Fire Ground Command and Size-Up Training Presentation
Learn effective emergency management with this training guide on fire ground size-up, incident priorities (RECEO-VS), and defensive tactical strategies.
Response & Size-Up
Nick Hess<br>Howell Area Fire Department
Objectives
Purpose of response and size-up
Why early decisions matter
Realistic commercial fire scenario
From initial report to command decisions
Lessons that apply to every fireground
Why We Train
"We don't rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training."
Motivational Statement
The Scenario
Grand River & Burkhart Roads
Reported structure fire. Multiple calls of flames through roof.
21:15 Hours.<br>Weather: 12°F (-6° Wind Chill). Ice on roads.
Initial Size-Up
• Commercial Building<br>• Fully Involved Roof<br>• Night Time (21:15)<br>• Extreme Cold (12°F)<br>• Limited Access
• Roof Collapse Imminent<br>• Extension to Exposures (Wind)<br>• Low Probability of Occupancy<br>• Water Supply Issues (Frozen)
DEFENSIVE
Establishing Command
"Central from Engine 20. On scene. Large commercial structure, heavy fire through the roof. Establishing Grand River Command. Strategy is Defensive. Start me a second alarm assignment."
Clear, Concise, Calm. Sets the tone for the entire incident.
SCENARIO: Grand River & Burkhart Roads
DISPATCH: 21:15 Hours. Reported structure fire. Multiple calls of flames through roof. AREA RESPONSIBILITY: Howell Fire Department. WEATHER: 12°F (-6° Wind Chill).
Size-Up: Facts vs. Probabilities
SCENARIO ANALYSIS
<b>FACTS (What we know):</b> Commercial bldg, heavy fire everywhere, night time, 12°F weather, ice.<br><br><b>PROBABILITIES (What we predict):</b> <br>• Rapid collapse? (Yes, roof involved).<br>• Extension to exposures? (Wind chill/wind data).<br>• Victims? (9:15 PM commercial - likely low prob, but check).<br><br><i>Use this analysis to determine Strategy: Offensive or Defensive?</i>
Incident Priorities (RECEO-VS)
The IAP is based on <b>Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, Property Conservation</b>.<br><br><b>R - Rescue:</b> None (Building fully involved, Survivability Profile Zero).<br><b>E - Exposures:</b> Protect surrounding properties (Priority #1 here).<br><b>C - Confinement:</b> Master streams (Ladder 20).<br><b>E - Extinguishment:</b> High volume flow (100k gallons).<br><b>O - Overhaul:</b> Extensive.<br><b>VS - Vent/Salvage:</b> Not applicable (Defensive).
Tactics: S.L.I.C.E.-R.S.
Expanding the Organization
Transfer of Command
Safety Message
Accountability is non-negotiable.
Cold weather operations: Rotate crews, watch for slips/falls.
Maintain collapse zones (1.5x building height).
Risk a lot to save a lot. Risk a little to save a little.
Incident Reporting
Summary
Questions?
Nick Hess - Howell Area Fire Dept
- firefighting
- incident-command
- emergency-management
- size-up
- fire-safety
- tactical-training
- first-responders