The First Arriving Engine:
The first engine plays a key role in the overall success in handling structure fires. The officer and crew are tasked with the gathering and dissemination of a large amount of information in a rapid manner and then devising an initial attack plan for the incoming units. We will be discussing these strategic and tactical considerations in this article.
All personnel riding the apparatus must understand that they are working as a team and their observations and suggestions can and should play a key role in the development of initial strategies. Therefore, it is essential that effective communication skills and methods are employed by all members. All members have a stake in this plan and should be willing participants in the process. A key component to this is that all members should have intimate knowledge of the current NOVA Standard Operational Procedures Manuals.
As each member should by now be fully aware, the initial duties of the first arriving Engine Company for responses to single family dwellings (SFD), townhouse, strip shopping centers and garden apartments are identical. Therefore familiarity of these assignments should be habit forming and provide quick reflex actions on the part each member.
The NOVA Manual for Engine Company Operations states:
3.3.2 First-Due Engine
It is imperative for the first arriving Engine Company to perform these basic tasks if a successful operation is to be attained. This initial size up and formulation of an initial game plan is truly a “make or break” situation for the entire fireground operation. Tactics for the crew must match the basic strategy developed and effective deployment of personnel and equipment is necessary. The officer and driver operator of the apparatus must also clearly communicate the strategy and tactics of the initial operation so that proper apparatus placement, or positioning, can be accomplished. Many factors will determine appropriate positioning, but all members must be aware of the intentions of the officer.
The officer and driver of the first arriving Engine must determine where initial water supply will originate. Standard response routes, referencing of the map book and knowledge of your first due will make this initial task quick and easy. Considerations of how the water from the primary hydrant is delivered to the first arriving engine must also be considered. Will you lay the supply line going in or is the more desirable water supply past the fire building? Though the second arriving engine may be coming from the same side of the fire building as the first due unit, the first arriving officer should consider whether another unit, based on their response route, is more suitable to assume these second arriving duties. Regardless of what is determined to be the best source of supply, it is imperative that the officer of the first arriving engine states their intentions clearly to other units so that redundant efforts are not wasted or the water supply responsibilities are not missed initially, resulting in a negative outcome for the incident.
The officer and crew must also consider other apparatus due on the assignment. Positioning of your unit may dramatically affect the success of another unit’s performance, most notably, the first arriving Truck Company. There is an old quote that has been passed down for many years that should always be in the forefront of your thoughts when considering room for Truck Companies, “You can always add more to the hoseline, but you can’t make that ladder any longer.” Stopping short or pulling past the fire building will be dictated by the direction of travel of the first arriving Truck Company. Know who that will be and which way they will be entering the fireground. Any intentions of an aerial operation is immediately defeated if the engine positioning does not allow the truck proper positioning within an effective working range. Give them room and modify your initial plan if necessary. A leaderline and high rise bag combination is just as effective as a preconnect form the apparatus. Make use of the tools afforded that may also help others accomplish their assignments.
Now that you have arrived, the officer must communicate to the other units what exactly they are confronted with on arrival. Your on scene report should include building type, conditions observed, water supply intentions and a command statement. Obviously the building type will clue the other units to what SOP to follow, though they most likely should know this before or during their response, and their initial assignments. Conditions on arrival should be more detailed than just smoke or fire showing. If possible, a lap around the structure by the first arriving officer will help greatly in developing initial strategies. Access issues, change in building height, special hazards or life safety issues may play a role in determining initial actions. A good description of the building including number of floors, construction type, occupancy type as well as the aforementioned smoke and fire conditions will help to “paint” a more complete picture for the incoming units. Do not hesitate to be descriptive about these conditions. How the fire or smoke presents itself can help you determine fire conditions and location of the fire. For example light smoke, not pushing or non turbulent from the first floor is different from heavy dark turbulent smoke coming from floors 1 and 2. The first example would lead you to believe a small fire possible food on the stove. The second example would indicate a larger more active fire, possibly a basement or first floor fire. Your last part of your initial on scene report should include a command statement. A decision must be made if the first arriving officer will retain or transfer command. If you have evidence of a working fire your best option is to transfer command. Advise communications of your intentions so that incoming units will assume the appropriate responsibilities as directed in the SOP’s.
Now that initial size up and information gathering has been accomplished, an initial strategy can be developed and implemented. The NOVA SOP’s provide a guideline for a coordinated operation for first alarm units but there may be situations where deviation from these basic strategies is warranted. Life safety issues that immediately present themselves on arrival may preclude the first arriving engine from initiating suppression operations. It is imperative that the officer clearly communicates any deviations from the SOP to command and / or incoming apparatus.
Additional resources must also be considered at this time. Do you have enough responding apparatus to handle the incident as it currently presents itself? Additional alarms can be dispatched and staged to reduce reflex time in the event of a dramatic change in conditions or catastrophic event. Considerations for the enhancement of RIT operations should definitely be handled at this early stage in the operation. The officer must remember it’s always easier to return an unused unit than it is to wait for a unit that has yet to be dispatched and staged.
Every one of these actions will occur within a very short time frame, minutes to be exact, but the resulting initial action plan will dictate the operations for possibly hours. It will also play a determining factor in the overall success of the operation. Take it seriously, do it right, be clear and concise, and definitely don’t use any shortcuts as it may prove to be fatal, for you or other members.
After you have provided a detailed initial report, it is time to go to work with your crew. Your due diligence should not stop here. Communicate your plan to your members, assure that the necessary tools and equipment are deployed and they are properly protected. Then proceed in a safe but expedient manner, setting the pace and tone of the operation so that others may follow and also be successful in their endeavors.
Here is an example of what radio transmissions may sound like:
On Scene Report
Engine 210 on the scene side alpha of a 2 story single family dwelling. We have fire showing from two windows on the second floor on side Alpha of the structure. We have dropped a supply line at Main St. and First St. Advise the battalion chief I need to transfer command.
Situation Report
Engine 210 to Alexandria we are taking an attack line to the second floor for fire attack with a crew of 2. I have heavy dark smoke showing from Side Charlie second floor. I have been advised that all occupants are out of the building.
In the future we will discuss other factors involved with the first arriving engine company duties, including line selection, water flow, exposure considerations and fire loads. Until then, never stop learning and be safe.