Kensington house fire highlights basement fire and some other things.
Montgomery County, MD firefighters responded to a house fire at 12010 Valleywood Drive in the Kensington area. The video below shows some of the initial actions; one line stretched to the basement, another to Division One, and the trucks throwing ladders.
Take look at how you operate at basement fires. Is the first line going to the first floor and interior stairs before the size-up is done? Is another company coming in from an exterior entrance while you're trying to make the stairs? Have the latest related news and information on fire flow paths caused you to think twice before using Side Alpha as the point of attack?
References:
"Tactics for Basement Fires", Jakubowski, FireRescue Magazine/FirefighterNation June 2008
"Engine Company Size-Up and IAP Development", Jakubowski, FireRescue Magazine/FirefighterNation May 2010
"Wind-Driven Fire Injures Maryland Firefighters at House Fire", FireRescue Magazine/FirefighterNation, February 2012
"UL, NIST Study Fire Behavior in Modern Dwellings", FireRescue Magazine/FirefighterNation, January 2012
P.S. CHASE KINKS!
Don't leave it for the Wagon Driver.
Bill Carey is the daily news and blog manager for Elsevier Public Safety (FireRescue Magazine/Firefighter Nation, JEMS and LawOfficer sites.) Bill also manages the FireEMSBlogs.com network and is a former volunteer lieutenant with the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George's County, Maryland.
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