Find full coverage of Firehouse World in San Diego this week on Firehouse.com and also on Twitter and Facebook.
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – “You have huge issues to prepare yourselves for…”
Students attending the "he New Firefight: How to Identify, Survive and Master Modern Fire Dynamics" pre-conference session at Firehouse World on Monday heard that from Peter Van Dorpe, assistant chief of Algonquin–Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District.
Construction, materials used as well as the contents found in buildings today create new challenges for firefighters.
Van Dorpe told the 40 firefighters if they haven’t read the late Frank Brannigan’s book, “Building Construction for the Fire Service,” they should.
Brannigan, a fire protection engineer, is known worldwide as the one who told firefighters: “The building is the enemy; know the enemy.”
Van Dorpe said firefighters who don’t pay attention are “rolling the dice when they crawl into places they shouldn’t be.”
Buildings that are on fire should be considered as ones in various stages of demolition.
Videos of tests conducted by NIST and UL showed the progression of flames during ventilation. Opening up multiple holes creates more paths.
He said he would like to see officers try to determine if doors are open or closed as they do their initial 360. “Also, look at the windows. Are they clear or sooty?”
Voids also are a major concern, and firefighters should proceed with caution.
“Anticipate explosive fires in voids…And, fill those spaces with copious amounts of water.”
The Illinois chief went on to point out that firefighters should have the line ready if a puff of smoke is discovered.
“We’re ventilating faster than we’re extinguishing.”
He also challenged them to stop and think outside the box – even as the fire rages.
“Why do you always go through the front door?”
Maybe, he said, it would be best to go around back and go in after it.
Full Coverage of Firehouse World:
- Photos: Hands-on Training
- Science Needs to Be Incorporated in Modern Firefighting
- Competent Command Essential at Incidents
- Innovative Apparatus on The Show Floor
- Firefighters Face New Challenges Daily
- Eisner Remember, Change Discussed at Firehouse World Opening
- Photos: Day 2 of Firehouse World
- A West Coast Versus East Coast Debate
