Tactics Manual Flashcards
Command must consider the most critical direction and avenues of fire extension, plus the estimated speed of fire progression, particularly as they affect: (LCSRE)
- Level of risk to firefighters
- Confinement/control efforts
- Spaces (concealed)
- Rescue profile
- Exposures
The variables relating to OFFENSIVE attack operations involve? (LSS)
- Location/position of attack
- Size of attack
- required Support for the attack until
fire control is achieved
This benchmark indicates water is being applied to the main body of the fire and has not been controlled
Water on the Fire
It’s benchmark indicates the main body of fire has been extinguished in a units assigned geographic work area, but the seven sides of the fire have not been checked for any fire extension
Fire Knocked Down
This benchmark will be transmitted when the main body of fire has been extinguished, and all seven sides of the fire have been confirmed as having no fire extension and an assigned units operational area
Fire Control
An engine that makes a direct connection from a hydrant via the intake valve (Keystone) and then pumps water to the forward engine through the large diameter discharge
Key Pumper
An engine, which is located on the supply line between the key pumper and the forward engine. The apparatus will receive water into their 5 inch intake and then pump it from their large diameter discharge.
Relay Engine
An evolution with an engine pumping to another engine, or aerial apparatus from a pressurized discharge
Tandem Pumping
A supporting engine connects a 3-inch line to the forward engines auxiliary 2 1/2 inch inlet and the other end to a 2 1/2 inch discharge. The engineer then pumps his/her water to the forward engine
Tank Transfer Evolution
1,000-1,500 gallons
How many GPM is a “significant working fire”?
400 GPM or more
Categories in which 89% of mayday incidents are resolved by
- Self rescue
- Own crew members
- Another company in same hazard zone
- Combination of all three above
(11% by RIT)
Definition of high-rise
Six or more floors and/or
75 feet above grade
Four basic signs of smoke quality
V V D C
- Volume (tells very little)
- Velocity (#1 sign of flashover)
- Laminar pushed by volume, not
heat
- Laminar pushed by volume, not
- Density (smoke is fuel)
- Color (stage of heating & helps find location)
Interior walls of gypsum board or drywall on water metal studs that extend from floor-to-floor or floor-to-roof, INCLUDING CONCEALED AND INTERSTITIAL SPACES . They are designed to subdivide portions of the building. They are not structurally self-sufficient.
- Fire barriers
Subdivide, including concealed
Interior walls of gypsum board or drywall on wood or metal studs designed to further compartmentalize areas of a structure. They are NOT required to extend concealed spaces.
Fire partitions
Compartmentalize
Not required
Roofs with a change in slope: the slope is called the ______.
Pitch
Low, medium to high, and extreme slopes
- Low 1/12 to 5/12, or up to 25 degrees
- Medium to high slopes, 6/12 to 14/12, or from 25 to 50 degrees
- Extreme slopes exceeded 15/12 or 55 degrees
What types of roofs require a roof ladder to safely work on?
- Medium to high slope roofs with a
pitch greater than 12/12 or 45
degrees - Metal or tile roofs
A rectangular unit of solar cells encased in a frame usually 5 1/2 ft x 3 1/2 ft which possess electrical capacity that can injure personnel
Modules
A series of modules connected in a row that captured solar energy in the form of direct current (DC) electricity
Solar panels
Three conditions inside of stairwell the incident commander must be alerted to
- Locked stairwell doors that allow civilians to exit into the stairwell will not allow floor re-entry
- Civilians are exiting the stairwell firefighters are ascending.
- If there is smoke inside a stairwell.
Four types of smoke detectors
- Thermal sensors (fire)
- Ionization sensors (low smoke)
- Photoelectric centers (identify smoke)
- Rate of rise sensors
This collapse occurs when one or more walls have failed, and the other end of the floor is still attached to only one bearing wall. Voids will be sporadic throughout the debris.
Cantilever collapse
In the hot zone, the IC uses the rescue order. The rescue order is:
(ELRE)
- the most Endangered
- the Largest group.
