fire science filed report responding
As a rescue company, we responded to a structure fire reported to be a working fire. Our departmental policy dictates that a crew of four will divide into two teams. I was the B- Team supervisor and had the responsibility of covering the floor above the fire for search/rescue, ventilation, and fire extension.
Upon our arrival we found a 1 ½ story split level detached home with about 40% involvement that included quadrant A of the upper level and quadrants A and B of the lower level. We were the third piece to arrive on the scene after a ladder and engine.
As we approached the Alpha side of the building I noticed a hose line going into the lower level that was charged. There was evidence (visible steam) from the outside that water was in fact being applied to the fire on the lower level. I saw members from the ladder company at the bottom of the stairs, thus steering my decision to go up.
My team member and I entered the building and proceeded to the upper floor in the area of the origin of the fire and began our search. We went straight at the top of the stairs through a kitchen and then left into the dining room. My team member and I had good face to face communication while proceeding through these areas.
Once I made it to the outside wall (B side) of the dining area I could hear the fire towards the front of the house. My partner and I began to turn around in an effort to move back through the path we came to search the Charlie and Delta quadrants, when a loud rumble occurred and I was dropped to the floor. The ceiling had collapsed due to heavy fire in the cockloft area that we were unaware of. The collapse brought a heavy fire load down when it occurred and there was fire all around. I yelled for my partner and he responded. The collapse had actually separated us, knocking him into a clear area. He was ok, advising he could make it out via the interior stairs. Once I got my bearing, I noticed a window and began to move the debris quickly as to make a rapid egress because the flames were intensifying.
As I began to make an unassisted egress from the upper floor window, the ladder truck driver ran up to the window with a ladder and placed just below the sill of the window. This ladder placement was a mere coincidence for I had not transmitted any information related to the collapse via the radio at this point. I made my way down the provided ladder notified the IC of the occurrence and recommended the evacuation of the building.
Lessons Learned
I now realize the importance of not operating alone. The comfort of hearing my team member when I called is unexplainable. Additionally, there seems to always be a huge emphasis placed on interior firefighting crews to paint a picture from the interior for the Incident Commander. Though I agree, I believe it is equally as important for the Incident Commander to keep interior crews abreast of the picture he/she sees from the exterior.
Our response time from the actual 911 call was about 13 minutes. This was a lightweight construction home with heavy fire involvement. It more than reinforces the timelines we have all been taught in the past, 6-10 minutes and the structure is not sound. This is probably the most valuable lesson of all.
Demographics
Department Type: Volunteer
Job or Rank: Lieutenant
Department Shift: Stand-by (in-station)
Age: 16 - 24
Years of Fire Service Experience: 7 - 10
Region: FEMA Region III
Service Area: Urban
Event Information
Event Type: Fire emergency event: structure fire, vehicle fire, wildland fire, etc.
Date and Time: Mar 18 2008 1:00PM
Hours Into the Shift:
Event Participation: Involved in the event
Weather at Time of Event:
Do you think this will happen again?
Contributing Factors? Command, Procedure, Other
What do you believe is the loss potential?: Life threatening injury
