Residential Firefighting Strategy & Tactics

Vocabulary terms and definitions regarding structural firefighting strategies, tactics, and incident management based on a residential firefighting tactical guide.

Accountability Officer

Assigned Officer responsible for the tracking and verification of personnel on the fireground.

Defensive Mode

Command option declared when risks outweigh benefits, Rescue Mode is not imminent, and there are NO life-safety issues; it identifies an exterior attack for an extended duration based on the principle "Risk a little to Save a little."

Door Control

The process of ensuring the entrance door providing access to the fire area is controlled and closed as much as possible after teams enter the structure to control the flow path and limit fire development.

Driver Pump Operations (DPO)

A description of the duties and responsibilities that the Drivers (Position "D") are required to perform on scene.

Fire Attack Mode

A determination by the first arriving officer that rescue is NOT imminent; may start with a quick exterior attack and transition to an interior attack, announced as a "Working Fire."

Fire Department Connection (FDC)

Water supply connection on Commercial and Multi-Family Buildings, which supplies water to the sprinkler system and/or standpipe system.

Flashover

A transition in a compartment fire when surfaces exposed to thermal radiation from fire gases in excess of $1100^{\circ}F$ reach ignition temperature more or less simultaneously, resulting in fire involvement of the entire space.

Flow Path

The movement of heat and smoke from the higher pressure within the fire area towards the lower pressure areas accessible via doors, window openings, and roof structures.

Flow Path Control

The tactic of controlling or closing ventilation points to limit additional oxygen into the space and control the movement of heat and smoke conditions.

Incident Commander

Referred to as "Command," this is the first or highest ranking Officer or Acting Officer responsible for the oversight or direction of the incident strategy.

Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC)

A crew who temporarily assembles to provide for the safety and rescue of firefighting crews until additional manpower arrives to meet the "Two-In, Two-Out" Rule.

Investigative Mode

Command option where the first-in unit investigates and other apparatus stage when there is NO visible or apparent emergency upon arrival.

On-Deck

The movement from one position to another, specifically when personnel move from the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) to interior Fire Attack or Search Crews.

Operations (Forward Ops.)

Assigned Officer who provides tactical direction to personnel engaged in firefighting and rescue operations, located close to or in the incident building.

Manpower Pool

Group of personnel assembled away from the incident who are prepared and teamed for incident operations.

Mayday

A standard three-word distress call to indicate that a firefighter, emergency medical technician, or team is in immediate danger and requires assistance.

Medical Rehab Group

Group of personnel assigned to monitoring, documentation, and possible care of personnel engaged in firefighting operations.

Personal Accountability Report (PAR)

A system used by the Incident Commander to verify the status of personnel at an incident via the radio and accountability system.

Primary Hydrant/Water Source

The hydrant or water source located closest to the incident.

Quick Response Vehicle (QRV)

ALS provider who responds to emergencies in a car.

Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)

A crew of personnel solely dedicated to the safety and rescue of the firefighting crews.

Rescue Mode

Command option declared for critical life safety situations involving entrapment of occupants or firefighters, announced as a "Working Fire."

Rural Water Supply

A water supply system where a distribution system is not present, requiring apparatus to shuttle water to the incident.

Safety Officer

Assigned Officer responsible for the overall safety of the incident operation.

Secondary Hydrant/Water Source

Hydrant or water source near the incident, but from another direction and separate from the primary source.

S.L.I.C.E.R.S.

A Fire Attack Mode tactic used to reduce temperatures inside a building prior to entry for extinguishment or rescue.

Truck Operations

Support Operations assigned to Truck Companies providing assistance in firefighting and rescue operations.

VENT-ENTER-ISOLATE-SEARCH (V.E.I.S.)

The approved tactic when entering a structure through an opening to search for fire or victims, where the priority is to close the door to isolate the search area from the fire area.

High Life Hazard

Any location posing multiple life threats due to difficulty exiting or lack of mobility, such as Churches, Hospitals, Hotels, Nursing Homes, and Schools.

High Rise

A building where total evacuation is not practical, ground-based operation is not possible, or resources are stretched beyond one jurisdiction's capacity.

Commercial Structure

A structure in which the primary purpose is to conduct activities of business, industry, or trade.

Hazmat

An incident involving a gas, liquid, or solid that poses a threat to life, health, and property.

Incident Priorities

The guiding principles for decision making: Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, and Property Conservation.

Fire has been "Reset"

A radio benchmark indicating that water has been applied to a superheated space or the fire to reduce the thermal threat.

Water on the Fire

A radio benchmark indicating that water is being applied directly to the seat of the fire.