Report Number: 05-0000067
Report Date: 05/27/2005

Event Description

First alarm commercial building assignment response. COA: Light smoke showing ("C" side of building) from a one story commercial building (234,000 thousand square feet). The building is divided into three separate occupancies. The fire was located in suite "B" (50,209 square feet), Oriental Rug storage. First alarm resources make entry to the "A" side of the building through the office area. The initial crews encountered forcible entry delays (7 to 9) minutes. Once the entry doors through the office were open, engine company resources advance one 2 1/2 hose line 200' into the buidling. The fire is located in rack storage contained by the sprinkler system, but still burning and smoldering in many areas. The attack crews locate the fire and begin extinguishment efforts. During the extinguishment efforts the attack crews' low air warning devices begin to sound. The Captain orders the crews to back out of the building. As the crews make there way out of the building following their hose line, one fire fighter becomes separated off the hose line and now heads in the opposite direction. As the crews exit the building a head count identifies that one fire fighter did not come out. Emergency Traffic is requested and "fire fighter emergency" aka "May-Day" is announced. Rapid Intervention Crews are activated and make entry into the building to locate the missing fire fighter. Command is unable to contact the lost fire fighter via radio. The Rapid Intervention Crew supervisor conducts a quick briefing (rapid information exchange) with the attack crew supervisor as to the last known location of the fire fighter. The Rapid Intervention Crews locate the missing fire fighter.

Lesson Learned

Company Unity Unity of Command Span of Control Depth in & Distance too Thermal Imagers (over reliance)

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