In Part 1 of this article I discussed conditions that firefighters could encounter when at the scene of an extreme high-rise fire. I’d like to elaborate by introducing some tactical procedures that can be used while battling the treacherous conditions that are often found at these fires. Some of these techniques address extinguishing the fire and others address firefighter safety.
Upon your arrival to the structure, start conducting your size-up immediately: Measure the height of the building, and determine the location of the fire, if it’s apparent from the exterior. If a window or a series of windows has failed, and you observe a glow but no fire venting out the window, this could indicate a wind-blown fire. To re-emphasize, wind conditions will be different at different heights of the building; and the building’s design can also influence wind conditions. It may seem like there is no wind blowing at the lower levels, but wind gusts could be extremely strong at the building’s higher levels.
If the apartment and its windows are still intact when you arrive at the fire, the company officer should control all horizontal ventilation. He or she should be in contact with firefighters operating in the fire apartment as well as the floor above. In the early stages of the operation, the officer should order one member to force open an apartment door on the fire floor to provide an area of refuge if needed. This tactic recently saved three firefighter’s lives. The forcible-entry firefighter forced a door to another apartment on the fire floor while the officer and the can man forced the door to the fire apartment. This tactic proved beneficial when the window failed and all three firefighters had to exit the fire apartment. They were able to seek temporary refuge inside the apartment that was pre-designated as an area of refuge.
When forcing a door for an area of refuge, try to force a door on the same side as the fire apartment. This will prevent fire from being drawn across the hallway and into the area of refuge. This area of refuge should also be in the same direction as the stairwell in the hallway, as this would be the natural path of exit if the shit hits the fan.
If a unit is operating alone, such as a single engine, they should take a set of forcible-entry tools with them to the point of operations. These tools will be necessary to force open the door identified as the area of refuge. Remember to force this door during the initial stage of the operation; if you are delayed or wait too long and a window fails, it will be extremely difficult to force a door while lying on your stomach. You will be subject to punishing conditions, to say the least.
As mentioned, the area of refuge may only provide temporary shelter. If the interior walls of the fire apartment are sheetrock, which is very common here in New York City, the fire can compromise these walls and extend to that area. I have also seen fires where cinder block walls have failed. The three firefighters I mentioned earlier, who sought refuge in the adjoining apartment, informed the incident commander that the paint was melting on the cinder block wall at their location.
Firefighters could provide a measure of safety or possibly buy some time by stretching a 2 ½-inch handline from the floor above, charge it and lower it to the firefighters who are in the area of refuge. This will provide them with a water source and limited protection until the main body of fire is knocked down.
If a window fails when a unit is operating a handline in the fire apartment, conditions may be too severe to continue the operation, and units may have to back out. If it’s necessary to abandon your position in the apartment, keep the handline in operation until all members have safely exited the fire apartment. Close the door after everyone is out; it will make your exit to the stairwell more tolerable.
Fires can be extinguished with ladders, tower ladders, aerial ladders and portable ladders, if the fire is within reach of them. This may be the only way to extinguish the fire if conditions are too punishing for units to advance down the hallway and into the fire apartment. Fires will also occur above the reach of ladders. Another alternative tactic during these extreme conditions is the use of the fire blanket. The fire blanket is a device that covers windows where the wind is blowing back into the fire apartment. When the blanket is properly placed, it can help diminish the negative effects of the wind on the fire. This may allow units to proceed down the hallway to the fire apartment to accomplish extinguishment.
Other tactics include breaching a wall from an adjoining apartment and putting water on the fire through the opening. You must first know the layout of the building and the apartments. In my early years at the department, I worked in a high-rise residential area, and fires were often extinguished with this strategy. A last resort tactic would be to push down the hallway with two 2 ½-inch handlines. This may provide enough water to cool the area ahead and allow you to get close enough to the fire apartment to extinguish the fire. This would have to be a coordinated effort due to the limited space to work in. This is a physically demanding operation as well, and you will need units staged for relief.
Always wear your personal protective gear and wear it properly. Have your protective hood over your head with the ear flaps of your helmet pulled down; have your collar up and snug — or “turtle up” as I like to say. This will provide maximum coverage to your head and face and could very well save your life. These fires will produce the most punishing conditions a firefighter will ever encounter. Some of the tactics I described, when used individually or collectively, can make for a safer and smoother operation.
