APARTMENT HOUSE FIRE
On Thursday, August 24, Battalion 14 responded with a "B" Assignment to a reported Structure Fire at 10700 Victory Bl. in North Hollywood. Initial units responding included TF 60, TF 89, E 77, E 7, RA 60, RA 889 and EMS 14. Upon arrival Battalion 14 gave the Size Up as a 2-Story Modern Garden Style Apartment over Parking with one Unit on the First Floor Well Involved. (Above) Captain II Ken Brady of TF 60 communicating with Victory I.C.
As "Victory I.C." Battalion 14 gave the following assignments: LF 60 to Roof (Vent/Roof Division), E 60 Fire Attack First Floor, T 89 Roof/Search and Rescue Second Floor, E 89 Floor Above, E 7 Search and Rescue First Floor, E 77 Back-Up Fire Attack, RA 889 assist LF 89, EMS 14 Medical Group Leader, RA 60 Medical Group. (Above) Captain II Brady.
As Victory I.C. Battalion 14 requested one additional Task Force and two additional Paramedic Rescues upon learning of 2 injured civilians. One of the injured civilians was a motorist who was passing by the scene and stopped to give assistance. After stopping he entered the building to see if anyone needed help. Unable to enter the fire unit due to intense heat he located a 92 year old female in the Unit next door to the fire who was in distress due to the heavy smoke. He broke a window to enter her apartment and removed her to safety. (Above) Firefighters Chris Russell, Jeff Ochoa and Ralph Schmuckenputz prepare to place the 35 foot extension ladder.
As the members of E 60 battled intense heat to advance their line on the fire the additional units requested were formed as the Rapid Intervention Component. The members assigned to Search and Rescue reported that their primary searches were "clear". Battalion 10 Commander Joe Foley (additional) was assigned as the Safety Officer and also "reconned" the scene. (Above) The members of TF 60 begin to raise the 35 foot extension ladder.
Following the "Knockdown" firefighters completed their Secondary Search and determined that there were no civilians inside the Fire Unit or adjacent Units who were in need of assistance. Firefighters knocked the fire down in 13 minutes. (Above) The fire begins to intensify shortly before the Fire Attack Team gets a good hit on the Fire Unit.
The occupants of the Fire Unit were not home at the time of the incident. One Firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene to return to his duties. The individual Units had recently been converted to "Condos". (Above) E 89 lays a 3 1/2" Supply Line across Victory Bl. on arrival.
Battalion 14 Thanks All Members for a Great Effort!
LF60 assigned to Roof/Vent Div. I am assuming all members of LF with the exception of the inside man go to roof to vent. Since fire is on 1st floor of a 2 story apt, are they cutting or are they just opening the penthouse(bulkhead) door and venting skylights etc? E60 Fire Attack(self explanatory), LF89: Roof/ S&R 2nd floor. Who is going where and what are they doing on this assignment? E7:: S&R 1st floor. Are they searching the fire apt or other areas of the fire floor? All other assignments are self explanitory. Thanks for the asst. I have always found it interesting to compare Ops of other large departments.
: 8:20:00 AMT89, assisted by RA 889, took all members to the roof to assist with roof ops (not needed) and were redirected to Search and Rescue on the 2nd floor when it appeared there may be a life hazard issue. In this case members were checking apartments for smoke and clearing occupants for safety.
E7 was searching adjacent units for occupants. The fire unit was searched by the fire attack company during initial ops and following knockdown. All S&R ops consist of a quick initial "Primary Search" and a more thorough "Secondary Search" that is normally completed following Knockdown.
Finally, every incident presents two arenas that need to be addressed: 1. What you see "now". 2. What you are going to be seeing as conditions either deterioate or get better. Since we never know exactly how the incident will progress it's important to always consider a worse case scenario and place companies accordingly.
Hope this answers your questions.
Get in Low and Let it Blow!!!
JM
: 10:12:00 AM<< Home
