Understanding the Evolution of Fire Ground Size-Up for Enhanced Occupant Survivability and Firefighter Safety

The fire service's workplace, or fire environment, has undergone significant changes that have a direct impact on occupant survivability and firefighter safety. As such, it is crucial to re-examine and develop new tactics that take into account the features of both old and new residential housing stock.

Previous research projects supported by the DHS AFG FP&S R&D program have identified three major themes that are essential to consider during fireground size-up and search and rescue operations. These themes include:

1. Timing is Everything: Understanding how timing impacts the effectiveness of search and rescue operations is critical. This includes factors such as door position, entry point, victim removal route, removal technique, and suppression.

2. Post-Suppression Ventilation: The role of post-suppression ventilation in returning toxic gas and thermal conditions to pre-ignition levels needs further examination. Firefighters must consider the impact of proximity to fire compartments or isolation on tenability for potentially trapped occupants.

3. Search and Rescue Considerations: Firefighters need to understand how search and rescue operations can be conducted prior to, simultaneous with, or post-suppression. This includes considering the differences between door-initiated searches versus window-initiated searches, as well as the optimal removal techniques to minimize toxic gas and thermal exposures.

To address these questions, this project conducts experiments in a residential test structure using carefully designed and placed instrumentation. The goal is to determine the scientific basis of size-up, search, and rescue elements that can be used by the fire service to make critical tactical choices such as initial hose line placement, search pathways, and occupant removal considerations.

This three-year FEMA Research and Development Project aims to examine fireground size-up measures and search and rescue operations as part of a coordinated fire attack on a residential structure. By understanding the evolution of fire ground size-up, firefighters can make more informed decisions that enhance occupant survivability and firefighter safety.

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