THE CHALLENGE OF GETTING AROUND BACK

The challenges of fighting fires in the urban environment in some cases are not solely urban issues. Some of those issues can be found in many small towns across America as well.

As times change we start to see many of the security measures such as window bars and fortified rear entries popping up in many different neighborhoods. We also see homes being chopped up into smaller apartments becoming more and more prevalent.

But one ‘urban’ problem we don’t think of as often has been around since many municipalities were laid out and their buildings constructed.

Access to the rear of structures, especially in tightly packed neighborhoods can be quite challenging.

For many this brings to mind the downtown or commercial parts of town, but just as often these areas occur in our residential neighborhoods.

These tightly packed areas are found in small towns to big cities across the country and can range from well kept and accessible to trash dumping grounds and nearly inaccessible.

Regardless of the conditions present getting eyes to the rear and having the ability for companies to operate in that area is of vital importance. We can’t just ignore one side of the building because it’s difficult to access. We need to gather intel, plan and train for the inevitability that we’ll have to operate in these challenging locations.

The most obvious thing we can do is get out and identify where the tightly packed sections of our district are located, what the conditions we’re presented with are and how can we overcome them.

But before we get too far into gathering this intel we should have a good idea of why we need to know it. Why is the rear important?

Obviously, it’s another side of the building and should have equal importance to all others but it doesn’t always get that same attention.

I suppose this is because we can most often see at least two of the 4 sides pretty easily. And it’s easy for us to begin operations based on what we see upon our arrival.

In reality, however, the rear can be hiding completely different conditions and that might change our priorities and plans all together.

It’s important to get a look back there as quickly as possible so we can develop a plan that is truly effective for the fire we’re facing.

So what are we looking for?

1. Are there persons trapped or who have jumped?

2.Building conditions. (not fire conditions) What shape was this building in pre fire? Is the construction type the same as the front? What does that mean for potential fire spread?

3. Is there a grade issue? Exposed basement? Home built into a hill?

4.Smoke and fire conditions. How much? Where is it? Where’s it been and where’s it going? Is there fire in the open shaft in the rear of a row house situation? Are the back porches burning on multiple homes?

5.What is the exposure situation? How close are they, what is their construction, are they on fire? How soon will they be on fire? When they do catch fire how does that change your operations?

6.What are the access challenges for additional companies to gain access and operate in this area? How long will this take and how will that effect operations.

7. What resources do you need to make the rescues or stop the spread in this area?

Let’s start from the outside and move in as we assess the rear of these buildings.

The neighborhood layout plays an important role here. Mostly commonly there are three basic situations that you’ll be faced with, an alley or small street, a walkable alley or walkway or back to back yards with no street access. Each of these situations can have many complicating factors.

You have to first look at access for apparatus. Are there drivable alley’s? Just because there is an alley or small street doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get your apparatus on them. We’ve often seen uncontrolled tree growth or dumping of trash and debris as a major limiting factor to alley access.

If you’re able to get in the alley look at the surroundings. Is it lined with garages and fences? How will that effect the efficiency of operations. Will companies have to force entry into garages? What will they find in those garages and will they be able to get through? Is the garage even in a safe enough condition to pass through it? Will they be able to get through the fence or gate? What’s on the other side?

If the alley is merely a walkway between yards, the issue becomes centered around access to that walkway and the ability to get lines and ladders efficiently to the involved area.

Stretches will be longer and may require leader lines. This will take a bit more effort and if your district has these areas’ you should be drilling on getting your equipment to them prior to any fires occurring.

If there are no access points from an alley or adjoining streets then we’ll have to gain access via a neighboring home or building, enter the building, go through and come out in the back yard. Scenarios can vary but this might occur in an attached building or through a building that actually fronts on a different street.

Once that’s done you will likely run into fences that can range from wooden to chain link to any type of scrap material that the occupant could scrape up to create a fence. So be prepared to get through a variety of materials.

Once you’ve gained access hazards abound. Far too many to list all of them, but I’ll cover some of the common ones we’ve encountered.

Number one in my mind is the hidden danger of downed power lines. The main electric feed and service drops are often run through the alleys of these neighborhoods. If the fire burns them off and the lines drop, you not only have the hazard of a downed power line, but should they land on a fence there is a potential of energizing fences throughout the entire area. Remember to keep your eyes out for the lines and keep your hands off the fences.