- Remainder of the fire area
- Exposures
ELRE
The _____ will drive the IC’s search priorities
Occupancy type
Rescue Order versus Search Priority
ELRE
1) most Endangered
2) Largest group
3) Remainder of fire area/structure
4) Exposures
Vs
FATR (fatter building - high rise)
- Fire floor
- floor Above the fire
- Top floor
- Remaining floors starting with the
second to the top working down
The order of search priority is:
- Fire floor
- floor Above the fire
- Top floor
- Remaining floors starting with the second to the top working down
FATR
Wind speeds for Natural versus Mechanical ventilation
- Over 6 to 8 mph, natural ventilation
- Below 6 to 8 mph, mechanical ventilation (PPV)
Four stages of fire development
- Incipient
- Growth
(Flashover) - Fully developed
- Decay
(Appears vent limited ->air
introduced -> fully developed)
Heat Release Rate (HRR) is a key measure of ____ whereas heat flux is ____
- How QUICKLY objects generate heat to surrounding objects (kW or MW)
- AMOUNT of heat transferred per unit area (kW)
The first and second step firefighters can take to reduce the threat of being injured or killed in a flow path?
1) understanding the concept of
controlling flow path
2) proper size up
When Reading Smoke, what are the three steps to smoke assessment?
1) Compare VVDC
2) consider Building and Weather
influences
3) gauge the Rate of Change
Concerning carcinogens, the areas of highest absorption include: (4)
- Forehead
- Neck
- Back
- Groin
Airborne carcinogens will remain at high levels, even _____ minutes after fire extinguishment
45 minutes
Characteristics of CO
- .96 vapor density
- Monitored 3 to 5 feet off the ground
- Hemoglobin affinity 200 times
greater than oxygen
Hydrogen cyanide is ___ times more toxic than CO
35 times
(Breathed a lot of HCN at FS 35)
Extra consideration should be given before committing ____ into an extremely dangerous structure
More than 100 feet
A wind driven fire is a severe fire. Sustained winds of _____, and/or gusts of ____ should be used as key indicators for a Wind Driven Fire, ALTHOUGH it is possible with lower speeds.
- 20 mph or more
- 30 mph or more
There are ___ types of firewalls and they are ____.
- 3
- Fire Walls
- Fire Barriers
- Fire Partitions
Fire ____ are non-combustible masonry walls that extend continuously from the base of a building and terminate above the roof. Designed as freestanding walls that will stand the collapse of structure on either side.
Walls
This wall is a freestanding, non-load bearing wall that extends above the roofline for ____ feet.
These walls are Dangerously Unstable.
Parapet
- Several
This LOAD BEARING wall is common to TWO adjoining buildings or rooms and forms the boundary between them. They are very thick walls and support floors and roofs of both structures. The failure of this wall will usually lead to a building collapse.
Party Walls
(Party of two)
Four basic types of trusses
(Tactics Manual)
- Lightweight wood truss (fail as little
as 5 minutes) - Parallel chord truss (fail ALMOST NO
warning) - Bowstring truss (collapse downward
and outward, hazardous inside and
outside) - Open Web Steel bar joist trusses (fail
in as little as 10 minutes)
A ____ is a row of shops open to the public that share a common roof system, that can be ______ stories
- Strip Center
- 1-3 stories
Tactical concerns for attic spaces (4)
- For a working fire, it is vital to quickly
access the attic and check for fire
extension - Assume the attic is involved until
proven otherwise - Hole to the attic, 4’ x 4’ minimum
- Vertical voids and pipe chases are
the Principal Routes for fire
extension into the attic
Key pumper distances: (2)
unless hydrant is within 300 ft of scene - use key pumper (at fire)
Hydrant is greater than 200 ft from engine - key pumper (FDC)
The standpipe has pressurized air in MOST of the piping that runs from a valve to the hose outlets, but it’s water in the lesser piping between the water supply and the valve. To activate the system, firefighters connect hoses which sends a signal to an alarm panel.
- semi-automatic dry standpipe
Phase I elevator recall occurs when a smoke alarm is activated at _____ or ____.
