELLINGS - LADDER COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS

Answer 6

• A member proceeding to the rear or sides
  A) Must VISUALLY examine cellar windows to determine interior fire
  conditions.
  B) Shall not vent windows unless ordered to do so.
• Portable ladder operations, if the initial survey indicates there is no
  visible life hazard, the position of the first Roof/OV team, is to perform
  VEIS on an upper floor area that is most likely to be occupied.
• After gaining entry through the entrance door chosen, door shall be
  kept controlled in a closed position by a member of the interior team
  until:
  A) The fire area can further isolated
  B) A charged line is advancing through the front door
• The first ladder outside team - early into operation - if conditions allow
  will initiate the removal of window bars on both the front and rear of
  the building.
• Venting attic windows: controlled by ladder officer operating in the
  area to be ventilated.
• Who cuts the roof:
  A) Peak (2nd Ladder)
  B) Flat (1st Ladder)
  C) Queen Anne (Later arriving unit)
• Flat Roof Private DwellingA) 1st Roof brings LSR if:

  1. Delay in laddering the rear due to attached exposures
  2. Height of building requires LSR

  B) Scissor ladder to similar UNINVOLVED attached exposure to get to
  roof:
  1. Wood frame - do not use immediate adjoining building
  2. Brick construction with firewall - use bldg. with easiest accessC) 2nd Roof FF brings saw
• Flat Roof (Top floor fire with attached exposures)
  A) 2nd inside team to examine exposures
  B) 2nd LCC may be used to check exposure
  C) 2nd OV may team up with 2nd LCC to check IDLH exposure
• Cellar fires (1st Ladder inside team to same entrance as 1st line)
  If no line is immediately available and fire conditions permit:
  A) 1st officer may decide to advance down stairs
  B) One member remains at top the control door
  C) If using secondary entrance, close any interior door leading to 1st
  floor.
• When using main entrance for cellar fires
  A) 1st ladder performs primary on 1st floor before descending into
  cellar.