As you move into the area make sure you’re watchful for shady characters and dogs. I once found myself between a man with
a gun and a charging pit bull. It wasn’t a fun spot to be in but thanks to my partner coming around to help the dog ran off and we talked the guy down.

These areas are often secluded and can provide cover for shady activity. Make sure you’re vigilant for nefarious characters, potential booby traps, and dogs. We stumbled across a dog fighting training area one day. There were many dogs chained all over with a common area where the fights were held. A dog doesn’t have to be a fighter though to be aggressive and protective of it’s territory.

Another issue that seems to be of epidemic proportions is the dumping of trash and debris in these areas. We’ve seen everything from daily trash and household items to abandoned vehicles and contractors dumping construction waste. These items will certainly make access more difficult and could lead to fire spread if they’re close enough to the buildings.

Once you arrive at the area of operations immediately begin checking for victims. They could be on roof tops, balconies, hanging from windows or on the ground having already jumped.

Once you locate any victims, quickly develop a rescue plan. This could be rescue from the interior, shelter in place or a ground ladder operation. There are endless scenarios for what you might find but you must immediately radio the situation to command and let them know what you are doing and what additional resources you need. (CAN Report –conditions, actions, needs.)

Having drilled on throwing ladders in challenging and confined areas will pay dividends in these situations. Neither you nor the victims really want this to be the first time you’ve ever attempted an operation like this.

Regardless of the fact that there are victims or not, you must complete a size up of the conditions in the rear and get a report to command as soon as possible.

One item that should be mentioned as well is means of egress from the buildings. Homes that have been cut up into apartments will likely have additional fire escapes, wooden or metal walkways, porches and stairways. The conditions of these items can not be counted on as safe for operations.

I’m not saying you can’t operate on them but you must be vigilant about their conditions. Much of the wood can be rotted and much of the metal rusted. Many are simply held in place by gravity and need only for someone to walk on them to fail.

From a truck company perspective, you need to think about access and opening up. Hooks and irons are a must, but other forcible entry tools may be needed. Once you arrive in place and give a CAN report to command, make sure ventilation and forcible entry operations are coordinated with the engine company moving in on the fire.

From an engine company perspective, you should take into account forcible entry if you’re not operating with a truck company. Consider your stretch and what you’ll need to complete it. Also I’d plan for the worst.

If the back of these places are rippin’ you’ll want to have a lot of water with you.

Our department has step guns set up on our rigs for this purpose but depending on where you’re going that can be a difficult stretch especially with low manpower. By using the step gun you’ll need to go get another line to stay in the fight once you have the main body of exterior fire knocked down. Utilizing the 2” or 2 1⁄2” line gives you a lot of water and maneuverability once the exterior fire is knocked down.

Again this is an operation that should be drilled upon. Knowing how to handle and maneuver these lines should be the least of your worries on game day. While a skilled fireman can knock down a lot of fire with an 1 3⁄4’ hand line, we’re talking GPM’s over BTU’s to win the battle back here.

If there is no street access to the rear, you’ll need to get there by going through buildings. Try to be as careful as possible while doing so. We don’t want to be bulls in the china shop, especially when the china shop isn’t on fire. Be respectful of the occupant’s belongings, but move efficiently and effectively.

The other way you can gain access to the rear is from above. I didn’t really mention to much about that because in the article The Urban 360, Jason Brezler and Jerry Smith really cover that well. If you haven’t, you need to find and read it.

One last area to mention is fire spread to exposures. This can be quite challenging especially if access to the rear is limited. Unchecked fire spread can create building fires on several fronts.

Recently we responded to a fire that was small but during the size up we noticed that the buildings (all row houses) were separated by 25 to 30 feet at most.

We were at the end of the block so we had row houses on three streets all meeting in one area. Had we had a good fire going in the back the exposures would have easily lit off. Now we have building fires on three streets.

From a management perspective how are you running that incident? Lots of questions come to mind. What companies will be responsible for what buildings? What will you call them? How will that effect side, exposure and floor identification? Is it now three separate fires?

The answers to those questions will come from your department and it’s sop’s, but it’s something your crews should consider prior to a fire happening in that type of area.

Operations, or lack of, in the rear can really make or break an incident. From locating victims and fire to limiting spread to exposures, this is an area of operation that is key to the incidents overall success.

Do your planning, do your drilling, and when the time comes, get in the rear and nail it.