Anecdotally, it seems there are more firefighters being killed and injured as a result of structural collapse than in previous years. Granted, this is a hazard of the job, but we should be doing a better job of managing this risk.
There are two basic training topics that departments should consider engaging in a “deeper dive”—building construction and fire behavior.
A tool that most fire departments now have for a deeper dive into fire behavior is the thermal imager (TI). It is so important for firefighters to be able to read their TIs and understand what they are seeing. There are fire service instructors who specialize in TI training, and it is imperative that fire departments contract with these specialists to get the best training possible. It is time and money well spent.
As the late-great Chief Alan Brunacini from the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department used to say in one of his tactical truths: “Make the unknown known.” TIs are an excellent tool for knowing the fire environment. Knowing the “true” fire environment takes the guesswork out of what might be going on and will aid the firefighter in making the correct decision on how to attack a fire. Knowing the fire environment lessens the chances of a firefighter being caught in a structural collapse.
Fire departments also need to re-engage in understanding building construction. In addition to the building courses taught in the basic curriculum of firefighter training, there are advantages to actually going to a construction scene and studying how a building is being constructed, with the permission of the owner and the contractor. Also, in the aftermath of a working fire, there are tidbits that can be gained by studying the fire scene as it relates to structural integrity.
At the core of all this is the risk management model. Again, quoting from Chief Brunacini, “Risk a lot to save a lot, risk a little to save a little, and risk nothing to save nothing.” In this quote, he is referring to “savable” lives, not structures. It is very troubling to read about firefighters losing their lives in a structural collapse of a vacant building or a building that is not occupied.
Another tool to consider in avoiding the hazards of a structural collapse is a drone. This is a tool that is gaining in popularity for fire departments. I think there is untapped potential for drones. Imagine a drone being deployed to the scene upon dispatch of a fire call. The drone will most likely get to the scene before the first arriving units. The drone could send an image of the scene directly to the responding units. This will enhance apparatus spotting, wind direction, phase of the fire, and exposures. Equally important, it could provide a 360° view of the scene. I’m not advocating that the drone 360° surveillance replace the incident commander walk-around. I only suggest this idea as an additional tool. Moreover, if the drone were equipped with a TI, the responding firefighters might be able to gain critical information in a shorter time frame. It is just something to think about.
Gordon Graham, a consultant who specializes in risk management, says every day should be a training day. He is absolutely right. It is not every day that a structure collapses on or traps firefighters. In his risk management model, there are four categories of risk: (1) high risk/high frequency; (2) low risk/high frequency; (3) low risk/low frequency; and (4) high risk/low frequency. As Graham points out, we really need to focus on the high-risk/low-frequency hazards. Those are the ones that make the headlines. Graham also says that if it is predictable, it is preventable.
One thing is for sure, you can predict that gravity will be constantly trying to bring a structure down once the integrity is compromised. Risk management should not just be a subject taught but a way of life.
ROBERT TUTTEROW retired as safety coordinator for the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and is a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editorial Advisory Board. His 44-year career includes 10 as a volunteer. He has been very active in the National Fire Protection Association through service on the Fire Service Section Executive Board and technical committees involved with safety, apparatus, and personal protective equipment. He is a founding member and president of the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.).
