It's Occupancy Risk-Not Occupancy Type
It’s Occupancy Risk NOT Occupancy Type
- Although each occupancy type presents variables that dictate how a particular incident is handled;
- Most company operations evolve from basic strategic and tactical principles rooted in past performance and operations at similar structures.
- This basis is based upon Predictability of Performance.
- Modern building construction is no longer predicable
- Command & company officer technical knowledge may be diminished or deficient
- Technological Advancements in construction and materials have exceeded conventional fire suppression practices
- Some fire suppression tactics are faulted or inappropriate, requiring innovative models and methods.
- Fire Dynamics and Fire Behavior is not considered during fireground size-up and assessment Risk Management is either not practiced or willfully ignored during most incident operations
- Some departments or officers show and indifference to safety and risk management
- Command & Company Officer dereliction
- Nothing is going to happen to me (us)
About the Author
Christopher J. Naum
CHRISTOPHER J. NAUM, SFPE a Firehouse® contributing editor, is a 40-year fire service veteran and a national instructor, author, lecturer and fire officer. He is an authority on building construction issues affecting the fire and emergency services and a former fire command officer, architect and fire protection engineer. Naum is a technical consultant and reviewer to the NIOSH firefighter fatality investigation and prevention program, an NFFF Firefighter Safety Advocate and formally served on the Board of Directors of the ISFSI and the IAFC Safety, Health & Survival section and faculty at the National Fire Academy. He was the 1987 ISFSI George D. Post National Fire Instructor Award recipient. Naum is the executive producer of Buildingsonfire.com and FiregroundLeadership.com, sites dedicated to building construction, adaptive fire command and firefighter safety.