Safe and effective structural firefighting requires a complex thought process. It is not a simple matter of "how to." Decisions depend on many factors, from the type of building, to the likelihood of occupancy, to the water supply. The third edition of Structural Firefighting: Strategy and Tactics leads readers through all phases of planning, evaluation and implementation to enable them to effectively manage structure fire incidents safe and effective manner, regardless of size or complexity. The third edition has been revised to thoroughly cover the practical applications and limitations of the latest research from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as well as: - Discussion of actual, recent fire incidents and what can be learned from them - Updated statistical information and coverage of the latest applicable standards - Use of real-world examples to reinforce chapter concepts - Student exercises based on practical and real scenarios By applying the principles described in this text, even the most experienced incident commander will be able to utilize his or her knowledge more effectively at the scene.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments • Preface Chapter 1: Organizing, Coordinating, and Commanding Emergency Incidents • Introduction • Evolution of the Incident Management System • Command • National Incident Management System (NIMS) • Unified Command • Initial Command • Command by a Chief Officer • Transfer of Command • Delegation • Command Post • Span of Control • Calling for Additional Resources • Demobilization • Staging • NIMS Organization and Positions • Modular Organization • Command Staff • General Staff • Naming Geographic Areas of a Building • Communications • Computers • Face-to-Face Communication • Messengers • Cellular Telephones • Satellite Telephones • Hardwired Communications Systems • Building Communications Systems • Public Address Systems • Computer Systems • Radio Designation for the IC • Communications Network • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 2: Procedures, Preincident Planning, and Size-Up • Introduction • Developing Standard Operating Procedures • Purpose of Standard Operating Procedures • Relationship of Standard Operating Procedures to Training and Equipment • The Standard Operating Guidelines Controversy • Evaluating Response District Resources and Challenges • Response Time • Water Supply • Construction Methods • Evaluating a Specific Property • Security Concerns • Preincident Plans • What Structures Are Preplanned? • Modifying Standard Operating Procedures • Estimating Life Safety Needs • Estimating Extinguishment Needs • Estimating Property Conservation Needs • Relationship of Preplanning to Size-up • Analyzing the Situation Through Size-up • Life Safety/Fire Fighter Safety • Structure • Extinguishment • Property Conservation • General Factors • Size-up Chronology • Standard Operating Procedures and the Preincident Plan • Shift/Day/Time • Alarm Information • While Responding • Visual Observations at the Scene • Information Gained During Continuing Operations • Overhaul • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 3: Developing an Incident Action Plan • Introduction • Determining Life Safety Needs • Evaluating Structural Conditions • Estimating Resource Capability and Evaluating Resource Requirements • Devising an Offensive or a Defensive Incident Action Plan • Formulating an Incident Action Plan • Deployment • Scenario 1: Single-Family Detached Dwelling • Risk- Versus-Benefit Analysis • Incident Action Plan • Deployment • Scenario 2: Fourteen-Unit Apartment Building • Risk-Versus-Benefit Analysis • Incident Action Plan • Deployment • Scenario 3: High-Rise Apartment Building • Risk-Versus-Benefit Analysis • Incident Action Plan • Deployment • Scenario 4: Meat-Processing Plant Complex • Risk- Versus-Benefit Analysis • Incident Action Plan • Deployment • Scenario 5: Church Fire • Risk- Versus- Benefit Analysis • Incident Action Plan • Deployment • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 4: Company Operations • Introduction • Engine Company Tasks • Truck Company Tasks • A Note About Staffing • Coordinating Company Operations • Quint and Quad Companies • Ventilation • Apparatus Positioning • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 5: Fire Fighter Safety • Introduction • Fire Fighter Injuries and Fatalities • Risk Management Applied to the Fire Ground • Fire Intensity • Fuel Load • Building Design Loads • Structural Stability • Construction Methods and Materials • Roof Operations • Green Construction • Floor Construction • Basement Fires • Prefire Conditions and Fire Conditions • Prefire Conditions • Fire Conditions Leading to Structural Collapse • Fire Extension • Hazard Control Zones and Fire Perimeter • Relationship of Time, Fire Intensity, and Structural Stability • Time: Ignition to Effective Actions • Detection/Transmission • Dispatch Time • Turnout Time • Travel TimeI • Setup Time • Adequate Number of Personnel • Tactical Reserve • Correlation Between Elapsed Time and Progression to Flashover’ • Fire-Ground Operations • Communications • Command and Control • Accountability • Safety Officer • Alternative Egress • Rapid Intervention Crews • Opposing Fire Streams • Personal Protective Clothing • Overhaul • Rehabilitation • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 6: Life Safety • Introduction • Evaluating the Probability of Extinguishment • Rescue Versus Fire Attack • Assessing the Ventilation Profile • Analyzing the Available Rescue Options • Interior Stairs • Fire Escapes • Aerial Ladders and Elevated Platforms • Ground Ladders • Elevator Rescues • Rope Rescues • Helicopter Rescues • Classifying Evacuation Status • Estimating the Number of People Needing Assistance • Surveying Floor Layout and Size • Prioritizing Rescues by Location/Proximity • Evaluating the Medical Status of Victims • Evaluating Victims in Mass-Casualty Incidents • Triage, Prioritizing, and Transport • Evaluating the Need for Shelter • Estimating Life Safety Staffing Requirements • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 7: Fire Protection