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Albuquerque Fire Department YouTube: On May 15 at approximately 3:11 a.m., Engine 5 was dispatched to the Ed Erlers Shorin Ryu Dojo located at 533 Louisiana SE for reports of an outside fire (67B1) that was determined to be a working commercial structure fire and upgraded to a 69E3.
Let’s watch crews in action: The video begins with Albuquerque Engine 5 arriving at the scene of a small, single-story commercial structure fire. The crew identifies the incident as a working fire and announces an offensive attack strategy. They deploy two 1-3/4 inch hoselines. Engine 5 requested the balance of a first alarm assignment for a commercial structure fire. The operation focuses on the Alpha side of the structure, specified as the side off Louisiana Street. The Engine 5 officer assumes command under the designation “Louisiana command.”
The fire was brought under control within 16 minutes of their arrival. Damage to the structure was mostly contained to the front of the building, however there was smoke and heat damage throughout the interior.
3 highlights for firefighter training
- Adopting the offensive strategy quickly: Upon arrival, the crew promptly switches to an offensive approach, which is critical to controlling and extinguishing the fire early. Firefighters should understand when and how to choose offensive tactics, ensuring rapid hose line deployment and focused fire attacks.
- Effective hoseline deployment and positioning: Using two 1-3/4-inch hoselines stretched from the apparatus, the team approaches the fire from the alpha side, emphasizing tactical placement of hose lines based on the structure’s layout and fire location. This highlights the importance of situational awareness and knowing the building’s sides for efficient fire suppression.
- Primary search integrated with fire attack: The crew simultaneously conducts a primary search for potential victims while attacking the fire. This dual focus underlines the importance of balancing rescue priorities and fire suppression, ensuring both occupant safety and fire control.
Crew questions
- In your experience, what are the biggest challenges when coordinating hoseline placement during commercial structure fires and how do you overcome them?
- How does your department balance conducting a primary search with aggressive fire attack tactics under limited personnel conditions?
- What communication strategies have you found most effective when establishing command and coordinating crew movements on the fireground?
What training opportunities do you see for your department in this video?
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