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San Bernardino County Firefighters Local 935 video: On Feb. 21, San Bernardino County firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at the intersection of B Street and Fifth Street in Victorville. The fire involved a single-story, single-family dwelling with fire showing on the alpha (front) side. Firefighters quickly assessed the situation, confirming no immediate, obvious life hazard was present and began an offensive attack. Incident command was assumed by the officer on Medic Engine 313, with a full 360-degree size-up.
Let’s watch crews in action: Crews found heavy smoke and fire showing from the front of the home, with an exposure concern at the rear. Incident command was established on Fifth Street to coordinate the attack and deployment of resources. Firefighters initially used a transitional strategy before moving to an offensive attack as conditions improved.
| CHECKLIST: The First 5 Minutes: A fireground communications checklist
Firefighters used an aggressive initial attack while maintaining transitional tactics until a reliable water supply and backup resources were in place. The officer on Medic Engine 313 established command, coordinating arriving units, communications and resource deployment. The focus is on systematic communication, rapid assessment and coordinated strategy implementation upon arriving at the scene.
3 highlights for firefighter training:
- Initial and continuous size-up
Emphasizes the necessity of a 360-degree size-up immediately upon arrival to assess fire conditions, exposures, and life hazards.
Demonstrates how ongoing updates influence tactics, such as switching from offensive to transitional fire attack strategies.
Reinforces that size-up isn’t a one-time action but an evolving process as more information emerges on scene. - Clear command structure and communication
Shows the importance of establishing an Incident Commander early, who assumes command and delegates tasks (e.g., fire attack, water supply).
Highlights necessity of clear radio communication — announcing positions, actions, and changes in command or tactics — to maintain situational awareness.
Illustrates coordination with multiple units arriving simultaneously, necessitating clear role assignments to avoid confusion. - Integration of support early in incident
Training emphasizes requesting building inspectors, gas company, and investigators early on to address hazards outside firefighting scope.
Demonstrates how calling these agencies promptly contributes to overall scene safety and efficient incident management.
Highlights that a comprehensive incident command includes not just fire suppression but also managing external risks.
Crew questions:
- How does your department ensure effective communication during the initial size-up and command transfer phases at a structure fire incident?
- What strategies have you found most effective for conducting a thorough 360-degree size-up when arriving at multi-unit or residential fires?
- In what ways can early coordination with external agencies like gas companies or building inspectors improve firefighter safety and operational efficiency on scene?
What training opportunities do you see for your department in this video?