Systems • Introduction • Sprinkler Systems • Working at a Sprinkler-Protected Building with • No Signs of Fire • Gaining Entry • Checking the Main Control Valve • Checking the Fire Pumps • Checking the Building for Fire and/or Sprinkler Operation • Supplying the Fire Department Connection • Working at a Sprinkler-Protected Building with Evidence of Fire Showing from the Exterior • Gaining Entry • Checking the Main Control Valve and Fire Pump • Supplying the Fire Department Connection • Letting the System Do Its Job • Backing Up the System • Ventilating • Performing Property Conservation Tasks • Placing the System Back in Service • Working at a Property Protected by a Deluge System • Checking the Control Valve and Fire Pump • Operating the Deluge Valve • Checking Interlocks • Letting the System Do Its Job • Backing Up the System • Working at a Building Equipped with a Standpipe System • Checking Fire Pumps and Main Control Valves • Supplying Fire Department Connections • Providing Standpipe Equipment • Connecting to the Standpipe Discharge • Non-Water-Based Extinguishing Systems • Foam Systems • Carbon Dioxide Systems • Halon and Other Clean Agents • Dry and Wet Chemical Systems • Working in Areas Protected by Total Flooding Carbon Dioxide or Clean Agent Systems • Letting the System Do Its Job • Final Extinguishment and Rescue • Manual Activation • Checking Interlocks • Checking Agent Supply • System Restoration • Working in Areas Protected by Local-Application • Carbon Dioxide, Clean Agents, Dry Chemical, or Other Special Extinguishing Agents • Letting the System Do Its Job • Checking the Interlocks • Manual Activation • Backing Up the System • System Restoration • Responses to Building Fire Alarm Systems • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 8: Offensive Operations • Introduction • Calculating Rate of Flow • Indirect Application Theory • Softening the Target • Softening the Target Versus Indirect Application • The Royer/Nelson Formula • The National Fire Academy Formula • Sprinkler Rate-of-Flow Calculations • Estimating the Size of the Largest Area • Estimating the Percentage of Area on Fire • Comparing Rate-of-Flow Calculations • Which Rate-of-Flow Calculation Is Best? • First Floor • Second Floor • Third Floor • Selecting the Attack Hose Size • Selecting the Nozzle Type • Selecting the Method of Attack • Indirect Attack • Direct Attack • Estimating the Number of Attack Lines • Evaluating Exposures • Estimating Backup Needs • Estimating the Number of Hose Lines Needed Above the Fire • Evaluating Other Hose Lines Needed • Estimating Water Supply Needs • Estimating Ventilation Needs • Calculating Staffing Needs • Engine 1 (First-Arriving Engine Company) • Engine 2 (Second-Arriving Engine Company) • Truck 1 (First-Arriving Truck Company) • Chief Officer • Engine 3 (Third-Arriving Engine Company) • Engine 4 • Heavy Rescue, Truck 2 and Engine 5 • Determining Apparatus Needs • Class A Foam • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 9: Defensive Operations • Introduction • Classifying as a Defensive Attack • Establishing a Collapse Zone • Evaluating Exposures • Evaluating a Direct Attack • Estimating the Number and Type of Master Streams Needed • Estimating Water Supply Needs • Calculating Staffing Needs • Determining Apparatus Needs • Conflagrations and Group Fires • Classifying as a Nonattack • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 10: Property Conservation • Introduction • Classifying as an Offensive Attack • Estimating Indirect Damage • Evaluating Water Damage • Evaluating Smoke Damage • Calculating Staffing Needs • Evaluating Property Conservation Needs • Evaluating Overhaul Needs • A Word About Fire Investigation • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnote Chapter 11: The Role of Occupancy • Introduction • Classifying the Occupancy Type • Assembly Occupancies. • Churches • Eating and Drinking Establishments • Sports Arenas • Convention Centers • Theaters • Educational Occupancies • Elementary Schools • Middle, Junior High, and High Schools • Colleges and Universities • Health Care Occupancies • Hospitals • Nursing Homes • Limited Care Facilities. • Ambulatory Care Facilities • Residential Board and Care Occupancies • Detention and Correctional Occupancies • Residential Occupancies • One- and Two-Family Dwellings • Apartment Buildings • Dormitories • Hotels and Motels • Mercantile Occupancies • Shopping Centers • Enclosed Shopping Malls • Lifestyle Centers • “Big-Box” Stores • Multilevel Department Stores • Business Occupancies • Storage Occupancies • Industrial Occupancies • Multiple and Mixed Occupancy Buildings • Buildings Under Construction, Renovation, or Demolition • Renovated Buildings • General Considerations for Special Occupancy Fires • Estimating the Number of Potential Victims • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Chapter 12: High-Rise Buildings • Introduction • Developing and Revising High-Rise Standard Operating Procedures • Fire Fighter Safety • Fire Fighters’ Use of Elevators • Ground Support • Life Safety • Rescuing and Evacuating Occupants • Helicopter Rescues • Partial or Sequential Evacuation • Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications System (EVACS) • Extinguishment • Command Post Location • Developing Building-Specific High-Rise Preincident Plans • Analyzing the Situation Through Size-Up • Smoke Movement • Heat of the Fire • Stack Effect • Wind • Developing and Implementing an Incident Action Plan • Company Operations • Applying NIMS to a High-Rise Fire • Communications • Tactical Worksheets • Base (Exterior Staging for High-Rise Fires) • Staging (Interior) • Lobby Control • High-Rise Case Histories • The One Meridian Plaza Fire • The First Interstate Bank Building Fire • Comparing the One Meridian • Plaza and First Interstate Bank Building Fires • The Peachtree Plaza Fire • Terrorist Attacks at the World Trade Center • The MGM Grand Fire • Chapter Summary • Key Terms • Challenging Questions and Activities • Endnotes Appendix A SOP for Structure Fires-Example Appendix B Imperial and Metric Conversions Appendix C FESHE Correlation Guide Glossary Index