Respond with Battalion 4 for this fire
Ride along with Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Austin Abercrombie (Battalion 4-A Platoon) to a working two story house fire. Chief arrives first on scene and sets up INCIDENT COMMAND. . Listen to how the chief uses the incident command system to set up and attack the fire. The fire started outside the house and burned it’s way inside. Both occupants escaped unharmed. The response started from Fire Station 42 where Battalion Four’s office is located.
Some terms used:
OFFENSIVE STRATEGY: Fires are fought in the OFFENSIVE MODE or DEFENSIVE MODE. Offensive means they are attacking the fire trying to put it out.
Sides of buildings are called: ALPHA – BRAVO – CHARLIE – DELTA. Alpha is the front of the building, Bravo is the left side facing the rear, Charlie is the rear of building and Delta is the right side facing the rear.
DIVISIONS is floors or stories. Division 2 would be the second floor.
RIT is the Rapid Intervention Team. RIT duties is given to one engine, their job is to rescue trapped, injured or missing firefighters inside the building. Their job is to protect the firefighters.
PRIMARY is the first search for anyone trapped inside the building. After a primary is conducted, a more thorough SECONDARY search is conducted.
PAR: Personnel Accountability Report, all personnel will sound off to the chief to make sure all personnel are accounted for and not missing.
KNOCKDOWN: The main bulk of the fire is out and under control, crews will start to look for any remaining hotspots.
CAN REPORT: C is Conditions, what is happening? A is for Air, what are your needs for breathing air in the SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus – air pacs) and N is for Needs, what do you need? more personnel or equipment, a break, ventilation, etc.
FireRescue Magazine:
Safe Driving Tactics
Command Vehicles: Front or Back?
Using Aide Officers to Enhance Command
