richard marinucci

Modern studies on fire behavior and fire science confirm what we know intuitively.

The best way to control and extinguish a fire is to get water on it as quickly as possible. Sounds simple enough. The studies are also showing that water helps in other areas like flow paths and rapidly cooling the environment remote from the fire. It has also been shown that fire cannot be “pushed” by water application. While support activities need good coordination, the most important factor in a successful outcome is moving water from the source to the fire.

Occasionally departments or specific crews will get into an “autopilot” mode when arriving on the scene of a structure fire. They will catch a water source and stretch to the unburned side or to the front porch/door. This usually generates good results—most of which are the result of competence attributed to repetition. Sometimes it is blind luck. If the objective is to move water to the fire as quickly as possible, a rapid size-up might reveal that the best option is not the normal tactic used. There are times when operating right from tank water on an engine might be good. Sometimes a deck gun is a good option. Bread and butter handline operations may not always be the best choice if speed to the fire is the primary consideration.

Factors that can affect the speed of application include response time, staffing, training, apparatus, water supply, and equipment. All need to be considered when selecting the right tactic for rapid water deployment. Departments vary in these areas, so not every option is available to everyone. Also, there needs to be an evaluation of how all the components work together, sort of in synergy so that the crews are maximizing effectiveness. For example, if there is not a public water supply—i.e., hydrants—and the ability to establish a continuous water supply is going to take some time, applying water through major appliances may use up the water before a more permanent supply can be established. This would be okay if the fire is controlled. If not, the fire could build while waiting. A better option would be to protect exposures to minimize the spread of the fire and confine it. This is a judgment that needs to be made by the first-arriving companies and should be practiced.

Locating the Fire

Moving water to the fire depends on the location of the fire, the size of the fire, obstacles in the way, and adequate staffing to place lines in position. A fire in the front of the structure has a lot of options—handlines to the front door, handlines directly on the fire through an opening (hard from the yard), a deck gun with tank water, or even larger-diameter hose. Visible fire from the A side provides more size-up information so that a quick decision can be made.

A fire in the rear of a structure has more limitations. It would be challenging or even impossible to use a deck gun to get water on the fire. The options are to go around or through the structure. If you choose to go through the structure, then you need to understand the features of the building. Modern buildings of lightweight construction have the potential to collapse much sooner. Larger spans of steel also can fail relative