When we respond to a residential structure fire, more often than not it's the first time we've ever darkened the doorway to that particular residence. Unfortunately, this is the worst time to be making our acquaintance with the residence. As a general rule of thumb, we should try to become familiar with the occupancies in our response area before a major fire erupts and we have to navigate our way around an unfamiliar building. Here are a few simple tips to get you started.

Apartments: Locate some of the larger apartment complexes in your area. Go to the office and ask for a tour of the facility. Find out where the utility disconnects and shut-offs are, and tour vacant apartments. Most apartments have a map of the facility and floor plans for the units. Get these floor plans and put them in your preplan book. Mark the hydrants and/or water sources.

Homes/duplexes: When homes and duplexes in your area are under construction, be proactive and tour them. If it's a housing addition and the homes being built are for sale, ask the builder for the models' floor plans. Note the addresses of the different models and put these in your preplan book. If the house is being built by the owner, get their permission to take a tour. Also, if your local government does not have a plan on file, get the owner's permission to make a sketch of the floor plan.

Taking the time go to apartments, homes and duplexes may be more feasible for those of us with smaller, less populated response areas; however, it's still important for all of us to take some time to familiarize ourselves with the structures we'll be trying to save. Trust me, it's best to get in there first before the fire, not during the fire.