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Structure Fire scene size up LPSTRUCTURE FIRE SIZE-UP Tactics regarding scene size-up Casey Quinn Structure Fire Size-Up Page 1 Topic: Structure Fire Size-Up Time Frame: 30:00 Level of Instruction: Level I Authority: Behavioral Objective: Condition: None Behavior: The student will list and describe the major considerations in Sizing-up a structure fire. Standard: None Materials Needed:  Appropriate audio / visual training aids and devices References: NFPA, Fire Fighting Tactics, Lloyd - Layman, 1953 NFPA, Fire Command, Brunacini, 1985 IFSTA, Safety Fire Attack, Emergency Resources, Inc., 1987, Command II  CDF, Health and Safety Handbook 1700, 1999 Preparation: Every firefighter should understand the value of this process and how the process can minimize property damage and personal injuries. One huge tactical mistake that happens all to often is the failure to render a 360 degree size up. Rushing the scene without key information regarding the hazards could endanger yourself and your crew. Having the frontal view of a structure is not enough to make a definitive and educated decision on how to approach the scene. STRUCTURE FIRE SIZE-UP Tactics regarding scene size-up Structure Fire Size-Up Page 2 Coming on Scene A. Remain calm, deep breathe, think for a second about what you’re going to say. B. Precise SIZE-UP A. Defined - An Evaluation of Incident Conditions Which Form the Basis for the Incident Action Plan B. Size Up Should Indicate to the IC: 1. What has happened 2. What is happening 3. What will happen C. Responsibility for Size-up 1) Gather as much critical information as possible in a short period of time a) Actions in first 5 minutes can be more important than those taken in the next 5 hours b) Ability to do size-up will improve with practice/experience 2. Once plan is executed everyone is accountable for size-up and relaying information back to the IC. Be precise with what you say, and spit it out Paint the picture! STRUCTURE FIRE SIZE-UP Tactics regarding scene size-up Structure Fire Size-Up Page 3 D. Critical Size-up Factors Vary Depending Upon Conditions but Might Include: a) Access to the building b) Construction features c) Contents d) Special hazards 2. Fire history a) Percent of structure involved b) Size of fire c) Location of fire d) Best access to fire 3. Building construction factors a) Type of construction Any fences? Road/Hydrant closures? Water tender shuttles? Phase of fire and where its Going? Apartment complex? Commercial building? STRUCTURE FIRE SIZE-UP Tactics regarding scene size-up Structure Fire Size-Up Page 4 4. VALUE OF STRUCTURE a) Size of building b) Height of building c) Utility shut-offs 5. Arrangement of exposures a) External exposures b) Access for apparatus 7. Modes a) Fire attack, Defensive, Assume Command 6. Electricity  Assume that all downed electrical power lines are energized until confirmed with power company that they are dead and grounded  Whenever possible let power company shut off power 7. Safety precautions  Building may have back-up power system/generator Power lines down? Think about starting PGE if they aren’t started already STRUCTURE FIRE SIZE-UP Tactics regarding scene size-up Structure Fire Size-Up Page 5 Do not restore power once shut off  Suspect that vehicles, guardrails, wire fences, phone lines, etc., have been energized if in contact with power line  Building may be wired in parallel and removing meter does not shut off electricity  Single power panel may not service the entire building  8. Natural gas Shut off gas on walk-around 9. Water Supply a) Hydrants b) Tenders c) Hydrant systems 10. Additional resources a) Command b) Recue c) Engines/Trucks Blue/Green Top or O.O.S Order big then cancel Loops or Dead ends STRUCTURE FIRE SIZE-UP Tactics regarding scene size-up Structure Fire Size-Up Page 6 SUMMARY: Size up is a skill which improves with practice. For it to be effective, the initial attack Incident Commander must use a logical system for analyzing information retaining that which is essential and passing by the remainder. The critical factors then become part of the Incident Action Plan. EVALUATION: A 10 question written test. ASSIGNMENT: None. STRUCTURE FIRE SIZE-UP Tactics regarding scene size-up Structure Fire Size-Up Page 7