This video was on transitional fire attack was produced by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It is a brilliant description of how to incorporate the NIST studies and how to perform a Transitional Attack. This is a must see for all future and current fire officers.
As you view the video, pay particular attention to the temperatures and how they are dramatically reduced throughout the structure when water is applied from outside prior to making entry. It clearly demonstrates how quickly the interior temperatures are decreased when a transitional fire attack is used prior to making entry. This cools the interior which makes it easier for firefighters to enter the structure and begin a primary search and knock down of the fire.
It is incumbent upon us as fire service leaders to stay up on current trends in the fire service. I have to admit for those of us who have been around for a while, this is a big change from the way we have done business in the past. I am thoroughly convinced this is the wave of the future and it is being put into policy throughout the country. NIST is a very credible organization and this practice is backed by science.
Before you put this into practice with your organization, I highly recommend that you follow the process as you would with any new technique or tool to get it approved. There is a significant amount of literature available to help you in your efforts to get this approved for use in your department.
For those of you who are studying for an upcoming promotional examination, my advice is DO NOT use it IF your department has not FORMALLY ADOPTED Transitional Fire Attack. Conversely, if your department has adopted and trained on it and has developed SOP’s and/or SOG’s, you would be well served to use it as appropriate for your upcoming promotional exam and after you get promoted.
Enjoy the video. It’s really well done!