[TurnThePage]

A question that must face every IC today is when do you switch from offensive interior operations to defensive contain original fire and protect exposures? Too many times I have seen recently depts prolong there initial operation when it should become evident that due too heavy fire throughout
the structure and through the roof they feel obligated to continue an fruitless interior attack (no matter how many times they are pushed out) call MA to the extent that a 1.5 story pvt dwelling becomes a 3 alarm fire involving from a whole battalion to half the county. We all feel salty and that we can take on any situation , but the reality is buildings DO BURN DOWN in the best districts and it in no way represents the abilities of said district. There comes a time as an IC you must realize that after extinguishment the building will most likely be demolished or totally gutted due to the damage it sustained especially once its through the roof. Why then must we put the lives of the limited manpower we now have at risk just to say we fought it aggressively? We can only do the best we can on arrival try to contain the fire search and make sure everyone is out and safe and if we can extinguish the fire if possible. When we pull up on a fully involved situation our options are limited from the get go first priority account for all occupants and their safety after that its the safety of our members that come first ; and good IC's can usually tell from initial size-up what the end result will be and what the owners of the structure will do with any building that has sustained major damage. Then why do we put firefighters at risk fighting a losing battle and at the same time put the rest of the district and every district we deplete for MA purposes at risk do to limited manpower? We cant win them all we never have and never will we can only give our best effort. IC's must start realising this sooner and do more with less RISK LIVES ONLY TO SAVE SAVEABLE LIVES AND PROPERTY . It is not an insult to your dept because we lost a building we all have but at least every one goes home and you use a lot less resources that may be needed elsewhere their is no shame in that.

[5803]

Turn the Page - well said.

Risk a little to save a little, risk a lot to save a lot.

Like you said, after a fire, anything that is wet is pretty much removed from the structure (i.e., demolition). An attic fire where we flow water for 5-10 minutes results in extensive damage to the entire house, even if the fire was just in the attic. Many clothes can't be cleaned, even if they have not burned or gotten wet, just from the smell of smoke. Same for furniture, rugs, etc. We have a primary responsibility to save life, and obviously should go all out to do so - risking a lot to save a lot. But like you said, when it comes to risking the lives of our brothers unnecessarily to save contents which are pretty much trashed anyway, our priority should be to see that everyone of us goes home safe.