Do you have a helmet cam video you want to share with FireRescue1? Email the editor your name, title, department name and link to the video (original video mp4 or YouTube link).
Stockton Fire Department YouTube: On November 7, 2025, Stockton firefighters arrived at a single-story, single-family board-up. The officer of Engine 2 initially selected a 2 1/2-inch attack line as the first hoseline. After forcible entry of the gate is determined to be too slow, the officer opted to use a deck gun on the blaze.
Let’s watch crews in action: Stockton firefighters responded to a fast-moving fire involving a single-story home, an attached smoke shop and a nearby garage. Initial reports indicated possible trespassers inside and the incident was upgraded to a second alarm as flames spread into adjoining structures.
Crews used a deck gun and multiple hose lines to knock down the heavy fire, protect nearby buildings and work around hazards including unstable walls, floor openings and partial collapse. The fire was brought under control with limited extension, allowing commanders to cancel the second alarm while crews remained to check for hotspots.
3 highlights for firefighter training
- Effective incident command and communication: Early establishment of command helped coordinate tactics and allocate resources, while continuous communication between engine companies, command staff and support units kept crews informed of changing fire conditions, exposures and safety hazards. Firefighters also worked closely with police to manage traffic and maintain scene safety throughout the incident.
- Risk management and safety: Crews identified hazards including floor openings, leaning walls and fire extending into the attic, reinforcing the need for constant situational awareness. Command adjusted offensive operations as structural conditions changed, ordering firefighters to withdraw or halt work when collapse risks became too high.
- Changes in tactics: Crews used deck guns and multiple hose lines to knock down fire in the main structure, smoke shop and garage while checking adjoining areas for extension. Tactics shifted by building conditions, with ventilation and defensive hose placement adjusted to the fire’s location and layout.
Crew questions
- What strategies does your department use to ensure safety when encountering structural instability such as floor holes or leaning walls during fire suppression?
- How do you coordinate communication and command during multi-alarm fires involving attached or adjacent structures?
- What are your experiences with using deck guns or master streams for a rapid knockdown and what challenges have you encountered with their use?
