A multiple alarm fire and collapse 70 years ago resulting in six Boston Firefighter LODDs, was overshadowed by the Coconut Grove Fire which occurred 13 days later. HereÂ’ the story and legacy.

The Predictability of Building Performance must take into consideration that in the context of today’s fire ground, buildings and fire dynamics, small changes on initial compartment or structure conditions may often produce and result in large-scale or magnitude changes that affect the long term outcome of the incident. We have assumed that the routiness or […]

Before Making Entry, while in the street; Has someone completed or assigned the reconn for a 360 of the building? Have you looked at the Building and its Profile and Understood what you’re looking at? Made a Rapid Risk Assessment? Assessed the Building’s Anatomy? Considered the Compartment? Considered the Fire Dynamics? Assessed the Predictability of […]

Defined by your actions on the Fireground and in Quarters.

A fire in a three story multiple family apartment building injured four City of Chicago (IL) firefighters when an interior stairway collapsed during firefighting operations. The building was constructed in 1927 and consisted of 5456 square feet of space with 3-5 apartment units. Built of masonry wall construction with a wood floor joist system, the […]

A large warehouse fire in a 211,000 SF complex resulted from a transformer explosion this morning at the Wix Distribution Center in Gastonia, NC. The building complex was a former textile mill and was built in 1917. Published report indicate that more than 60 firefighters operated at the scene to control the fire. It was […]

Identifying, Establishing and Managing Collapse Zones I mentioned in a recent post about on-going research and recommendations being developed for a significant report. A notable issue that seems to resonate and surface on a reoccurring bais is the identification, establishment and management of collapse zones. Building type, construction systems and materials, initiating, apparent or contributIng […]

Victim #1 was acting as the Incident Safety Officer and Victim #2 was performing overhaul, when the bell tower collapsed on them and numerous other fire fighters.

LODD Funeral of fallen hero, Tomasz Kaczowka, West Webster (NY) FD

Nothing is ever routine;…… pause to reflect and remember the demands of the job and the inherent risks and the sacrifices made each and every day in this noble profession of the fire service.
Another beloved brother firefighterÂ’s sacrifice, protecting the citizens of his great city.