By Michael Furci
A few months ago, I was the “first-in” engine operator at an apartment fire. Normally, I would be on the back of the engine, but our operator was off. Although I’d much rather be on the back of the engine so I can go inside, being an operator once in a while keeps me sharp in those skills and offers a perspective at working fires I don’t get from the inside.
Luckily for the residents, the fire in question occurred in the afternoon. They smelled the fire in time to get out, and they called 911. However, despite a quick dispatch and response, the kitchen area and part of the attached living room were badly damaged. Moreover, the bedroom that was venting itself out a half-opened window started to show signs of flashover while the initial crew was making its attack. Despite errors made by subsequent company members that could have been disastrous in different circumstances, the fire was knocked down fairly quickly, residents were evacuated, and no one was seriously hurt.
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