There needs to be a command structure and dedicated people to oversee the entire incident and monitor the safety of those working there. One of these key people is the officer in charge who stays at a command post to coordinate the overall event and to be the decision maker. A staff aide should be assigned to assist the officer in charge with incident management and accountability. Also, a safety officer needs to be assigned to ensure that the health and safety system is in place when there is significant risk to firefighters.
An engineer is needed to operate the pumps on the fire engine. The engineer maintains an uninterrupted flow of water and remains at the pump to monitor the water supply and the status of the engine. A team of
at least two firefighters are needed to make an interior attack on the fire. There should also be another team of two firefighters to function as a back-up or secondary attack team. One additional firefighter must be assigned to each of these lines to assist in line lays, utility control and forcible entry.
To search for victims, a
minimum of one search-and-rescue team consisting of two firefighters are needed. Simultaneous with the attack on the fire, a team of two must be providing ventilation to release superheated gases of combustion, smoke and heat to increase interior visibility and release these harmful byproducts. When an aerial ladder and/or a supply pumper are in use, one firefighter must remain with this vehicle to perform its operation. If a firefighter becomes injured, trapped or disoriented in the near-zero visibility, hazard-filled environment, an Initial Rapid Intervention Crew consisting of a
minimum of two firefighters is needed to quickly find and rescue the at risk firefighter(s).
The
minimum number of personnel needed is between
15 and 17 (depending on the use of an aerial device and/or supply pumper). Obviously, if the magnitude of the scenario were increased, a greater number of personnel would be required. For example, more attack lines for a larger fire or additional search-and-rescue teams for multiple potential victims or multiple stories to search. In addition to fire personnel, a dedicated EMS unit would serve to care for any victims and provide firefighter health assessments and rehab.
All of these tasks need to be accomplished in a coordinated and timely manner to achieve the best possible outcome.
Since a fire grows exponentially and doubles in size every 30 seconds, you can see why time is of the essence and appropriate manpower is a necessity. Were you aware of all that is involved in fighting a fire?
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