Townhouse Manual Flashcards
Make Captain 💯
The following townhouse fire situations should cue the IC to request a second alarm:
pg 21
- known rescues,
- fire in two separate occupancies,
- fire on more than one level of the townhouse, and
- fire in attic space*
On-Scene Report
The first-arriving unit officer, typically that of the first due engine company, should provide the first due command-level officer the following information in the on-scene report:
pg 21
- unit identification and side of structure where the apparatus is positioned;
- building height (i.e., number of stories above ground);
- occupancy type; and
- a detailed report of evident conditions, to include side of structure where conditions are
- evident, quadrant location, and conditions description.
Size-Up and Situation
Size-Up and Situation Report
pg 22
- number of above-grade floors in front;
- number of above-grade floors in rear;
- specific location of fire, if visible;
- presence of a basement, conditions present in the basement, and location of basement access;
- floor labeling;
- hazards observed;
- presence of exposures;
- occupant status (if able to obtain); and
- the need for additional resources.
Basement Fires
The initial handline
may be deployed to:
pg. 31
- an exterior basement entrance, if present, for fire attack or
- the front door, utilizing the fire stream reach to protect the interior stairs and upper floors.
Basement Fire With an Exterior Entrance to the Basement
the preferred point of attack for the initial handline is an exterior entrance
leading directly into the basement
pg. 32
position the second hoseline at
the main entrance threshold to the floor above the basement
Basement Fire With No Exterior Entrance to the Basement
When firefighters encounter a basement fire in a townhouse without an exterior basement entrance, personnel should consider these methods of applying water to the basement from the exterior to knock down the fire:
pg. 32
- Direct a fire stream through an available basement window
- Remove a section of band board to enable the direction of fire streams into the basement.
- Perform a window cut-down or extend an existing cut-down by 1 or 2 ft to access the
- band board and floor joist area on the first floor.
- personnel can insert a cellar nozzle from the exterior into the structure through a hole over the immediate fire area
Basement Fire With No Exterior Entrance or Access
The officer must consider:
pg 33
- structural stability
- life hazard
- as well as fire and heat conditions at the top of the basement stairs
Exterior Fires Extending Into the Dwelling
Officers should utilize the following tactics when responding to exterior townhouse fires
extending into the dwelling:
pg. 35
- Deploy the first hoseline to the fire location on the structure’s exterior to quickly knock down the fire.
- Deploy the second line to the dwelling’s interior. Inspect the ceiling area and the floor condition at the point of entry. The use of a thermal imaging camera is highly recommended
- After knocking down the exterior fire, redeploy the first hoseline to the interior to assist the interior line or progress to upper floors to attack any fire.
Garage Fires
When members encounter a townhouse garage fire, they should:
pg. 35
- attack the fire from the exterior
- deploy a second line through the building’s main entrance to check for and extinguish fire that extended beyond the garage
- If windows provide access to the garage, personnel should consider directing hose streams through the windows to knock down the garage fire.
Wind-Driven Fires
Five conditions must exist for a wind-driven fire to occur:
pg. 36
- fire in the structure,
- a failed or opened window or exterior door in the fire area,
- wind on the structure’s exterior,
- a secondary failed or opened window or door remote from the fire area
- an unobstructed flow path from the fire area to the secondary failed or open window or door.
RESOURCES FOR FIRES IN TOWNHOUSES
The minimum initial alarm assignment for a townhouse fire consists of the following:
pg. 39
- 4 engines
- 2 trucks
- 1 rescue
- 1 emergency medical services (EMS) unit,
- 2 battalion chiefs
- 1 EMS supervisor
First Due Engine THF
The first due engine company’s responsibilities are as follows:
pg. 39
- View as much of the structure as possible during approach.
- Communicate primary water supply report to the second due engine.
- Position to allow for rapid hoseline advancement while maintaining priority positioning for truck companies. In most cases, this means the first engine pulls at least two addresses past the involved unit.
- Communicate an on-scene report to the first due command-level officer.
- Complete a 360-degree lap of the structure and communicate a situation report to the first due command-level officer.
- Deploy initial hoseline and begin fire suppression operations in coordination with Command.
Second Due Engine THF
The second due engine company’s responsibilities are as follows:
pg. 39
- Establish primary water supply to the first due engine.
- Identify and supply the building’s fire department connection (FDC), if present.
- Assist the first engine with initial hoseline, if needed.
- Prepare to deploy a second hoseline. Depending on fire conditions, this hoseline can be advanced into the fire unit as a second hoseline or directed to an exposure unit.
Third Due Engine THF
The third due engine company’s responsibilities are as follows:
pg. 40
- Establish a secondary water supply and coordinate with the fourth due engine, if needed.
- Position at the rear of the structure, if possible.
- Report to Command via radio:
1. Evident conditions on side Charlie
1. Number of stories present in the rear
1. Changes in the location, volume, and characteristics of any fire or smoke;
2. The presence of any persons in distress. - Deploy a side-Charlie hoseline.
- Coordinate suppression operations and hoseline advancement through rear entrances to the involved unit or into exposures with units operating on side Alpha.
Fourth Due Engine THF
The fourth due engine company’s responsibilities are as follows:
pg. 40
- Help the third due engine establish a side-Charlie water supply, if needed.
- Establish the initial RIT.
