hfdlt216

A story that was relayed to me by a Chief up county was that their dept. responded to a structure fire in a 2 1/2 story, type V, platform construction, residential occupancy. On arrival, a female on scene was screaming "My baby, my baby. My baby is inside". The Chief then initiated a search team to conduct a primary search. The results of that search were negative. The woman continued to claim her baby was trapped inside the house. The Chief then sent in a second team. The subsequent results were negative. The fire at this time had been going and conditions were starting to deteriorate quickly. The woman was inconsolable and still claimed her child was inside. The Chief sent in a 3rd search team. With identical results. Long story short, not only was the woman intoxicated on PCP, she didn't even live in the home. As for 360's & IC. In the military we call it RECON/INTEL and the establishment of Command & Control; and further, a term which has been creeping into the fire service is situational awareness. Intelligence is gathered, disseminated, and then implemented. There are clear delineation of roles, development of overall strategies and the resources & tactics necessary to accomplish them. There is no deviation. Fire Service specific, overall strategy is 1. Life Safety 2. Incident Stabilization 3. Preservation of Property/Environmental. Tactics are contigent on available resources. Of course ad hoc accomodations must be made as the situation warrants. Further, to be NIMS compliant as per established by NRF (NRP) & carried out via HSPD-5 & HSPD-8 the establishment of the Incident Command System is integral. It is mandatory for federal agencies. I also believe if you recieved federal grant money, i.e. SAFER, it is also mandatory. Without it some attorneys could come in and establish negligence as it is considered a standard. In most depts it's addressed in their respective SOP/SOGs. The role of the IC is very specific. It's analogous to the head of a snake. Without it nothing moves. http://www.fema.gov/implementation-and-compliance-guidance-stakeholders

I normally don't post on this site. However, I take exception to your comments. Furthermore, I have to question your integrity and validity. A 360 is an integral part of any emergency operation. As was previously stated it is even taught in (exterior) Support Scene Ops & FFI or CFR or EMT. Action without a plan is simply freelancing and haphazard. The utmost priority is to your guys, it trumps all else. Attitudes such as yours gets people killed, injured and open to litigation. Instead of having one victim you have exacerbated the op exponentially to the possibility of multiple victims, not to mention a reallocation of limited resources to effect a rescue that may have been avoided to begin with. Especially when it's unsubstantiated. Not having a handline operational, with new structures specifically, premature entry may contribute to flashover or backdraft conditions. Stating that all residential dwellings are similar if not identical, further displays your obliviousness. People are not identical, nor are there homes. To assume (well you know the saying). In the 21st century (the century we live in) you have a multiude of complictions. Clandestine meth labs, people who possess explosive materials, active shooter, photovolatic power, LOX, Collard's Mansions, etc. Not to mention alterations to existing structure that may have been done without proper authorization, or a significant drop off in grade on the Charlie side from the Alpha, or any other obstruction or hinderance to the operation. Moreover stating that anyone did nothing, lacks "balls" or "check your nuts" as you so eloquently stated, further displays your incognizance. Knowing all involved that is the farthest from the truth. I am not sure how many fires you have been to, but your statements would allude to the contrary. Thank God you are not my Captain or DC. Great job guys. I am proud to be a member of the HFD. Job well done. Another example of the professionalism, integrity and the high reputation of our department. As for your HGTV comment, maybe you should stop watching Backdraft, it's a movie.