- Any elevator lobby
- In the elevator machinery room
Three general basement and sublevel types
- No exterior access
- Limited exterior access (windows)
- Exterior access (1 or more doors)
Three most common types of wall collapse.
- Inward/Outward
- Curtain fall collapse
- 90° angle
Five main types of floor collapse
- Lean-to collapse
- V-shaped collapse
- Pancake collapse
- Cantilever collapse (sporadic voids)
- A-frame collapse
Concerning electrical systems, the wood utility pole is usually ____ feet, tall and buried _____ feet deep, carrying ____ volts
- 40 ft
- 6 ft
- 7,200 V
Circuits a smaller electrical network with a larger system. Circuits are rated by _____. These are protected by circuit breakers that will open or trip to prevent too much electrical flow into the system. A tripped circuit breaker can indicate ____, ____ or ____ and are excellent clues.
- Amps or amperes
- fire
- electrical overload
- mechanical malfunction of the circuit
itself
Voltage is the measure of _____in a system, whereas current (amps) is the measure of ____
- electrical pressure
- electrical volume or flow
Place engines as close to what’s burning at safely possible is what rule?
30 ft rule
Engines should be prepared to quickly deploy a horizontal standpipe in situations were ____ of hose will not reach the fire
200 ft
The IC will transmit an “Under Control” report to Dispatch when which tactical priorities are complete
- “Fire control” (extinguishment and 7
sides clear with no extension) - Primary and secondary all clears
- No other resources required to
complete remaining tactical priorities
Three conditions that may warrant a quick hit
- Fire companies have not yet made entry
- Significant fire or smoke venting from an opening and/or significant heat will endanger SAFD
- Delay in attacking fire, such as forcible entry or fire on upper floors
A Manual Lay is where a firefighter pulls a 5-inch landline from the forward engine to a nearby hydrant WITHIN _____ and makes a direct connect
200 feet
This pumping is when a supplied engine can share its water with another apparatus. This is done by connecting Intake to Intake.
Dual pumping (dual intakes)
Level One for responding engines is _____ from the fire scene at a hydrant
One block
A significant working fire (a fire that will require ____ GPM or more) will almost always require a key pumper unless a hydrant is within ____ feet of the scene.
- 400 gpm
- 300 ft
Command is ultimately responsible for managing attack positions in either offensive or defensive locations. The key to effective attack positioning is _____.
Water
When assigning an engine company to deploy an operating hand line in the hot zone, and is very important for the IC to specify ______ and _____.
- What to do with the units apparatus
- Where their water supply comes from
The electronic pressure governor will automatically return the engine to idle if there is an inlet pressure drop of ____within a _____ period
- 30 psi or MORE
- 3 second
The solution to a successful water shuttle operation is ____ and ____.
- INITIAL portable water tank set up location
- Minimizing the IDLE time of water shuttling apparatus
The proper INITIAL set up of water supply operations is essential for two reasons:
1) water supply requirements are most critical during the FIRST FEW MINUTES of the attack
2) It is difficult or impossible to build on or maneuver around a POOR SET UP
Three main components to a water shuttle operation
1) dump site (scene)
2) travel TIME
3) fill site
_____ can be the biggest factor in producing adequate fire flows concerning shuttle operations
Travel time
Fill sites should be selected in the following order:
1) hydrants closest to the scene
2) WELL PUMPING stations closest to the scene
3) DRAFTING location
The most urgent reason for requesting a greater alarm is for the purpose of
Covering life safety
(Rescue) When encountering larger, high density, compartmentalized, multi-unit/room, residential structures, it is more effective to implement a:
“Protect in place” life safety operation
______ rather than _____ is the critical element during a secondary search
- Thoroughness
- Time
(Should be completed by different companies other than those that completed primary)
Until the “Fire Knocked Down” benchmark has been achieved and transmitted, the entire response team’s objective is to _____while commands primary objective is to ___
- (Response team)
Not to supply the fire with any additional air (oxygen) - (Command)
coordinate an overwhelming force of the proper water application
For hydraulic ventilation, fog and smoothbore nozzles can be manipulated to produce water streams that create ____ to ____ CFM
10,000 to 18,000 CFM
The most likely assignments for On Deck companies are (4)
1) reinforce a position within an assigned D/G
2) crew relief within an assigned D/G
3) any other tactical position assigned by the IC
4) deploy as a RIT
(Occupant Services)
As occupants arrive, identify: (5)
- Name
- Telephone number
- Number of occupants
- Any emergency shelter needs
- salvage priorities, including
important medication
Demobilization of the Occupant Services will occur when occupants have ____ and ____.
