Engine Company Options for an Initial Action Plan

BY SCOTT JOERGER

First-due engine companies to a working structure fire have a great impact on how that fire will progress. A good size-up by the first-in company officer and then a practical initial action plan (IAP) will make this company really shine when the fire is under control and everybody goes home safely. The old saying “The fire goes as the first line goes” still applies. When it comes to selecting a line, the engine company officer determines the IAP, which must include some options. Every engine company should have at least five options to begin fire attack. This article discusses these options, why to select them, and what can go wrong with them.

Have these options set up on the engine and ready to be deployed quickly and effectively at a structure fire. Whether you are specifying and purchasing a new engine for delivery or are working in a fire department that is experiencing budget constraints, you should be working toward providing that engine company with these five options. These options are usually placed on the engine to begin with, but they may not be readily deployed. Too often, engine company officers fail to select an option and stick with the same approach at every fire to which they respond. If you go to a lot of the same types of fires, this might work.