Video Training: Structure Fire With Rescue
This video starts out a little slow because it shows the response to the fire, however if you skip to the on-scene footage it is worth the wait. The truck arrives in the video at about the 1:30 mark. This video has been around for a couple years and provides some good training footage, it originates in Columbus Ohio. The first photo we have posted just gives you a clear day time view of the street and occupancy. 
A couple things to notice in the video. It appears that when the rig arrives there is already at least 1 engine and 1 truck on scene. The engine is getting a line flaked out and the truck appears to be getting ready to make a search of the floor above. There does seem to be a slight delay in getting water to the line, with that said we are not sure if it was a problem at the pump, or just a normal delay from performing a reverse lay to the hydrant. The video captures some good fire development and the speed at which it can be knocked down. We will let the video speak for itself.
Something that stands out to us is how much everyone is counting on each other. The truck crew is heavily relying on the engine to make a knock down and the engine crew is relying on the truck crew to make the rescue so they can focus on extinguishment. Obviously the citizen (unconsciously) is relying on both crews if they have any chance of making it out of this building. If either crew would have not done their part on this fire, the outcome could have been much different. From our research we found that the first arriving units had no reports of victims trapped. This victim was pulled out unconscious with some 2nd degree burns but had reportedly survived the fire.
We welcome any thoughts or discussion on this video, please keep it productive and related to learning as much as we can. I think we can agree that videos only give us a small look at these scenes (that we were not on) and it becomes very easy to pick apart the things that went wrong. However they present a greater opportunity to discuss lessons learned, what went right and what we may change next time.
We think this specific video brings up some excellent points such as: Search priorities? Ladder work/Egress ladders? Where do you take the 2nd line? Ventilation on this structure? Bringing your own water or not?….and many more.
Explore posts in the same categories: 3.Search/Rescue/VESTags: apartment fire, Engine Company, fire attack, multi-family fires, Rescue, search, truck company, victim rescue
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IRONSandLADDERS.com 
02/08/2010 at 3:28 pm
Stupid keyboard. “Where do you begin your search, Where do you place your ladders.” Excellent post, thanks.
02/08/2010 at 3:34 pm
I’m struggling with this keyboard. This comment got deleted in front of my previous statement. Anyhow, what I intended to say is this is very useful in that you can see how an aggressive truck compliments an aggressive engine, and vice versa. It’s a great tool to show to probies. Give them a still photo of the arrival of the truck and ask those essential questions that need to be answered right away. “Where does your first line go/what size?, ……(the rest is above. Maybe I should lay off the computer and go back to breaking stuff with a maul.)
02/11/2010 at 4:26 pm
Well first of all, great video clip. Its good to see that the Truck Company (thats a guess of course) was able to get above the fire and make a save. Like 13 Truck mentioned above, it is great to see what an aggressive Truck and Engine company can do together. I think that it did take a tad long though to get water to the nozzle. That amount of radiant heat could have been very bad for the patient that the Truckies had when that roll/flash over happened when they were comming down the stairs. A proper stretch of the initial line and quick water to the nozzel are essiental. However, once the water was there, they moved in quickly and made what appeared to be an excellent stop. Lives and property were saved and nobody was hurt and thats what counts when we go to work! Don’t be scared because the “beast” is meeting you at the front door. Good equipment, great training and an aggressive attitude will get the job done. “The safest fire is one that goes out quickly…” so hunker down, get in there and put the fire out.
Be safe out there…
02/12/2010 at 4:37 pm
I think this fire would be an excellent opportunity to employ VES. The main egress point is completely blocked by the fire and smoke. We need to find alternative entry points and clear this building quickly. ’ll make the assumption that this is a 6-plex unit with no access at the rear. That means the only way out of this building is cut off by a rapidly growing fire. Who knows why the fire attack was slightly delayed but if it is delayed much longer than we will be faced with a very large volume of fire that can rapidly overtake the front of the complex trapping civilians and firefighters alike. Good opportunity for the ladders team to get busy entering the rear of the building and searching. Along the same lines there needs to be an abundance of ladders thrown to this structure. Slightly delayed fire attack coupled with truckies operating directly above the fire means secondary egress is a must. Good video clip….stay safe.
02/27/2010 at 1:23 pm
All great stuff fellas, I totally agree. Let’s not forget to chock those doors though, K?