- Shelter or other arrangements secured
- Transportation has been arranged
The key to successful SALVAGE is to distinguish between ____ and ____
- Excessive damage
- Damage that is required to reduce
potential fire damage
Concerning recycling, if conditions permit, a companies work cycle could be ____ air cylinders
Up to 2 to 3 air cylinders
______ and ______ are responsible for monitoring the welfare of their personnel at all times and determining if D/G recycling or rehab is appropriate
- DGS
- Company Officers
If the OHD is down, cut an opening in the door. Consider vertical cuts, approximately _____ from the tracks and _____ across the top.
- 6 inches
- Horizontally
The 4 high-rise locations
- Base (Level 2)
- On deck (Lobby)
- Staging (2 below fire)
- Rehab (2 below fire)
Concerning a high-rise fire and quick hit, an aerial stream should be able to hit fire ___
- Up to the 12th - 15th floors
The 4 pre-assignments for a high-rise incident:
- Attack (1E & 1L)
- Lobby control (2nd Eng)
- Water supply manager (1st 2 engine engineers)
- Ventilation group (2nd Truck)
LAW-V pre-assignments
There are two conditions which will DICTATE the use of elevators in Phase II operations in a high-rise incident:
1) Working Fire – do not use an elevator bank that serves the fire floor UNLESS authorized by IC
2) Nothing Showing – personal may use elevators to ascend to 2 floors below the suspected fire floor and then walk up
This stage of the fire is the stage immediately after ignition, and includes factors such as:
- Fire has not affected anything
beyond its immediate vicinity - Smoke is not reduced visibility
- Civilians can breathe and can escape
- Heat is low
- Smoke alarms may sound
Incipient stage
Factors that affect whether a fire can be extinguished in the Incipient stage (3)
- Proximity of other flammable FUEL
- Fires access to OXYGEN
- Whether civilians can extinguish the
fire
This stage of fire occurs when the fire has established itself and is self-sufficient. The fire has achieved “established burning” when it is generating enough heat to cause a positive heat feedback loop with the fires, using its own heat to initiate combustion among the surrounding fuel sources, and spreading from the origin to other fuels in its path.
Shortest stage
Growth stage
This stage of fire is when it reaches its hottest point as an engulfing all of the available fuel sources. This is the most dangerous stage due to intense heat.
Fully developed stage
The stage of fire is when the fire runs out of either oxygen or fuel, and is the longest stage of a fire.
Decay stage
Connecting a supply line from hydrant to the forward engine without using a key pumper
Direct connect
An engine that is located in one of the primary, forward attack positions on the fire ground where equipment, hose, and water are deployed from the engine directly into or around hazard zones
Forward engine
This situation can be extremely dangerous for Firefighters. Upon arrival the fire might appear to be in the early growth stage. In truth, and may have already achieved the Fully Developed stage, reached its peak HRR, starved from lack of oxygen, and then transition to Decay stage.
Ventilation limited fire
Reading smoke begins with the first arriving apparatus, comparing smoke issuing from ____ is key.
Various openings of similar size
When reading smoke, velocity is the second step. When you look for the fastest smoke, coming from the most restrictive opening, this will tell you what?
Most likely where the fire is located
This color of smoke can mean early pyrolysis of plastic or hot fire far away
Dirty white smoke
This color of smoke indicates unfinished wood is pyrolyzing just prior to ignition. This type of smoke is a collapse warning sign in lightweight wood construction.
Tan/brown smoke