FireFighterNation

Hazmat incidents are one of the most dangerous and unpredictable types of calls firefighters can respond to. To ensure their safety and a successful outcome, many standards and tools have been developed over the years. Greg Jakubowski explores the equipment an engine company would need when responding to a hazmat incident.

As a second-due engine, you have the option of using either a second attack line or a back-up line. But which line is best? Mike Kirby and Tom Lakamp discuss the use of the second attack line and the back-up line, highlighting the differences between the two and offering tactical tips for each.

Sprinkler systems in hotels and condo/apartment buildings of wood-frame (Type 5) construction can and do go a long way to saving lives and property; however, the major sprinkler-related standard, NFPA 13R, allows for certain areas in these buildings to remain unsprinklered. Greg Jakubowski discusses the standard, as well as several considerations for fighting a major fire in a sprinklered building.

When faced with a fully involved or heavily involved structure fire that may or may not be exposing onto another building, do you use your standard hoselines and tactics? Mike Kirby and Tom Lakamp point out that lots of fire calls for lots of water; in other words, standard tactics won’t work for heavy fire scenarios. Instead, they discuss how to apply high-gpm flows to these types of fires.

The debate over firefighter safety vs. aggressiveness is a passionate one. Chief Richard Ennis of the Cape Girardeau (Mo.) Fire Department believes the answer lies in semantics.