1. FIRE GROUND STRATEGY AND TACTICS
THE BASICS

2. DEFINITIONS I

3. DEFINITIONS II
STRATEGY = Incident Commander. Decides the Goal (RECEO/REVAS)
TACTIC = Operations/Division Officer. Chooses objectives to reach goal (interior attack, roof ventilation, etc).
TASK = Group/Firefighters. Perform the functions to reach objective

4. Basic Fire Ground Strategy and Tactics

5. Basic Fire Ground Strategy and Tactics
(Fire Attack)
Strategy: The Goal, what has to be done
Tactic: the objective,how will it be done
Task: the assigned activity, who will do it
Strategy = The Incident Commander
Tactic: The Operations/Division Officer
Task:: The Firefighters, perform the functions

6. Command Sequence Think! Plan! Act!
Think:: Size Up, Pre-Fire Plan, and Goal
Plan: Strategy and Tactics
Act: Implementation
Incident Commander to
Operations
Firefighter/
Groups

7. Primary Factors to Determine Strategy
Rescue
Exposures
Confinement
Extinguishment
Overhaul
Ventilation
Salvage
(FEMA)
Rescue
Evacuation
Ventilation
Attack
Salvage
(Fire Attack)

8. Questions To Ask What do I Have? What am I doing What do I need?
Where is it going?
How do I control it?
Who is in command?

9. Strategic Concepts In Firefighting (McAniff)
OFFENSIVE: Direct attack at seat of fire. Normally at Incipient Stage, this solves all problems.
OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE: An attack on the main body of fire, while taking measures to control extension.
DEFENSIVE/OFFENSIVE: A holding action,it keeps fire in reasonable bounds while more forces are called.
DEFENSIVE: Surround and Drown, protect the exposures.
INDIRECT: A Contained/Confined smoldering fire, where use of steam expansion is taken advantage of and there is no rescue.

10. General Principles of Firefighting (Norman)
Lacking sufficient manpower,rescue takes precedence.
Remove those in greatest danger first!
With insufficient manpower to perform needed tasks, perform those that protect the most first.
When sufficient manpower is available coordinate both rescue and fire attack.
If there are no threats to occupants or no occupants, Firefighters should no be unduly endangered.

11. Engine Company Operations
Aggressive attacks are a necessity.
Begin suppression as soon as possible.
Choose the proper operating mode
OFFENSIVE
DEFENSIVE
INDIRECT

12. Basic Fire Ground Strategy and Tactics
When a human life is at stake an interior attack is mandated.
1st hose line to worst case before worrying about other hose lines.
If attack stalled increase ventilation or water flow, or both. If not working CHANGE TACTICS!
When effective offensive attack is not possible or has not succeeded in 20 minutes, prepare defensive positions
When forced to defensive mode consider the possible effect of total structure involvement.

13. LOCATE CONFINE EXTINGUISH
“LET CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE PROCEDURES…ERR ON THE SIDE OF SAFETY.”

14. Sources: IMS by NFPA Fire Attack by Emergency Resources Inc.
Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics by John Norman
Strategic Concepts in Fire Fighting by Edward P. McAniff

15. DISCUSSION Residential Garage Car Fires Strip Mall/Deluge gun
Mid-Rise/Outside balcony
Nursing Home

16. Q.A.S. Strategy and Tactics Exercise
The Plaza: Jog Rd. Boynton Beach
Q.A.S. Strategy and Tactics Exercise

17. Assisted Care Living Facility
3 Story Building: Type 5P – Concrete and wood – 1 hour. Ext. block walls, poured conc. Floors.
1st fl. 53,000 #ft (core style hallways)
2nd & 3rd #ft (center style hallways
Roof: Tile, wood truss/joist
Standpipes/Sprinklers
145 apartments

18. North West Entrance

19. North Side Plaza

20. North East Side Fire

21. Annunciator Panel North Side

22. Plaza Elevator

23. South West Entrance

24. South East Side Fire

25. West Side Center

26. West Side Center 2

27. FDC

28. Gas S/O Knox Box Alarm Panel

29. Alarm Panel

30. Third Floor Landing

31. Hallway Smoke/Fire

32. Roof Access Part 2

33. 3rd Floor Roof View

34. 2nd Floor Roof Access

35. 3rd Floor Roof Fire

36. Under Ground L.P. North East Corner

37. THE END